Why You Need A Thinline Telecaster Guitar

Baxter breaks down his love of the Fender Thinline Telecaster and why you might want one of these in your arsenal, vintage or modern!

[@jamesmunro8804]

My first guitar was a Tele thinline, black, with the standard single-coil pickups, it was bought used as my high school graduation present. The store had 2, one with the wide-rage humbuckers and the one with the standard pickups, and I decided that one sounded better. That was 1973 and I still have it. And if I could only have 1 guitar - that would be it.

[@shaunw9270]

Awesome, nice to hear you're still enjoying it 👍

[@havasancak2789]

I know exact feeling. Its not like first love you never forget but eventually move away. Its like first daughter .

[@hughbarton5743]

I am madly in love with my 70's Squier Thinline...I have owned 30+ guitars, ranging from weird 60s Japanese junksters to high end Fenders...this girl, is, I think, my favorite of all of them! Beautiful, singing clean tones....load up those humbuckers, and they roar...she can do anything...ps: made in Indonesia, purchased from Sweetwater (yay!), fit and finish ridiculously good! Came out of the box ready to go! Hooray for Thinnies!!!

[@PeterDad60]

I like the Thinline Tele guitar style because they are small, compact, not too heavy and are loud enough to sound pleasing when played without an amp while in bed at night. The size is perfect in every way and yes acoustically the sound is loud enough and has enough tone to please me as I play in bed every night. It's not loud enough to wake up my wife either so that's another good thing. I have two of them! I like their acoustic sound so much and I'm so used to that tone that now when I do play them through an amplifier I prefer to use an acoustic amp, and still, having said that, I still prefer the unamplified natural tone the best of all. I'm They have their own unique sound and I am glad that they do not sound like the regular acoustic guitar as I like the Thinline tone even better even if it's not as loud. I am using light gage strings which are so comfortable to play for hours as a time, every night and they bend so nicely that I'm always playing between notes to add a special feeling to what I'm playing. I am actually a happy man after having discovered all these qualities of the Thinline style guitar. I highly recommend them to everyone! - Peter age 72

[@danielphillipsmusic9145]

I absolutely love my Road Worn 50's Tele, and I love Gretsch Hollowbodies. I always said, If I could only have one guitar forever. It'd be a Tele Thinline with a 50's Spec neck, Broadcaster in the bridge, TV Jones Classic in the neck, and a B5 Bigsby. All the electric guitar things I love in one guitar. Tele bridge tones, Gretsch Neck tones, Bigsby with classic Fender playability.

[@solan417]

I've got a 50s road worn that I threw a bigsby on. Still want to redo the pickups

[@danielphillipsmusic9145]

@@solan417 nice, I originally planned to swap mine out for a set of Pure Vintage 52s, but I kinda ended up falling in love with the TexMex pickups, believe it or not. Crazy good guitars for what they used to go for. Picked mine up on a demo discount with a coupon during a Memorial Day sale. Ended up costing less than a in box Poly Classic model. I couldn’t say no and I’ve never regretted it. Shame they discontinued the Road Worn series. Luckily I ended up scooping up a couple of the RW 50s P bass Replacement necks once Fender discontinued the American Vintage Reissues. Just finished my first build with the neck, and a Warmoth 51 P body finished in Transparent Black Nitro by MJT. It’s incredible. Fender made a mistake discontinuing the AVRI and RW instruments, imo.

[@HardToBeSomeone]

I go way back with this one - to an original blonde 69 (long story). I’ve since purchased a new one loaded. I absolutely love that Guitar. They do have neck dive though. For me it’s best suited as a sit down session. That aside, I couldn’t live without it. Besides sounding and feeling so good, it’s a very nostalgic experience for me every time I play it. Great history lesson and video on this one - Cheers

[@timothypotter2137]

Baxter, I love hearing you play on your videos. Amazing talent.

[@duncananderson4984]

Great video, I’ve currently got 4 Thinlines, all with different pickups. The Thinline is by far and away my very favorite guitar. Much to my wife’s dismay, I’ll probably get more of them someday.

[@jwc00789]

I have that same exact model Blonde 72 Thinline w/ Humbuckers that was being played in the beginning of this Vid! It's been my all time favorite Electric Guitar and will always be! About 3 years ago, I had a Master Luthier go over it and replace several Frets and do a general setup, making sure it was good to go! Money very well spent!

