Telecaster Purchase

Guitars, Amps & Effects
61

PRS Custom 24 SE Neck

Neck Shape Wide Thin
Neck Depth at the 1/2 Fret 13/16"
Neck Depth at the 12 1/2 Fret 57/64"
Neck Width at the Nut 1 11/16"
Neck Width at the Body 2 1/4"

PRS NF53 SE Neck

Neck Shape NF 53
Neck Depth at the 1/2 Fret 7/8"
Neck Depth at the 12 1/2 Fret 31/32"
Neck Width at the Nut 1 41/64"
Neck Width at the Body 2 7/32"

It’s interesting that such a small difference can make it feel fat.

The NF53 Neck depth at

  • 1/2 Fret is 1/16" more
  • 12 1/2 fret is 5/64" more (just over 1/16’)
  • neck at Nut is 3/64" narrower
  • neck at body is 1/32" narrower

So the NF53 neck is around 7% thicker

1 Like
62

I think this is one reason it’s so important to play before you buy. You can’t go on just the numbers. Shape - particularly the shoulders makes a really big difference. I’d suggest not to be put off by the stats until you have a guitar in hand.

3 Likes
63

That is really interesting. I hadn’t looked up the specs, but if you had asked me to guess, I’d have said the NF53 neck is way more than 7% thicker than the Custom 24.

64

I think this is good advice. I will apply it on the next purchase.

1 Like
65

I think necks can generally vary greatly across manufactures, Gibson and Fender have had many different neck profiles on guitars over the years, and some vary more than others.

Initially I found the PRS Studio neck, which is a standard thickness not the Thin version, quite different to my Gibson, but also the neck length is slightly different by only 1/4’ though. Now I have got used to it I can go between the two quite easily, and actually really like it.

I think sometimes it can take quite a while to get used to and adapt to a different guitar.

66

yeah, but that thickness is ALSO coming with a narrower neck. so the relative proportions are also quite different. granted, I’m sure that the 7% thicker would feel ENORMOUS if the neck wasn’t also made narrower at the same time (ppl have to reach around it after all).

would be an interesting experiment to have a variety of guitar necks all lined up, grouped by the profile shape but also sorted by dimensions like thickness and width. That way you could just pick them up and hold them to compare.

Would also be handy to note which guitar models use which type of neck. This seems to be the kind of display that a large shop like Sweetwater or Thomann could really sell themselves on to encourage people to come visit in person to shop.

1 Like
67

Yes! I have a Classic Vibe 70s Thinline Tele that per spec has a 42mm neck, but it always felt narrow to me. The first and sixth strengths were too close to the edge of the fretboard for my liking in spite of being properly spaced and set up. (I had an experienced guitar tech examine it for me to confirm.) When measured, it was 41.5 mm—a tiny, tiny difference that felt significant compared to other 42mm necks I have. I ultimately replaced the neck because i liked the guitar a lot except for that.

1 Like
68

Interestingly vintage fenders varied a lot. I’ve seen 39mm to over 42mm. Perhaps your Classic Vibe was closer to original spec than suggested :wink:

69

Might just be! Nothing wrong with it—just not for me. I’ve tried other CVs and noticed the same thing but not every one.

1 Like
70

Hi All,

An update on my search for a Telecaster and visit to Thomann…
Ironically my visit to Thomann happened at the time we got the news Thomann was now ‘suing’ Fender…

I tried every available Telecaster I could at Thomann, though I did limit myself to single coil telecasters as that was my preference.
The one problem I did encounter at Thomann and I understand why, is that you can only order 3 guitars from the warehouse that are not in the store showroom to get to play.

Overall, I tried Tele’s from Fender, Harley Benton, Larry Carlton (Tried the T7 - the model that got me from the warehouse, the pickups didn’t work and the fret work was terrible) etc, whichever brand had a single coil setup.
I did try the more expensive Tele’s just to see and I’ll be honest the Fender American Pro Classic was amazing but at €1599…It was tempting but I decided no.
The Harley Benton Tele was so heavy, my friend and I said, if you hit someone with it, they are not standing up for a while LOL

The one Tele that actually against all expectations had had me playing it a few times was actually the ‘Fender Std’ €599. To my ‘ears’ the tones on both the bridge and neck pickup were great and the neck was amazing, smooth and easy to play.
It was only 3.7kg (got them to weigh it).

To me it felt right but before purchasing it, I decided to have a good think about it and way up my options and get some feedback on it.
I have also found it cheaper elsewhere as well €557
I’ve watched a few video’s now on the guitar just to get an idea of what people are saying…

So it brings me back to my dilemma…
I know it’s my choice but some feedback would be nice…

Do I go down the route of the Fender, knowing I might in the future change the pickups and maybe get locking tuners…
Or
Go down the route of the Jet JT-350 (€290) which as the same body, neck but maple fretboard, same nut etc, except it has locking tuners but also will have to change the pickups at some point.

Yes, the ‘Fender American Pro Classic’ is awesome but cannot afford that as much as I would like to…

On a side note, I was impressed with the new building at Thomann, but I felt as the electric guitars were still in the same place as before it felt old and out of place, whereas the acoustic section was amazing. You could see all the guitars at eye level whereas in the electric room, a lot were still hanging high on the walls and difficult to see and get to. I think they going to redo the electric guitar room because it needs it.
I did get to buy some other goodies I needed including a new semi acoustic guitar which I’m very happy with.

