Telecaster Buying Guide

A Brief History of the Telecaster

In 1951 the Telecaster was introduced to the world by Leo Fender, a Southern California inventor and businessman. Now a legendary instrument available in dozens of variations, the iconic “Tele” became the world’s first successfully mass-produced solid body electric guitar.
Fender's Esquire guitar was the first prototype for the Telecaster

A comprehensive buyer’s guide to all Fender and Squier Telecaster series electric guitars.

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Table of Contents

A Brief History of the Telecaster
Tele Players: a Who’s Who of Guitar Wizardry
Basic Telecaster Features
Squier Telecasters
Fender Telecasters
USA Made Telecaster Guitars
Fender Custom Shop
So, Which Telecaster is Right for You?

A Brief History of the Telecaster

In 1951 the Telecaster was introduced to the world by Leo Fender, a Southern California inventor and businessman. Now a legendary instrument available in dozens of variations, the iconic “Tele” became the world’s first successfully mass-produced solid body electric guitar.
Fender's Esquire guitar was the first prototype for the Telecaster and was produced in limited numbers. It was introduced in 1950 and renamed the Broadcaster shortly after. To avoid confusion and trademark issues with Gretsch Broadkaster drums, the guitar was renamed as the Telecaster. The Esquire was brought back as a single-pickup version of the Telecaster in 1951.
The Telecaster’s simple, straightforward design along with its versatility and playability have led to its longevity. It features a single cutaway body and two single-coil pickups that produce the Tele’s bright and twangy trademark tone. The headstock has six single-side tuners, and the original design featured three innovative barrel-shaped bridge saddles that allowed guitarists to adjust the string height for better playability.
Fender incorporated production techniques no other guitar builder had used previously. Bodies were built using solid pieces of wood, referred to as blanks, and cavities for the electronics were made using a router. Prior to this, guitar bodies were hand-carved. The cavities offered easy access for repair or replacement of the electronics.

The Fender American Standard Tele cosmetically resembles its forerunner, but has a modern “C”-shaped neck plus Twisted Tele and Broadcaster pickups for improved playability and tone.

Fender didn’t use a traditional set neck. Instead, he routed a pocket into the body and bolted the neck into it, making production faster and easier. This innovation also allowed the neck to be quickly removed, adjusted, or entirely replaced. The original Telecaster neck was shaped using a single piece of maple without a separate fingerboard—another technique used to produce the instrument faster and more simply. Some luthiers, accustomed to using rosewood or ebony fingerboards that were glued onto the neck, found Fender’s methods highly unorthodox. Nonetheless, these revolutionary techniques resulted in an affordable, versatile, and highly playable instrument.
The Telecaster's popularity helped pave the way for the many other solid body electric guitar models that followed from other manufacturers—some of them thinly disguised knockoffs of the original Tele. Through it all, the Tele, in one form or another, has remained in constant production since its inception, and remains a workhorse for countless guitarists.
With the many Telecaster models available today, it may seem difficult to know which one’s best for you. This guide will give you the information you need to help pick the right Telecaster for your music and budget.

Tele Players: a Who’s Who of Guitar Wizardry

Throughout its history, the Telecaster has turned up in the hands of countless players in every modern music genre, ranging from rock to jazz to country to pop and everywhere in between. Along the way, Fender has made many signature-model Telecasters incorporating the specs of legendary players. Arguably, no other guitar has enjoyed such diverse and widespread popularity among so many guitarists representing so many different styles.
One testament to its popularity and influence is the number of legendary guitarists whose nicknames reference the Tele. These include “King of the Tele” Roy Buchanan, “Telemaster” Danny Gatton, and “Mr. Telecaster” Albert Lee.

Just a few famous Telecaster players from a range of musical genres:

• Rock - Joe Strummer, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, John 5, Jim Root
• Pop - Jeff Buckley, Prince, Andy Summers, James Burton, George Harrison
• Blues - Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, Mike Bloomfield, Roy Buchanan
• Country - Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Clarence White
• Psychedelic Rock - Jeff Beck, Syd Barrett, Zoot Horn Rollo
• Jazz - Jimmy Bryant, Mike Stern, Howard Roberts, Barney Kessel
• Soul - Steve Cropper, Freddie Stone

Basic Telecaster Features

Although Telecaster come with a lot of model-specific variations, there are some general characteristics to be found on most Telecasters.

• Solid body - usually ash or alder
• Bolt-on neck - made of maple
• Maple or rosewood fretboards (maple is more common)
• Nitrocellulose lacquer (vintage Teles), polyurethane or polyester finish (modern Teles)
• 2 single-coil pickups (one in the bridge position and one in the neck position)
• 3-position pickup switch
• Master tone and volume controls
• 21 or 22 frets
• 25.5" scale length
• 7 1/2" fretboard radius (vintage Teles), 9 1/2" fretboard radius (modern Teles)

To learn what these specs and features mean, check out our Electric Guitar Buying Guide.
With so many different Telecaster models to choose from today, many of these typical specs will vary on a model-specific basis. For the most part, differences among Telecaster models and families usually involve the pickups, electronics, hardware, and finishes. With this guide, we’ll walk you through those variations.
Keep reading for a complete rundown on all the currently available Telecaster models from Fender and its Squier division.

Squier Telecasters

Squier is a division of Fender and its Telecasters are based on Fender models, sharing many of the same design features at super-affordable prices. In the company's own words, Squier is the “value brand alternative to its big brother, Fender.” Squier Teles are largely made in Asia.

Squier Affinity Series

The Affinity Telecasters target cash-strapped players looking for traditional Telecaster vibe coupled with value pricing and good playability.

• Solid alder body; thinner 1-1/2" depth
• Maple C-shaped neck
• Maple or rosewood fingerboard depending on finish color
• Polyurethane finish (body and neck)
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• 2 single-coil pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switching
• 6-saddle top-load bridge
• Standard die-cast tuners
• Chrome hardware
• 1-ply white pickguard
• Made in China

The Squier Affinity Tele in Arctic White combines cool cosmetics with a super-easy price.

Squier also offers the Affinity Telecaster as part of an economical guitar pack that includes an amp, gig bag, tuner, instructional DVD, and cable. It’s a great value for new players, giving them everything they need to begin playing the guitar.

Squier Standard Series

A step up from the Affinity series, the Squier Standard Telecaster offers the feel and comfort of a Fender Standard at an affordable price. It has a fast-action neck based on ‘60-era Telecasters plus upgraded hardware and electronics throughout. And it delivers the same bright single-coil twang that made the Tele an icon in the first place.

• Solid Agathis body; 1-3/4" depth like most Fender models
• Maple C-shaped neck with rosewood fretboard
• Polyurethane finish (body and neck)
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 22 medium jumbo frets
• 2 Alnico magnet single-coil pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switching
• 6-saddle top-load bridge
• Standard die-cast tuners
• Chrome hardware
• 3-ply parchment or 4-ply tortoiseshell pickguard
• Made in China or Indonesia

The Squier Standard Tele in Vintage Blonde recalls ‘50s-era models.

Squier Classic Vibe Series

Squier’s Classic Vibe series Telecasters are based on traditional Fender models, but each incorporates modern touches, making it a unique instrument in the Fender/Squier product lineup.

The 3-tone sunburst finish and Alnico V single coils on the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Custom offer a mellow look with sonic punch.

Squier Vintage Modified Series

As long as there have been Teles, guitarist have customized them with hotter pickups, personalized paint jobs, non-standard pickguards—you name it. Similar in spirit to the Classic Vibe series, the Vintage Modified Tele delivers hotter tone and chop-shop looks without the customized price tag.

• Body woods vary with model (polyurethane finish)
• Mostly maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• 9.5" fingerboard radius
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• Pickup types—vary with specific model
• 5-position blade pickup switching
• Vintage 6-saddle bridge
• Standard die-cast tuners
• Hardware varies with model
• Pickguard varies with model
• Made in China or Indonesia

Squier teams a throaty Fender Wide Range neck humbucker with a bright, chimey Duncan-Designed single-coil bridge pup for the best of both worlds in the Squier Vintage Modified Custom Tele.

 

Fender Telecasters

Fender Telecasters have proved to be one of the most versatile and venerable electric guitars ever, having been in continuous production in one form or another since their debut in 1951. Fender Telecasters are favored by country and rock musicians, and are not uncommon among jazz and blues artists.

Standard Series

Standard Telecasters are the most affordable versions within the Fender family lineup. Introduced in 1987, they deliver all the versatility, reliability, and playability of the original Tele at budget-friendly prices.

• Alder body
• Polyester finish
• Modern C-shaped maple neck
• Satin polyurethane neck finish
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• Maple fingerboard
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 2 Hot Standard Tele single-coil pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switching
• 6-saddle string-through-body bridge
• Chrome hardware
• Fender Ping standard cast/sealed tuning machines
• 3-ply pickguard
• Made in Mexico

The Fender Standard Telecaster has all the time-honored Tele features and is available in a wide color assortment.

