Which electric guitar advice please

reevesy

.......just been reading that jimi hendrix recorded purple haze with a tele  and not his strat.

KungFuPro

I've read quite a few stories about Jimi using teles for Hey Joe, Fire and something else, might have been Purple Haze. Hard to know if they're true or not.

Documentary I saw, an engineer who recorded one of his albums said Noel Redding had a Tele that Jimi used on occasions in the studio. I think it's fair to assume out of all the recordings he did, he would have experimented with different guitars, pedals, amps and recording techniques.
One of Jimi's strats had a Tele neck,
                                                                                 
Neal Moser (pointy guitar Luthier) fitted it for him when another musician threw it from a car/bus over a woman/money??? Sorry, I'm terrible at remembering stories.

Jimi sounded like Jimi whatever guitar he played, which is why I've never paid any attention to 'you need this guitar to sound like that guitarist' thing. Gutherie Govan rocks a H-S-H superstrat and he can sound like anyone he wants.

reevesy

Yeah the bit i read said he was lent one from his bass player.....it was in the dummys guide to amplifier tones book !

Was watching 'pawn stars' a little while ago ...about a pawn shop in las vegas... a few guitars have come in from time to time...one of jimi's guitars came in...all checked out and was verified as legit ...think it was valued at 200,000   dollars...guy held on to it in the end

Was having a quick look at teles on the bay this morning...there's a butterscotch 50's one on there at the mo

.....  a bargain 25 grand !

Philly112

Reevsey, try and check out a Baja telecaster if you want a tele. Don't just buy one without knowing what you are buying. There are so many models to choose from.
The Classic Baja is Mexican made, but have the same pickups as my American standard (and they are FANTASTIC). The build quality is supposed to be very good, plus they have the S1 switch as below:


Classic Player Baja Telecaster

The Classic Player Baja Telecaster is a specialized Telecaster model with a four-way blade switch rather than the three-way switch typically found on most Telecasters. Without engaging the S-1 switch, the first three blade switch positions deliver standard Telecaster wiring, with a special in-series fourth position that creates a thicker tone with more output. Like so:

Position one: bridge pickup only
Position two: bridge and neck pickups in parallel
Position three: neck pickup only
Position four: neck and bridge pickups in series

Engaging the S-1 switch on this particular Telecaster introduces out-of-phase circuitry to blade switch positions two and four only, with positions one and three remaining unaffected. This produces a thinner and more-hollow tone of the kind often heard in, for example, funk and early electric blues. Like so:

Position one: bridge pickup only
Position two: bridge and neck pickups in parallel and out of phase
Position three: neck pickup only
Position four: neck and bridge pickups in series and out of phase

I only got mine as I got a good deal on it, plus resale might be better than a Mexican made one (although the non standard finish on mine might count against me if I ever sell it. Which I am obviously not planning to do, but you never know!).
The Baja Classic seems to be one to get if you want a great telecaster and are not concerned about it being made in the USA. I might buy one myself in a couple of months anyway, if I can get a decent S/H one for around £400.


Edit. I have a very good technician setting mine up next week (he will have it when I'm on holiday so I won't miss it). He has 30 years experience, and will make sure the frets are levelled (a 'problem' on many guitars, new or not) and I will be assured that the guitar will play as well as it ever can. It's  £50-£80 depending on any fret work needed. Plays great now, but I am anal about these things, and I know that when I get it back it will be as good as it ever could be. He has set up two inexpensive guitars for me, and they play better than any £££££ guitar I have ever played.

I use this guy (not a plug for him, just to show you the sort of people who are available).

Phil Hartley Guitar Repairs - Home

He knows everything about strats and teles, and how they are made, and the problems and advantages that are inherent in the design.
He installed a 'Funky Nut' on my Ibanez semi and it intonates perfectly on every fret on every string. Plays like butter. He advised against it, as the cost would never be recouped on resale. But I went for it anyway! But he will talk me through the pros and cons of any work. I won't be doing this on my Telecaster as the nut and intonation are already very good.

reevesy

yeah the 4 positions look interesting...will be keeping an eye out ...

might have to buy that guitar classic telecaster edition mag for a bit of swatting up

Philly112

The TDPRI  forums are a good source of info.

reevesy

Thanks

Philly112

A video from Fender showing how they make a Stratocaster.

                               
Some of their workers move really fast.

AndrewH13

Great video!

reevesy

...lot of Mexican looking peeps in that video.
....just wondering what the difference is from a fender made in America ..by Mexicans...and a fender made in mexico...by Mexicans ?

' Disclaimer' .... been to mexico a couple of times...great place and people.

.....back onto teles...I've noticed a couple of 'black tops' about recently...which I'd never heard of...not badly priced and do have the rosewood fret board

http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/series/blacktop/blacktop-telecaster-hh-rosewood-fingerboard-black/

wondered if anyone had any experience of one?