What Telecaster Should You Buy?

During our live Q and A we do on a Wednesday evening, a friend of mine Simon Curd asked some advice about buying a Telecaster. Should he get a Fender or one of the many other brands? In this video, I go through all of my Telecaster style guitars and explain and demonstrate the differences. The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@gmichaelhall]

It took me a long while to realise why the Telecaster is the only electric guitar that any of us actually needs. I've had a fair few teles since arriving at my decision on Teles,including 2 custom shop versions. The custom shops always got lots of oohs and ahhhs but if I'm honest, they weren't that great to play although they sounded great, and were more status buys than integrated tools. After 1 developed a 3 hairline pocket cracks( I was told was just finish, but unconfirmed, never dropped ) I decided to get out of the both of them. Reselling them was an expensive lesson on both occasions and I'm content to leave the custom shop lines to endorsed rock stars and retired dentists. For me, my MIJs get more playing time and use. It's truly the working guitarists line of Telecasters. I prefer the neck construction and tonality and feel that they are more in line with the whole Telecaster ethos, a simple raw plank of wood with bits on it and aesthetics being a lesser priority. The MIJs hold tune beautifully, very reliable build quality. While their are some fantastic MIJ signature models I drool over, like most signature model guitars, they are all a bit weird and probably best in the hands of the artist who designs them. They require little or no purchase justification like the custom shops that are almost embarrassingly expensive for working guitar players and really in complete counterance of what a Tele is. One of my MIJ Thinlines has had the wideranges swapped out of a pair of P-rails and I really favour it, gobs of different tonal flavours covering a lot of ground. On the modern side, the Reverend is really interesting although I've yet to play a Reverend that was set up to play out the box which turned me off from purchasing. The form function and ethos of Reverend guitars are all in line with my own regarding a Telecasters. I have a lot of admiration for Reverends vision of what a Telecaster can be whilst still being a Telecaster. I wish I had a first hand perspective on the Suhrs, they seem like the perfect solution for meeting the demands of veteran live players needing well built thoughtfully designed guitars blended tastefully with the upscale aesthetics some people are attracted to. Ymmv ✌️ 🎶 🎶

[@ashleympg]

I agree. Picking up my Custom Shop Strat was always a special moment, but not as enjoyable of a playing experience. I didn't prefer it over my other Strats, but she was definitely a beautiful guitar. Not so coincidentally, that is the only guitar I've ever sold. The rest are still with me.

[@danielearley9698]

Just picked up a Reverend Gristlemaster in the same purple color as yours, used. It is a fantastic guitar that responds so well. Your video really pushed my decision. Love what The Rats are doing; keep up the great work!

[@pstreetblues]

Just recently bought a 2010 Fender Standard USA Telecaster with rosewood fretboard. Changed the pickups to a set of Fender Pure Vintage 64s. Couldn't be happier.

[@vince8081]

Your pink custom shop has the best sound to me, it has that vintage sound with not too much high end, but strong dynamics. love your vid', thanks.

[@tommystandridge3190]

Very Knowledgeable I have several Tele and each one has its on unique sound and feel... still all are my favorites over Strat's and Gibson. Thank You for all the information.

[@lesshrubb203]

Hi Paul, I really liked the Fischman pick ups on the last guitar! However, I bought an American Performer from Andertons in January 2020, which immediately became my weapon of choice, relegating my Strat to the back of the loft. The Performer has got me thru all of the lock-downs relatively sane, and for that, I can't thank it enough. Stay safe.

[@dreyn7780]

A professional scam that we're reporting to the authorities. Its basicly, lie to the public to get a lot more sales of useless equipment for the customer. Use KZbin to mislead the public so you can scam them out of all their money. Its all been reported to the authority and we're shutting down all these scams on the public guitarist.

[@bldlightpainting]

That pink Fender Custom Shop Telecaster was my favorite, as both pickups were smooth yet biting.

