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Reasonable alternatives to buying a Telecaster?

My boyfriend really wants one – he just LOVES the sound – and I just can’t afford a full-out Telecaster.
Are there other guitars with a similar sound that are more affordable?
example, Gibson also makes Epiphone which is basically a less expensive, foreignly made version of the same guitars.
I’m looking for a comparable comparison for the Fender Telecaster.
Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.

You can get the Japanese made Teley its about half price roughly the same. Although I have two Gibsons and its worth the money for a well made guitar. Or split it with him. If you are willing to buy him an $500 to $800 guitar get him to pony up the other half and he can have an American made Teley. But remember there are differnet price levels of the American made Teley’s. Almost every guitar compay make a Teley style guitar he would have to find one that he likes. A guitar is a personal item and the player should chose his/her instrument themselves.

SG, Strat and Les Paul sustain comparison.