Gibson vs Fender - I haven’t seen this topic in a hunnert years!
- Thread starter ScottTunes
- Start date
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Ya see… I tried and tried to love Gibsons. And in many ways I do. But the scale length and ergonomics are not for me. I will still at some point buy a keeper LP just to have in the permanent collection. But I probably won’t play it much.
I achieved total enlightenment when I figured out that telecaster ergonomics (no contours), a 25.5” scale, and a string thru bridge, coupled with a 12” radius, and large frets, and a pair of low output humbuckers, was indeed the world’s most perfect electric guitar.
If Les, McCarty, and Leo had all worked together back in the 50’s, we all could have saved ourselves a lot of trial and tribulation.
I achieved total enlightenment when I figured out that telecaster ergonomics (no contours), a 25.5” scale, and a string thru bridge, coupled with a 12” radius, and large frets, and a pair of low output humbuckers, was indeed the world’s most perfect electric guitar.
If Les, McCarty, and Leo had all worked together back in the 50’s, we all could have saved ourselves a lot of trial and tribulation.
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Lou Tencodpees
Poster Extraordinaire
I tried a P90 in the neck position of my parts thinline and thought it balanced well with a GFS Lil Puncher in the bridge. That said the thinline is back to a standard Tele config. I have a Goldtop LP with 2 P90s, for me it's a love/hate affair. I just can't decide if P90s are my thing.
I like Gibsons. I'd go so far as saying the best electric I've ever owned was a 67 ES-335. But my collection of parts Teles and Strats speaks to my overall preference. I never looked at the Fender/Gibson thing as a competition. They both have their place.
I like Gibsons. I'd go so far as saying the best electric I've ever owned was a 67 ES-335. But my collection of parts Teles and Strats speaks to my overall preference. I never looked at the Fender/Gibson thing as a competition. They both have their place.
Gibsons for acoustics, Fenders for electrics.
Ask me a hard one!
Ask me a hard one!
I have more confidence, that TDPRI can talk about all this stuff and provide sensible thoughts. I have no such confidence, over there. Playing a Telecaster should not be a crime.
bigbreak
Tele-Afflicted
Attaboy Herman. Play that Tele.
I Always bring 2 guitars to a gig. Years ago, I would bring 2 LP types to a gig. Then I started to love that Tele thing and brought two of those instead. Now I’ve got one of each going out with me.
No ‘buckers tho. Trad tele pups and P90s- selector switch in the middle position 75% of the time anyhow.
No ‘buckers tho. Trad tele pups and P90s- selector switch in the middle position 75% of the time anyhow.
I don't know if I would call myself a HUGE P-90 fan, but I like them. My guitars with P-90s are - LP R6, '56 ES-125, Warmoth T-Style with a P-90 in the neck position, and one "in progress" parts-caster Tele/T-style with a P-90 in he neck position.
But when I think of Gibsons, I usually think of humbuckers.
Because bar-none TDPRI is the best guitar forum available.Why do people want to talk about their Gibsons on a site devoted to Telecasters?.....
As to the topic at hand - I started on Gibby style guitars until I got a Tele and plugged it into a Twin. Ah, a moment of clarity - that Tele bridge pickup is a magical thing. Ferocious, wild, and with clarity like no other.
So I became a Tele guy for a good 5 years
More recently I’ve been dialing in my preferences. I’m getting close - and I’ve found Gibson ergonomics make me play better. The scale length, nut and heel width, and medium chunky profile with big shoulders typical of a Les Paul are all very comfortable to me… I have to work a bit harder on a Fender.
I am still addicted to that Tele bridge sound. The neck pickup… meh. A PAF suits me better.
In any case, I own both until I crack the secret formula and eventually build “the one”
Reedo
Doctor of Teleocity
I used to play SG's exclusively, but that changed when I tried a Tele, and later a Strat. Before long I had a Blacktop Tele, and a Classic series Strat, then Classic series Tele. The SG spent most of it's time in the case, and eventually got sold on. I haven't picked up a Gibson for well over 15 years now, and don't see that route opening again. Each their own I suppose.
I put a set of Fralin P-92s into an Epiphone Dot, and that was my number 1 gigging, beating up, not caring if it got stolen guitar for a long time.
My 2007 AS Tele, with Fralin Steel Pole 42s, is my favorite sounding guitar, but because of scale length and feel/comfort, my Gibsons, for me, are more fun to play. Those Steel Pole 42s sound a lot like P-90s.
