Why a tele

[headsup]

Had a few very nice tele's, still have the nicest one.
had only my old 57 Strat hardtail (so old, I used a modified herco pick to stop the three way swith (thats ALL they made back then) between the two pick ups to get that "sound" (this was in the seventies, and that "sound" is SO over used now, I too am just bored and go crazy every time I hear it.
Like Rob I agree how tele's are unforgiving, and they really make you work for the best tones, but it is work that reaps HUGE rewards.

Many, Many people play teles and have horrid tone, mostly because they haven;t put the time in.

I might add this only.
I recently installed a set of the custom shop Baja Pups in my tele, and it's really quite a huge improvement (even if it wasn't needed), but those pups bring a good deal more depth, and shimmer to the tone palette.

Adding also, I just picked up a Larrivee LT-1, which reminds me of an old fifties esquire I once had, single pick up, but the LT-1 has a single volume that's it!

details to follow.

[eded]

You do realize that every one of the artists you mention, usually  played a stratocaster? You may have answered your question, right there.  

I noticed that.

Ed

[ducktrapper]

Adding also, I just picked up a Larrivee LT-1, which reminds me of an old fifties esquire I once had, single pick up, but the LT-1 has a single volume that's it!

details to follow.

Can't wait to see it. I do like mine. Yes, one knob makes for less fussing. A tele with tone! The JCL hand wound pickup is stellar.

[Caleb]

I saw some Larrivee teles at the guitar show I mentioned earlier.  They were super nice.  One guy had a huge booth of nothing but Larrivee ukes, acoustics, electrics, and even a couple Larrivee mandolins (very rare).  Could've sat there all day...

[JOYCEfromNS]

 

[George]

Very Nice Larrivee Tele's Andrew! Just how many Larrivee electric guitars do you own?

[fongie]

You do realize that every one of the artists you mention, usually  played a stratocaster? You may have answered your question, right there.  

Yup! I knew that........originally my first choice 

[Danny]

Just an observation,  but in the  Rock and Roll Hall of fame tribute to George.  At first a player is doing the lead on a Strat,  to while my guitar gently weeps.  But later Prince  cuts loose on a Tele and it maybe is just how good he plays but that lead is much better.
     Like I said though it was probably the player (Prince) more than the Tele. Still he sure made it weep.

[L07 Shooting Star]

There's a lot more to the sound of an electric guitar than the shape of the body. In fact, I doubt the actual shape  has much to do with it at all. Type of wood, weight and density, pickups etc. matter more..........................

Not to mention the placement of the pickups on the body of the guitar.  I agree the actual shape has a negligible effect on the sound, but all those other things do.  However, if the guitar's shape and it's neck isn't comfortable to hold and play, it won't bring out the best in your playing no matter how much you like the tone of it.

[L07 Shooting Star]

Just an observation,  but in the  Rock and Roll Hall of fame tribute to George.  At first a player is doing the lead on a Strat,  to while my guitar gently weeps.  But later Prince  cuts loose on a Tele and it maybe is just how good he plays but that lead is much better.
     Like I said though it was probably the player (Prince) more than the Tele. Still he sure made it weep.

That solo by Prince is, to me, one of the greatest solo's out there.  I think it's success is a combination of factors; the fact that it's a telecaster, how he set it's controls, the amp and how he set it's controls, and his virtuoso playing.  He uses these tools to create an interpretation that is what I would simply describe as elegant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y 

[JOYCEfromNS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y 

[eded]

Just an observation,  but in the  Rock and Roll Hall of fame tribute to George.  At first a player is doing the lead on a Strat,  to while my guitar gently weeps.  But later Prince  cuts loose on a Tele and it maybe is just how good he plays but that lead is much better.
     Like I said though it was probably the player (Prince) more than the Tele. Still he sure made it weep.

I'm not sure who that was doing the first solo, but he was sticking a lot closer to the original (Clapton) lead.  It was apparent he had a specific part to play with little room for improvisation.  Prince otoh, had free range to play what he wanted.  Tone-wise, I kind of preferred the Strat.  Playing-wise I'm not real sure, but I've never been a big live Prince fan.  I like his studio albums more than live performance videos.  He's a great guitarist.  I think I'd like him better if he'd quit the dramatics and just play the guitar.

Ed

[ducktrapper]

While, it's probably a mistake to think that buying a guitar will make you sound like someone who plays one, I own a sunburst strat because ...  

[Caleb]

That Prince solo, while technically great (no argument here), is a bit goofy for my taste.   I just don't care for strutting on stage and acting like the world won't go on without you.  It will.  And there will never be a shortage of hotshot guitar players. A guy can play fast? Big deal.  So can a lot of shoe-gazers who never make it out of Mom and Dad's basement.  I'd have rather seen Jeff Lynne play something tasteful and more subtle.

[Danny]

I'm not a Prince fan and have never bought any of his music.

But, just as when I heard "While my guitar gently weeps" for the first time, I was very impressed with the weeping licks being played. If  a person only heard the R.&R.H.F. version without knowing who played the second solo. I believe most likely the listener would be quite impressed.

[JOYCEfromNS]

I'm not a Prince fan and have never bought any of his music.

Rarely his name comes up in discussion of great guitar players of our time. His name IMO should always be in that discussion and certainly near the top of the most under rated players of our time.

[ducktrapper]

I agree. Whatever else you may think of him, Prince is a fine musician and a helluva guitar player. 

[mike in lytle]

 
Ok. I bought the Strat new in 84, I think they made this configuration for a year or two, made in USA, sounds fine and plays great. I bought it cause it was black with a maple neck.
The Telecaster Plus I bought new in 95, I like the Lace Sensor pickups. A lot.

[headsup]

always the one out of step with the world, I found Prince's over the top, show boating antics in that video, around what I might consider a somewhat "sacred" memorial show, way out of place and off putting.
From my place, it almost appeared that prince, with ALL of his Largess, was using the tribute for his own ego fulfillment.

I'm sure I'll be chastized for saying so, but I'm a fan of a more subtle way of guitar expression.......

just my 32 cents worth.

[headsup]

While, it's probably a mistake to think that buying a guitar will make you sound like someone who plays one, I own a sunburst strat because ...  

did you get the matching "rug"?