Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

Apparently someone doesn't realize the Telecaster comes equipped with a tone knob.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

+ another "Why Not"...

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

I use a traditional telecaster a lot on rhythms because they tend to fare well with moderate overdrive - sounding full and clear with a lot of twangy charm and a tighter attack. For much of the same reasons, they also do leads really well. IMO, they're the best workhorse guitars.

Telecasters aren't necessarily "bright" instruments either - I've played some that actually seemed to lack treble, while others were more balanced. Also, some amps just make telecasters come alive - namely combos (Vox AC30, Fender Twins, Deluxe Reverbs, and 5F6A Bassmans) and amps that don't rely too much on preamp gain.

Also, I remember videos of Guns N Roses's early days where Izzy would often have a telecaster, and Slaah with his LP. Another great case of telecasters being used for rhythm guitar.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

I never separated types of guitar into 'rhythm' or 'lead'. They all have all of the notes you need, and these days you can make them sound like anything you want.

 

[Cdwillis]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

Probably because the volume knob is out of the way, unlike a strat.

The middle position on a telecaster is a great sound you can't get with a stock strat and the tele bridge with the tone control eased back a sounds awesome. I've never understood why Leo didn't wire the strat bridge pickup to a tone control...

 

[Rschan.Ziar]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

He did, he didn't wire the neck to the tone control

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

He did, he didn't wire the neck to the tone control

Nope, Cdwillis had it right.

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/strat-bridge-pickup-tone-control-1

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

Probably because the volume knob is out of the way, unlike a strat.

The middle position on a telecaster is a great sound you can't get with a stock strat and the tele bridge with the tone control eased back a sounds awesome. I've never understood why Leo didn't wire the strat bridge pickup to a tone control...

OR have a 5 position switch from the get-go too.

 

[Rschan.Ziar]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

Nope, Cdwillis had it right.

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/strat-bridge-pickup-tone-control-1

I have a strat and mine is wired the way I said before... In the first position (Like the nob pointing at my face) it's the bridge. Maybe it's a vintage thing to wire the it a different way?

 

[Southbound Suarez]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

That would be interesting. I've always loved the Tele for it's raw tone. Joe Strummer comes to mind not-so-oddly enough.

It would be setup like strat pups only w/tele sc's instead in a tele body. I'd still use the vintage tele pat# bridge however. I don't believe I've seen anyone build a tele like this yet. Is that Joe Strummer's pic in your avatar?

 

[Southbound Suarez]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

50's blackguard style, nitro finish. Bridge measures 7.85.

It's also the Les Paul... it has a wicked twang on the unwound strings.

I'm guessing w/a SD Broadcaster bridge pup? How about body wood such as ash, swamp ash, or alder? If you have a tele neck pup w/a cover this could also could stymie the clarity of the neck pup.

 

[Southbound Suarez]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

I never separated types of guitar into 'rhythm' or 'lead'. They all have all of the notes you need, and these days you can make them sound like anything you want.

It's funny but, before the calibrated pup position idea took ahold, Gibson players used neck humbuckers to double for bass guitar. Sort of a one guitar fits all scenario. Back then the guitar was relegated as a rhythm instrument to the back row of orchestras of the time. Charlie Christian of the Benny Goodman Band brought the instrument to the fore and was given the title of "father of the lead guitar" for his contribution to the guitar.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

I have a strat and mine is wired the way I said before... In the first position (Like the nob pointing at my face) it's the bridge. Maybe it's a vintage thing to wire the it a different way?

So wait, when the tip of the switch is pointing towards your face/the strings of the guitar, your BRIDGE pickup is on? That's not normal at all.

Position 5 according to this, would be the one going toward your face, and that is the neck pickup. Position 1 is the bridge as you stated, but that is where the switch is pointing toward the floor.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

I have a strat and mine is wired the way I said before... In the first position (Like the nob pointing at my face) it's the bridge. Maybe it's a vintage thing to wire the it a different way?

Its your strat that is odd. There is not a single strat that has ever intentionally been wired like that from the factory. The switch pointing at the knobs end is the bridge pickup setting since 54
Tone only was attched to the bridge pickup from the factory in very recent history.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

This whole thread is....odd'ish.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

It would be setup like strat pups only w/tele sc's instead in a tele body. I'd still use the vintage tele pat# bridge however. I don't believe I've seen anyone build a tele like this yet. Is that Joe Strummer's pic in your avatar?

I get that. It could be interesting. And yes, that is Joe Strummer as my avatar.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

It would be setup like strat pups only w/tele sc's instead in a tele body. I'd still use the vintage tele pat# bridge however. I don't believe I've seen anyone build a tele like this yet. Is that Joe Strummer's pic in your avatar?

I don't remember the exact model, but Fender had a MIM Tele a few years ago with a covered Tele neck pickup in the both the neck and middle positions.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

This whole thread is....odd'ish.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

This whole thread is....odd'ish.

 

[Rschan.Ziar]

Re: Why use a Telecaster as rhythm guitar?

Yeah, I have to get that checked out. Maybe something happened at the factory? Maybe they turned the switch around?