Mexican vs Japanese vs American! - Telecaster Tone Comparison!

[@LanceisLawson]

I liked the MIM sound the best. The MIJ is the best looking.

[@snowyowl1717]

Agreed

[@bennguyen2823]

Yeah the MIJ is look very good

[@MachSea]

Honestly, agreed.

[@Chiefboxer]

Fa sho

[@marcinjulius]

Somehow for me too... MIM are underestimated, but I like them...

[@ktnation15]

I’m Mexican and I love Americans, but my wife is Japanese...

[@danialm8122]

so you are not guitarist by the way.

[@pereztorresjorgealejandro2461]

Que onda paisanoo

[@GilbertDillard]

Funny

[@muchozeta7]

dividen a mexico de america como si america fuera solo un pais

[@9graff9]

@@pereztorresjorgealejandro2461 que uboooo carnal! Viva!

[@shawnengland7496]

I’ve got a ‘96 MIJ tele in shell pink and I absolutely love that thing. It sounds so rich and full and can do almost anything that I need to. I’ve messed with tons of excellent MIM and USA teles but my MIJ just has some kind of mojo that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else

[@soilent9618]

MIM- More gritty, grungy, rock n roll. MIJ- Buttery smooth, more jazzy. MIA- Classic Tele twang, more country sounding.

[@mexicanosdelmundo]

I feel exactly the same way about 'em 3 Teles.

[@LucaLindemann]

Exactly... Actually I find the MIM very close to the MIA

[@joaquinnikolai9949]

Yes i prefer mim because im not realy a tele guy and for me the tele caster mexico suits my genre

[@ryangiesbers]

Gimme MIM any day. Don’t get me wrong, I will sit down and play an MIA but I refuse to spend that kind of money on a guitar for where it’s made.

[@ryangiesbers]

Luca Lindemann I’d say they’re all mostly like that. My favorite guitar is my MIM special series jaguar (humbuckers, pearl silver). I think it’s just a personal preference thing IMO.

[@justinharnett2443]

Comparison: Bridge w/ True N. Tweed Drive pedal - MiM@4:45, MiJ@5:02, MiA@5:19 Bridge + Neck w/ clean - MiM@5:42, MiJ@5:56, MiA@6:09 Neck w/ clean - MiM@6:28, MiJ@6:43, MiA@6:57 Blind Test - Find the LP - 1st@7:36, 2nd@7:42, 3rd@7:47 Neck solo - MiM@8:33, MiJ@8:45, MiA@8:56 Bridge solo - MiM@9:08, MiJ@9:19, MiA@9:30 yw ;)

[@qxiz5164]

Made in Japan

[@MustafaBaabad]

I found the Japanese made has the best sound and look.

[@enriquegranados5179]

La japonesa.

[@MarcosBanus]

This Japanesa Tele custom is my dream guitar.

[@anthonyxuereb792]

My dream guitar is the one that plays in my hands because I can't play!

[@qua7771]

@@anthonyxuereb792 Can't or won't? Practice for 6 months. I'm not being sarcastic. My neighbor wanted to learn, so I loaned him a guitar. He couldn't pick up on it at all no matter how he tried. I did the same thing with my cousin, and he pushed through the learning process and is a good player now. Perhaps the neighbor suffers tone deafness. I don't know. At any rate, I wish you luck. Try it.

[@anthonyxuereb792]

@@qua7771 Nice to read your message but I'm afraid it's too late, I'm in my 70th year. Maybe in the next life but then again I might be shovelling coal

[@qua7771]

@@anthonyxuereb792 I read a lot of comments from people in their 70's. Unless you have a debilitating condition, it's not too late to learn to play for enjoyment. I have arthritis in my 50's so I'm not as fast as I was, but that doesn't matter to me. I find playing relaxing. The first 3-6 months is a bit tough, but I'm sure that you are more patient than kids are. When we were kids, old guys didn't play electric guitars. Now they do.

[@unity__3829]

for my its the japanese custom rg85070z from ibanez

[@daddyosink4413]

What's the difference between an American and Mexican Mexican Fender? 50 miles.

