I have been eyeing that 50s esquire for a few months. I believe they come stock with an odd 12:38 wiring/blend configuration. The neck pickup on that one is my favorite tele neck tone. Great sounding guitar and amazing playing Rich. What amp were you playing through? One of the Gibson Falcons? Or the Princeton?
Teles are the most basic no nonsense guitars in the world. Very durable and simple to modify. But it’s a subjective thing as to which one speaks to you. I have a 73 blonde/maple and my only issue has been do I go for compensated saddles or not. I have a bunch of great guitars, but if it was down to having just one electric, it’d be the tele. Good job Rich😊
None of them sound bad, but the 1st one played that 60's one I prefer over the other 2. The tones are the closest to that of the Telecaster that Jimmy Page used on the 1st Zep album and I love that sound. Please state which and or stomp box was used for this demo.😊
All sound well…just a matter of what song and sound you need to pull from. I went with a “1964” “60s tele custom”, which is ironic considering it’s double bound. Anyways, it’s a Don Rich silver sparkle with matching headstock, black binding, maple cap neck, and hand wound ‘63 custom shop pickups….alnico 2 pickups.
Not sure which I would choose. Not a big fan of lacquered fingerboards. You can try many Tele's before you find "The One". In 1970 I had an original 60's which wasn't great at the time and px'd it for a 60's SG Special. I am currently on the third set of pickups in my Tele and still can't find that magic. One day fingers crossed I'll get there.
Just shimmed the neck to alter the neck angle as I could never get the action as low as I would like. Raised the brass saddles off the baseplate to compensate for the change in neck angle and to give a now lower action. Actually lost some of the top end brittleness on the bridge pickup and the Tele now plays better and sounds better. I wire bypass the tone control for the neck pickup so I can tame the bridge pickup. Should have tried this a while ago.
Sorry, every Custom Shop Tele or Strat I’ve played has been crap (dozens - mostly at CME, and Dave’s in Milwaukee). Not talking pickups, which of course are good - talking feel, setup, playability. If you’ve never played one and lust after them online, stop wasting your mental energy. If you want a relic, buy a used 90s Fender for 10-20% of the price.
I have a very different experience. All the ones I've played have been stellar. I'll be in Milwaukee next week. I'll have go to Dave's and see If what you say rings true. Maybe I'll make a video. Ha!
Btw, didn’t mean to be strident in my original post. It’s just that I felt a bit gaslit playing them this weekend - like I’m supposed to think they’re amazing but most of them just felt rickety and out of whack. Couldn’t imagine paying $3500 for the ones I played. But of course that’s all subjective. Anyway, I enjoy your videos, so thanks for that!
I have been eyeing that 50s esquire for a few months. I believe they come stock with an odd 12:38 wiring/blend configuration. The neck pickup on that one is my favorite tele neck tone. Great sounding guitar and amazing playing Rich. What amp were you playing through? One of the Gibson Falcons? Or the Princeton?
Josons Princeton with a 12 inch celestion in it.
The 60’s wins my vote. I think it’s a 62 tele custom. I really love the binding. But the tone of it sounds more authentic than the rest of them to me.
Agreed, that's the one Jason bought!
Agree. It sounds best.
Teles are the most basic no nonsense guitars in the world. Very durable and simple to modify. But it’s a subjective thing as to which one speaks to you. I have a 73 blonde/maple and my only issue has been do I go for compensated saddles or not. I have a bunch of great guitars, but if it was down to having just one electric, it’d be the tele. Good job Rich😊
I think it can be Brazilian rosewood which Jason bought, I'd go for it, for the Rosewood.
It was definitely more unique sounding and maybe more aggressive in tone.
None of them sound bad, but the 1st one played that 60's one I prefer over the other 2. The tones are the closest to that of the Telecaster that Jimmy Page used on the 1st Zep album and I love that sound. Please state which and or stomp box was used for this demo.😊
Yeah it has a more aggressive tone imo.
Thought that one looked familiar Jason!
Yep, the Jason Tele. Thing sounds killer!
5k for a guitar is just not gonna happen for this guy.
Same unless I sell 10 of my other guitars.
All sound well…just a matter of what song and sound you need to pull from. I went with a “1964” “60s tele custom”, which is ironic considering it’s double bound. Anyways, it’s a Don Rich silver sparkle with matching headstock, black binding, maple cap neck, and hand wound ‘63 custom shop pickups….alnico 2 pickups.
Nice!
69 for me l play a thin line tele sounds awesome!🙂
Yes the 60 and 69 where my top picks.
I dream with a 60's Tele in Olympic White or Sunburst.
Those are nice!
50’s for me. Sounds the most Tele and looks the part also. Just more “doink”to the notes. 60’s is nice too, just a little more sharp and aggressive.
They were all so good and all had different characteristics.
It’s the 50’s Tele for me. Has the vintage Tele twang, but can still bring out the snarl with the best of ‘em.
It is definitely the most legit looking Tele that is for sure! I have a Baja Tele that looks like it.
Not sure which I would choose. Not a big fan of lacquered fingerboards. You can try many Tele's before you find "The One". In 1970 I had an original 60's which wasn't great at the time and px'd it for a 60's SG Special. I am currently on the third set of pickups in my Tele and still can't find that magic. One day fingers crossed I'll get there.
The Richie Kotzen is only thing that has come close for my style of playing. But I do have some that have the definite country twang!
Just shimmed the neck to alter the neck angle as I could never get the action as low as I would like. Raised the brass saddles off the baseplate to compensate for the change in neck angle and to give a now lower action. Actually lost some of the top end brittleness on the bridge pickup and the Tele now plays better and sounds better. I wire bypass the tone control for the neck pickup so I can tame the bridge pickup. Should have tried this a while ago.
awesome playing i like all three .i would love to hear you demo a fender paranormal nashville strat .
Will do if I can get my hands on one.
Sorry, every Custom Shop Tele or Strat I’ve played has been crap (dozens - mostly at CME, and Dave’s in Milwaukee). Not talking pickups, which of course are good - talking feel, setup, playability. If you’ve never played one and lust after them online, stop wasting your mental energy. If you want a relic, buy a used 90s Fender for 10-20% of the price.
I have a very different experience. All the ones I've played have been stellar. I'll be in Milwaukee next week. I'll have go to Dave's and see If what you say rings true. Maybe I'll make a video. Ha!
Dave’s is a nice shop, you should definitely check it out. They have a pretty good selection of Custom Shop models. Nice guys too.
Is it just called Dave's or Dave's guitars?
Dave’s Guitar Shop on S 5th St
Btw, didn’t mean to be strident in my original post. It’s just that I felt a bit gaslit playing them this weekend - like I’m supposed to think they’re amazing but most of them just felt rickety and out of whack. Couldn’t imagine paying $3500 for the ones I played. But of course that’s all subjective. Anyway, I enjoy your videos, so thanks for that!
Lol it would take a lot to make him better looking but he should start with the hair.
Wow lets see your pic Tom Cruise. Easy to be a troll when you hide behind a fake name and no profile picture.