Author Topic: Les Paul sound from a Fender? (Read 10578 times)

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

Henk · « **Reply #1 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.html

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #2 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.

badgermark · « **Reply #3 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 or Thinline. Or if possibly a Jazzmaster would manage it with some covered LP pickups in it.

_tom_ · « **Reply #4 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:

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2007, 05:56:13 PM »

Yeah Deluxe i would guess.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #6 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.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #7 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:

badgermark · « **Reply #8 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!

the_bleeding · « **Reply #9 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.

ExtendedShred · « **Reply #10 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

Elliot · « **Reply #11 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.

badgermark · « **Reply #12 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

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #13 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

Philly Q · « **Reply #14 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

Wussy my arse.