Modern Player Series

These eminently affordable Modern Players Telecasters are aimed at entry-level players, but far exceed the usual standards of such guitars. While they offer all the playability and reliability of other Teles, they also incorporate modern touches while keeping the price in reach of the newbie. They are hand-crafted to Fender’s specifications in Asia.

The HSS pickup array with 5-way plus coil-split switching makes the Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus decidedly different from your daddy’s Tele.

 

Deluxe Series

Deluxe Telecasters retain the look and feel of the original Tele design, but pack extra punch thanks to special pickups electronics and switching. Deluxe instruments are fitted with modern C-shaped neck profiles for added playing comfort.

• Alder or ash body with polyester finish
• Maple, modern C-shaped neck with satin polyurethane finish
• 9.5" radius maple or rosewood fretboard
• 21 medium-jumbo frets
• 25.5" scale length
• Tex-Mex single-coil pickups
• 5-position blade pickup switch with Strat-O-Tone
• Vintage 6-saddle string-through-body bridge
• Fender Ping vintage-style tuning machines
• Chrome hardware
• Made in Mexico

The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster has a Tex-Mex Strat pickup sandwiched between a pair of Tex-Mex single-coils. 5-way switching further ups the tonal ante.

Classic Series

Made in Fender's Ensenada, Baja California facility with collaboration from Fender's highly regarded Master Builders, the Classic Series Telecaster offers Custom Shop features and vibe at a more affordable price. Classic models are based on vintage models from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Here are some the most popular models in the bestselling Classic Tele lineup:

Classic '50s Telecaster

A faithful reproduction of some of the Telecaster's first years in production.

• Ash body (polyester finish)
• 1-piece maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Maple 7.25" radius fretboard
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 2 vintage-style single-coil alnico magnet pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switch
• Vintage 3-saddle strings-through-body bridge
• Knurled chrome knobs
• '50s Custom Colors

The Fender Classic Series ‘50s Tele is a note-for-note re-creation at a fraction of the price that an original would set you back.

Classic '60s Telecaster

True to the ‘60s era Tele, these guitars feature rosewood fretboards for added warmth and sustain.

• Alder body (polyester finish)Maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Rosewood 7.25" radius fretboard (gloss polyurethane finish)
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 2 single-coil alnico magnet pickups with aged covers
• 3-saddle strings-through-body bridge
• Fender Ping vintage-style tuners
• Chrome hardware
• "Top Hat" switch tip

From the 3-ply pickguard to rosewood fretboard, the Fender Classic ‘60s Tele captures its forerunners’ cosmetics and playability to perfection.

Classic '72 Telecaster Thinline

The 72 Thinline Teles offer a unique departure from the standard Tele configuration. A semi-hollow body serves up a vibrant bluesy voice, while a pair of humbuckers packs a punch sure to please even the pickiest tone freak.

• Semi-hollow ash body (polyester finish)
• 1-piece maple U-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Maple 7.25" radius fretboard
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 2 Fender Wide Range Humbucking pickups
• Vintage-style Strat string-thru-body hardtail bridge

With its semi-hollowbody, dual humbuckers, and distinctive f-hole, the ‘72 Fender Telecaster Thinline was a radical departure captured perfectly by the Classic Series reincarnation.

Classic '72 Telecaster Custom

This unique Telecaster offers a humbucker in the neck pickup for rich warmth, while delivering classic Tele twang via the single-coil bridge pickup.

• Alder body (polyester finish)
• Lightly-tinted, maple U-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Rosewood or maple 7.25" radius fretboard
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 1 Fender Wide Range Humbucking pickup (neck)
• 1 Tele single-coil pickup (bridge)
• 3-position toggle switch
• Vintage-style string-thru-body Tele bridge
• Chrome hardware
• "Top Hat" knobs

The Fender Classic Series ‘72 Tele Custom replicates the original’s humbucker in the neck and traditional single coil in the bridge for tonal versatility.

Classic '72 Telecaster Deluxe

A solid-body sister to the Thinline Telecaster, the ‘72 Deluxe features dual humbuckers that churn out thicker tone to satisfy modern-rock players.

• Alder body (polyester finish)
• 1-piece maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Maple 12" radius fretboard
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• 2 Fender Wide Range Humbucking pickups
• 2 volume, 2 tone controls
• 3-position toggle switch
• Vintage-style Strat string-thru-body hardtail bridge
• '70s large Stratocaster headstock

As with the original, the Strat headstock and alnico humbuckers in the Classic Series reproduction of the ‘72 Telecaster Deluxe give it visual and sonic distinction.

Classic Player Baja Telecaster

Based on a ‘50s Telecaster, it features Custom Shop pups and wiring for a wider range of tonal options at a gentle price.

• Ash body
• 1-piece maple soft V-shaped neck
• Maple 9.5" radius fretboard
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• 1 Custom Shop "Twisted" Tele single-coil pickup (neck)
• 1 Custom Shop Broadcaster single-coil (bridge)
• 4-position blade switch with 2-position push-push S-1 switching (8 pickup settings in all)
• 3-saddle string-thru-body Tele bridge
• Gotoh Vintage locking tuners
• "Custom Shop Designed" neck plate

Custom Shop pickups and 8-way pickup selection delivers a ton of tonal options in the Classic Player Baja Telecaster.

FSR Standard Ash Telecaster

“FSR” stands for Factory Special Run, and Fender produces a variety of Telecasters as a part of this series. They are created in limited runs in Fender’s U.S., Mexican, and Asian plants in a variety of price ranges. While each FSR model retains core Telecaster attributes, it will have distinct features setting it apart from any other. If you’re looking for a Tele with characteristics all its own and available in strictly limited quantities, an “FSR” model may make sense for you.
The FSR Standard Ash Tele is a perfect case in point with its retro butterscotch blonde finish contrasting against a black parchment pickguard.

• Ash body
• Maple Fretboard with 9.5" radius
• 1-piece Maple, Modern "C" Shape (Tinted Satin Urethane Finish)
• 21 Medium Jumbo Frets
• 2 Hot Standard Tele Single-Coil Pickups
• 3-Position blade switch
• 3-saddle brass string-thru-body Tele bridge
• Chrome hardware

The retro finish and modest price tag of the FSR Standard Ash Tele will appeal to any Fender fan on a strict budget.

Road Worn Series

Fender gives a selection of 1950s and ‘60s instruments distressed treatments to conjure up the appearance of road-hardened guitars in creating the Road Worn Series. They evidence the wear and tear of countless gigs, including worn finishes, rusted hardware, and aged parts. While offering the vibe of veteran axes, they incorporate modern features and lighter overall wear than other Fender distressed treatments.

The Road Worn ‘50s Telecaster has the look of a battle-scarred veteran updated with Tex-Mex pickups and 6105 frets.

USA Professional Series

This dealer-exclusive series created expressly for us by Fender combines great value with a unique feature set not found anywhere else in the company’s product lineup.

• Alder body
• Custom-wound pickups
• HS pickup configuration with coil split on humbucker
• 9.5" radius fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets
• Smooth-playing satin finished neck
• Deluxe gig bag

The hand-built Fender USA Professional Standard Telecaster HS is armed with overwound pickups for today’s more intense guitar tone.

USA-Made Telecaster Guitars

Built in Fender's Corona, California plant, USA Telecasters set the standard for quality, tone, and playability. Made with premium tonewoods (usually alder or ash), Custom Shop pickups, and master craftsmanship, the USA Tele is a legendary electric guitar built to please the most demanding players.

American Standard Series

The American Standard Telecaster is the tried and true workhorse of seasoned pros and discerning weekend warrior alike. In its newest form. the American Standard Telecaster has more comfortable body contours and Custom Shop pickups that deliver trademark tone that rings more fully than ever.

• Comfortable contour body
• Fender Custom Shop Twisted Tele (neck) and Broadcaster (bridge) pickups
• Deluxe hardware
• Solid alder body (black, 3-color sunburst, candy cola, and blizzard pearl) or ash body (2-tone sunburst, natural, crimson red transparent)
• Modern C-shaped maple neck with rich, deep neck tint, glossed neck fretboard with satin back and rolled edges
• Delta-tone no-load circuit
• Highly finished frets
• Detailed nut work
• Bent steel Fender saddles
• American Standard Tele Bridge Plate (steel saddles and brass plate) for improved resonance
• Thinner undercoat for improved body resonance
• Rosewood or maple fretboard
• Staggered machine heads
• Includes Fender-exclusive SKB molded case

The Fender American Standard Telecaster improves on its ‘50s forerunner with a more comfortable body shape plus Custom Shop pups and a no-load Delta-tone circuit for perfected twang.

