If You Could Only Have One Guitar, It Should Be This (Fender Telecaster)

[@bikeguy247]

Agree, the Telecaster is simply the most versatile, beautifully simple and uniquely crafted guitar. Leo was a true visionary.

[@FWRXSTER]

I agree. There is nothing gaudy or over the top about a telecaster. It feels like a workhorse in the hands, and you get the sense that it’s an incredible tool for so many jobs. You can’t fault a tele.

[@chriskitchen4772]

Ya, but it's boring.

[@robinr22]

Uncomfortable to play - ergonomics has come a long way in 70 years. We don't start our cars with a starter handle and there's no reason anyone should buy a guitar that isn't comfortable to play.

[@nosferatu7325]

That’s funny. I think they are very comfortable to play.

[@peteohaira]

Hi Rhett, what about the amp we sent you.. The BC?

[@jcivantos]

How many inventions can you think of where the very first model ever could not be improved upon and remains the standard forever? Leo Fender was such a genius. When we think of our heroes, it’s always Hendrix, Page, etc. Leo Fender, in his own way, is right up there.

[@-Pol-]

I have a modern Merkur reproduction of the original 1904 Gillette double edge safety razor. Those old fashioned razor blades cost pennies and shave just as well as these modern day super expensive multi-blade cartridges. Today's hitech 'lubricating strips' are nothing more than built-in obsolescence that force you to replace the blade long before they actually lose their edge. Part of the satisfaction of using the 1904 razor every day is knowing I haven't been suckered into all the modern day marketing BS!

[@onemanswrld405]

When you put it like that, it's pretty wild. Like if the first telephone was just an iPhone in 1920😂

[@bobbychubb6913]

A colt 1911 comes to mind. I admit it's had a few mods over the years but so has the tele (the neck pick up tone thingy and intonated brass saddles are the biggest improvements made other than changing pickups) and it's got to be the simplest design that works for beginners to seasoned veterans. I've played teles now for forty plus years. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[@danieljurado3545]

Same with the Precision Bass

[@dezb1]

The spoon

[@PayneAvenue1]

This is how videos should be done. People tend to talk and talk and talk….but never play. I love how after every explanation there’s demonstration keeping us informed and engaged to the end.

[@seamans90]

I bought a mexican Nashville tele to be my one guitar right before I graduated high school and it has never let me down. Gives me the unique strat sounds in positions 2,3, and 4 and delivers the classic tele sounds in 1 and 5. I've neglected it for years off and on due to various changes throughout my life and anytime I got the urge to play, it was always right there ready to go never missing a beat. Teles will always be the guitar I refer people to for first guitar recommendations.

[@timnewman1172]

My Tele has a Fender Mex Nashville-style neck... besides being 22 fret what I really love is the flatter 12" radius... just a really fast & comfortable neck to play!

[@Rational_thinker_212]

how many positions does a tele have? I thought only 3.

[@seamans90]

@@Rational_thinker_212 Nashville teles have 3 single coils and are set up similar to a Strat with a 5 way switch

[@Rational_thinker_212]

@@seamans90 Yeah. I looked it up after i posted. My bad. My guitar knowledge is a bit dated.

[@grory667]

I worked at a club in the '90s, saw a lot of different types of music and artists, and the ones I most wanted to emulate usually played Telecasters. Using that rationale I bought a '73 in '93 and it was my only guitar for over twenty years; is still my primary guitar today. Just out here living up to your premise...

[@pashayk]

It is so true! I've always wanted a Strat. But when choosing my first proper guitar (not the cheap local brand), i came across a tele that sounded exactly how i wanted my guitar to sound. And after dreaming about a Strat for years, and trying every Strat in the city for few months, I bought a Tele. AAAND. for last 7 years its been my ONLY electric guitar=) I can pretty much dial in any sound on it, it sounds great on the recording, in the shows and just is a very versatile and inspiring instrument. Great video, Rhett!

[@Stands-In-The-Fire]

The Telecaster is, very literally, the guitar that made the instrument "click" for me. One guitar to rule them all.

[@everonlyallforthee]

Same!

[@chriskitchen4772]

Plane Jane !

[@gazzie12000]

@@chriskitchen4772 Who's she - a pilot?

[@telecaster-freechannel9405]

HSS Strat disagrees with you

[@petermalezewski4022]

Plane Jane but the best

[@guitarman5560]

Not long ago I would have agreed as for most of the past 40 years a Telecaster has been my only guitar. But a couple years ago I found the most fantastic strat that I've ever owned\played. If I had to choose only one now between my teles, les pauls and my strat, it would be the strat. But I feel so lucky to have them all and wouldn't really want to choose just one.

[@salildeshpande7]

Which one's more comfortable to play sitting down?

[@bobr419]

Absolutely strat and telecaster rules.

[@austinbrady3307]

100% agree. Been playing a LP for 10 yrs & just got myself a ‘63 Tele. They bring different inspiration & I couldn’t be happier.

[@pacaya07]

I recently bought a budget Tele, and while the pickups are cheap, what stood out to me right away was that distinctive cut it has in the mix compared to my humbuckers that cost 10x more. The humbuckers rock on high gain, but this is more versatile in my opinion. I can't believe I played for 20 years on a strat and Les Paul without trying a T style, but I'm so glad I did! Great video, Rhett!

[@coolboy-qc4eb]

humbuckers are more midrange than single coil. thats why its not getting in the mix.

[@dlannom04]

I’m a Bass player that loves your channel. I feel the same way about a P-Bass. Really enjoying Philip’s channel right now as well. Thanks for all the great videos and content!!!

[@trimarchima]

I have long counted on a Telecaster as a go-to guitar. I have many electric guitars on hand and only recently decided to narrow down what I play to Telecasters, one with a maple neck and the other with a rosewood. My Les Paul with P-90s sounds like a Telecaster; you’re right that the sound is there. Running a Telecaster through a Fender hand-wired tube amp is simplicity at its finest. Thanks for the video. Rock on.

[@cliftongardner4367]

Have to agree. I love my SG, and I typically play hard rock, punk, and metal… but high gain with a Tele bridge is a special sound. It’s just so clear and articulate. Then roll off the volume and even through the dirtiest amp it becomes a soulful blues machine. Amazing just how perfect Leo got his very first attempt at an electric!

[@salildeshpande7]

Which one do you think is more comfortable to play sitting down? SG or Tele? I haven't tried either yet.

