Telecaster Dreaming

[SpacemanSpiff]

hello guys,

this is my first post on the forum (I hope it's not to long....)

I've been playing guitar since I was 16. I went through the heavy\thrash scene in the early 90's, when I was about 18, started a band, went to college, and then discovered there was more to music than Metallica. ;-)

I still have all my gear, which is comprised of a Peavey Strat. (asian built), a Marshall Amp. and a couple of pedals.

I'm 31 now, no band, and I still play but on the acoustic (an Ibanez guitar that I love). I mostly play blues & alt. rock on it , but haven't played the Peavey for years.

I'm going to Vancouver in August, and was considering buying a fender telecaster, a guitar I've always craved, because they seem to be cheaper over there.

I'd like to ask you for recommendations over what model to pic. I don't want a "cheap sounding guitar" because my Peavey already does that ;-) but I'm not willing to shed more than 700 to 800 dollar on it.

For your reference, the tele Thinline here costs 879 Eur. and the Blackout 635 Eur, for example. Are they significantly cheaper over there?

thanks in advance for your time.
T.

[Edutainment]

You could get a MIM (made in Mexico) Telecaster new for $500. You might be able to get a used MIA (America) for around $800 but the MIMs aren't bad.

[Robert1950]

Right now with the Cdn and US $$$ at par, you can view this American site. Prices are usually in line with Long and McQuade here in Canada, maybe 5% more, except where they make a mass puchase and can sell at a deep discount.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/electric-guitars?N=100001+304275&Ntk=All&Ntt=Fender+Telecaster&Nty=1

$1.60 Cdn roughly equals 1 Euro

[iaresee]

Just keep your eye on the used section here. There have been a few well-priced MiA Teles through here in the past few weeks. There's a killer Hamer Tele in the emporium right now IIRC. And don't rule out G&L -- just as great, some say better, than Fender.

[al3d]

the guy seems to be from Protugal..price in US or Canadien wont fit the reality over there.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Yep, I'm from Portugal, but I'll be in Vancouver for a week in August.

I'll check that link for price reference, though.

Edutainment, thanks for the MIM & MIA explanation (it was driving my nuts!)

Nice sound on this MIM tele:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfG2URjj5F0&feature=related

[Rhythmeister]

A few months ago I saw at Tom Lee music on Capilano Road in North Vancouver that they had a new American Fender Tele (not the matte finish Highway 1) for $799 on sale. I think it was only in blue with all maple neck. Normally I shop at Long & McQuade in Vancouver, as I find their prices are generally better, but that one time I thought that was a good deal at Tom Lee.

It is worth checking Craig's List (Vancouver) on the internet around the time you are visiting. You might happen to find a good deal on a used US Tele at the right time. In general, I find people here expect too much $ for their used equipment, but occasionally, I've purchased something off Craig's List Vancouver for a very fair used price.

Cheers,
Blair

[Rhythmeister]

Yep, I'm from Portugal, but I'll be in Vancouver for a week in August.

I'll check that link for price reference, though.

Edutainment, thanks for the MIM & MIA explanation (it was driving my nuts!)

Nice sound on this MIM tele:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfG2URjj5F0&feature=related

As a general rule, I'm a firm believer that the uptick in price to get an American Fender is worth it. Of course, while you are here, play lots of guitars and judge for yourself!

You may not know about Fender's Highway 1 line (including Tele) which are made in America. They are a fair bit cheaper because they have only matte finish paint (no glossy finish). The paint is known to wear (some would say "relic" kjdr) quicker because of the lack of gloss. These are certainly within your budget. I played a Highway 1 Strat once about a year ago at Long & McQuade in Vancouver and I thought it had absolutely killer tone. It was around $600.

Cheers,
Blair

[SpacemanSpiff]

Fantastic tips, Rhythmeister.

I'm going to check that Highway one line.

Thanks!

[Tarl]

I just scored a used Highway One Tele last week and it's a great guitar for the money.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Ok, I think I've made up my mind on the Fender Highway 1 Texas Telecaster (the 2 Tone Starbust model).

I've seen them on-line for 839USD plus shipping. Does anyone know the street price in Vancouver for this model? I'm considering buying it online, so It'll be the there waiting for me when I arrive. ;-)

Do you figure I'll have to pay customs fees if I buy it on an American Site?

