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I'm starting to get more of an understanding about such things as neck radius, shape and fret wire type having worked out what my guitars have and knowing that I particularly like the combination my Strat has. Today I tried out a 'Classic 50s' Telecaster, it has the same 7.25" radius, neck shape and vintage (low/thin) frets that my Strat has. I much preferred it to my Affinity Tele which has a flatter radius (9.5") and bigger frets as well as the nut width being 2mm narrower (not much, but it is noticeable as I've discovered).
Since getting my Strat back and finding that it's easier to play than the Tele* I wanted to try to get to the bottom of it, so those previously mystical figures I'd read on spec pages have started to make sense. Trying out that Tele today confirmed that it felt completely different to the one I have and while I've been playing my Affinity Tele plenty this year, perhaps it doesn't suit my hands/fingers as well as others might.
I had thought about changing the neck on the Affinity as it's a pretty cheap option (especially if a used one came up), but I think I'd perhaps be better cutting my losses. I can easily take the Original Vintage pick ups back out and swap the standard ones (they won't add any value to it's selling price). Plus having tried the 'Classic 50s' today I think it's also about the different 'vintage' 3 saddle bridge, through body stringing and maybe even the thicker body too. Whatever it plays and sounds quite differently (even allowing for the Original Vintage pick ups).
The upshot of this discovery/demo? I think a two tone Classic 50s Telecaster is going to end up next to my two tone Strat later this year (I ought to try to sell the Affinity Tele first as it'll never get played then).
*I should add that I'm sure other guitarists might find they prefer a flatter radius and big frets, so it's just a personal discovery really, but might be worth paying attention to the variables when looking for a guitar. |
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