American Deluxe Series

At the American Deluxe series level, the traditional Tele gets a host of modern refinements. These include a compound-radius fretboard for more comfortable fretting, N3 noiseless pickups for hum-free, sparkling tone, and S-1 switching that give you an expanded tonal palette.

• Premium alder body with tortoise shell top binding
• Modern C-shaped maple neck
• Contoured back
• Maple or rosewood fingerboard
• Satin polyurethane neck finish
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 22 medium jumbo frets
• 2 Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Tele pickups
• S-1 switching system
• Master no-load tone control
• American Tele bridge with 6 chromed brass saddles
• Abalone inlays
• Highly detailed fret and nut work
• Included accessories: Molded SKB case, cable, strap, strap locks

A tweaked compound-radius fingerboard, versatile S1 switching and awesomely noiseless N3 pickups give the Fender American Deluxe Tele the performance and tone pros demand.

 

American Elite Series

The new for 2016 Fender Elite Series electric guitars are armed with the latest 4th Generation Noiseless pickups that pair up convincingly with high-gain amps and music styles. The American Elite Series Tele also sports a modern, compound-radius fretboard as well as compound-profile neck that merges the best of C and D profiles for one amazingly comfortable Telecaster.

With a newly designed compound-profile neck and high-output 4th-generation Noiseless pickups, the American Elite Telecaster the performance and tone pros demand.

American Vintage Series

In creating this series, Fender’s luthiers gathered a collection of vintage Teles which they painstakingly dissected in order to document original construction details. In order to then create meticulous reproductions, they restored original ‘50s tooling, and built new tools where necessary to produce period-authentic parts. The series includes period-correct versions of ‘52, ‘58, and ‘64 Telecasters.

• Premium ash ('52, ‘58 ) or alder body with bound top and back ('64)
• U-shaped ('52) D-shaped (‘58) or C-shaped ('64)
• Maple ('52, ‘58) or rosewood ('64) neck
• Nitrocellulose lacquer body/neck finish
• 7.25" fretboard radius
• 21 vintage-style frets
• Vintage body radius
• Vintage pickups and 3-position pickup switching: Position 2—neck pickup with tone control (bright vintage circuit), Position 3—neck pickup with no tone control (dark vintage circuit)
• Original vintage-style Tele bridge with 3 brass saddles and ash tray bridge cover
• Capacitor and wiring diagram for updating to modern switching circuit
• Vintage hardware
• Vintage tweed hardshell case
• Comes with ashtray bridge cover, wiring kit for conversion to modern switching, vintage leather strap, cable, polishing cloth

This meticulously re-created Fender American Vintage ‘52 Tele in Butterscotch Blonde will get the traditionalist Fender aficionado’s heart racing.

 

American Special Series

Though they’re built in the U.S., American Special models have budget-friendly pricing more typical of imports. They offer a mix of traditional and modern tones for maximum musical flexibility, and make a great choice for the weekend warrior who’s called upon to play in a variety of music genres. The American Special Tele combines great value with winning features:

• Contoured alder body in a gloss finish
• Modern C-shaped maple neck with 22 jumbo frets
• Texas Special Tele pickups produce midrange chirp, crystal highs, and tight bass
• Vintage-style Tele bridge with three brass saddles
• Includes gig bag

Texas Special pups give the Fender American Special Telecaster more of what you love about Tele tone.

Artist Series

Artist Series Telecasters are designed in collaboration with the artists who play and endorse them. They have historically included models that replicate the axes wielded by such artists as James Burton, Muddy Waters, G.E. Smith, John 5, and Jim Root. The artist signature appears on the guitar and it usually includes unique specs that help serve up the artist's special tone recipe. Made in USA, Japan, or Mexico.

Unique Strat-o-Tele switching and a host of other tweaks specified by the revered Nashville sideman make the James Burton Artist Series Tele a fitting tribute.

Fender Custom Shop

Custom Shop instruments are simply the finest models crafted by Fender. Each one-of-a-kind guitar is hand-built by a master luthier, using the highest quality woods and components obtainable. To see our complete current selection of Fender Custom Shop Telecasters and other Fender instruments, visit our Private Reserve Collection.

Custom Artist Signature

A guitar created with the input or specifications of a famous artist is called a Signature model. The Fender Custom Shop has produced a number of Signature Telecaster guitars in its Custom Artist series that are handcrafted to the exacting personal preferences of famous Tele players such as Merle Haggard.

Custom Deluxe

The hallmark of Custom Deluxe Telecasters is the use of unusual and exotic woods, breathtaking inlay work, unique hardware, and distinctive electronics. The series is seen as a blank canvas on which to apply the highest levels of luthier artistry.

Custom Pro

Fender views this series as its “testing ground,”—a place to develop new features and rethink the application of old ones in new ways. Whether its a newly designed pickup, electronics, bridge, or special combination of woods, such developments are likely to show up in a Pro Series Telecaster first.

Master Built

Fender’s most elite luthiers—designated as Master Builders—are given free rein in creating these lavish instruments. They personally select each element from the wood to the electronics to the finish of these guitars that proudly bear the builder’s name. Utterly unique and of investment-grade quality, a Master Built Telecaster is an instrument to be treasured and passed down through the generations.

Time Machine

Telecasters that are part of the Time Machine series are built using the same tools and techniques that were employed in creating the originals. The Fender Custom Shop then applies unique “relic” treatments on these replicated instruments, giving them the appearance of lovingly preserved guitars that are many decades old.
A Custom Shop model may be available in one of three variations, or treatments:
New Old Stock (NOS)
As if the guitar was discovered in a warehouse after many years, never played, and showing no signs of age or wear.
Closet Classic
Built to resemble a guitar that has been hidden away for years in a closet. Slightly worn and yellowed from age, the finish has minor checks and cracks.
Relic
Shows natural wear and tear from years of heavy use—nicks, scratches, worn finish, rusty hardware, and aged plastic parts.

So, Which Telecaster is Right for You?

As you can see in this guide, the Telecaster is available in many variations and price levels, with varied features to provide a broad range of options for the Tele enthusiast. Pick the Telecaster that suits your budget and your style. Maybe you don't want to spend a lot, but you want your Tele to have the look and feel of a timeless guitar. Consider the Classic Vibe. Perhaps you want to invest in a true piece of art—not justsomething to play, but a stunning addition to your collection. Consider a Masterbuilt Tele. Or as a working pro you need a Tele that you can play night after night, show after show—a true workhorse. The American Standard Telecaster won't let you down.
We want you to be pleased with your Telecaster purchase, and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and generous return policy so you can order your new Tele with complete confidence.
After reading this guide, if you’re still not sure which Telecaster is right for you, we invite you call to one of our friendly and knowledgeable Gear Heads at (877) 880-5907.
and was produced in limited numbers. It was introduced in 1950 and renamed the Broadcaster shortly after. To avoid confusion and trademark issues with Gretsch Broadkaster drums, the guitar was renamed as the Telecaster. The Esquire was brought back as a single-pickup version of the Telecaster in 1951.
The Telecaster’s simple, straightforward design along with its versatility and playability have led to its longevity. It features a single cutaway body and two single-coil pickups that produce the Tele’s bright and twangy trademark tone. The headstock has six single-side tuners, and the original design featured three innovative barrel-shaped bridge saddles that allowed guitarists to adjust the string height for better playability.
Fender incorporated production techniques no other guitar builder had used previously. Bodies were built using solid pieces of wood, referred to as blanks, and cavities for the electronics were made using a router. Prior to this, guitar bodies were hand-carved. The cavities offered easy access for repair or replacement of the electronics.

The Fender American Standard Tele cosmetically resembles its forerunner, but has a modern “C”-shaped neck plus Twisted Tele and Broadcaster pickups for improved playability and tone.

Fender didn’t use a traditional set neck. Instead, he routed a pocket into the body and bolted the neck into it, making production faster and easier. This innovation also allowed the neck to be quickly removed, adjusted, or entirely replaced. The original Telecaster neck was shaped using a single piece of maple without a separate fingerboard—another technique used to produce the instrument faster and more simply. Some luthiers, accustomed to using rosewood or ebony fingerboards that were glued onto the neck, found Fender’s methods highly unorthodox. Nonetheless, these revolutionary techniques resulted in an affordable, versatile, and highly playable instrument.
The Telecaster's popularity helped pave the way for the many other solid body electric guitar models that followed from other manufacturers—some of them thinly disguised knockoffs of the original Tele. Through it all, the Tele, in one form or another, has remained in constant production since its inception, and remains a workhorse for countless guitarists.
With the many Telecaster models available today, it may seem difficult to know which one’s best for you. This guide will give you the information you need to help pick the right Telecaster for your music and budget.

