American Standard Tele---Review and Pics

[jazzrat]

Here are a couple shots of my Tele now that it's in my hands. I am thrilled that it is definately more green than the pics I bought it from.
Officially the serial number ID's it as a '98. The teal color in that year was called Aqua Marine. It's really pretty.

When I got it, I 'took it down to the frame' so to speak. I used 0000 steel wool on the fretboard followed by lemon oil. The neck was pretty bowed but the truss rod responded nicely. I cleaned it really well (didn't need much), strung it with EB 9-42's, set the intonation and fired her up.

Boy, I've been missing that sound. The pups do not have the output of the C22's in my Carvin or the Schallers in my Heritage, but it has that sound. It was a good choice to round out my small herd.

For Sunday a.m. services it was just outstanding. On the chorusy stuff it was sparkly and clean with great note definition. On the dirty stuff it just flat screamed! I use a DG-Stomp into a Carvin SX-100 solid state amp.
All in all it sounded great.

Sunday night I took the Tele along with my C66 thinking I would use the Tele only on the Rascal Flatts tune we were doing.
My Sunday nite gear is more toneful...Fender HRDx into a Jekyll & Hyde
and a vintage Ibanez analog delay.
Log story short....The C66 went in the case at practice and I used the Tele for everything.

I am blessed to have some really nice guitars. This Tele is going to work out just fine!

Here's a couple pics...




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/jazzrat/Fender%20American%20Tele/350WTELE.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/jazzrat/Fender%20American%20Tele/350WTELEBODY.jpg

[reverbbb]

That guitar just makes me shiver with goose bumps. I love everything about it. I am more partial to maple necks, but you gotta admit, that rosewood looks fine. I also like the mojo pickguard.

I know exactly what you mean about the sounds that you get coach out of that MIA Telecaster. That era of guitar is bound to be a sought after classic down the road. I think that they are still making the MIA up to those standards, but the mid to late 90s seem to be the start of this fantastic era of great MIA Telecasters.

If I ever get another Telecaster (which I certainly don't need or have the room for), it is going to be nearly identical to your color and specs.

Have fun with it dude. BTW, do you want to trade yours for my '50s Classic? Nah, never mind, I like it too much too.

[jazzrat]

Thanks Rev,
I am enjoying it. Maybe just honeymoon feelings but I think this one is staying. My only complaint is that it feels like a box 'o rocks. This puppy is
nearly Les Paul heavy. It sustains like a piano so it's all good.
Funny you should mention your 50's Tele. I really was headed for a more vintage style Tele. A 50's or more probably a 60's for the RW board. After some thought, and considering my role in the groups I play in, the modern features seemed to be a better fit. So far so good.

[stephen]

I'm picturing jazzrat right now, and its sometning like this \:D/ I'm happy for you bro! That is a sweeeeeet guitar! Enjoy her!

[SAguitar]

That is a fine lookin' mo-chine! Anyone should be proud to shoulder that puppy. What is it about those Teles, they don't seem to have much goin' for them, but they just play so nice and sing so pretty... :cool:

[Crunchyriff]

Me LIKE.

wiping drool off keyboard...

I dunno about you, but aside from a '52 Reissue, I'd grab a rosewood fingerboard everytime. That, and IMHO, the American Std Tele, to my ears anyway, is a much 'truer' representation of the instrument's sound, than it's Amer. Std Strat counterpart.

that is a nice 'un, jazzrat! VERY COOL!!!

[jazzrat]

Me LIKE.

wiping drool off keyboard...

I dunno about you, but aside from a '52 Reissue, I'd grab a rosewood fingerboard everytime. That, and IMHO, the American Std Tele, to my ears anyway, is a much 'truer' representation of the instrument's sound, than it's Amer. Std Strat counterpart.

that is a nice 'un, jazzrat! VERY COOL!!!

Yup rosewood for me...tho I would like to try a '52 RI sometime.
I've gotta agree about the Amst strats. The last one I had was a fine guitar but much more removed from the original strat tone than the new Tele's are from their respective updated versions.

[SAguitar]

Go Rosewood! I don't even have any maple fingerboards anymore. They're all either rosewood or ebony. I just like being able to clean and oil them occasionally. I know they don't sound as bright and snappy as maple, but they are just my favorites. :cool:

[Teleguy]

Some maple necks still do it for me (like on the Squire 51's), but it's on a case by case basis.
Rosewood is predictable, and I've learned how to polish frets, so maple "slickness" is entirely optional for my faux steel guitar bends now.

[Crunchyriff]

Rosewood is predictable, and I've learned how to polish frets, so maple "slickness" is entirely optional for my faux steel guitar bends now.

Yeah- simichrome polish with a cotton wheel on a dremel works wonders.

[Ravindave_3600]

Here are a couple shots of my Tele now that it's in my hands. I am thrilled that it is definately more green than the pics I bought it from. Officially the serial number ID's it as a '98. The teal color in that year was called Aqua Marine. It's really pretty.

I am blessed to have some really nice guitars. This Tele is going to work out just fine!

Bro JR - you certainly are! I couldn't be happier for ya!

(and one of these Sunday nights I'm going to make the drive down to Twin to hear your band)

[jazzrat]

Here are a couple shots of my Tele now that it's in my hands. I am thrilled that it is definately more green than the pics I bought it from. Officially the serial number ID's it as a '98. The teal color in that year was called Aqua Marine. It's really pretty.

I am blessed to have some really nice guitars. This Tele is going to work out just fine!

Bro JR - you certainly are! I couldn't be happier for ya!

(and one of these Sunday nights I'm going to make the drive down to Twin to hear your band)

I'd love that Dave! Just be sure and allow enough time so we could have a coke or a cup 'o coffee or even better play a little guitar!
I could also give you a heads up on the Sundays when we have the "A team" scheduled. It's always a joyful noise but musically it is better some nights than others.