If you liked this video - check this one out: ruclips.net/video/29W0AE_hfVw/видео.htmlsi=oe1GYo6Oc_6jfKPW 🎸 *My Guitar Course* Fingerstyle Guitar - Mary's Method: bit.ly/maryspenderfingerstyle
@@RocketKirchner I used to be too, but then the Tele virus got ahold of me, there's nothing a Strat can do that a Tele can't, at least from my playing experience. Don't get me wrong, I have 5 Strats and one Super Strat (Schecter), the Teles number 8, but I custom ordered another from Fender, I'm chomping at the bit waiting for it to ship out.
There comes a time in every guitarist’s life when they realise how amazing Teles are. Some people get it early, some get it late, but everyone gets it.
Agreed I started at 52 as well and my Tele is more versatile than my Les Paul or Strat. It’s lighter and although all 3 are great quality, I notice that I play my Tele the most.
there is ONE THING with teles, i played around 250+ gigs in my life and with teles you CANNT go wrong, just a stock one 2 pickups two knobs, YOU CUT THROUGH THE MIX, you stay in Tune and you can walk around the stage and do shit and it STAYS intune, you can bend it, wrap it and strangle it and it stayyyz in tune. This is for me what i need in a guitar, studio and live, and i do own a 1958 VOS Custom Shop Gibson Burst, I never ever take that one out cause it can break so easily. Teles are da G.O.A.T in guitar design. Facts
My dad, God rest his soul, gave me a Telecaster as a gift. To this day there is nothing quite like it. There are times when I will go a while playing on my other guitars. Then I come back to it, and look up and say, "Thanks Dad". It is such a wonderful character filled guitar. I get tones out of it that I get from nothing else. And man could my dad pick a player of a guitar! Every guitar he ever gave me (and there have been many), plays incredible.
I’m a huge Tele lover. I’ve played professionally for 45 years. My go to tele is a 1972 tele custom. I bought it down in South Georgia in 1984. I own Les Pauls, Stratocasters, and many others. But that tele has probably been played more than all the others put together. It’s my work horse. Loved the video. Thanks for sharing.
Few years ago, I decided to go back to have guitar lessons, after 25 years. A business trip to Chicago put me in the right spot to buy the guitar I needed for that. The guitar I initially was looking for, a Danelectro, was out of stock and destiny put a Squier Telecaster classic vibe 50 in my life. I love that it has all the old specs and I feel like experiencing what those musicians were feeling experimenting solid body guitars as a new thing. Just played that Tele today and it is a total joy for me. Thanks, Leo. Thanks, Mary.
Heck yeah! Tele player here! Also, Ren is a Telecaster guy as well! There's just something about these humble and unassuming instruments. They're absolutely beautiful- and very easy to mod. Which Leo intended. That's cool.
I’ve always been a Les Paul guy. But 2 years ago I bought my first Tele. It is now my main “go to” guitar. It just cuts through a mix perfectly without a lot of harshness. 👍
I was always a Les Paul guy myself. Passed on a late 60’s Tele that had a hand painted hippie paint job for $500.... because it had a 3 saddle bridge, the steel threaded ones. Of course, that bridge is now my favorite and Teles get more play than anything else these days. .....still kick myself for passing on the hippie-caster....
Teles make sense to Les Paul players. Big chunk of wood with no contours, two pickups and a 3-way selector. I found them natural moving from a Les Paul whereas a Strat will always feel weird to me.
Well done, Mary. There's nothing that can't be done on a Telecaster. But one isn't enough - five, and counting, for me... Enjoy it, and we hope to hear much more!!
I do have a hard time resisting the urge to buy more Tele's. As they say, not the best at any one genre; but able to effectively find the right sound for any genre.
This hits home, I have a Fender Tele HH and just got a Squier Tele Thinline. I want the standard Fender Tele (single coil) and a thinline with single coils too
As a Strat and jazzmaster lover, I gotta say. The tele has to be Leo's most genius design. It just works in literally every genre. If you roll that tone knob back a little bit on the bridge pickup, it takes out the twangy-ness and sounds very humbucker-esche. so versatile.
The ultimate all-rounder, many say. I have a Les Paul (which I love) but knowing what I know now, would probably have bought a Tele. Though maybe not in bright red.
What a nice tribute to an iconic instrument! Thanks, Mary! I don't own a tele, and have never played one, but alot of the guitarists I look up to do. Maybe one day, like you, I'll say, "I don't know why it's taken me so long..."
Your style using fingers instead of pick lends itself to what I think is the best tele sound, full and smooth with just the right amount of bite, and never harsh. Watching this video with good headphones was a real treat!
I've heard the story of Leo fender and the telecaster many times, but I'm always up for hearing it one more time, especially as well done as this video. That man truly was an innovator.
I have a Japanese semi-hollowbody reissue Tele. Back in the day, I unfortunately had to leave it with a pawn shop for a spell. When I finally busted it out of jail and brought it home several months later, I pulled it out of the case, and there it was... IN TUNE. Still amazes me to think about that.
Congrats on your very first Telecaster! I was late in discovering it too. For years and many guitars, I had been missing ‘that’ sound I hear in my head that my fingers and gear couldn’t quite express. Previously scorned, when I finally rediscovered the Tele, I rediscovered myself! Dig deeper Mary, there’s a lot more of your soul still hidden underneath that red ‘canoe paddle!’ ❤
Wonderful video Mary! CS Blackguard Tele player here. The simplest of designs, but iconic to the history of our music. Last guitar I’d ever part with and very happy to see you now have your first 🙂
Congrats Mary. I hope to hear you play a lot with your Tele. I loved your historic intro, some details were unknown to me until now. On the notable tele players we must not forget Danny Gatton and James Burton.
It took you a long time but it's never too late. It's been more than thirty years since I had an electric guitar, I sold them before I got married, during the pandemic I took the plunge and my selection was a telecaster. Very happy with her, greetings from Lima Peru
Congrats. That's a beauty. Ive got a 2001 Tele, American Standard that I bought new, blue with a maple neck and white-sparkle pick guard. It has mostly sat in the case over the years but Ive been playing it (poorly) and its pure magic. Its good one and there's nothing like a Tele. Enjoy yours, Mary!
