70s is my favourite era for Fender guitars. Haters can hate. I wouldn't want a treble bleed mod and 500k pot though. 50s Les Paul wiring + stock 250k pots is perfection.
Maybe I got lucky but I've got a late 70s strat that's just wonderful, it's colossally heavy but the finish is thin and has worn down to the bare wood in some parts. Sounds incredibly sweet and warm, not thick and fat like some modern ones, but has a bell-like chime and clarity that's unique in it's own right.
The 1970s was a time of insane inflation. Materials went sky high and others had to be used. There was also little choice. Guitars couldn't be sold in catalogs and there was no Internet. Your choice was the 3 to 5 guitars the local piano store stocked.
Great review. I’m a lucky owner of a ‘73 Tele almost identical to the one in your vid. Fantastic , lightweight guitar, almost completely free of the notorious 70s quirks. But frets are horribly small.. almost a fretless guitar at this pt.
15.24 Fender Strat American Pro 2 blue & black, what a stunning looking guitar this sound to my ears sounds fantastic especially when Jack plays and John plays it
Both of those are great-sounding Teles. Different from each other, but great. I think I prefer the Professional II-I’ve had vintage ones; I had a ‘59 back in the ‘70s, and it sounded incredible, but was hard to play because of divots in the maple fingerboard and worn-out frets. Fender’s figured out how to make them better. I bought a sunburst maple-neck Tele new in ‘74-I kept it for a week and traded it for a Strat that wasn’t much better, then I got the ‘59 and it was night-and-day difference. It blows my mind when I see what ‘70s Fenders sell for these days, as most of them weren’t very good. I guess they’re old enough to be considered “vintage”. I have a ‘98 American Deluxe Tele that blows away most of the ones Fender made after about 1972. And then there’s G&L-I’ve got a killer ASAT Z-3 semi-hollow. Fender had to get their quality back up-there’s just too much competition today. What’s the expression-we’re spoiled for choice!
I just bought an American Prof II tele in black and its unplayable - not because. there's anything wrong with the guitar but because the Mrs wrapped it and put it under the Christmas tree. 8 more days....
I have a 68 and a 73 Telecaster. I prefer them both to the modern Teles I have owned and played. Sound and neck playability to me is better in the vintage guitars I own. They have both been re-fretted. Have not played many custom shop Teles though.
Another really enjoyable video, just love the way Jack 'digs' into the '71 Tele at the end and looks like he's loving it, but take John's point that lovely new guitar will do practically anything and do it well.
Only perspective I have, is being born in the early 1960s and starting guitar by late 60s. ITS ALL RELATIVE TO THE POPULAR MUSIC OF THE TIME YOUR IN. That computer has zero nostalgia for the human past. Watch clips of shows from the 70s LOOK at the crowd we were cavemen compared to kids today. Giant stadium concerts were held up into the wee hours so some roadies could drive to get replacement gear. Way more mature at a younger age which shows in the music, but technology was ancient. If you could afford Fender back in the 1970s you were richer than 90% of the world. You played Department store catalog and it was awesome.
You can't draw conclusions on the standard of 1970s Fenders on the basis of playing a specific guitar. I was there and believe me they were incredibly inconsistent. There were some real stinkers. Some were OK-ish. I never played one I felt was really great. Although Fenders improved into the 80s and 90s, they were still short of the standards being set by the likes of Tokai and Blade.
I'd say that the 70s Teles are far superior to the current ones. I've had a couple that I regret letting go. Haven't found anything modern nearly as good, unfortunately. A CS model would probably take it to another level, though.
My personal, highly shat upon take: modern electric guitars usually sound better than old ones (this is not true of acoustics, a pre-war Martin >>>), but old amps do really sound better than new ones. If I had to choose between spending money on vintage guitars vs. vintage amps, it's amps all the way. Which in fact, I have.
@@dahliafiend Don't know if their days are numbered but it's possible you'll see a split where lower end amps sort of disappear because DI sounds better at that price point and real amps become more of a boutique, high end thing. Or maybe just lower end tube amps disappear because solid state with modeling becomes so good.
FWIW, I had a '71 Strat purchased around '82. It was by far the worst guitar I've ever owned. Sold it for $150 and I felt guilty even getting that for it. It was absolutely terrible on every level.
it's an old tele - teles are teles - I have a yank and a squier, the squier is 'better' plays and sounds better but boat anchor heavy - the yank looks nicer and cost a grand more
People still hand crank tuners during string changes??? 😲 Why? Even the Ernie Ball electric string winder is better than that. Even better is Daddario's drill attachment because drills spin much faster than the EB string winder. I haven't manually tuned up since 6 months after I got my first guitar.
