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I had a scary thought

golfnut

Active member
Joined
Apr 18, 2016
Messages
196
So I'm getting my guitars ready tonight for my weekend gigs, Saturday and Sunday. Cleaning them up, changing strings, etc. I've been playing my Les Paul almost exclusively since I got it a few months ago. I'm going to be taking just my Les Paul on Saturday. Its only one set at the Boothill Jamboree and I don't want to take more than 1 guitar and on Sunday its an outdoor gig for a legion so I was planning on taking my custom shop strat. I was playing around with the strat and I didn't realize how much easier to play the les paul is. The flatter radius just flows so smooth for me. Its effortless to play. My Fenders on the other hand require a bit more work. I find I only want to play the Les Paul. Its like "where have you been all my life".
Now the scary thoughts, I'm thinking maybe of selling my custom shop strat and custom shop tele to finance the R9 I want. I'd still have my brad paisley tele. I like that tele as much as my custom shop and I couldn't imagine my life with out at least one tele. Plus it was a 60th birthday present from my wife. I do love the tone of the strat. Its the best sounding strat I've ever owned but as strats go I don't find them comfortable to play. I never thought I'd find a different guitar more comfortable to play than a tele as I've been playing them as a main guitar for over 40 years. But the Les Paul trumps it for comfort and ease of playability. Just the weight is a negative as even an 8 1/2 pound custom shop will be noticeably heavier than my 6.9 pound tele. But then my brad paisley tele is just over 5 pounds.
Am I crazy? Someone talk me down. Or send me over the edge.
I'll have to think long and hard about this.
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
Caution: Honeymoon thinking and "new, strange, wonderful" can drive irrational behavior.

Tastes change, you'll want to rotate, you need to switch things up. Happens to everyone.

I would wait prior to any rash decisions especially if you love the Strat and CS Tele. Good ones being hard to find, bonding, etc.

As you mentioned prior, the R9 hunt can be a long and satisfying journey in itself.

And if you find one, then see if you can work a deal or find 0% financing until you're better able to swing the dosh. Or scrimp and belt tighten in other areas to accelerate the fund...

Then, you'll really think long and hard on pulling the trigger.

If all else fails, yes, you need a Tele and Les Paul.
Strats are good to have, but... :cool:


Good luck!

You always need a Tele...

 
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Dr. Green

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
Go for the Les Paul ,,,,, the Fenders are a dime a dozen - they can be replaced no problem -
unless its something special like a model made by a small luthier shop such as Rick Kelly , Haun, De Pergo , ..... something like that you might not want to sell ..... or a vintage piece.

Just be extremely picky when you make your choice

if your back is bad and weight is a huge issue Eastman in china makes a LP guitar called the 59v that is around 7 pounds solid and is killer - I have played them 1700 - 2200

Historics are amazing if you get the right one

If money is an issue Heritage Co which are the original Gibson crew make guitars in the original Kalamazoo factory - the model H150 CORE - is the cats ass at about 3500


this video is epic and jaw dropping ,,,,
 

Tollywood

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
394
Caution: Honeymoon thinking and "new, strange, wonderful" can drive irrational behavior.

Tastes change, you'll want to rotate, you need to switch things up. Happens to everyone.

I would wait prior to any rash decisions especially if you love the Strat and CS Tele. Good ones being hard to find, bonding, etc.

As you mentioned prior, the R9 hunt can be a long and satisfying journey in itself.

And if you find one, then see if you can work a deal or find 0% financing until you're better able to swing the dosh. Or scrimp and belt tighten in other areas to accelerate the fund...

Then, you'll really think long and hard on pulling the trigger.

If all else fails, yes, you need a Tele and Les Paul.
Strats are good to have, but... :cool:


Good luck!

You always need a Tele...

JB is preaching some serious wisdom here.
 

Vics53

Active member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
149
Maybe you could get a new neck for one (or both) of your Fenders that are more accommodating. My Tele came with the 9.5" radius that I always seemed to struggle with. After a few years I got a replacement neck with a 12" radius and it was SO much better.

Funny thing is, my Strat has the 9.5" radius and I find that neck just as comfortable as the neck on my LP.
 

Tollywood

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
394
It might be more of a scale issue. I can feel the difference and I am more comfortable with the shorter Gibson scale.

In other words, you may have just ruined yourself for the Fender scale. It happened to me. I played Music Man exclusively until I got a Les Paul.
 
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corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Wait 12 mos- I have had to buy stuff due to missing stuff. It always costs.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
I would wait.

BUT.

IF you decide you just REALLY can't live with a Strat scale etc. there is a strange solution IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.