The first guitar I bought for myself was a Squire Tele. I loved it. Since then I moved on to Les Pauls and now Gretsch, which I adore, but I know I'll eventually come back home to a Telecaster.
Lifetime Fender player (Strats and Jazzmasters, mostly); recent Tele convert. A few months ago, I finished my blackguard partscaster Tele - MJT pine body with butterscotch nitro finish, Musikraft blackguard-spec one-piece maple neck with heavy-rolled fretboard (so comfortable), Lollar pickups - it instantly felt like home and became my number one the first time I played it after setting it up. I have a lot of guitars, but if I had to pick one, I wouldn't even think about it. The Tele is The One. It's always the first one I reach for. Telecasters are everything you need and nothing you don't. Mine is very sensitive to dynamics, and I think that's helped me as a player. A good one will show you everything about your playing, good and bad. Despite their simplicity, there are plenty of tricks you can still do (see Jim Campilongo), and you can play any style of music with them. I don't listen to a lot of jazz guitar, but when I do, it's often Tele players (Frisell, Lage). The Tele neck pickup has a beautiful tone that complements jazz voicings far better than a hollowbody with the tone rolled totally off, IMO. And if you want to get raw and nasty, a good Tele bridge pickup will get you there, and you'll slice through the mix like a knife. And of course if you are a country player, it's no contest. Teles ARE the country electric guitar sound (and a lot of early rock and soul, for that matter).
I hated the Tele for the longest time, thought it was ugly, but in the past few years it’s grown on me! I really love the middle position with both pickups!
As someone else similarly mentioned, more than 35 years after my first guitar lesson, I bought my first Tele during COVID 2020. Only took me that amount of time to find the best guitar tone, period. Today I own three. Leo got it right the first time.
I have been playing guitar for 55 years. Started with a Cheap Acoustic and a Framus Something. My first real electric guitar was a Telecaster course Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi play them and I wanted to sound like them. Mary thank you for this great video, Meikel.
Hi Mary I'm an old guy in the UK ,started playing acoustic at 65 , then bought a telecaster ,never looked back, I'm self taught not very good but love my guitar .best wishes Rob
Im a drummer who has finally started playing guitar, my first electric is a Squire classic vibe Telecaster, i absolutely love it, and as im a new guitarist i dont have experience or reason to compare it to anything else, im completely fascinated by the tele and have been enjoying a deep dive down the tele rabbit hole. Also, it has gotten me into country and Americana music which o couldn’t be happier. I enjoy your videos and playing. Cheers
Nice history and congrats. I feel like Tom Petty, Chrissie Hynde and Mike Campbell should be mentioned as well. They played Tele's through the 80's when most of rock music was being played on pointy guitars and Floyd Rose dive bombing tremolos. They carried the torch when it was cool to turn their backs to them.
Look up the history of damn near every guitar player, and you'll find a Tele somewhere, even if it's just for a special purpose. Everybody plays it. Plain and simple.
How about an honorable mention for Bill Frisell and James Burton! Bill being one of the current greatest Jazz guitarists and JamesBurton having played for every body from Elvis Presley to Emmy Lou Harris, Roy Orbison and so many more I can’t mention them all here!
My first electric guitar is a Tele that I purchased during the beginnings of Covid, mostly because of the price. Since then, I have purchase a few other brands but that tele just feels like home. I love the feel of it in my hands and have grown to love the body design and sound. I've upgraded the switches and pickups have re-fallen in love with it. Great video.
Mary, you did a superb job with this video, from your detailed history, excellent scripting, and superlative editing, weaving the video in and out. This is a high standard for RUclips videos and would stand up anywhere. I salute you. You put in some work on this. PS That turtleneck looks good on you.
Now the proud owner of two teles. My father in law just gave me a custom USA tele as a wedding present :) the other one is a player tele based on the 1951 no-caster. Great addition Mary! You’ll end up using it as the most reliable guitar in your sets
Great video Mary, I took 35 years of playing before I bought a Tele. Now I would never sell it, wonderful guitar, particularly for recording unique varied tones.
I saw this advertised and it looks good. I myself converted a nice 2008 Squier Standard Tele to have a full sized dual rail humbucker (DiMarzio x2n) at the neck position and a Fender Vintage Noiseless pickup into the bridge plate. It is also vintage contemporary in its own way. I'm sure you dig your Contemporary RH. Congratulations. You might want to look at your tuners if they are hard to turn. Good aftermarket tuners are available and inexpensive.
thank you for this video , I am older and have gone through the gammit of trying and playing different types of guitars , went through my Gibson phase , for years got hooked onto Stratocasters and then now finally just loving my Tele's cannot say enough about them and there sounds , thank you Leo and thank you Mary
Welcome to the club! I bought my Tele in 1981. I love it. I have played it at countless gigs and recordings and it still sounds and plays beautifully. Mine is black. Has a little road wear but is my favorite guitar in my collection. 🙂♥
Well I'm a Gibson guy. I've owned a number of Les Pauls and SG over the years (and still do). I've owned a Strat for many years too - and it's fine. It wasn't until about five years ago I got a Tele and to be perfectly honest with you it's now my go to. I absolutely love it!
For many guitar players there comes a time, usually somewhere around the late 30's in age, where you just wake up and decide you want one. Never wanted one before, around the age of 39 decided I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO HAVE ONE, got it and have loved it ever since. It just happens.
Why doesn't no one ever bring up Status Quo when talking about Telecasters. They showed Tele's can rocks people socks off while selling 118 million albums in the process.
I've always been a Strat player, but in the last few years I decided to add a couple of Telecasters to my collection and I'm very glad I did. They are indeed elegant and fun guitars to play. If a Strat is a brash and bold trumpet, a Tele is a warm and mellow cornet. Both are great instruments.
The reverse control plate mod on teles has a history in and of itself. Those volume swells are delicious! Fender released a Tele FSR with this configuration because of how often the mod is done! Amazing!
What a great video Mary. You tick all the boxes. Take us with you in history of the guitar and your personal journey. Much more interesting than daily television. Your diversity in uploaded videos is great. Especially this weeks introduction with the artist REN. ❤❤🔥🔥🤘🤘
I remember stepping into a local shop just to see what’s what and saw the blue Tele with matching headstock before I even opened the door. “If it’s only slightly enjoyable to play, that’s going home with me today.” It’s been much more than that. Welcome to the club!
