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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
 Posted - 03/12/2007 : 23:00:27
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About a month ago, I found a really good deal on a Squier Standard Fat (SH pickup configuration) Telecaster. I have always had a fondness for Teles ever since I started playing guitar. My guitar teacher had one, and I always wanted one. Well now I have one, okay, it is a Squier, but compared to a MIM Fender Tele I just played today, when it comes down to sound and feel, I cannot find any majorly noticeable differences...
Anyways, I now have the urge to buy a Tele with the normal pickup configuration, one with 2 humbuckers, and perhaps another Standard Fat Tele (SH), as I tried a new Vintage Modified Tele and cannot stand the gloss finish on the neck. In my 20 years of playing, I have never wanted to get several varieties of one guitar. I think my Tele has possessed me...
In case anyone was wondering, after getting the Tele set up right (action, truss rod, intonation issues) and changing the jack that was loose on the first day I had it to a Les Paul-style jack (since Tele jackplates can be a weakpoint for many Teles), the thing sounds awesome. It may seem a bit out of place for some of the metal stuff I am into, but when I am using both pickups, it almost sounds like 2 guitars at once because you get some nice low end off the neck pickup and some nice sizzle from the bridge. Rhythm and lead without having to worry about another guitarist. This is the first time I regularly use both pickups at once, cause in my 2 humbucker guitars, it sounds crappy running both at once, or at least the guitars I have sound like crap with both on....
And I still suffer from Squier Jagmaster sickness as well. I never had major GAS problems till I dabbled in Squiers. Be careful, they are gateway guitars to becoming a GAS junkie... |
Edited by - jack on 03/12/2007 23:02:11 |
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ronster
Gold Member
Australia
645 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 04:03:56
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Nice one Jack! Happy guitar hunting!!!  |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 04:53:57
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| Hey Jack, I've got the same addiction with Teles but thats the thing about them, they come in so many varities. I've got a MIM Telecaster with SCN Pickups that I absolutely love, but on my list I've also got a Squier Tele Custom, and a Fat Telecaster. I say indulge yourself. Although I want to get a Mustang, Jaguar, and Jazzmaster before I start getting more Teles. |
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mattoqua
Silver Member
Canada
438 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 05:40:30
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GAS passes around easily 
Ive never really got into teles though. I know this sounds kind of harsh, but I hate every part of them. I dont know why though.
Fender Strats are my favorite guitars, so its not a fender thing...just those teles. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 07:05:53
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Hi jack
Fat Tele -- Hmmmmmmm Nice --- Post a picture for us.
How much did you get it for? I had one on loan for about a week
I miss it a lot ... 
Regards Dr. Bob |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 07:15:31
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Its cool mattoqua, and its funny because personally I've never really been into Strats all that much as far as playing them. I think they are beautiful instruments from a design/art standpoint, and would hang one on a wall as an art piece. But for me, Strats just don't seem to agree with my playing style. The volume knob and middle pickup always seem to be in my way when I used to have an old strat copy, and the input jack always needing adjustment...
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 07:21:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
Hi jack
Fat Tele -- Hmmmmmmm Nice --- Post a picture for us.
How much did you get it for? I had one on loan for about a week
I miss it a lot ...
Regards Dr. Bob
I'll make sure to post a pic soon Dr Bob....I got a great deal, $180 brand new, as it was the last one the seller had so they marked it down. A bit harder to find as the new Squier Vintage Modified Series has a Tele with the Fat pickup configuration, so I think production of the Squier Standard Fat Tele's has been discontinued but many stores still haven't sold all their inventory yet... |
Edited by - jack on 03/13/2007 07:23:05 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 07:23:28
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quote:
Originally posted by jack
I used to have an old strat copy, and the input jack always needing adjustment...
Hi Jack & Guys
I always fit an internal spring washer, from an old Pot, between the mounting plate & the back (inside) of the input jack.
I then use a tube spanner to tighten the whole thing.
Problem Magically just goes away, unless your doing 500 gigs a year.
Regards Dr. Bob  |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2007 : 17:10:23
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Dr Bob, sorry it took me awhile, but here's a pic of my Tele...
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Edited by - jack on 03/20/2007 17:11:21 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2007 : 13:19:01
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quote:
Originally posted by jack
Dr Bob, sorry it took me awhile, but here's a pic of my Tele...
Hi Jack
VERY NICE, It must sound wonderful, what kind of amp do you run it into?
I can feel the GAS pains in my ever thinning wallet.
I had one for a while but it was in 3 color sunburst with a white pick guard.