[@Havanorange]

@@salildeshpande7 sitting down, a Jazzmaster is the best

[@greg6162]

@@salildeshpande7 I had the same question because I have a bad back and I’m upgrading from my $170 Epiphone LP special ii which is about 8/lbs as most LP’s are. I played for like 3/months when I was 16 in 1996 and bought a used Fender Squire strat and Marshall tube amp for $300 off my brother’s friend. That guitar was so comfortable and most importantly it was light! I didn’t weigh it but it felt like it was 6/lbs so I bought the new Fender Player Plus Strat in Olympic Pearl w/red pick guard but that thing weighs like 8/lbs?! I mean I love it beyond words but not sure why some guitars weight can vary so drastically? But I have no regrets and this is the best guitar I’ve ever played and I just got it today and played for three hours straight and forgot to take the plastic off 😂

[@danielbyrne4531]

which do you prefer for mids/rhythms vs higher leads?

[@oceantree5000]

Pretty damn stoked to be getting my first ever Tele for my 50th birthday. I’ve been a Gibson / Epiphone guy my whole life, but after I decided that my SG felt like a giraffe w that super-long neck, and some hair-pulling intonation problems w an otherwise gorgeous new Casino, I pulled the rip cord. Looking around it seemed like Fender typically has brilliant intonation and tuning stability. Having always dug Teles, the decision isn’t a hard one.

[@221b-l3t]

Same, Les Paul and Flying V guy, Epiphone, LTD and a Gibson V. I found a super cheap Telle. Arrived today. Incredible. I still love the Gibson style guitars, but the Telle is definitely one of my main guitars. If I gig it'll be one G style abd the Telle. Perhaps only the Telle? I never liked them. Looked weird. But I've softened my stance after 19 years of "I don't like Telles". And so I got a Lake Placid Blue one with double binding, super cheap Roswell pickups. Incredible... I think I might end up getting more. Never really fully got into the Strat, though I like it but the Telle is my thing now. And Flying V :) I'm weird I suppose. The Les Pauls are great but sitting down is how I like to play them. Heavy things... even my light Les Paul is not that light.

[@221b-l3t]

Oh and yeah, I played it for 6 hpurs straight. Tuned once. But I was digging in like I would never dare on my maple tops or the precious Gibson. Just having fun. Intonation perfect... One of my Epiphones can not say the same and honestly the Gibson needs a tune way more often. Even with graphite and the string spooled upward (helps a bunch).

[@JacobH93]

100% agree. Teles are extremely versatile and a lot of people just associate them with country. They do rock and blues as well as a Les Paul or Strat as well in my opinion (with the right pickups of course). They are also built like a tank and the setup is very stable (all because they are so simple). In some heavier genre’s you would still want humbuckers, but I think a tele could be really cool in that context as well. The clarity/brightness of the bridge pickup would sound really good layered with another thicker guitar sound in that context. I used to think Teles were for country and weren’t particularly inspiring… then I played one. I’ve never looked back!

[@le_th_]

I associate them with Jeff Buckley, oddly. Then again, I don't listen to country.

[@terryjohinke8065]

I agree Rhett. Even adelaide's best guitarist and luthier said "what more do you need? " Sadly he's passed but his son , Craig, did the best set up ever on a Telecaster for me.

[@thatswright2900]

I’ve been trying to decide what my next guitar should be. I couldn’t decide between the Strat and the Tele,but after this video I’ve pretty much decided that it has to be a Telecaster. Also awesome video man. 🤟🎸

[@RhettShull]

Honestly, you cant go wrong there but Im team tele.

[@mattclark1278]

My take: get a Strat if you want to tune and re-tune allllll day long...

[@dunxy]

@@mattclark1278 🤣 If temp is stable ive gone days of hard playing without having to tune my Tele, one reason i love them and its my no1.

[@chrislakes8344]

@@RhettShull was thinking of getting one with a humbucker in the neck, thoughts?

[@Havanorange]

@@chrislakes8344 I suggest going to a store and trying them both at least once.

[@RobBaartwijk]

Every word is true. I bought a Squier Tele 11 years ago for $299 and I took 9 years to improve it. Only the wood is original. Pups by Seymour Duncan, Sperzel locking tuners, push-pull pots, new electronics, you name it. The total cost has been about $900 and my Squier Tele plays like a 'real Tele' only with WAY more options. And is still a lot cheaper that an original US Tele would have cost me. Also; modding your axe is Fun!!

[@IScreamedWolf]

I have a HSS telecaster that I’ve done a bunch of mods on and it’s so ridiculously versatile. I generally do hard rock/metal stuff when I’m playing guitar with a band, but it cleans up perfectly with the coil split and the neck pickup is always just amazing. Only change id love to make is a switch that bypasses the middle pickup so I can get the classic neck/bridge tele sound

[@phillipmerriwether6899]

Teles are just amazing. Versatile, stable, customizable. Since I got mine 3 years ago I have been in love with it. Between the pickups, volume and tone combinations, and the same with your amplifier, all tones for all genres are possible

[@Cornan1980]

I ended up getting a Nashville Telecaster and I absolutely love it. The extra pickup in the middle lets me get even more sounds without sacrificing what makes Tele's great.

[@FastCarsLoudGuitars]

I have been wanting to buy one sooooo bad! Did you get a player plus or do you have an older model when they were called deluxe?

[@kremepye3613]

I'm half tempted to buy a player and route my own middle pup into it

[@FastCarsLoudGuitars]

@@kremepye3613 P90?

[@Fret-knot]

I have to say, the 4 way switch / S3 switch, whatever, basically both pickups in series, give the tele even more tones. I like that 'pseudo' humbucker tone.

[@DMan-1979]

Agreed. With the tones that Rhett plays, I think he'd especially like that.

[@Dzamora612]

That is THE MOD indeed! I just did that to my player series by adding a push pull pot and it is amazing. I wouldn´t call it pseudo humbucker though but it certainly pushes the amp harder like a humbucker adding more dinamic posibilities.

[@corneliuscrewe677]

I’ve been wanting to try that for a long time.

[@CalJennings]

​@@Dzamora612 I want to add push/pull to mine as well to split my humbucker.

[@IvorThomas]

My Richie Kotzen Tele has that setup and I dig it. Helluva guitar, esp with neck shoulders shaved down a bit.