For some reason, having played for years only a Strat, I've always considered the world divided into two categories: Strat vs Tele players. Then 2 years ago I found an american standard Tele from 1999 in a small shop near Milan and fell in love with it ever since.
I've always looked at it as Gibson vs Fender, due to the scale lengths. I've always jived with a 25.5", inline headstock guitar no matter what the shape. I go Strat for vibrato and Tele for hardtail, although I have the opposite of each as well.
Love your playing. I just ordered the 1963 American Vintage 2 in Transparent Red , and I 'm looking forward to playing it through my Orange Tremlord. Thank you for the history of Leo Fender.
I am an ukulelist whois trying his hand on guitar playing, but until now just acoustic ones (Baby Taylor). I always had a liking to the Telecaster: Straightforward, no frills , unpretentious but seemingly reliable with a nice tone. My favourite Tele player is Brad Paisley, who is also a country guitarist, but then so much more. Criminally underrated, in my opinion.
I have a baby Taylor too! And Brad Paisley is amazing. He is criminally underrated. I don't know if you've ever seen it. But look up Game of Thrones Theme Song : Fender Custom Shop and bask in the glory of these giants, including Paisley, offering contributions to this amazing piece.
@@Rikalonius That was exactly what I was thinking of! If Nuno Bettencourt and Tom Morello watch you soloing with an approving or even slightly amazed look on their faces, then you know you're good. And the way he walks in he might be the average dad who just dropped in after bringing his kids to school, not the killer guitarist that he is. Total understatement - like a Telecaster. His rendition of "Whiskey Lullaby" together with Allison Krauss is easily one of my Top 5 heartwrencher songs of all time.
I just recently bought my first Telecaster after playing guitar now for 60 years... I own a Les Paul, a Stratocaster, an ES-125TCD, and many others... the Telecaster is my all-time fav guitar... so versatile for all styles of music. Glad you dig your new axe Mary, I don't know why it took me so long to get one!
I just got my first tele and it was built by an engineer who worked with Leo before Leo started Fender....I love it. There is just not a bad sound in a tele. It's a bare bones honest guitar and mine is a butterscotch black guard with gold hardware and six saddles that are adjustable. I'm a 335 player but this has been a nice change from my Casino and 335 devotions.
I play a 1970 mutt Telecaster. The neck is from a 71 and bridge pick up is a pre cbs pick up. I found it in a pawn shop in 1990, in this form. I since added a Starto-booster mod , like the ones Jerry Garcia used,
Fun Fact: Ellie Rowsell's Tele is a Korean made Lite Ash Fender Telecaster. These were made from around 2004--2008. Beautiful guitar. I have the same exact one as Ellie.
I'm not a Tele player, I bash at my acoustic as best I can, but I love electric guitar and my favourite sounding has always been the Tele. What a great gift from Fender Mary, I hope you both form a love bond together 👍
My first el;ectric guitar was a Tele and I've been playing one now for over 20 years. I love the versatility. No matter what I'm playing, the sound is crisp and clean.
Not a tele player, I have a Les Paul Custom from 2004. But I definitely have my eyes on a baby pink tele with a maple fingerboard I've seen in my local music shop. Definitely been a guitar I've sought after for a long time, and I definitely know that it'll be the next guitar I purchase. Loved this video, can't wait to see more like it from you :)
The Telecaster is a perfect machine. It is not only the most similar to an acoustic instrument -in terms of 'honesty', but one of the most potentially expressive instruments within the electric guitar panacopia. It responds to a player with an almost pure sense of 'you get what you give'. Designed to mesh with pedal steel, it is actually it's own world. These are my opinions of course. In addition, I was a 'late Bloomer' with the Tele, and discovered its virtues after embracing a more organic approach. As I said - if you decide to go with the Tele, you will get what you put into it. Purely . I would suppose that this is exactly why it's not more popular than it is. Only the courageous may enter. Lol
As a owner of many Fender guitars to include CS Strats and CS Teles, the Fender AV II ‘51 Telecaster with its iconic butterscotch body, all maple neck and black pick guard is a dream to play and my most favored of the bunch. A telecaster should be in ever guitarist’s tool box. Welcome to club Tele, Mary!
The beauty of the tele for me is that it's just a simple practical guitar build to last. It's what it's been from day one till today and to me that's beautiful and playing one feels like paying respect to a great craftsman that Leo was.
I found a classic vibe from 2017 for $250. It was like new with brass saddles added. This was my second electric after my 1980s Kramer Focus. I love playing it. It has great tone on my amp and is inspiring.
You are so great at storytelling Mary. Loved this video. I only have one electric guitar and it's a telecaster (somewhat similar to yours but mexican).
My first electric guitar was a Telecaster... and I have 3 currently (after gifting one of my favorites-a Jerry Donahue signature model- to my son on his 18th birthday). I have two Creston Electric Teles (look him up- they're amazing, and he's a good friend here in VT), and a modified MIJ double-bound candy apple red Fender with a Bigsby from about 1988. They're all very different from one another, and all great, do-anything guitars. I have Gretsches, a Gibson, a Strat, Jazzmaster, etc. but a Tele goes with me to every gig. I just love 'em.
That is so fuuny, after six years of rededicating myself to guitar playing I bought my first Telecaster on October 21st and asked myself the same question right before and since, "why hadn't I gotten one way sooner!". I own the typical guitars for other genres and kicking myself now for waiting as I have not put it down since I bought it! Keep up the great work, never give up on your passion and use all the naysayers as motivation to overcome adversity. Don't listen to those who are negative cause you have tenacity to prosper and enjoy the journey. Still young! Now time to get back to the Tele! 🙂
The telecaster: fight your way out of a bar room fight with it on Friday, play cricket with it on Saturday, then play a gig with it on Sunday (you may/may not need to retune)..! Seriously, the most flexible multi-purpose guitar ever built: jazz, blues, country, funk, rock. Turn the vol down a bit, and it does a very nice acoustic guitar. I've had 50+ years of owning and playing some very VERY nice boxes, and it's still my absolute go-to, desert island guitar. Swap out your pickups and experiment, that's my advice. Easy. That sound - your own 'unique sound' - is in there waiting for you, believe me. And get the neck profile that suits you. Essential.