Tele Players: a Who’s Who of Guitar Wizardry

Throughout its history, the Telecaster has turned up in the hands of countless players in every modern music genre, ranging from rock to jazz to country to pop and everywhere in between. Along the way, Fender has made many signature-model Telecasters incorporating the specs of legendary players. Arguably, no other guitar has enjoyed such diverse and widespread popularity among so many guitarists representing so many different styles.
One testament to its popularity and influence is the number of legendary guitarists whose nicknames reference the Tele. These include “King of the Tele” Roy Buchanan, “Telemaster” Danny Gatton, and “Mr. Telecaster” Albert Lee.

Just a few famous Telecaster players from a range of musical genres:

• Rock - Joe Strummer, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, John 5, Jim Root
• Pop - Jeff Buckley, Prince, Andy Summers, James Burton, George Harrison
• Blues - Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, Mike Bloomfield, Roy Buchanan
• Country - Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Clarence White
• Psychedelic Rock - Jeff Beck, Syd Barrett, Zoot Horn Rollo
• Jazz - Jimmy Bryant, Mike Stern, Howard Roberts, Barney Kessel
• Soul - Steve Cropper, Freddie Stone

Basic Telecaster Features

Although Telecaster come with a lot of model-specific variations, there are some general characteristics to be found on most Telecasters.

• Solid body - usually ash or alder
• Bolt-on neck - made of maple
• Maple or rosewood fretboards (maple is more common)
• Nitrocellulose lacquer (vintage Teles), polyurethane or polyester finish (modern Teles)
• 2 single-coil pickups (one in the bridge position and one in the neck position)
• 3-position pickup switch
• Master tone and volume controls
• 21 or 22 frets
• 25.5" scale length
• 7 1/2" fretboard radius (vintage Teles), 9 1/2" fretboard radius (modern Teles)

To learn what these specs and features mean, check out our Electric Guitar Buying Guide.
With so many different Telecaster models to choose from today, many of these typical specs will vary on a model-specific basis. For the most part, differences among Telecaster models and families usually involve the pickups, electronics, hardware, and finishes. With this guide, we’ll walk you through those variations.
Keep reading for a complete rundown on all the currently available Telecaster models from Fender and its Squier division.

Squier Telecasters

Squier is a division of Fender and its Telecasters are based on Fender models, sharing many of the same design features at super-affordable prices. In the company's own words, Squier is the “value brand alternative to its big brother, Fender.” Squier Teles are largely made in Asia.

Squier Affinity Series

The Affinity Telecasters target cash-strapped players looking for traditional Telecaster vibe coupled with value pricing and good playability.

• Solid alder body; thinner 1-1/2" depth
• Maple C-shaped neck
• Maple or rosewood fingerboard depending on finish color
• Polyurethane finish (body and neck)
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• 2 single-coil pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switching
• 6-saddle top-load bridge
• Standard die-cast tuners
• Chrome hardware
• 1-ply white pickguard
• Made in China

The Squier Affinity Tele in Arctic White combines cool cosmetics with a super-easy price.

Squier also offers the Affinity Telecaster as part of an economical guitar pack that includes an amp, gig bag, tuner, instructional DVD, and cable. It’s a great value for new players, giving them everything they need to begin playing the guitar.

Squier Standard Series

A step up from the Affinity series, the Squier Standard Telecaster offers the feel and comfort of a Fender Standard at an affordable price. It has a fast-action neck based on ‘60-era Telecasters plus upgraded hardware and electronics throughout. And it delivers the same bright single-coil twang that made the Tele an icon in the first place.

• Solid Agathis body; 1-3/4" depth like most Fender models
• Maple C-shaped neck with rosewood fretboard
• Polyurethane finish (body and neck)
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 22 medium jumbo frets
• 2 Alnico magnet single-coil pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switching
• 6-saddle top-load bridge
• Standard die-cast tuners
• Chrome hardware
• 3-ply parchment or 4-ply tortoiseshell pickguard
• Made in China or Indonesia

The Squier Standard Tele in Vintage Blonde recalls ‘50s-era models.

Squier Classic Vibe Series

Squier’s Classic Vibe series Telecasters are based on traditional Fender models, but each incorporates modern touches, making it a unique instrument in the Fender/Squier product lineup.

The 3-tone sunburst finish and Alnico V single coils on the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Custom offer a mellow look with sonic punch.

Squier Vintage Modified Series

As long as there have been Teles, guitarist have customized them with hotter pickups, personalized paint jobs, non-standard pickguards—you name it. Similar in spirit to the Classic Vibe series, the Vintage Modified Tele delivers hotter tone and chop-shop looks without the customized price tag.

• Body woods vary with model (polyurethane finish)
• Mostly maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• 9.5" fingerboard radius
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• Pickup types—vary with specific model
• 5-position blade pickup switching
• Vintage 6-saddle bridge
• Standard die-cast tuners
• Hardware varies with model
• Pickguard varies with model
• Made in China or Indonesia

Squier teams a throaty Fender Wide Range neck humbucker with a bright, chimey Duncan-Designed single-coil bridge pup for the best of both worlds in the Squier Vintage Modified Custom Tele.

 

Fender Telecasters

Fender Telecasters have proved to be one of the most versatile and venerable electric guitars ever, having been in continuous production in one form or another since their debut in 1951. Fender Telecasters are favored by country and rock musicians, and are not uncommon among jazz and blues artists.

Standard Series

Standard Telecasters are the most affordable versions within the Fender family lineup. Introduced in 1987, they deliver all the versatility, reliability, and playability of the original Tele at budget-friendly prices.

• Alder body
• Polyester finish
• Modern C-shaped maple neck
• Satin polyurethane neck finish
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• Maple fingerboard
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 2 Hot Standard Tele single-coil pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switching
• 6-saddle string-through-body bridge
• Chrome hardware
• Fender Ping standard cast/sealed tuning machines
• 3-ply pickguard
• Made in Mexico

The Fender Standard Telecaster has all the time-honored Tele features and is available in a wide color assortment.

Modern Player Series

These eminently affordable Modern Players Telecasters are aimed at entry-level players, but far exceed the usual standards of such guitars. While they offer all the playability and reliability of other Teles, they also incorporate modern touches while keeping the price in reach of the newbie. They are hand-crafted to Fender’s specifications in Asia.

The HSS pickup array with 5-way plus coil-split switching makes the Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus decidedly different from your daddy’s Tele.

 

Deluxe Series

Deluxe Telecasters retain the look and feel of the original Tele design, but pack extra punch thanks to special pickups electronics and switching. Deluxe instruments are fitted with modern C-shaped neck profiles for added playing comfort.

• Alder or ash body with polyester finish
• Maple, modern C-shaped neck with satin polyurethane finish
• 9.5" radius maple or rosewood fretboard
• 21 medium-jumbo frets
• 25.5" scale length
• Tex-Mex single-coil pickups
• 5-position blade pickup switch with Strat-O-Tone
• Vintage 6-saddle string-through-body bridge
• Fender Ping vintage-style tuning machines
• Chrome hardware
• Made in Mexico

The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster has a Tex-Mex Strat pickup sandwiched between a pair of Tex-Mex single-coils. 5-way switching further ups the tonal ante.

Classic Series

Made in Fender's Ensenada, Baja California facility with collaboration from Fender's highly regarded Master Builders, the Classic Series Telecaster offers Custom Shop features and vibe at a more affordable price. Classic models are based on vintage models from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Here are some the most popular models in the bestselling Classic Tele lineup:

Classic '50s Telecaster

A faithful reproduction of some of the Telecaster's first years in production.

• Ash body (polyester finish)
• 1-piece maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Maple 7.25" radius fretboard
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 2 vintage-style single-coil alnico magnet pickups
• 3-position blade pickup switch
• Vintage 3-saddle strings-through-body bridge
• Knurled chrome knobs
• '50s Custom Colors

The Fender Classic Series ‘50s Tele is a note-for-note re-creation at a fraction of the price that an original would set you back.

Classic '60s Telecaster

True to the ‘60s era Tele, these guitars feature rosewood fretboards for added warmth and sustain.

• Alder body (polyester finish)Maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Rosewood 7.25" radius fretboard (gloss polyurethane finish)
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 2 single-coil alnico magnet pickups with aged covers
• 3-saddle strings-through-body bridge
• Fender Ping vintage-style tuners
• Chrome hardware
• "Top Hat" switch tip

From the 3-ply pickguard to rosewood fretboard, the Fender Classic ‘60s Tele captures its forerunners’ cosmetics and playability to perfection.

Classic '72 Telecaster Thinline

The 72 Thinline Teles offer a unique departure from the standard Tele configuration. A semi-hollow body serves up a vibrant bluesy voice, while a pair of humbuckers packs a punch sure to please even the pickiest tone freak.

