3 Best Telecaster Alternatives [2023 Review]

The Telecaster body style has inspired guitarists of all genres since its inception in its original Esquire and Broadcaster incarnations – from country to punk to classic rock to avant-garde-noise-jazz, it is difficult to think of a fashion of guitar playing that does not showcase any T-type players at all.

While the standard Telecaster is notoriously flexible, its design has prompted numerous guitar manufacturers to give the formula their own spin, each targeted to a certain sort of musician.

We picked some of the best telecaster copy for you, and there is not really a poor choice between these three guitars. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our Best Telecaster Copy review for more information below.

Our Top Pick: Fender American Original ’60s Telecaster

Features: The line that replaced Fender’s American Vintage series is all about remaining as faithful to legendary models from the past as possible, but with certain modernization compromises.

This Telecaster’s mix of cut and punch is manna from heaven for roots rock, 60s pop, and R&B-inspired guitarists who know how to use a low- to medium-powered tweed amp. Dave Davies, early Page, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Petty, and the Stones – it is all here, and finding it is not difficult.

Because of the vintage-incorrect 9.25-inch radius on the fretboard, large bends do not need quite as much work. If you are looking for the best telecaster copy, this might be the one for you.

It is a high-quality guitar with great vintage characteristics, but it is also rather simple. It is a worthwhile purchase if you are addicted to Telecasters and know what you are looking for. However, if you do not care for the simplicity of a Tele, you could find it expensive.

Overall, this is a fantastic Telecaster with a truly vintage appearance and feel. It plays and sounds just like the legendary Telecasters from the 1960s. It may give oldies bands an antique feel and bring back the sounds of bygone eras.

It is, nevertheless, a guitar designed for a very specialized market. While it may not do much outside of its area, it shines brightly inside of it.

This Telecaster’s pricing may be found on Amazon. It could be a little pricey for a basic Telecaster. The unique retro style and bespoke features, on the other hand, make it a rarer instrument, and classic Tele lovers will not be disappointed.

Runner Up: Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2

Features: The Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 PT HH electric guitar shines in any playing style, and you will never want to put it down once you pick it up. If you are looking for the best telecaster copy, this might be the one for you.

The Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 PT HH from Charvel is a sleek and flexible guitar that is ready to spread waves of smashing overdrive and searing lead lines, but also down for the some chilled-out, Southern California clean-tone chime. The Pro-Mod So-Cal is equipped with two Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic pickups.

These can deliver a wide spectrum of classic and current rock ‘n’ roll and metal tones that guitarists adore. The premium hardware kit keeps everything intoned, in-tune, and ready to shred, including a Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo, sealed die-cast tuners, and Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut.

Charvel was one of the first major makers of Super Strats, so it is no surprise that the firm also makes a wide range of Telecaster-style guitars, including the well-known Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2.

The flexibility of this Telecaster-style guitar is paramount. It has enough punch for overdrive rock sessions while remaining restrained enough for clearer tones. The Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic pickups are responsible for this flexibility. The pickups provide a wide spectrum of tones, including for heavy music, which is unusual.

Charvel guitars are not inexpensive, but they are within reach. Super-premium gear, such as a Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo, gorgeous die-cast tuners, and a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut, justify the hefty price tag. Of course, with such high-end equipment, you would expect your intonation to be flawless.

Best for Budget: Squier Affinity Telecaster

Features: Consider the Squier Affinity Telecaster if you are on a tight budget and want to keep your Telecaster as near to the Fender family as possible. Fender’s Squier brand of guitars is more inexpensive, allowing novices to experiment with their instruments without breaking the bank.

Fender wants you to fall in love with the instrument and eventually upgrade to a real Fender Telecaster. In terms of Telecaster replicas, the Squier is as near to the genuine thing as you can get in terms of design, as it is a Fender Design.

Let’s take a look at this Squier model and see why it is such a good deal. If you are looking for the best telecaster copy, this might be the one for you. The hues are the same as the original.

The Squier Affinity Telecaster looks almost comparable to the Fender Player series if you do not look too closely. Fender’s excellent colors, like the Butterscotch Blonde finish, are also available on the Squier.

Neck in the form of a C. The Squier Telecaster, like its Fender cousin, is incredibly comfortable to play, which is crucial while learning an instrument. Instead of 22 frets, the Squier has a 21-fret configuration, which is more conventional.

Pickups from the past. The Squier is equipped with two single-coil pickups, as is customary. These actually sound very nice for the price. Two knobs control the volume and tone of the music.

Many owners of this guitar are surprised by how nice it looks right out of the box. Squier (Fender) has found out how to make a guitar that looks and sounds fantastic for an entry-level guitar. So, if you are on a budget, the Squier Affinity Telecaster is the way to go.

What to look for when buying the best telecaster copy?

T-type generally refers to one of two things: a flat-topped single-cut design and/or an electrical architecture that is similar to the original. Dual single-coil pickups, a three-way blade switch, and master volume/tone controls placed in a metal control plate are common on traditional-leaning T-styles.

More modern-leaning designs may be fitted with humbuckers instead, emulating the control layout of the 1970s Telecaster Deluxe which takes some cues from the electronics of another single cut, and some may even do away with the scratchplate-centered construction entirely, resulting in a sleek, minimalist look.

T-style guitars are also more likely than S-style guitars to have hard-tailed bridges rather than vibratos, but there are notable outliers. Make sure the best telecaster copy you pick has these features.

What is a telecaster? What is the best telecaster copy?

In 1950, Fender released what seems to be a Telecaster, but it was dubbed the Broadcaster. It immediately established a high standard for electric guitars, which were still in their infancy at the time. Leo Fender changed the name of the guitar to the Telecaster a year later.