[@MaynardFreek]

Both made by the same employees using made in China parts

[@fhqwhgads1670]

I thought it was closer to 5?

[@joshbarnes6759]

Japan wins all day

[@RumblinMan]

Hardware and pickups.

[@projectgoatse]

Joe Bryant Reverse experience here. My MIA Amspec Strat had a lot of weird wax all over the frets, like buffing compound that they forgot to wipe off or something, right out of the box. Tuning issues because of an improperly cut nut. Bad guitars come out of both factories.

[@GetUnwoke]

Wow, finally a baja tele comparison video! I've been waiting for this one for a while. It's usually always a MIM standard tele vs blahblah so this is a nice change.

[@davedavem]

Great video! It's the MIJ for me. The attention to detail is just superb.

[@rhov233]

The Japanese version sounded perfect like a classical instrument, the Mexican a tiny bit more old school, and the Us version a tiny bit more soulful. I'd definetly go for the cheapest. The difference was minimal.

[@nickstojanovic9663]

I think it's mostly beacause of different strings were used. But yes I hear the same

[@johnsallee7824]

I just made an unbelievable score. Picked up a Japanese Fender Telecaster for $88.92

[@Noumenon4Idolatry]

@@nickstojanovic9663 I thought maybe the rosewood neck

[@johnbenny7235]

Where can I buy the Japanese one?

[@mikoajtokar5846]

There is a difference in feel and comfort of playing however

[@matthewmartin7639]

Best Tele I've ever played is my Nashville Style. MIM and I got it used. Mine is made in 2007. Butterscotch blond. 3 pickups, 5 way strat switch and gives you quite a lot of tones while still being that classic twanger. It's my current #1 electric. Does everything I need it to.

[@johnhmaloney]

My favorite is the Baja. It's got that bright, wooly tone that I love Teles for and I like chunky necks.

[@continentalaquatics2725]

John Maloney I agree 100%!

[@MintIncorporated]

I like the MIJ sound. Just sounds rich and fuller.

[@john564holloway]

Me, too!

[@OroborosEternalLife]

killbotone Or, you know, the different pickups lmao

[@allgunsblazed9106]

@killbotone it's not an acoustic though.

[@jefflitchfield4950]

Still matters.

[@melvynobrien6193]

Not what a Tele is supposed to sound like.

[@Faiirchild]

Great videos you have. I really like how you give your opinions at the end without coloring any of the comparisons until then. Fun to watch!

[@rkoz55]

i never played a Tele, waiting for delivery of a Baja, this will finish the coverage of tones available in my collection, so thankful amps and cabinets can be pretty much satisfied with software!

[@matttyreeoutdoors]

Japanese tele by far is my favorite I own a Japanese strat and the quality and tone on those guitars is outstanding

[@matttyreeoutdoors]

Yeah I was never really a fender guy either after playing Gibsons for many years but I love my white 1987 fender MIJ strat custom shop 62 reissue

[@Soldano999]

I own a japanese tele. People who come to my house always want to buy it.

[@RobertVeasquez]

On my first listen, I favor the Japanese Tele way more. The rolled fret edges is a huge plus.

[@Chresna_Aditya]

Japanese peoples is best craftman out thete

[@blackfender100]

I own The Jap strat also.Poss my favorite out of 20 or so guitars i own.

[@JohnDrogado69]

I love my Baja Tele. You can get so many tones out of it. Just a great piece of work from Fender

[@evanward4303]

I put a reverse Baja control plate in mine. So good.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Evan, I turned my FSR Tele reverse plate back around to standard configuration. 😂😂 🍻 Guitarists are so weird.

[@evanward4303]

@@Riverdeepnwide That made me laugh. I got it in reverse so I won't change pickups accidentally. That and the occasional volume swell. ✌

[@mattsmith9024]

John Drogado 2 pickups with 6 tonal variations. Put that up against a Strat that has 3 pickups and 5 variations. Not to mention the twang of the Tele vs the quack of a Strat. The choice is obvious.

