Just today I got a pine body Squier Classic Vibe 50’s used - like new for $300 with a Fender case, a stand, several packs of strings, and other accessories. I would have loved to have got a reliced nitro instrument like yours, but I couldn't refuse the Squire deal at that price. I might 'relic' the back of the neck with scotch-brite pads, but otherwise I'm quite pleased with it, and I've owned many Fenders over the years, including pre CBS models. I haven't gigged in over a decade, and I've let go of most of 'my precious' instruments, but once a gear-hound, always a gear-hound; I'll be one 'til I die...
My Telepartscaster has been evolving with different parts for 5 years. It is now PERFECT but almost every part is from a CV 50ies. I should have just bought one to begin with!
I just got into Fender's and "pick up'd" a 2021 Strat Denim (kinda just a Ultra) and a 2024 Limited Player Plus transparent cherry Telecaster with noiseless pick ups.. I am learning about the "sounds" of the Telecaster which I think rocks. Going from Martin and Taylor cowboy guitars, it is all new to me. I had become bored playing guitar until I got a Fender, or now two. Like you said in the video, you don't have to spend a lot and definitely buy an older one you recommended and upgrade the pickups. With so many new variations of pickups, you can have whatever sound you like on just about any style guitar these days. Kinda like when Eric Clapton took a Fender and changed everything that made a Fender a Fender, in name only and Fender now sells his unFender Bender. Loved your channel and subscribed.
Yep, I got a Baja. It’s similar to the road worn (no relic of course) but has a 9.5 radius neck that’s in between the “baseball bat” and modern neck profile, it’s very very nice. Has a 4 way switch for the series “buckerish” sound which is great btw. And it has an out of phase option too in the middle and 4th position. Custom Shop designed pickups (whatever that means). Vintage tuners are the best imo. Ash body. I’m keeping it. Get your own…😆👍 P.S. I don’t like the truss rod adjustment at the heel…PIA but I can live with it.
@Santaheckler. Mine is the 50's 2 tone sunburst one. Double G/B Bender. Hipshot drop D tuner on the low E string. Schaller drop banjo tuners on the high E and A strings. Hipshot staggered open back locking tuners on the rest. Brass roller nut. Wilkinson 6 saddle bridge... brass saddles on the high E and B strings/steel saddles on the D and G strings/Aluminum saddles on the low E and A strings. Reversed the control plate and added a 1000k linear volume pot for eaisr volume swells. A few other small mods. Did those mods to emulate a PSG. I would like to have a 60's Baja' add a Bixby to it.
Just came across your channel enjoyed it 👍🏻 like yourself had been thinking about a telecaster for sometime and didn’t want to spend a lot to find out it wasn’t for me. I did pull the trigger on a Squire 50s vibe butter scotch black guard, man great value for your money I just love it, so made loads of upgrades, 50s wiring, fitted Seymore Duncan Quarter pounders, fender aged machine heads, bridge etc the feel and sound is just amazing, I ended up spending more than I wanted 🙈 what the hell, but well worth it, it’s a keeper. I have subscribed 👍🏻
They are great. Fender still occasionally makes them under a different name. I bought one brand new two years ago and I absolutely love it. I already played an old American Standard, but because I too am a humbucker in the bridge type of guy I put in a Seymour Duncan Little ‘59. The combination with the original neck pickup was and still is amazing. But therefore I never felt I had a ‘real’ Telecaster. So when I saw this Roadworn Telecaster in Sonic Blue I just had to have it. The feel, like you said, was amazing and so were the looks. I also swapped the bridge pickup, but I went for the pickup that made him sound how I think a good Telecaster should sound. And I bought a set of compensated saddles. I love that guitar! Every time I see a second hand one I feel the urge to buy it. But I have so many guitars and I always choose to take the same ones with me for a gig, so I decided not to buy another electric again. Which is freaking hard. 😅
I have the 2021 Vintera 50’s road worn that looks identical to that one and it’s definitely a gem. I find myself playing it more then more expensive others.
62...playing since 9....lefty. Also preferred humbuckers...bridge...until a couple years ago when I started learning more blues and jazz and found how glorious Tele's sound. Strats are quite decent...but Tele is a different animal. Got too many Teles now (even a Fender CS)...and love getting decent budget (HB, Squier, AIO, MIM) Teles and dropping used boutique pups (Fralin, Lollar, NoCaster, Suhr, McNelly) and listening to the magic they produce. My fav is the LSL TboneOne. I have a custom-made BluesBoy with Fralin Split Steel Pole in bridge (P90-esq) that scratches my humbucker-ish itch from time to time. Great Tele you got there fur sure...bridge is majestic!
