AlanRatcliffe
I just spoke to Robin at Fender and he confirmed there is no stock - he was even kind enough to check the stock all the retail stores to see if anyone had stock, but no joy.
They are on the next shipment which is slated to arrive "the second week of July" - so the wait is only going to be three to four weeks.
...and yes, you should wait rather than settle for one you don't want - you'll never be happy with it if you do.
FatBoy
Thanks for the trouble Alan. You are right, I'll have to wait. Its my birthday on the 10th, maybe just MAYBE I will be lucky and have it by then.
I think it will be worth the wait, she is just beautiful! I know you recommended I leave the amp and get a better guitar, but ya, I need the amp for harp playing too, so hopefully this will be good enough to get me started. I feel that I'd be better of getting a cheapish one now and then get a proper USA Tele when I am a big boy, other than start with a MIM and no amp.
Please don't feel I didn't think about your advice, I have a great amount of respect for you!
JoeyBones
Fritz Brand wrote
Yea Gretch's look awesome, and I've only heard good things about them.
My heart is currently set on this puppy
Squier Standard Series - Antique Burst Finish
And as my luck goes, the supplier have no stock of them May only arrive in 6 weeks, maybe longer!!☹
They only have the Vintage Blond ones, and ya I must say I don't like the look of those. What to do, what to do...
Did they give you a price ?
AlanRatcliffe
Fritz Brand wrote
Please don't feel I didn't think about your advice, I have a great amount of respect for you!
No problem at all. It all boils down to priorities, and everyone's priorities are different - I get that completely. Just because I'm an uncompromising b*****d about guitars, doesn't mean everyone has to be.
Did they give you a price ?
Good question. Did they? I might be able to organise something.
FatBoy
The prices range from R2450 to R2650, that's after asking for discount. I think it retails for R3400. Everyone said that the price on the new stock may have gone up, so I guess I'll have to wait and see.
AlanRatcliffe
Yes, that's about right.
New prices will depend on the Rand on the day they arrive.
Spyke
I never used to be a fan of the Telecaster, primarily based on its shape. But of late I've been seriously considering one. At the prices mentioned it sounds like fair game... hmmm
So I sit in the predicament: New amp / new guitar / do the responsible, grown up thing. ☹
AlanRatcliffe
I also have a bit of a problem with the shape of the Tele. Not looks-wise though, comfort-wise. I play quite high, which makes squared off edges a bit too uncomfortable.
Of course, you could always build a Tele with contours or a Strat with Tele Bridge and pickups... ?
JoeyBones
I want this Deluxe Tele
Mr-M
The American Deluxe Tele in Joey's pic actually has strat-like body contours on the back so it is comfy to play vs a regular slab-backed Tele.
I also lust after just such a Tele, but it doesn't suit me because of the neck shape & fingerboard radius - I know, I've tried 'em! I'll rather buy a cheapie and mod it to my spec some day when I have the time.
FatBoy
I don't really mind the slab backed thing. I am a fairly huge oke, so the weight and the bulkiness actually felt quite comfortable to me. With regards to neck sizes and radius (not too clued up about these yet) would you say the standard Tele's neck is better suited for big hands or small ones? I have these big ass hands and had a lot of trouble getting used to my Cort acoustic from the classical Yamaha that I borrowed. I hope a Standard Tele isn't consided as a "small" neck?
AlanRatcliffe
Most of them are fairly average in size, probably a little thicker than the Cort. Some models have absolutely huge necks, and sound better for it - Baja, Deluxe reissue, etc.
Mr-M
The neck itself is fairly thick (when compared to Ibanez or Yamaha guitars) so it should suit your big hands. The nut is slightly narrow at 42mm, but the string spacing is still generous enough that it should be comfortable for you to play.
Wizard
Good advice can also torture you.
I did all the homework, asked Alan's advice and got convinced to buy the G260.
Alas ... no stock ... anywhere.
But ... was super keen to start learning.
Now have an Indo Squier Strat ... and continue to read the rave reviews of the G260
An interesting question. Would it have been better to wait? Or to have had all the fun I've already had by buying earlier?
When is the new batch of G260's coming in anyway?
AlanRatcliffe
I for one understand not being able to wait! As a teen I bought my first as soon as I had enough money for a cheapie (R127) then beat the hell out of that (and refinished it three times) over the next six months until I could afford my first Strat.
I spoke to the guy who handles the Cort imports and they didn't have any on order. It seems that for some reason they had a run on them (I wonder why... ?). He kindly agreed to make sure to always keep them in stock and ordered some (both colours this time!) - should be here in April.
Otherwise, for others unwilling to wait, cross my palms with enough silver and you might be able to walk away with a "subtly modded"
G-VT. ?
Wizard
I've decided I made the best choice.
Never played guitar before and am manically learning.
Have put in my hours and have the callouses to show for it.
What's the worst that can happen? I sell off the Squier at half its purchase price in exchange for the hours I've got so far.
I think it's a good deal.
How much silver exactly is that Alan?
AlanRatcliffe
I think you made the right choice. Fender have announced a price increase across the board of up to 30% from the 1st of Feb. I'm not sure yet if that affects the Squiers (probably will), and if it's going to affect local stockholding immediately or only when new stock gets here. Either way, even secondhand value will go up when that happens.
...4,500 pieces of silver. About the same as the G260 will probably be when stock gets here. Amazing - a friend bought a G260 just over a year ago and he got guitar, Roland Microcube amp, bag, tuner, cable, spare set of strings and half a dozen plectra for under R3K!
Wizard
As discussed previously, I also got the whole thing on a silly Bothners sale.
Got the guitar and G-Dec amp for 4,000
They are now selling the G-Dec for 3,300 alone - so was a very good deal.
I love the look of your instrument - especially the natural wood body.
I nearly bought a KX1Q just for the look of the body.
And if doesn't sound good, it would have been bought from the wrong Alan.
I may just hate you for your silver number you've put down.
It's tantalisingly within reach ... IF I sell some of my other under utilised toys ... or succeed in securing a few more marimba sales.
(anyone here like high end telescopes? one octave pentatonic marimba's?)
Here's the delicious irony - the time I was previously investing in making marimba's is now spent battling to learn basic chords.
AlanRatcliffe
Wizard wrote
(anyone here like high end telescopes? one octave pentatonic marimba's?)
Whoops! Sorry - looks like I've inadvertently given you a bad case of GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome).
Here's the delicious irony - the time I was previously investing in making marimba's is now spent battling to learn basic chords.
? As long as you're having fun doing it, it's all good, really.
Gearhead
Methinks it's better to spend your time making guitars than learning to play the marimba ?