It don't matter when you get a Tele so long as you at some point you pick one up. It's the only guitar I'm aware of that can support all music categories. Bruce played his for 40 yrs on the rd. Keith 60+ yrs Leo always thought the musican came first, also his amps Love the channel Mary Cheers Doug 😎
Wonderful presentation! (As usual) What was not mentioned about the Telecaster, is the fantastic balance it has when on a strap. The neck seems to be weightless and is ready for the player's hands.
I completely fell in love with my Chrissie Hynde (*ahem* the ICONIC Telecaster player) signature Tele the moment it arrived. I find my self strangely inspired to play a lot more melodic passages than I would have traditionally done on this guitar. Bright without sharpness, clear even when playing moderately distorted tones, it is perhaps my favorite guitar today.
I play a 1950's Japanese made Fender Telecaster from 1998. I saved up at my first Job at Long John Silver's and had it on a layaway payment plan with a local guitar shop. They actually ordered it right from Japan and took 6 months to get in after I paid for it. It is the guitar I am holding in my RUclips picture to the left. That picture is inspired by the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album Long After Dark. I love my Tele so much and I loved this video as well. You are Spectacular Mary.
Love it! I owned a gorgeous white tele up until about 3 years ago when i decided to sell it. I instantly regretted my decision and continue to. I will have another at some point I'm sure. Enjoy it.
I suddently became a telecaster devote after purchesing a second hand one on internet (blind date, let's say) and i falled in love with it. My iconic tele player is Billy Bragg in earlty '80s playing whole solo concerts only accompagned by his hungry (little crunch added ) telly.
Loved your video!! I am a Telecaster owner, Although i own other brands of guitars too, My Telecaster has always been my favorite. Nothing else compares to it's versatility.
Mary, that guitar suits you perfectly! I love it with the rosewood fingerboard. It Just so happens, I'm a player for 45 + years, never had a tele, Only Strats and Les pauls, but just picked up a blue Squire Sonic model, the playability and electeonics are out of this world! So happy to see your video at the same time i'm discovering the Telecaster.
I purchased a James Burton signature Tele in 1996. It was made in Mexico and is blonde with a black pick guard. It is my NO.1 go to for performances and will be in the box with me when I'm gone. I've played all brands and types of guitars but this is my number 1. Thank you Leo Fender.
I’m a guitarist of twenty years. I have had endless strats and a few great les Paul’s. My genre is every changing but my soul is trapped in a telecaster. It’s the tone in my subconscious. And I’ve only ever owned 1. Mine❤
I have had 68 Tele since 1977. $425 with a PAT humbucker right in the middle. I like it a lot. The frets were redone with slightly bigger frets. This guitar was somebody bar guitar. I has a black pickguard and lots of scratches including the cigarette burn under the strings past the nut. It will be with me forever.
If you liked this video - check this one out: ruclips.net/video/29W0AE_hfVw/видео.htmlsi=oe1GYo6Oc_6jfKPW
🎸 *My Guitar Course*
Fingerstyle Guitar - Mary's Method: bit.ly/maryspenderfingerstyle
My favorite guitar. The Fender Telecaster.
You became a Fender spender to get another Spender Fender?
@@dougsmith6793
Nice guitar but I have always been a strat man . Enjoy your guitar . Rosewood fretboards rule . Rocket
@@RocketKirchner I used to be too, but then the Tele virus got ahold of me, there's nothing a Strat can do that a Tele can't, at least from my playing experience. Don't get me wrong, I have 5 Strats and one Super Strat (Schecter), the Teles number 8, but I custom ordered another from Fender, I'm chomping at the bit waiting for it to ship out.
Mary Spender and her Fender
I want to know if it was exspendsive.
She's such a tender sender...
And O the splendor
of the Music she does render...
and for the harms of the heart
She's a mender!
Playing her Spender Marycaster.
Its the simple ones that get you 😂😂😂
I hope Mary spender never gets into a fender bender with her fender
There comes a time in every guitarist’s life when they realise how amazing Teles are. Some people get it early, some get it late, but everyone gets it.
At 58 years old.... But I only started playing electric guitar at the young age of 52...
Agreed I started at 52 as well and my Tele is more versatile than my Les Paul or Strat. It’s lighter and although all 3 are great quality, I notice that I play my Tele the most.
35 years old and I play a lot of Jacksons and Ibanez guitars but recently tried a tele and fell in love
Truth!
there is ONE THING with teles, i played around 250+ gigs in my life and with teles you CANNT go wrong, just a stock one 2 pickups two knobs, YOU CUT THROUGH THE MIX, you stay in Tune and you can walk around the stage and do shit and it STAYS intune, you can bend it, wrap it and strangle it and it stayyyz in tune. This is for me what i need in a guitar, studio and live, and i do own a 1958 VOS Custom Shop Gibson Burst,
I never ever take that one out cause it can break so easily.
Teles are da G.O.A.T in guitar design. Facts
My family gifted me a Telecaster for my 60th birthday. I love it and I have been playing it ever since. It's such a simple instrument, but so awesome!
My dad, God rest his soul, gave me a Telecaster as a gift. To this day there is nothing quite like it. There are times when I will go a while playing on my other guitars. Then I come back to it, and look up and say, "Thanks Dad". It is such a wonderful character filled guitar. I get tones out of it that I get from nothing else. And man could my dad pick a player of a guitar! Every guitar he ever gave me (and there have been many), plays incredible.
your story telling skills are amazing, is like you are the David Attenborough of musical history. love you work.
Yes delightful lady.
How incredibly Middle Class.
I’m a huge Tele lover. I’ve played professionally for 45 years. My go to tele is a 1972 tele custom. I bought it down in South Georgia in 1984. I own Les Pauls, Stratocasters, and many others. But that tele has probably been played more than all the others put together. It’s my work horse.
Loved the video. Thanks for sharing.