• Semi-hollow ash body (polyester finish)
• 1-piece maple U-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Maple 7.25" radius fretboard
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 2 Fender Wide Range Humbucking pickups
• Vintage-style Strat string-thru-body hardtail bridge

With its semi-hollowbody, dual humbuckers, and distinctive f-hole, the ‘72 Fender Telecaster Thinline was a radical departure captured perfectly by the Classic Series reincarnation.

Classic '72 Telecaster Custom

This unique Telecaster offers a humbucker in the neck pickup for rich warmth, while delivering classic Tele twang via the single-coil bridge pickup.

• Alder body (polyester finish)
• Lightly-tinted, maple U-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Rosewood or maple 7.25" radius fretboard
• 21 vintage-style frets
• 1 Fender Wide Range Humbucking pickup (neck)
• 1 Tele single-coil pickup (bridge)
• 3-position toggle switch
• Vintage-style string-thru-body Tele bridge
• Chrome hardware
• "Top Hat" knobs

The Fender Classic Series ‘72 Tele Custom replicates the original’s humbucker in the neck and traditional single coil in the bridge for tonal versatility.

Classic '72 Telecaster Deluxe

A solid-body sister to the Thinline Telecaster, the ‘72 Deluxe features dual humbuckers that churn out thicker tone to satisfy modern-rock players.

• Alder body (polyester finish)
• 1-piece maple C-shaped neck (gloss polyurethane finish)
• Maple 12" radius fretboard
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• 2 Fender Wide Range Humbucking pickups
• 2 volume, 2 tone controls
• 3-position toggle switch
• Vintage-style Strat string-thru-body hardtail bridge
• '70s large Stratocaster headstock

As with the original, the Strat headstock and alnico humbuckers in the Classic Series reproduction of the ‘72 Telecaster Deluxe give it visual and sonic distinction.

Classic Player Baja Telecaster

Based on a ‘50s Telecaster, it features Custom Shop pups and wiring for a wider range of tonal options at a gentle price.

• Ash body
• 1-piece maple soft V-shaped neck
• Maple 9.5" radius fretboard
• 21 medium jumbo frets
• 1 Custom Shop "Twisted" Tele single-coil pickup (neck)
• 1 Custom Shop Broadcaster single-coil (bridge)
• 4-position blade switch with 2-position push-push S-1 switching (8 pickup settings in all)
• 3-saddle string-thru-body Tele bridge
• Gotoh Vintage locking tuners
• "Custom Shop Designed" neck plate

Custom Shop pickups and 8-way pickup selection delivers a ton of tonal options in the Classic Player Baja Telecaster.

FSR Standard Ash Telecaster

“FSR” stands for Factory Special Run, and Fender produces a variety of Telecasters as a part of this series. They are created in limited runs in Fender’s U.S., Mexican, and Asian plants in a variety of price ranges. While each FSR model retains core Telecaster attributes, it will have distinct features setting it apart from any other. If you’re looking for a Tele with characteristics all its own and available in strictly limited quantities, an “FSR” model may make sense for you.
The FSR Standard Ash Tele is a perfect case in point with its retro butterscotch blonde finish contrasting against a black parchment pickguard.

• Ash body
• Maple Fretboard with 9.5" radius
• 1-piece Maple, Modern "C" Shape (Tinted Satin Urethane Finish)
• 21 Medium Jumbo Frets
• 2 Hot Standard Tele Single-Coil Pickups
• 3-Position blade switch
• 3-saddle brass string-thru-body Tele bridge
• Chrome hardware

The retro finish and modest price tag of the FSR Standard Ash Tele will appeal to any Fender fan on a strict budget.

Road Worn Series

Fender gives a selection of 1950s and ‘60s instruments distressed treatments to conjure up the appearance of road-hardened guitars in creating the Road Worn Series. They evidence the wear and tear of countless gigs, including worn finishes, rusted hardware, and aged parts. While offering the vibe of veteran axes, they incorporate modern features and lighter overall wear than other Fender distressed treatments.

The Road Worn ‘50s Telecaster has the look of a battle-scarred veteran updated with Tex-Mex pickups and 6105 frets.

USA Professional Series

This dealer-exclusive series created expressly for us by Fender combines great value with a unique feature set not found anywhere else in the company’s product lineup.

• Alder body
• Custom-wound pickups
• HS pickup configuration with coil split on humbucker
• 9.5" radius fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets
• Smooth-playing satin finished neck
• Deluxe gig bag

The hand-built Fender USA Professional Standard Telecaster HS is armed with overwound pickups for today’s more intense guitar tone.

USA-Made Telecaster Guitars

Built in Fender's Corona, California plant, USA Telecasters set the standard for quality, tone, and playability. Made with premium tonewoods (usually alder or ash), Custom Shop pickups, and master craftsmanship, the USA Tele is a legendary electric guitar built to please the most demanding players.

American Standard Series

The American Standard Telecaster is the tried and true workhorse of seasoned pros and discerning weekend warrior alike. In its newest form. the American Standard Telecaster has more comfortable body contours and Custom Shop pickups that deliver trademark tone that rings more fully than ever.

• Comfortable contour body
• Fender Custom Shop Twisted Tele (neck) and Broadcaster (bridge) pickups
• Deluxe hardware
• Solid alder body (black, 3-color sunburst, candy cola, and blizzard pearl) or ash body (2-tone sunburst, natural, crimson red transparent)
• Modern C-shaped maple neck with rich, deep neck tint, glossed neck fretboard with satin back and rolled edges
• Delta-tone no-load circuit
• Highly finished frets
• Detailed nut work
• Bent steel Fender saddles
• American Standard Tele Bridge Plate (steel saddles and brass plate) for improved resonance
• Thinner undercoat for improved body resonance
• Rosewood or maple fretboard
• Staggered machine heads
• Includes Fender-exclusive SKB molded case

The Fender American Standard Telecaster improves on its ‘50s forerunner with a more comfortable body shape plus Custom Shop pups and a no-load Delta-tone circuit for perfected twang.

American Deluxe Series

At the American Deluxe series level, the traditional Tele gets a host of modern refinements. These include a compound-radius fretboard for more comfortable fretting, N3 noiseless pickups for hum-free, sparkling tone, and S-1 switching that give you an expanded tonal palette.

• Premium alder body with tortoise shell top binding
• Modern C-shaped maple neck
• Contoured back
• Maple or rosewood fingerboard
• Satin polyurethane neck finish
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 22 medium jumbo frets
• 2 Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Tele pickups
• S-1 switching system
• Master no-load tone control
• American Tele bridge with 6 chromed brass saddles
• Abalone inlays
• Highly detailed fret and nut work
• Included accessories: Molded SKB case, cable, strap, strap locks

A tweaked compound-radius fingerboard, versatile S1 switching and awesomely noiseless N3 pickups give the Fender American Deluxe Tele the performance and tone pros demand.

 

American Vintage Series

In creating this series, Fender’s luthiers gathered a collection of vintage Teles which they painstakingly dissected in order to document original construction details. In order to then create meticulous reproductions, they restored original ‘50s tooling, and built new tools where necessary to produce period-authentic parts. The series includes period-correct versions of ‘52, ‘58, and ‘64 Telecasters.

• Premium ash ('52, ‘58 ) or alder body with bound top and back ('64)
• U-shaped ('52) D-shaped (‘58) or C-shaped ('64)
• Maple ('52, ‘58) or rosewood ('64) neck
• Nitrocellulose lacquer body/neck finish
• 7.25" fretboard radius
• 21 vintage-style frets
• Vintage body radius
• Vintage pickups and 3-position pickup switching: Position 2—neck pickup with tone control (bright vintage circuit), Position 3—neck pickup with no tone control (dark vintage circuit)
• Original vintage-style Tele bridge with 3 brass saddles and ash tray bridge cover
• Capacitor and wiring diagram for updating to modern switching circuit
• Vintage hardware
• Vintage tweed hardshell case
• Comes with ashtray bridge cover, wiring kit for conversion to modern switching, vintage leather strap, cable, polishing cloth

This meticulously re-created Fender American Vintage ‘52 Tele in Butterscotch Blonde will get the traditionalist Fender aficionado’s heart racing.

 

American Special Series

Though they’re built in the U.S., American Special models have budget-friendly pricing more typical of imports. They offer a mix of traditional and modern tones for maximum musical flexibility, and make a great choice for the weekend warrior who’s called upon to play in a variety of music genres. The American Special Tele combines great value with winning features:

• Contoured alder body in a gloss finish
• Modern C-shaped maple neck with 22 jumbo frets
• Texas Special Tele pickups produce midrange chirp, crystal highs, and tight bass
• Vintage-style Tele bridge with three brass saddles
• Includes gig bag

Texas Special pups give the Fender American Special Telecaster more of what you love about Tele tone.

