Teles with neck humbucker and chambered body

Subfeeder · #1 04-13-2011, 03:46 AM

I'm currently looking for a new guitar and am split between a tele type guitar and a semi-hollow 335 type. I like the size, shape and ruggedness of teles but dislike the brightness. I know the brightness is partly down to construction and partly due to the single-coil pickups. I haven't had a chance to play a (fender) tele with a neck humbucker. I have tried some semi-hollows and really only liked Gibsons - either 335s or 339s. Other cheaper semis seem clunky, thin and bright which seems to defeat the object. However, Gibsons are lots of money - more than I have right now. Ideally I would like a Gibson 335 sound in a tele shape, which I know is not going to happen. However, I did try a G&L ASAT Classic Bluesboy recently which is basically a tele shape with a neck humbucker and chambered body. The sound is pretty good and approaching the warm jazzy sound I seek. However, I wonder if this is largely due to the humbucker and how much influence the chambered body has on tone. If it's largely due to the humbucker I may go for a Fender US tele and whack a HB in the neck. The G&L was a nice guitar but had some issues with the neck and fretboard hence why I would prefer a Fender if I was going in the tele direction.
Opinions on tele neck humbuckers and chambered bodies sought, thanks

Jabberwocky · #2 04-13-2011, 04:55 AM

YouTube - "Emily" as played by Charles Crosman (8-14-09)

Swinger · #3 04-13-2011, 05:03 AM

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/showc...598-ceora.html
http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/showc...ely-woman.html

Here is my resent recordings using American Standart Tele using the neck single playing the solo. I think I've reached pretty jazzy tone, may be after that you will think a bit wider to the tele's possibilities...my oppinion was allways that sound is not in guitar mostly))

brad4d8 · #4 04-13-2011, 05:13 AM

In the 70s I had a Tele with a RW board and a humbucker at the neck, very versatile and could produce nice jazz tones with the neck PUP. As to semi-hollow, have you thought about a Guild Starfire? The IV and V are going to be semi-hollow and probably go for less than a Gibson.
Brad

Bill C · #5 04-13-2011, 05:36 AM

You could always build a custom tele to your specs. There are lots of choices for bodies and necks from Warmoth and USACG - scale lengths/neck profile/radius/woods/chambered bodies etc etc. The downside as with many custom guitars is that the resale value is likely to be poor (in my experience) if you decide to sell later.

barrymclark · #6 04-13-2011, 05:50 AM

+1 on the Bluesboy. I played one of these about a year back and I loved it. The USA made one has the Seth Lover and I am already sold on those. I also agree with Bill C. You could build one relatively cheaply via Warmoth.

Archie · #7 04-13-2011, 08:58 AM

The local shop here has a Thinline Telecaster:

I've never tried one, and have read some negative comments about the pickups, but it would probably be worth a try.

Retroman1969 · #8 04-13-2011, 11:31 AM

I have a Thinline with just the stock ALNICO single coils on it and in the neck pup, rolled down, it gets incredibly smooth, warm jazz tones. The tone coming from the chambered area is not all that loud or strong, but it's there, and adds resonance and thus a more organic sound to the Tele. Closest I've gotten to the sound from my hollow-body archtop.
I tried the Thinline pictured above the WR buckers sounded a bit weak and thin to me. Some Gibson type humbuckers might improve things a bit on that model.
Try many different models of Tele with bucks and singles in Fender, G&L, and Squier, etc, to get it narrowed down. Even if the specs are the same, some sound like heaven and others sound like... uh... fornicating canine defecation.

Like you, I've never cared much for most of the semi-hollows out there. Too bright and harsh-sounding.

JohnW400 · #9 04-13-2011, 11:49 AM

I also have a thinline with single coils. I put a Duncan HB in the bridge position. That gave it a fuller sound.