Electric Tenor Guitars, what are my options?

[JSett]

Having spent more time with my Ukelele and learning a little Banjo (hindered by the fact the neck is irreparably bowed) I've been enjoying playing 4 string in 5ths and the added inspiration that comes with it.

I've long wanted to try a tenor guitar but never got around to it, but I'm thinking of picking one up sometime this year.

The obvious choice is the Eastman Warren Ellis. Those aren't too expensive even when new and there's a few colour options. I also know of the Fender Tenor Tele but people want insane prices for those used (double the new price from 2020!) and they do have that look of just being a 'shrunken' guitar, rather than in an aesthetically proportionate design.

Is there any others out there I'm missing?

[staytuned]

I would check out the work Brian Fanner is doing. Here’s a link to his Etsy shop.

[Embenny]

Oh dang, I wish you had posted this earlier. About a week ago, someone was selling one of those Fender tenor teles locally for half the going rate. I almost picked it up but thought, "nah, I do not have time to learn this right now." I would totally have picked it up and shipped it to you.

I would check out the work Brian Fanner is doing. Here’s a link to his Etsy shop.

Right, I remember seeing his little Jaguars and Jazzmasters and loving them.

This one is even better, though.

[JSett]

Yeah, those little Teles look cool but they do have that 'toy' look about them seeing as they're so shrunk down. I know it's going to happen with an instrument that has a skinny neck and smaller scale but some definitely look better suited than others (the vintage SG tenors and the Ellis Mustang shaped one for instance).

I found those Fanner ones. They're surprisingly cheap considering.

[Dr Tony Balls]

Fffffuck you now i'm looking at tenors....

[DeathJag]

Just go to Hawaii and get this wacky uke!

fender Dhani Harrison electric turquoise ukulele

[JSett]

Fffffuck you now i'm looking at tenors....

haha, sorry Tony

Just go to Hawaii and get this wacky uke!

fender Dhani Harrison electric turquoise ukulele

I have the Jazzmaster Ukulele which, despite looking a little ridiculous, is actually really good. I'll buy a nice old proper one at some point...a nice 50s or 60s one. Or a tenor Pineapple Ukulele, those have a lovely sound.

[hansbrinker]

I know Neko Case is a big fan of tenor guitars — though the ones she has are probably very expensive...





Here's a pretty cool article about tenor guitars (though it's mostly about acoustics):

https://acousticguitar.com/elvis-costel ... eir-music/

[JSett]

I know Neko Case is a big fan of tenor guitars — though the ones she has are probably very expensive...

Those tenor SG's are the business - but made of pure unobtainium and with a matching pricetag.

[Embenny]

I know Neko Case is a big fan of tenor guitars — though the ones she has are probably very expensive...

Those tenor SG's are the business - but made of pure unobtainium and with a matching pricetag.

Should I point out that any SG can be a tenor with a capo and a couple of missing strings?

[Sweetfinger]

How "electric" does it need to be? You can find an old Harmony acoustic tenor and put a pickup on it.
If looks aren't particularly important, any cheapo guitar can be converted to tenor. You can even sand down the neck.

[JSett]

Should I point out that any SG can be a tenor with a capo and a couple of missing strings?

Yeah, but then you don't have that lovely slender neck to navigate.

How "electric" does it need to be? You can find an old Harmony acoustic tenor and put a pickup on it.
If looks aren't particularly important, any cheapo guitar can be converted to tenor. You can even sand down the neck.

I did consider that. Sanding down the neck and refretting etc is more hassle than I can be bothered with tbh

[hansbrinker]

Don't know anything about these, but the price point may be a fairly harmless way to get into tenor guitars.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/314174151874

[cestlamort]

Maybe one of the Warren Ellis ones (does high kick as a Pavlovian response).
by Eastwood (which you mention in the first post of course!)

[panoramic]

Yeah man Eastwoods are legit good and priced right.