The Best Telecaster Style Guitars

Searching for the the best Telecaster style guitars can be a confusing process. In any event, you probably have a lot of questions.

What’s the best Telecaster style guitar? What are the best telecaster style guitars with humbuckers? Can’t I just get a cheap Telecaster style guitar?

On the one hand, you’re looking for those traditional sounds, and playing experiences that make Telecasters phenomenally popular.

On the other hand, you probably want to skip some of the negatives about Telecasters, and include some of the improvements that have developed over the decades since its introduction.

So, here are the best Telecaster style guitars available today:

Best Telecaster Style Guitars: Best Overall

Suhr Classic T

If you’re interested in the best Telecaster style electric guitar, the Suhr Classic T is it.

It’s got a swamp ash body that’s shaped to the specs of a digitized vintage tele, with modern improvements.

Additionally, the tinted maple neck has a compound radius of 9″-12″ and is in Suhr’s 60’s “C” Vintage Standard profile. This will give you a great playing experience all the way up the neck.

The fretboard is also tinted maple, giving you a traditional feel, and has medium stainless steel frets that will last a lifetime.

Two Suhr Classic T single coil pickups with Alnico 5 “Special” magnets will give you all the classic tones you desire. Meanwhile Suhr’s Silent Single Coil System II will eliminate the single-coil 60 cycle hum, keeping your sound clear.

The Suhr locking tuners will give you enhanced tuning stability, and the improved tuning of modern day guitars.

Finally, the Wilkinson 3-saddle bridge will give you superior intonation and a classic tone.

The Suhr Classic T is a much improved version of the vintage Telecaster.

It’s perfect for anyone looking for a high quality Telecaster style guitar. Get yours here.

Best Telecaster Style Guitars: Best Budget

Glarry GTL Semi-Hollow

If you’re looking for a very affordable Telecaster style guitar, the Glarry GTL Semi-Hollow is an excellent choice.

It’s got a semi-hollow basswood body with f-hole, in classic Tele shape, so it’s very lightweight warm, and resonant.

The maple neck is a bit flat, and very playable with an actual rosewood fretboard.

Next, you’ll get 22 frets and dot inlays, adding to the classic looks of this guitar.

The neck pickup is a humbucker, with a single-coil pickup at the bridge. This will give you a warm, full tone, as well as the classic spanky sounds of the bridge pickup.

Master volume, master tone, and a 3-way switch keep it simple, and let you focus on your playing.

Finally, you’ve got the classic boxed-steel string through body bridge with individual solid brass saddles. This will give you an easier time intonating your guitar, and give you better tone.

The Glarry GTL Semi-Hollow is a great value for the budget minded guitarist who’s looking for an upgraded Tele-style guitar.

With a humbucker, and a semi-hollow body, it’s definitely worth checking out here.

Best Telecaster Style Guitars: Best Runner-Up

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 2 HH FR

As part of Charvel’s flagship series of guitars, the Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 2 HH FR is a Telecaster style guitar that’s crafted for speed, comfort and amazing sound.

The alder body will give you a balanced sound, as well as be comfortable to hold, thanks to a large comfort cut.

In the same way, the bolt-on neck is quartersawn maple in a Speed Neck shape with rolled fretboard edges. This makes it really stable, and comfortable to play.

A maple fretboard with 22 jumbo frets and a compound radius of 12″-16″ means you’ll effortlessly be able to play up the fretboard.

A DiMarzio PAF Pro DP151 in the neck position, and a DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 at the bridge will give you a very wide range of tones perfect for a wide range of playing styles. The 5-way switch wired for split coil sounds, for even more variety.

Finally, the non-recessec Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking 2-Point tremolo will keep you in tune, and add style to your sound.

The Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 2 HH FR has incredible modern looks, and harks back to Charvel’s guitars of the ’80s. Check it out here.

Best Telecaster Style Guitars: Best Under $1,000

Schecter PT Special

Are you looking for a vintage inspired Telecaster style guitar that’s versatile enough for the modern player? Then check out the Schecter PT Special.

It’s got a very traditional looking body made of swamp ash, with comfort cuts to give you an improved and more comfortable playing experience, as well as a maple neck in a “C” shape with a 12″ radius to give you a modern, yet classic feel.

