Don't buy these 3 Telecasters | Telecaster Review

[@BullFrog96]

Guys, don't buy the American Vintage II Tele because its spec'd out to be a vintage guitar. Don't buy the guitar that does the thing it was designed to do because it does the thing it was designed to do.

[@alfredcakeburn1166]

It smacks of look at me content rather than something thats been researched properly. Lord knows how Hendrix, Knopfler, Gatton, Buchanan, Gilmour et al ever managed 🙂

[@adrianruvalcaba8977]

Honestly... It's a KZbin channel... I'd say a younger more modern category of player, so while you out there who's critique is that he is knocking the vintage guitars for being exactly that, vintage, well... I don't know if everyone out there who reads a guitars specs, understands exactly what they will get in terms of feel, comfort, playability, etc... Y'all know how many teles fender and Squier offer, and he's only knocking 3?!?

[@BeeRumblin13]

I have the av2 63 in crimson trans. It is my favorite tele. It plays perfect on bends all over. This guy is a joke

[@vincemincevince]

@@NBodii played one the other day, i thought it was out standing

[@Rebellovw]

@@BeeRumblin13 Agreed - I have the Surf green 63 - I love it!

[@lazvt8469]

Have 10 Teles (lefty also)....including two Harley Bentons on one price extreme....a Fender CustomShop Closet Classic on the other extreme. My recent gem....a $400 AIO TC4 with Suhr Classic T pups...really sound, feels, plays similar to my CS. LOVE IT!! AIO does a truly pro set up!! Sold my AM-ProII (so-so sound, didn't want to mod it)....can't go wrong with an LSL Tbone...amazing tone (7 lbs too). Any Tele with good bones and properly set up (e.g., Squier CV50) ...with Fralin/Lollars/Suhr/NoCaster/McNelly/MFD pups (and disconnect tone pot from neck pup) will sound and play GREAT. Continue to long live the Tele!! Loved mine in the 80's....still the gold standard.

[@AlfredoJornet]

I have a Harley-Benton TE-62cc (150 EUR) and a top of the line made in mexico fender (1300 EUR) and, while the later has the edge in feel, both sound and play great and I love both...

[@lazvt8469]

@@AlfredoJornet 100%!! My TE-62DB is absolute flawless in every aspect. With '51 Fender CS NoCasters (go used!) ...sounds and plays like a million bucks.

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

10 Teles, what a waste.

[@lazvt8469]

@@BkBk-gy6vr Not if you own 80 guitars...and if you saw and played them (all feel, sound, and play different to me) you'd repent of such sacrilege. What next, having 10 wives is also a waste?

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

@lazvt8469 80 now that's even more pathetic, and I bet you can barely even play.

[@RaylanGivens123]

Gotta disagree with you on the 7 1/4 vintage radius...i love those. You just have to setup the action a little higher & have a little more relief in the neck, and it won't fret out. The rounder profile also makes chords easier. All the 60s and 70s guitar gods were using those and it didn't hurt their playing!

[@jmo1366]

I agree.

[@aperezdeal]

@ RaylanGivens123 many of the old timers had guitars worked on/serviced and often what started at 7.25 after mods/ refrets became closer to 9.5 or above

[@scotttrezak6558]

7 1/4 - 9.5? I have no problem going back and forth James Burton, Albert Lee, Vince Gill, Danny Gatton, Roy Buchanan - They are played with 7 1/2 radius teles with little frets ,and they flew on them

[@joeyjooones]

@@RaylanGivens123 you answered it yourself - the 70s guitar gods didn’t care, but I’m not one of them.. 😅

[@-Thunder]

I have a 7.25" Tele Custom and it's got really low action and doesn't fret out on a bend. I'm not convinced you need higher action or more truss rod if the fretwork is good. A lot of shredder setups simply file down frets 17-22 to be fractionally lower. You could do that too. Anyway, I really enjoy that neck. I also enjoy my HM Strat which has a 16" radius.

[@chrisambrose8838]

This past year I bought a 40th anniversary Squire Tele for $449 and it was beautiful! 💙🇺🇸👍🙋‍♂️🖖🏻

[@misterduiglens.fleetwood6610]

Me too, 50s Classic vibe. I named it buzz.

[@rinkedinkrecords]

Got a Classic Vibe Starcaster used for $300 and it's a beautiful guitar - fit & finish, tone, playability, all super impressive. I owned an original '76 Starcaster for years and yeah it was a little better and a little different but overall, the Squire brought me back to that old feeling.

[@Choupifr]

I got mine on Thomann discounted at 290 € and its ridiculously good for the price. And upgraded with 51 no caster pickups, lockings tuners and an "in tune" bridge, its killer.

[@David-y6o]

I agree.I am not a professional but it does what I need it to do.

[@robbyclark6915]

I just bought a Schecter PT special. My first ever T style guitar. Swamp ash body, roasted maple neck, rosewood board, body and neck binding, P90 in the neck, single in the bridge, brass compensated saddles, body contours, neck contour, med-jumbo SS frets, series and parallel wiring. Sounds great, plays great, paid less than $500 used without a scratch on it. It's a foreign made, but who cares? My first Schecter, too, and i am seriously impressed.

[@chrisschopenhauer6261]

its a great tele style, have one myself and its my favorite guitar 👍

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

I tried one at a local shop and it was terrible compared to a Fender Tele.

[@chrisschopenhauer6261]

@@BkBk-gy6vr 👍 okay, so what was your complain so far as you remember in the comparison ?

[@theiranxican7412]

I'm actually tempted to sell my fender american deluxe tele it put towards Schecter pt fastback and the pt ex. Sooo much guitar for alot less money.