[@continentalaquatics2725]

Evan Ward I would do the very same. I love being able to manipulate the volume knob for swells and vibrato effects. When I get a Tele (I haven’t owned one yet, but I’ve borrowed a few over the years), I plan on reversing the control plate (assuming that the previous owner didn’t already do that themselves) and possibly adding a Bigsby.

[@stevenmgyori3826]

Hi D! That MIJ is gorgeous! Ironically there was a AMS ad right before the blind test ! I just might have to call Sweetwater! Thanks for sharing brother! Be Well Daryl!

[@MintStiles]

In tele terms, I have two American deluxe teles and a Squier CV 50 tele with custom pickups... The Americans are only Bette run fit and finish. The squier just sounds better and has that old school feel. You can do a layer of zymol auto wax on your Squier every so often and the gloss neck will no longer be sticky. Nice smell to boot.

[@talkshowhost85]

I don't play guitar but I love the Telecaster in ways I can't explain.

[@minorcek]

Ive been playing most of my life and i love telecasters in ways i cant explain

[@whatskraken3886]

the MIJ one was so so so beautiful

[@chefjoshua2035]

What's Kraken? My sentiment exactly. Sounds good too.

[@whatskraken3886]

@@chefjoshua2035 I'm a sucker for the MIJ Jaguar basses. They're such great instruments.

[@chefjoshua2035]

What's Kraken? Just my opinion, MIJ fender/squires are of great quality. Specially in the mid 80’s era where it all started.

[@whatskraken3886]

@@chefjoshua2035 totally agree

[@CsykKrit]

100% agree

[@SamuelStephen]

I hadn't found many videos on my Fender FSR 60's tele MIJ. So it was awesome finally hearing it in a pro's hands and comparing it agains MIM and MIA

[@reginald8703]

Samuel Stephen its a limited edition guitar but they don’t have it on the fender website anymore

[@roymontero4066]

It’s not an FSR, its a limited run....and as much as I like Darryl he’s not a pro by my standards...

[@UncleDonDon]

I find it difficult to justify owning an American after owning my Mexican. I absolutely love it.

[@Soldano999]

At one point i went to a store to buy a strat and tried several ones unplugged and without looking at the tag. I found one that was spectacularly better than the others. It was a MIM. $450. I bought it.

[@l.cressey6806]

Soldano999 Bought my MIM Stratocaster for the exact same price and I love it.

[@danielmann5427]

@@Soldano999 - i was told many of the employees for fender work at both factories, they just cross the border.

[@D-Man_Jam]

Wouldn't it be the other way around?

[@keithadams812]

Resale value there's your biggest difference... a used American tele will sell for 800 to 1000 a used a Mexican 300 to 500.... And I actually like the sound of the American tele in this video..

[@k_alex]

They all sound really good in their own way. Personally I rank them 1. MIM 2. MIJ 3. USA

[@designteamnorway385]

Agree

[@carloszapata5597]

Yes sr

[@mikenestor]

I definitely prefer the Baja Tele

[@cityfantv-everythingmancit2946]

Nah USA was much better then the japan

[@ninachantrasmi8960]

Same.

[@bpabustan]

For some reason I find the Mexican Tele the best of the three.

[@luizalvino6162]

USA - more balanced. Japan - darker scale gives more boost to low frequencies. Mexican - all frequencies with low definition

[@radiogreenblue]

Yunno I hear the same thing. On clean tone I am (1) Mex (2) US (3) Japanese. Mex seemed most balanced

[@Andrew-nj2vb]

Because you own one? Hahah

[@misaelhinojoza9969]

me too

[@presentelaw]

Totally agree!

[@luisantoniogarcia9894]

You're so cool and kind you sort of embody the stereotype of canadians being extra kind people lol. Love your videos, man, keep it up!

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Eh!