It is a pain to see you are using the wrong string winder. This one surely will scratch the headstock of this worthy Tele. There are winders with a smaller slot that perfectly fit Fender-style tuners.
In From 1968-72? MOST of the factory workers in Fullerton were still working after CBS mucked shit up. By 75 or later many of the best craftsmen were gone. This is no piece of garbage Scorpio solid state amp...
Yes Fenders from the 70s are horrible !! The necks pockets are misaligned, the pickups are barely wound to resistance , fretwork is terrible, and inconsistent body weight ! I’ve owned 50 Fenders, thank God I have Suhrs now
I see a Telecaster video by Peach Guitars... I click.
Was never the biggest fan of Teles until I got one.
70s is my favourite era for Fender guitars. Haters can hate. I wouldn't want a treble bleed mod and 500k pot though. 50s Les Paul wiring + stock 250k pots is perfection.
Nice to listen in on your guitar conversation, enjoyed it 👍🏻
Maybe I got lucky but I've got a late 70s strat that's just wonderful, it's colossally heavy but the finish is thin and has worn down to the bare wood in some parts. Sounds incredibly sweet and warm, not thick and fat like some modern ones, but has a bell-like chime and clarity that's unique in it's own right.
I’ve got a 78 Strat that is colossally heavy too but also feels and plays great.
Sames
Great video. It made me see 70’s teles in a new light.
The 1970s was a time of insane inflation. Materials went sky high and others had to be used. There was also little choice. Guitars couldn't be sold in catalogs and there was no Internet. Your choice was the 3 to 5 guitars the local piano store stocked.
My dad tells me the exact same thing. Very insightful comment.
Great review. I’m a lucky owner of a ‘73 Tele almost identical to the one in your vid. Fantastic , lightweight guitar, almost completely free of the notorious 70s quirks. But frets are horribly small.. almost a fretless guitar at this pt.
Interesting. Great to hear your thoughts. I think I preferred the old one.
I loved my '78. I even got to join a band so they could use my tele! lol
15.24 Fender Strat American Pro 2 blue & black, what a stunning looking guitar this sound to my ears sounds fantastic especially when Jack plays and John plays it
Both of those are great-sounding Teles. Different from each other, but great. I think I prefer the Professional II-I’ve had vintage ones; I had a ‘59 back in the ‘70s, and it sounded incredible, but was hard to play because of divots in the maple fingerboard and worn-out frets. Fender’s figured out how to make them better. I bought a sunburst maple-neck Tele new in ‘74-I kept it for a week and traded it for a Strat that wasn’t much better, then I got the ‘59 and it was night-and-day difference. It blows my mind when I see what ‘70s Fenders sell for these days, as most of them weren’t very good. I guess they’re old enough to be considered “vintage”. I have a ‘98 American Deluxe Tele that blows away most of the ones Fender made after about 1972. And then there’s G&L-I’ve got a killer ASAT Z-3 semi-hollow. Fender had to get their quality back up-there’s just too much competition today. What’s the expression-we’re spoiled for choice!
I just bought an American Prof II tele in black and its unplayable - not because. there's anything wrong with the guitar but because the Mrs wrapped it and put it under the Christmas tree. 8 more days....
Same here but in butterscotch with my 1st maple neck. Merry Christmas 🎄
7 more days…
Awesome instruments😎
I have a 68 and a 73 Telecaster. I prefer them both to the modern Teles I have owned and played. Sound and neck playability to me is better in the vintage guitars I own. They have both been re-fretted. Have not played many custom shop Teles though.
Another really enjoyable video, just love the way Jack 'digs' into the '71 Tele at the end and looks like he's loving it, but take John's point that lovely new guitar will do practically anything and do it well.
Very, very cool.
Now I gotta go dig up my old tele
What a lovely guitar!
I played a good few late 70s strats some have been horrible but most have been light and really playable guitars.
I actually love the sound of it
Wowww this guitar sounds great! The neck pickup is warm, fat, almost has a humbuckery sort of quality to it
In an old dark amp I'm sure it will shine Could you imagine that bridge pup if Leo had slanted it the other way
I love my 71 Tele that I built up by slowly buying 70s parts. I love the thicklish neck which I'm told is closer to a 50s neck.
Problem with vintage guitars is you can’t take them anywhere for fear of being stolen. Any guitar stolen hurts but after dropping 10K + is too much.