[@robbyclark6915]

@@theiranxican7412 I played a tele deluxe yesterday at a shop and the guitar played great but the noiseless pups sounded like hot garbage. Well, that's an exaggeration, but my cheap Schecter literally sounds better than a 2k tele. I actually own a strat deluxe HSS and it sounds great. I don't understand what they did to the tele pups though? They just don't have that spank and bark that a tele should have.

[@trev3971]

7.25" radius wasn't a problem for Hendrix, Clapton, or Page. It's all about setup.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

...and the love of playing loud!!!

[@didierlaplace]

100% right this is the simple truth, he is much to young

[@Mark70609]

They probably raised their action to get over the excessive fretboard curve. That’s not ideal. Page and Clapton were also Gibson players which are very different instruments to Fenders. I have a Strat with 7.25 and 9.5 and 9.5 is much easier to deal with.

[@sEaNoYeAh]

Yeah. While a flatter radius may make certain things easier, and I think it does for intricate shred playing, 100% if you handed one to Paul Gilbert he'd be able to shred it. It's a preference thing, you only need to optimise if you have specific needs or you're going for some kind of world record.

[@Phillip-y6d]

@@Mark70609 You're *probably* playing it wrong. well, you said that about them 🤣

[@Michel-r6m]

After 1149 was about twice as much than 429 I stopped listening.

[@joeyjooones]

It never was supposed to be a math channel. 😅😅

[@Michel-r6m]

@@joeyjooones These things I am allegeric to 🤠 Hey man enjoy what you got 🤠

[@0rb0d]

"Deckle" LOL!

[@filipdemeyst8842]

But it is!

[@TheMagicJester]

If you are loose and not exact then yes, but it’s actually closer to three times the amount.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

I suggest that if you are having trouble bending more than a semitone on a 7.25" radius board your action is too low. If you raise it the whole thing will sound instantly better.

[@randymiles-j1w]

Nice. I was happy to hear you give love to the squire classic vibe. All the classic vibe stuff is amazing. I’m a budget gearhead and modder, and I’ve played some amazing squires. The stigma attached to them are undeserved.

[@javiersilva5409]

I've been playing for 57 years. Still play 4 times a week. Owned 100 fenders. When the vintage reissue is set up by a professional and the frets are level and crowned, it plays as good as anything else. This guy is mostly a guy that plays with a rock sound and pulloffs and hammer ons. I wouldn't listen to him.

[@kengetty23]

I turned this video off at the 6 min point.

[@darrenfleming6225]

You are coming at this from the point of view of a player who doesn't play a tele to sound like a tele rather than someone who enjoys telecasters and wants it to do the Telecaster thing. You'd be better off with an Ibanez. But I suppose you have to make content.

[@didierlaplace]

100% right

[@chrisstark9022]

Can you explain this comment? I'm confused because when he cuts to video of him playing, his Tele sounds amazing. I don't have a Tele yet, but am doing research on different brands, hence why I clicked on this video.

[@nebanuk]

@@chrisstark9022exactly. You don’t have a tele yet. You don’t get it. Your expertise level is zero. As is this guy’s. He is a moron. Don’t listen to him and go buy some records with real tele sounds on them. Fucking Roy Nichols. Jim Campilongo. Danny Gatton. Julian Lage. Roy Buchanan. The Kinks. Early Zeppelin. Something besides this.

[@robbyclark6915]

So, Leo Fender designed the telecaster to be affordable and easily mass produced. What happened?

[@pushkins26]

Inflation my guy

[@strangledwithascarf6967]

An idolism. Wanna be like jimi Hendrix?? Pay

[@andrewchristie6483]

1951 Telecaster cost $179 1951 $1 dollar worth $12.08 in 2024 = $2162

[@deenforce1142]

@@andrewchristie6483 Your calculations reminded me what I saw on the Five Watt World music channel. They did similar calculations of Fender guitars but maybe more concise ex. Telecaster yr 1951 $179.00 = yr 2024 $2162.00. I am aware of the cost and that Fender said about making them more affordable. But we have to also see that these guitars were for actual performers, not for students, or beginners. He presented these instruments to career payers and designed them accordingly.

[@abrahamct6]

Late stage Capitalism

[@uwedasler425]

No disagreement, but after rightfully pointing out the "paying for the decal on the headstock" thing, I would find it only consistent to mention that there are quite a few other players out there... Teles around 2k that best Fender AM II Pro and Ultra (Luxe) models (and rival custom shop models in a lot of cases) here in Europe definitely include Haar, Smitty, Real Guitars, Tokai, and certainly Maybach. My Maybach Red Rooster (paid 1.8k Euros new) runs circles around my 58 Custom Shop Tele (paid 5.2k Euros new). Looking at the higher end of the market, Fender CS becomes even harder to justify... K-Line, LSL, Xotic, Tom Andersons, Shabat, Mcmull, or here in Europe instruments by e.g. moews or Tonfuchs, make Fender the last choice. I play since 1976 and guarantee you that once you played a Tonfuchs Lovecaster, you will deny eve knowing Fender. (I am not affiliated with any of these.)

[@bluematrix5001]

Great post, what is the most affordable that rivals or outperform a fender tele CS? Looking for a Great sounding and playing Tele that the neck is more modern (thinner, great playability) thanks

[@strin6lord]

Agree man. I haven't tried a Haar, Smitty or Maybach, but I bet my name that those being more ''boutique'', are much better than the Fender AM pro and the Ultras (which look horrible in imho). Pickups are way better, i've seen so many reviews here in Europe. If you can't afford a great Fender CS Tele and you want a very good one, those options you mention are worth to consider and they look also great. But once you try a great Fender CS, and I know what I'm talking about because I own many Gibson and Fender Custom Shop guitars, all the standard production guitars feels plastic and souless. I can't wait to try an Xotix XSC2. That has to be a great modern super strat with vintage flavour.

