Difference between a tele and a strat in sound?

[Mrjones2004x]

Just wondered whats the difference in sound mainly between a tele and a strat?

I like claptons sound in layla and a lot of his cream days but think a lot of that was an SG. Dont really know many songs by people who plays teles.

I think i'll get a strat one day but if someone can help with this answer would be great.

[Wendigo]

Claptons sound on Layla was all Strat. Don't confuse his sound Duane Allman who also played slide all over the Layla album and mostly played Gibsons. Clapton played an SG back with Cream but after that it was pretty much exclusively a stratocaster. A tele has a bit more of a twang to it. Best thing to do is go and play a couple of them at a store.

[MaxProphet]

a tele sounds like TWANG, a strat sounds like QUACK

[Le Chat Noir]

a tele sounds like TWANG, a strat sounds like QUACK

Exactly what I was about to say

Of course, either can sound *pretty much* however you want with the right pickup upgrade...

[Mrjones2004x]

I guess id be suited more to a strat then? I play classic rock from the 70's and 80's. I normally use a LP and that covers most of my music influences but i think i need something softer not as thick, thats why im thinking single coils and either strat or tele. I dont like that chicken picking country stuff which is a teles speciality just wondered if there good for rock as well.

I like hendrix too even tho i dont play his stuff i like his sound and style. Im guessing as i dont know anyone who use a tele there prob not suited to me.

Well i know one band who use them, Slipknot! Its not your normal tele as it has emg 81-85 set.

[Le Chat Noir]

I dont like that chicken picking country stuff which is a teles speciality just wondered if there good for rock as well.

It's all in how you use it. Have a listen to our last album via the link below and tell me if it sounds thin and country-ish to you or not! All tracks are a single bi-amped Tele, no overdubs, no bass.

http://www.last.fm/music/Le+Chat+Noir/P ... rk+Highway

[irish_admiral]

Yeah teles aren't just for picking. They're great rock & pop guitars too... see Keef, Status Quo etc. Sound can vary hugely according to the pickups you have in them.

For what you're doing - 70s and 80s covers - a Strat will probably be better. Get one you like the feel of, which feels resonant, then drop a set of Tonerider Pure Vintage pickups in. Classic Strat sound on tap, and all 5 positions are useable. Nice cleans, nice drive, and well balanced.

[BrianGT]

From what you are saying a Strat would be a better choice for you.

Just go in to ANY music store and you will be able to play both......you will hear the difference immediately.......although you can almost get both to sound like the other!

[bclaire]

First Led Zeppelin album is Tele...

Teles can be really meaty sounding guitars.

Strats get that glassy in-between pickups sound which I hate but is the sound you're looking for for early Clapton and classic rock. You'd have a good workhorse guitar for what you do with a Strat. Get a Roadworn black Strat and you'll really channel that Clapton vibe!

[kittenface]

I actually do Weezers' 'Hash Pipe' and other 'heavy' songs with a stock Tele

[Drdos]

A Tele can sound Sweet and Tangy, but then get down right Nasty and Brutal. It's the guitar I use when I'm having trouble cutting through the mix on a certain song...

[riffmonster]

Get both!

It's good advice to try a couple out in a shop and see what feels right to you.

Personally I have a Strat (the MIM classic player 60s) which is great value workhorse - great set-up out of the box. (I put on 2 extra trem springs (shipped with 3) to nail the bridge down to the body - gives it alittle more beef IMO.)

If it's clappers you're after then go for the strat...

[BruceJ]

The following information is completely wrong. Teles and Strats have the same scale length 25.5 inches
Billy


One thing though, a Tele is easier to play, due to the scale length being shorter than a strat. If you play 9s on a les paul they will feel like 10s on a strat.

[Borderline Productions]

The Tele seems to have a more intense signal. If I got another Tele, I would put a humbucker in the neck position and start channelling Terry Kath. I found that a Tele is much easier to play than a Strat.

I agree that the between pickup sound on Strats has given me Strat fatigue, where I have gotten tired of that sound. The best thing about Cradle to the Grave by Clapton is he finally used some humbuckers for a change.

[jamison162]

One thing though, a Tele is easier to play, due to the scale length being shorter than a strat. If you play 9s on a les paul they will feel like 10s on a strat.

Not sure where you got this info from but it's wrong. Unless it's a custom order or a replacement neck, all Fenders have a 25.5" scale length except for the old stratasonic and telesonics.

Tele's rock harder than strats though, a nice med. weight alder tele is hard to beat. The body style, bridge and baseplate on the rear pickup just make for a killer combination. I see alot more tele's being used live than strats.