[@nubnce5705]

That MIJ Tele's headstock is so damn attractive compared to the plain wood of the other two. What a beautiful instrument

[@jakemitchell1671]

These videos are FUN! And I appreciate the work that Darrell puts into his videos and channel. First class all the way! But...at the end of the day...pick a guitar and PLAY. And then PLAY some more. After that you'll want to PLAY. And then when all is said and done...PLAY! Don't give a second thought to what you don't have and put 100% of your heart and soul into what you DO have. Oh..did I mention...PLAY????

[@hibiki88]

dude that solo was awesome, i've listend to it several times already!

[@SurfingSerpent]

I like the Ibanez Talman. It’s a tele with strat body curves and strat angles for the pickup selector and knobs. I find these adjustments to make it a lot more comfortable than normal teles, and the tone is the same great sound you expect.

[@Ibjahmin]

Nice comparison without negativity or bias towards one manufacturer...thumbs up

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

USA for both pickups for rhythm and solos Those riffs and single line melodies the MIM And the clean but with that crazy fuzz would be the japanese ones. Awesome video dude.

[@YBNegative]

Always have love for my Tele's! and now I am curious about the Baja. But I still feel like the next guitar for me is gonna be an Acoustasonic1 Thanks for the video DBG!

[@shredx81]

The MIJ looks like a custom shop, boutique guitar. I'm impressed.

[@WorshipGuitarTheory]

I can totally hear the differences you are talking about! Amazing how all 3 Teles stand out in their own way despite being the same parent model. BTW love the ascending 5ths run you were doing in the jam.

[@JasonNewman3]

I'm a huge fan of Japanese guitars, but that US Tele sounds like how a Tele should sound, which is gorgeous.

[@nateklug5933]

Im having an awesome day today

[@zoranallen5205]

Nate Klug me too bro. First real good day in a while. Best wishes

[@grantkeahey8805]

Same fam, first really awesome day for a while :D

[@CuerdaaCuerda]

Me too

[@tdtom1376]

hope you made it two in a row Nate. Awesome!

[@nateklug5933]

td tom i did indeed man wish u the same

[@martinpickard6043]

Very well presented. No waffle, great mic/sound. Informative. Picked up some useful info, Thanx very much 😃👍

[@I-Dont-Know-Nothin]

I have a '96 MIM Telecaster Special with the neck humbucker and 4 way switch. I'll never get rid of it.

[@Dave_MB]

I have a 94 MIM Squier Series strat. An anomaly that they used excess US parts on MIIM's for a few years. I love it.

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

The MIJ has a more mellow neck pickup compared to the twisted tele pickup in the MIM and the MIA. I liked the sound of the Baja MIM the best since it has really good pickups.

[@SatriaAndyKirana]

That MIJ Tele looks STUNNING!

[@rodrodriguez3334]

I have an American Special and it’s a keeper. The Telecaster is definitely that one guitar we love coming home to.

[@garyhamilton7111]

I agree on the Tele being a fantastic guitar, I have a Strat, Jazzmaster, Semi Hollow and the the Tele I pick up more than the 3 of them combined!

[@Dave062YT]

I've got the Vintera 60s modified in Lake Placid blue the same wiring features as the Baja but with the cleaner no truss rod hole headstock and the slimmer neck .I absolutely love it !All these Teles sound great and which ever one you can afford fits the bill .

[@IvanPianoworship]

At 8:27 what series and model or whatever is the leftmost dark blue guitar from?

[@gillesgenete9598]

Years ago, I used to have the American Vintage 52 reissue, great guitar and tones, like Keith Richards tones, but I ended selling it. More recently I had the 60 Baja, another great guitar and I liked the 4th position very warm, but I also ended selling it. Still have the MIM deluxe 72 with 2 wide range humbuckers, I won't sell it because I feel it so good tonewise. I recently acquired a G&L ASAT Classic Bluesboy with a humbucker in the neck position, and a biting MFD single coil in bridge, a keeper. The demoed MIJ tele, I tested it , so beautiful and perfectly built and finished, but the Tele single coil tone is definitely not my taste.

[@StephanieM772]

I’m surprised how good the MIJ sounds. I think this was favorite.