[@Birbdup]

Tele gang for sure. The neck pickup has to be one of more underrated and least praised options. Many player opt for a P90, Humbucker, or even Goldfoil as of late- instead of the traditional Tele single coil. I like all those other pickups too, but the tele neck pickup might be my favourite. A good one is loud, round, warm, and (I find) more complex and interesting than the more straight-ahead options. Great video :)

[@dunxy]

I agree! Tele neck is one reason i fell in love when i first got one nearly 20 years ago.

[@Dallas1942]

I bought a Mexican Tele about five years ago when I lived on the East Coast. I had to move all the way across the country with all my guitars over a year ago. I haven't played this one since I moved. I opened the case today, delighted in the beauty of the classic butterscotch blonde, went to tune it up, and two of the strings were STILL perfectly tuned, the others needing only minor adjustments. A very solid and reliable instrument! I agree with your take, Rhett. This is my "desert island" guitar if I could only have one. Thanks for making your great video!

[@matthewlazo2162]

I'm more into extended range metal guitars and I often get into weeds with guitar design for ergonomics and versatility. But the telecaster has this straightforward energy that makes me feel like I can just play almost whatever I want to play. I like what Julian Lage said about teles in a rig run down video, "I like an instrument that kinda doesn’t do anything unless you do something."

[@kjneese]

Thx for this Rhett. You truly captured what makes the Tele so unique and versatile. I'm a Fender guy, love single coils and have been mostly a Strat player. But about two years ago (after several Custom Shop and production Teles that I just couldn't bond with), I got a 60s Fender Custom Shop with Twisted Tele pickups and it not only became my number one, but has been the gateway to now owning 4 Teles. Still have a couple Strats, but they collect dust most days as I find myself always using the Tele, because of it's versatility. Great video as always!

[@baabaabaa2293]

Cdnt agree more mate! I've got two Teles.. one poor bugga just sits there..til l swap pups. Me other ones got a Custom in the bridge & a Twisted at the neck.. insane guitar. Does everything l want anyway.

[@chriskitchen4772]

Traitor !

[@salildeshpande7]

Are teles more comfortable to play sitting down than strats?

[@baabaabaa2293]

@@salildeshpande7 ld say the Strats more comfortable cos of the belly carve & rounded edges mate. But l play my Tele sitting & don't mind it. Spose it's what you personally like (l hit the Strats middle pickup).

[@salildeshpande7]

@@baabaabaa2293 I see.. is the tele heavier? If you're playing for hours these things make a lot of difference ig

[@QuincyJamesMusic]

As a longtime s-type guitar player I’d just discovered telecasters back in 2019 and I never went back. The great balance of articulation, midrange and controlled brightness of a Tele makes it one of my preferred instruments these days.

[@rezthered]

Exactly the same here. Been playing for 25 years but never a tele. Bought an American Pro a few years back and was genuinely astonished at how good it sounds and how versatile it is. I might want other guitars but I certainly don’t need them.

[@AvAfanfromfrance]

I always loved my Teles but I also love the strat body shape, comfort cuts, balance, look, and the trem system. So I made myself an hybrid. I have a Tele in a Strat body, with a trem system based upon the Tele 3 saddles design. It's the best of both worlds and I can't get enough of it. It didn't cost me more than what an American Made Fender goes for.

[@LEWDUVA]

Same with me too - I've had teles and sold them as I couldn't feel it - then a few years ago, I got the bug and now I have six telecasters (one's an 80's Tokai Breezysound). Outnumbers my strats by one . . . so now I have to balance that.

[@SeanOHanlon]

😳

[@salildeshpande7]

Which one's more comfortable to play sitting down?

[@culturetrash3191]

First. And Rhett couldn’t be more right about this. Teles for life.

[@LiamNashMiller]

Daniel Bell managed to snag first. You are second though!

[@Tomekkplk]

Adults seriously get satisfaction commenting first on a video?

[@culturetrash3191]

@@Tomekkplk you must be fun at parties.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

Yeah sT -ELE- rats for life! 😂

[@kevinthompson1521]

I have a 2019 professional. I already owned a strat and les Paul and my Tele is my favorite to play on a daily basis

[@janures]

What a beauty. Had a tele since elementary school, sold it after 10 years and it took me about 6 months to buy exactly the same model again. Not sure if used to it, or simply the best thing in the world.

[@kaiserwilhelmii1827]

Gotta say, I'm sold. Never been a fan of teles but this made me understand how brilliant they actually are

[@cirimaxg651]

Leo Fender was an incredible man and a true creator, and I don't think he's been properly honoured. The Telecaster is truly remarkable in its minimalism and sound quality. Not to mention its beauty.....The design is perfect... Personally, I have three,.... but I could have more! ....:-)))

[@taborturtle]

I honestly didn't know I loved telecasters, until I bought a Fender telecaster! It is my most played instrument in my arsenal. And, for all of the reasons you just mentioned. I molded mine to remove the tone control from the neck pickup. It made it way more clear and punchy. I love it!

[@bluesrocker91]

I'm thinking of doing that mod to my Tele... I like to play with the tone rolled back a little bit for the bridge, but I like the tone all the way up for the neck. Can be slightly annoying constantly having to change it every time I switch.

[@georgenaha1001]

My '66 Tele has been my #1 guitar since the day it came home 30 years ago. I have some other old and new guitars that I absolutely love, but that old Tele covers so many bases so well. Leo's the all time home run king!

[@JoeSmith-v8g]

100% agree. I’ve played an American Strat for 37 years and never bought a telecaster because of the physical fit to my body. Then this year I bought a G and L ASAT CLASSIC. It has a belly cut and feels great. I’m blown away by how much different and better the tone is versus the Strat.

[@gregorychiartano4592]

Thank God someone finally recognizes how awesome the neck pick up sounds. Everyone always drools over the bridge, but the neck is legit. Single coil with space so it isn’t buzzing constantly.

[@Pook1914]

While my preferred sounds for rock is one of my Charvels, and I associate very deeply with my Strats, I always go back to my Tele for the vast majority of session gigs that I have. For versatility it is my go-to tool for most of my work, for all the reasons stated in this video. Thanks Rhett!

[@davidwarren5785]

That was the question I asked myself when I started shopping for an electric guitar a few years ago. I have primarily played strats, and still own an 86 MIJ model I bought new that I won't ever part with. After a lot of research and trying out various types of guitars, I ended up with the American Performer Tele. I have upgraded the saddles, but everything else is stock. It sounds and plays great.

