Favorite Non-standard Telecaster?

[seenoevil II]

The contestants:

1969 Thinline: Lightweight vibe, classic pickup configuration, elegant pickguard


1972 Thinline: Very handsome with dual WRHBs and tele headstock. HB's but with standard telecaster controls.


Telecaster Custom: If teles do something the best, it's the bridge pickup. Perhaps best looking version


Telecaster Deluxe: Full power WRHBs, big Strat headstock with bullet rod nut.



I'm in this weird full circle mood lately. Suddenly, I'm finding myself interested in the gear I pined for as a teenager/ college student (wait, is this just a mid-life crisis?). For me, my first gear obsession was Telecasters. In particular, I thought sure that I'd wind up getting a "weird" telecaster, preferably one with at least one WRHB.

I'm pretty sure this GAS will fizzle like 99% of cases, but because there are so many variations on this particular theme, I thought it might be fun to talk out the various factions.

My old friend always said that they all looked ugly compared to the original tele design, and on certain days, I can't help but agree. But lately, these wonky variants are starting to make sense to me again.

Anyway, I'd enjoy reading your thoughts on the matter!

[marqueemoon]

I have a Rhoney Starblaster that’s semi hollow with standard Tele bridge and pickup and a WRHB in the neck position and a HH partscaster with Fralin Big Singles.

I used to have a partscaster thinline like the 69 example that I liked, but it was kinda shoddily put together (not by me). That’s closest to my taste.

If I get another weirdo Tele it will probably be a Cabronita. I’ve never played one I didn’t like.

[Dok]

The poll is missing the G&L ASAT Special, which would get my vote.

[MattK]

Got yr Deluxe and Custom crossed over in the first post!
Only one choice for me.

[seenoevil II]

Got yr Deluxe and Custom crossed over in the first post!
Only one choice for me.

Thanks! I fixed it (hopefully the voters were as keen eyed).

[seenoevil II]

The poll is missing the G&L ASAT Special, which would get my vote.

You could file that under "other" I think! Those are very cool and definitely a Fender original in the literal sense.

[ldp54002]

Gotta go with the Deluxe. Even in my younger days when I disliked Teles (i.e., I was stupid), I always liked the Deluxe. I'm a sucker for the CBS Strat headstock on pretty much anything. I've since atoned for my anti-Tele ways, and it was a MIM Tele Deluxe that started me down the right path.

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

I voted „Custom“ because it gives you the classic Tele Bridge PU but with a better looking pickguard and with a bonus WRHB. My Telemaster is probably closest to a Custom - just missing a second tone knob. But I also love the big headstocks (mine has a Coronado II reissue neck) so the Deluxe is on very close second. (I dig the Sunburst more than the „just brown something of the Deluxe pictured).
I also like the 72 Thinline (but again like the pickguard of the regular Thinline better).
But every single one looks more beautiful than a „normal“ Tele. Double bound Teles play in their own league.

[PuppyGirlBelly]

I'm going to have to go against the grain with the comments, and say the '69 looks the best in my eyes. The swoopy pickguard showing off most of the beautiful wood underneath is my favorite Tele pickguard shape. I could take or leave the neck pickup on one, but the pickguard alone elevates it. To the point where the '72 looks ugly to me

But I know exactly what you mean about the original tele looking better than others some days; and the weird ones looking the best other days. I flip flop between whether I find the '69 thinline or the blackguard style looks better; though if I had the ability to custom build a dream PC, at this moment I would choose a shell pink thinline.

[seenoevil II]

Let's populate this battlefield. Sorry it's a sausage fest.

John Dieterich of Deerhoof in my favorite era for the band.


Hutch Harris of The Thermals


Niklas Amqvist aka Nick Arson of The Hives


Spiral Stairs aka Scott Kannberg of Pavement

[seenoevil II]

Had to throw Paul Westerberg in there too!

[sal paradise]

Doesn’t really count, but a P90 in the neck looks cool af. Black Telecasters always look cool.

[Surfysonic]

My vote would go to "Other" for my partsbuild Cabronita, currently with TV Jones T-90s. I've been thinking about dropping in some TV Jones Magna'Trons in the near future, though.

[garyptaszek]

I like the 72 Thinline, and I like the Tele Custom (even if I think they look a little unbalanced at times).
The Tele Deluxe has a bunch of things going for it that are so "non-tele" but also desirable. I like the wide range pickups, the big Strat headstock, and the tummy cut, they don't look bad neither.

[seenoevil II]

They're all so similar yet contain little differences that matter just enough to make you second guess whatever choice you make.

I guess I'll do the enlightened thing, and do a ranked choice:

1. 72 Thinline: The-hole with the pearloid guard and ash body just work aesthetically. Also, the control layout is exactly what I want from a tele. I imagine this guitar just being a powerful best and I imagine the three-way blade switch gives a very satisfying "slunk" between the overpowered bridge saturation and the overpowered neck chime.. but it's so saturated that it's more of a "chermmm"

2. The Deluxe: Honestly, I cannot lie, this choice is mostly about looks. Especially in the mocha finish, there's just something vaguely brutalist in it. It almost isn't a telecaster at all, but more like some kind of custom creation (hence the why I mixed up the name).

3. The Custom: This one very much IS a telecaster. In a way it is the best of them. The Tele bridge is the superior pickup (IMHO) and the imbalance between that and the WRHB neck actually justifies the gibson style two-volume two-tone pot arrangement. The retention of the standard bridge and neck shape make this feel like a telecaster, but just with more, almost like a deluxe model (hence why I mixed up the name).It basically "fixes" what I (and many others) consider to be the main weak spot in the standard telecaster design, the neck pick up.

4. The 69 Thinline: This is a distant fourth more me personally. It's the only one that I just plain don't like the look of. It's got this kind of kitschy California surf vibe going. I feel slightly ludicrous saying this, but it feels like a more feminine telecaster. AND TELES ARE BOYS DAMMIT (jkjkjkjkjk- please It's a joke).

Anyway, I officially feel like I'm milking this thread and that this might be the most useless opinion ever committed to text.