[@JeanFrancoisDesrosiers]

Me too

[@samlelowitch]

Surprised why?

[@StephanieM772]

Sam Elowitch, I dunno...because I’ve read so many good reviews on the Baja Telecaster I expected to like it a bit more than I did in this video. And I generally think of a good American made Tele as a fairly bullet proof, really excellent sounding instrument. Having said all that I wasn’t expecting to prefer the MIJ over the others.

[@jefflitchfield4950]

MIJ fenders are almost always nice

[@retiresoon5639]

All three of them sound great. The japan model is the warmest. the Mexican is brighter than the japan and the American is bright clear with good articulation.

[@billamj]

Retire Soon couldn’t agree more. The MIJ had a much rounder, warmer sound and the MIM was brighter than the MIJ but not quite to the MIA. Another fine video from Darrell.

[@TheMidnightModder]

The music you played showing off the middle selection (both pickups) was beautiful. And I don't mean it "just sounded great" I mean it was Beautiful. It made me feel a combination of emotions that was just wonderful.

[@jake_of_the_jungle9840]

I missed out on an amazing tele when I was kid but I can’t complain because my used schecter c-1 classic that I got for my 14th Christmas present is still my #1 guitar and what I base every guitar I play off from. Thank you mom you’re the best

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

The USA Tele has the best tone. The MIJ is just beautiful. I would switch out the pickup in the MIJ.. The MIM is very nice as well . My second choice

[@NoCoverCharge]

im so getting a Tele but there are so many i cant choose..it's overwhelming..especially when all guitar stores are closed and you cant go play them

[@hops110]

No Cover Charge - if you already have an electric guitar, I would wait a bit if I were you (just so you can try the guitar). I know this is hard since I want to buy another guitar too, but unless you already know exactly what you want, it’s better to wait for a bit or make an arrangement with your seller so you could try the guitar out. - I you don’t have a guitar yet and want one now to play in quarantine, buy a Mexican.

[@chaslatorre2890]

I think that is Fender's biggest mistake as they have so many versions of only 2 guitars that we never really know what the heck we are buying unless we do 10 hrs of research. That's about all i miss about the 6os...there was 1 version of each...you liked it ..or not.

[@Choco_Bada]

@@chaslatorre2890 Same with gibson les pauls and ibanez guitar series haha there are just too many to pick from

[@ronnysuarez3257]

Classic vibe 50s squier telecaster dude

[@DalgoFight]

Ronny Suarez I'm planning to pick up a beautyfull tele but my heart and mind are completley split into squier CV 50's or a MIM tele.

[@mscottashley]

Every guitar is different. A good guitarist can make any of these guitars sound great.

[@jonrocker1983]

I absolutely agree..expecially when talking about electric guitars...the chain is too long (amp, pre amp, pedals, effects, ecc ecc..) to give the guitar the sole credit for the final sound..a 5000 $ les paul will always sound bad with a bad amp and more so with a poor playing....I once saw Richie Kotzen playing a concert with a 150$ squier strat...well you have no idea how freakintastic brilliant was his sound....

[@paradiswest4395]

Yes, but I'm not a good guitarist.

[@jonrocker1983]

@Ozer Arkis you know what concert I am talking about?

[@VStrom2019]

I really wanted the Baja to come out top but the American one sounded best all the way for my ears. Brilliant video, thank you.

[@hoangnguyennguyen1032]

One of my dream guitars is a Japanese Schecter Telecaster copy signature model for Tooru Kitajima (TK). Very hard to get since they are not cheap and only available in Japan.

[@frankie467]

Resurrected a Japanese Tele a few years ago. Put a set of Texas Special pickups in it and it is amazing.

[@projectgoatse]

frankie467 what style do you play? I found the Texas Specials to be way too thin and ridiculously bright.

[@frankie467]

projectgoatse I play a little bit of everything, but the Tele is my go to for anything clean channel or country.

[@projectgoatse]

frankie467 ah that makes sense then. They are great for that stuff. :)

[@avjake]

Nice move!

