Need some help with choosing a guitar

Yup!

Speaking of guitars, anyone know how much a 70's Telecaster would cost?

Depends on it's overall condition. It could range anywhere from $150.00 to $200.00 for a "well loved" (aka beat to S**T) one to $1000.00+ for a rare vintage model in pristine condition. (Of course the beat to S**T one on the cover of About Face would bring $1000.00 +). For a good one in decent condition expect to pay $400.00 to $700.00. (US). Bear in mind that for a comparable new Tele we would be talking about the Deluxe American editions and be looking at $1500.00 to $2000.00 new.

Dave.

Didn't know they would be so cheap.

I just picked up (yesterday ad a matter of fact, Aug 3) a 1972 Strat. It's in sound condition and plays great, but cosmeticaly is looks like one of Pete Townsends stage SG after a bust up. It's really rough. I'm planning on stripping the body and refinishing it. She has a great necg (rosewood over maple) Schaller tuners, two originak fender pickups and a Seymour Dumcam stacked humbucker at the neck. I paid $150.00.

Man I gotta learn to type, or stop drinkin.....

Yeah I've seen that page stratman, one step at a time

Im not so sure. Apart from having a better body, the proper Fenders (especially any US model) have far superior bridges, frets and most importantly build quality. Plus they're much easier to play. For example I have a US standard Tele and I can bend a string up to 7 frets with only two fingers. Now yesterday I was in a guitar shop buying a pedal and the only Tele the guy had for me to try it out on was a squier. I could only manage a bend of four frets.

To me thats a big difference, but then again you are of course entitled to your opinion Shane.

7 note bends? Now that's a good stretch!

I don't know, but seems like the Squier is a "affordable" "beginners" model, and you get what you pay for (Fulghum's '72 strat being the exception) most times. Would be willing to bet you won't find a tour hardened professional using one.

Also, this seems like a informative thread, building guitars must be somewhat high tech,... was just wondering if there is any way to repair fret board damage? It's on an old Fender Music Master with a rosewood neck. Thanks in advance...

A fretboard in poor condition, the bane of any guitarist. There is a way but Im not sure Id recommend that you do it yourself unless your very good with tools. But if you bring it to a local guitar shop they'll tell you of someone in your area who does it. Its a little expensive though. But no doubt about it, worth it. Building your own fret board is a lot easier than repairing one in my opinion, but I did have the help of someone who makes guitars for a living.

Good call on the fretboard repair Mother. Even I don't mess with that job.

7 note bends -vs- 4 note bends..... the guage of the strings plays a major roll in how well you can bend 'em. I have one of my strats strung fairly light and I cang get 7 note bends easily, my other strat is strung with barbed wire (basicaly) adn I can buzz all day like Stevie Ray and ZZ Top, but I kill my fingers to bend 3 notes.....

Do you like wound 3rd strings? I realize that that don't bend as easy, but seem to stay in tune a little better.

Also, what gauge strings do you prefer? I think SRV used heavy on the top to help him get that fat, bluesy strat sound. Would the bridge have to set up for a heavier gauge string? Just wondering.

Again, thanks for your comments on the fretbaord...sounds more and more like I should just replace the whole neck, but since the guitar is all original, I'm a bit reluctant to do that. Thought I might just try tuning it to a "open" tuning, and use it as a slide guitar, if ever I get any good at that.

You dont have to do that, just the frets can be replaced; just its a bit messy to do yourself, plus there's no guarantee if muck up.

I normally use Fender strings, gauge 10, but I use a D'adarrio 9 high E string, you cant notice the difference and it hardly ever breaks (except for when I play the Cumfortably Numb solo for some reason).

BTW, that 7 fret bend is on the G-string.