TE-52 NA LH Vintage Series : most "authentic" Tele for the money

vintage features and looks - good sound

I play strats and I needed a Tele to try. In this price has all the goodies. Ashtray bridge (string through- - unusual for a cheap instrument) with 3 saddles, Alnico magnets with base plate and vintage style tuners. The neck is on the thick side very nice feeling and the radius is modern (definitely not 7.5).

The quality is good, frets were ok the finish is nice although is more dark (not that intense) than a traditional natural Tele finish. I don't like the knobs much, are plastic (but it's easy to replace them).

The only downside on this instrument is the heavy body. It is ash but on the heavy side. So if you want to play alt rock and and jump on the stage (song 2...) maybe is not the perfect choice. But remember, there are Teles from the 70's that heavy.

As for the sound, I don't have much experience in Teles, the bridge has the twang, the sustain is excellent.

I think this is the perfect ticket to enter Tele world. All the key factors of the original are here. For rockabilly, country players is an ideal instrument.