[@Mark-fo3hx]

My one guitar for everything would probably be a HSS strat. I find strats more comfortable to play and the sweet single coils paired with the power of a humbucker are as versatile as you can get IMO.

[@kenny69lover]

my strat has a humbucker split so its even more versatile

[@VictorMontgomery-jc2ho]

Thank you for this video. I've had a Telecaster for a while, and I've never liked the sound of it that much. I miss the sound of the Strat I sold. But this video has inspired me to explore it some more. One thing that influenced me to get the Telecaster was I heard Devo at the Capital in LA around 1990. That guitar player made that Tele sound so good all evening long. And I can get that same sound, but I don't play any music where I can use it. One thing I like a lot about the Tele though over the Strat is that the, I think you call it horn, where you attach the guitar strap, is shorter on the Tele. When you're playing with a strap, this shifts the neck over to the left when you're playing the guitar right handed. This makes it feel like the upper part of the neck is easier to get to. I'd trade it for a Strat right away if it wasn't for how much I like that Tele's neck. Mine is one of those that you can push the volume button in and cause the the pickups to be wired together like a humbucker. I'm not a fan of that arrangement.

[@barst33lpr0]

Just bought my first telecaster. Fender JV Modified 50's version. Hands down the nicest playing guitar I've ever had. Love it

[@jacobrstout]

My #1 is an Epiphone Riviera. The minihumbucker in the bridge can get that twangy tele sound when I need it, and the middle position has a ton of clarity to it. The neck minihumbucker is warm and full and great for soulful lead lines. I have used and played way more expensive guitars over the years, but I would put my Riviera up against pretty much anything. I love that guitar.

[@nobodytoomusic]

It's funny you came out with this video today because I was having this mental debate with my Strat and Tele last night! One thing that doesn't get said enough is how well the Tele sits in your lap and hands. At least for me, a Tele just seems to put my hands in the perfect position.

[@luket4319]

Same with me. I’ve also been debating between an Epiphone casino and my Squier telecaster, but I think this just sealed the case

[@jeffball6656]

I used to think that Tele’s were old fashioned and Country. That was back in the ‘80’s when I was a teen. Now, it is often my ‘go to’ guitar.

[@dunxy]

@@jeffball6656 I think we all went through that phase, some may still be stuck in it, but the rest of us have Tele's! I have a few guitars, all decent, but i always reach for my Tele and i have to replace the strings on it far more often than all my others combined, because i play the shit out of it!

[@Gibsonman92]

I own a Gibson SG, with an Angus Young humbucker in the bridge, and a phat cat (p-90) in the neck position. This combination has made the instrument so much more versatile. I can now even play Mark Knopfler style with the p-90 and it really sounds like a single coil. So amazed by this customization.:-)😊

[@yumernen]

I put humbucker-shaped P-90 onto the neck position of my Flying V copy :) and I can confirm that it is still good in heavy climates but also earned something more really good :)

[@oceantree5000]

P90s are single-coils… but I know what you mean. I’m a huge fan. I’d love to sub out the neck humbucker in my old Korean Sheraton II for a P90 someday.

[@davidbrowning6762]

Greetings from Butts County Georgia. The Tele really is an amazing specimen. I didn’t get along with them for years but then everything changed. Once I finally got it, there was really no going back. I every time tried to get rid of the Tele in my collection, I always found that something was missing and I bought another one. I have another one and it is THE ONE. It’s not going anywhere. Now I have my Tele, my Strat, and my Les Paul. I have a couple of others for different flavors but the 3 kings of the guitar world are my favorites. Thanks Rhett. Great video as always.

[@brandtfrankie2381]

My tele just turned 20 years old and it’s still amazing. Played through a hotrod deluxe and minimal fx, compressor and tremolo it’s as sweet a sound as I could ever hope for.

[@ipuya]

I absolutely agree and the Baja tele in particular is the best ever with a 4 way switch that gives you a humbucker style 4th position and an S switch that gives you two out if phase tones! I love mine and would never sell it!

[@stratplayr6997]

I put a 4-way switch in my Tele and the series option is great. Unless you need a guitar for 80s rock or metal, the Tele can handle pretty much anything else.

[@leotrot2071]

one guitar? yeah, telecaster, is the one

[@motomike71]

I recently picked up an Epiphone SG Pro with PAF pickups. While I know the guitar is renowned for rock and Americana styles, I was amazed by the variety of tone you can get with the PAF pickups in either the bridge or neck selection and how you adjust the tone. It's not known as a jazz instrument (except for Bill Frisell) but it has great warm and round tones if you select the neck pickup and roll off the tone. You can also get a lot of spank out of the bridge pickup by playing back by the bridge. Like you said, Telecaster on steroids.

[@andrewpearson1903]

My two go-to electric guitars are an Original 50s Telecaster and an Epiphone G400 (another SG clone). Only the poorly made neck (of my individual guitar), and the general unfitness of my Blues Deluxe for humbuckers and lots of drive, keep me from playing the G400 more often.

[@walkercolson765]

I only have one guitar...and its a tele. It really does do everything: Blues, soft rock, hard rock, punk, grunge, funk etc.. When I first started playing guitar i thought it looked awful and so akward but now i think it looks absolutley amazing. I actualy think that it is more comfortable to play than strats because they don't slide off your leg every time you strike a chord. I've played a lot of other guitars and I have never had quite the connection with one other than the tele. It truly is the most versatile guitar.

[@charlie-obrien]

I feel ya. I'm an older player who doesn't do gigs any longer. I have six guitars (down from 9) and I continue to sell. It's heartbreaking, but I already know that at the end it will only be, me, my Tele and the acoustic. Gotta stay ready for Christmas, the odd campfire and the Clash!

[@bolt4694]

I own a 52 reissue. Had it for the past thirty years. Love it. It does everything.

[@danielgalanti2166]

I started on a Tele copy. My Dad took me up to the House of Guitars in Rochester NY. They had a pile of used instruments in a case. I dug through and pulled out a tele. It had 4 strings on it. 120+ guitars and countless gigs later I've come full circle. There were other teles in that tone chase but my Fender JV Firemist gold is the one. I flipped the controls, Callaham bridge and Danny Gatton bardens with modern T. I could take the stage for any gig. The 3 brass saddles are key. Even with heavy stacked gain there's clarity. I'm a GIT grad and when I was there in 88......yes I'm old, I followed Les Wise around. He took the Monterey Jazz fest in 77 and authored the bebop Bible. He is a Monster player. He played a tele. I get it now. You're not wrong, Leo got this right.

