I love strats. Own a few. In fact they are the only Fenders (or faux Fenders for that matter) I currently own. Lately though my thoughts have been straying and I've been thinking of adding some variety to my Fender collection. But I'm torn. You see I'm a fan of Jazzmasters and Telecasters and feel quite at home on both (understandably). But which one? Is the JM or the tele the ideal strat sidekick? So my fellow strat devotees (and if you're not a strat devotee then **** Donny), here's the scenario: The devil has allowed you just one other Fender in addition to your strat(s)...so which one?
There's only one cure for that and I'm sure you know where I'm going with this.. Hmmm, I didn't see the "both" option up there^^^
Telecaster, no doubt. It's been the industry standard for 65 years for a reason! Jazzmasters and Jags are very cool, but they have been second fiddle to these two since their inception.
4:1 for the Tele ... to be expected given its legendary, nay mythical status. And don't get me wrong I'm not immune to its charms, it's just that a strat with the right bridge pup can get you so durn close to the tele sound anyway. So I'm thinking the JM will offer more variety to my tonal palette. Though I'm also keen to add another maple fingerboard to the collection (in the interests of balance) so the tele will deliver there.
I happen to like hardtails. But a Tele is a Tele is a Tele. And I've never been a fan of their sound. Jazzmaster. I like almost everything about them. The tone predominantly. It is rather unique among guitars. I like the split circuit and the ability to lock the "trem"... The only thing I have to adjust to is that it's ugly.
I can see your dilemma. Weird that I never liked Strats until I hit 60, now I love them. My Mod Shop Mahogany Tele is my best playing guitar. I’m wondering if you are attracted to the wood and acoustic feel/resonance or is it a aesthetic thing? I came close to getting a JM shape just for the look of the hog back. Then others here clued me in that I could get a full body/neck Tele from the Mod Shop so that’s the way I went, I have to admit I’m not a real fan of the JM look..... But boy is that wood pretty! Choices, choices... Edit: oops i meant that I never liked Tele’s until now. Always loved Strats...
Choices indeed ... this is definitely one of those 'first world problems as the kids say! I'll tell you which tele has really caught my eye - it's an American Original White Blonde/gold hardware Mary Kaye-style Ltd Ed which they made for 2020.
Sorry to say it, but it's been the other way around for me, recently. Strat has been the sidekick. I've tried a bunch of Strat bridge pickups, but none get even close to any of my Tele bridge pickups (OV and Tex Mex) And my Nashville Tele does the Strat thing as well as a Strat, minus the whammy bar, plus everything that makes a Tele great.
How can the Telecaster be a "sidekick" to the Stratocaster if the Esquire, Broadcaster, and Telecaster came first?