Few years ago, I decided to go back to have guitar lessons, after 25 years. A business trip to Chicago put me in the right spot to buy the guitar I needed for that. The guitar I initially was looking for, a Danelectro, was out of stock and destiny put a Squier Telecaster classic vibe 50 in my life. I love that it has all the old specs and I feel like experiencing what those musicians were feeling experimenting solid body guitars as a new thing. Just played that Tele today and it is a total joy for me. Thanks, Leo. Thanks, Mary.
Heck yeah! Tele player here! Also, Ren is a Telecaster guy as well!
There's just something about these humble and unassuming instruments. They're absolutely beautiful- and very easy to mod. Which Leo intended. That's cool.
I’ve always been a Les Paul guy. But 2 years ago I bought my first Tele. It is now my main “go to” guitar. It just cuts through a mix perfectly without a lot of harshness. 👍
Was a 335 guy and about 2 years ago (same as you) picked up my first Tele. It's become my main also. Kick myself for not getting one way sooner.
I was always a Les Paul guy myself. Passed on a late 60’s Tele that had a hand painted hippie paint job for $500.... because it had a 3 saddle bridge, the steel threaded ones. Of course, that bridge is now my favorite and Teles get more play than anything else these days.
.....still kick myself for passing on the hippie-caster....
it can easily get into harsh territory tbh; ur rig must be quite dark
Teles make sense to Les Paul players. Big chunk of wood with no contours, two pickups and a 3-way selector. I found them natural moving from a Les Paul whereas a Strat will always feel weird to me.
realising that teles are the only guitar worth owning is part of growing up
Well done, Mary. There's nothing that can't be done on a Telecaster. But one isn't enough - five, and counting, for me... Enjoy it, and we hope to hear much more!!
I do have a hard time resisting the urge to buy more Tele's. As they say, not the best at any one genre; but able to effectively find the right sound for any genre.
This hits home, I have a Fender Tele HH and just got a Squier Tele Thinline. I want the standard Fender Tele (single coil) and a thinline with single coils too
Looks great in that red
As a Strat and jazzmaster lover, I gotta say. The tele has to be Leo's most genius design. It just works in literally every genre. If you roll that tone knob back a little bit on the bridge pickup, it takes out the twangy-ness and sounds very humbucker-esche. so versatile.
The ultimate all-rounder, many say. I have a Les Paul (which I love) but knowing what I know now, would probably have bought a Tele. Though maybe not in bright red.
@@InspirationSessions les pauls are great too! I have many guitars, but I always say that I could do everything I need with just my Tele and 335.
Even better, upgrade the selector switch to a 4-way giving you both series and parallel options for both pickups...it gets sooooo fat!
Teles are the original popular electric guitar I love how solid they feel and how much fun they are to play.
@@craigusselman546 Yes, ‘The Birth of Loud’ is a brilliant read for anyone who missed it
What a nice tribute to an iconic instrument! Thanks, Mary! I don't own a tele, and have never played one, but alot of the guitarists I look up to do. Maybe one day, like you, I'll say, "I don't know why it's taken me so long..."
Your style using fingers instead of pick lends itself to what I think is the best tele sound, full and smooth with just the right amount of bite, and never harsh. Watching this video with good headphones was a real treat!
Agree - but also the Tele 'bite' on mid/heavy-gain drive PLUS the TWANG thang!! They're just amazing!
I've heard the story of Leo fender and the telecaster many times, but I'm always up for hearing it one more time, especially as well done as this video. That man truly was an innovator.
Exactly what I was going to say.
The Telecaster tuning stability is LEGENDARY.
I have a Japanese semi-hollowbody reissue Tele. Back in the day, I unfortunately had to leave it with a pawn shop for a spell. When I finally busted it out of jail and brought it home several months later, I pulled it out of the case, and there it was... IN TUNE. Still amazes me to think about that.
@@wizrom3046 Don't forget the big square steel ashtray with 4-40 bolts and steel dowel!
[cries in strat floating bridge]
@@ThinWhiteAxe but why? I made a tele with 2-point strat trem, and tuning is stable. And it's cheap 15 bucks no name trem
Congrats on your very first Telecaster! I was late in discovering it too. For years and many guitars, I had been missing ‘that’ sound I hear in my head that my fingers and gear couldn’t quite express. Previously scorned, when I finally rediscovered the Tele, I rediscovered myself! Dig deeper Mary, there’s a lot more of your soul still hidden underneath that red ‘canoe paddle!’ ❤
Wonderful video Mary! CS Blackguard Tele player here. The simplest of designs, but iconic to the history of our music. Last guitar I’d ever part with and very happy to see you now have your first 🙂
Congrats Mary. I hope to hear you play a lot with your Tele. I loved your historic intro, some details were unknown to me until now. On the notable tele players we must not forget Danny Gatton and James Burton.
Yeah... slightly disappointed neither of those guys were mentioned... they are tele monsters
Bought my first Tele last month. Love playing it and loved hearing Mary giving some of the history behind it. ❤
I love the way the red goes with the rosewood neck and the dot markers.
It took you a long time but it's never too late. It's been more than thirty years since I had an electric guitar, I sold them before I got married, during the pandemic I took the plunge and my selection was a telecaster. Very happy with her, greetings from Lima Peru
Congrats. That's a beauty. Ive got a 2001 Tele, American Standard that I bought new, blue with a maple neck and white-sparkle pick guard. It has mostly sat in the case over the years but Ive been playing it (poorly) and its pure magic. Its good one and there's nothing like a Tele. Enjoy yours, Mary!
The first guitar I bought for myself was a Squire Tele. I loved it.
Since then I moved on to Les Pauls and now Gretsch, which I adore, but I know I'll eventually come back home to a Telecaster.
Lifetime Fender player (Strats and Jazzmasters, mostly); recent Tele convert. A few months ago, I finished my blackguard partscaster Tele - MJT pine body with butterscotch nitro finish, Musikraft blackguard-spec one-piece maple neck with heavy-rolled fretboard (so comfortable), Lollar pickups - it instantly felt like home and became my number one the first time I played it after setting it up. I have a lot of guitars, but if I had to pick one, I wouldn't even think about it. The Tele is The One. It's always the first one I reach for.