Yours reminds me of, my still loved, no name guitar my parent bought for me, when I was about 16-17. I do like the red sunburst.
I picked up a 20 Annin. black strat for $100Au, I has become my first guitar for now, I forgot how many tones can come out of a Strat.
I have it in, for a fret level-polish & general setup.
I gather the girl, is a "Jack" after market addition.
Adds some magical mojo tone?
I also spy a digital multimeter, & a drill.
Thanks for posting the pic.
What are the newer Vintage Modified Tele's like, apart from the gloss finish on the neck?
Regards Dr. Bob
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Edited by - Dr. Bob on 03/21/2007 13:21:34 |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2007 : 19:12:20
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What's up Doc? Sorry, bad Bugs Bunny joke, had to be done...
Dr. Bob, it does sound great plugged or unplugged. I mainly have been running it into my Epi Valve Junior Combo, with either a fuzz or distortion to send a hotter signal into the amp. I get some good results with the amp at about 10-11 o'clock, and having the pedal settings only about halfway on level and intensity knobs. I've mainly either been using a Tonebeneder-MKII clone I made, or one of my Keeley modded MT-2s...MT-2, tube amp, and Telecaster...who would have thought. Perhaps I have found my signature sound? As mentioned, I prefer using the middle pickup setting, as I get a nice blend of bassy rhythm tones (almost reminding me of a semi-hollow guitar) with the nice sizzle from the bridge pickup.
Yesterday though, while the neighbors were away, I plugged into my "live perfomance/band" rig...Keeley MT-2 into an NS-2 into a 2x12 Rogue (Musician's Friend brand, bought because it was the most volume for the least price) SS-120watt combo. It sounded awesome through that as well. Nice blend with both pickups on, the neck pickup sounded good, but what surprised me was the single coil in the bridge. Very ballsy sounding for a single coil, and with the tone knob, you can get a variety of tones.
I do love the finish as well. And the sticker...I don't know, I just like putting stickers on most of my guitars, unless they have a satin finish. Just a way to customize it, someone else may have the exact same model of guitar I do, but mine looks different. Plus I figure if my equipment should ever get stolen, its something someone could spot from afar since serial numbers are so small...got an classic-style pin up girl on the back of the Tele as well...
As far as the new Vintage Modified Squier Teles...The one I played (SSH config) was very well made, and very comparable to the MIM Fender Tele I played in the store as well. The input jack seems very sturdy. The feel (other than the neck) and the sound was very similar to the Fender...Sonically, I am tempted to say in a blindfold test, it may be hard to pick them out from one another.
So I love everything about the new VM Series Teles but a few things...I hate the neck gloss finish, but many who have 70's era Fenders love this...Another thing I wasn't into, but others may like, is the bridge. It is a six saddle bridge, but has the vintage tele style ashtray bridge without the ash tray cover. Wasn't much of a hassle in the store, but my style incorpates palm-muting, and while it didn't interfere, it didn't feel right either....Finally, my 3rd criticism is the reversed control plate...at least for now, I have never had issue with its placement on my Tele, and its actually convenient since you can change PUs on the fly. The reverse control plate kind of puts the selector at a point (for me at least) where its just almost out of reach for a quick flick of the switch.
So they are nice guitars, and I have heard nothing but praise for the new Squier VM Strats as well, but my personal preferences in a guitar will not have me buying one anytime soon. Especially since I can get another Fat Tele for about $100 less than the new VM series...And I am tempted to get another Fat Tele because I suspect with the new VM Tele having the same PU configuration, Fat Tele production may have already ceased, and suppliers are just unloading what they have, so I figure might as well get one new while I can...However, I am also considering a Squier Standard Tele with the normal pickup setup as well...
Yes, I have a messy floor. That is in the "home studio" portion of the house. The pedal "factory" used to be my kitchen table...one day I'll post pics of those setups as well...The drill is just there from the Les Paul jack mod I did on the Tele...The DMM is actually one that I don't use because it lacks many features (like continuity check), but I just keep on the floor cause it makes me look like a real electronics/instrument genius Actually its just called being a slacker...
UPDATE...
Last night I was looking at a few websites for Fat Teles, found one new for $160! Thank goodness for Credit cards, its on its way to me....I've gotten 2 Fat Teles now for just about $224 total, because on the first one, most of it was paid for by stuff I got for free and put on eBay...GAS? Maybe GASS? Get Another Squier Sickness.... |
Edited by - jack on 03/22/2007 16:07:19 |
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I have another addiction...