[@strin6lord]

@@bluematrix5001 I think Maybach is doing gret looking/sounding Teles on a great price range. Specially if you look second hand.

[@bluematrix5001]

@@strin6lord thanks

[@AlpineJennings]

I disagree about the Vintera II. My Vintera II 50s Nocaster is one if finest made fenders I’ve ever had, including many custom shop models. Fender really stepped up the materials and build quality for these latest Vinteras. One of my students bought the same model and his is fantastic too. I also disagree with your assessment of the “not great Vintera pickups”. I swapped out the pickups with Fender CS Nocaster pickups. No difference. As I was doing the swap, I was blown away to find that the Vintera pickups are exactly the same (same baseplate, same magnets, same Formvar coil wire, same cloth covered/pushback wiring, same pots and switch as the USA Teles, etc. I’ll bet the Vintera II pickups are built on the same production line as the Custom Shop pickups. They are virtually identical. In the end, I put the Vintera pickups back in and saved the CS Nocaster pickups for another day. It plays and sounds great. If you can handle the huge U profile neck, the Vintera II 50s Nocaster is a much better value than the American Vintage. I got mine for $900 new and it kills. A classic vibe is a great option, but after rewiring with quality components and pickups you’ll be into your Squier about $700. Instead find a used Vintera II Nocaster (currently $750-$850).

[@rinkedinkrecords]

Same here. I have a Vintera (first series) '50s Telecaster and aside from changing the neck to a road worn '50s neck from Fender, it's stock, and it's one of the best Teles I've owned out of probably 50 or 60. That includes original '60s and '70s Teles. It's not better than the Custom Shop Teles I've owned, but it's damn close, and let me put it this way - the only other Teles I own now are a Custom Shop one-off Nocaster Thinline and a 2002 Mexican built '72 RI in Shell Pink - by the way, I changed those pickups out with some from a '75 Deluxe and heard no difference, so I put the originals back in.

[@guitarplayer7400]

Same here with Viintera II 60 tele, it's plays awesome, it sounds pretty good. Also I have Vintera II 60 strat and same there -- pretty cool guitar even with such price. And yeah -- also I have a coulpe of american fenders so I am able to compare.

[@andrewguttry6886]

@AlpineJennings Got mine last week and agree on all points. I have no desire to change anything with it. The neck is wonderful; reminds me a little of a Baja Tele I used to own, but fatter.

[@rinkedinkrecords]

@@andrewguttry6886 I've had a Baja (GREAT guitar) and that has a fat V-neck, the Nocaster has the U shape, both are very comfortable.

[@andersrinnan5479]

I like the classic vibe pickups - absolutely nothing wrong with them

[@Stefaon]

I agree, I have the old version with alnico3 and never hear any difference with fender 52's reissue...

[@craigmackenzie2151]

I have a very heavy, lefty classic vibe. Absolutely fantastic value for money! I noticed they don’t always supply the brass saddles anymore. They are a massive part of the magic

[@voiceofexperience]

The CV pups are great. More real Tele "character" than the Player pups (even though this means the Players are more versatile using different pedals & amps).

[@LRHutch]

❤. Great video Joey. I will have to agree with you on all the points said. I've been playing Telecasters since the early 70s. I have a few Teles. One I built myself, Nashville Tele, Standard, and my favorite one is a Squier that I molded with Vintage 65s Jazzmaster pups and a 24 3/4" conversion neck. Also I have two other guitars a Strat with you guessed it Tele pickups in the bridge and neck positions and a Mustang with Tele pickups. All guitars should have Tele pickups lol. Have a good one man.

[@partriotsfight5039]

I’ve owned lots of Tele’s and for now I’ve landed on my favorite one ever owned. Actually it’s my favorite guitar of any guitar I’ve owned. It’s a MIJ Richie Kotzen Signature. It’s solid. I also managed to get ahold of his Signature Strat too and it’s my favorite Strat in my collection. Quality is just great.

[@019bc3]

Squier Classic Vibe Teles made of pine are known for being very heavy. What are you talking about?

[@dereklee1027]

hey, I actually appreciate your video becuase your models and reasons are very specific, help me know what to look about. I agree the point about vintage model could be phrased more carefully, but I also think that you can subjectively think vintage models are hard to play while knowing them as vintage model.

[@pierreducroz3994]

Hi, I used to think that the 7.25 radius was difficult to play on, but It really has something to see with the setup : with a perfectly right setup, the action can be just as low as any "flatter" radius and you can play bends, double-stops, etc. For the U-shape neck, you feel It quite big at first, but after a few minutes, you do not mind anymore. The Vintage 1951 Telecaster is a superb instrument, historically correct : it's crazy to think that you could buy THAT thing at the time, back in early 50's.

[@PK-lg3ym]

I picked up a used American Original 50’s in mint condition. I love that thing. Has the vintage sounding pick ups, nitro finish and 9.5” radius. Feels like best of both worlds to me.

[@Epiwater11]

That shredding is 🔥!. So what is the model you are using in this video and the pickups?

[@syielding70]

I'm sorry why wouldn't a guitar with Vinatge in the name not have the vintage radius? It seems like they are making the guitar to a vintage spec and he doesn't like it so he says they got it wrong?

[@dpajc056]

Lol I got the American Vintage II and I love it it's my favorite guitar of all times.i don't get issues bending and choking out at all. But I would prefer the 9.5" modern radius. I agree the bigger frets would be preferable but they're fine you get used to it. The thing just sounds sooooo good I love it. I fot guitars that cost double and more than double but the tele sounds the best, by far. I love the baseball bat neck on it. Lets all just agree theres no such thing as a bad tele! Even if it aint a Fender! I loooooove teles!