[@mattjc1021]

Great video. The thing is, I’ve sat in a guitar shop and played two American standards, same year etc and even they sounded slightly different.

[@ettejackie]

Yes

[@velvetonecustomshop5026]

Usually our friend here from the Great White North is pretty spot on. I’m only posting because I’m confused a bit.... D said that the MIM model was the “brightest” sounding, but I played it all back after he said that through my (severely overpriced) studio monitors a couple times, and even put it through PAZ frequency analyzer to triple check, and the American model was quite a bit more focused in the upper midrange frequencies. By ear, and by science it was a good bit brighter than either of the other two. I personally liked the Japanese model best sonically..... the most 3 Dimensional sound to my ear, and, as a matter of pure opinion, I prefer my neck and bridge pickups to sound different:) when I make pickups, or custom loaded pickguards for Strat and Tele, I wanna hear a real difference between positions. Not in output balance but in tone. The Japanese one was the best to my ear, and the MIM sounded like ceramic pickups when D played 2-3 notes at the same time. Great for chords, no prob for single notes, but when 2-3 notes played at same time, noticeably different then the other 2. Again I was very impressed with the 3 d depth of the Japanese model, Especially noticing that both mic’s were very close to the spesker🕟

[@lee-e1767]

Literally had an eargasm in the intro! Love the sound of an overdriven tele

[@THISWEEKINHUMANdotcom]

I purchase a Mexican made Tele (tobacco burst) with a Humbucker in neck position and a Standard Tele pick up at bridge. I haven't been able to find out much more about it other than it was made in 2017. I love this guitar and I call it my Chicano Tele.

[@marinepilot5723]

As the proud owner of a 1984 MIJ 52' reissue Telecaster, I can say that they are fine quality instruments

[@chuckandkonnie2415]

The MIJ sounded richer in each comparison. USA Tele was just a bit too bright.

[@gustavoazevedo9736]

I agree with you! MIJ is just a beauty not just esthetically saying. Great balance on all frequencies.

[@Shortened2Max]

I recently bought that exact model of tele (swapped out for a white pick guard) and it’s the most classy guitar I’ve ever owned.

[@robbie_the_guitarist7277]

Chuc konn I like Bright sounding Guitars

[@aries_9130]

Absolutely agree. It really had some "fatness" to the sound, which I loved.

[@joelspaulding5964]

In complete agreement. I suspect the hotter pickups on the MIA Tele could be compensated for, to some degree, at the amp. I like the extra juice and sizzle but when you want it to REALLY sound like a Telecaster...

[@TcSomers]

Well that was an interesting experience! Funnily enough I thought the Les Paul sounded the worst, and the Baja in series sounded the best. The neck pickup on the MIA blew me away though, and the bridge on the MIJ was just too good. Seriously, you make some of the best comparison videos, thanks!

[@garymcaleer6112]

I recently paid $199 for a white Squire made in China. With Fender 10's through my TC G-Major and White Marshall half-stack the tone is sweet, Darrell. As you know, I always go for the clean jazz tone. It's the only way my ears don't wear down these days, bro. Just so you know, I'm one step away from geezerhood! :^) Merry Christmas to you & family.

[@chrishandsome4267]

Ive never had a channel make such a good video that it made me want to literally Eat the guitar. Bravo

[@vvavie4858]

I honestly prefer the Baja over your other teles

[@PWNHUB]

The U.S. just sounds like the standard issue telecaster sound, the Japanese was by far a better audio quality but it could've been another guitar not necessarily a tele. Now in the solo, the pop from the Mexican telecaster just spoke out as Id expect.

[@blakethornsbrough1528]

I thought the Japanese sounded too generic. I like Mexico, USA then Japan.

[@sesa1076]

Played a Baja Telecaster at a store one time, I actually loved the baseball bat neck, but totally left-field experience caught me off guard. I then played a Fender Nashville Deluxe tele with the "noiseless" pickups, and couldn't get it out of my head for days. I'm usually quite a traditionalist, and I was looking for a single coil, alnico experience because I'm usually a Gibson es-335 player and I wanted something less muddy. The Nashville Deluxe gave me all the chime I was looking for, which surprised me since they are basically humbuckers. Bucking my trend toward tradition I also really liked the tight clean feel of the individual strat type saddles. A three pickup Nashville style tele is my dream solid body, but I was taken aback that the noiseless one sounded so good to me.

