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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Strat Or Tele
Posted by: Boson Aug 12 2009, 10:39 AM
I want to add a half decent single coil p/u guitar to my collection!
I know there are many out there but am attracted to the tradition and sound of fenders. I have always admired the strat but have recently been drawn towards the tele.
I have my Ibanez and Epi LP with humbuckers so really need something with a cleaner more twany sound.
Any thoughts or advice on this would be appreciated
Posted by: Canis Aug 12 2009, 10:48 AM
Depends on what you want, really =)
Stratocasters are often used in rock, while Telecasters seem to be mainly used in counry, while both has been used for blues..
Personally I'd go for a Stratocaster.. But I don't like the look of the Telecaster, so follow your own taste instead of mine 
Posted by: Gus Aug 12 2009, 10:57 AM
+1 that totally dislikes the look of Telecasters.
Well, I would go stratocaster for sure. It can be rock and it can also do the country work of a tele. The sweetest sounds of a stratocaster are middle+neck (the one you can hear in Sultans of swing) and middle+bridge.
So the extra pickup makes all the difference in the world!!!
But again, follow your own taste. Since the telecaster still sells, it probably has something which is better than the strat. I never tried a tele, cause I dislike the look, so I can't tell. So, maybe you test both?
Posted by: Emir Hot Aug 12 2009, 11:02 AM
I like both guitars. Strat is more versatile guitar. More pickups, tremolo bar, more options. If you want to shred tele is not really used in that style but of course there are some guys that use it for that. Whatever you chose go for American one.
Posted by: Jesse Aug 12 2009, 11:08 AM
GET TEXAS SPECIAL PICKUPS!
Posted by: Fran Aug 12 2009, 01:43 PM
Hi Boson!
I suggest you take a trip to some local shop which has lots of strats & teles and play many of them. Don't just play one tele and one strat, play many and from different price ranges.
I like both guitars, but I prefer strats. They are so comfortable & easy to play with.
But no one but you can know what feels better in your hands!
Edit: I suggest you take a trip to "Pronorte" shop in Gijón. They have loads of strats & teles!
Posted by: sted Aug 12 2009, 02:12 PM
Stratocasters are often used in rock, while Telecasters seem to be mainly used in counry, while both has been used for blues..
Personally I'd go for a Stratocaster.. But I don't like the look of the Telecaster, so follow your own taste instead of mine
Well, I would go stratocaster for sure. It can be rock and it can also do the country work of a tele. The sweetest sounds of a stratocaster are middle+neck (the one you can hear in Sultans of swing) and middle+bridge.
So the extra pickup makes all the difference in the world!!!
But again, follow your own taste. Since the telecaster still sells, it probably has something which is better than the strat. I never tried a tele, cause I dislike the look, so I can't tell. So, maybe you test both?
Heathans and phillistines!! Teles are awesome, bow down and let the memory of Leo be merciful on your tainted souls!!!
Seriosly though mate, teles are brilliant but can be quite an acquired taste, personally i think the bridge pickup on teles is one of the best around for almost any style including rock. however the strat is far more versatile and definitley easier to play. Give them both a try, i guarantee you wont be disappointed. I couldnt decide, i had to have both
Posted by: Chris Evans Aug 12 2009, 02:20 PM
Tele`s arnt really my taste either, a friend of mine has been looking at them and I`ve been begging him not too
but you cant beat trying these things out for yourself, as suggested above, go to a store and try them out, see which one suits you the best, the Strat (again as mentioned) is more versatile but it really depends on what your looking to get out of your next purchase, an "all rounder" etc
Good luck with your choice and remember, pictures are a must!
Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 12 2009, 02:27 PM
I can't remember the model name but there is a Tele with a Strat Pickup arrangement. I do remember that it had a Texas Special in the mid position!!
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 12 2009, 11:00 PM
As some suggested, try them out, see how they fit your style and your sound preference. Try as much as you can before getting any of them. You are the one who has to decide in the end.
I would be tempted to get a Tele, it is more straightforward guitar, and sounds really cool, but you have to buy a great great Tele to really get a good Tele sound. These new Tele guitars are too thin. same goes for Strat, although Strats are darker sounding guitars by default. This doesn't mean you will like it.