[@rogerYT69]

same😊 have the 63 vintage II ...like vintage specs.

[@joeyjooones]

Never said it wasn’t a good sounding guitar! ;) let’s not get upset, this is an opinion - and yours may differ, which is totally fine. :)

[@dpajc056]

​@@joeyjooonesoh I'm not upset mate, I love your channel I've subscribed without you even asking. I love both my tele and yours. It's hard to get one I didn't like lol, it's more the case of how do I stop myself from buying too many 😂

[@donadams1505]

Pretty interesting video and I see that your choices are a kind of standard especially when it comes to the frets but as far as your video goes I personally bought 2 Squire Telecasters that were a factory screw up because instead of popular body they had Alder , now for me I have played Ibanez RG series thru JEM series upto my Custom JEM (that I didn't let go into production for a couple of reasons but the big part was I designed it for me not the world) I played Jackson and had a couple Frankenstein guitars of my own made like from a Paul Gilbert model the neck broke and my guitar tech knew how much I loved that Ibanez he installed a Fernandez Blues neck and it was beautiful, playability was tight and some ways better than before ... So when it came to my Squires I knew what I wanted so in 2020 a Mexican plant ran short on wood and made 300 Tele's not from Popular but Alder , the wiring was top shelf , the things Squire was known for didn't exist, held tune, played nice , frets were done right but I didn't like the junk pickups that came but rarely do I so I ordered my DiMarzio pickups and now for $400 I had basically a Richie Kotzen signature clone and I was offered another one and I bought it , this time $210 Fender was buying as many back as they could find so I upgraded this one as well different set-up from the first one.. These things played as well as many Custom Shop Tele's and had people wanting to buy it for a pretty penny it I refused to sell however the ones that didn't get bought back by Fender ended up on Reverb.com upgraded much like mine and about 125 or so sold for between $1,400 - $2,400 and to be honest I have not heard even a word about it saying Squire and not Fender which is the only thing there to complain about.. So because of this I have pretty much retired my other guitars and primarily use my Squires Telecasters and a Music Man EVH guitar and I am very proud but honestly have just debated on replacing the neck on my Richie Kotzen setup to the actual neck from that line but don't know if it would be Worth it when it already comes with a beautiful Maple Neck and having the actual signature neck just adds the signature from what I can see so even with being at $800 total when I am done just doesn't seem to be a real solution for anything.. Anyway these guitars can be awesome if the base of it is strong and as a player I am not as worried about the value because I don't buy them for that when all that matters is playability and comfort for me but please correct me if I am wrong... anyway cheers on a pretty good show you gave a personal yet great explanation of the why and why nots of each guitar you talked about .. I am impressed!!!!

[@thomasmaehnicke2506]

I don’t know what you for Problems with the Tele have-my first E-Git. was a butterscotch Tele they is now 40years old and she is Great 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@riviecc]

I havethe American elite . Not for everyone . All the purust compñain about it . I like the torsion bar wheel at the bridge ,similar to what music man does . Also love the compound radius neck and the stock noisless pickups with s1 switching . Never had any issues with electronics . Also like the belly cut and neck pocket . Great to have all these choices out there

[@jamiewentworth887]

Some just don’t have the experience or adaptability to play 7.25 rad guitars, great players can play any radius on any board

[@paradisepipeco]

People talk about fretboard wood and tonewood; radius and fret size..... I began playing pro in my teens in the sixties, in Hollywood.... including paid studio work with some well-known artists. My main Fenders include a '66 Tele and a '66 Strat. I also own several MIM Fenders, which were by far the best deal for the money. To me, the whole idea of _"replica"_ vintage _"reliced"_ guitars is sadly hilarious, and completely ridiculous. I also own a few LPs, SGs, etc; not to mention my acoustics, which include four Jasmine S35s which brand new cost under a hundred bucks each, and among my Martins, a 1935 D-28. And a lot more, including Squiers _(although for the most part, with notable exceptions, most of the old Squiers were not pro instruments)....._ not to mention basses, which include a '77-'78 J-bass and several MIM Ps and Js, and more. My conclusion _(and I WILL NOT argue the point),_ is that none of this makes much difference. I like my Jasmines _(by Takamine) _*_almost_* as much as I like my Martins. I like my MIMs *_almost_*as much as I like my American & MIJ Fenders. With a basically adequate setup, it's the player that counts. Period. Amongst all guitars on the planet, to me, a Telecaster has the most zen, by far. And it is very deep, like nothing else. Like the Strat; arguably the best all-around electric ever made, A Fender Telecaster possesses a soul unlike any other guitar. The Tele has old school mojo nothing else remotely has, and will make you play things you would never think of on any other guitar. _(And do not underestimate the neck pup.)_ *_"Forget all about that macho shit and learn to play guitar."_* ~~ John Mellencamp _(For further study, please refer to my "Top 40 from the Back 40" playlist. It isn't what you think.)_ 🙊🙉🙈

[@jamesfrederick99]

Just picked up a used Squier Classic Vibe for $250. The pickups are perfect, better than my 1990s MIJ tele and the new telecasters I tested at GC, one was 6K. The neck is smooth as glass and it is purty. Machine tuners are solid. I set the intonation when I replaced the strings with Ernie Ball 8s. This guitar sounds better than my 1983 top loader, though that has its own distinct sound that I can’t fall out of love with too. I just can’t understand why everyone wouldn’t want a CV!

[@flyingstratosurfer6285]

I played CV Teles with fantastic sounding pickups...

[@dakidd729]

Thats because their pickups are fantastic sounding!

