Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: badgermark on December 01, 2007, 05:14:08 PM

Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: badgermark on December 01, 2007, 05:14:08 PM
Howdie, I'm jumping the gun here, as I wont have any spare moneys until i graduate and start work, but a guy can dream.

My ideal guitar is a bar-stewardisation between a Les Paul and something by Fender. I love the thick, meaty sound of a LP, but the neck kills my big hands. Also just not a fan of how it hangs on a strap either.

On the other hand, I love playing my Fenders. My Tele is a low powered clean monster (thank you Country Boys...) and my Strat is a versatile HSS (Holydiver/Slowhand- well it will be when they arrive).

So I've been checking out 72 custom teles, namely the two humbucker models- the Deluxe and the Thinline. Leaning more towards the Thinline for looks though. Also something like a Jazzmaster is in my mind, though that's a possible p90 job.

Question is, will any of these give a chunky LP sound? With the right BKPs of course. Obviously woods play a huge part, but I'm looking for a ballpark tone, not a shameless replica.

Custom builds are also an option, but I'd rather spend £700 than spend £1000+ and wait months for my baby.

And for the people who say to just get a Les Paul- piss off  :wink:
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Henk on December 01, 2007, 05:36:47 PM
This one at least has a set neck and mahagony body. It sounds a bit like a studio LP but then thinner IMO. Nice action on it though.

(http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM03/Content/Fender/PR/Esquire-Custom-GT-sm.jpg)

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM03/Content/Fender/PR/Esquire-Custom-GT.html
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Crazy_Joe on December 01, 2007, 05:39:42 PM
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/fender-tele-tmt/10029

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/fender-john-5/68368

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/74249

basically a tele with humbuckers haha, though i could be reading what you want wrong.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: badgermark on December 01, 2007, 05:45:33 PM
Joe I already know about humbucker-ed teles, just curious to which would give that meaty Les Paul sound- a Deluxe (http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/fender-72-deluxe/12117) or Thinline (http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/fender-72-thinline/1049). Or if possibly a Jazzmaster would manage it with some covered LP pickups in it.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: _tom_ on December 01, 2007, 05:53:42 PM
I would guess the Deluxe, as the thinline has a chambered body whereas most good les pauls are solid body. A good option may be getting a mahogany body from Warmoth rather than the deluxe which is probably alder? Possibly quite expensive but cheaper than getting a custom shop and the quality seems to be really good.

The Deluxe looks great though, I've always liked how they look and I bet they feel good. Mahogany deluxe from warmoth is $170 which is pretty reasonable I think. I've got gas for one now :lol:
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Crazy_Joe on December 01, 2007, 05:56:13 PM
Yeah Deluxe i would guess.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: noodleplugerine on December 01, 2007, 06:16:34 PM
I would get a PRS standard 24 tbh.

Sound great, play great, look great. Perfect halfway point between Gibson and Fender.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: HTH AMPS on December 01, 2007, 06:33:16 PM
The Deluxe with a rosewood board will get you closest - those Wide Range humbuckers would have to go though (the RI Fender ones are rubbish).

Bear in mind that you'd need a new scratchplate for standard humbuckers as the Wide Range one's have four mounting screws and are bigger than standard 'buckers.  You could always get Tim to rewind the WR's or get some old ones on ebay (like I did with my '72 Custom RI)

My '72 Tele Custom RI can get pretty meaty and the bridge single coil isn't that hot either.  Something like the Piledriver would be scorching.

 :twisted:
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: badgermark on December 01, 2007, 06:36:41 PM
Have considered a PRS, have to see I guess. To be honest I'd love a Thinline, but if it's not the sound I'm after then Deluxe it is! They also have a rib contour. WOO!

Do like the mahogany Deluxe idea, shall look into it. Mmmm mahogany tele with two humbuckers and a Strat neck. Score!
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: the_bleeding on December 01, 2007, 07:10:04 PM
a schecter.

schecter started off as a custom shop company that would make custom bar-stewardizations of tele's for cheaper than fender would, and more often than not the schecter tele's would have meatier tone.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: ExtendedShred on December 01, 2007, 07:59:58 PM
hey man, how about to get a mid-booster?  :lol:

http://www.demeteramps.com/products/accessories/mb2.html

i got this one on my warmoth custom strat(s-s-s),
it has balls that most s-s-s strats don't have.  :P
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Elliot on December 01, 2007, 09:18:28 PM
It sounds more like you want one of those Less Paul Vixens - lighter and more brightly coloured than 'boys' les pauls.  