I probably need to experiment with different Tele single coils pups. The one that was in this guitar was a Fender Tex-Mex. Not sure how those compare to the boutique pups out there.
Well, the price on these will go up now... I have a Fender and G&L tele, but my current favorite is the Jet JT-350. They are considered a budget guitar, but as my luthier put it, the neck and bodies on these Jets are as high quality as anything else. A few upgrades and you have a killer guitar.
I love the Custom Shop relics and I’ve played a lot of Road Worn Telecasters and there is no comparison. The necks are thinner, the pickups are not in the same ballpark and the relic work is really bad. On many of the guitars I played. Yours looks decent though. I chose to spend my money on a lightweight body a great neck from Musikraft and good pickups. I bolted everything together and had somebody who knows what they’re doing do the final setup. For $1,200 I ended up with a killer guitar that weighs just under 7 lbs. I do like the Baja Player Telecasters but you’ll have to look long and far to find one that weighs under 7.50 lbs. and that’s pretty much my line in the sand for a Telecaster.
My 1st ax was a Cherry 84' Paul. Next was my metal days - but I still had an Anderson Esquire, even then. These days, all I need is a Tele. Of course guitar choice is subjective, but they just feel articulate and indestructable to me. I've a student with one of those Roadworn who just put it up for consignment - great value. I just got a Player Tele & it rocks for the $$$. I'm waiting for another cheap Tele to put teeny 59s in - love me some Seymour too. HF all.
@@Surfinmars Thank you for the kind words! Im playing an old Boss GT-10 through a Strymon Iridium and into my interface. I have some more modern modeling gear but always seem to go back to this set up. The GT-10 is just a multi-effects unit with a bunch of boss pedals in it. Super simple and easy. The signal goes.. COMPRESSOR>OVERDRIVE>PARALLEL DELAYS>REVERB. The delays are set to 1/4 and dotted 8th. I come from a worship background so they are mixed in pretty heavy.
They were too good and cutting into Fender USA market share. That's why. Relic, Nitro, Vintage Specs for less than an American Standard Poly. Mine is a 2 color burst and is my favorite. Fender billls the neck as "Vintage U Shape. It's a big glorious handful and I just love it! Great Vid!
Relic'd or not. The Telecasters coming out of the Ensanada, Mexico plant are top notch. Everything in their guitars that you would have found from an "American" Fender from the late eighties.
Sorry man, it feels like you played it forever because someone scratched a perfectly fine guitar up for you??? What happened with buying a new guitar and actually playing it until it’s worn?
I DO like the worn necks, but I do NOT get the rest of the fake mojo deal either. However, if the perfect neck in a guitar store was on a relic, I'd then own a relic, lol.
@@jimicunningable haha... I get it. The relic job on this particular guitar is pretty light. It just kind of looks like it's never seen the inside of a case.
Just today I got a pine body Squier Classic Vibe 50’s used - like new for $300 with a Fender case, a stand, several packs of strings, and other accessories. I would have loved to have got a reliced nitro instrument like yours, but I couldn't refuse the Squire deal at that price. I might 'relic' the back of the neck with scotch-brite pads, but otherwise I'm quite pleased with it, and I've owned many Fenders over the years, including pre CBS models. I haven't gigged in over a decade, and I've let go of most of 'my precious' instruments, but once a gear-hound, always a gear-hound; I'll be one 'til I die...
Don, I don’t doubt what you’re saying but to me, the hidden gem Tele is the Squier Classic Vibe 50’s.
My Telepartscaster has been evolving with different parts for 5 years. It is now PERFECT but almost every part is from a CV 50ies. I should have just bought one to begin with!
I just got into Fender's and "pick up'd" a 2021 Strat Denim (kinda just a Ultra) and a 2024 Limited Player Plus transparent cherry Telecaster with noiseless pick ups.. I am learning about the "sounds" of the Telecaster which I think rocks. Going from Martin and Taylor cowboy guitars, it is all new to me. I had become bored playing guitar until I got a Fender, or now two. Like you said in the video, you don't have to spend a lot and definitely buy an older one you recommended and upgrade the pickups. With so many new variations of pickups, you can have whatever sound you like on just about any style guitar these days. Kinda like when Eric Clapton took a Fender and changed everything that made a Fender a Fender, in name only and Fender now sells his unFender Bender. Loved your channel and subscribed.
I own several Road Worns from that era and they are my favorites. Killer guitars!
Seem to be a lot of guitar for the money!
Another one to look out for is the fender Baja tele. They show up now and then used.
I'll have to check them out.
