Best T-style guitars to get that Tele vibe

The Fender Telecaster was revolutionary when it was released in 1951. Over 70 years later it is still one of the most popular models of guitar in the world. It was so groundbreaking that even today it is used as a basis for newer manufacturers designing their own creations, when they build the best T-style guitars.

The term “T-style guitar” refers to alternative models that have a similar look to the Telecaster. This includes a single cut body, headstock with 6-in-line tuners, and generally single-coil pickups.

Let’s run down some of the best T-style guitars, what sets them apart from the original Telecaster design, and which one might be best for the tone you’re chasing.

Best T-style guitar overall: G&L Fullerton Deluxe ASAT

It’s no surprise that this is the model that made it to our coveted top spot. There is no guitar manufacturer closer in quality, looks, feel, and sound to a Telecaster than G&L. After all, the company was founded with Leo Fender in the late 1970s.

The alder body gives you the snap and punch Telecasters are famous for. And the neck has a vintage gloss finish that plays and feels great. It has the Fender scale (25.5″) hard-rock maple neck and a unique Caribbean rosewood fretboard.

The infamous Magnetic Field Design single-coils might be the coolest feature, and the one that gets it so close to Tele tones. They’re warmer, snappier, and have less noise. 3-way switching allows you access to the same iconic Telecaster tone that took the world by storm.

The Fullerton Deluxe ASAT also comes with a gig bag, but with an investment like this we recommend getting a hardshell case.     

Best budget T-style guitar: G&L Placentia ASAT

G&L makes some of the best T-style guitars in the business. That makes sense, considering the company started as an offshoot of Leo Fender’s. He took some of his ideas from Fender with him, and saved some just for his new (at the time) company.

The Placentia ASAT might be considered a budget model, but don’t think G&L skipped on quality here. With a poplar body and maple neck and fretboard it’s got twang for days – just like the best T-style guitars should. The familiar single-coil pickups do the original design justice, and it’s great for a number of styles.

If you’re looking to add this iconic single-cut guitar to your collection but budget is tight, this is a great compromise.

Most versatile T-style guitar: Schecter Guitar Research PT Special

Schecter makes some of the most daring T-style guitars. The PT Special is built from a swamp ash body and has a C-shape maple neck with rosewood fretboard outfitted with jumbo frets. The open grained pearl finish gives a clean aesthetic.

This one has a unique pickup configuration. The single-coil Telecaster bridge pickup is still in tact, but there is a soapbar P-90 in the neck position. Pickup models are both from Schecter, the VT-1 and VT-90. This interesting combo gives you access to a variety of sounds not usually available on guitars like this.

It offers a great range of tones that can go from round and warm to bright and cutting.

Best T-style guitar with humbuckers: Squier Paranormal Troublemaker

It’s called a Paranormal, but anyone who’s familiar with a Telecaster Deluxe will instantly recognize the Strat neck merged with the Telecaster body.

The body is sleek, with a classy white binding. Hardware comes in gold or nickel. Either way, it matches well with the body. Both pickups have independent volume and tone controls, and the slimmer C-profile neck makes navigating the fretboard easy.

Best signature T-style guitar: Reverend Pete Anderson Signature Eastsider T

This T-style guitar is perfectly appropriate for its legendary namesake. It is painstakingly crafted after his well-known vintage T guitar, but offers some modern appointments. And there have been some changes to the original.

The chambered body is made of korina. This makes it lighter in weight and gives openness and air to the sound. A roasted maple neck provides a nice little visual flair, and the compound radius fretboard lets you glide up and down the neck with ease.

Dual Talnico single-coil pickups, and they both have a little extra something. The neck has more punch and clarity, while the bridge has a classic ‘50s Tele sound that’s just a little bit thicker.

The electronics have been juiced a bit too. The pickups can be flipped out of phase and there’s a treble bleed giving you a number of sound options from them.

Best T-style guitar for metal: ESP LTD TE-201

Other than Jim Root of Slipknot, T-style guitars aren’t usually associated with heavy styles of music, much less metal. But ESP is a favorite for players of the genre, so they wanted to create something unique for the singlecut crowd.

It’s got a bare bones, but sleek matte black aesthetic. The electronics are simple, with a single ESP LH-150B humbucker in the bridge position. You can split the bridge pickup via the push-pull volume knob.

It’s built with a mahogany body married with a three-piece maple bolt-on neck. ESP’s choice of fretboard wood is interesting here, in roasted jatoba. 24 extra-jumbo frets let you shred just as easily as playing rhythm parts. And the string-through body adds all the sustain you’ll need.

Best deluxe model T-style guitar: G&L Tribute ASAT Classic Bluesboy

The Fender Telecaster Deluxe was an immediate hit when it was first released in 1972. The Telecaster faithful loved the marriage of the beloved bridge single-coil pickup with the warmth and width of the humbucker in the neck.

Housed in a poplar body, G&L’s version features an alnico humbucker in the neck and a Magnetic Field Design single-coil pickups mentioned earlier. The bolt-on maple neck comes in a comfortable and familiar medium C profile. The vintage correct boxed steel bridge and brass saddles offer solid intonation and tone transfer.

And if you’re looking for a variation on this beloved sound, the Classic Bluesboy also comes in a semi-hollow model.

Best offset T-style guitar: Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster

Squier’s Paranormal line is designed to be weird, and this might be the quirkiest model yet. It’s built off of a comfortable and contoured Jazzmaster-style body and slim neck with a Telecaster headstock that helps chords and single note lines sing.

The electronics are innovative too. The neck pickup is a fat single-coil like those found on traditional Jazzmasters, and the a Telecaster bridge pickup gives you all the twang you’d expect. Volume and tone controls are shared, and the three-way switching system is familiar, even if it is a little close to the bridge pickup.

A barrel-saddle bridge gives off a modern retro vibe, but this means that you can only intonate strings two at a time. But the increased attention to manufacturing quality of newer Squier guitars is on full display in the weirdest way.

FAQ

What is a T-style guitar?

A T-style guitar is a model that is based on the famous Fender Telecaster but manufactured by a company not affiliated with Fender.

What makes T-Style guitars unique?

They have a distinctive shape with a single-cutaway body and come in multiple pickup configurations. They produce a bright, clear tone with a strong midrange, making them versatile.

The simplicity of the design, with just a few controls (usually a three-way switch, volume, and tone knobs), adds to their ease of use and unique character.

Who makes the best T-style guitar?

There are many manufacturers that make them. They all have their own unique benefits. It’s important to gauge what you need in a guitar when making a buying decision. This includes choice of tone woods, style of pickups, neck feel, and more.

How is the tone of a T-style guitar different from other guitar types?

Modeled after the iconic Fender Telecaster, T-style guitars have a sharper and more defined attack – especially in the midrange – than other guitars like Les Pauls. The tone profile of any guitar comes down to the tonewoods, pickups, electronics, and hardware.