My 2007 AS Tele, with Fralin Steel Pole 42s, is my favorite sounding guitar, but because of scale length and feel/comfort, my Gibsons, for me, are more fun to play. Those Steel Pole 42s sound a lot like P-90s.
OldTelePlayer
Tele-Afflicted
I like Fender guitars. My old Telecaster was my first good electric.
I like Gibson guitars too (including Epiphone)
and Gretsch
and PRS
and Ibanez (their hollow body guitars are pretty terrific... never tried any of the others)
I have some of each and I even play them. I like options.
I guess you could say that I just like guitars. Am I strange or what??
I like Gibson guitars too (including Epiphone)
and Gretsch
and PRS
and Ibanez (their hollow body guitars are pretty terrific... never tried any of the others)
I have some of each and I even play them. I like options.
I guess you could say that I just like guitars. Am I strange or what??
Kandinskyesque
Poster Extraordinaire
It started back in the late 70s for me.
In the school playground, around a dozen of us gathered round a Bells of London guitar catalogue, then came the question (just like here)...
"Who makes the best guitars?" which is a reasonable argument for a group of 12-year-olds.
I picked Fender and the Tele in particular because that's what Joe Strummer played. The guys who were listening to their older brother's Zep and Lizzy records picked Gibson.
Things got a bit out of hand and 3 of us ended up in the headmaster's office for 3 of the belt/tawse. I also took a bloody nose in the fracas.
A bit like my football/sports team once you pick it there ain't no going back.
In the school playground, around a dozen of us gathered round a Bells of London guitar catalogue, then came the question (just like here)...
"Who makes the best guitars?" which is a reasonable argument for a group of 12-year-olds.
I picked Fender and the Tele in particular because that's what Joe Strummer played. The guys who were listening to their older brother's Zep and Lizzy records picked Gibson.
Things got a bit out of hand and 3 of us ended up in the headmaster's office for 3 of the belt/tawse. I also took a bloody nose in the fracas.
A bit like my football/sports team once you pick it there ain't no going back.
aging_rocker
Poster Extraordinaire
I started with a LP copy, then I got a proper Gibson SG.
Then I acquired a Tele. Then, much later, a Strat.
I loved them all, for different reasons (except the LP copy - that was just bad, but your first is always a little bit special, right?)
Then I got rid of them all.
Then I got an Ibanez.
Now I don't know what I want...and yes, I know the only sensible answer is to get both
Or a HH Tele-style. Or a HSS Strat-style, or a PRS SE, or a maybe a Gretsch...
My brain hurts.
Then I acquired a Tele. Then, much later, a Strat.
I loved them all, for different reasons (except the LP copy - that was just bad, but your first is always a little bit special, right?)
Then I got rid of them all.
Then I got an Ibanez.
Now I don't know what I want...and yes, I know the only sensible answer is to get both
Or a HH Tele-style. Or a HSS Strat-style, or a PRS SE, or a maybe a Gretsch...
My brain hurts.
I'm solidly in Fender's camp, but I do lust after a TV Yellow LP Special or Jr.
I almost solved that by building a Butterscotch Tele (basically TV Yellow, these days) with Fralin Steel Pole 43's.
the 43's are described by Lindy as "the closest we could get to P-90s without them being P-90s"
fyi, the thread was originally posted in the "telecaster discussion" page.. and has now been moved the BD..
Fiesta Red
Doctor of Teleocity
As much tea as I drink, if I drank it sweet I’d be pushing 400 pounds!
I want a good 335 style guitar but it doesn’t have to be a Gibson. In fact, my wallet dictates it won’t be.
ScottTunes
Tele-Meister
fyi, the thread was originally posted in the "telecaster discussion" page.. and has now been moved the BD..
I guess I just don't understand what "Tele discussion is..."
This is the second time something I posted "here" was "moved" or removed.
So, maybe I am better off "moving" somewhere else... I know most of y'allz are "over there" anywayz...
Thanks for the entertainment!
You're threatening to leave TDPRI because two of your threads have been moved?
You posted this thread to create controversy. The subject has been beaten to death. A moderator decided it would be better off here since it isn't a serious discussion of Teles. That's all there is to it. You're not being targeted.
Wherever "somewhere else" is, I'm not there.