Artist Series

Artist Series Telecasters are designed in collaboration with the artists who play and endorse them. They have historically included models that replicate the axes wielded by such artists as James Burton, Muddy Waters, G.E. Smith, John 5, and Jim Root. The artist signature appears on the guitar and it usually includes unique specs that help serve up the artist's special tone recipe. Made in USA, Japan, or Mexico.

Unique Strat-o-Tele switching and a host of other tweaks specified by the revered Nashville sideman make the James Burton Artist Series Tele a fitting tribute.

Fender Custom Shop

Custom Shop instruments are simply the finest models crafted by Fender. Each one-of-a-kind guitar is hand-built by a master luthier, using the highest quality woods and components obtainable. To see our complete current selection of Fender Custom Shop Telecasters and other Fender instruments, visit our Private Reserve Collection.

Custom Artist Signature

A guitar created with the input or specifications of a famous artist is called a Signature model. The Fender Custom Shop has produced a number of Signature Telecaster guitars in its Custom Artist series that are handcrafted to the exacting personal preferences of famous Tele players such as Merle Haggard.

Custom Deluxe

The hallmark of Custom Deluxe Telecasters is the use of unusual and exotic woods, breathtaking inlay work, unique hardware, and distinctive electronics. The series is seen as a blank canvas on which to apply the highest levels of luthier artistry.

Custom Pro

Fender views this series as its “testing ground,”—a place to develop new features and rethink the application of old ones in new ways. Whether its a newly designed pickup, electronics, bridge, or special combination of woods, such developments are likely to show up in a Pro Series Telecaster first.

Master Built

Fender’s most elite luthiers—designated as Master Builders—are given free rein in creating these lavish instruments. They personally select each element from the wood to the electronics to the finish of these guitars that proudly bear the builder’s name. Utterly unique and of investment-grade quality, a Master Built Telecaster is an instrument to be treasured and passed down through the generations.

Time Machine

Telecasters that are part of the Time Machine series are built using the same tools and techniques that were employed in creating the originals. The Fender Custom Shop then applies unique “relic” treatments on these replicated instruments, giving them the appearance of lovingly preserved guitars that are many decades old.
A Custom Shop model may be available in one of three variations, or treatments:
New Old Stock (NOS)
As if the guitar was discovered in a warehouse after many years, never played, and showing no signs of age or wear.
Closet Classic
Built to resemble a guitar that has been hidden away for years in a closet. Slightly worn and yellowed from age, the finish has minor checks and cracks.
Relic
Shows natural wear and tear from years of heavy use—nicks, scratches, worn finish, rusty hardware, and aged plastic parts.

So, Which Telecaster is Right for You?

As you can see in this guide, the Telecaster is available in many variations and price levels, with varied features to provide a broad range of options for the Tele enthusiast. Pick the Telecaster that suits your budget and your style. Maybe you don't want to spend a lot, but you want your Tele to have the look and feel of a timeless guitar. Consider the Classic Vibe. Perhaps you want to invest in a true piece of art—not justsomething to play, but a stunning addition to your collection. Consider a Masterbuilt Tele. Or as a working pro you need a Tele that you can play night after night, show after show—a true workhorse. The American Standard Telecaster won't let you down.
We want you to be pleased with your Telecaster purchase, and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and generous return policy so you can order your new Tele with complete confidence.
After reading this guide, if you’re still not sure which Telecaster is right for you, we invite you call to one of our friendly and knowledgeable Gear Heads at (877) 880-5907.

Source: http://thehub.musiciansfriend.com/guitar-buying-guides/buying-guide-the-fender-telecaster

DigiTech Trio Band Creator Pedal Review X4

Fender USA Stratocaster vs Made In China SX SST57 Copy

Adding Drum Tracks Using Reaper

ATTENTION!!! THIS IS AN OLD VIDEO! INDEPENDENCE FREE BARELY WORKS THESE DAYS!!! FOR A NEW VIDEO, GO HERE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04JR_s...

This is a tutorial on setting up virtual drums through Reaper (part 1 of 2). For part 2, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfmPRL...

Software used in this video is free and can be found at the following sites:

Reaper - http://reaper.fm (REAPER is not free, but is fully functional as a free demo)
Independence Free - http://www.yellowtools.us/cp21/cms/in...
Tweakbench Monomate - http://www.tweakbench.com/monomate

Independence Free MIDI Note Names - http://www.eyeofi.com/ifdrumnames.txt

I'll keep doing these videos if there's enough interest. Feel free to post questions or email me.

For my video game music remixes, visit http://www.vikingguitar.com and http://vikingguitar.bandcamp.com . For my original thrash metal, visit http://www.eyeofi.com. Thanks for watching!

• Category

  • Howto & Style

• License

  • Standard YouTube License

Learn to Play Guitar with These 5 Websites

Stop saying you’ll do it, and actually do it: learn to play guitar in 2016. Here are a few sites that can help.
We’ve gone over some essentially free beginner guitar lessons before, but there are a bunch of new sites since then with realtime chords and lessons. These sites can teach you to play the songs you love, hopefully making it easier to stay motivated. Are you ready to give this another shot? Then let’s get started.

Chordify: See Realtime Cords as Songs Play

We’ve shown you sites to find guitar chords for songs, but never anything quite like this. Chordify doesn’t just give you a bunch of chords: it plays the song for you, and shows you when to play each chord in realtime. Here’s what that looks like:





The black box you see moves along with the music, so you know when to switch to the proper chord. Follow along with your guitar and you’ll be amazed how many songs you can teach yourself.
Assuming, of course, that you already know some chords. If you don’t, you might need a few lessons.

Pickup Guitar Club ($10/month): Lessons Built Around Songs

Pickup Guitar Club is a decent place to start. This is a curriculum built around learning a series of songs, with a guitar-hero inspired interface that shows you which notes to play when. But when you fail you won’t be booed: instead, you’ll be encouraged to try again. The founder explains more here:
There are a few free lessons offered, so you can try things out and get an idea of whether you’ll like it. After that, you’ll need to pay $10 a month (or $60 a year). It’s not exactly cheap, but a great deal less expensive than private lessons.

Instinct ($15 per course): Guitar Lessons That Listen to You Play

If you’ve got a microphone on your PC (and you almost certainly do) check out Instinct. This website is a series of courses built around learning specific songs. The step by step lessons include a visual component, showing you where to put your fingers, and an audio component, listening to your playing and giving you advice as you go.





You can start any of the courses and do a couple of lessons for free, after which you can pay to continue — most courses are $15 as of this writing.
It’s similar in many ways to Pickup Guitar club, but happily both offer a few free lessons to try out so you can get a feel for it. Instinct’s per-course method might be a better fit for people who aren’t sure how long they’ll stick to their guitar habit, or can’t commit to an ongoing subscription.

GuitarTuner (Web): Tune Your Guitar Online

When I was a kid I packed a guitar tuner with me for tuning in loud places. I’ve no idea where that thing ended up, but I’m sure lending it to a friend was my big mistake. No matter: these days any computer or phone can be a guitar tuner, thanks to sites like this one.





Just pluck your string and see what note you’re playing, then adjust until you see the correct note. Simple. There are other sites with online guitar tuners, but this one is clean and simple to use. You can even read the story of how it was created if you like.

Guitar! (iOS): Guitar Hero for Your iPhone

Learning guitar is hard work. If you need a break, there are plenty of great music games out there that don’t require a plastic guitar. The aptly named “Guitar!’ is just one example. Think of it as Guitar Hero for your iPhone. It even comes with a Freestyle Mode for messing around:
Fascinatingly, the vocals used in this game actually come from players in another game made by the same company — so it’s kind of like you’re jamming with them. Give it a shot if you want a quick distraction, but then get back to practicing – it will all be worth it.
Oh, and if you want a Guitar Hero clone for your computer, Frets on Fire is a classic and is even compatible with old songs from those games if you’ve still got the disks kicking around. Just saying.

What Guitar Tools Did We Miss?

We want to know: which guitar teaching tools did we miss? Which have worked for you? Let’s compile some more in the comments below. And be it resolved that we will all rock out regularly in 2016.

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/learn-play-guitar-5-websites/

Fender Champion 100 Combo Amplifier Demos-3

Beginner's Tutorial for Reaper

Reaper - Basic Mixing Tutorial

How to Convert a Single Stereo Track to Dual Mono Tracks in Reaper

Reaper DAW & Why I Record With It

Published on Jan 27, 2014

http://www.homemusicstudio1.com/reape...
In this episode of the show we'll talk about the Reaper DAW (digital audio workstation). I believe it is simply the most affordable, full featured and professional, recording software option available today.

iTunes Feed: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

SHOW NOTES
You can download your copy of the Reaper DAW athttp://www.reaper.fm/ Links to the Reaper DAW themes mentioned in this episode are included below.