[@JeffGillis-lv1rz]

That was badass, great video! Wow. You crafted words to share with us, and then just let the telecaster do all the talking. Bravo.

[@jeffwithajay42]

That red one sounds beastly! Amazing vibes you're dishing out there Baxter ❤️

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Jeff and yes,. this one has a dragon underneath her!

[@ginolamendola4084]

Thank you for another awesome video Baxter !

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Gino!

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Excellent episode! Thinlines are my #1 go-to; I currently have a couple that have been heavily modded. I'm so glad you gave props to old Roger Rossmeissl. What a genius of a luthier he was. Don't take my word for it, go look him up. He designed the Capri model hollow body Rics. He taught Semie Moseley the iconic German carve that graces all those fabulous 60s Mosrites. He used a very similar approach to the Thinline that he so successfully used on the Ric Capris in the 50s. (I think John Lennon's little bitty 21 inch scale 325 was basically a Capri type instrument.) My main Thinline Tele is a tribute to both Rossmeissl and also to Ry Cooder (Coodercaster). It has a 1950s "Rickenbacker lapsteel horseshoe-magnet string-thru pickup" at the bridge, and a 1960s Teisco goldfoil at the neck. It also has a Bigsby, and a 27" baritone Tele Cabronita neck. What a monster that thing is; I wish I could post pics for you all... It looks a bit like a Formula One racer with the metal logos from all the different instruments whose parts were used in its construction. I've seen pics online of Ric Capris with a Horseshoe at the bridge and a toaster at the neck, so you can see where I was aiming with my mods... Maybe some day I'll do a short KZbin vid so y'all can see/hear it.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Great story there and thank you sincerely for sharing with all of us. Great words and thank you again!

[@violinmiata]

I built myself a thin line about ten years ago. Ash body with a maple cap. It is still one of my favorite guitars.

[@James-vr5wh]

I picked up a MIM Fender Deluxe Telecaster Thinline with single coils a few years back for giggles and for while it consumed my life. Surprisingly it covered just about any style of music I played well. Even harder rock / skate punk. Just has a vibe that’s hard to explain. Recently I just swapped out the bridge pickup for Duncan quarter pound and it’s a Jack of all trades. Still retains that single coil tele tone that crosses into P90 territory while having the output to keep up with a humbucker.

[@im58woody]

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen you do. The way you spoke about it and held it, then the way you played it was genuine. For anyone interested in hooking up with one of these Thinline Telecaster guitars, you just convinced them.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you! I do get rather passionate about the guitars when I get to really dig into them like this.

[@im58woody]

@@CasinoGuitars If I’m ever in your neck of the woods I will make it a point to stop in your shop for a visit.

[@jeffkirpach4815]

Yes, great Casino Guitars video; thanks Baxter

[@daveshamir729]

Fender absolutely needs to standardize a model of Telecaster with two P90s -- it's sorely missing in their ouevre

[@petevadelnieks]

There's been one for years, the Jim Adkins JA-90

[@chrispachomski]

Some of the offset teles do single in the bridge, p90 in the neck. Truly amazing guitars.

[@dugbert5]

@@petevadelnieks too many knobs for me.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

P90s are the king of pickups in my opinion they should be available on more instruments

[@hughjass5156]

Just get the noventa strat.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Thanks for this. Most illuminating and enjoyable. 👍

[@nliebert41]

cool demo! i like your playing and i learned a lot about what a thinline tele is all about

[@SlimRhyno]

Are you kidding me?! That was f****** gorgeous! There were a couple of phrases in your playing that were so subtle and elegant that it pisses me off... But, you know, in the good way, that makes you want to go practice with a lot more focus and purpose. Seriously, another fantastic video. I'm genuinely grateful that I found your channel 🤙🍀

[@JayMedin]

Excellent video as always

[@hawkhead418]

Thanks for the great info. Really digging the channel. God bless.

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

Thinline is what I have been playing for about 15 years now,super light and versatile.Excellent guitar.

[@Louis_Velliotes]

Man Baxter, that Custom Shop with the P-90's is so fire!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Indeed she is!

[@jeffsquires6620]

It took me 45 years to buy a tele, a 66. Took another 15 to buy my MASTER BUILD. I draw the line on the thinline. Definitely a cool guitar, Fenders have become my choice lately.

[@CasinoGuitars]

:) I think you have done quite well on your choices thus far!