[@mattgray6587]

Man U do an excellent job with your content and great playing!

[@wilfredorivera3514]

I do appreciate the information that you are bringing up about the all types of guitars and the difference between them; and the different cammoflages companies use to sell their products. The information you deliver to us help us to make better decisions when buying guitars and other instruments;thank you very much, I do appreciate your help!!!

[@yosoyelsupremo]

The 3 guitars are excellent, it will depend on the ear of each person to chose a model or another.

[@ThePorchpicker]

I'm from the era that didn't have effects. I was hoping to hear tones without the screaming overdrive.i see, now I can hear it. Thank you

[@GeroLubovnik]

My first (and only) Tele was a '96 MIM... Went to trade it in on a MIA... Played them next to each other and liked the MIM better and walked away from the deal.

[@MacPro8CoreMan]

I love my MIM 2012 Tele. It's not a "Vibe" or anything, just a great tele. In 2012 the MIM came with ceramic pickups, very slim neck, smooth fret ends... Right out of the box, it was a joy to play. In COVID 2020 I decided I wanted to customize it for a more Bluesy Bite. I installed Fender Alnico V Tex-Mex pickups ($55 from Amazon!), I ordered a custom switch plate with a slanted selector groove and the Volume knob pushed back 5mm to give my fat fingers room to adjust. The plate is loaded with top of the line Mojotone/CTS custom tapered shaft Pots, excellent Mojotone 4 way switch, Orange Drop .47 uf Cap, and a Switchcraft Jack all flawlessly soldered together using vintage style cloth covered 22 gauge wiring ($60 from Amazon). Add in a 3 ply Cobalt Blue Pearloid pickguard and for $130 I had transformed my Arctic White Tele with white pickguard into a beautifully colorful Pro level Guitar. It's now the best guitar I've ever owned, and every guitarist that has since played it has fallen in love with it. I my humble opinion; Mexican Telecasters are the sweet spot in the entire Fender guitar catalogue.

[@Vladle2099]

I have a tele. Says esquire but I found the neck has been replaced with a fender neck. The decal is over the clear coat. The body is butterscotch or blonde. White pick guard with a bit of a glittery effect on it. The body is solid top loader. Not a single serial number anywhere. I’m unsure of what I got. But she sounds amazing.

[@catsven1973]

Yesssss... The same Baja as mine... Love this guitar.. Do it all.

[@voiceofexperience]

Amazing how quickly new strat & tele models come & go these days.

[@spoogle621]

there have been AMA's on reddit where they confirmed that there is literally 0 difference in build quality between the made in american and mexican(custom shop excluded ofcourse)

[@roymontero4066]

Brabus 1Up source? Thanks

[@peacewalkr]

@John Cox ok

[@mhoppy6639]

What I love about Darells channel is that he lets the guitars shine and doesn’t resort to that w@nking that goes on on other demos (ahem, Andertons are you listening). It makes the end result more realistic as I’m not much of a player so I can relate to these demos v well. Not that Darrell can’t play-🤣 I think he just keeps the guitar front and centre.

[@paultroalic6676]

What a classy guitar player. Love his style and he really knows his stuff. Enjoyed this very much.

[@Musiknird]

I really like the Japanese guitar and there's something about the sound that at tracks me. The American has a lot more twang to it and sometimes that twang can colour a song a bit too much even if I like the twang.

[@kadenmetzler3235]

Lol I thought your profile picture was a hair on my phone

[@zeekcrooks3793]

@@kadenmetzler3235 same lol

[@Mackelenromero]

Yo Fr 🤣😂 u got me with the hair

[@dt_bass]

The Japanese Fender sound has a fuller sound and this pleased much more than the others (without belittling them)

[@buzzbbird]

My vote? The Japanese for looks AND sound!