As to Jazzmasters or Jaguars - even with humbuckers they are more strat than Gibson, so don't even go there.  The nearest Fender, as all have said is  either a mahogany tele with buckers or one of those stratosonic rarities.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: badgermark on December 01, 2007, 09:40:18 PM
Quote from: Elliot
It sounds more like you want one of those Less Paul Vixens - lighter and more brightly coloured than 'boys' les pauls.  


Pffft, it's the wussy 24.75 scale neck i don't like, none of this lightness cr@p  :wink:
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on December 01, 2007, 09:53:52 PM
So have a longer scale length LP made.

25" like a PRS or 25.5" like a Fender

Makes it easier for bigger hands as its not so cramped
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Philly Q on December 01, 2007, 09:59:32 PM
Quote from: badgermark
Pffft, it's the wussy 24.75 scale neck i don't like, none of this lightness cr@p  :wink:

Wussy my arse.

 :wink:
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: badgermark on December 01, 2007, 10:04:21 PM
Quote from: Philly Q
Quote from: badgermark
Pffft, it's the wussy 24.75 scale neck i don't like, none of this lightness cr@p  :wink:

Wussy my arse.

 :wink:


Just cos your girly hands love tiny girly necks.

And Feline I'd love to get a custom jobbie. Might consider it, alongside a 72 Thinline. Or just give up completely and live with my poor, manly, rugged hands being cramped when I'm past the 5th fret.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Philly Q on December 01, 2007, 10:16:41 PM
Quote from: badgermark
Just cos your girly hands love tiny girly necks.

And Feline I'd love to get a custom jobbie. Might consider it, alongside a 72 Thinline. Or just give up completely and live with my poor, manly, rugged hands being cramped when I'm past the 5th fret.

My Gibsons all have big fat manly necks actually, not skinny little toothpicks like Fenders.  Does 3/4" of extra scale make that much difference?  I guess it does if you have sausage fingers.  :wink:

Hmmmm.

This seems to be a length vs. girth situation.


(Edit: I do love tiny girly necks.  But not on guitars)
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Elliot on December 01, 2007, 10:42:28 PM
I have both.




on my Fender Esprit - a great compromise - an LP type double cut body and Fender scale length - shame they didn't catch on
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Philly Q on December 01, 2007, 11:01:19 PM
Quote from: Elliot
my Fender Esprit - a great compromise - an LP type double cut body and Fender scale length - shame they didn't catch on

As used by the mighty Robben Ford?  I didn't realise you had one of those, Elliot.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: 808 on December 02, 2007, 01:30:38 AM
Here's a vid of a local blues player from Louisiana. He plays 70ish Thinline humbucker Teles through a twin.

I love his playing. I see him play every chance I get.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cRMj0QtakSY&feature=related


http://youtube.com/watch?v=fVCUzeet2Ck&feature=related
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Henk on December 02, 2007, 09:38:26 AM
Sorry, but i would advice agains a 72 tele thinline, they are really horribly built and after you wake up and open up your ears youll notice it has that horrible $5 toy guitar nasal sound which will start hunting you in your nightmares!

Or well, i just wanted to mention it does sound pretty extremely nasal which isnt the best thing IMO.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: stratguy23 on December 02, 2007, 04:50:19 PM
Look at Warmoth. I have one Warmoth neck and am getting a second. I think they say you can change a 24 3/4 scale to a 25 1/2 without a change on their Les Pauls, but I could be wrong. Or you could build a mahogany Strat/Tele as well.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Ted on December 02, 2007, 05:29:51 PM
Quote from: stratguy23
Look at Warmoth. I have one Warmoth neck and am getting a second. I think they say you can change a 24 3/4 scale to a 25 1/2 without a change on their Les Pauls, but I could be wrong. Or you could build a mahogany Strat/Tele as well.


+1

Warmoth have endless options and they have some tasty thinlines.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Ratrod on December 02, 2007, 06:11:54 PM
I used to have a Tele with a SD Pearly Gates humbucker in the bridge. It sounded damn close to Angus' SG.
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: plastercaster on December 02, 2007, 07:43:16 PM
Quote from: Philly Q
(Edit: I do love tiny girly necks.  But not on guitars)


AAARGH! ITS THE BOSTON STRANGLER!
Murderer!

run tooo the hiiiillllls  :band1: run foooor your liiiiiiiffffeeeee
Title: Les Paul sound from a Fender?
Post by: Philly Q on December 02, 2007, 08:17:28 PM
Quote from: plastercaster
Quote from: Philly Q
(Edit: I do love tiny girly necks.  But not on guitars)


AAARGH! ITS THE BOSTON STRANGLER!
Murderer!

Curses, discovered!  You'll never take me alive, copper!

(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/boston.gif)