[@anthonypanneton923]

My first Tele was a '68 blonde w/maple neck and white pickguard I bought brand new (in 1968) for $170, which included a hard case. I was 14. Later, I loved the looks of George Harrison's all rosewood Tele, and was becoming not so thrilled anymore with mine, so in 1970 at 16 I completely disassembled my Tele, removed the body finish completely down to the wood, stained it a dark color and gave it a few coats of shellac - then reassembled it. Looked great! But still wasn't quite what I wanted. Wish I still had that one. But I sold it so I could buy a used '65 SG Special, which I do still have. If I had to pick between the two, I'd stick with the old SG w/P90s. That guitar thru my old '69 Marshall Super Lead 100 (which I also don't have anymore) had THE SOUND. Of course, it also was WAY too bloody loud! I don't think I ever turned that thing up past 4 (no master volumes back in those days).

[@KenFernbach]

Good on you Joey! You are giving great guidance to the upcoming/unknowing folks so they will see what really matters in a good axe 🎸 thanks for sharing this and I appreciate what Squire has done with their great guitars as well- aftermarket options are a lot of fun too! Seymour Duncan has been my go to for pickups that will bring out the best sounds/tones in my opinion- ok, Ken out🙏

[@taloujazz9504]

I totally agree with you. Every 3 year, Fender releases a guitar that is supposed to be a vintage copy of the tele or strat, but the more time passes, the lower the quality and the higher the price. It's much more interesting to buy a second hand standard serie (2010's) or american pro serie and to change the PU. At least you can be sure to get the right spec and the quality !

[@bobboyle7629]

Agree completely. Especially at the end where you speak about the Am Pro II. I have one of those and its amazing. The 9.5" radius is so much easier to play especially if you're an older player like me whose hands are arthritic. It's extremely playable with the medium tall frets. Bends don't "cack out" and the guitar has sustain for days. My only beef with my Am Pro II is, for that much money, it should come with locking tuners. Thanks for the vid. You're spot-on.

[@jesseregenauer630]

The only Fender Telecaster I ever purchased is the one I still have nearly 25 years later in 2024. Throughout those 25 years I've modded and beaten the hell out of this '99 MIM standard. If it's the only Telecaster I ever own I've been massively blessed. In 2000 I paid around $340 for it new. I'll cease to own this guitar when I die or if it dies before me...

[@ParaBellum2024]

I bought a 1996 MIM standard Tele used about 25 years ago, and paid just £175, with a hard case! it appears in my videos; originally sunburst, but like yours, "modded and beaten to hell", including new pickups, Gotoh bridge, body contours, and a respray in red. I refretted it with medium jumbos a couple of years ago. I also have a Squier Jim Root Tele, which I refinished with paisley wrapping paper and clear coat.

[@PaulPaul-bz4oc]

I just recently purchased a used Blonde Squire Vintage Telecaster, that whoever traded it in had it set up perfectly!!! And I LOVE this guitar! it is ONE OF THE FINEST I have ever played, with the exception of my best friend's Gibson Maurader! I actually wonder if it wasn't mis-labeled a Squire! I have compared it to high-end Teles and cannot tell the difference, and just love playing it and even feel guilty if I don't play it every day! And surprisingly, I thought it would weigh less than my Les Paul, but No! This thing weighs a ton! But I dont care, it's a great guitar and another thing I noticed, it ALWAYS STAYS IN TUNE vs my LP!!! Some friends I know that are professional touring musicians have told me they have the same issue with their Gibsons vs Fenders, so call it what you will, but I think that it comes down to what feels best for each individual.

[@scotttrezak6558]

@@PaulPaul-bz4oc ... I'm calling BS

[@PaulPaul-bz4oc]

@@scotttrezak6558 Well, on the face of it I would have agreed with you. In the past when I have looked at Squire's I was unimpressed, they were Ok for the money. But when I saw this one, hanging on the upper level of the wall, I couldn't see the Squire label until I was playing it and looked. I will never let this one go!!!

[@PaulPaul-bz4oc]

@@scotttrezak6558 Ok

[@deanmccaskill5495]

Great playing! Yeah I have a bunch of these guitars you mentioned. And some you don’t. Vintera road worn,Highway One,a Joe Strummer one,they are all fine guitars I think. I think I even have a Classic Vibe somewhere. I have an American V 2 Strat that’s awesome so I’m not sure about the hate on that series. But today…… I entered the Fender Custom Shop club! 52 Journeyman Relic Nocaster Blonde……. OMG what a beast! Anyway keep making vids. They’re great!

[@CastlesMadeOf...]

The Classic Vibe has a thin toothpick neck, not a true Tele neck. So, you'll need to change this, so you might as well change the whole guitar. Secondly, it's not the fretboard radius, it's the setup. So, if you are fretting out then you need to raise your action. Again, original Teles had 7.25" radius. The real answer is... Build your own quality Tele to your own specs for under 1k. You get to choose the pickups you like, the neck profile you like and the weight that suits you ;)

[@fourletterword7920]

dude , no disrespect, i had a classic vibe Tele. It was Heavy. You are wrong. My American professional Tele is Ash and is my second lightest guitar, next to my Ibanez. Its not a math channel, but your inaccuracies and Bias abound.

[@halonwheelz1]

I am a lefty and fell in love with the Classic Vibe tele in a store a couple of years ago and bought it without hesitation. It is a pine body, but it's actually my heaviest guitar, out weighing even my Les Paul by a half pound. I did change the pickups in it, and now it's perfect. I also got very lucky in that the neck has very highly figured flaming in it. Very beautiful. I almost think neck was destined for a Fender but ended up in the Squier pile accidentally. lol Regardless, this Squier is actually my favorite guitar. I pick it up 9 times out of 10 and it's also my cheapest guitar by far. Go figure.