Main Reaper DAW theme downloads: http://stash.reaper.fm/
REA-EVOLUTION 2.0.1 http://tinyurl.com/cxppdcx
Pro X-Tools v1.0.1 http://tinyurl.com/k7pjeqt

Don't forget to join the hundreds of community members of Home Music Studio 1 here. http://freerecordingtools.com

Reaper on Linux: http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.ph...

ASIO: Do You Need to Use it on Your Computer?

What is ASIO?

ASIO stands for Audio Stream Input / Output. It is an audio interfacing protocol that is used mainly to improve latency. If you're not sure what audio latency is, then it is just a measure of the time taken for information in a system to travel from an input to an output. In digital music this delay is measured in milliseconds (ms) and can be caused by various factors including:

• Converting analog audio to digital (and vice versa).
• Real-time EQ effects.
• Sound enhancements (via the operating system)
• buffering.

The ASIO protocol was first developed by Steinberg (a music software / hardware company), to solve the problem of audio lag. Driver software was created to give audio software a more direct way of accessing a computer's sound card and the capabilities of it.
But, should you use it for digital music in your situation?

If You Are Going to Create Digital Music

Whether you use a digital audio workstation, DJ software, or other type of tool to create digital music, ASIO is a very important part of the recording process. Audio recording software needs to have the fastest path to your hardware for multi-channel recording. This will reduce potential problems such as stuttering and lag under high CPU loads. Using the correct ASIO driver for your audio setup also allows software transparent access to all the I/O ports on a sound card. ASIO is therefore typically the best option and arguably better than the WDM audio drivers in Windows.

Professional equipment usually comes with ASIO drivers and it's best to use those. But, there's also a universal driver called ASIO4All which can be downloaded for free. You can find the latest version via the official ASIO4All website.
As a side note, you don't need an ASIO driver if using a Mac computer. The operating system (OS X 10.3 or higher) comes with CoreAudio which is designed for low latency audio recording.

If You Just Want to Listen to Your Digital Music Library

With ASIO being an excellent solution for minimizing audio lag you might think that it's also best to use it for getting the maximum audio quality from your digital music library. After all, several software media players (like Foobar2000, MusicBee, Aimp, etc.) support it. However, ASIO is really only useful for improving latency.
The only thing that you might find when switching to ASIO is it will bypass any sound enhancements you've already set up -- thus cutting through effects that may 'cloud' your listening experience. Examples of this could be real-time equalizer settings in your software media player, or global sound enhancements controlled by sound card software on your system.
So, overall it is normally far better to use the audio drivers already installed on your computer if you just want to listen rather than create.

Source: http://mp3.about.com/od/Software/fl/ASIO-Do-You-Need-to-Use-it-on-Your-Computer.htm?utm_source=exp_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_term=list_mp3&utm_campaign=list_mp3&utm_content=20150731

6 GarageBand Alternatives for Music Production on Windows

Are you a Windows user who’s been tempted by talk of GarageBand? Here are the best alternatives to Apple’s music production software that you can run on your PC.
From Rihanna to Fall Out Boy, plenty of the biggest names in music have used GarageBand to help record their hits — not to mention the legions of armchair musicians who enjoy playing around with the software just for fun. However, the fact that GarageBand is only available for Mac computers and iOS devices leaves many Windows users without the platform to record their masterpiece.
Thankfully, there are several alternatives that offer a similar set of features to GarageBand that you can install on your PC. Whether you just want to mess around with some loops, or you’re keen to progress from GarageBand to something more substantial, these applications are a great place to start.

LMMS (free)

Open-source production software with a bevy of built-in samples and instruments.
The LMMS project is the work of a volunteer development team committed to making an open-source, cross-platform music production suite. That noble idea has brought about a great piece of software, and despite a visually unappealing UI, it’s a flexible and powerful tool that will get you up and running in no time at all — and all at the bargain price of free.





That being said, all that LMMS lacks in terms of looks is more than made up for by what it can do. A good variety of software instruments, samples and effects are pre-loaded, which allows you to get up and running straight away. And, while the interface could do more to help new users understand where to look for the various tools and libraries included, it’s so easy to use instruments and make beats that users will learn the ropes simply by experimenting.
Synths use an on-screen keyboard or musical typing, as you might expect, but the way beats are constructed is of notable simplicity. Whether you want to record your own samples using a program like Audacity, or simply pick and choose from the decent selection that come packaged with LMMS, it’s a simple case of dragging the desired file into the beat and bassline editor. That makes a track for that sound, which can be arranged in conjunction with other samples to assemble your beat. Trying something out in LMMS typically results in exactly the outcome you would expect — and when software is as intuitive as this, it’s easier to create something worthwhile.

Mixcraft 7 ($89.95 with free trial)

Loop-based software that’s a great first step for budding music producers.
One of GarageBand’s most popular features is its large and diverse library of loops. Users can quickly and easily build a song that sounds good, simply by layering loops of different instruments over one another in a way that sounds pleasing to them. It might be something of a shortcut, but it’s a great way for the uninitiated to dip their toe in the waters of digital music production.





Mixcraft offers a comparable broad selection of loops — and, crucially, they’re part of an intuitive environment that makes it easy for a novice to get up to speed very quickly. At its simplest, you just need to click and drag the loops you want to use, and Mixcraft will take care of things like tempo and key. As a place to experiment, Mixcraft delivers the same ease of use that makes GarageBand appeal to all ages and skill levels.
However, there’s more lurking under the surface. While Mixcraft makes it easy for a beginner to get started, there’s no shortage of support for advanced plugins and effects that experts can use to create everything from crystal clear hip hop beats to distorted heavy metal. That being said, it’s clear that loops are the focus. For users looking to work with live instrumentation, there are better options elsewhere like Audacity or LinuxSampler — especially considering the high price point of Mixcraft.

Music Maker Jam (free with in-app-purchases)

An entertaining but limited music production app.
While there are certainly plenty of musicians who use GarageBand as a tool, many users enjoy the software as a fun way to play around with music. If you’re more interested in that sort of experience rather than full-on music production, Music Maker Jam will have you creating tunes in a variety of genres in no time.





Unlike the other software covered here, Music Maker Jam is an app that you can download from the Windows App Store, as well as from the respective stores for Android and iOS. As you might imagine, that means that it caters to a casual user rather than the professional, and it does provide something of a streamlined experience. You can select loops by genre — everything from dubstep to electric jazz — and then transfer them into an environment when you can use them to construct a song, tweaking BPM and volume levels or applying FX as you see fit.
However, it does have some serious limitations. There’s a solid variety of loops on offer, but without the ability to create your own from scratch it does seem a little bit light compared to its competitors. To expand your library, you’ll need to buy loops via in app purchases, and the amount that you get for your money is minimal compared to other similar services. Music Maker Jam will keep you entertained for an afternoon — but unlike the other software on this list, there’s not much potential for you to develop your skills much beyond your first use.

Stagelight ($9.99 with free trial)

Intuitive and straightforward software with an imperfect UI.
Anyone looking to replicate GarageBand on a Windows computer should look no further than Stagelight. It’s clear that the design of this software owes a lot to Apple’s offering — but that’s not to say that this package doesn’t have its own ideas of how to build on that strong foundation.





Stagelight takes a slightly different approach to digital music production than other similar packages, with a focus on the interface typically known as a live mode. It’s a way of testing out different loops and audio clips together to see what meshes well, used by some electronic artists in their live performances. In Stagelight’s case, live mode is just as useful in the studio — as Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park demonstrated in a blog post about the software. Users can assemble an array of loops to flit between instantly, even recording over their loops as they’re playing. That makes sketching out songs fast, as well as a lot of fun.
The biggest drawback for Stagelight is its visual design. From a distance, it’s a rather slick piece of minimalism, but in practice it’s perhaps a little bit sparse for its own good. The core functionality, however, is very good indeed. Just about anyone could open up this software and be creating music in a matter of minutes.

FL Studio ($99 with free trial)

Broad package suitable for all experience levels that benefits from a clean, straightforward design.
A successor to the software formerly known as Fruity Loops, FL Studio is one of the most widely used digital audio workstations available. It’s an excellent intermediate choice for anyone who might have cut their teeth on something like GarageBand, but now wants a package with a bit more depth. Whether you’re using it by itself or in conjunction with another suite, FL Studio caters to a broad range of users, from low skill levels to experts.





FL Studio sets itself apart from other comparable software in the way that it balances broad functionality with a very straightforward workflow. A beautiful user interface apes the look of physical studio software, but isn’t so showy that it distracts from the work you’re doing. It’s very impressive how much information can be displayed without your workspace feeling cluttered, as this program really lets you get into the nitty gritty of your music. Whether you want to tweak the specifics of a synth, or customize your recording technique to suit the sort of instrumentation and style you’re going for, you’re given plenty of options that make it easy to personalize your experience.
Another major selling point for FL Studio is simply that it’s fun to use. Experimenting with beats using its pattern feature is fast and responsive, making it easy for you to get the results that you want without any unnecessary hassle. There’s even a riff machine tool that applies the same methods to riffs rather than beats. Overall, it’s a great option for anyone looking to transition from beginner tier software to something with further reaching capabilities.

