In previous posts, I have asked what the best all-rounder guitar might be. I mentioned various types of guitar, eventually settling on a 335 style guitar such as my Harley Benton HB-35 Plus.

I also praised the Stratocaster, another guitar I have more than one of, in various forms. I certainly mentioned the Telecaster, but when I read the articles back, I feel like I was unfair to the first ever commercially produced electric guitar. Why?

The answer is probably because I have hardly played one in comparison to Strats or other guitars. And while over a dozen Strats have passed through my guitar collection in the last quarter of a century, I have never owned a Telecaster of any kind.

The more I think about it, the more striking that is, especially when considering how many of my favourite guitar players used Teles. These include guitarists from literally every genre you can imagine, including (but not remotely limited to):

• Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
• Steve Cropper (legendary guitarist on some of the world’s best known soul recordings)
• Jimmy Page (who recorded Led Zeppelin’s debut album entirely on a paisley telecaster)
• Roy Buchanan (influencial sideman known as ‘the guitarists’ guitarist’s guitarist’)
• Bob Dylan (who infamously went electric at a folk festival by plugging in a Telecaster)
• George Harrison (in the later years of The Beatles, including during their legendary rooftop concert)
• Tommy Tedesco (legendary session guitarist)
• Bill Frizell, Mike Stern & Julian Lage (amazing Tele-playing jazz guitarists)
• James Burton (Elvis Presley)
• Bruce Springsteen (The Boss)
• Joe Strummer (The Clash)
• PJ Harvey (lauded British singer-songwriter)
• Andy Summers (The Police)
• Graham Coxon (Blur)
• Chrissie Hyde (The Pretenders)
• Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
• Rick Parfitt & Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
• Muddy Waters & Albert Collins (blues legends)
• Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; Fleetwood Mac)
• Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine; Audioslave)
• Waylon Jemnings (country legend)
• Matt Bellamy (Muse)
• Mike Bloomfield (blues & session guitarist who worked with Dylan, among others)
• Jeff Buckley (revered singer-songwriter)
• Anna Calvin (three times Mercury-nominated artist)
• Richie Kotzen (Poison; Mr Big)
• Jerry Donahue (insanely talented country-fusion string bender)
• Brad Paisley (one of several amazing country guitarists wielding Teles)
• John 5 (Marylin Manson; NuMetalist)
• Jim Root (Slipknot)
• Cornell Dupree (soul session legend)
• Noddy Holder (Slade)

…and did you know Hendrix used a Telecaster (borrowed from his bass player, Noel Redding) to record the solo to Purple Haze?

It goes without saying that the above list is by no means exhaustive, and also that many of the artists listed above used other guitars. However, the vast majority of them relied on a Telecaster for their most seminal recordings or the bulk of their live work – as have so many others.

So why haven’t I?

I think I started off by buying a Stratocaster as my first proper guitar, and fell in love. I became a Strat Guy, and in many ways, remain one. It’s the guitar in the hands of many of my earliest guitar heroes and was the dream guitar of my teenage years. And as I have said previously, the Stratocaster is an incredibly versatile guitar. But I wonder if this has led me to overlook Telecasters as a result?

Perhaps it’s time to change that. Any recommendations for the best value Telecaster to buy? I’ve a few in mind, but I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And of course, if/when I eventually get to put a Tele through it’s paces, I’ll report back…