[@jonbuckley]

I agree with your comment on the American Pro II series. Probably just as good as the team built custom shops. I recently went to a Fender custom shop evening at a big online UK store. Played all of them. So so different in character. You definitely have to find the guitar that speaks to you.

[@joeyjooones]

Totally! Big differences, especially the neck shapes.

[@MilanMcAlevey]

Why can''t you play a vintage radius neck? It might take a little practice, which you can definitely use

[@stoneglad]

Great assessment of the difference between models and price points. I currently have only one telecaster, which is the American Ultra with the stainless steel frets, compound radius and it comes with the Gen 5 noiseless pickups. I swapped the pickups out for the custom shop 51 No Caster pickups, which sound much better to me. So, this is yet another option (although sticking to your value theme, probably just getting the American Elite and swapping the pickups is a better value, I’m not so sure the stainless steel frets make much difference) My next tele will be a team built custom shop, either a 1960 that’s double bound, or a relic 52 like yours.

[@schmoemi3386]

Did a Tele build last year using an American Ultra body & a Pro II neck. Went pretty neat. I love how they rethought that neck heel. Much more ergonomic...☺

[@ArnoldwilliamDow]

Strat guy here poking around the Tele market. I had gotten and returned a beautiful looking player plus 2 because the frets were too small. I play a couple of EVH's and wanted some single coil Hendrix tone. Neck and frets make all the difference to me. I am now happy with an Affinity Squire that I'll soup up.

[@BixLives32]

Yes. LIGHT is Right! I have a 1966 Esquier that is 5 lbs. Alder that was cut from the OUTSIDE of the tree trunk.

[@claudehopper9813]

The one takeaway that was worth noting is frets . For the money the best guitars out there might be Partscasters .

[@MRUYENO]

What tone setting are you using on that first riff!? Amazing dude!

[@stratcat9432]

Hey Joe, Do you have any experience or opinion on the Road Worn 50s Tele or the BAJA model? I'm in the market to get a maple neck Telecaster as i do have a 2012 Chinese Classic Vibe 60s Tele Custom,which is amazing for the little money i spent . Anyway, really enjoyed this vid and learned from it. You are a helluva' player bro! Thank you.

[@wonderXweapon]

The Fender American Deluxe Telecaster was built from 2004 to 2010 and sat at the top of the Telecaster lineup for that period. It’s got the 9 1/2 radius deluxe neck and 22 frets it’s simply the best you can get and was and is the perfect tele for me , I have a vintage squire from the mid 80’s made in Japan with 7 1/4 neck and love that as well great neck too ….but I have to say Fenders Stratocasters deluxe were the same 2004- 2009 and I have 6 different models from that time with 6 different necks all amazing and same with the tele’s ….save some money and get the best Stratocasters and Tele’s made - used you won’t regret it. I don’t know why they are all so fantastic from that time they just are for some reason. Thought I’d let you guys know I’m going to buy another Telecaster from 2009 that seems to be the paramount year for quality frets, abalone inlay, pups, you nance it they are the best.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Top end - G&L FULLERTON ASAT CLASSIC ‼️ blows fender out of the water. Budget+ Tease SBH-HD guitar for $250! , a lot of guitar for the money and great customer service ❗

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Since my first comment ⤴️... I traded one of the Tease Guitar and got a 2018 butterscotch fender player telecaster . I wouldn't buy a Squire, and a worn relic guitar, I do it myself.

[@eoinsmith422]

excellent advice Joey. Rock On Babay

[@tefenstrat]

Ive been playing and buying guitars for over 50 years-now that does not make me an expert but I feel what I have to say is absolutly correct. What is the secret to buying a great guitar you may ask? The answer is there is no secret. Thats right, becasue you can pick up and play a hundred guitars priced at around $5,000 to $50,000 thousand dollars and yes you might find a cpuple of keepers in that price range, BUT you might find one that is even better for WAY LESS MONEY. You just have to keep looking and depending on your budget you will eventually find that diamond in the rough. My personal favorite and take my word for it - it was " one in a million" was a late 80s Super deluxe American made Fender Strat with lace sensor pick ups....I was in a bad spot in my life and sold it to a vintage guitar shop in Seattle for $1000....I was sick...and still thats all they would give me becasue the resale value was $1500 yet that guitar sounded and played better than any of the $25,000-$125,000 dollar vintage Strats they sell there....I actually got back on my feet and had them track the guitar down for me as I wanted to buy it back. To my suprise they did find out who they sold it too.....I was totally depressed to hear they sold it to somebody in Ireland....uggghhh -- lyrics to an old Ten Years After song......And if I don't get to heaven, And I go down there below Better be a guitar when I get there Or, I will refuse to go

[@JosephCompton66]

I paid 700 retail for my fender Ventura. I didn’t find a problem with the pickups. I also have a custom shop double esquire. It is a much better guitar, but there is nothing wrong with the Ventura or the pickups, but I also have an eq on my board and my amp has a killer eq. Eq can fix a lot of issues.

[@jwiegand1022]

Its not the radius its the setup. Look at how many session guys play vintage teles and no problem bending. 90% of my guitars are 7.25 and can bend full.

[@devilichus]

After listening all the sound samples from all around I can say that only Player Telecaster and American Pro II are my taste. Alnico V pickups and the resonance from the Alder body makes Player the best choice for me. But as soon as the V Mod II pickups are available I will upgrade to them because it is the evolved version of Alnico V's characteristics. And then I plan to buy a Classic Vibe Squier and put my old Alnico V's to that guitar as my second for the stage gigs.