[@neilevans6229]

Really enjoyed this one . Leo got it right first time with out being able to play himself . Great playing lovely guitars 🎸 👏

[@Shashli4ok]

Great guitars, amazing player. Allways pleasure to listen and watch! I love Teles and one day I will buy one great tele.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Jurij.

[@dreyn7780]

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong and wrong. Each tele is unique. This video has been reported to the authority for scams and misleading the public.

[@bosse641]

My dream guitar. Hopefully I will own one one fine day. Albert Collins, the Ice Man, made me a fan of that guitar.

[@davman115]

I bought a used Fender American Performer Tele in Satin Sonic Blue off ebay. It was about seven months old. But it was not used much and in mint condition. The price was right and I'm very happy with it.

[@TheStudioRats]

NICE CHOICE!

[@BeesWaxMinder]

14:12 -other way round! (black ‘guard was earlier than the white ‘guard) Easy enough mistake to make and doesn’t detract from a cool video, thanks👍

[@mightymikeamps9317]

I liked the 2nd one best. Especially the neck pickup

[@johngreen6118]

Great video Paul. I’ve loved telecasters for many years. My main guitar for a long time was a 1957 tele. My Dad bought it in a pawn shop in the states in 1960 when he was in the army for $30. It had many modifications over the years just to keep it up and running. Unfortunately, it got stolen a few years ago. I have to disagree with you on the custom shop stuff. I was in the states a few years back & I went on the fender custom shop tour. I must admit their marketing is remarkable. Naturally as a true group of Scottish musicians we ended up in the local pub to enjoy a small Sherry or two. This was of course the local used by the fender employees. We got chatting to a few of the guys and they were brutally honest about the custom shop myth they also filled us in about a new money making venture which would bring in even more money called the master made shop. They were honest and said no mater what guitar you get from Fender they all start life in the same CNC machine both body & neck. The woods are not hand picked. The only exception is if a veneer top is going on top, the main difference only happens is in the finishing department. Some will get hand sprayed & fancy bells & whistles attached and the quality control is higher. They just laughed at the whole process and said in effect in reality what you get in the end is a nicer case as it is not uncommon for fender to pull a bunch of standards off the main production line and sick in a better nut and apply custom shop decals. You commented on my tele you thought it may have Been a James’s Trussart. It’s a tele made by James Moon 🌙 in Glasgow the top is carved. My other tele is one I made from parts with a tech friend who wanted to prove or disprove all the myths about tone woods in relation to electric guitar building. Trust me it’s a long Story Paul. If your friend wants a good telecaster I would recommend he finds a good luthier with a good reputation and have one built. What he will end up with is what he wants to his exact spec.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers John thats a great story and info about the Custom Shop. Sad news about your 57!

[@dreyn7780]

You've been reported also. This is the Internet and your old-fashioned lying doesn't work here. You crooked person will get straightened out.

[@laurensgamer7600]

I have two older custom shop instruments. They are both not very good. They serve me only as an investment, but I don't play them. The idea that lightweight wood is better is nonsense. That means all guitars weighing over 3kg are not necessarily bad. I've held lightweight guitars that were simply bad. That's why i believe in the custom shop story.

[@AKprime051]

You should check out the fender modern player telecaster plus, similar to the Nashville telecaster with three pick ups, but it’s an HSS configuration instead of SSS. Also, the benefit of locking tuners comes from string changes. Makes them much faster and easier.

[@dreyn7780]

He'll soon be removed from KZbin for scams and misleading the public.

[@ioodyssey3740]

Cool. I have a butterscotch Player Tele with these “Plus-Deluxe” upgrades by me - Vintage Fender bridge and tuners, Wilkinson's compensated saddles, Mojotone ’52 Quiet Coil pickups, Lucky Dog gnarly knobs, angled-switch cover-plate, and a three string tree to stop the g-string ring behind the nut. It's a great guitar. I love the satin back/glossy top maple neck. For me it just blows away anything else under a grand. And I prefer it to the American series which I can afford to buy if I wanted to.

