What sounds like a Gibson, but built like a Fender?

voided3 · April 30th, 2008, 11:49 PM

Hey guys, I have a Gibson SG Special I've had for about nine years now and I've realized that I'm really starting to grow away from it. Its feel is kind of strange, even compared to other Gibsons, and I'm debating trading it towards something that sounds similar. I have done a lot of tweaking with it and it plays about as good as I can get it, yet it still is a weird feel. The frets are huge and seem to stick out into my hand even though I have dressed them and they are flush and the flatter radius seems to fight me. I also am concerned about the thing's durability since it's a super thin piece of mahogany w/ a weak headstock and body joint. That said, I once played a Gibson CS '59 LP and it was awesome but anyway...

Basically... I need to keep a humbucker sound in my stable since I am in school for music and need to have the tools available when the projects calls for it. What is built like a tank/Fender yet can get the Les Paul-ish sounds? 72 Deluxe Tele? HH Strat? Thanks!

Colt W. Knight · April 30th, 2008, 11:51 PM

Are you wanting full on tele with humbuckers? or a tele with a single coil pup and a humbucker?

XKnight · April 30th, 2008, 11:53 PM

G&L ASAT Bluesboy with a Seth Lover in the neck. Not exactly a Gibson sound, but can come pretty close.

voided3 · April 30th, 2008, 11:53 PM

Basically anything that's Fender-like in construction but humbuckered (and yes, I like Teles and Strats :-D ).

Tdot · May 1st, 2008, 12:36 AM

Greg Bennett Samick

Yamaha

There have been several HH Fender Tele's (USA, MIK), and Peavey, Schecter, and others out there.

Guitar_Ninja · May 1st, 2008, 01:25 AM

When you say built like a Fender do you mean bolt-on neck and a 25 1/2" scale? Because there are a lot of manufacturers building bolt-on, long-scale, dual-humbucker guitars. Schecter has some pretty cool designs coming out these days.

getbent · May 1st, 2008, 01:39 AM

a mid 70's custom tele with the good ole wide range hummmer.

voided3 · May 1st, 2008, 02:41 AM

Those Schecter PT models seem nice, has anyone tried/bought one?

Nick JD · May 1st, 2008, 03:08 AM

This does.

voided3 · May 1st, 2008, 03:18 AM

Another question, how close would a MIM Standard w/ GFS hot rails in it get? Thanks!

winny pooh · May 1st, 2008, 05:08 AM

Maybe, but you need that mahogany, get a tele deluxe with mahogany body.

Telenator · May 1st, 2008, 05:39 AM

What sounds like a Gibson, but built like a Fender?

Mmmmmmmmm,........P90's

RollingThunder75 · May 1st, 2008, 06:06 AM

Have you ever heard of Reverend? Their bolt-on series of guitars may be exactly the type of thing you're looking for. www.reverendguitars.com

studio1087 · May 1st, 2008, 06:20 AM

Jagmaster Linky

Fun Guitar. I have an SG but I still want a Jagmaster.

jimd · May 1st, 2008, 08:22 AM

The jagmaster or this one

Jaguar HH

Or, if you could find a Toronado. I should have bought one before they stopped making them.

e-merlin · May 1st, 2008, 08:51 AM

Schecter's got some really nice stuff. If the necks didn't have such a flat fretboard radius, I'd have a couple. The PT is really nice sounding and has coil splitting on both pickups.

mark norwine · May 1st, 2008, 10:08 AM

TELE-BIRD!!

I have no affiliation...I just lifted the pic from a for sale ad on the gearpage.

If this isn't the coolest "gibson-fender hybrid", I can't imagine what else comes close!

Here's a link to the sale, if you're so inclined...
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...light=telebird

hekawi · May 1st, 2008, 11:27 AM

I've got a FMT HH Telecaster (flame maple top, double humbucker). it is really a Gibson in Fender clothing....tele body shape, but carved top; set neck, but 25 1/2 scale....the sound is very Les Paul/SG, and with the coil splitter, you can get a single coil sound...although it's more like a P90 equipped Gibson than a true telecaster

features and specs from the Fender site:
http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0262000561

Doug Ferguson · May 1st, 2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hekawi

I've got a FMT HH Telecaster (flame maple top, double humbucker). it is really a Gibson in Fender clothing....tele body shape, but carved top; set neck, but 25 1/2 scale....the sound is very Les Paul/SG, and with the coil splitter, you can get a single coil sound...although it's more like a P90 equipped Gibson than a true telecaster

features and specs from the Fender site:
http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0262000561

+1. You beat me to it, hewaki. Mine's always impressed me as being a Gibson in disguise, very SG-like or even an LP, as you note, but without the fat neck of an LP. It's a nice guitar. Not tele-like in tone, but nice.

jonzer · May 1st, 2008, 01:35 PM

I was thinking about the Toronados.

straightface · May 1st, 2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telenator

What sounds like a Gibson, but built like a Fender?