What’s the first song ur playing?
How can ya tell what year the telecaster is? by the serial number? Explain?
Only perspective I have, is being born in the early 1960s and starting guitar by late 60s. ITS ALL RELATIVE TO THE POPULAR MUSIC OF THE TIME YOUR IN. That computer has zero nostalgia for the human past. Watch clips of shows from the 70s LOOK at the crowd we were cavemen compared to kids today. Giant stadium concerts were held up into the wee hours so some roadies could drive to get replacement gear. Way more mature at a younger age which shows in the music, but technology was ancient. If you could afford Fender back in the 1970s you were richer than 90% of the world. You played Department store catalog and it was awesome.
The blue guitar sounded better imo.
You can't draw conclusions on the standard of 1970s Fenders on the basis of playing a specific guitar. I was there and believe me they were incredibly inconsistent. There were some real stinkers. Some were OK-ish. I never played one I felt was really great. Although Fenders improved into the 80s and 90s, they were still short of the standards being set by the likes of Tokai and Blade.
silly question: does anyone know what he's saying at 7:41? I suppose it's an english slang - sounded to me like "bagenarrows" or "bag and arrows"?
Bag of nails!
The old one sounds way better. The new Tele sounds like a not enough resonant instrument.
fender has learned a few things over the years ... like how to produce great instruments !
Sounds a bit like an ice pick. Just get a squier and a boss katana and you’re good.
I'd say that the 70s Teles are far superior to the current ones. I've had a couple that I regret letting go. Haven't found anything modern nearly as good, unfortunately. A CS model would probably take it to another level, though.
My personal, highly shat upon take: modern electric guitars usually sound better than old ones (this is not true of acoustics, a pre-war Martin >>>), but old amps do really sound better than new ones. If I had to choose between spending money on vintage guitars vs. vintage amps, it's amps all the way. Which in fact, I have.
Very much agree with your take. Any decent new guitar sounds great thru my '64 Deluxe Reverb. Amps over guitars, always.
i know what you mean. i still would try and get the electronics from old ones, they age too.
Very true but the guitar amps days are numbered. Which is fine by me since I don’t have $2k to spend on 60 pound behomeths anymore.
@@dahliafiend Don't know if their days are numbered but it's possible you'll see a split where lower end amps sort of disappear because DI sounds better at that price point and real amps become more of a boutique, high end thing. Or maybe just lower end tube amps disappear because solid state with modeling becomes so good.
@@dahliafiend In which world do you live in? Lol
My '71 is a lightweight gem and not for sale.
FWIW, I had a '71 Strat purchased around '82. It was by far the worst guitar I've ever owned. Sold it for $150 and I felt guilty even getting that for it. It was absolutely terrible on every level.
It sounds pretty harsh to me. This guitar is looking for a specific player that isn’t me, good video though!
it's an old tele - teles are teles - I have a yank and a squier, the squier is 'better' plays and sounds better but boat anchor heavy - the yank looks nicer and cost a grand more
People still hand crank tuners during string changes??? 😲 Why? Even the Ernie Ball electric string winder is better than that. Even better is Daddario's drill attachment because drills spin much faster than the EB string winder. I haven't manually tuned up since 6 months after I got my first guitar.
It is a pain to see you are using the wrong string winder. This one surely will scratch the headstock of this worthy Tele. There are winders with a smaller slot that perfectly fit Fender-style tuners.
nah, he's just giving it an even more 'vintagier' look....
Nice to see you play a $10,000 guitar wile wearing a jacket with a zipper in that opening scene! You guys are guitar dealers, seriously??
Jacky Boy, first comment. Uncle Gazza
Yes, they were
Is any Fender bad? Especially basses?
In
From 1968-72? MOST of the factory workers in Fullerton were still working after CBS mucked shit up. By 75 or later many of the best craftsmen were gone. This is no piece of garbage Scorpio solid state amp...
Its funny,,,I Love to Hear a great Tele being played, but can't stand to pick one up myself to play. It never sounds worth a shit when I pick on it.!
Up until 1975 are fine guitars.
New fender pick ups more polished and articulate. If you wanted a true tele buy a vintage one
You could just swap the pickups on a new tele.
Yes Fenders from the 70s are horrible !! The necks pockets are misaligned, the pickups are barely wound to resistance , fretwork is terrible, and inconsistent body weight ! I’ve owned 50 Fenders, thank God I have Suhrs now
80 to 84 were absolutely garbage