Reaper ($60 with free trial)

Complex production software that works particularly well with live instrumentation.
While there are plenty of apps and programs out there that attempt to make music creation approachable for anyone, the fact is that the highest levels of production require very complex software. Reaper is a package that gives the expert user a lot of options for how they make their music, but it doesn’t hold your hand through the process. A certain level of knowledge is assumed when you open up the program — and if you don’t possess it, it might take you a while to produce anything worthwhile.





The advantage that Reaper has over the big names in the field of digital audio workstations is its price. Whereas competitors like Cubase, Ableton and Pro Tools typically cost hundreds of dollars, the basic licence for Reaper is a meagre $60 for personal use. The compromise is that the software doesn’t include the vast array of virtual instruments or samples that other packages do, the importance of which will vary depending on the user and the sort of music they are making.
Reaper is certainly a robust piece of software, particularly considering its asking price. However, it’s not the easiest program to work with — it certainly doesn’t have the sense of fun that GarageBand does. This is professional-grade equipment for musicians looking to get real work done, and it does an excellent job if you’re willing to learn the ropes.

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-garageband-alternatives-music-production-windows/

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10 snazzy music production tools for Ubuntu/Linux

Like many other niches, music production was not really a Linux forte. But that's changing now and like what happened to the video editing scene, popular music production tools are finding its way into Linux. Though I love listening to all kinds of music, I'm no music production expert. And hence I can't pass informative judgments on any of the applications you're going to read about in the article below. Consider this blogpost as a brief introduction to different music production tools available for Ubuntu and Linux, and not as a review per se. So here we go again. 10 useful music production tools for Ubuntu and Linux.

Bitwig Studio Digital Audio Workstation

• Bitwig Studio is a multi-platform (supports Windows, Mac and Linux) music-creation tool for production, performance and DJing.

• Bitwig Studio is made by developers that used to work on Ableton Live, a Windows only Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). And like Lightworks for video editing, Bitwig Studio will be a professional grade music production tool with support for Linux platform. 

• Expected release date: March 26, 2014. Know more.

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Ardour: Audio mixing software for Linux

• Record, edit and mix audio using Ardour. Supports Linux and Mac. 

• Ardour is open source and is released under GPLv2/GPLv3 license.

• Ardour is a great example of commercial free-libre software. Users who download from ardour.org are asked to pay at least $1 for downloading prebuilt binaries of Ardour; those users then have the right to obtain minor updates until the next major release. 

• Another option is to subscribe by paying $1, $4 or $10 per month. Subscribers can download prebuilt binaries of all updates during the subscription period.

• Without paying anything, users can download the full source code for all platforms.

• Download Ardour for Linux.

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Renoise Digital Audio Workstation

• Renoise is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with a unique top-down approach to music composition known as a tracker interface.

• Features include full MIDI and MIDI sync support, VST 2.0 plugin support, ASIO multi I/O cards support, integrated sampler and sample editor, internal real-time DSP effects with unlimited number of effects per track, master and send tracks, full automation of all commands, hi-fi .WAV rendering (up to 32 bit 96 kHz), Rewire support, etc.

• A full version of Renoise cost USD 78.00, which is noticeably cheaper than competing digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Ableton Live and even the upcoming Bitwig Studio which costs around USD 749 and USD 400 (rumored) respectively. 

• Renoise digital audio workstation.

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Tracktion Music Production Software for Linux

• Tracktion is yet another high-profile entrant into the Linux music production scene.

• Tracktion is a digital audio workstation for recording and editing audio and MIDI. The project was started with the intention of creating the most easy-to-use music production tool out there. Tracktion is proprietary though.

• Support for a wide range of audio formats including  WAV, AIFF and Ogg-Vorbis.

• Tracktion beta version for Linux is free now. Get it here. 

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Rosegarden Digital Audio Workstation (Linux exclusive)

• Rosegarden is an open source digital audio workstation for Linux, based around a MIDI sequencer that features a rich understanding of music notation and includes basic support for digital audio.

• Ideal for composers, musicians, and students working from a small studio or home recording environments. Quite easy to learn and runs exclusively on Linux.

• Download Rosegarden for Linux (an early alpha version for Windows is also available)

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Hydrogen: Advanced drum machine for Linux

• Hydrogen is an advanced drum machine for Linux, an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or similar percussion instruments.  

• Hydrogen's interface uses Qt library and the entire code-base is released to the public under the GNU General Public License. 

• Download Hydrogen for Linux (Ubuntu PPA also available) 

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Mixxx: Linux's very own professional DJing software

• Mixxx is a free and open source digital DJing software that allows mixing music in your Linux system with ease. 

• Mixxx started off as a humble project for a doctoral thesis way back in 2001. Today it is a full-fledged application that is downloaded over one million times annually.

• It is licensed under the GPL (v2.0 or later) and runs on all major desktop operating systems.

• Ubuntu PPA available (Ubuntu 13.10 not yet supported though)

• More download options here.

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Audacity: Record and edit music in Linux with ease

• Audacity is the most well-known application here, and perhaps the most basic too.

• Audacity is a free and open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing all kinds of music and audio. It is one of the most downloaded software in SourceForge, with nearly 100 million downloads. 

• If you are on Ubuntu, Click here to install Audacity.

• More download options for Audacity can be found here. 

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LMMS: Linux MultiMedia Studio

• LMMS is yet another free and open-source, cross-platform software that allows you to produce music with your computer. This include creating of melodies and beats, synthesizing and mixing of sounds and arranging samples.

• LMMS is available for Linux and Windows. Download here. 

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JACK: Jack Audio Connection Kit

• Jack Audio Connection Kit (JACK) is perhaps the most important tool as far as music production on Linux is concerned. It is a professional sound server daemon that provides real-time, low latency connections for both audio and MIDI data between applications that implement its API.

• It can connect a number of different applications to an audio device, as well as allowing them to share audio between themselves.

• Most of the open-source applications listed above and plenty more out there does use its API. See this exhaustive list for yourself. 

• The server is free software, licensed under the GNU GPL, while the library is licensed under the more permissive GNU LGPL.

• Download options here.

Source: http://www.techdrivein.com/2014/02/10-music-production-tools-for-ubuntu-linux.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+techdrivein+%28Tech+Drive-in%29

Fender Champion Series Amplifiers

Fender updated the Frontman Series of solid state amps, and now offers the Champion Series. Below is the Champion 100, a better amp for less money than the old Frontman 212R. Nice job Fender.

 

Fender Champion 100 Guitar Combo Amp - Black

Simple to use and versatile enough for any style of guitar playing, there’s a Champion amp that’s right for you whether you’re looking for your first practice amp or affordable stage gear. The 100-watt, dual-channel Champion 100 features two 12” Special Design speakers, with great amp voices and effects that make it easy to dial up just the right sound—from jazz to country, blues to metal and more.

• Amplifier Type: Solid State
• Inputs: One 1/4"
• Channels: Two - (Blackface Clean and Selectable Amp Voice)
• Controls: Channel 1: Volume, Treble, Bass, FX Level, FX Select, TAP. Channel 2: Gain, Volume, Voice, Treble, Mid, Bass, FX Level, FX Select, TAP.
• Effects: Reverb, delay/echo, chorus, tremolo, Vibratone, and more. Delay time and tremolo speed can easily be set with the TAP button.
• Cover/Grille Cloth: Black "Bronco" Vinyl Covering with Silver Grille Cloth
• Effects Loop: Effects Loop (Preamp Out, Power Amp In) for Use with Outboard
• Speaker: Two 12" Special Design Speakers
• Aux Input: 1/8" Stereo for use with Media Player
• Headphone Jack: 1/8" Stereo
• Front Panel: Black Angled Control Panel
• Knobs: Black Vintage-Style Skirted
• Height: 19" (485 mm)
• Width: 26" (660 mm)
• Depth: 10.25" (260 mm)
• Weight: 40 lbs. (18 kg)
• Footswitch: Included 2-button footswitch (P/N: 0097298000)
• Other Features: World-renowned Fender clean and overdrive tones, plus an assortment of British and modern amp voicing and distortion flavors. Two channels (Channel One delivers classic Fender clean tone based on amps like the Twin Reverb, and Channel Two has selectable amp voicing). Powerful 100 watt output into two 12” Special Design speakers. Auxiliary input for jamming with media player; Headphone output for silent practice. Effects loop (Preamp Out, Power Amp In) for use with outboard effects. Classic Fender Blackface cosmetics with black angled control panel, skirted knobs, silver grille cloth, and black “bronco” vinyl covering.
  
  
  
  Source: http://www.fender.com/series/champion/champion-100-120v/