Yep, I got a Baja. It’s similar to the road worn (no relic of course) but has a 9.5 radius neck that’s in between the “baseball bat” and modern neck profile, it’s very very nice. Has a 4 way switch for the series “buckerish” sound which is great btw. And it has an out of phase option too in the middle and 4th position. Custom Shop designed pickups (whatever that means). Vintage tuners are the best imo.
Ash body. I’m keeping it. Get your own…😆👍
P.S. I don’t like the truss rod adjustment at the heel…PIA but I can live with it.
@Santaheckler.
Mine is the 50's 2 tone sunburst one.
Double G/B Bender.
Hipshot drop D tuner on the low E string.
Schaller drop banjo tuners on the high E and A strings.
Hipshot staggered open back locking tuners on the rest.
Brass roller nut.
Wilkinson 6 saddle bridge... brass saddles on the high E and B strings/steel saddles on the D and G strings/Aluminum saddles on the low E and A strings.
Reversed the control plate and added a 1000k linear volume pot for eaisr volume swells. A few other small mods.
Did those mods to emulate a PSG.
I would like to have a 60's Baja' add a Bixby to it.
Just came across your channel enjoyed it 👍🏻 like yourself had been thinking about a telecaster for sometime and didn’t want to spend a lot to find out it wasn’t for me. I did pull the trigger on a Squire 50s vibe butter scotch black guard, man great value for your money I just love it, so made loads of upgrades, 50s wiring, fitted Seymore Duncan Quarter pounders, fender aged machine heads, bridge etc the feel and sound is just amazing, I ended up spending more than I wanted 🙈 what the hell, but well worth it, it’s a keeper. I have subscribed 👍🏻
@@moose6676 it always ends that way for me. Spending more than I wanted. Haha! Glad you found a guitar that works for you!
They are great. Fender still occasionally makes them under a different name. I bought one brand new two years ago and I absolutely love it. I already played an old American Standard, but because I too am a humbucker in the bridge type of guy I put in a Seymour Duncan Little ‘59. The combination with the original neck pickup was and still is amazing. But therefore I never felt I had a ‘real’ Telecaster. So when I saw this Roadworn Telecaster in Sonic Blue I just had to have it. The feel, like you said, was amazing and so were the looks. I also swapped the bridge pickup, but I went for the pickup that made him sound how I think a good Telecaster should sound. And I bought a set of compensated saddles. I love that guitar!
Every time I see a second hand one I feel the urge to buy it. But I have so many guitars and I always choose to take the same ones with me for a gig, so I decided not to buy another electric again. Which is freaking hard. 😅
Mine is a 2010 Roadworn Tele. It will be the last guitar I will ever own. At 75 yrs. old gigging days are over. Playing at home only now.
You're still young!
I have the 2021 Vintera 50’s road worn that looks identical to that one and it’s definitely a gem. I find myself playing it more then more expensive others.
@@benallmark9671 I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Vintera series. Glad it’s working for you!
I had a Roadworn Strat that was a great guitar. Wish I still had it but I’m more of a tele guy.
Phil Keaggy was famous for using volume swells' he used linear volume pots in his gutars to better help with them.
Such a great player!
Preaching to the choir! I bought one a few years ago and it’s the best Tele I’ve ever played!! No mods either……
@@larrylorenzen2449 nice!
My Baja is the best Tele I’ve played. I put a Mastery bridge and Bigsby B50 on it. It’s my go to
I've not heard of Mastery Bridges... I'll have to check them out. Thanks!
Actually the Baja plays better than the roadworks, because of the better neck ratio
62...playing since 9....lefty. Also preferred humbuckers...bridge...until a couple years ago when I started learning more blues and jazz and found how glorious Tele's sound. Strats are quite decent...but Tele is a different animal. Got too many Teles now (even a Fender CS)...and love getting decent budget (HB, Squier, AIO, MIM) Teles and dropping used boutique pups (Fralin, Lollar, NoCaster, Suhr, McNelly) and listening to the magic they produce. My fav is the LSL TboneOne. I have a custom-made BluesBoy with Fralin Split Steel Pole in bridge (P90-esq) that scratches my humbucker-ish itch from time to time. Great Tele you got there fur sure...bridge is majestic!
I probably need to experiment with different Tele single coils pups. The one that was in this guitar was a Fender Tex-Mex. Not sure how those compare to the boutique pups out there.
Well, the price on these will go up now...
I have a Fender and G&L tele, but my current favorite is the Jet JT-350. They are considered a budget guitar, but as my luthier put it, the neck and bodies on these Jets are as high quality as anything else. A few upgrades and you have a killer guitar.
I love the Custom Shop relics and I’ve played a lot of Road Worn Telecasters and there is no comparison. The necks are thinner, the pickups are not in the same ballpark and the relic work is really bad. On many of the guitars I played. Yours looks decent though.
