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Posted by: Brandon Earman Jun 13 2011, 03:05 PM

Hey GMC, I am looking to purchase a Telecaster and need some advice. I am considering these two telecasters:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Standard-Telecaster-Electric-Guitar-105156830-i1432037.gc
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Deluxe-Blackout-Telecaster-Electric-Guitar-104801543-i1371267.gc

Now the only two things I see different in the guitars are the pickups. The standard Tele has 2 telecaster pickups and the blackout says it has "3 Vintage-Style Tele pickups." The Blackout also has a 5 way selector switch.

So can someone please explain how different these two guitars will sound? I want to know if the Blackout is worth the extra $100 dollars. I was planning on maybe upgrading the pickups on a standard Tele to Texas Specials as well.

If someone can shed some light on this topic I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Posted by: MickeM Jun 13 2011, 06:30 PM

both links says "We're sorry, but the product that you are searching for is sold out at this time, or is no longer available. For more information please contact customer service."
???

Keep in mind that Telecasters have their own distinct sound. A bit rough feeling to play. Especially with maple neck I think the sound is too sharp. imho the classic ones are one trick pony guitars.
I never played one with humbuckers though but then again, that's not a classic tele.
Teles are not my cup of tea, maybe you can tell.

Posted by: fkalich Jun 13 2011, 07:30 PM

Telecasters are neat. I would get a standard one. That is the one most people want. I would not look on it to do anything, other than to be a Telecaster. I nearly always play a Les Paul, but I like my Telecaster.

edit: Actually if it were me, I would spend a little more, and get a used one on Ebay. Just make sure the person selling it guarantees that the neck is fine, and that the truss rod works fine and is not maxed out. A lot of times some guys sell quite a bit, have great ratings, and will back their sale. There is little risk of damage in shipping on a fender.

I have this Tele, and I really like it.

http://www.music123.com/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Solid-Body-Electric-Guitars/American-Telecaster-HS-Electric-Guitar.site7prod511593.product

They quit making them a few years ago, it was not that popular. But I bet they have decent resale value now, it is hard to find one. These were a really neat guitar, you could get a setting with both pickups, that is just kick ass for rock.

Posted by: Fran Jun 13 2011, 07:41 PM

Only Tele I ever owned was my first electric, a Fender thinline, which is an even more strnage breed of Tele since its semi hollow. Didn't like it at all, sold it a couple years back and never looked back!

Then again, if you do get a Tele, I'd get one with single coils, or else get something else, unless you like Teles shape and not their tone, that is

Posted by: fkalich Jun 13 2011, 07:52 PM

I would say yes to that on the bridge pickup, but not necessarily the neck. Provided it is their American line. I am not sure they have anything like mine now, you might have to get one used. Seriously, mine has an incredible sound to it, using both pickups. I am not sure if I set the humbuck to serial or parallel for that, but in one setting with the bridge pickup, it has this incredible sound, I have never heard anything like it.
I would only play it that way, or use the bridge pickup. I always considered the standard neck pickup sort of useless, but it makes it look like a 50's guitar which is cool.

Posted by: Stephane Lucarelli Jun 13 2011, 08:14 PM

I would suggest you to try a lot of different telecaster before making your choice!
Some MIM Telecaster like the Classic 50's / 60's or Baja are really great and you could make a good deal if buy used...they just need a pickup & bridge upgrade in my opinion.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 13 2011, 09:19 PM

I'm with Stephane on this one, I suggest trying out many Tele's in stores, not all pieces are the same. Sometimes basic model will sound better then some deluxe models, you cannot tell until you try. It's really important to find a good Fender piece, by trying out a bunch of them. I would say trying at least 15 Tele's in shops will get you pretty good idea on what you need.

These two models look cool, second one being a bit more versatile with the 5 different sounds instead of 3. But the magic of the Tele is in the 3-way switch, there are lots of things to do even with 2 single pups. IMHO, Tele won't be that much versatile with 3 singles, it's more versatile with HS config.