15 BEST TELES
Shopping for a T-style? Take a look at our rundown of the best options available now
Paoletti Nancy Lounge 2P90 Surf Green
It’s almost guaranteed – the more you read about Paoletti guitars, the more you will need to own one. The Tuscany-based company was founded by Fabrizio Paoletti in 2005 with the aim of reclaiming 150 year-old chestnut from his family’s wine barrels and transforming the wood into stunning works of art, like this P90-loaded ‘Nancy’ from the Lounge series.
G&L ASAT Classic
Not only were the Californian company founded by Leo Fender himself, he even went as far as claiming ‘G&L guitars and basses are the best instruments I have ever made’. The ASAT Classic, found in their Tribute Series, is an affordable take on the Tele, with classic colours like Butterscotch Blonde, Gloss Black, Clear Orange and Tobacco Sunburst and options for either a swamp ash or basswood body.
Fender American Professional II
Considering the American Professional series ended up accounting for over half of Fender’s instrument sales, big things were expected from last year’s revamp. The models now feature a deep C neck, the new V-mod pickups with push-pull switching and are available in new finishes including Miami Blue and Dark Knight.
Suhr Classic T
Few have managed to recreate Leo’s designs to the same degree as John Suhr, but it is worth remembering the man once worked as the Senior Master Builder in Fender’s Custom Shop. The Classic T models feature a Swamp Ash body, a Tinted Maple neck and fingerboard, plus Suhr’s own pickups with the Silent Single Coil System, offering traditional single-coil tone without the 60 cycle hum.
ESP E-II T-B7 Baritone
Looks can be incredibly deceiving sometimes. This Tele-of-sorts by ESP is actually a seven-string baritone, offering some serious extended range wizardry in a very classic design. It features a 27” scale length, a neck-thru-body construction, a 24-fret ebony fingerboard and high-output EMG pickups for unparalleled metallic destruction.
Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Telecaster Thinline
This ’70s Thinline is so affordable, it will leave you wondering how they’re making any profit whatsoever. But that doesn’t mean it’s a low quality instrument – in fact, the Fender-designed Wide Range humbucking pickups, Soft Maple body and C-shape Maple neck ensure it sounds and feels every bit as good as it looks.
Tom Anderson Top T
Tom Anderson’s guitars have been seen in the hands of Kirk Hammett, Keith Richards, Neal Schon and David Crosby – which goes to prove just how versatile his instruments can be. And they’re also highly customisable – this Top T, for example, being available in Mahogany, Alder, Basswood or Swamp Ash with options for a solid or hollow body.
Friedman Vintage-t
Dave Friedman’s amps have become the stuff of legend in recent years, used by rock royalty such as Jerry Cantrell and Bill Kelliher. But in 2015, he decided to blow our minds even more and announce the Friedman guitar line. This Vintage-t, made-to-order in partnership with Grover Jackson, is available in an array of tonewoods with options for Friedman’s Classic 90 or Classic Humbucker pickups.
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Mahogany
The Gojira singer/guitarist once described his signature as “a killing machine with class”. We certainly wouldn’t argue with him there – and though this latest version may look like a natural finish Tele, you actually get a mahogany body and neck, a Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF in the neck and Joe’s new signature Dimarzio Fortitude in the bridge.
Fender Player Telecaster
The Big F launched the Player series back in 2018, effectively taking over from the Mexican Standards. It was a wise move – bringing high-quality instruments to those on a budget or just starting out. Truth be told, the Fender made-in-mexico range has never sounded better.
Ibanez AZS2200F Prestige
The Japanese manufacturer’s AZ series has proven to be incredibly popular with modern players who prefer S-style instruments. This year they decided to add some T’s to the range, which – like this AZS2200F – feature two Seymour Duncan pickups (a Magic Touchmini neck humbucker and an Alnico II Pro Custom single-coil bridge) and an Alter Switch for a total of six voices.
Kiesel Solo Classic S6
Launched by Carvin in 2015 to handle their instrument lines, Kiesel have since announced signature models for artists like Greg Howe, Andy James and Will Swan. The 24-fret Solo Classic S6 is more of a vintage affair, but with some modern appointments – including an easy-access neck joint with recessed ferrules, dual Kiesel Lithium humbuckers and dual carbon-fibre neck rods.
Schecter PT Pro
Available in Transparent Blue Burst or Transparent Purple Burst, the new PT Pro models from Schecter are among some of the most eye-catching guitars they’ve ever produced, and still very affordable. With an alder body, a quilted maple top, a thin ‘C’ roasted maple neck and Schecter’s USA Z-plus humbuckers, it’s hard to see where you can go wrong...
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe Bigsby
If Fender’s Parallel Universe line proved anything, it’s that the American guitar giants were still capable of finding new ways to evolve. This latest version of the Troublemaker Tele feels a lot like a Les Paul Custom, thanks to its trio of humbuckers, block inlays and classic ‘tuxedo’ aesthetic.
Reverend Charger 390
With three P90-style pickups, a Korina body, a Roasted Maple neck and a treble bleed circuit, the Charger 390 is certainly an interesting take on the Telecaster. It also includes a bass contour dial, to help effectively revoice the pickup by tightening the low end.