[@Rmordekai]

Great video. Love the sound of that guitar!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Ryan!

[@cmel714]

I was always a Gibson guy till I got my 2013 Fender Select Telecaster Thinline. That has been my number 1 since cant put it down. Great video.

[@CasinoGuitars]

I had a similar journey and thank you kindly!

[@shanethefortean431]

My G&L ASAT has that same type of top hat switch knob. Really nice guitar and great playing by Baxter

[@superflea72]

I have two Teles (AO60s/50’s Baja)…love them! I would love a Thinline, and that red Custom Shop one you have here is a stunner! 😍

[@CasinoGuitars]

Right on, great collection and thanks again for watching !

[@EffSharp]

I’ve been a strummer all my life. Now, I’m my 50s, I’ve decided I want to learn to play electric/lead. My dear friend who is a genius and a guitar aficionado said I need a Tele thinline.

[@porkbelly0713]

I do have a Thinline, my only guitar. I had an original from '72 but sold it. So about 10 years ago I bought the reissue. Mine looks exactly the same as the all blond with the maple neck and the white pickguard. I love the way it plays and my son likes it too. He will inherit it when I pass

[@CBGypsy03]

I dig it ! Keeping it simple :)

[@andydinesguitar]

Good musings and great playing Baxter! Already knew I wanted-needed a P90 Thinline so I am, in essence, vindicated!😝

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you and thrilled to be a part of your vindication as well!

[@greendragon4571]

I have no idea why I used to dislike these. I got converted a few years back when my local guitar shop persuaded me to sit down with one and I just got hooked. Sometimes it just takes the right moment. Lovely guitars.

[@mikewolfe9458]

Tasty jams there, my good man. That’s a kickass guitar.

[@HoracioGarciaMusic]

Holy... I've been looking for a relic'd thinline tele with with P90s. The one from the thumbnail is perfect!!

[@CasinoGuitars]

www.casinoguitars.com/shop/c/p/Fender-Custom-Shop-Masterbuilt-Greg-Fessler-1968-Thinline-Telecaster-Relic-in-Candy-Apple-Red-x63344737.htm

[@surinderpunia2804]

I picked up a FCS '60 Thinline from Casino and it's sweet 😋!!!

[@MrBhcole]

That red thinline is f*cking amazing. Can't stop looking at it.

[@danejurus69]

I have two Thinlines. One with noiseless single coils and one with p90's. Fantastic guitars.

[@nathenate7974]

This video is different from the other ones and I like it👍

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you! I have a couple like this out there..check out the Jazamaster one:)

[@kidbondie9356]

Great review Mr. Pau Gasol

[@bobcole612]

I have a Squier CV 60’s Thinline. Beautiful guitar, very nice to play with great tone.,

[@middle_pickup]

My absolute favorite guitar! In my opinion the p̶e̶n̶u̶l̶t̶i̶m̶a̶t̶e̶ ultimate incarnation of the tele. The hallow design, light weight, and those amazing wide range pickups all do something really special.

[@thebottles6996]

You may want to review the meaning of "penultimate."

[@middle_pickup]

@@thebottles6996 Haha damn autocorrect

[@zenbuilder8801]

Nice Video , I have a 2015 American Standard Tele, and a 60's Classic Vibe Squire thin line. I personally like the feel of the CV better. Small hands. And I love the sound of the CV. I think it is a great guitar for the money. Jeff

[@blanejohnson9045]

“Thrilling experience you weren’t expecting to have” my bug guy who treats my house is also my guitar buddy. He brought a Nash t72TL with lollar regals (fender WR style). And it is exactly what you said ^.

[@tranan661]

Got a thinline a couple years ago. Such a great guitar. Miss it a lot. Next guitar will be a thinline t-style.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Bring one back for sure..I love em as well!

[@buzzstankos8532]

Thinline Tells are just freekin' cool....No matter which pickup configuration you have, it is a great ride! Light, easy to pickup and play and it seems I am always surprised by the sounds it makes when I start trying weird stuff... get one....

[@swaffy101]

That red tele was awesome!

[@wavefchan6766]

I own a G&L thinline Asat classic for over 25 years.. I'm the original owner.. I love it ❤💓❤💓❤.. Everyone should try a thinline.