Posted by: ZakkWylde Aug 13 2009, 12:04 AM
Strat.
Every Guitar player needs a Fender Strat in their playing carreer!
Posted by: axes Aug 13 2009, 02:01 AM
Both guitars are amazing instruments, definity two of the best guitars ever. For me it would be very hard to choose, but I think if I had the money for a Strat or Tele right now, I'd go for the Strat. The deciding factor is the tremolo (what I like to have on a guitar) and the 3 pickups (more tonal versatility).
On the other hand, I play a Squier Affinity Tele for more than a year now, and sometimes I find myself picking it up more than my JEM7V, because it just works so nicely for me. So it's really up to you 
Posted by: Mitch Roberts Aug 13 2009, 07:11 AM
It's a pretty common misconception that the Tele is a such a one trick pony. I have an american standard, it can pull off rock, country (of course), i can even coax some great fusion tones out of it with the neck pickup
Posted by: sted Aug 13 2009, 08:29 AM
Entirely 100% agree!
Posted by: Boson Aug 15 2009, 09:07 PM
Thanks for all the replies guys.
I can understand the views about how teles look, and I have always been more drawn to the strat. However I am finding that as I listen to music and watch bands that the tele is very common and I really want to get that twangy sound.
I guess I will follow Frans advice and get myself down to Gijon and try them. Will let you know how it goes. I have to get this right! 
Posted by: Frederik Aug 15 2009, 09:26 PM
Stratocasters are often used in rock, while Telecasters seem to be mainly used in counry, while both has been used for blues..
Personally I'd go for a Stratocaster.. But I don't like the look of the Telecaster, so follow your own taste instead of mine
I was at a local blues jam the other day, and they all played telecasters
and it sounded the best i've ver heardi recently went to get a new guitar, and the strats i played sounded surprisingly thin, so i ended up with a les paul
(though i were a strat-guy, so i was shocked 
)-Frederik
Posted by: fkalich Aug 15 2009, 09:59 PM
I have one of each.
Here are both in action, the American Blonde has a strat, the English guitarist a Tele.
If you are British you might be familiar with the drummer, Woody. He was in a band named "Madness" before this, and returned to them later on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlOGkTd5ji8
Posted by: mattacuk Aug 15 2009, 10:29 PM
When I have enough money id also like to add a "clean" guitar to my collection. Im learning towards the Telecaster, sure it looks pretty ugly but I LOVE its sound!!
So bright and twangy, it sounds so country (which I love) and some of my favorite U2 songs use it - plus is not as commonly used as the trusty strat (which is also excellent )
Yep, I could see myself up on stage wearing a cowboy hat doing some chicken pickin, yes sir.
Posted by: MickeM Aug 15 2009, 10:54 PM
I think it's an easy desicion because as I see it, a Tele has a sound that really sticks out, and anyone who buys one I think already know that's their sound.
Do you know you want a Tele?
On a gig where we played sets 2 and 4 while the other band playes sets 1 and 3 .- and ended with a jam btw. A guy in the other band played a Tele. I can see it has it's charm but it didn't at all feel right to play on with the maple. Maybe I'd want one myself, but with a rosewood fingerboard.
I seem to be the only one who think a Tele look teriffic!
Posted by: tonymiro Aug 15 2009, 11:27 PM
Tele's are a lot more versatile than some give them credit for. If you want an idea of how good they are check out people like Jerry Donahue (UK Folk and country), Danny Gatton (Country), Ted Greene (Hazz), Mike Stern (Jazz/Fusion), Pete Townsend (Who), Francis Rossi (Quo) and Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders).
Personal choice for me having played quite a few teles and strats would be a tele. But as Fran says check them out as it is subjective.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 16 2009, 04:54 PM
Since there are a lot of Tele and Strat guitars out there, definitely tryout as much as you can. Definitely try out:
Ash bodied Tele and Strat guitars.
Rosewood AND maple necked Tele and Strat guitars.
All produce different sound. The better the wood, the better the sound. Try to find custom shop Tele or Strat since they are the best, if you have the chance - get it. These are well worth it because you don't have to change them ever again
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