Enough waffling, just wanted to update you all.
I know I didn’t walk out with a tele but I got a better idea of what there is out there and help me narrow my search.

1 Like
71

Oh, the trill of the chase :slight_smile:

Few thoughts …

It’s a good discount, but keep in mind that if weight is important to you there can be a lot of variation between the same models of guitar. Also some guitars just feel better - there is sometimes a justification for paying a small premium to play the actual guitar you are buying.

Are locking tuners really important to you? I actually find them a turn off (but that’s another thread!)

You might find the pickups just fine, there’ also a lot that can be achieved with tone, volume and pedals!

I would typically say that Fender is going to hold it’s value better than other brands on the secondhand market, but right now you might find a bargain … just a thought.

There’s no rush, the chase can be a lot of fun :slight_smile:

2 Likes
72

IMO, it’s important to go with the one that feels the best. To me, it’s the most important consideration. On a Tele, the beauty is that everything can be updated later by changing parts, but you cannot do much to change the feel. Also, the choice of aftermarket pickups and any parts is huge for a tele and it’s so easy to do the mods yourself.

If you can order the Fender from Thomman and also a Jet (from elsewhere) with a good return policy (like Thomman) you can try the 2 back to back and then decide.

I wouldn’t worry about the pickups and its so easy to change them but a lot of it comes down to personal preferences and you may warm to the ones in the guitar.

Your colour choices for both those guitars are IMO the best tele colours!!! I much prefer the look of the Jet - the colour of the body and the roasted maple neck. It just looks great in the photos. But the fender is a classic colour choice.

You didn’t say what semi acoustic you bought.

3 Likes
73

If you could try the guitar at a shop, I would buy it from there unless the discount was ridiculously good.
599 vs 557 isn’t a monstrous amount, an though Thomann are a huge company, I think supporting them vs ordering from somewhere online would be good. It’s what has killed off a lot of small guitar shops throughout the world.

3 Likes
74

Hi All,

This is the acoustic I bought from Thomann plus other goodies…

@AndyTake2 - Yes, I understand where you are coming from, almost all my guitar gear comes from Thomann but you can also appreciate that as Thomann is a large company, in a way they are also killing of the smaller guitar shops, because they sell just about everything and at good/fair prices etc. so therefore it’s difficult for smaller guitar shops to compete.
(I did go into my local guitar store yesterday and they had the Fender Std in, but in Sunburst but at €600)

As for the Telecaster…I have done the following:
I found a good deal on the Fender Std Butterscotch Telecaster. Decided I was not going to also purchase the Jet JT-350 and compare them at home, to much hassle with shipping one back. Also with the Fender it felt right and I did try both both the Jet JT-300 and JT-350 before going to Thomann, the sound from the Fender was better.

I found a good deal on one, it was €525, so I saved €75 from the Thomann price. To me that’s a good saving. With the money I saved I can put that towards either ‘vintage style bridge with 3 brass saddles’ or ‘luthier costs’ (because they all need work done, no matter where you by it from).

Once it’s arrived and I’ve checked it over and all happy, I’ll post a photo.

4 Likes
75

Hi All,

My Fender Telecaster has arrived and I’m very impressed with the quality. No fret rockers, neck is smooth, no edges and love the colour. (she’s called ‘Sunflower’ - after my favourite flower). Only real thing I need to do is set the intonation of the strings and good to go.
The neck is lovely and my hand just glides up and down the neck. Really happy overall.

I’ll be changing the bridge to a ‘Gotoh T-Style 3 brass saddles with a new Fender bridge plate’.
Also will be changing the pickups at some point, maybe to ‘Fender Pure Vintage 64Tele Pickups’…I’ll see how I get on after changing the the bridge first.
Later on down the road, I might also change the tuners but no rush on those…

Yes, I could have purchased a Player II for the same, but at least I can pick my own pickups etc…

Photo’s of guitar - still has sticker on and plastic on pickguard - I like to wait a day or two to make sure everything is perfect first… :blush:
(New acoustic in the background)

20260703_163704
20260703_1637041920×2560 415 KB

20260703_163722
20260703_1637221920×2560 374 KB

20260703_163739
20260703_1637391920×2560 344 KB

8 Likes
76

lovely guitar

there is a difference in tone between the player II and the standard
thats really 2 different guitars :slight_smile:

1 Like
77

Looking good Rachel, enjoy both guitars.

1 Like
78

Thank you

1 Like
79

Killer, you are going to be ripping it up Tele style.

1 Like
80

Hi Rachel

Your new tele looks great. The most important thing is that it feels good to play. Best colour too.

I was wondering why you want to change to the 3 saddle bridge ? Just for the look? I have a tele with 3 gotoh compensated saddles and ashtray bridge and one with the modern 6 saddle set up like on your tele. I greatly prefer the 6 saddle setup. It’s easier to set the action of each string, easier to intonate, and the non ashtray bridge makes it more comfortable to play and easier to palm mute strings IMO. You can also buy brass saddles for the six saddle system if you want brass.

If you do go down the path of changing the pickups later then I can recommend Tonerider pickups. I used them to upgrade a tele and for my Strat build. They are not expensive and are very good quality for the price. The ones I have in one of my teles sound lovely.

1 Like