[@jamesbaskin8616]

ES335 is actually the most versatile guitar to me. Jazz, blues, rock, funk, even knew a country guy that played one.

[@charlie-obrien]

They are great guitars. I own two variants and both are in my top 3, being #2 & #3. Right after my Tele.

[@LovinMusic1965]

Tons of country is recorded with one. In the late 90s to about 2003 I played in a band and we would go to Nashville. The studio musicians were amazing, and now fairly atop the game now. 335, strat, were definitely the top guitars.

[@ayandey137]

Can't Djent on a ES335 😂

[@johnnorris1983]

@@ayandey137 You can.. Try out the Collins i30 £6k but quality

[@folderol8487]

I love both the Tele and the 335, and I think they're equally versatile. But an actual Gibson 335 is just not accessible for very many. Just about anybody can get hold of a Tele. It's utilitarian and sort of "working class" and I love it for that.

[@davidthomas9960]

I have a G&L ASAT with a coil split and it is, without a doubt, the most versatile guitar I’ve ever owned. I wanna grab a Gristlemaster so bad though

[@noslen954]

You are correct my friend. I have an ASAT deluxe and it's the best guitar I have.😊😊😊

[@daviddalziel884]

The G and L ASAT guitars are great . My letdown with the Gristlemaster was the jumbo frets I felt were too big for me .

[@makotomodachi]

I'm a fairly new guitar player, but I loved the instrument for a long time. What brought my attention to the instrument was the sound of a Telecaster and its older brother, the Fender Esquire. I don't own a Tele or 'squire yet but with the advent of the new Sonic series coming out from Squier with a few Teles and an Esquire with a humbucker, I'm super pumped to get one myself and experience the iconic sounds I grew up on.

[@csnymoodiesfan]

I just bought a Squier 50’s Classic Vibes and love the unique sound. The fact that with the blond color I can see the grain of the pine wood makes it a beauty to look at. I saw it a week ago, didn’t buy it, then kept thinking about it, and worried someone else would get it before me, so had to run down to the store and now she’s mine!

[@maxwolfe7194]

I sold my Gretsch Tennessean in the 70's and put a Telecaster pickup on an acoustic Eko for pub gigs. I've still got it. I also had a Gibson Jumbo J45 for a while which I never liked. The best guitar I had was a Taylor accoustic. I have a Martin accoustic now but its very light. I never liked the pick guard on the Telecaster but I love the sound.

[@Slash1066]

I have a Squier Classic Vibe (50s style) Tele in Butterscotch Blonde and it is a stunning guitar, no doubt about it, i'm a huge Les Paul fan generally but the Tele is still amazing

[@GJSolo]

My PRS Paul's Guitar is the most versatile instrument I've ever touched. The fact that I can play believable versions of Sweet Child 'O Mine, Life in the Fast Lane, Sultans of Swing and Ain't Talkin Bout Love on the same guitar is a game changer, especially on fly dates. Huge love for Teles though, I know they get dubbed as a country guitar, but Alice in Chains and Rage Against the Machine (amongst others) would beg to differ.

[@powbobs]

But PRS are so ugly.

[@GJSolo]

@@powbobs very helpful comment

[@powbobs]

@@GJSolo I also don’t like the way they feel if that helps.

[@folderol8487]

I don't like their price. That puts them in Gibson boutique territory.

[@nurabsal0x018c]

I love my dad's Tele Custom I inherited, with the humbucker neck pickup. So versatile and, I don't know what it is, it just melts into your hands. It's like you're twice as good of a player when you pick it up. So easy to play. And staying in tune... it's insane how old the strings are on mine, but they still are ready to roll.

[@charlie-obrien]

I have had guitars with single coils, P-90's, Humbuckers, MFD, Jazzmaster and even Seth Lover's PAF's, but my favorite p/u's are the Telecaster traditional (right now Yosemite) pick ups. There is so much you can get out of it from pure sweetness to great rock and blues, even a mellow jazz. My current Tele is a Nashville with said, Yosemite p/u's and a custom neck. It's certainly not the most expensive guitar I own, nor is it the flashiest. But it is capable of everything I need and then some. Leo got it right the first time and all other guitars since then have just been some version of the Tele, trying to capture the magic.

[@dalecooper5841]

After many years and many guitars, one was always staying with me... My Tele MIJ 1990 baught as a second hand in 1991. Now I get 8 differents T-style because, as you said, Tele can open many ways of modifications from Bibsby to pick-ups. Different kinds of feeling from the John 5 to the J. Trussart Steelcaster, or a Thinline US, but man I love all!!! Many say that T is life but it's true, so versatile, simple, stable and finally you get the maximum for the budget

[@anabidingdude8079]

I never really bonded with the Tele, mainly due to the ergonomics of the body, but I did find an interesting compromise: the Ibanez Talman Prestige 1803M. Its body is contoured like a Strat and has an SSS layout, but it has a 3-way toggle and an independent volume control for the middle pickup, so you can dial out the middle pickup completely and have a traditional Tele configuration but also have the option dialing back in for Strat tones. It is super cool because you can just bring up the middle pickup a bit and it is a great tone shaper and there's also the option of having all three pickups on at once. It is loaded with Seymour Duncan single coils, has the "ashtray" with individual saddles and string through the body. It is a "best of both worlds" type guitar. Thanks for the vid, Rhett, interesting as always.

[@charlie-obrien]

I have my Nashville Tele set up the same way, with independent control over the middle. It's got like 3 unique sounds that I can't get anywhere else and are in demand. I also own a couple Ibanez guitars ( hollow and semi) and you can't beat that build quality for the price anywhere.

[@steveskibbie6577]

I love this discussion and the comments...good input from so many players. I played Strats almost solely for 20 years before I added a Telecaster to the team. I still ask myself why it took so long to buy one. Rhett's correct: the Telecaster truly is simple and versatile.

[@portsideguitar1981]

Amazing that 70 some years on it is still so highly regarded. A few generations of computers or tablets in and we always clamor for the next thing but these guitars really have stood the test of time.

[@iamanovercomer3253]

I just recently bought a 2018 butterscotch Fender player telecaster in great condition for a great price. It's an amazing guitar and I wasn't looking for butterscotch but I really like the color.

[@JohnPBlues]

I’m 50, I have strats Paul’s prs semi and full hollow guitars. I just got my first tele this week and my first reaction to plugging it in to my rig is that it’s exactly the tone I’ve been looking for for several of the songs I’ve written but shelved. Time to finish them up!