Telecasters are everything you need and nothing you don't. Mine is very sensitive to dynamics, and I think that's helped me as a player. A good one will show you everything about your playing, good and bad. Despite their simplicity, there are plenty of tricks you can still do (see Jim Campilongo), and you can play any style of music with them. I don't listen to a lot of jazz guitar, but when I do, it's often Tele players (Frisell, Lage). The Tele neck pickup has a beautiful tone that complements jazz voicings far better than a hollowbody with the tone rolled totally off, IMO. And if you want to get raw and nasty, a good Tele bridge pickup will get you there, and you'll slice through the mix like a knife. And of course if you are a country player, it's no contest. Teles ARE the country electric guitar sound (and a lot of early rock and soul, for that matter).
I hated the Tele for the longest time, thought it was ugly, but in the past few years it’s grown on me! I really love the middle position with both pickups!
Same
As someone else similarly mentioned, more than 35 years after my first guitar lesson, I bought my first Tele during COVID 2020. Only took me that amount of time to find the best guitar tone, period. Today I own three. Leo got it right the first time.
Still need a Strat for position 2 and 4 tones though.. :)
I have been playing guitar for 55 years. Started with a Cheap Acoustic and a Framus Something. My first real electric guitar was a Telecaster course Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi play them and I wanted to sound like them. Mary thank you for this great video, Meikel.
Status Quo did great rock with mostly with four chords. First hits what I learned as teen rocker..
Long Time ago.
Hi Mary I'm an old guy in the UK ,started playing acoustic at 65 , then bought a telecaster ,never looked back, I'm self taught not very good but love my guitar .best wishes Rob
My main instrument is bass. But when I pick up a guitar, it's a Tele. So simple but with a great tone. And remarkably versatile.
Im a drummer who has finally started playing guitar, my first electric is a Squire classic vibe Telecaster, i absolutely love it, and as im a new guitarist i dont have experience or reason to compare it to anything else, im completely fascinated by the tele and have been enjoying a deep dive down the tele rabbit hole.
Also, it has gotten me into country and Americana music which o couldn’t be happier.
I enjoy your videos and playing.
Cheers
Nice history and congrats. I feel like Tom Petty, Chrissie Hynde and Mike Campbell should be mentioned as well. They played Tele's through the 80's when most of rock music was being played on pointy guitars and Floyd Rose dive bombing tremolos. They carried the torch when it was cool to turn their backs to them.
In America not so well-known but big in Europe: Status Quo. Their twin sound is based on the telecaster.
Look up the history of damn near every guitar player, and you'll find a Tele somewhere, even if it's just for a special purpose. Everybody plays it. Plain and simple.
How about an honorable mention for Bill Frisell and James Burton! Bill being one of the current greatest Jazz guitarists and JamesBurton having played for every body from Elvis Presley to Emmy Lou Harris, Roy Orbison and so many more I can’t mention them all here!
And Brad Paisley.
@@estenray5385 Ed Bickert and Ted Greene would also like a word.
So simple, and so expressive. A classic example of "less is more".
My first electric guitar is a Tele that I purchased during the beginnings of Covid, mostly because of the price. Since then, I have purchase a few other brands but that tele just feels like home. I love the feel of it in my hands and have grown to love the body design and sound. I've upgraded the switches and pickups have re-fallen in love with it. Great video.
Mary, you did a superb job with this video, from your detailed history, excellent scripting, and superlative editing, weaving the video in and out. This is a high standard for RUclips videos and would stand up anywhere. I salute you. You put in some work on this. PS That turtleneck looks good on you.
Mary, you are a talent, and a very humble one, who makes me light up when I see a new video.
Now the proud owner of two teles. My father in law just gave me a custom USA tele as a wedding present :) the other one is a player tele based on the 1951 no-caster. Great addition Mary! You’ll end up using it as the most reliable guitar in your sets
Great video Mary, I took 35 years of playing before I bought a Tele. Now I would never sell it, wonderful guitar, particularly for recording unique varied tones.
Love my Squier contemporary RH Telecaster. Much more of a modern take on the classic with some nice features and it absolutely sings!
I saw this advertised and it looks good. I myself converted a nice 2008 Squier Standard Tele to have a full sized dual rail humbucker (DiMarzio x2n) at the neck position and a Fender Vintage Noiseless pickup into the bridge plate. It is also vintage contemporary in its own way. I'm sure you dig your Contemporary RH. Congratulations. You might want to look at your tuners if they are hard to turn. Good aftermarket tuners are available and inexpensive.
It is my favourite guitar. Combined with a Vox AC30 it is pure gold to me ☺️
thank you for this video , I am older and have gone through the gammit of trying and playing different types of guitars , went through my Gibson phase , for years got hooked onto Stratocasters and then now finally just loving my Tele's cannot say enough about them and there sounds , thank you Leo and thank you Mary
What a wonderful gift to receive! Beautiful playing throughout as well, Mary!
I'm a tele guy myself so I'm really happy to see you're also discovering them! 👏
I love that you included Jim Root in that list, super underrated player and definitely makes a tele sound different than anyone else
Master Root was the reason I bought my first tele to be honest.
One of the most underrated guitarists ever, also a tele player, is John 5.
@@lubossajda3705 Truth, that dude is a magician on his tele. Well, to be fair I think that would apply to an instrument in his hands.
@@0Nafod0 It's really only a Tele-shaped object. He has super hot double humbuckers and none of the Tele sound.
Welcome to the club! I bought my Tele in 1981. I love it. I have played it at countless gigs and recordings and it still sounds and plays beautifully. Mine is black. Has a little road wear but is my favorite guitar in my collection. 🙂♥
I’ve got the Sea Foam green version of this and I love it. Was my first tele as well 😊
I finally have a Telecaster. A Squier Classic Vibe 60’s Thinline. Love it!
Welcome to the Tele addiction... it's like the Hotel California - you can check out any time you like but you can never leave. Happy Telecasting!
Well I'm a Gibson guy. I've owned a number of Les Pauls and SG over the years (and still do). I've owned a Strat for many years too - and it's fine. It wasn't until about five years ago I got a Tele and to be perfectly honest with you it's now my go to. I absolutely love it!
The work horse of all guitars, once you get a Tele, your other guitars become jealous.