The Collings 360ST.

Neck is set like a Gibson.

A "soft V" neck like a 55 Les Paul (VERY comfortable for anyone who has tried mine).

Tones to die for - quack etc sounds better than most Strats.

The top is carved like a LP.

Kinda strange looking, but my God, the finish and playability make it one of my favs.

I think it is the best Collings I own and very much my favorite.

I'll ditch my Cruz Master Design CS Strat before it...

35711574163_7c51af54ab_3k.jpg

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36520452485_06cc9eb7ff_3k.jpg

36520460395_de160caa94_3k.jpg
 

golfnut

Active member
Joined
Apr 18, 2016
Messages
196
Maybe you could get a new neck for one (or both) of your Fenders that are more accommodating. My Tele came with the 9.5" radius that I always seemed to struggle with. After a few years I got a replacement neck with a 12" radius and it was SO much better.

Funny thing is, my Strat has the 9.5" radius and I find that neck just as comfortable as the neck on my LP.
The neck profiles on both my custom shop Fenders are perfect. Theres no problem there. I guess the biggest problem I have with the strat is my right hand. It just feels crowded with the middle pickup and the volume knob in the way. I picked it up this morning and it just has this beautiful tone that I've never had in all the strats I've owned and sold for the same comfort reasons. I'd probably regret selling it even though its likely to make rare appearances at gigs.
I think what I'm going to do is wait till next year to find the right R9 and just buy it cash and hold on to what I've got. Theres no hurry to sell anything. If after a year or 2 of owning both an R9 and a standard 50's I find I'm not using the strat I can evaluate whether I sell it or not. As I get more in to recording I'd likely use it for that. As for my custom shop tele, even though I own another less expensive tele I'm going to hold on to the CS 52. Its got that big Nocaster U neck that I love and I'd likely gig with it still.
When I first considered a humbucker guitar I decided on a standard 50's instead of a custom shop as I was just looking for a cheap guitar just to have a humbucker guitar in my collection. I never thought it would take over as my number 1 guitar. I never realized how versatile it is. I can actually get a close approximation of a tele sound on the bridge pickup. I guess playing teles for over 40 years has left a lot of twang in my hands and I can to some degree get it out of the Les Paul. However for the strat sounds nothing does it but a strat. I guess I'll have to resign my self to the fact that I'll possibly have an expensive guitar that gets played rarely.
The big reason I want an R9 is the few I've played the neck was fantastic. Seems similar in depth to my standard 50 but with less shoulder. That less shoulder makes it seem even more effortless than the standard 50 to play. I can fly all over that neck and everything feels smooth and effortless. Not to take away from the standard 50 though. Its a far better guitar than I thought I was buying. In quality and tone you'd never know it was a less expensive guitar than my fender custom shops.
 

golfnut

Active member
Joined
Apr 18, 2016
Messages
196
I would wait.

BUT.

IF you decide you just REALLY can't live with a Strat scale etc. there is a strange solution IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.

The Collings 360ST.

Neck is set like a Gibson.

A "soft V" neck like a 55 Les Paul (VERY comfortable for anyone who has tried mine).

Tones to die for - quack etc sounds better than most Strats.

The top is carved like a LP.

Kinda strange looking, but my God, the finish and playability make it one of my favs.

I think it is the best Collings I own and very much my favorite.

I'll ditch my Cruz Master Design CS Strat before it...

35711574163_7c51af54ab_3k.jpg

36520448185_82894ff0d1_3k.jpg

36520452485_06cc9eb7ff_3k.jpg

36520460395_de160caa94_3k.jpg
Thats a beautiful looking guitar.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
It is one of those that "inspires" you when you pick it up.

I can't give it enough kudos.

Plugged in it just DRIPS with tone!
 