[@TealScarab]

My first electric guitar was a Squier affinity tele, a really nice and affordable instrument that served me well for the first couple of years of my guitar journey. I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t really touched it in about that long (the frets being too worn down for my comfort and the neck p-up being pretty dark), but I hope sooner than later to give it the TLC it deserves with some new pickups and probably a refret.

[@stoneysdead689]

I have an Epiphone Les Paul Standard form 2007 that's in the same boat. It's a really nice guitar but, after ten years of gigging with it, several more jamming in the bedroom, and then it sitting in storage for 3 years- the neck pickup is super dark, one vol. pot. seems to have a short or something, and I can't get it to intonate. There's a pretty decent ding on the fret board- looks like the neck may have taken a nasty bump at some point. I need to take it to a technician and tell him to call me when it's ready to plug and play- I don't even want to have to tune it. I want him to set it up as close to the Adam Jones Les Paul as possible- Burst Bucker at the neck pos. and a "higher gain" pickup at the rear. That's all Gibson's specs say "a higher gain pickup" for the bridge position- I have to figure out which one. Then I want CTS pots and a Switch Craft toggle and input jack installed, and a good setup completed.

[@TealScarab]

@@stoneysdead689 hope my G400 deluxe pro lasts that long and then some, but my tele (and possibly the first act guitar I loaned to a friend) might be my first guitars to practice doing some actual fret replacement and fretworking. Practice may make perfect, but you need to first start to develop effective practice.

[@frankhughes5702]

I think it was Tom Petty that I saw performing with a telecaster back in the early 90s and I didn't know what it was but I just thought it was the coolest looking guitar ever. It's been my favorite for many years now and it's like the swiss army knife of guitars. Leo was a genius and I absolutely love the telecaster!

[@RhettShull]

I never got to see Petty live, and it’s something I’ll regret for the rest of my life.

[@whwh7339]

I was at bonnaroo 2013 and literally skipped his set because I young and very stupid. By far my biggest musical regret.

[@schmargle]

I love my Tele: It feels great, and I agree it’s versatile. But for years, when it was my only electric, I struggled to get a humbucker-like overdrive tone. Then I bought an SG and…ah. Then I had most of my bases covered. (Then I bought a Strat too…)

[@martinaddison4880]

@@RhettShull I saw Petty @25 times. Pro Tip: if you are near a The Dirty Knobs show, don't miss them. It's not the Heartbreakers, and they don't try to be, but it is Mike Campbell. I have seen them 15 times.

[@FakingANerve]

​@@RhettShull He was truly otherworldly to see. He seemed to float onto stage and just charm you. We'll all have our regretful misses, though, but yeah... he was something special.

[@flonsdg]

Knowing your story with the 355 and how it is often referred to as the most versatile guitar I was convinced that 335 would be your choice, interesting that you went with the Tele!

[@FakingANerve]

Part of me is waiting for an April fools reveal...😂

[@saltnutzzzz]

335 with humbucker tapping capabilities over the Tele

[@Cradletothegrave67]

I built my first Tele 7 years ago and have since built 3 more. I own a LP, have had 3 Strats, built a Jazzmaster Baritone, Epiphone Sheridan,my Tele’s are hands down my favorite !

[@mikethomas6103]

Agreed - a two pickup guitar is the workhorse for me. My Baldwin 706 (single coils that look like humbuckers!) is now 56 years old so it's staying at home and I'm jamming around Southampton, UK with a new Squier FSR 50s Classic Vibe Telecaster in Vintage Blonde. It's got the looks, the sound and cost just £400. Upped the strings to 10-46s from the 9-42s shipped and it's now rocking everything from 50s rock n roll, 60s pop to Eagles & Dire Straits. I just need to adapt my right hand rhythm "technique" to the ashtray bridge (and maybe reverse the control plate)

[@jazzzman8050]

I have 4 nice electrics, including my first guitar, a ‘70 Tele, and a Strat. If I could only have one, it’d be the Strat, for reasons you mentioned…more sound options from the three pickup array, and most important, the ergonomics! As cool as my old Tele sounds, I always felt like I was trying to fight it to a draw. The Strat just lets me play! Yep, all entirely subjective 😸🎸👍

[@CalJennings]

I like three pickups in my strat style guitar but I need to replace my humbucker in the bridge because, for some reason, it isn't picking up the first string. Have you ever run into that problem?

[@jazzzman8050]

@@CalJennings not personally, but I have a friend who had that problem…his bridge was not properly lined up with the pups pole pieces. It required a bit of body surgery to fix 🤷‍♂️

[@calebjensen3465]

Completely agree, I take the strat as the most versatile guitar although not as stable as the tele usually. The comfort makes up for it!

[@ursafan40]

My first electric was a Tele. Fought it for years. Then bought a Strat. I like the tones better, and it's easier to play.

[@johanneschristopherstahle3395]

​@@CalJennings could be a damaged pole piece as well. If you touch those things with something magnetic they can be ruined.

[@davidoreilly7328]

The telecaster just can’t be beat. I’ve had my tele for coming up to 3 years now, and she’s my go to guitar. Reliable, can play any genre, and is basically bomb proof since I got her set up properly

[@wrm90]

In a recording context, the Peavey T-60 would be a really good bang for the buck option. It has the widest array of sounds from one guitar I've ever played other than maybe an ES-345. They have super small necks, so that can be a make it or break it factor, but from a variety, quality, and value standpoint, they are great. The weight might be an issue for players standing, but seated in a studio, it would work alright.

[@MoreMeRecording]

But that T-60 is just such a hideous looking axe, and I know I'm not alone in this this thinking. It *shouldn't matter*, yes, but the reality is guitars are a lot like food: you tend to first eat em up with your eyes, first.

[@garrysimmons111]

A T-60 was my first "real" guitar (1980?). Kinda wish I still had it around. It was a heavy beast. My vote for "one guitar" would be an HSS with a trem of some sort. Currently smitten by my PRS Studio.

[@tiki_trash]

@@MoreMeRecording I always liked the way they look. To each his own, I guess.

