Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

[Silver]

I love the sound of SG's and Les Pauls, but I love the body shape of a Strat. So I was thinking of building a compromise.

- Mahogany strat body (Warmoth)
- Tune-o-matic bridge with stop-tail piece (Warmoth rout for this)
- 24 3/4" gibson scale length neck, mahogany with a bound ebony fretboard
- Two humbuckers... probably Alnico 2 Pros
- Volume, Volume, Tone, Tone... 3 way switch.

I'm thinking it'll have the scale length, the bridge, the body/neck woods, and pickups... that are in SGs/Les Pauls. I like ebony fretboards as a rule, and the brightness of them might add a bit of what you get from a maple top on an Les Paul.

Differences are obviously: bolt-on construction, and different (Strat) body shape.

The obvious solution would be to buy an SG or a Les Paul, but I just prefer the body shape of a strat and can't get comfortable on those guitars.

What do you think?

[Blille]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

The 24.75 scale is IMHO the most important factor followed by the humbuckers instead of sc. You got those two so IMHO it will get you close.

[Mincer]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

There is a lot that goes into the Les Paul/SG formula like the woods, headstock angle and set neck. But what you have is a good idea. LPs and SGs are not very comfortable for me, either, so I would love to hear how your project turns out.

[Aceman]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

A2P's are generally NOT in SG's/Les Pauls. But ok.

Sounds like you are making a Strat-O-Sonic. I suppose it will be SG-esque.

[Benjy_26]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

I have a basswood bodied, rosewood-on-maple necked Squier Mustang Bullet with a top loading bridge, and Alnico 2 Pro in the neck and a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge. It doesn't sound exactly like a SG, Les Paul, or 335, BUT...it's in the family. I think the scale length really has an impact on the sound of a guitar. Your idea will probably get in the ballpark. If you switch from a strat body to a tele, I'd bet it'd get closer.

[AlexR]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

Every time you change 1 parameter you will fundamentally change the result to a greater or lesser degree. Having a full upper bout like the Tele and Les Paul is important. Even with all other parts the same, a tele and strat don't quite sound the same due to the body shape.
Same with scale length, same with neck attachment.

So you can only try your idea......knowing that you will be left with pickup/electrics choice as the only variable you will be able to have any foreknowledge of how it will shape the final sound.

[Dave Locher]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

Yes, it will. I have owned a few Gibsons and a lot of oddball guitars over the years and I have played quite a few SGs and LPs and 335s and no two guitars sound exactly the same, including two Les Pauls or two SGs. A mahogany body & neck and 24 3/4" scale with tune-o-matic will make your guitar sound exactly like one of the million SGs or LesPauls out there.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The minor differences that might hypothetically be introduced by the bolt neck or body shape will be no bigger than the difference between any two Gibsons you could compare to each other.

[Jeff_H]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

I did some recording in the early/mid 00's using a Yamaha double fat strat, with a CC/APH pickup set. The strat was some kind of Asian wood, no maple top, etc. When recorded it had a very convincing LP ish tone. Not as thick or fat as an actual LP, but in the ballpark. I recorded my version of Knockin' on Heavens Door and it was very passable. At the time there was no way I could afford an actual LP, and I'd already had an Epi LP that was just not very good at all, so I had to make do. Through my JCM 800 it sounded very good.

So, I think it's possible to get in the ballpark of the tone you're looking for, with the right setup in your guitar and the right amp for your style of music. The SG tone is a more realistic goal of getting close to, and maybe that's what I really had, but it was close enough. You may have to play around with pickups a bit, once you understand your guitars natural tone; is it brighter, is it darker, etc. A CC, a PATB-3, Slash or Whole Lotta HB bridge might all get you in the ballpark, again depending. Some sort of A2 humbucker in the neck is a good place to start too.

Also, what type of music? Heavy metal, thrash, modern rock, classic rock, etc. That will influence pickup selection. If you play heavier, more aggressive music maybe you need a Custom, Distortion or something else in the bridge. The pickups I suggested above are more Classic Les Paul type tones, such as classic rock, hard rock, old school metal.

So there are a lot of options and variables. I hope you find something that works for you.

[greekdude]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

I got a 24.75" neck-through HSS Carvin (DC135), all maple (neck and wings) and its closer to a strat rather than anything LP or SG. I can't get the LP mahogany tone with this one no matter what.

[ibanezrocks]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

I got a 24.75" neck-through HSS Carvin (DC135), all maple (neck and wings) and its closer to a strat rather than anything LP or SG. I can't get the LP mahogany tone with this one no matter what.

Wouldn't that be 25"? That's more in between in scale then. Also the full maple probably makes a huge difference as well.

Sent from my BlackBerry using Tapatalk

[zionstrat]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

+1 24.75 and mahagony will get you in the ballpark... You should have more mass than an SG and expect it will be in LP doublecut territory... Post photos and soundclips!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[Silver]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

A2P's are generally NOT in SG's/Les Pauls. But ok.

Sounds like you are making a Strat-O-Sonic. I suppose it will be SG-esque.

Whilst the A2P's don't come stock in many Gibsons, I don't think an A2 vintage humbucker is a world away from the sound you'd expect. For me, Slash's sound is my personal reference for 'Les Paul Tone' too.

The strat-o-sonic is similar in many ways, but I recall it has a maple neck? Also I think the humbuckers were quite hot.

[Silver]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

Having a full upper bout like the Tele and Les Paul is important. Even with all other parts the same, a tele and strat don't quite sound the same due to the body shape.

Whilst I agree with your overall statement that each little thing makes a difference, I would have thought the giant metal bridge plate and unique pickups were the reason for a Tele sounding different to a Strat, rather than the relatively small amount of mass in one specific location (the upper horn).

In fact, I have heard double cut LPs that are indistinguishable from normal LPs.

I think that at a certain point, there is as much variation within a group of guitars than between groups.

[Silver]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

So, I think it's possible to get in the ballpark of the tone you're looking for, with the right setup in your guitar and the right amp for your style of music. The SG tone is a more realistic goal of getting close to, and maybe that's what I really had, but it was close enough. You may have to play around with pickups a bit, once you understand your guitars natural tone; is it brighter, is it darker, etc. A CC, a PATB-3, Slash or Whole Lotta HB bridge might all get you in the ballpark, again depending. Some sort of A2 humbucker in the neck is a good place to start too.

Also, what type of music? Heavy metal, thrash, modern rock, classic rock, etc. That will influence pickup selection. If you play heavier, more aggressive music maybe you need a Custom, Distortion or something else in the bridge. The pickups I suggested above are more Classic Les Paul type tones, such as classic rock, hard rock, old school metal.

This guitar will be for Classic Rock to Hard Rock. I play heavier styles too, but have other guitars for that.

A2Ps were my go-to, but I'd be willing to check out Seths, 59's, WLH's, Pearly Gates, etc. Everything in that sort of ball park.

[Mincer]

Re: Do you think this would get me close to an SG or Les Paul sound?

This guitar will be for Classic Rock to Hard Rock. I play heavier styles too, but have other guitars for that.

A2Ps were my go-to, but I'd be willing to check out Seths, 59's, WLH's, Pearly Gates, etc. Everything in that sort of ball park.

Well, pick your EQ and/or figure out what tonal problem you have to solve. You can't go wrong with any of those (in the right guitar).