[@robmcnamara4632]

Have an American Pro II Tele which I love. But looking for another guitar, specifically with a baseball neck and 7.25 radius. Like my guitars to be different as possible. Don’t know what you like until you work with it for a while. Plus I like to experience all the different styles

[@ioodyssey3740]

Lotta nonsense spoken hear. Get your info elsewhere.

[@andrewdoster3785]

Spoken here. Lol

[@benwright6330]

*here *hear= spelled like ear👂with an H in front.

[@filipdemeyst8842]

Where?

[@skateandfingerboard1]

I understand what you’re saying about the American Vintage guitars, but they’re honestly perfect the way they are and for a lot of people -just not your thing. I’m the guy who’s always dreamed of owning the real deal, but that’s not likely to happen unless I part with a big chunk of my collection. So I have an American Vintage 64 Tele because I WANT it to be like the original, its quirks and all. I find it to be a really comfortable guitar to play. I also owned a 52 (didn’t love the neck shape, too thick, so I sold it to get this one) and a 65 American Vintage Strat. They’re perfect for what they are, they’re just not what you’re looking for. If somebody wants the real-deal experience without paying vintage or custom shop prices, these really are the next best thing, hands down, fender has ever offered.

[@stalevavolya]

I got Fender Vintera 50s Tele with 7.25 radius, fat U profile, 21 very small vintage frets and vintage style truss rod. After one month ordered custom neck from local luthier, with 12 radius, modern C profile, 22 frets, satin finish neck back, cevlar modern double tross rod with adjustment in the neck head and medium jumbo frets. Now it feels awesome but have a wish to change pickups to something like on custom shop or dimarzio fast track t bridge + area t neck.

[@joeyjooones]

Sounds about right. Those tiny frets are hard to play.

[@powerchuffer]

So you paid for an entire guitar, only to replace everything but the cheapest and most unimportant parts? You might be better off getting a new body and hardware, and selling the fender as it came.

[@bluematrix5001]

That neck sounds great, how much did you pay for it and is an American luthier?

[@stalevavolya]

@@powerchuffer I bought it used and as a second guitar for me

[@stalevavolya]

@@bluematrix5001 No, it's not in US but it was about $300 for materials and work

[@TheHenkka65]

Thanks for the advice. 🙂 I've been a Tele player before, and I'm thinking of getting a Telecaster again... Maybe a Squier Classic Vibe with a fret job after getting some decent gritty pickups... What would be your recommendation for a Telecaster sound, but fatter? You have a good sound on the video. What do you use? Nice playin, btw! 👍

[@menschlicheswesen84]

I bought a used 2013 vgs (german brand, made in mauritius island) skycruiser tele in local guitarstore for just 99€ as a mod project... I gave her a dimarzio super distortion S 218 for the bridge, fender roller string tree's and a fender backplate... Finally i ordered the solderless Obsidian 3way controll unit with 500k vol and 250k tone pot's... Together around 250€ for mod's but the sound i'm gonna get will prove my decision was right... I just know it...🤘🏻

[@fnieves85]

I own a vintage 2 and absolutely love it. It looks and sounds amazing. I do have big hands so the neck doesn’t feel clunky to me. I’ve never had issues bending notes or my fingers getting stuck or having notes die out on me. As long as the guitar is set up well, it won’t fight you at all

[@RaylanGivens123]

7 1/4 just needs a good setup and a little higher action and it won't fret out, I agree

[@ZavianOrton]

I have a vintera 2 tele, and i love it. The reason that i bought it instead of the classic vibe tele is because of the fatter neck and 7.25 radius, which the classic vibe doesn't have.

[@AlexanderGhezzo]

What do you think about the mexican Nashville Tele? The best Tele I ever played was a Japan model

[@karlwanninger7675]

I agree, a japanese Fender Tele is one of the best you can get, especally the models built in the 80s, and they are still affordable on the used market.

[@elwrongo]

Fender Classic Player Baja ’60s Telecaster 9.5 radius, medium jumbo frets, rosewood fretboard, special four-way (including both pickups in series) and S-1™ switching, faded sonic blue $500 sold.

[@CorscaddenSalvato]

I was in Gucci today and the SA told me they can’t often tell the difference between the authentic and kislux 's bags. Surprised to hear that from an SA.

[@kosmonument2682]

I got a Player Limited Tele with Vintage 64 pickups and an ebony fretboard a few months ago. It's the same price as those Vinteras you're talking about. It's possible to find the right Tele at any price as long as you know what to look for.

[@JonnyDee123]

I bought an Amazon Warehouse Return 50s Classic Vibe Tele for £220 ($280) and it's extraordinarily amazing. Add a fret dress and full set up and health check for £100 and I love it. Circa $6000 for a so-called special build is ludicrous. I really don't know who Fender think they're kidding, Great video and playing by the way.

[@benbladeeee9973]

The vintage tall frets are harder to play , and they are indeed tiny , but the guitar sounds "different" with those frets . A lot of tele players love this and you get used to the frets . Just dont switch guitars too often . The only drawback I found was the strings were slippin under my fingers , because they stayed so close to the fretboard . Great playing btw .

[@GuyNarnarian]

I agree with all of your points. Harley Benton TE-62CC has a neck with a 12" radius, satin finish on a modern C profile, decent pickups that are certainly playable for $200. You might think the flat radius is a downer for the Tele but it's really not. I can go back and forth with a 9.5 inch radius guitar neck that is similar (Fender Am Std strat) and after a minute its barely noticeable for me. Another $20 for gotoh brass compensated saddles and it has become a player.

[@herbsman05]

Whats your take on the telecasters with wide range humbuckers?

[@JamesDickinson-kt1hw]

The AV with 7.25 is the best tele ever , ill take that neck and frets anyday .