Equally important is the maple fretboard with 22 extra jumbo frets and a Graph Tech XL Ivory Tusq nut guaranteeing tuning stability, and a classic tone.

The Schecter Diamond V-90 in the neck is a P-90 style pickup, while the Schecter Diamond VT-1 at the bridge is more vintage sounding.
You’ll get a wide range of tones, from clear and twangy, to snarly and growling.
The tone knob is push/pull letting you choose between series and parallel wiring, giving you even more tone choices.

Lastly, the vintage ashtray bridge with staggered brass saddles and Grover vintage tuners will give you classic sustain, and resonance with modern tuning convenience.

The Schecter PT Special is a very traditional looking Tele-style guitar, giving you classictones, and modern sounds equally well. Get yours here.

Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 2PT HH

If you’re seeking a Telecaster style guitar that’s built to perform, and has a very versatile sound, try the Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 HH 2PT CM Ash.

The ash body has a scalloped lower back bout, and shredder’s 4-bolt sculpted heel making it comfortable, and easy to play.

A bolt-on caramelized maple neck with graphite reinforcement and a 12″-16″ compound radius will be a dream for you to play. Likewise, the speed neck shape and rolled fretboard edges will only add to your playing comfort.

Additionally, with a caramelized maple fretboard that has 24 jumbo frets and a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut you’ll get an even richer, and more stable sound.

Also, expect to get some very versatile tones from the Fishman FLuence Open Core PRF_-COC pickups.

In addition to the 3-way pickup selector, a 2-way mini-toggle switch allows you to choose between modern PAF and vintage PAF tones. Additionally, you’ll be able to coil split your pickups using the push/pull tone knob.

Finally, a Gotoh Custom 510 tremolo and Charvel locking tuners will keep you in tune, and intonated, while adding vibrato to your playing.

The Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 HH 2PT CM Ash includes a reversed Telecaster headstock, and active pickups, while still giving you definitive Tele-style tones. Click here to get yours.

Best Telecaster Style Guitars: Best Under $200

Sawtooth ET Series

With the Sawtooth ET Series, Sawtooth offers a great value guitar, perfect for beginners or anyone on a budget.

It’s got Telecaster style body made of sycamore body, so it’s lightweight, resonant, and looks great.

Of course, the bolt-on maple neck is comfortable to play and feels great in your hands. With 21 medium jumbo frets, the fretboard is available in maple, or rosewood.

The 2 single-coil pickups will give you classic Telecaster style tones. Likewise, you’ll be able to craft your sound using the master volume and master tone controls, and 3-way switch.

Finally, you’ll be able to precisely keep in tune with the barrel saddle bridge that’ll also give you a very classic sound.

The Sawtooth ET Series electric guitar is a versatile instrument with classic tones, and a classic design.

If you’re looking for an affordable Telecaster style guitar that’s got tried and true style, and features, check it out.

Best Telecaster Style Guitars: Best for Metal

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

With the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT, Schecter has fused their Hellraiser and PT models, giving you a guitar with amazing looks, features and tones.

The mahogany body has an arched top made of quilted maple, giving you an amazing look and solid tone.

Additionally, the set-neck design includes Schecter’s Ultra Access heel joint. This will give you better sustain, and free access to the higher frets.
Next you have a 3-piece maple neck in an Ultra Thin “C” shape. With a 12″-16″ compound radius, you’ll have an easy time playing the fastest licks.

An ebony fretboard with 24 X-Jumbo frets and a Graph Tech XL Black Tusq nut will give you a growling, warm tone. Additionally, the mother-of-pearl inlays with reverse dots and a Gothic Cross at the 12th fret will give you a heavy metal look.

Further, you’ve got two active humbucker pickups, an EMG 57 in the bridge and an EMG 66 in the neck. This will let you powerfully cut through heavy distortion without sacrificing tone.

Last, you’ve got a Hipshot Hardtail bridge with string-thru-body design and Schecter locking tuners. These will help keep you in tune, and add stability.

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT will give you the looks and tone of a straight up metal machine, in a Tele-style body. You can get yours by cliking here.

Best Telecaster Style Guitars: FAQ

• What are the best strings for my new guitar?
  • See this post for that.
• How do I tune my guitar?
  • See this post for that.
• Also, see this post with Squier Telecaster recommendations.