[@N9752X]

I started 35 years ago with a Starcaster, but back then I wasn’t making the progress I wanted so it went to a new home. 10 years later, I tried again with a Korean brand Acoustic, but had similar results. Two years ago I picked up a Squier Strat and plugged it into my iPad, that changed my life…. I just recently upgraded to An American Ultra Luxe, and I’m in love…. This is a “1 guitar to rule them all” kind of upgrade 😊

[@Claytoonzcom]

I found MY guitar when I first played my telecaster in the store. It wasn't the color or fretboard I wanted, but the guitar spoke to me. That was 20 years ago and I still have her. She is the best telecaster ever made, a 2002 American Series. Telecasters are the most versatile. 335 comes in second.

[@elijahmiller7386]

Can’t beat the tele! That’s the reason why it’s been my go to since day one of playing. After owning a few axes, I’ve come to the conclusion that I can do everything I need with two guitars: the tele and a 335.

[@TranscendentBen]

1:56 I'll be surprised if this lick doesn't get a copyright strike! That song was popular when I was a teen, and this really takes me back,. that's an excellent rendition!

[@davd1038320]

whats the name i want to hear it

[@everonlyallforthee]

@@davd1038320 "Life's Been Good" by Joe Walsh. And he's right, Rhett pretty much nailed that tone 👌🏻

[@TranscendentBen]

@@davd1038320 Joe Walsh - Life's Been Good

[@TranscendentBen]

@@everonlyallforthee The tone, the pickin', everything.

[@guitarbo1]

If the song was from the band he eventually joined, it probably would get flagged

[@yiranimal]

Although I prefer the vibe of the Tele to that of the Strat, the Strat is of course more versatile. I know people that play them simply because they have a tremolo, just like Jeff Beck. The extra pot on the Strat helps. I find the neck pickups to be equally interesting, but prefer the Telecaster bridge pickup. Six saddles are preferable (though for the sake of vibe my Tele has 3 barrels :)) It's really worth while to mod the Strat to be able to have the neck pickup on with the bridge, a la Dave Gilmour.

[@VladCotrus]

This is so true. I have a few guitars but the telecaster is my main one and has been for the last 10 years. It just works. Currently owning a Fender Custom Shop Nocaster 51 since 2019 which I'll never sell. It can be seen on my channel, going from jazz all the way to metal.

[@scundoalex]

Couldn't agree more Rhett. I bought a pristine butterscotch 67 maple cap board Tele in 1985 and proceeded to play the finish off of it. It has a lacquer finished body. They went to poly shortly after 67. It looks like it's been through hell but it's indestructible. All that actual playing wear gives off powerful mojo that a "relic" just can't duplicate😁 I play it through a hand wired 57 Deluxe clone. Players always come up to me at gigs and want to know more about it and try it out. It remains my #1 to this day. Over the years I've had to replace some parts (I have all the original parts). It's still a working axe. The vintage purists might cry heresy but I run a Duncan QP in the bridge and an old PAF in the neck position. That covers literally everything for me. Country to rock to classic metal. A desert island guitar for sure and the one I would run into a burning house to save. Leo got it right out of the gate.

[@freesk8]

I totally agree. I have a Squier Telly I bought used about three years ago for $150. I also own an Epiphone Les Paul, and a Squier Strat, but I use the Telly the most. Stays in tune really well. Bomb-proof. Does everything I want it to do. Now, if you only had one amp for your Telly, what would it be?

[@HansKarlsson1971]

Great setup :-) I Have Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Fender Strat and Squire Telecaster CV60

[@paulsimpsonpeakguitars2873]

Great video Rhett. I love my tele. It's the one in my collection I'd run in to save if my house were on fire. I love the Greg Koch quote about them too: "At the end of time, there will be cockroaches and Telecasters - and the Teles will be in tune." 😉 Keep up the great work 👍

[@christophervincent8420]

Honestly as of right now. The Strat is my go to. I have always liked the sound of the strat. More tones and can get a country twang on it as well. Very under estimated country guitar.

[@221b-l3t]

After 18 years of playing and being a bit of a collector my Telecaster arrived today. I started on an RG, which I still love. I'm half shredder and half blues guy. Always loved the G style, so being a Sabbath nerd I got an Epi Iommi as my second, which I love, then a Flying V, which I loved so much I got my Korean made Epiphone 58 Reissue a real Gibson pal, kind of a 58 style too, knobs in line but hot ceramic pickups, 620 mm scale length in a gorgeous red, similar to cherry but darker. But I got that surprisingly cheap and since I couldn't afford another Flying V, despite disliking Les Pauls I got one (LTD). It came with Seymour 59/JB and I fell in love and became a Les Paul guy for 10 years. Then first new guitar in 14 years another Les Paul, gorgeous, came with EMG Fat 55, 370 bucks and beautifully made in the same factory as my LTD that cost triple (Cort, Indo). I was blown away by the quality and sound for the money and not just for the money, I don't care what the headstock or price tag says. So I thought, why not try one of their super cheap guitars, the same people who said their 400€ guitars play like 1500€ guitars say the 150-200€ guitars are really awesome, a fair notch above Squire and Epiphone. So I found a lake placid blue Telecaster with binding 160 bucks, rosewood style fingerboard. I never liked the look of them but the placid blue did it for me, I had to stare at it a while and caress it, to see if the frets were as nicely made as I had heard they'd be. Action super low, no buzz, nice weight about like a Strat. Then I plugged it in. I spent the next 6 or 7 hours just playing at ever increasing volumes. First clean because it's a Telle and it just sounds so lovely. Bright and shimmery, I feel like I can almost see the upper harmonics floating around. Then I thought, hey I used to be a metal guy and people claim a Telle is versatile. Went into the OD channel and flipped on the screamer and wow. What a sound. A joy to play. I can't believe my neighbours didn't complain, I turned my DSL401 to about 1 or 1.5, meaning the windows were rattling and sole trinkets on a shelf fell over. He really did it back then. Leo got it right on the first try. I never really got into my Strat, despite loving Strat player and havibg nice pups in my Squire. But man the Telecaster is the Fender (inspired) guitar for me. Still love my Pauls and Vs but I can already see that the Telle will be one of my main guitars now. Les Paul or V and a Telle. I love guitars. And now thanks to they joy of playing and hearing it I even love the look of the Telecaster. Not all colours but mine is pretty. She had a little scratch on the neck being B stock but I just sanded it smooth and refinished that area. Now I can't play it for 24 hours. And I already miss it. That brightness just gets me. Clean or high gain I love it. Fantastic guitar. Can't believe it cost only as much as my Squire, it feels like a Player series Strat from the quality. Even the double binding is gorgeous. Pots are meh but the pups sing. Super low buzz free action too. These mass produced cheap guitars are insane. My Epiphones can't take action that low, the frets a great but not perfect. I wanted to try a cheapo SG but I might just get more Telecasters. The red ones are cute.