[@guitrr]

Was your guitar still under a grand after all those upgrades?

[@dreyn7780]

Gossip.

[@TheTCClark]

Similar to my current project.

[@lando4488]

Throwback to the last stream, noice

[@johndaugherty4127]

That one at the beginning. Just the sound a Telecaster should have.

[@bdogjr7779]

Awesome Paul🎸《☆》Nice comparison & playing👍✔My favorite Teles are Fender Thinlines with CuNiFe Humbuckers & Blackguard Teles with hot single coils. It's definitely not Rocket science but Leo Fender got it right back in the day🔈A maple finger board with Bullett truss rod nut & Skunk stripe ala early 70s is the best visually pleasing guitar ever created imho🖖😎🤳

[@jamesrasmussen9132]

Love Teles I now have 6 in different configurations plus a closet full of parts bodies and necks

[@telee19]

What kind of Seymour Duncan neck pickup is on the 2nd tele (burst color)?

[@jeffroq]

Great video. Tele is a fantastic guitar. I have an American Original great alternative to custom shop, light, fat neck & nitro. Also have one of those dealer select Alt Ts, magic. Plus I have a reverend (although it's a Double Agent). So I've got the same guitars Paul - where can I purchase the same awesome playing skills? 🤣

[@dreyn7780]

Another guy who's been misled buy the scammers that inhabit the guitar industry.

[@gergemall]

Thank you

[@voiceofexperience]

Found my dog chewing on my relic guitar yesterday. I figure he increased its value by at least $500.

[@JesusChrist-ss4pz]

Hello , can you tell me what model PRS is that in the background please , I heard you play it in one of your videos and have been wondering eversince as its the best prs I have ever heard

[@KeepChessSimple]

What about a more budget friendly option? For example buying a used Squier Classic Vibes 50's telecaster and upgrade it along the way. You can upgrade the pickups, maybe other electronics and hardware. Do some fret leveling or even neck sanding and you have a very personal good sounding Tele. I don't want to get into the tonewood debate but do you think a Squire can sound close to a high end Fender with a pickup upgrade?

[@b10t3rr0r]

It sure can, but after all that money invested, it's just an expensive Squier. Not saying it's wrong, but is it really better than like used 1200€ Telecaster after all? I would rather spend my money on the actual guitar that I really want and not a cheap substitute with expensive parts on it.

[@Hiro.the.God.]

I watched a video of 3 Fender teles. One an affinity model, one a classic vibe, and last was the high end Tele. And about 90 % of the comments chose guitar 2, the classic vibe, over all three. It was a blind test on tone alone. If you have the money to throw in the bin and like to burn it, go for it and spend 3 grand on a Tele that is no better than a 400 dollar classic vibe. Cheers.

[@shaharbar]

Hey Paul, great vid! Do you mind disclosing what amp/plugin you are playing through? The reverb sounds great.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Shahar, I was using the Boss GT1000

[@dreyn7780]

Notice the phase cancellation sound.

[@punkywozza4330]

I like a relic guitar too, Just a relic job done right. For me I like my guitar to earn their battle scars

[@SirSneakerPimp]

I think one of your points about not worrying about nicking a relic guitar is absurd. If you scuff your guitar that didn’t have any damage before, that is YOU putting the road wear on the guitar. Not some artisan faking it with painting and wood working to pretend that it’s old and road worn! And you had to pay a small ransom for the fake element of ageing. Now if you had said that you love the Fender Custom Shop so that you can get the best wood choices and electronics available then I could understand that. To me fake ageing is pointless if you didn’t do it yourself.

[@Hiro.the.God.]

Stevie Ray Vaughan didn’t pay to relic his guitar, he played the crap out of it. I agree with you 100%

[@spchaledonnj68]

Paul I just saw this video yesterday, I am thinking of getting the USA Fender Performer- classic white with maple neck to add to my other Tele. It is a Fender mystic seafoam mod shop order. I searched for that Gristle master from Reverend and I don't think they make that color anymore. Ironically, the reverend was more $ (s.korea) than the lower priced Fender performer.