[@antoonhermans8953]

All these yt vids are telling me i need this or that guitarrelated thingy and i need to learn this or that lick/ mode or whatever on the guitar , so i told my boss i wanted more money for less hours work because i need more time to learn everything and be able to pay for my ever expanding guitargearcollection . You know what the he said ? . You're fired ! ; )

[@alanbeesby8914]

So now you have plenty of time to play! 🤣

[@antoonhermans8953]

@@alanbeesby8914 yep , but i need to find a new job now , maybe i should become a youtube creator 🤣

[@CasinoGuitars]

Sorry about your termination but we will see more of you on the forums now at least:)

[@antoonhermans8953]

@@CasinoGuitars Thanks , ever thought about going international and open an franchise in the EU ? I live in Holland ( the gateway to the EU ) and i am looking for an interesting job with an good pay 🙂

[@TeeFetch]

Neat axe. I alraeady miss the trademark wild hair but that looks good too, props Baxter

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thanks a bunch and don't worry...the hard grows radically fast...its disgusting:)

[@timothypotter2137]

Love my T-Line, w/2 gold foil humbuckers. Beautiful sound, surf green, with a palm tree...

[@CasinoGuitars]

That sounds perfect to me!

[@jaorte10]

I needed one. So I built one. I like it so much that I built my three grand daughters one also.

[@CasinoGuitars]

That is awesome!

[@robertscoggin]

My '74 has been my #1 for many years. I've made a living with it. It's so versatile. If it hadn't been invented I'd probably play a 335, not a Fender at all.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Great share there! Thank you:)

[@beardedrancher]

I built one or these for my dad last year and might have to build one for myself soon

[@69telecasterplayer]

I still have my original 69 thinline my folks gave me when I was a teen.

[@alexradsby]

Damn, thats one beautiful guitar man.

[@CasinoGuitars]

We agree! And thanks for watching!

[@ElmoBHD]

Hi Baxter, I very much enjoy the videos from Casino! I have a question. My ideal Cusomt build wouldn't be based on the old Fender guitars. More like a current Ultra, but a Thinline variant, flame top and birdseye neck, Lindy Fralin P90s. The Customshop catalogue suggests you need to start with one of their templates. Can a non-master built guitar be ordered? Or do I need to keep saving to get a master built?

[@jeffreyheffner908]

Sounds dope I'm gonna order one of those sweet Harley Benton thinlines.

[@Hulkhoagie1]

Thinlines are great. The new Fender Wide Range Cunife reissue pickups are really something specific. I have one in the neck of my American Original 70s Telecaster custom. It's a unique, airy sound that comes alive with overdrive. Dirty plus clarity you expect from a Fender.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Agreed all the way!

[@MrSmiley1964]

The first Tele I ever played was a dual WRHB Thinline in a natural finish. I've wanted a TL ever since, but 40+ years later I haven't pulled the trigger. I've tried to buy that guitar several times, but no luck. Maybe one day.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Keep going for it!

[@tomkirkby5136]

I like the Gibson Deluxe on the wall behind you.I have a black one made in 1999.I got it in a trade with a Gretsch Billy Bo guitar.I put a Graph Tech nut & saddles.Curious about what your burst is going for?I’m in SW Ontario so will have to do the math.Mine is heavy. I’m 72 & still playing.Like Willie Nelson says keep going.Don’t stop.Tom Kirkby

[@misteress3840]

Interesting video and great new haircut 💇

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Meester:)

[@davegallagher7428]

I bought a new Fender Am Pro 2 roasted pine and pulled out the V mod single coils that it came with, (those are great pick ups) and put in 2 cunife wide range p/u’s. I love these pick ups they are truly their own thing.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Right on Dave and great pieces!

[@Atttuner]

tx for including some tones ffs what a miracle for a git channell

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Danny:)

[@garydmercer]

I own two. Love em.

[@bdogjr7779]

Awesome《☆》I Click for WRHBs👍✔The road worn Tele looks old af Bro & the Hot P90s sound pretty good🖖🤓🏈

[@zigzagrz]

Just got a 69 reissue MIJ thinline cause it called to me. Absolutely love it

[@CasinoGuitars]

Congrats Zig that is great!

[@hdsg8361]

more of this please

[@CasinoGuitars]

More coming!

[@JamesVytas]

Great song.

[@leesagomez6615]

I have an Awesome gold one .it's a dream to play...very expressive and feels great..No p90's traditional singles.....

[@CasinoGuitars]

Nice sounding piece there!