Mmmmmmmmm,........P90's

I drool every time I see that...

Tarbender · May 9th, 2008, 10:18 AM

Here's a limited edition Fender Telesonic that I use. Mahogany body, maple top, clear cherry finish. I swapped out the original Dearmonds for some Burstbuckers. SG in a Fender body!

Telarkaster · May 9th, 2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonzer

I was thinking about the Toronados.

My singer has one. It sort of looks like Dali's version of a Fender, sounds like a Gibson with P-90s, but the feel is totally different. Shorter scale, narrow across the nut, neck fills the hand. The only Fender it feels like is the Jaguar.

Great sound! Plays with real attitude.

ajgus · May 9th, 2008, 12:28 PM

What sounds like a Gibson, but is built like a Fender?

I thought this was going to be a joke. I clicked on it expecting a punch line.

Dennis68 · May 9th, 2008, 12:33 PM

Fano JM6 with Lindy Fralin P90's. All hand made. I own three. Pure joy.

Jeru · May 9th, 2008, 02:07 PM

Maybe this doesn't help you quite so much, but I'll throw in my 2 cents:

Do you want a guitar with a palette of tones, or a fender-type build that 'sounds like a gibson?'

For a while I had a four-way switch in my CIJ Tele which gave me the pickups in series, and I could cover a LOT of bases soundwise with that setup. It wasn't a les paul, but it had a lot of good, thick sounds in it. VERY versatile. Now it's a standard three way switch with a SD jazz bucker in the neck. Still a huge palette of tones to be had, including pretty 'gibson-esque' sounds when needed. It's my favorite guitar (at left in the photo), because it plays wonderfully and cuz' it's versatile as all getout.

If what you want is something built like a fender but exclusively with buckers, that's easily enough done -- my preference would be a tele with one of those bridges accommodating a full size HB. I like the idea of those FMT HH Telecasters, but can't get over the aesthetics, that flamey-vibe look is not for me. just my opinion.

Sorry if I'm rambling, I'm just bored at work.

April 30th, 2008, 11:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
voided3 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 574	What sounds like a Gibson, but built like a Fender? Hey guys, I have a Gibson SG Special I've had for about nine years now and I've realized that I'm really starting to grow away from it. Its feel is kind of strange, even compared to other Gibsons, and I'm debating trading it towards something that sounds similar. I have done a lot of tweaking with it and it plays about as good as I can get it, yet it still is a weird feel. The frets are huge and seem to stick out into my hand even though I have dressed them and they are flush and the flatter radius seems to fight me. I also am concerned about the thing's durability since it's a super thin piece of mahogany w/ a weak headstock and body joint. That said, I once played a Gibson CS '59 LP and it was awesome but anyway... Basically... I need to keep a humbucker sound in my stable since I am in school for music and need to have the tools available when the projects calls for it. What is built like a tank/Fender yet can get the Les Paul-ish sounds? 72 Deluxe Tele? HH Strat? Thanks!

May 1st, 2008, 12:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,119 58 Photos	Greg Bennett Samick Yamaha There have been several HH Fender Tele's (USA, MIK), and Peavey, Schecter, and others out there. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

May 1st, 2008, 01:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Guitar_Ninja Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 882 2 Photos	When you say built like a Fender do you mean bolt-on neck and a 25 1/2" scale? Because there are a lot of manufacturers building bolt-on, long-scale, dual-humbucker guitars. Schecter has some pretty cool designs coming out these days. __________________ Presents for MMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE???

May 1st, 2008, 01:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 7,867 35 Photos	a mid 70's custom tele with the good ole wide range hummmer. __________________ Be big... like Jupiter.

May 1st, 2008, 03:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Nick JD Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 35 Posts: 1,300	This does. __________________ It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up. W. Somerset Maugham

April 30th, 2008, 11:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wyoming Age: 24 Posts: 1,105	Are you wanting full on tele with humbuckers? or a tele with a single coil pup and a humbucker?

April 30th, 2008, 11:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
XKnight Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TX Posts: 399	G&L ASAT Bluesboy with a Seth Lover in the neck. Not exactly a Gibson sound, but can come pretty close.

April 30th, 2008, 11:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
voided3 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 574	Basically anything that's Fender-like in construction but humbuckered (and yes, I like Teles and Strats :-D ).

May 1st, 2008, 02:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
voided3 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 574	Those Schecter PT models seem nice, has anyone tried/bought one?