[@Bulletisred]

Nice Darrell, love your jammin style. I love those Teles

[@MrShaneConaway]

Nothing that some eq wouldn’t fix… what I don’t like is the intonation. The high e is consistently flat on all guitars. It could be user error. To play thirds in tune one must temper tune , not just tune every string straight up . I learned an amazing process for tuning from this old guru in town who’s no longer with us. When I started doing session work full time I was never in tune enough. Thanks for the comparison Darrell.

[@dwftube]

MIM for me - sounds closest to the Tele I hear in my head. MIA a close second.

[@pablobritomusic]

1. MIM 2. MIJ 3. USA Mexico is just a land of good weather, great wood and amazing handcrafting techniques...

[@kuchi214]

That MIJ tele is a win win in terms of beauty. Temptation

[@DailyDread]

Agreed

[@deadmanprodinc]

Thank you for showing us these 3 variations of telecaster in an unbiased manner. You've helped me decide.

[@normwebb4765]

Absolutely incredible...really liked this segment...I am looking to purchase a guitar that is not an Ibanez...love my Ibanez however, have only owned Ibanez...looks like a Tele will be my next purchase. Thanks again and please keep it coming. I would like to hear a segment on Keisel Guitars!! 6-7-8 string versions and what they can do!! Thanks Norm.

[@Name-xe4le]

The sound of the Japanese tele is gorgeous! It blends in the mix the best I guess. With the least EQ tweeking. But personally I'd pay my money for the American tele. It's bright. Wide range. And it barks!

[@RomainCloclo]

Always an awesome day when you post a new video !

[@davidmacleod9313]

What I found with MY Baja tele was that it was a “brittle” sound but that could be fixed thru eq-ing. But I was getting all these static ticks whenever my fingertips touched the pick guard because it was so thin! I paid $50 for the regular Fender pick guard and THAT problem was no longer. Your video here was a great demonstration of comparison. Thank you! However, there is a guitar that I bought for cheap and is quite surprising in that at first I was going to return it because it hummed loudly and had a buzz that really bugged me and then THAT string broke! (And I NEVER break strings! Lol) I replaced the string and no buzz! So, I decided to keep it. It even came with 010’s and I usually play with 009’s but am finding that this guitar with the 10’s seems to be perfect! At the moment it is my favourite! It is the Slick S50. I acquired it thru “Guitar Fetish” online. I am rambling here but only because.....I don’t know...I’m happy? Lol (if I type any longer you are going to need a bookmark! Lol) Thanks again! UPDATE!!! I just ordered a Custom Shop Broadcaster NOS. You know, before I die kind of thing. Lol

[@planzed463]

Love your videos man.. been following you maybe a couple of years now. Just wanted to thanks for your videos 😊👍🏽 I’d love a Tele... work in progress!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

The made in USA has more zing. The differences are subtle but once you hear and play a good USA Telecaster all the rest sound weedy.

[@brianharms2398]

Good luck trying to find one of those MIJ Teles in a store.

[@MrBighairyass]

Brian Harms ...I got the last MIJ Midnight Strats at my local store. The guys working there said they rarely get any Fenders from Japan...wish I would’ve got the Tele instead...

[@dreamscuba]

@@MrBighairyass they sell the Fender Japan guitars in Singapore at Swee Lee...

[@felipehernandez8603]

I’m sorry Darrell but I just fell in love with the black telecaster 😍😍

[@SwainBjornstrandt]

To me the baja was one of the best guitars made by fender. Extremely sad they discontinued it.

[@5oulPower]

Difference is so subtle as to be almost indiscernible. It would be totally, when played with other instruments in a band. And this when all three are played side by side, if they were played alone on stage I doubt anyone would notice or even care. I question if any of this would matter on stage.

[@shuaibird.official]

IMO the tone is not the only thing that separate these guitars. I’ve played both the strat made in US and Mexico, there’s a significant difference of the playability. The tone are both pretty good though.

[@iost5459]

How so?