[@pattersonbrewing7213]

Been playing for over 50 years. Owned LP's, Gretsch, Rickenbackers, Kramers, etc...and a well set up Tele is an absolute dream to play. The most "natural" extension of one's own hands as you can get. Many guitars do many things great. A telecaster can do all of those things incredibly well.

[@IvanXman]

I love fixed bridge guitars. Tele is probably the simplest yet the coolest ever. Strat's tremolo is a joke, once I start using one I become out of tune immediately (dunno, maybe that's just me playing too aggressively), but this doesn't happen to me with the fixed bridge (or if I just block the tremolo system completely). And Tele truly has it's own unique sound character. It's crispy bright and it sounds just amazing with overdrive. I'm thinking of Tele as my next guitar.

[@PabloVadillo23]

Great video as always Rhett. While I agree that a tele can do everything, it's the wooden plank with strings aspect to it that I just can't get over. They're bulky, not very comfortable and kinda ugly too. If I had to choose one electric guitar to do everything with it would be a jazzmaster. I had long ignored them until a few months ago when I was in the market for a tele and walked out with a JM instead. Great video and playing per usual my man keep it up!

[@tomrwills]

The tele ultras ($$$) have a nice belly cut and hand carve to make it a little more refined but jazzmasters are sweet too. Some of my favorite players play them.

[@shabba182]

Jazzmasters have the best vibrato system hands down

[@silverman169]

Agreed! The Jazzmaster is the only Fender so far where I've truly loved all the pickup positions.

[@jonsdavis]

I posted my comment before I read yours but it's interesting that we probably think similarly even though I reached the opposite conclusion (and ALL my favorite players are Jazzmaster guys). And the American Pro II teles (I have the Custom) do have very comfortable contouring and other refinements, though I don't know that I would have bought mine if I hadn't snagged it just before Fender's January 2022 price hikes.

[@springertube]

Ibanez had a great Talman series (TC in the mid 90s, TM later including a premium Prestige line, and mostly limited Japan market now) with a Jazzmaster-esque body, minus the Jm's "different" switches, but complete with the Strat belly and arm contours but combo Tele ashtray and pickups (on some models) and jack-plate, Strat type 3 way switch and two T-style controls (again a mix of Strat and Tele control knob locations). They also had a more Strat-oriented model with 3 single coils--and maybe a HB variant, I forget. Even their second go-round in the 00's (with both Japan--probably Fujigen--and cheaper Indonesian models I think) must've not sold well as it's been several years now disappeared from the US market. Probably too many people opting for more literal/templated T & S styles, either Fender or clones. A shame as a very cute guitar with all the pieces--as we're talking "one" guitar.

[@deut3168]

After the apocalypse, all that will be left are cockroaches and Telecasters. And the Telecasters will still be in tune.

[@arunraviji]

Very informative video telling me how to get the different tones. Better than most other videos that compare the two and end up with me being more confused and feeling a lot like they’re more similar than different.

[@rickhill6277]

For years my giro has been the Telecast! In fortunately I’m Left Handed and Fender LEAVES US OUT ALL THE TIME!! Cheers from Salem, Ohio.

[@lukejones0826]

0:01 I’d say an acoustic guitar

[@james1939-s1c]

100% disagree, first of all if you play in venues and use reasonably high gain tones good luck with single coils. PRS makes the most well rounded guitars on the market, the DGT comes to mind, they have humbuckers, but PRS coil taps sound very close to single coils, covering both humbucker and single coil sounds, and having a good trem rounds out most of what you would need to cover any type of music. Fender telecasters are great for beginners because cheap ones work well due to their simplicity, but they are a niche guitar for blues and country and spare me the outliers that use them in other genres.

[@bstnlcge2662]

Exactly my thoughts, why limit yourself with a tele if you could have only one guitar lmao

[@ForeFX]

jonny greenwood

[@YJMusic72]

Started out on an LP copy, back in the early 80s, then played Strats, for quite a few years. Eventually tried a Tele and that's been the guitar for me, ever since. It's just perfect!

[@ajsmith4181]

The Tele was my first guitar as a kid and it’s still my favorite to this day. The sound is unmatched.

[@Cruz474]

I randomly decided to distort my squier telecaster, was SHOCKED at how good it sounded, and now I’ve come down this rabbit hole. What a guitar.

[@llama6394]

What squier telecaster do you have?

[@robertborowski8750]

I’m 100% a Gibson Les Paul fan, but I recently purchased a 1989 Fender 52 reissue Telecaster and I was immediately impressed with the comfort and versatility. I enjoy the hell out of playing it!

[@jbf16falcon]

I agree I have run the gambit of guitars over 50 years and brands from Martin, Taylor, Gibson and Fender. Of 37 guitars if I had to pick only one,it would be my Red Mahogany Telecaster vintage bridge and neck Twisted and I can play any genre and be happy with the sound. None of my others can boast the range.

[@Ripperx121]

I didn't own a tele for the first 20 years of my hobbyist playing guitar. I had multiple Strats. Landed on a G&L legacy in 1997 brand new. Superior to the fender at the time and in fact I would argue the real fender. Got some others over time. Got a Gibson LP and WOW heavy! Finally I got a MIM Fender Telecaster in 2014. Holy crap! It played so nice. I had to crown the frets, changed the tuners to Fender locking, and replaced the electronics with a 920D loaded pick guard and controls. Rhett your right. It's just a great guitar. I play it as much or even more than my G&L. Plus Prince played one as his main guitar. So... That proves it right there. :)

[@grahamtyler5382]

Absolutely! The Telecaster is the perfect guitar. However, I would like to add that the SG is more versatile than most people think (try playing rockabilly or jazz on one).

[@1000foxtrot]

For years my most played guitar was my Fender+ Stratocaster ... with lace sensor pickups I purchased around '92 as brand new, and sure I still love it (and my other to Strats) .... Around '95, I am not exactly aware of when it was ... - I got my Fender Nashville Tele and as time passed by, I use the Tele more and more Maybe it's because of my Solo singing and playing .... it suits me better... when I hang it on..... Not long ago I purchased a Harley Benton TE 52 ,,, and I am more and more happy with this guitar .... It has a great sound .... Only minor troubles have showed up .... Yes I love the Tele-guitars more and more...