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Post by James on May 26, 2006 7:57:39 GMT -7
Anyone played THIS ONE or one like it.......I am in the market for my first tele...... I have been jonesing for a long time for one...........not sure what route to take.......custom boutique or some kind of fender...........I'd prefer to stay away from the Japanese models.......just my preference. Also, the custom shop stuff is pretty pricey........seems like if you are gonna spend that much money, you might has well get an Anderson or a Grosh...fret work and electronics will be right......right from the case. Anyway, this one has me all gassed up! www.asharpmusicco.com/electrics/electricpages/dgcg/groshvt1566.html
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Post by rcrecelius on May 26, 2006 11:14:08 GMT -7
That looks like a nice axe...a bit of a departure from the original tele body but still very cool. I dont know how much you're looking to spend but...I built my parts tele with all new parts for around $1000 and its the best tele Ive ever owned.
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Post by billyguitar on May 26, 2006 11:23:24 GMT -7
Grosh builds first class guitars.
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Post by propellr on May 26, 2006 11:55:16 GMT -7
I think it boils down to what you'd be more happy to play, what you'd be more happy to own, what you'd be more happy to have insured, what you'd be more happy to gig, and what you'd be more happy to say you play or own. Some guys, Fender, some guys, Grosh, some guys, parts tele with custom bells & whistles. It is, as you choose. You can't go wrong here unless you route the body for the pickups yourself! LOL!!
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Post by James on May 26, 2006 12:05:34 GMT -7
well, I wouldn't say $ is no object............but, around $2000 for a quality guitar is in the ball park. Ronnie, the parts tele route is the most appealing..........I just have not done the research on how to do it..( no reason I could't though!)......who is a good dealor of parts? Bodies, necks etc........
I always liked the look of the 52 reissue........but, whenever I try to play one , it feels like a gym floor.......heavy lacquer.......
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Post by rcrecelius on May 26, 2006 12:06:45 GMT -7
I think it boils down to what you'd be more happy to play, what you'd be more happy to own, what you'd be more happy to have insured, what you'd be more happy to gig, and what you'd be more happy to say you play or own. Thats it in a nutshell right there!
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Post by billyguitar on May 26, 2006 12:26:51 GMT -7
I have a '52 reissue and that finish is stupid thick. I think I'd rather have one of the Highway One Fender Teles that the finish wears right off. What I'd really like is a Tele that looks like Keef's but with all modern neck shape and stainless frets. That Aerodyne Fender Tele with the P90 at the neck is an appealing little guitar. I'd say when you get to the $2,000 plus guitar it's going to be good no matter who makes it, so long as you can order what you want. I have two Tom Anderson Teles and they are wonderful guitars. One has the standard neck profile, which I find to small, and I'm thinking of getting another neck for it for $500 with stainless frets too. Now I've read they have finally changed over to the top adjust truss rod. Mo betta!
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Post by rcrecelius on May 26, 2006 12:45:15 GMT -7
well, I wouldn't say $ is no object............but, around $2000 for a quality guitar is in the ball park. Ronnie, the parts tele route is the most appealing..........I just have not done the research on how to do it..( no reason I could't though!)......who is a good dealor of parts? Bodies, necks etc........ I always liked the look of the 52 reissue........but, whenever I try to play one , it feels like a gym floor.......heavy lacquer....... There are many reputable vendors for tele parts...just do a little research and decide on what you want...thats the most important part of building is knowing exactly what you want. So what did I want? I wanted vintage looks but, I also wanted a more modern fretboard radius and hotter pups that could do twang or grind. I wanted a fairly lightweight swamp ash bodied tele, a fat maple neck, good quality hardware and good versatile pickups. Heres my personal partstele parts list... Guitarmill swamp ash body(just under 4 lbs)and they finished it in nitro MK White for me Allparts TMNF-FAT tele neck Callaham hardware (I bought the complete package minus pups) Amalfitano Pickups Local Luthier to set it up...I put it together myself but he did the final nut/action/setup on it. So what would I do differently on my next build? Not much! I might try a Warmoth compound radius neck next time but everything else is exactly what I wanted for this guitar. If you want to avoid the heavy lacquer feel you might try a "gun oil" finish...thats probably what I'll do if I build another one.
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Post by James on May 26, 2006 13:08:46 GMT -7
thanks for the "recipe"...........I think its worth doing the parts tele...............Its something I have been sort of intimidated to to, but, I am really down on both fender and gibson quality these days......I feel like the entry level stuff are "toys" and the custom stuff, although it looks beautiful........its hit or miss .......and its really pricey.......$3000 plus!...........some of the other forum members parts tele's look amazing.................I have access to a luthier who refretted both of my relics.....a good guy who I totally trust....so I can make it happen............