I chose to spend my money on a lightweight body a great neck from Musikraft and good pickups. I bolted everything together and had somebody who knows what they’re doing do the final setup.
For $1,200 I ended up with a killer guitar that weighs just under 7 lbs.
I do like the Baja Player Telecasters but you’ll have to look long and far to find one that weighs under 7.50 lbs. and that’s pretty much my line in the sand for a Telecaster.
@@brianturner8806 nice!
Famous Muscle Shoals guitar player Louis Shelton plays a roadworn telecaster. It seems that real players know about quality
Great video! 🎸👍 I'm subscribed! Best to you man!
@@JazzStrat781 thanks!!
My 1st ax was a Cherry 84' Paul. Next was my metal days - but I still had an Anderson Esquire, even then. These days, all I need is a Tele. Of course guitar choice is subjective, but they just feel articulate and indestructable to me. I've a student with one of those Roadworn who just put it up for consignment - great value. I just got a Player Tele & it rocks for the $$$. I'm waiting for another cheap Tele to put teeny 59s in - love me some Seymour too. HF all.
"they just feel articulate and indestructable to me" ... that's exactly what has drawn me to them!
Great tone Don! What effects did you use in this video?
@@Surfinmars Thank you for the kind words! Im playing an old Boss GT-10 through a Strymon Iridium and into my interface. I have some more modern modeling gear but always seem to go back to this set up. The GT-10 is just a multi-effects unit with a bunch of boss pedals in it. Super simple and easy. The signal goes.. COMPRESSOR>OVERDRIVE>PARALLEL DELAYS>REVERB. The delays are set to 1/4 and dotted 8th. I come from a worship background so they are mixed in pretty heavy.
You would probably like a 50s style Baja Tele also.
I will check them out. Thanks
Baja plays better because of the better neck ratio. Too bad it's poly finish
love my baja tele....killer tone
They were too good and cutting into Fender USA market share. That's why. Relic, Nitro, Vintage Specs for less than an American Standard Poly. Mine is a 2 color burst and is my favorite. Fender billls the neck as "Vintage U Shape. It's a big glorious handful and I just love it!
Great Vid!
Makes sense.
You might look at JJ'S pickups out of Australia... killer pups ... see Brett Kingman's demos
Will do... thanks for the tip!
Relic'd or not. The Telecasters coming out of the Ensanada, Mexico plant are top notch. Everything in their guitars that you would have found from an "American" Fender from the late eighties.
Fender makes great guitars1
So if you played the LP because of Keaggy, then what did you do when he went to Zions?
ua-cam.com/video/H-AJ9fOhDXk/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
I think we all find the hidden gem. Until we find another one.
Good point!
The only Nashville telecaster that no longer sounds like a telecaster...
There's probably a few more around... haha
A Fender-Bender like the Eric Clapton Fender in Name Only. FINO.
Looked on Reverb and there’s only one. Good advice though. Thanks.
@@reddottx they pop up now and then. Worth keeping an eye out for IMO. (I’m not crazy about that purple.)
Is it a nitrocellulose lacquer finish ?
Yes… nitro
@ Thanks for confirming that. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
@@61stratman You too!
And now there are Zero for sale on Reverb.
Relicing is stolen glory lol
@@jonathanevans1310 I’m more interested in how a guitar feels. If a relic guitar feels good in my hands, I’m good with it.
Not a tele anymore with that pickup in the bridge... if you like Les Pauls you should just stick with 'em.
I can only like one????
Stupid comment
Wake up on the wrong side of the bed pal ?
90% talk, 10% action. Typical american? :-)
Talk about washed out sounds...
Ha ha ha, that's funny!
fake relic is lame
I don't mind it if it's in moderation.
The first generation roadworn relic job was over the top, especially the neck. Yours has a much more moderate and realistic relic job.
You’re lame pal.
Sorry man, it feels like you played it forever because someone scratched a perfectly fine guitar up for you??? What happened with buying a new guitar and actually playing it until it’s worn?
@@NeverGoBack2 the neck is “worn” to almost bare wood. It feels like a well worn guitar. I get it… some don’t like the relic vibe. Personally … I do.
I DO like the worn necks, but I do NOT get the rest of the fake mojo deal either. However, if the perfect neck in a guitar store was on a relic, I'd then own a relic, lol.
@@jimicunningable haha... I get it. The relic job on this particular guitar is pretty light. It just kind of looks like it's never seen the inside of a case.
@ I got you
Because you can not find a nitro finish guitar for this price. Poly finish will NEVER age like nitro finish