Vics53

Active member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
149
The neck profiles on both my custom shop Fenders are perfect. Theres no problem there. I guess the biggest problem I have with the strat is my right hand. It just feels crowded with the middle pickup and the volume knob in the way. I picked it up this morning and it just has this beautiful tone that I've never had in all the strats I've owned and sold for the same comfort reasons. I'd probably regret selling it even though its likely to make rare appearances at gigs.
I think what I'm going to do is wait till next year to find the right R9 and just buy it cash and hold on to what I've got. Theres no hurry to sell anything. If after a year or 2 of owning both an R9 and a standard 50's I find I'm not using the strat I can evaluate whether I sell it or not. As I get more in to recording I'd likely use it for that. As for my custom shop tele, even though I own another less expensive tele I'm going to hold on to the CS 52. Its got that big Nocaster U neck that I love and I'd likely gig with it still.
When I first considered a humbucker guitar I decided on a standard 50's instead of a custom shop as I was just looking for a cheap guitar just to have a humbucker guitar in my collection. I never thought it would take over as my number 1 guitar. I never realized how versatile it is. I can actually get a close approximation of a tele sound on the bridge pickup. I guess playing teles for over 40 years has left a lot of twang in my hands and I can to some degree get it out of the Les Paul. However for the strat sounds nothing does it but a strat. I guess I'll have to resign my self to the fact that I'll possibly have an expensive guitar that gets played rarely.
The big reason I want an R9 is the few I've played the neck was fantastic. Seems similar in depth to my standard 50 but with less shoulder. That less shoulder makes it seem even more effortless than the standard 50 to play. I can fly all over that neck and everything feels smooth and effortless. Not to take away from the standard 50 though. Its a far better guitar than I thought I was buying. In quality and tone you'd never know it was a less expensive guitar than my fender custom shops.
I understand the "right hand crowding issue" with a Strat. Seems like millions of Strat players have no problem but I'm not one of them. But there is a solution that I'm eventually going to do as a friend of mine did.

He put the volume knob where the tone knob is that's closest to the bridge. Then he put a concentric, stacked knob in place of the other tone control and wired it so the lower portion is for the neck and middle pickup and the upper knob is for the bridge pickup. No more "crowding" issue. He kinda got that idea from me because I did that with my Telecaster. Took out the single tone control and replaced it with the mentioned concentric stacked knob so both pickups have their own tone control. I'm not taking credit for this as I'm sure millions of other Tele players have done the same. Now I have a perfect balance of clarity when going from the bridge to the neck pickup.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting an LP. Just offering a few suggestions that worked for me with my Fender. May not work for you but hey, that's okay too!
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
The big reason I want an R9 is the few I've played the neck was fantastic. Seems similar in depth to my standard 50 but with less shoulder. That less shoulder makes it seem even more effortless than the standard 50 to play. I can fly all over that neck and everything feels smooth and effortless. Not to take away from the standard 50 though. Its a far better guitar than I thought I was buying. In quality and tone you'd never know it was a less expensive guitar than my fender custom shops.

Everything you said above rings true, sounds like a plan.

As for the R9... Yup.

One thing for long-range planning: I have Reissues but no new-era (post-HJ) Standards 50s/60s, because I have R8, R9(s), R0(S).

While I applaud Gibson's new product line architecture, returning Standards to something well-loved and understood, I feel my Reissues cover that space. Something to note. You may be well satisfied with the R9, seek more, and the Standard 50s moves on in favor of another R9, or R7, R8, perhaps the right R0 like the V2.

Alternatively, I am keeping my HJ-era Standards with the asymmetrical slim taper profiles, compound radius, coil-splitting, ultra-weight relief, etc. [I also kept my Classic 1960 from Y2K, and have LP Customs, Specials, Juniors... and the P-90 Classic... all different beasts]. These are 'different' enough from conventional "Standard" view of what a Les Paul should be, and that's a good thing for me, deviations from the 'norm' of the classic, vintage lineage LP Standard that give me a really broad pallete tonally and allow for different playing styles.

FWIW: Just for another perspective on neck profile, my journey: I went from a 62 MIJ Tele, to a 1960 Classic, to an R0 then R9, before ever really "getting along" with a Strat of any sort. I do now, and have a bunch of other makes and models, but the LP remains the sweet spot... and all others are the switch-ups.
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
I understand the "right hand crowding issue" with a Strat. Seems like millions of Strat players have no problem but I'm not one of them. But there is a solution that I'm eventually going to do as a friend of mine did.

He put the volume knob where the tone knob is that's closest to the bridge. Then he put a concentric, stacked knob in place of the other tone control and wired it so the lower portion is for the neck and middle pickup and the upper knob is for the bridge pickup. No more "crowding" issue. He kinda got that idea from me because I did that with my Telecaster. Took out the single tone control and replaced it with the mentioned concentric stacked knob so both pickups have their own tone control. I'm not taking credit for this as I'm sure millions of other Tele players have done the same. Now I have a perfect balance of clarity when going from the bridge to the neck pickup.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting an LP. Just offering a few suggestions that worked for me with my Fender. May not work for you but hey, that's okay too!
Any pics of the modded Strat and Tele? Sounds interesting.

I'd wait, and probably end up keeping the Strat and Tele, and save up for an R9.
 

Vics53

Active member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
149
Just took a picture of my Tele for you. Sorry, no pic's of my friends Strat but it's the same idea.