Thanks,
T.

[al3d]

Ok, I think I've made up my mind on the Fender Highway 1 Texas Telecaster (the 2 Tone Starbust model).

I've seen them on-line for 839USD plus shipping. Does anyone know the street price in Vancouver for this model? I'm considering buying it online, so It'll be the there waiting for me when I arrive. ;-)

Do you figure I'll have to pay customs fees if I buy it on an American Site?

Thanks,
T.

Get it directly in Vancouver..if you're there for a few week, check the used market, for the price of a new H1, you can get a Standard or even a Deluxe model.

[SpacemanSpiff]

for the price of a new H1, you can get a Standard or even a Deluxe model.

So in your opinion either 1 these e models are preferable to a new H1 tx?

I'll check them out.

[al3d]

So in your opinion either 1 these e models are preferable to a new H1 tx?

I'll check them out.

well yes, they are superior models, of the US line.

[laristotle]

It is worth checking Craig's List (Vancouver) (http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/)

Hey SpacemanSpiff! Welcome aboard. http://www.onrpg.com/boards/customavatars/avatar11611_1.gif

Another good site to check out used is Kijiji (http://vancouver.kijiji.ca/f-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-W0QQCatIdZ17).

[elindso]

Welcome.

When you get there play EVERY one in town.

There will be one that speaks to you.

MIM MIA MIJ it doesn't matter in my opion if you can find the right one.

JMHO

[SpacemanSpiff]

Hey SpacemanSpiff! Welcome aboard. http://www.onrpg.com/boards/customavatars/avatar11611_1.gif

hahaha, thanks.

Another good site to check out used is Kijiji (http://vancouver.kijiji.ca/f-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-W0QQCatIdZ17).

Nice! Thanks for all the input, guys.

[Ripper]

Welcome.

When you get there play EVERY one in town.

There will be one that speaks to you.

MIM MIA MIJ it doesn't matter in my opion if you can find the right one.

JMHO

I second that for sure!

[Teleplucker]

See if you can try one of these while you are there:

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0141502389

The specs are fantastic for a wide range of music. In fact, you might want to call the Vancouver Long and McQuade and see if they can bring one in for you to try. Right now, their prices on Fenders, in most cases, seem to be good.

[SpacemanSpiff]

you might want to call the Vancouver Long and McQuade and see if they can bring one in for you to try. Right now, their prices on Fenders, in most cases, seem to be good.

Sent them an email asking for prices & availability of

Fender Highway 1 Texas Telecaster
Fender Highway 1 Upgrade Telecaster
Fender American Standard Telecaster
Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster

Meanwhile, I'll give these guitars a try here in Lisbon and will let you know how they felt.

[Benee Wafers]

Hey Spaceman..to get a real user lowdown on Fender Guitars and especially Telecasters visit this Fender Discussion Page. You can learn the pros and cons of every Tele model: http://www.fenderforum.com/
You're prolly into a maple fret board but if you dig rosewood boards my recent acquisition was a CAR (Candy Apple Red) Muddy Waters signature model which is a very surprising and interesting MIM Fender Telecaster for a good price.
The Baja also gets very good reviews and offers the alternate phasing.
Benee Wafers

[overdriver]

Quite a few teles out now a days too many IMO ,but I would say if ya can afford 1000- 1100 for a new American standard go for it . play them of course first. For 1000$ Canadian with a nice airline approved case IMO is a good deal. In Van. check out the store long& Mcquades. About the best prices on new fenders in Canada. IMO for a visitor to Van. if ya go there you should be able to pick from a few. Other nice ones are the Baja tele and MIM classic series teles.

[devnulljp]

I'd check Vancouver craigslist just before you come and see what you can find used. If that doesn't work out, go to long & mcquade or njams (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=166588244) (although I just checked and the regular njams web site (http://www.njams.net/) is down?).
Here's a craigslist search for a telecaster, max asking price $1000 (http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/search/msg?query=fender+telecaster&srchType=T&minAsk=min&maxAsk=1000).
There's also usedvancouver.com (http://www.usedvancouver.com/classifieds/strings-guitar/0?description=fender+%26+telecaster)

There are a few good music shops in Victoria too.
Guitars Plus (http://www.guitarsplusvictoria.com/) is good