[@michaelaiello9525]

What pickups do you recommend as the CV upgrade? I have a cool doublebound Squier, but I want to upgrade the pickups, and I want a better neck. Recommendations?

[@JimiHendrix-es4lv]

Hendrix used a 7.25" radius. It didn't seem to hamper him.

[@geekmultivision]

What is this song?

[@lesbois53]

I swapped mine for Joe Barden’s Danny Gatton pickups. Super sounds. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@tabodee]

Great video! I personally find the rounder 7.25 radius fits my hands better than the flatter offerings. But I am weird. I also prefer the cheaper, ceramic pups for their aggressiveness.

[@jasongalik7679]

I have a Baja telecaster & it’s my favorite guitar

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

I have a MII Classic Vibe and I honestly do not need anything else. It is a great guitar for the money, and I see nothing wrong with the pickups.

[@sylvaind9086]

Pretty strong opinions there lad... no other comment.

[@joeltunnah]

Clapton had no problems with a 7.25" radius and vintage frets.

[@neilritson7445]

Ha ha so why is his signature Strat 9.5" ????

[@joeltunnah]

@neilritson7445 the "Brownie" reissue had the vintage neck. Fender didn't even make a 9.5" radius neck until the late 1980s. So every album with a Strat or Tele made prior to that has the dreaded vintage radius. Think about how much music that is, and how varied. If you prefer a flatter neck, nothing wrong with that... but it's not some kind of design flaw to be avoided.

[@letschill7175]

I once had a players tele. The mod base was superb. I swapped the pups, the electronics, the tuners and the bridge with vintage repro parts. The result was a superb Instrument that rivalled Fender custom shop. The moral of the story is, if you don’t find a perfect guitar, buy one that feels good and change what you need to, to make it perfect. The guitar was ~500$ + ~500$ worths of mods. I still regret letting it go.

[@summercameron3505]

What are your thoughts on the Fender Player II Telecaster HH? i have one in sea-green and love though my hands are small. Thanks for the thoughtful video - subscribed!

[@bolt4694]

52 Tele reissue. If you can find one. Been playing one for three decades. Love it.

[@petrnobilis2804]

That riff, you played? Which song is it? Greta van Fleet ?

[@joeyjooones]

my own

[@petrnobilis2804]

@@joeyjooones Strooong, ful of tention.

[@donnysmith946]

Bought my Classic Vibe about 4 or 5 years ago. I replaced the u/ps with Pure Vintage '52 Telecaster P/Us and it plays and sounds better thatn my 2015 American Tele!!!

[@b.j.taylor9576]

Agree with you 100% on the radius-fret issue.

[@activese]

Thank you for all the info, but after watching it, I remember why, I admire Brian May, his tone, and his red special. Hopefully soon you can show them side by side to test.

[@XLBiker13]

Good video. And you play really well. Perhaps I'm in the minority but I've never had a problem with a 7.25" radius or the vintage frets. I know what you mean about notes choking out on bends but if you have your guitar set up well that doesn't happen. I have really low action and my vintage Fenders still bend just fine. I don't like big frets. To me they're like bumps in the road. My favorite fret wire is whatever they use on Gibson custom shop guitars. I know that doesn't help much. But I think that size is the perfect fret wire size.

[@Whatabeautifulday123]

I completely agree with you about the Vintera II 60s Telecaster.The pickups have no clear resolution, sound lame and dull.They are a clear candidate for replacement.The same goes for the electronics.No treble bleed. This results in an additional expense of €350.00 for a cost price of €1199.00. Great job, isn't it?

[@davidwoods358]

Spot on about the neck radius. Those 7.25's can be real buggers to bend on. And raising the action is not an option for me. I won't settle.

[@lorenzo-agnes]

Fully agreed on all counts 👍 Thanks man!

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day joey❤😊

[@msmoniz]

I own a now 10 year old blackguard butterscotch 50's Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster and unless Fender/Squier did something different with the pickups, the stock ones I have are classic killer ALNICO pickups that sound like a classic Tele should! I feel no need to upgrade them at all unless I was looking for a more hot-rodded or mellower sound.

[@aaktatich]

Thank you for the review. What do you think of the Sire T7?

[@jordanross3591]

I had two 50s classic vibe teles at one point. I will tell you they are anything but light! They’re yellow wood pine which is far denser and heavier than the standard white pine we associate the species with. Both of them were around 10 pounds.

[@joeyjooones]

Thanks! I learned something today. :)

[@ErikSWE]

7,25” radius feels amazing to play wdym 😮

[@joeyjooones]

Fair enough! All subject to taste. :)

[@geraldponce8336]

@@ErikSWE think the bigger picture is how good the guitar sounds. If it is a player that sounds great. Your mind will get past the neck radius. That being said. A 9.5-14 compound radius with tall narrow frets feels great. But it has to sound good too

[@jaixaphoto]

You need a bit more skill to play it ;)

[@davidburke2132]

@@joeyjooonesso, perhaps don’t make a video advising others based on your own personal preferences! 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@TheMagicJester]

That’s why he constantly said “in my opinion”.

[@nicolasdominguez8539]

Love your video. Teles started to get my attention lately specially after discovering Julian Lage 🤪 he is playing a Collings now. What is your take on the American Performer Hum Tele? Where I live prices are higher than in the US and there a guy offering a used one at 1.8K USD. A lot of money in this latitude. Would you recommend this for someone who has been playing semihollows and want to tap into the Teles ?

[@aristidesprado5112]

Hi Mr. Jones, I would like to ask something about telecaster hh vs. Telecaster Chrissie Hynde. What are the diferences between them? Congratulations and greetings from Brazil! 🙂🤙🏻