For many guitar players there comes a time, usually somewhere around the late 30's in age, where you just wake up and decide you want one. Never wanted one before, around the age of 39 decided I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO HAVE ONE, got it and have loved it ever since.
It just happens.
Why doesn't no one ever bring up Status Quo when talking about Telecasters. They showed Tele's can rocks people socks off while selling 118 million albums in the process.
Mary Spender and her Fender strummed tunes so sweet and tender,
through the town, both day and night,
her melodies a sheer delight.
I've always been a Strat player, but in the last few years I decided to add a couple of Telecasters to my collection and I'm very glad I did. They are indeed elegant and fun guitars to play. If a Strat is a brash and bold trumpet, a Tele is a warm and mellow cornet. Both are great instruments.
And with a little knob tweaking can be turned into a soft, mellow saxophone!
The reverse control plate mod on teles has a history in and of itself. Those volume swells are delicious! Fender released a Tele FSR with this configuration because of how often the mod is done! Amazing!
What a great video Mary. You tick all the boxes. Take us with you in history of the guitar and your personal journey. Much more interesting than daily television. Your diversity in uploaded videos is great. Especially this weeks introduction with the artist REN. ❤❤🔥🔥🤘🤘
I remember stepping into a local shop just to see what’s what and saw the blue Tele with matching headstock before I even opened the door. “If it’s only slightly enjoyable to play, that’s going home with me today.” It’s been much more than that. Welcome to the club!
For some reason, having played for years only a Strat, I've always considered the world divided into two categories: Strat vs Tele players. Then 2 years ago I found an american standard Tele from 1999 in a small shop near Milan and fell in love with it ever since.
I've always looked at it as Gibson vs Fender, due to the scale lengths. I've always jived with a 25.5", inline headstock guitar no matter what the shape. I go Strat for vibrato and Tele for hardtail, although I have the opposite of each as well.
Love your playing. I just ordered the 1963 American Vintage 2 in Transparent Red , and I 'm looking forward to playing it through my Orange Tremlord. Thank you for the history of Leo Fender.
I am an ukulelist whois trying his hand on guitar playing, but until now just acoustic ones (Baby Taylor). I always had a liking to the Telecaster: Straightforward, no frills , unpretentious but seemingly reliable with a nice tone. My favourite Tele player is Brad Paisley, who is also a country guitarist, but then so much more. Criminally underrated, in my opinion.
I have a baby Taylor too! And Brad Paisley is amazing. He is criminally underrated. I don't know if you've ever seen it. But look up Game of Thrones Theme Song : Fender Custom Shop and bask in the glory of these giants, including Paisley, offering contributions to this amazing piece.
@@Rikalonius That was exactly what I was thinking of! If Nuno Bettencourt and Tom Morello watch you soloing with an approving or even slightly amazed look on their faces, then you know you're good. And the way he walks in he might be the average dad who just dropped in after bringing his kids to school, not the killer guitarist that he is. Total understatement - like a Telecaster. His rendition of "Whiskey Lullaby" together with Allison Krauss is easily one of my Top 5 heartwrencher songs of all time.
I just recently bought my first Telecaster after playing guitar now for 60 years... I own a Les Paul, a Stratocaster, an ES-125TCD, and many others... the Telecaster is my all-time fav guitar... so versatile for all styles of music. Glad you dig your new axe Mary, I don't know why it took me so long to get one!
I just got my first tele and it was built by an engineer who worked with Leo before Leo started Fender....I love it. There is just not a bad sound in a tele. It's a bare bones honest guitar and mine is a butterscotch black guard with gold hardware and six saddles that are adjustable. I'm a 335 player but this has been a nice change from my Casino and 335 devotions.
I play a 1970 mutt Telecaster. The neck is from a 71 and bridge pick up is a pre cbs pick up. I found it in a pawn shop in 1990, in this form. I since added a Starto-booster mod , like the ones Jerry Garcia used,
Learned so much from this video! Thank you Mary, it's a very beautiful guitar 🖤
Fun Fact: Ellie Rowsell's Tele is a Korean made Lite Ash Fender Telecaster. These were made from around 2004--2008. Beautiful guitar. I have the same exact one as Ellie.
excellent history lesson on the telecaster! I never knew that. well presented.
'' The only true original electric guitar '' ! This , the Telecaster has alway been my one and only love ! Cheers from Montréal , Québec . SO
I'm not a Tele player, I bash at my acoustic as best I can, but I love electric guitar and my favourite sounding has always been the Tele. What a great gift from Fender Mary, I hope you both form a love bond together 👍
You should look into the Fender Telecoustic. I have one of those, and it is delightful.
My first el;ectric guitar was a Tele and I've been playing one now for over 20 years. I love the versatility. No matter what I'm playing, the sound is crisp and clean.
Not a tele player, I have a Les Paul Custom from 2004. But I definitely have my eyes on a baby pink tele with a maple fingerboard I've seen in my local music shop. Definitely been a guitar I've sought after for a long time, and I definitely know that it'll be the next guitar I purchase.
Loved this video, can't wait to see more like it from you :)
Always good to hear from you Mary… 👍🏻👍🏻😊. Nice work….
Mary,
A Telecaster is to a musician what a boat is to a fisherman. The two just go perfectly together! Enjoy!
For a real treat in enjoying your Tele, try the reissue 5 watt '57 Champ guitar amplifier. It is a little monster with terrific tone.
I have a '94 Nashville. And I bought a new Squier Baritone at the beginning of this year. Love the twang of a proper Telecaster. Safe travels.
The Telecaster is a perfect machine. It is not only the most similar to an acoustic instrument -in terms of 'honesty', but one of the most potentially expressive instruments within the electric guitar panacopia. It responds to a player with an almost pure sense of 'you get what you give'. Designed to mesh with pedal steel, it is actually it's own world. These are my opinions of course. In addition, I was a 'late Bloomer' with the Tele, and discovered its virtues after embracing a more organic approach.
