All the Way From Memphis?

I'm on a mission to recreate Mick Ralphs guitar sound from "All the Way From Memphis". I believe the original guitar was a '50's LP Jr with P90. Not positive on the amp. Anyway, I want to do it up Tele-style and need some suggestions:

Would a Tele pup like a Duncan Broadcaster get close or do I need a P-90? I really want that sweet 'woody' tone that Ralphs had.

The Jr is mahogany. Is there a sound-similar wood that would be a bit lighter? Again, looking for that 'woody' tone

Would a Tele bridge work or do I really need the Gibson wrap around?

Thanks for any suggestions!


ubBpu3MHmtM

aha yes, a great tone there and one I was trying to emulate myself for a long time - so I bought a Junior! I'm sure you could get close with various combinations but a guitar with a bridge P90 and Gibson scale length would certainly be a start. Ralphs of course was heavily influenced by Leslie West which is how he got hooked on single-cut LP Juniors. I think the Vox AC30s were a large part of the sound too - and whatever fuzz or treble boost he used to use. Personally I think a Fender scale length and tele style bridge will give you too much "snap". If you end up going with a wrap-around bridge I'd recommend an aluminium one like the originals for a more "woody" tone. I'm sure google will be your friend if you need to know more specifics:lol:.

I know a lot of tone is just in the electronics but the timber and hardware ...and scalelength all contribute. I better put in a YMMV here.

All the best in your quest.

Thanks for the info! I actually have a Jr but it doesn't get 'that' sound. I've read that Mick probably used an Ampeg V4 amp but I don't have the cash for that and I'd still need the guitar. And those puppies were brutally loud!

Anyone have any ideas?

Bump for more input ..

Wish I could help, I love that song and that sound, as well as Ariel Bender's on the live album, which I believe was a strat.

I saw a Bad Company concert on TV recently, and Mick was playing mostly an LP standard through Marshalls.

It is a very unique sound isn't it. It's driving me crazy trying to get a handle on it!

Now you've piqued my interest. I'm going to fiddle around with my P-90 SG and my Mustang and see how close I can get. I've been a Mott fan since high school.

That's been a favorite sound of mine for years also. I saw them in LA way too many years ago. Something else cool about the concert (besides the fact that they awesomely rocked) was that Aerosmith opened for them. This was back before anyone had really heard of Aerosmith. After the concert I told my buddy that they would be big someday. I think it's the only time I was ever right about a band. :)

Imo a tele bridge pickup would be too crisp for that on its own, probably attempt it on neck or parallel.

But seeing as Mott was the loudest band I ever heard in an enclosed space (incl The Who) then you probably also need a 200W Marshall head set to scream.

OK, this is pretty rudimentary, but I feel like it's in the ballpark - 2009 SG Classic with '50s wiring, on the bridge P-90 with the tone rolled back to about 6. Amp is a Mustang III on the British '80s model (Marshall JCM800) with the gain just over 8, treble & mid at 6, bass at 8 and some compression applied. Please pardon my playing.

https://www.box.com/s/d942221659cff81a318e

I know you're looking at getting the sound out of a Tele, and I'm just echoing what some others have said - but it seems to me that a couple of the key components are P-90s and (although I'm not a big believer in tonewoods on electrics) a mahogany body. Someone mentioned the Gibson scale length, and that's probably a factor too.

Wow, that's pretty damn close!

OK, so maybe a Tele pup won't do it ... I was planning out doing a mahogany Tele body with a rosewood FB neck (conversion). Instead of the Tele bridge I could use an aluminum wrap around bridge wit a dog ear ..... Hmmmmm ......

Thanks guys for all of the input - much appreciated!

Any other suggestions?