May 1st, 2008, 03:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
voided3 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 574	Another question, how close would a MIM Standard w/ GFS hot rails in it get? Thanks!

May 1st, 2008, 05:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 993	Maybe, but you need that mahogany, get a tele deluxe with mahogany body. __________________ Jai Shri Mataji!

May 1st, 2008, 05:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,024	*What sounds like a Gibson, but built like a Fender?* Mmmmmmmmm,........P90's __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

May 1st, 2008, 06:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
RollingThunder75 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: WV Posts: 379	Have you ever heard of Reverend? Their bolt-on series of guitars may be exactly the type of thing you're looking for. www.reverendguitars.com __________________ Lizard Priest chatter don't mean nothin'. You ain't got a cape. -Zorkan the Wild

May 1st, 2008, 06:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 43 Posts: 2,863 28 Photos	Jagmaster Linky Fun Guitar. I have an SG but I still want a Jagmaster. __________________ JLG Carry On

May 1st, 2008, 08:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
jimd Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 41 Posts: 397	The jagmaster or this one Jaguar HH Or, if you could find a Toronado. I should have bought one before they stopped making them.

May 1st, 2008, 08:51 AM	#16 (permalink)
e-merlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 4,425	Schecter's got some really nice stuff. If the necks didn't have such a flat fretboard radius, I'd have a couple. The PT is really nice sounding and has coil splitting on both pickups. __________________ WARNING:This post may contain items including, but not limited to, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole intended to bring humor to this discussion. Those of you who are overly sensitive or who have no sense of humor are better off ignoring this post.

May 1st, 2008, 10:08 AM	#17 (permalink)
mark norwine Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Age: 49 Posts: 1,349	TELE-BIRD!!! TELE-BIRD!! I have no affiliation...I just lifted the pic from a for sale ad on the gearpage. If this isn't the coolest "gibson-fender hybrid", I can't imagine what else comes close! Here's a link to the sale, if you're so inclined... http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...light=telebird __________________ "Progress is not possible without deviation from the norm." Frank Zappa

May 1st, 2008, 11:27 AM	#18 (permalink)
hekawi Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: greenville, sc Posts: 1,694	I've got a FMT HH Telecaster (flame maple top, double humbucker). it is really a Gibson in Fender clothing....tele body shape, but carved top; set neck, but 25 1/2 scale....the sound is very Les Paul/SG, and with the coil splitter, you can get a single coil sound...although it's more like a P90 equipped Gibson than a true telecaster features and specs from the Fender site: http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0262000561 __________________ ____________________________________________ "Rule Number One: Obey All Rules" - Barney Fife

May 1st, 2008, 01:35 PM	#20 (permalink)
jonzer Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 927	I was thinking about the Toronados. __________________ http://816rocks.com/

May 9th, 2008, 10:18 AM	#22 (permalink)
Tarbender TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 25	Here's a limited edition Fender Telesonic that I use. Mahogany body, maple top, clear cherry finish. I swapped out the original Dearmonds for some Burstbuckers. SG in a Fender body! __________________ Believe it or not, my life is based on a true story!

May 9th, 2008, 12:28 PM	#24 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 976	What sounds like a Gibson, but is built like a Fender? I thought this was going to be a joke. I clicked on it expecting a punch line. __________________ I am serious...& don't call me Shirley.

May 9th, 2008, 12:33 PM	#25 (permalink)
Dennis68 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Posts: 754	Fano JM6 with Lindy Fralin P90's. All hand made. I own three. Pure joy. __________________ -Dennis

May 9th, 2008, 02:07 PM	#26 (permalink)
Jeru TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 57	I'm hearing a need for versatility Maybe this doesn't help you quite so much, but I'll throw in my 2 cents: Do you want a guitar with a palette of tones, or a fender-type build that 'sounds like a gibson?' For a while I had a four-way switch in my CIJ Tele which gave me the pickups in series, and I could cover a LOT of bases soundwise with that setup. It wasn't a les paul, but it had a lot of good, thick sounds in it. VERY versatile. Now it's a standard three way switch with a SD jazz bucker in the neck. Still a huge palette of tones to be had, including pretty 'gibson-esque' sounds when needed. It's my favorite guitar (at left in the photo), because it plays wonderfully and cuz' it's versatile as all getout. If what you want is something built like a fender but exclusively with buckers, that's easily enough done -- my preference would be a tele with one of those bridges accommodating a full size HB. I like the idea of those FMT HH Telecasters, but can't get over the aesthetics, that flamey-vibe look is not for me. just my opinion. Sorry if I'm rambling, I'm just bored at work.