Returning to the Guitar

[MattMoore]

Evening all,
I've decided to start playing guitar again, I used to play about 12 years ago.
I never got particularly good, but knew the basic chords, couple of riffss etc.
This time I would like to learn properly, and am planning getting some lessons.
I'm going to need to kit myself out again.
I'd like to buy a Telecaster of some sort, is it worth buying an older one versus a brand new one?
Also, I'm completely lost with what amp to buy. I'll just be after a small amp for indoor use for now.
I have upto 800 to spend, maybe 1k at a push to kit myself out completely.
If it were your money, how would you spend it?

Matt

[gbbird]

If it were me, i would go new and treat myself to a brand new Tele. You can get them from £345 for a standard Fender one -

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=10533

to something a bit more deluxe -

http://www.guitar.co.uk/guitars/electric/228-72_te...

Squire tele's are even cheaper - http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars/Electric_Guit...

and although Tele's are not my thing, Squire quality is pretty much up there with standard Fenders


I just like the personal thing of having a new rather than used guitar, and at todays prices this would be well within your budget, leaving you some left to get a decent new amp. You never know how much a used amp has been fettled.

good luck, and enjoy

g

[kiteless]

If you fancy a Jellycaster, and are comfortable playing it (some aren't due to the non-sculpted body) then get yourself a Jellycaster. I had one for a year or so quite a few years back. I loved the action of the neck, and its clean sound, but saw a lovely candy-apple LP repo shortly after and that was that.

Anyway, Jimmy Page & Jeff Beck loved Tele's. Say no more.

[Ganglandboss]

I've just treated myself to a Highway One Tele and I am loving it!

[Malam]

With £800-£1k to spend, the options are endless.

£375-£500 will buy you a secondhand but mint USA Fender Tele...

£350-£400 will buy you a nice seondhand Marshall JCM2000 Combo, or even a half stack...

What sort of music do you play?...

Personally, if I were going to buy a Telecaster I'd avoid buying a Fender and look for a Levinson Blade Tele..

Like this one-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Levinson-Blade-Telecaster-%2...


I've owned numerous Fender Telecasters- Japanese, USA Std, USA '52 Vintage Reissue etc and to be honest, none of them come close to a Blade. The Blades are built perfectly, you get nicer woods for your money and they're much more versatile

[MattMoore]

Thanks for the replies so far. I've been doing a lot more research, and that has just opened a can of works :lol:
I'm sold on a Telecaster, I'm just trying to educate myself on all the various models and brands.
The levinsons look great, and I will keep a close look out on eBay for these.
I have seen a couple of tasty Fenders on eBay, some of which have had different pick ups installed, which I'm not too sure on.
Typically in any hobbies of mine, I buy quality second hand, due to being able to sell again at what I paid for it in the event of something cropping up.

I'd like to learn the Blues, and some rock. I'm assuming a Tele will do both of these admirably?

Matt

[Stablelad]

MattMoore said:

I'd like to learn the Blues, and some rock. I'm assuming a Tele will do both of these admirably?

Matt

Hi Matt,

The tele is of course a nice guitar however for Blues/Rock you might want something with a little more depth of tone such as a Les Paul. It all of course comes from the fingers anyway but I love my LP when it's cranked and use my Fenders for more delicate stuff. Enjoy learning again!

[kiteless]

Personally, I'd agree with Stable above. I'm very much a blues / classic rock player and have always (Tele aside) favoured humbucker equipped guitars. But don't forget that great blues and rock have been performed by Hendrix / Clapton / Gallagher / SRV; all of which used Strats with single coil pickups. Also IIRC Jeff Beck's best album (Blow By Blow) was recorded using an old Tele.

[MattMoore]

Thanks again for the replies,
I've always had a hankering for a Les Paul, but assumed they would be out of my price range.
I've always preferred the real deal, instead of a lesser model, ie Squire or Epiphone, but it seems that
there are a number of Les Paul alike that really get a good rating.
The ones I've been looking into are Vintage and Burny.
Seems that an excellent new one can be picked up for £500, but I will try and go used.
I grew up listening to my Brothers music of Megadeath, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Guns N Roses.
Slash being my favorite guitarist of them all. Looks like I might be able to own a similar guitar