I was sure I replied to this yesterday :roll: - I typed several paragraphs, oh well, must've shut the window without sending!...
Another vote for Blackguards and Yardbirds - leaning slightly more towards Yardbirds.
I bought blackguards first because I wanted "old and fat" tele sounds but still with bite - they do it. I even bought a second set :D
I ummed and aah-ed for ages over Yardbirds, I was kind of expecting biting and shrill that would need taming (my perception of Yardbird recordings, video of early Led Zeppelin, etc). But, not at all, like Feline says - they are nice and firm sounding, they've got bite, but they are "sweet" and "rounded" as well. If I treat it mellow, they're mellow, if I whack it, they're aggressive - highly versatile little beasties :D