I Played (almost) Every Telecaster To Find The Best One

Check out the exact guitars that were used in today's vid HERE (affiliate):

Squier Sonic Telecaster

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster

Fender Player Telecaster

Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster

Custom Shop '52 Super Heavy Relic Telecaster

The Telecaster is arguably one of the best electric guitars ever made, but what's the best one from Fender's modern Tele line up? We're taking 5 Telecasters, from the cheapest to most expensive and putting them head to head. Thanks to Sweetwater for sponsoring today's video.

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[revchadbrooks]

One of the things this series has taught me is guitars, regardless of price, sound really similar. That fit and finish is what you really pay for.

[forrestoverin]

The Jason Isbell Tele is priced close to what the American Professional series Teles go for. I'd like to see those compared, head to head.

[shawnandrewusic]

I have been playing with a Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH for the last 9 years, different set, up but very happy with it!

[lanewishyoudtabitfortheles]

This is off topic, but I wanted to tell you that about 5 years ago.. I was just getting back into guitar after a life playing bass, ( a Rick that was already a borderline vintage, checkerboard trim) when I bought it in ‘77!!! But .. I jumped from guitar to bass cause we found a badass drummer from Atlanta…and I have never regretted it. Point is, you shared “ secret chord” years ago and I KNEW to get it recorded on SOMETHING that I DIDN’T have! Well, I did and I am glad., , it’s gorgeous. I have yet to find anyone who knows it, but it’s an attention getter! I still try to stay up on your show(s) thanks Rhett. Lane in Gainesville.💘

[russellhaley]

I played lots of telecaster models at Long and McQuade over a period of about 4 weeks and ended up buying a Player II. It's got the really nice neck like the Jason Isbell but it was right at the $1000 mark in Canada. Love it.

[DDWyss]

I have a client for whom I did some work on his Squire Sonic Telecaster, which he got from Sweetwater on a scratch & dent sale for $180. And I have to say, his guitar really impressed me with how it played and sounded for the money. Perhaps he got a bit lucky with a better fit and finish than what you got there, Rhett, or maybe you just got unlucky.
I love Telecasters, but for me the problem with Telecasters is that I love almost every other model of electric guitar more! My Telecaster is a 2003 Highway One to which I've done a fair bit of modification. Upgraded the saddles, pots, pickups (Texas Special Tele), and put in a 5-way super-switch to add a 'series', and a 'parallel out of phase' option to the switch configuration. I also reversed the control plate so I have closer access to the knobs rather than the switch. I've done quite a bit of fretwork on it, because out of the factory the frets were a bit rough, especially high up the neck. Even before I did any modification, to me it played and sounded better than other Highway Ones that I've played. All in all, it's a great playing, great sounding Tele!

[bruno_schumann]

I own a Player Tele and it's a dream. The neck is crazy comfortable if you ask me and it has a beautiful resonant one-pieced alder body. You can easily find one used and save some money. This is genuinely the only video I've seen where the Player Tele is pretty much dismissed. Colour me impressed.

[andrewbecker]

Excellent breakdown of some various price points for Fender/Squire traditional Telecasters. I bet after the nitro finished one you prefer relics itself, it'll get even better. It's the one to keep Rhett. Peace.

[powdershredder]

This intro was already cool and then you put the 80s boat footage in. Certified cool as hell 😎

[sharkman]

I have 4 Teles and 2 of them were covered here. First off, I have a Squier Sonic (Transparent Butterscotch) and right off the rack at Guitar Center, it is incredible; I think it is just the luck of the draw with some of these guitars. Mine was set-up very well, had smooth frets, plays & sounds great! I also have a Squier Classic Vibe (pine body, got it on sale at Sweetwater for a little over $400 shipped to my door, tax and all. Great guitar! I upgraded mine to compensated brass saddles and thats all. My 3rd is not covered here, it's a MIM Fender Thinline 1972 guitar with Fender embossed "wide range pickups", bullet truss rod, 3 bolt neck and micro tilt. The 4th is a higher end leather jacketed Waylon Jennings 50's Baja with the 4-way selector switch and the push button on the tone knob. My Waylon Tele is a bucket list guitar I have wanted since 1979 so it has a special place in my heart and in my collection but all 3 of the other ones are great as well and I see no problem with the Squier Sonic or the Classic are all you need if you don't have the resources for anything more. 🧡

[wiltysworld]

the perfect video, I've been looking for a tele recently

[Tomijee]

Classic vibe is the best out of these since you can easily setup it and change little things like pots and tuners. Pickups are great for the price.

[SoundMindFilms]

Your playing is inspiring and I Like the tune you intro this video with... Very humbling... where can I hear more of your music (Is it available for streaming or purchase...?)

[npk]

I own like 8 Fender Player guitars all purchased for $300~350. Love them all for the price and quality

[ThisMichaelBrown]

Fantastic review...i've always wanted a tele and I get de-railed with decision fatigue every time...sooo many choices....too many in my humble opinion....hee...this narrows down the search....I like your #3 and #1 choices. Thanks! ( I did buy a super cheap 200 bucker for a recording session out of town once, and had it shipped there....I got great sounds but it did feel a bit inexpensive....I left it at my friends) - pretty amazing deal for 200 bucks though

[matthewtyler-jones]

Been looking at telecasters. Looked at all these except the custom shop and the one I like best is the Jason Isbell. But it’s out of my budget. So I think I am going for an FGN Iliad, with the Classic Vibe a close second.

[Audioverdose-]

I always wanted a tele. And thanks to the price point and quality, the classic vibe does it for me. I did the unthinkable and upgraded to ceramic hot rails though n bridge

[kurtfroberg]

I got the MIM Deluxe Nashville Tele in 2001. Love it to this day.

[skullyferguson]

I’m on the I hate relic paint on guitars, I’m with you on exact same order but I do love the blend knob on the custom shop.

[christiandiaz]

Been a Gibson + Marshall + distortion all my life. I tried a tele with a fender amp and never looked back. I’ve been clean (no distortion) for 3 years now 😌