[@NothingNowhereNoOne]

Love that pink. Prefer a much blonder neck. Not yellowish.

[@frankardos4211]

DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You made me buy a Plumes.........and it's loveley mate!!!!!!Thx brother. About a TELE......HMMM......I would like a tele with a classic 2 post trem and the same p/up config.........which obviously ain't happening unless it's custom like Andy Woods

[@sasmitha8446]

I think you can get something like the Maverick bridge by SuperVee, which adds a tremolo arm to the bridge basically.

[@frankardos4211]

@@sasmitha8446 that sounds interesting....hmmm!! thx friend.

[@mariano2961]

Hi from Argentina!! How would you position the fenders made in Japan in quality compared to the fenders made in America? I'm after a 2005 telecaster crafted in Japan but there is an American vintage that I like and I found a custom shop too. The difference that I can see is price but that is not a problem. Is it worth the difference in price?

[@bluesdude1194]

Nice comparison Paul, I never saw myself playing a Tele until I bought one. I bought a fender MIM in artic white and fell in love with it, it plays fantastic, so I then ended up buying the Tele FMT in amber c/w Seymour Duncan pearly gates in the bridge, and it’s awesome. Love the channel keep up the great work.

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice choice, those FMT. look great.

[@dreyn7780]

He's been reported for misleading the public and lying and scams.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

Paul, do you know which bridge pickup is in the sunburst Tele? And which Seymour Duncan you added to the bridge? That guitar sounds great. I actually came from another video, to this one, just to find out what's in it.... I have Lollars in my Nash, but just bought Nocaster 51s to swap in, but after i bought them i (re-)heard Danish Pete's Tele, and he's got a Nocaster in the bridge but a Twisted Tele in the neck.... Which, of course, made me paranoid---- and i started looking around for other neck options, even before i've installed the Nocasters. : (

[@TheStudioRats]

I think it’s a vintage tele Semour Duncan in the neck. The bridge pickup is what it came with I’m afraid I don’t know. Personally I find that if I keep changing pickups in a guitar it’s normally the guitar that is the issue, no pickups are going to make an bad guitar great. I’m not saying that yours is that but why do you feel you need to change your pickups?

[@CentaurusRelax314]

​@@TheStudioRats Hi, Paul. I always appreciate your replies-thank you. Yes, i understand your perspective about the guitar being the issue if you need to keep changing pickups. I have a MIM Strat that i had Fender 69s in, but they didn't make me happy, so i put Lollars into it-a bit better, but i still don't get that 'woody' tone i'm looking for. So, instead of continuing down the pickup swap road, i'm sorta concluding it's the guitar. Maybe it's just a 'dead' body, made of too many pieces of wood? [Which is why i'm leaning toward not buying solid-painted guitars anymore....] Anyway-so, the Tele i'm about to swap pickups in... it's a Nash with stock Lollars (i assume: i bought it used and never opened it up. I guess i'll find out tomorrow). It feels amazing. It's the best feeling guitar i've ever had, and i spent my first 35 years of my guitar life hating Telecasters. It sounds 'good,' but i keep hearing demos by people playing Telecasters and i like their tones more. And, since i have it running through a Kemper, and i have pretty good pedals, i have to assume it's the pickups that just aren't impressing me. Again, they're not bad. But, i watched a Kris Barocsi video, for example, or a Danish Pete video... or a few random videos with Nocaster pickups, and i just hear something i really like. But, i'm not going to make this a habit. I figure a pickup swap is no more expensive than buying a pedal. Less, if i sell the old pickups. Plus, this will be my first soldering experience, so i'm learning something in the process. [By the way-i am *loving* my Spark Pearl. I returned the Yamaha THR....]

[@TheStudioRats]

Those Nash teles are really good guitars! Let me know how it goes, I’d be really interested. P

[@sooparticular]

hey Im old school you are playing thru the boss gt1000?? thats not an amp?? how are u hearing it..does it connect to a speaker??