As I said - if you decide to go with the Tele, you will get what you put into it. Purely . I would suppose that this is exactly why it's not more popular than it is. Only the courageous may enter. Lol
It took me 20 years of playing before I gave a tele a try this year. Bought a Squire 52' second hand and fell in love
As a owner of many Fender guitars to include CS Strats and CS Teles, the Fender AV II ‘51 Telecaster with its iconic butterscotch body, all maple neck and black pick guard is a dream to play and my most favored of the bunch. A telecaster should be in ever guitarist’s tool box. Welcome to club Tele, Mary!
got mine 2 days ago and the world is not the same anymore. it is pretty, soft and rough at the same time. everybody should have one!
The beauty of the tele for me is that it's just a simple practical guitar build to last.
It's what it's been from day one till today and to me that's beautiful and playing one feels like paying respect to a great craftsman that Leo was.
I found a classic vibe from 2017 for $250. It was like new with brass saddles added. This was my second electric after my 1980s Kramer Focus.
I love playing it. It has great tone on my amp and is inspiring.
You are so great at storytelling Mary. Loved this video. I only have one electric guitar and it's a telecaster (somewhat similar to yours but mexican).
Yep, it’s a beaut Clark. And so is Mary! B. T. W. The Vintera is MIM.
@@markseelye8270 Mine is a Classic Series '60s Telecaster from 2015 also with Rosewood Fingerboard it's a really good guitar
My first electric guitar was a Telecaster... and I have 3 currently (after gifting one of my favorites-a Jerry Donahue signature model- to my son on his 18th birthday). I have two Creston Electric Teles (look him up- they're amazing, and he's a good friend here in VT), and a modified MIJ double-bound candy apple red Fender with a Bigsby from about 1988. They're all very different from one another, and all great, do-anything guitars. I have Gretsches, a Gibson, a Strat, Jazzmaster, etc. but a Tele goes with me to every gig. I just love 'em.
you forgot Roy Buchanan Mary, the best tele player eva... besides you .
That is so fuuny, after six years of rededicating myself to guitar playing I bought my first Telecaster on October 21st and asked myself the same question right before and since, "why hadn't I gotten one way sooner!". I own the typical guitars for other genres and kicking myself now for waiting as I have not put it down since I bought it! Keep up the great work, never give up on your passion and use all the naysayers as motivation to overcome adversity. Don't listen to those who are negative cause you have tenacity to prosper and enjoy the journey. Still young! Now time to get back to the Tele! 🙂
Jeff Buckley is another one of the best tele players, his guitar skills are underrated
He was mentioned
Check out Scotty Anderson tele playing.
Not many people have heard of him.
The telecaster:
fight your way out of a bar room fight with it on Friday, play cricket with it on Saturday, then play a gig with it on Sunday (you may/may not need to retune)..!
Seriously, the most flexible multi-purpose guitar ever built: jazz, blues, country, funk, rock.
Turn the vol down a bit, and it does a very nice acoustic guitar.
I've had 50+ years of owning and playing some very VERY nice boxes, and it's still my absolute go-to, desert island guitar.
Swap out your pickups and experiment, that's my advice. Easy.
That sound - your own 'unique sound' - is in there waiting for you, believe me.
And get the neck profile that suits you. Essential.
It don't matter when you get a Tele so long as you at some point you pick one up. It's the only guitar I'm aware of that can support all music categories. Bruce played his for 40 yrs on the rd.
Keith 60+ yrs
Leo always thought the musican came first, also his amps
Love the channel Mary
Cheers
Doug 😎
Yup! Strats for years, found and fell in love with a Tele, many years ago. Love the bite! 😉👍🏻
Wonderful presentation! (As usual) What was not mentioned about the Telecaster, is the fantastic balance it has when on a strap. The neck seems to be weightless and is ready for the player's hands.
I completely fell in love with my Chrissie Hynde (*ahem* the ICONIC Telecaster player) signature Tele the moment it arrived. I find my self strangely inspired to play a lot more melodic passages than I would have traditionally done on this guitar. Bright without sharpness, clear even when playing moderately distorted tones, it is perhaps my favorite guitar today.
I play a 1950's Japanese made Fender Telecaster from 1998. I saved up at my first Job at Long John Silver's and had it on a layaway payment plan with a local guitar shop. They actually ordered it right from Japan and took 6 months to get in after I paid for it. It is the guitar I am holding in my RUclips picture to the left. That picture is inspired by the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album Long After Dark. I love my Tele so much and I loved this video as well. You are Spectacular Mary.
Love it! I owned a gorgeous white tele up until about 3 years ago when i decided to sell it. I instantly regretted my decision and continue to. I will have another at some point I'm sure. Enjoy it.
Just got my first Tele this year too! It’s a 2012 Standard Tele with high output pickups and 6 bridge saddles. Loving it!
I have a Fender Squire Tele in all white. I love it! It is my favorite guitar to play. I like Tele's sound. They sound kind.
I suddently became a telecaster devote after purchesing a second hand one on internet (blind date, let's say) and i falled in love with it. My iconic tele player is Billy Bragg in earlty '80s playing whole solo concerts only accompagned by his hungry (little crunch added ) telly.
Loved your video!! I am a Telecaster owner, Although i own other brands of guitars too, My Telecaster has always been my favorite. Nothing else compares to it's versatility.
Mary, that guitar suits you perfectly! I love it with the rosewood fingerboard. It Just so happens, I'm a player for 45 + years, never had a tele, Only Strats and Les pauls,
but just picked up a blue Squire Sonic model, the playability and electeonics are out of this world! So happy to see your video at the same time i'm discovering the Telecaster.
Just aquired a Telecaster Affinity and I love it.
I purchased a James Burton signature Tele in 1996. It was made in Mexico and is blonde with a black pick guard. It is my NO.1 go to for performances and will be in the box with me when I'm gone. I've played all brands and types of guitars but this is my number 1. Thank you Leo Fender.
I’m a guitarist of twenty years. I have had endless strats and a few great les Paul’s. My genre is every changing but my soul is trapped in a telecaster. It’s the tone in my subconscious. And I’ve only ever owned 1. Mine❤
I have had 68 Tele since 1977. $425 with a PAT humbucker right in the middle. I like it a lot. The frets were redone with slightly bigger frets. This guitar was somebody bar guitar. I has a black pickguard and lots of scratches including the cigarette burn under the strings past the nut. It will be with me forever.