Today, while wondering in a guitar shop to pick-up a 4th string for my acoustic guitar, a beautiful red metallic telecaster look-alike flew into my hands. OK, so it didn’t happen exactly that way. But once I got my hands on this beauty I knew my long desired dream for a red metallic Tele had come to fruition. Technically it’s a Samick Signature Guitar but for all practical purposes it’s built to be a very nice Fender Telecaster for a much cheaper price.
For those of you non-guitar playing friends who don’t salivate over music instruments like I do, the telecaster is a legendary guitar. And in my mind, a metallic red Telecaster with white pick guard is the quintessential classic rock guitar. In fact it was the telecaster that popularized the instrument.
Recently in Fastcompany’s October issue on Masters of Design there’s a great quote in the print edition from David Lubars, BBDO on the Telecaster. He said, "I love Strats and Rickenbackers and Les Pauls, but there’s something so reductionist and beautiful about a Tele – in looks and sound."
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I absolutely love this well designed classic instrument. Even playing it unamplified produces a beautiful sound. Telecasters are the no-frills electric guitar but the sound they produces is so classic and so perfect for the various genre of music I tend to play.
For one who’s played guitar for almost 25 years, I’ve actually shown quite a bit of restraint from going hog wild with guitar collecting. In fact the last electric guitar I owned was a black Peavy which I sold twenty years ago. I still own my second guitar, a twelve string Yamaha and a very nice nylon string guitar from Spain.
I really have few regrets in life and those are the guitars and pick-up trucks I’ve sold. I have a feeling this new friend will be with me for many years to come.
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8 Comments
Very nice Phil. The call of a guitar is like a siren song and it is understandable that you couldn’t resist this one in particular. It looks like you two are a good match – play well.
SB
Thanks Scott. This southern rocker is having a great time enjoying the crunching sound that is so unique to the Tele. It really is a delightful purchase. I’ve already started picking-up the lead part to Folsom Prison Blues. Lov’n it.
I have always preferred mine with a lot more pickups on. High mid and low for a full bodied sound through the amp. I have a Marlin Sidewinder (classic red) with three pairs of pickups on. I can switch between them for different amounts of treble or bass in the sound. The set up that is most tinny is also the best for tuning but the rumbliest is the best sound (all).
Matt, That sounds pretty slick. I know much can be gained by that fine tuning. You are probably appreciate a much wider range. Very cool. I’m really a very acoustic player but wanted a simple rockabilly lead guitar which the tele does well for its purpose. Perhaps in a couple of years I’ll graduate to a strat or upgrade my tele, well see.
Nice, Phil. The red is excellent. And I totally get it. Kind of like the red knobs on my stove. *sigh* And guess what? The RT wants an electric guitar and lessons from Santa. That’s HUGE. I think he has a romantic image of rockin’ out with a guitar slung low over his shoulder and an arm flung wide after hitting that final chord…He’s mentioned that he was interested a couple of times, but we just acted like we weren’t paying that much attention thinking he wasn’t serious. But YAY! He is. So…any recommendations for a starter guitar?
Kelly, that’s great. When my middle girl started playing for a while the first thing she did was think about what to wear for the album cover. Totally a ham she is. In terms of recommendations, I’d actually look at the same maker as I purchased mine, samick guitars. Check out: http://www.gregbennettguitars.com/electricportal.html for details on their selection. They’ve got a dealer locater at the top of the page. You’ll want to get a feel for his interest in style and go low-end, but heck, mine was really a low-end make. It’s just that, what I was looking for specifically is a telecaster like, no frills model. I think you could get a pretty decent electric for around or under $200. You’ll want to pick-up a small practice amp which you could get used.
Thanks for the info, Phil. I’ll check it out. We’ve already scheduled weekly lessons and asked about headphones…Bwahahahahaha! I can’t wait to see how it goes and will keep you posted!
Kelly, yes please do. I hope it really takes of for him. Guitar playing is a whole lot about repetition. Play the scales, play the scales. If he’ll do that and has even half an ear for music, he’ll do well.