[@sh4rkbyt3]

Sire T7, ftw!

[@wrestleshute]

been thinking of getting a road worn vintera tele and get custom shop pick ups

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice!

[@arthurcaesar2200]

What is light vs heavy for a telecaster? He says the 52 is light compared to a heavy guitar but what is heavy?

[@jayseb]

Always try an expansive guitar or any for that matter. Personally, I have fluance pickups and selling that guitar as I have no use for them... Just don't dig that sound. Even worst in person. As for CS guitars, I own a 57 strat and the neck keeps playing around even after years of ownership. My 2 cents. Great video.

[@LX19M]

👍what amp and box did you use here?

[@joelandrault8306]

Hi Paul, your pink tele sounds amazing!! Could you tell me what pickups does it have? Thanks

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Joel. I’m afraid I don’t know what it came with and unfortunately it’s now gone.

[@joelandrault8306]

@@TheStudioRats thanks for your answer 😉, I really appreciate your job, great playing, great tone and very good ideas 👍

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

Baja classic player is the peach!

[@uhj4]

Suhr is fantastic! What pickups are there? SSV?

[@TheStudioRats]

They are Thornbuckers

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

The Gristlemaster is over $3000 Australian Pesos, but it’s only half the price of a PRS, or a Les Paul.

[@Lorneplumber]

Custom shop telecaster custom - like mine. Beautiful

[@Lorneplumber]

I disagree that custom shop are all good. There is quite a large difference still from one to another

[@dreyn7780]

This video has been reported to the authority for scams and misleading the public. You're right to be upset by this crazy idiot fool. Its all lies and gossip.

[@terrybillington2482]

Good one Paul. Hated teles. May just get one now. Why not. You only live once.

[@leftymike5625]

What were you playing through? Thanks

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi lefty, I was playing through a boss GT1000

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

Re Relics: I bought a PRS which first appeared on the market in 2007. I got it very cheap because the owner had tried to relic it and ruined how it looked and I bought it for very little. How ridiculous is it to relic a guitar which was first released in the 2000s?

[@dreyn7780]

You've wasted your money. The electrical components ARE purpose built to only work in PRS amplification. I would never consider buying into an exclusive electrical system. The guitar industry is full of liars and scammers and misleading information its been impossible to know this information about PRS product. But now the Internet is exposing the scams and lies. A PRS product forces you to be loyal to the brand whether you want to or you don't. I refuse to get caught up in that professional scam.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

@@dreyn7780 wtf are you talking about? It works well. It’s a nice guitar.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hey Max, I think you might be wasting your time with this guy. I’ve left his comment up just to show how ridiculous it is.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

@@TheStudioRats okay, thanks. I forgot what he said. Cheers mate. Max

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

@@TheStudioRats Ah, that guy. I don’t know what he was going on about. I assumed that he was a divvy who thought he was clever.

[@grahambacak2147]

Do you exclusively play a katana? Or is it a preference?

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Graham, to be honest I really only play the Katana when I’m making Katana videos. In this vid I used the GT1000.

[@sooparticular]

@@TheStudioRats who maKES A GT??

[@intotheshred]

Nevermind the Teles. I think you've sold me on the Boss GT1000. That driven tone sounds great.

[@dreyn7780]

Did you notice the phase cancellation sound during the video?

[@bflo5210]

🤔🤔🤔 what telecaster to buy......all of them in every color!

[@mike1967sam]

Hello Mr Guy with no hair...very interesting, I think that this is the 6427th time I've heard "The Tele is the best guitar, it's better than every other guitar, you can play anything from pop to rock to Jazz" ...yatta, yatta, yatta and there is some truth in that but focus on the word "SOME". Ya see, just like you I've been around for a long time, and guitars didn't get worse from the 80's to 2020, no, they got better. Point number 2 is that the guitar is one part of the equation, then there's the amp and the fx you use or not so the end product which is your tone/sound is the result of quite a few variables. So to all you kiddies out there who want to be musicians take it from me I'm 55 I've been a musician for 40 years, I've done and seen quite a few things so don't go falling for these guys who tell you that this or that guitar will make you a guitar god. Try a bunch of different stuff, have an open mind and find YOUR sound, it may involve a Tele and it may not, there are no short cuts, no magical guitars and no magical solutions.