The majority of Telecasters have the following features:

• Bolts connect the maple neck to the body.
• There are 21 frets in all.
• Pickguard made of plastic.
• A metal plate holds the volume and knob controls.
• This is a fixed bridge.
• The output jack is situated on the guitar’s bottom bout.

A Telecaster is available in a number of colors, but the blonde wood hue shouts Telecaster the loudest, as it was the color and design of Fender’s original Broadcaster and Telecaster models from the 1950s.

Telecasters, like the famous Stratocaster, are flexible and can be utilized in a variety of genres. They are most commonly heard in rock and country songs nowadays. Telecasters are known for their twang, which makes them ideal for more contemporary country songs.

How to choose materials and build quality for the best telecaster copy?

Imitation Telecasters have found out how to produce high-quality guitars, even if they use less expensive wood. Ash Wood is commonly used in Fender Telecasters, and while it creates a fantastic tone and is extremely sturdy, it can be rather hefty.

Instruments and woods have had a long-standing affinity for music, and electric guitars are no exception. Tonewoods are the woods that are commonly used in electric guitars. When employed in musical instruments, they are widely recognized for having a pleasing tone and sustain.

The bodies of imitation Telecasters are made of a variety of materials. Mahogany is used in the Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder PT, for example, which is popular among rock and metal musicians.

Agathus wood is used in lesser versions, such as the Squier Affinity Telecaster, which feels a touch cheaper but is still robust enough to learn how to play the guitar. Spin the hardware knobs on your instruments while shopping to make sure they stay in place.

Make sure the amplifier jack is not jiggling when you are using it. Also, experiment with the tuners by tightening and loosening the strings. These simple tests might help you assess the quality of a guitar’s construction.

What is the ideal price for the best telecaster copy?

The cost of a Telecaster-style guitar can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Some of the more uncommon instruments have become collector goods over time, causing their prices to skyrocket.

No matter what sort of guitar you are looking for, our recommendation is to get the most bang for your buck. And if that means saving up for a more costly one and waiting for a little longer, so be it.

Imitation Telecasters may be found at a reasonable price in most cases. When you search for lesser companies that only make a limited number of models each year, they become even more costly.

How to pick the best telecaster copy?

When buying a guitar for a beginner, it is critical to pick one that is the right size, sounds excellent, and corresponds to the emerging player’s musical interests and goals. Find out what sort of guitar they want and who their guitar idols are if you do not already know.

Choosing an electric guitar that caters to these interests will help new players stay motivated while learning to play. Smaller, younger players may appreciate Musician’s Friend’s variety of 34-scale, tiny, and travel guitars. Full-sized electric guitar bodies come in a wide range of sizes and weights, so keep that in mind.

Keep in mind that while purchasing a guitar, quality typically comes at a premium. Consider investing a bit extra in a quality guitar. In many cases, you may save money in the long term by buying a better guitar up front and avoiding incremental improvements.

A seasoned guitarist will usually have a solid sense of what they enjoy. With experience comes a desire to spend money on high-quality items. Private Reserve Guitars are available at Musician’s Friend in a wonderful variety.

When buying a high-end guitar as a present, it is best to avoid the element of surprise and find out exactly what the recipient desires.

What to check when buying the best telecaster copy?

When it comes to purchasing your first electric guitar, you should take your time and avoid making a hasty decision. There are a few things you should examine once you have chosen a guitar that fits your desired playing style and pricing range.

If the action of the strings is too high, it may be difficult and uncomfortable to play. You could get the dreaded fret buzz if it is too low. Make sure your neck is in a straight position. It is not ideal to have a neck that is twisted or deformed.

Play a 12th fret harmonic and then the 12th fret note to quickly check the intonation. They should be pitch-matched. If they are not, something needs to be done about it. Check the tone and volume controls, as well as the pickup selector and maybe the tremolo.

Check that each pickup is operational and that it sounds good. It should not be hissy or crackly at all. With every instrument purchase, most good guitar stores include a complimentary setup.

Even if the instrument appears to be in good condition, get one done. A well-set-up guitar is a delight to play; nevertheless, a guitar with no setup at all may be a tedious and irritating experience.

We would recommend a modest solid-state amp as your first amplifier. Line 6, Marshall, and Fender all provide a nice selection of beginning amplifiers, with the Line 6 Spider IV series being the most flexible and possibly the cheapest.

A cable (the amp does not come with one), a guitar strap, and picks are the only additional items you will need. Even if you currently have a favorite pick when playing acoustic, we recommend purchasing a variety of pick weights/thicknesses to determine your taste.

We can also recommend a clip-on chromatic tuner for fast tuning. If you play acoustic, you may already have one, but if not, buy one as soon as possible.

If you are still not sure about how to buy the best telecaster copy, you should consider reading the rest of our buyer’s guide for the best telecaster copy. We are sure you will find the best telecaster copy through our review in no time.

Conclusion: 3 Best Telecaster Alternatives [2023 Review]

If you are seeking a “Fender Telecaster Style Guitar” or, to put it another way, the best telecaster copy, you are at the right place. To designate a Telecaster that is not produced by Fender, some individuals use the terms “T Style Guitars” or “T-Type Guitars.”

Whatever you want to name it, there are lots of builders who can help. That is why we picked the three best telecaster copy for you in this review. When it comes to purchasing a new guitar, any guitarist wants to get the most bang for their buck.

You want to buy something that is well-made and will last a long time, but you do not want to spend too much money on a brand name just for the sake of it.

After you look over the list of guitars above, look at our buyer’s guide to make the best decision possible. We hope you liked our Best Telecaster Copy review and it was helpful.