Tele Deluxe

[Shad1]

I'm aware that John Farrar had a very modified Telecaster Deluxe but what was the model he had modified? I've looked for the basic model but just can't find it. The version that I'm certain I read about was an f-hole semi-solid body - bofore mods.
Can I ask the hive if they have any ideas?

Thanks

Malc.

[JimN]

Thinline Telecaster, Mk 2

It was released in about 1969/70 (Mk I) with the ordinary Telecaster single-coils but was revamped circa 1972 when the Seth Lover-designed Fender Wide Range Humbuckers became available.

When the Telecaster Custom and Deluxe (both solids) were released with one humbucker or two humbuckers according to model, and when the "Fender Telecaster Bass" was re-designed with one bass version of the WRHB, the hinline was re-designed with two WRHBs and four pots. That's the model you see John Farrar with.

[George Geddes]

I am fairly certain that JF also played a black Tele Custom, though the evidence is buried deep in my files...

There are Fender and Squier versions available, if I am not mistaken. The Thinline was the one with the Palm pedals.

George

[Shad1]

Many thanks for the replies gents. I think it was the black one I was thinking about - but I think I'd forego the palm-pedals!

Malc.

[Simon Underwood]

The Tele Deluxe had dual Wide Range humbuckers and a Strat neck with the large headstock- I don't remember seeing JF with one of those. The two Teles I have seen him with were a Mk1 Thinline modified with a standard Gibson humbucker at the neck and a Tele Custom (standard bridge pickup, WRHB at the neck), both modified with Bigsby Palm Pedals. I'm fairly sure both were natural finish, but the Custom had a large black scratchplate.

Might be fun to start a thread on how to sound like John Farrar!

Simon

[Shad1]

Thanks Simon. I think much of John Farrars' 'sound' was the way he plucked (as opposed to picked) the strings - semi-muted but bringing out rich harmonics at the same time. He didn't use the technique all the time but when he did it was, to me at least, unmistakably John Farrar.

Malc.

[Established1958]

[album][/album]
The guitar was a MK1 Thinline bought from Barrats in Manchester at the same time that Hank bought the Black Strat.
John started to modify it gradually, adding various humbuckers and most importantly the Bigsby Palm unit. The third lever was custom made and not standard. In the photo I have posted the guitar has acquired a third pickup.
One more thing. John liked to tune his guitar to open B.

[Shad1]

Many thanks Howard and a great pic.. Fantastic looking machine. I wonder why he liked open B? I feel an experiment coming on.........

Malc.