[@matthewf1979]

I slept on Tele’s for 30 years until I picked up an AVRI 52 for a song. Now I’m looking for a Deluxe Thinline to add to my collection.

[@Ottophil]

I hear the phrase all the time. How much is a song? I literally have no idea if that means cheap or expensive

[@matthewf1979]

@@Ottophil I meant it as it being very reasonably priced/Cheap.

[@CasinoGuitars]

That whole dialogue made me happy:)

[@NotYourTypicalNegro]

Great player.

[@tysoncloster1074]

Nice playing!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you!

[@CBGypsy03]

Putting together a thinline build from mjt right now... can't get it rocking soon enough.

[@WayneMemphisMojo]

I had a thinline once & I will say it was much lighter than a regular Telecaster.

[@GiantPinhead]

Have a mid 90s MIJ 69 Thinline. I love it... so versatile. I just wish the neck weren't so skinny and the poly so plasticy. Hard to believe I've been playing it for twenty five years.

[@slimsantilli4476]

I picked up a firefly thinline off Amazon. $130. All it needed was better saddles. Super fun guitar

[@no59do56]

I have a Bill Nash thinline tele

[@CasinoGuitars]

Nice!!!

[@duanewelsh5611]

Have an AVRI 69 thinline and a 72 Japan thinline. Both are awesome.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Right on Duane!

[@shane1472]

I agree I for sure need one. now make a video of Why I Can't Afford a Thinline Telecaster

[@CasinoGuitars]

I hear you and more importantly...Love your last name:)!

[@shane1472]

@@CasinoGuitars yeah I'm kind of fond of your last name too lol

[@Boomsterblak]

Awesome review ,like the way you describe a guitar,makes total sense to me,oh yeah you can play..lol..nice.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you!

[@richardstephan4337]

I'm trying to decide between the 60s series with the single coils and the 70s series with the humbuckers. What are the primary differences, sound-wise, between the two?

[@RobSmith-rn3ie]

What amp / dirt source are you using for the out solo? I like the tone you're getting, especially on the chordal phrases. It's chunky but still subtle.

[@davidthaot]

that red telecaster looks good

[@davidsalzman6677]

Your red custom shop one is super cool.. Do you know if Fender ever offered that look and configuaration (2xP90 w/that '69 style pickguard and hardtail bridge on any other US or Mex models?

[@robinkershaw]

Nice video🙂 I like how you refer to 'sonic territories' I'll borrow those words if that's OK

[@webstercat]

When you sell guitars it is imperative that you convince people they really need something they don’t. However they are easy to convince.

[@desmondmoller1670]

Love the new dew! What are you playing through? I have mij 1999 69 reissue that is my main guitar and I play through a Vox ac10 almost exclusively on the single coil.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Desmond! I was playing through the old Two Rock Bloomfield...love that amp:)

[@ziblot1235]

NIce. Looks like a lotta fun. I ike Jazzmasters too.

[@joelstephen3542]

I just can’t get over Baxter’s hair cut…. And yes, thin lines are awesome.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Don't worry...it's already growing like horrible weeds:)

[@TuckerJones1994]

The Magico is the coolest modern thinline imo. Closest thing you can get to a Ron Thorn custom shop for the money

[@zippy61]

Amazing playing and tone! What pedal and amp was it on the drive tone?!?

[@spacepodi]

Because you need the hard corners to dig in your arm, you need that neck dive, that short note decay. But it’s pretty, and light so just maybe

[@D0tHead]

Opening lick sounds like a nod to George Lynch, “Its not love” by Dokken. Also we need some podcasts! Its been too long!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thanks Shan and they're coming out again:)

[@dw7704]

To the horror of some, while I love a lot of music played on Teles, I never got into playing them, but I always had a soft spot for the Thinlines. They sometimes tempt me One with P90s would be cool.

[@CasinoGuitars]

That's what got me!

[@dananthony6258]

Wow now that’s interesting. It was the weight. What a great how you know video. I own 2 tele’s but not thin lines.

[@pichipachu]

good playin'!!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Paul:)

[@JamesVytas]

Hair cut looks good 👍.

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thanks James...only problem is it's coming back strong and ugly again fast:)!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you

[@jamesstory1906]

The 69 thinline re-issue is great playing guitar

[@walterhambrick8705]

If I ever get another guitar it will be a thinline tele with come type of humbucker, preferably with TV Jones Filtertron pickup in the bridge position.