Need a new blues fiddle

[Bad Luck]

Hey all,

Seems like I am always in need of advice, but I'm totally torn.

I decided that I'm going to sell my MIM strat b/c I want something with p90s and (I'm almost ashamed to say) I am sort of bored with the cherry-sunburst quilted maple top. My only restriction is that I don't want to put in too much more money ($300-500 total) .

My ideas so far:

MIM Tele and I can drop a p90 into the neck
Cheap 335 knock off and drop p90s into it
Save up a bit and get a Blueshawk

I come to you for advice b/c I like my blues both smooth (BB King) and gritty (Muddy Waters) and am having trouble deciding which sound to go for . Can you tele lovers get some smooth sounds from your low-end teles? Don't need to sound like anyone in particular, just want some versatile p90 tones. Thanks, wise blues tonefreaks!!

[guymanperson]

Re: Need a new blues fiddle

http://www.guitartrader.com/bigimage.icl?pid=41916&orderidentifier=&srcdoc=itm%2Eicl%3Fsourcedoc%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eguitartrader%2Ecom%26pid%3D41916%26eflag%3D0%26orderidentifier%3Dicat%5Forderid

these look pretty freakin' sweat to me, its a bit outside your price range but you could score one used in a few months

[Kelsey]

Re: Need a new blues fiddle

You could also get a guitar with a pair of HBs and then drop in a set of Phat Cats for smooth and fat P90 tones with A2 mags. I think you can come close with a decent Tele by putting a Phat Cat at the neck and a JD Tele lead in the bridge -- more twang, but still fat and not that far removed from dual P90s if you adjust it properly. I have an American Series Tele done that way, and it sounds and looks great! Plus, I think many of the current Fender Teles come routed under the pickguard for a HB, so the Phat Cat will drop in (with a new pickguard), whereas additional routing would be needed for a standard P90.

[Bad Luck]

Re: Need a new blues fiddle

Hey thanks, guys. That double cut thinline looks pretty neat. Saving up for that might be an option. Kelsey, so far I think that is my best option. Are you able to get some warmer, jazzier tones with that Phat Cat in the neck? I like what the threads are saying about that JB tele bridge.

Anybody know which tele models have the humbucker route in the neck? Any other ideas? Thanks!