[@MdhLV]

And try to come up with your own sound. Your own riffs. Stop playing so many covers and trying to replicate other artists tones.

[@Shallnotbeinfringed2A]

Another 55 year-old playing for 40+ years. Play what makes you happy. Also, I’m buying my first Tele next month because it makes me happy.

[@johndaugherty4127]

All the best picker's play Tele's.

[@davehill9951]

Good video and explanation. For me i buy guitars that make ME happy. Price cost not important. And at the end of the day its what your ears hear and not the crowd. that's the sound engineers problem!

[@dreyn7780]

Oh more gossip.

[@davehill9951]

@@dreyn7780 ?

[@k9er233]

@@davehill9951 Just another pathetic troll. Sad.

[@Mr4Strings]

It appears to me that the Fender Squire has Two (2) pick-ups, not one (1)

[@bonedale]

Want the original or broadcaster, but will settle for Chrissie hynde road worn. I just hate plastic finishes not sure why just feels off.

[@TheStudioRats]

yep I agree, I’d always go for a nitro if I can.

[@richardgarner2350]

Reverend Eastsider S. Just sayin'

[@jacobbrown1690]

Player butterscotch blond

[@terrybillington2482]

But maybee a tele. With twin humbuckers.

[@johncrace911]

People always keep spouting this narrative about buying a Squier and putting expensive parts on it, but what you get is a cheap guitar with expensive parts. It's hilarious the extent they go to trying to convince you their Squier is just as good as a custom shop. Yeah it just needs a little fret work and it's good to go. Lol

[@shawnwright5332]

Godin stadium tele check them out

[@skye7690]

Tele Deluxe anyone?

[@voiceofexperience]

Custom for me.

[@seniorjuanvaldez]

None?

[@lando4488]

Live and let live

[@dreyn7780]

And you're wrong about everything. Seymour Duncan doesn't give you options. Notice you had been given phase cancellation problems from Seymour Duncan? His pickups can't play nicely with fender pickups. You'll get phase cancellation sounds. You pay a price with amplification. Its not all a win win situation. If you have a win you also had a loss. The laws of electricity work against you and you paid a heavy price for that 1 neck pickup sound from Seymour Duncan. You LOST 6 middle position sounds. But don't forget you must now choose which pickup gets the amplifier sound setting. If you decide the amplifier gets to work with the neck pickup, it can't work with the bridge pickup. When you adjust the tone on the amplifier, you'll ruin another aspect to the sound. You're wrong and unwise and should step away from the camera till you educate yourself cause you've been reported to the authority for misleading the public. You don't even know what a phase cancellation sound is.

[@TheStudioRats]

This has got to be comment of the year!

[@djwicked6609]

None buy a Schecter.

[@secallen]

Relicking guitars is stupid. Part of the fakeness that is infesting modern music. You're not worried about damaging it? You are paying double for a guitar that fake looks old. Just buy a new one where the money has gone into actual functionality, then ding it with a hammer. Much cheaper way to get a high-end guitar that doesn't feel 'too precious', if that's what you want.

[@goodboyringo9716]

If I'm selling a guitar and it has a small chip or scratch the value goes down but Fender can sell these beat up guitars for thousands no problem, beat it up and charge more ,ggg. I would never buy one , I want a nice looking guitar. The manufacture love selling the beat up guitar also because if they nick it it ok.

[@craigjamm4847]

Thinlines me twin Bullbucker Pickups splitting coils

[@TheStereoField]

Your rationale for a relic’d guitar makes no sense to me. You pay more to pre-damage your guitar so you don’t care as much if you accidentally damage it? 🫠