USA cutom Guitars looks like a good outfit to work with........anyone ever worked with them?
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Post by billyguitar on May 26, 2006 13:19:56 GMT -7
I used to play with a drummer that bought a $50 Gretsch drum set at a garage sale. He sanded off the black paint and used gun oil finish, looked KILLER!
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Post by bks on May 26, 2006 13:58:39 GMT -7
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Post by James on May 26, 2006 15:02:27 GMT -7
Wow! If that guitar plays and sounds as nice as she looks..........you must be all grins!
If its not too personal a question...........what $ ball park did she run ya?
Thanks!
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Post by janinedoubly on May 27, 2006 18:07:30 GMT -7
I am biased, but I feel Grosh's Tele's and Strat's are some of the best guitars out there. Don is a stellar builder and downright cool guy. There is something about his guitars, they resonate something fierce!! Parts guitars can be cool, but to be honest, in my experience, it can become a bit of a crap shoot. Almost every "parts" guitar I've ever played, sounds and feels like...well, a parts guitar. And I'm talking about quality parts put together by quality shop guys. They're never "bad", but rarely "stellar". And when its all said and done, parts guitars with good parts, the boutique stuff, are not all that much cheaper in the end. There is something to be said in having a quality builder spec his own woods and parts, their own finish and put them together using the skills they've developed over many years. By purchasing a bunch of parts, no matter how nice they are, and handing them to a quality luthier, is like going to the supermarket and giving it all to Mario Batali and saying "make me the best meal you've ever made." He's already at a serious disadvantage. He never gets to select his raw materials. Ask any qualified luthier about the "parts" projects they've had to do over the years and the first reaction you'll get is a "sigh" and rolled eyes. That's not to say that the finished project doesn't turn out decent, but chances are, they have to make significant compromises along the way just to make it all work right. Plus, once its done, man you are stuck with it. If you like it, great, but if not, you'll never get ANY where near the amount you'll have put into it.
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Post by taswegian on May 27, 2006 18:19:44 GMT -7
I am biased, but I feel Grosh's Tele's and Strat's are some of the best guitars out there. Uh hummm! Lets not forget the venerable Grosh Set Neck! ;D
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Post by janinedoubly on May 27, 2006 18:40:35 GMT -7
Yes, the Set Neck is, very nice!! Especially when played in Australia!!
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Post by BW on May 28, 2006 5:38:17 GMT -7
My fave.
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Post by dei305 on May 28, 2006 7:17:56 GMT -7
I agree with janinedoubly. Choosing a Grosh or Anderson is a wonderful idea. I have a '99 Fender 52 RI. I bought it used about three years ago for $700.00. I changed the pups to Bill Lawrence L-280N and L-298TL, changed the pots to 500K CTS, sozo .047 tone cap, Silver Mica 100pf treble cap, changed to a 5 way switch (Neck, Neck/Bridge, Bridge, Neck/Bridge slightly out of phase-strat quack like tone), Neck with 10% less bass; had the neck radius changed to a 9.5, changed the frets to taller ones, and had the back of the neck shaved to fit my hand. I also changed the saddles to titanium. I have no regrets making this investment (close to an extra $600.00) in the RI as it sounds and plays killer. I played an Anderson tele and it was incredible. Never had the opportunity to play a Grosh. My vote is check out a Grosh or Anderson. All the best to you in your quest. Rick
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Post by Curt on May 28, 2006 16:14:28 GMT -7
+1 Tom Anderson, I have a hollow T with the Mseries pups, great player, does the Tele thang PLUS loves dirt and pulls off the long sustain Lesterish thang too..and QUIET.
Mine has his "largerV" profile and Large SS frets, effirtless to play. Would really like to fondle a Grosh as well, got the chance to pluck 'ol BW's red Lentz.......well they are contenders as well.
Don't rule out Fender, they still make some gems, just gotta play a few to find one, AND a select few dealers have '52 RI's and Strats with THIN nItro finishs !! Wilcutts I think and two more have 'em, I'd sure like to play a few of those.
Later, Curt
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Post by Curt on May 28, 2006 16:16:32 GMT -7
jus opened that link, NICE !
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Post by LeftyLang on May 28, 2006 20:52:12 GMT -7
Wow...I like that Grosh Tele...looks a lot like my Custom Tele.
