Andy Summers '61 Tele - only 250 made

Tlud · October 4th, 2007, 01:40 PM

Anyone seen and/or played this one?

Only 250 limited editions. The prototype was built by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Dennis Galuszka.

I have only seen one on the internet with a sales price of $10,500. It is an exact replica of the Tele that Summers played throughout his career with the Police. I have read some outstanding reviews and for > $10 k it better be outstanding.

bobthecanadian · October 10th, 2007, 08:11 PM

Too much coin for me. I don't think I can afford to look at it too long. It is a rather interesting guitar though.

Tlud · October 11th, 2007, 08:53 AM

I was highly disappointed when I saw the price tag. I'm thinking with that price Charlize Theron should deliver the guitar personally to my door. Of course seeing her walk away in disgust probably wouldn't be worth it either.

Boris Bubbanov · December 16th, 2007, 01:55 PM

I think Dave's Guitar in Wisconsin has a one owner immaculate one for about $ 6,000.00 with all the candy.

Knowing Mr. Summers chose to play something else on the tour was not helpful for the provenance of these guitars.

YMMV,

Bubbanov

bobthecanadian · April 25th, 2008, 09:54 AM

I've been looking at this guitar again. I think I like it more and more. However, I still can't afford it. So, maybe I will just have to build something like it. Humbucker, singlecoil, preamp, bridge pickup attached to the body. Maybe I can even find a brass bridge... nah.... What's the big deal with this guitar anyway? It is something that he bought from one of his students for $200.

Strat-Talk · April 25th, 2008, 04:00 PM

I saw one at Summer NAMM last year in Austin. It was a work of art. I did get to hold it briefly but not really play it or anything.

I know it's beat up and I shouldn't have been worried, but it really does look like a fragile work of art when you see it up close.

Del Pickup · May 14th, 2008, 11:21 PM

Having watched the Custom Shop vid about this guitar I'm really impressed with the variety of tones that can be found within it.

I particularly liked the out of phase tones with the pre-amp dialled in - almost Peter Green-like in tone.

I would love to find that tone coming out of my tele.....

It is a very versatile guitar - but way to expensive for most of us, I would guess. And then, even if you could afford it, would you ever gig with it unless you had a full security team surrounding you?? Bit like gigging with a Blackie or Lenny replica.

thaus · May 26th, 2008, 10:17 PM

Love Andy Summers but the price of this instrument is a little to high for a humble player like me! I just bought a AVRI 62.......maybe just have to drop it out the window a few times and it will look like Andy's!!!

Strat-Talk · May 27th, 2008, 12:04 AM

Here's the photo from NAMM. I'll be headed to Summer NAMM in June again. I wonder what will be new this year????

thaus · May 27th, 2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Talk

Here's the photo from NAMM. I'll be headed to Summer NAMM in June again. I wonder what will be new this year????

Probably more relics.......seems to be where guitar stuff is headed and they do seem to command the highest prices! When in June is the NAMM show?

Strat-Talk · May 27th, 2008, 09:23 AM

It's in Nashville this year (it's been in Austin for the previous 2 years) and it's June 20th through the 22nd.

StratDen · May 27th, 2008, 10:42 AM

For the last month and a half I have been playing the Masterbuilt Jeff beck Esquire. Now that one is tasty! I haven't seen the Andy Summers Tele in person anywhere...

StratDen · May 27th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tlud

I was highly disappointed when I saw the price tag. I'm thinking with that price Charlize Theron should deliver the guitar personally to my door. Of course seeing her walk away in disgust probably wouldn't be worth it either.

A few have been this way. But it's not unique to Fender. Martin acoustics are getting way up and out there too as are others.

My local Fender dealer had an EVH in stock for about 3 months. With no interest at the near $20k price, it went out the door just last week for $17k. I won't knock it, I'll just say that isn't a guitar I'd spend that much on.

StratDen · May 27th, 2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Talk

I saw one at Summer NAMM last year in Austin. It was a work of art. I did get to hold it briefly but not really play it or anything.

I know it's beat up and I shouldn't have been worried, but it really does look like a fragile work of art when you see it up close.

I have found that too with alot of the relics like this. They really have a dead-on-right feel. Much more than just a new guitar that simply went through an aging process... I can say I am in the camp that appreciates and likes them.

thaus · May 28th, 2008, 08:30 AM

I just finished reading Andy Summers' autobiography and he goes into some detail about the guitar and how it just felt right or special right from the first time he played it. I think we all look for that guitar but who knows if we have it or is it more fun searching!! If the thing was down to $5000, I may consider it but I doubt it will decrease in value since they only made so many........

StratDen · May 28th, 2008, 12:32 PM

I'm with you on that, Thaus. There are some great guitars for may thousands less to be had. I suppose it comes down to how much you want to spend and how rare do you want?

If I wanted a limited production guitar with quality of a guitar demanding 5x or more it's price I'd buy another Lindy Fralin equipped Fano in a second. The masterbuilts from Fender are nice, but like many others, too big on the tag for my comfort.

But the secret sauce treatment seems to be spilling over into other Fender models as I am learning and seeing first hand with other Fender models not demanding those prices.

thaus · May 28th, 2008, 01:39 PM

Yes, I think the elusive perfect guitar will always be that.....elusive because playing is so organic and changes all the time the more you play. Your likes/dislikes will change and what you thought was great one year will change the next. Last year I acquired a Custom Shop Nocaster with the fat neck and at first I thought I wouldn't enjoy the neck but it has since become one of my favourites! I thought I was always a skinny-neck kind of player but the heftier ones actually are more comfortable for me..........

StratDen · June 1st, 2008, 09:14 AM

Yeah funny how that happens from one guitar to the next. Years ago I used to try and narrow it down to just one guitar, but I realized that's just too limiting.

worldoftone · June 19th, 2008, 11:06 AM

I played it at the Summer NAMM last year. A fine guitar I must say, but I dunno about the price LOL!

- WOT

jmasin · June 19th, 2008, 12:04 PM

Personally I don't think you are buying quality and/or a great guitar for that price, you are buying exclusivity. There's nothing wrong with that, and I don't fault anyone for paying that if it is worth that to them to have 1/250 in the world. But that's what it is.

worldoftone · June 19th, 2008, 02:13 PM

I'd hunt down a real '61 if I wanted one bad enough. It will hold its value better.

- WOT

thaus · August 3rd, 2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldoftone

I'd hunt down a real '61 if I wanted one bad enough. It will hold its value better.

- WOT

That's probably the best idea if you really NEEDED this kind of telecaster!