what’s your favorite telecaster finish? i personally love seeing the wood grain so its Natural Blonde for me

I almost bought a Jason Isbell Tele as my first Telecaster a few years ago, but ended up passing on it. Fast-forward to now, and somehow I’ve ended up with two of them because I couldn’t decide which one I liked more.

Each guitar has a few minor condition issues, which has made the decision even harder rather than easier. I’ve included photos of both.
On one guitar, there appears to be a chip through the clear nitro and possibly into the wood near the binding. The other has a chip at the neck heel where the clear coat is completely gone next to the paint, and you can feel the exposed wood.

At this point, I’m wondering whether it would make more sense to repair the heel damage or lean into the Road Worn look and have that area blended or reliced more naturally. As it sits now, it looks more like accidental damage than intentional wear, so I thought smoothing and feathering the finish into the surrounding area might look better.

What would you do in this situation?
Are there any specific differences, potential issues, or pros and cons I should be looking for when comparing the two guitars?

I’d also be curious what a proper repair or finish blend might cost, and whether it would be realistic to get either guitar back to near-mint condition or if blending the damage would be the better route.

Lastly, of the finishes is one version less common, harder to find, or generally more desirable than the other between the more chocolate burst vs what looks more like a standard sunbursts?

I went from passing on one years ago to somehow owning two, and I still can’t decide which one to keep.

This would be my first tele. Not sure if it’s the greatest deal or not though. I’m a fan of the tele aesthetics with humbuckers though.

I recently got a very cheap Epiphone Les Paul Special though I’m not sure I really have to have this.

Thoughts?

“IZ-US” by Aphex Twin (1997)

I am looking at getting another Tele. Normally I do not like maple fretboards, but I am bored and have money and have convinced myself that I need a '50s style Tele as my two current faves are both '60s stuyle with rosewood fretboards. I can grab a used 2017 AVRI '52 Tele for $1900 (Canadian), but I am not sure I want another AVRI. I had a '64 Reissue Tele (a 2015) but got rid of it and replaced it with a Vintera II '60s (sonic blue with a rosewood board) that I like much more, so why not ignore the AVRI and just get a Vintera now?

Anyway, I need info on the neck thickness of the Vintera Tele and the Vintera II Nocaster. Does anyone have measurements of one, or both, of these necks? Is there a lot of shoulder to them, or does one maybe have more shoulder than the other?

Right now I am leaning towards the Vintera II Nocaster, but wanted to ask before I bought one.

The Vintera would be used, while the Vintera II would be either used or new.

Any info or recommendations are appreciated.

Edited to add: In two weeks I am having major surgery, for a life threatening condition. My brother, who is a watch collector, thinks that once I come through the surgery ok I should buy an expensive watch to mark that significant life event (ie. staying alive!). I already have three watches, two of which are expensive, so am kind of reluctant to buy another because even if I switched watches every day I would only wear the new one about seven times a month.

My version of his idea would be to buy a really nice guitar to mark that event. The problem is that I already have a good acoustic in my Taylor 616CE, and a bunch of higher end/expensive electrics (Gibson and Gretsch).

I own 2-3 Strats, but don't really like Strats so wouldn't consider another. Maybe another AVRI Tele fits the bill here?

How much do these typically go for? Someone has one locally with original case but no bridge cover/paperwork etc. just the guitar and case. Both appear to be in decent condition per the photos in the ad, but the asking price is about what people are asking for their American Pro/American Standard teles around here. It’s an early 2012 with the fat neck.

What’s the going rate, what’s a good deal, and what would be a “go right now with cash” price for a 2012 AVRI ‘52 reissue tele?