If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

[SirJackdeFuzz]

I know the approach / concept is not a new one, but i am still glad to see there is a mass made guitar that can sound like a Tele, but does not look like one.

I know Malden made something similar, about 10 years ago, but i do not know if they even still operate any more.


http://www.ibanez.com/products/eg_pre16.php?year=2016&area_id=3&cat_id=1&series_id=37&pre=0 <--- kudos to Ibanez.


What do you guys think about this Tele-sounding alternative ?

 

[AlexR]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

If I was asked 'what does this guitar remind you of'......the answer is immediately a Tele. I'd say its about 90% there....

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

If I was asked 'what does this guitar remind you of'......the answer is immediately a Tele. I'd say its about 90% there....

I'd say aside that in terms of appearance, aside from the electronics, I'm getting more of a Jazzmaster vibe from it.

 

[elelpe]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

I like teles and offsets so it's cool. Telemaster vibe with smaller butt.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

I'd say aside that in terms of appearance, aside from the electronics, I'm getting more of a Jazzmaster vibe from it.

Dont think Malden makes guitars any more, but this was one of their models :


http://gear-vault.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Malden-Mozak-Guitar.jpg

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

I'm pretty flexible, and happen to have some mutt guitars, but even the Talman doesn't appeal to me.

 

[jeremy]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

always thought the talman looked cool

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

Not mass-made/produced, but with Warmoth you can get Tele Routing for just about any guitar body they make.

 

[Mincer]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

Get whatever guitar you want, and throw a Twang Banger in it. Instant TeleTone!

 

[stratguy23]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

It's a matter of degree as to whether something "looks like a Tele".

The main thing that makes a Tele a Tele is the bridge. You have all that metal surrounding the pickup, the choice of metal in the saddles matters, and the bridge pickup has a base plate.

The Talman model referenced above has that bridge, and it has a Tele-style neck pickup, so my first impression of it also is that it looks like a Tele.

However, that same pickup configuration is in the Fender Offset Telecaster, which to my eyes looks like a Jazzmaster first, b/c that body shape is so big and dominant aesthetically.



I like the Talman Prestige a lot. I've played a few, liked them all, and am on the lookout for a used one. It sounds like a Tele and feels sort of like one, with the main difference being the ergonomic body contours. A Tele is much more substantial - think American muscle car - while the Talman is a sporty, smaller Japanese variant.

More exotic variants using the Tele bridge would be the Michael Kelly Valor II Americana, which is like a PRS with a Tele bridge:



and an actual PRS, the Vela, which has a Tele-style bridge but not a Tele-style bridge pickup (a humbucker instead):

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

does it have the "tele-neckdive" too?

 

[BenJB]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

I like it a lot.

 

[stalkon0]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

Variax?

 

[Mincer]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

Actually, the Variax does a pretty respectable Tele.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

I suppose you can replace the hardtail bridge and pickup ring in one of the Fender Pawnshop Strats. The plate should cover almost all, or all of the mark that's left under the pickup ring. I think there are 3 different models...

 

[Darg1911]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

Not my thing and may be too close to the Tele "look" for the intent of this thread but there is the Godin single cut Passion Custom and Session Custom models. P-rails Neck, single bridge. Definitely Godinesque and not "cheap".

 

[Lampy H]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

I actually think the Talman is an attractive guitar. I do love Teles though.

 

[BenJB]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

For tele people: how much does the tele bridge contribute to the sound? I see something like the Godin that Darg1911 posted and I wonder if it really sounds like a tele. I have been getting more interested in them but don't have much experience yet.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

Can't help you with mass production, but if you want tele sound with a cooler look and better ergonomics too that I can do ...

http://davanzoguitars.com/da0011

 

[Mincer]

Re: If you want a 'Tele-sound', but do not like the 'Tele-look'

Ooooh! It's like a racing Tele! I can dig that!