I did this mod to free up my hands a bit. Before the mod I'd keep the tone control about half way down when using the bridge pickup, but then I'd have to turn it up all the way when using the neck pickup. Now I can keep both knobs on the concentric setup set to where I like it and as mentioned I have a total balance of the clarity I want between both pickups.
 

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golfnut

Active member
Joined
Apr 18, 2016
Messages
196
Just took a picture of my Tele for you. Sorry, no pic's of my friends Strat but it's the same idea.

I did this mod to free up my hands a bit. Before the mod I'd keep the tone control about half way down when using the bridge pickup, but then I'd have to turn it up all the way when using the neck pickup. Now I can keep both knobs on the concentric setup set to where I like it and as mentioned I have a total balance of the clarity I want between both pickups.
Very cool mod. I like to have neck pickups in my guitar that are naturally more highs to match with the bridge so I don't have to adjust any treble. But despite my efforts on the Les Paul, tele or strat, when on the neck pickup live on stage having the treble set right for the bridge pickup it always seems that I need more for the neck pickup.
On a strat its not too bad I simply set the treble on the amp for the neck pick up to sound good and all positions except bridge alone sound good. For the bridge I have to ease off about a 1/4 turn on the tone but when I'm playing a strat most of my time is spent in other positions. the bridge alone is used less frequent.
I'd really like that mod on my tele. It would definitely allow me to use the neck pickup more often.
 

Vics53

Active member
Joined
Jan 21, 2021
Messages
149
Very cool mod. I like to have neck pickups in my guitar that are naturally more highs to match with the bridge so I don't have to adjust any treble. But despite my efforts on the Les Paul, tele or strat, when on the neck pickup live on stage having the treble set right for the bridge pickup it always seems that I need more for the neck pickup.
On a strat its not too bad I simply set the treble on the amp for the neck pick up to sound good and all positions except bridge alone sound good. For the bridge I have to ease off about a 1/4 turn on the tone but when I'm playing a strat most of my time is spent in other positions. the bridge alone is used less frequent.
I'd really like that mod on my tele. It would definitely allow me to use the neck pickup more often.
Yes, it's a b***h trying to get things to even out between pickups regardless of what guitar you're using.

I've always had a problem with neck humbuckers. Too much boom/bass/drone for my liking. Yes, I've tried every imaginable adjustment to the pickups height's and and the pole piece height's you can think of. It's better but not quite to where I like it.

I'm seriously considering trying some Lindy Fralin PAF's with the 5% under wind for the neck position. I've read some good things about them and the prices seem very reasonable. (Hey I'm retired! Gotta watch my spending!!).

For the Tele mod, I can't say enough good things about it. It's the only guitar I have where everything balances out in terms of pickup outputs and clarity. I'm using DiMarzio's Area T Neck and the Area T Hot in the bridge. The volume and bass response of the neck pickup doesn't override the bridge pickup and the tone stack mod made it perfect.

I know a lot of people don't like DiMarzio's and that's fine. For me on this guitar, I didn't want to spend a small fortune on pickups and for my meager needs and wants it sounds like a Tele to me!

Let us know if you do that mod to your Tele. I'd love to hear how it worked out for you!
 

Any Name You Wish

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 15, 2021
Messages
493
I would keep them all and thin the herd a year or two down the road. Then you would have no regrets. Its not like having a bunch of cars taking up space and costing money. Guitars can just sit in the case in a closet.
 

Any Name You Wish

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 15, 2021
Messages
493
But then, maybe you did something stupid like this guy I know that, in a moment of weakness, agreed that if a new guitar is brought home an old one has to leave (guitar proliferation treaty of 2010).
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
I understand the "right hand crowding issue" with a Strat. Seems like millions of Strat players have no problem but I'm not one of them. But there is a solution that I'm eventually going to do as a friend of mine did.

He put the volume knob where the tone knob is that's closest to the bridge. Then he put a concentric, stacked knob in place of the other tone control and wired it so the lower portion is for the neck and middle pickup and the upper knob is for the bridge pickup. No more "crowding" issue. He kinda got that idea from me because I did that with my Telecaster. Took out the single tone control and replaced it with the mentioned concentric stacked knob so both pickups have their own tone control. I'm not taking credit for this as I'm sure millions of other Tele players have done the same. Now I have a perfect balance of clarity when going from the bridge to the neck pickup.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting an LP. Just offering a few suggestions that worked for me with my Fender. May not work for you but hey, that's okay too!
Kinda like they did in reverse on my Don Grosh Vintage T.

Controls work as per Tele but when you pull up on the back knob it turns on the center pickup.


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