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guitrr
New Member
guitslinger
Posts: 41
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Post by guitrr on May 29, 2006 14:45:21 GMT -7
Here's mine; the best damn Tele in town! Go Grosh! I have a Grosh strat and tele, and you really cannot go wrong with one of Don's instruments, he is an incredible craftsman. Kane
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Post by benttop (Steve) on May 29, 2006 16:15:37 GMT -7
I've played that Grosh at A Sharp. damn fine instrument. If I had the bucks, I'd buy it in a second. One thing Grosh does that most others do not do - polishes every fret end. They are SO smooth - to die for! Not sure what pups are in that one - oh, there it is: Lindy Fralin Vintage TT. Nice! You can't go wrong, and it looks even better than in the photos. By the way, here's my Grosh Tele:
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Post by taswegian on May 29, 2006 18:00:21 GMT -7
I've been tempted to get a butterscotch Grosh Tele with 'buckers for my "Andy Summers" tone!
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Post by LeftyLang on May 29, 2006 19:23:02 GMT -7
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Post by James on May 30, 2006 6:49:48 GMT -7
LeftyL...
Your the culprit........your dapne blue is the reason I started gassing for that finish!
Thats quite an endorsement Bentop....(Steve?) I cannot believe you actually played this guitar? Does it sound amazing even without an amp?
I used to be an anderson freak a while back when I got tired of paying top dollar for the whole reissue fender/gibson thing............I had a cobra which replaced my les paul, the drop top I still have and a custom order classic to replace the strat I had at the time............
What I ended up experiencing was that if you want a les paul.......get a les paul............if you want a strat.......get a strat........because the cobra didn't quite do it and much to my dissappointment, the custom order classic sounded kinda lifeless..........flat. Maybe it was me........I know that the anderson guys don't let 'em loose if they are not players............but, I never fell in love with that axe. Crused me cuz I waited 8 months or so for it. Oddly enough, I love my 2 relics way more than that Anderson strat.......they totally have the mojo, great pickups and super nice worn in finishes..........
Anyway............I am kinda worried that the same thing will happen if I get a boutique substite for a tele.................I want the boutique quality, resonance, playability..........but, ultimately I want it because its replacing a fender tele........
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Post by benttop (Steve) on May 30, 2006 7:03:56 GMT -7
LeftyL... Your the culprit........your dapne blue is the reason I started gassing for that finish! Thats quite an endorsement Bentop....(Steve?) I cannot believe you actually played this guitar? Does it sound amazing even without an amp? I used to be an anderson freak a while back when I got tired of paying top dollar for the whole reissue fender/gibson thing............I had a cobra which replaced my les paul, the drop top I still have and a custom order classic to replace the strat I had at the time............ What I ended up experiencing was that if you want a les paul.......get a les paul............if you want a strat.......get a strat........because the cobra didn't quite do it and much to my dissappointment, the custom order classic sounded kinda lifeless..........flat. Maybe it was me........I know that the anderson guys don't let 'em loose if they are not players............but, I never fell in love with that axe. Crused me cuz I waited 8 months or so for it. Oddly enough, I love my 2 relics way more than that Anderson strat.......they totally have the mojo, great pickups and super nice worn in finishes.......... Anyway............I am kinda worried that the same thing will happen if I get a boutique substite for a tele.................I want the boutique quality, resonance, playability..........but, ultimately I want it because its replacing a fender tele........ I don't recall what kind of acoustic output it has, but that guitar is alder as mine is, and mine has amazing acoustic output. I'm going to be out and about today - I'll stop in and play it again and give you an updated report. I'm pretty sure that baby is amazing, but shoot, we can go for updated info, can't we?
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Post by taswegian on May 30, 2006 7:06:41 GMT -7
Hey Bentop, have a fang on that sunburst Grosh Set Neck while your at it!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on May 30, 2006 7:15:49 GMT -7
Hey Bentop, have a fang on that sunburst Grosh Set Neck while your at it! I'm afraid to touch that thing! You know what will happen if I do... I already have a great Grosh Tele, so the danger is decreased if I touch one of those. ;D
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Post by James on May 30, 2006 7:18:14 GMT -7
Bentop, that would be awesome...........I look forward to your close analysis!
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Post by bks on May 30, 2006 11:12:57 GMT -7
Wow! If that guitar plays and sounds as nice as she looks..........you must be all grins! If its not too personal a question...........what $ ball park did she run ya? Thanks! Is this for me? Seems like it, but I've been accused of thinking (erroneously) that everything's about me, so... That Tele of mine does indeed play and sound as nice as she looks. Indeed, she has converted a couple of friends heretofore strangers to the wonders of a fine Telecaster. And I am all grins. Not too personal a question for me (if indeed it is for me). I think total damage was something like $12~1300. The biggest single expense was the finish, I think. Spent a bit more than I needed to for the birdseye maple, and the pau ferro and the clay dots bumped up the price a bit. On the other hand, the body was one of the USA Custom "Web Specials", so that saved me a bit, too. Hope that helps. Brian
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