Can't swing a Bulldog, but want that tone

[geoangus]

I'm about to buy the next guitar, it'll be used and priced somewhere WELL below the couple of used Bulldogs I've seen.

I'm looking to find that classic, fat, dual humbucker sound of a Les Paul. My aging hands would also like to find something in the 24.75 scale length. Before I go the LP route, can I get there with a TAG? How close can I get with a Cobra with dual humbuckers? My wanting talents aside, can I get passable Zeppelin tones out of one? Or is the answer, "a Les Paul is the only thing that sounds like a Les Paul".

Thanks,

george

[pluto]

Never played a bulldog, but i have owned an Atom, cobra and 2 cobra s. I have also owned les pauls. It is my opinion that if you want a les paul, just buy a les paul.

[chriswhite]

It might be easier for you to find am Atom or Atom CT around a little cheaper being that the Bulldogs are so new. There is no difference in tone between the Atom and the Bulldog from what my ears tell me. The HCs seem to be Tom's best Vintage Covered buckers and they are what I have.

Yes, if you want it to sound like a Les Paul then get a Les Paul -- But what if you want it to play like an Anderson? Atom CT with HCs

[geoangus]

Yes, if you want it to sound like a Les Paul then get a Les Paul -- But what if you want it to play like an Anderson?

Chris, you nailed the conflict I'm feeling. Unfortunately, I like the look of the Cobra way more than an Atom. How do their necks compare? BIG fan of Tom's small V.

It doesn't have to sound exactly like a Les Paul, because at the end of the day, I'm not going to sound like Jimmy Page, Mick Taylor or Joe Perry anyways. But I'd like something bigger, fuller and fatter than my Hollow Classic. BTW, I'm playing through a Tophat Club Royale (EL84) if that matters.

Thanks.

edit: Okay - I guess the Atoms I've seen weren't CT's, because I just went to the website, and whoa - I could play that. Does the 5-way switch work the same as it does on a Cobra? I see a 2009 over at Cowtown with HC1 & HC2 pups. They're describing the neck as 60's vibe .020 fret? Would someone elaborate on that? I have average hands, but not the longest of fingers. How deep would carve be?

[csd]

just a ques? what pups are in your hollow classic? maybe a pup swap would be all you need to do? not saying a new (to you) cobra wouldn't be a killer post christmas gift!! ;)

[tom]

the 60's +.020 is a pretty big neck. full and round with lots of taper.
there will be quite a dif between any of the options mentioned and a hollow classic, so i think you'll have fun with any of them. considering some of those famous zepplin sounds came from a tele i think you can pass the lp if you'd like to avoid the weight and feel.

[geoangus]

the 60's +.020 is a pretty big neck. full and round with lots of taper . . .

. . . considering some of those famous zepplin sounds came from a tele i think you can pass the lp if you'd like to avoid the weight and feel.

As finding Anderson's to demo around here can be hit or miss, is there something comparable to that neck that I may be able to find? I always used a Jackie Robinson model bat when I was a kid, but I'm not sure I want that for my guitar. . .

. . . and yes, the Tele connection isn't lost on me either, but I'd prefer to go down the dual humbucker route. While the weight is a consideration, I just wasn't WOWED by the feel of an LP anymore.

Thanks,

George

[tom]

wasn't really suggesting a tele, just saying there's more than one way to get to any sound. i played les pauls for years and now they feel foreign to me. no reason to play an uncomfortable guitar.

[michaelomiya]

As finding Anderson's to demo around here can be hit or miss, is there something comparable to that neck that I may be able to find? I always used a Jackie Robinson model bat when I was a kid, but I'm not sure I want that for my guitar. . .

. . . and yes, the Tele connection isn't lost on me either, but I'd prefer to go down the dual humbucker route. While the weight is a consideration, I just wasn't WOWED by the feel of an LP anymore.

Thanks,

George

George, I'm tellin' ya just buy my Cobra! LOL! :D :p

[michaelomiya]

Never played a bulldog, but i have owned an Atom, cobra and 2 cobra s. I have also owned les pauls. It is my opinion that if you want a les paul, just buy a les paul.

Truly spoken like someone who should stay away from the TAG forum - especially given that you've gone to the "dark" side with those (3?) beautiful historic RI's. (oh, and BTW, I'm tellin' you that the Gibby Axcess is wonderful, "eh - so good, ya... I get 2 now"....shhhh....:rolleyes: ;) )

Seriously tho.. Mele Kalikimaka and Happy New Years brah!

[Babow2]

How about a dual Humbucker Atom? Now that I bought Michaelomiya's M-M-H Atom, I have a dual Hum Atom as an extra. Like folks have said, it'll get you to that big, thick LP type space with the TAG flair! Personally, I never connected with the Cobras, having owned a couple and really wanting to love them. To my ears, they were a little too mid pronounced. Between my HDTT and the Atom, I have more balanced tones, to my ears, anyway. But, what do I know.....
Brent

PS- Seriously, though, I do have a gorgeous Atom with dual hums that is about to look for a new home. PM me if interested.

[pluto]

Truly spoken like someone who should stay away from the TAG forum - especially given that you've gone to the "dark" side with those (3?) beautiful historic RI's. (oh, and BTW, I'm tellin' you that the Gibby Axcess is wonderful, "eh - so good, ya... I get 2 now"....shhhh....:rolleyes: ;) )

Seriously tho.. Mele Kalikimaka and Happy New Years brah!

Hey Mike, happy new year to you and your family too!. I still have the 4 historics although I haven't played a thing this year and the way next year is shaping up with work, I won't have time to even take a vacation. I still love TAGs, finally played Shorty 2 weeks ago, very much still spanky, and I really dug the short scale playability. Back to the original post-I agree that when it comes to playability, nothing beats a TAG, but if you're looking for les paul tone, nothing beats the real thing (you just have to deal with all the warts that Gibsons have).

[markus]

A Floyd on a LP sure is nice! :D But isn't the price tag a bit over the top on the Axcess? I mean $5,292 MSRP / $3,450 Street for a more or less mass produced axe? Really???


Truly spoken like someone who should stay away from the TAG forum - especially given that you've gone to the "dark" side with those (3?) beautiful historic RI's. (oh, and BTW, I'm tellin' you that the Gibby Axcess is wonderful, "eh - so good, ya... I get 2 now"....shhhh....:rolleyes: ;) )

Seriously tho.. Mele Kalikimaka and Happy New Years brah!

[kevin h]

i played les pauls for years and now they feel foreign to me. no reason to play an uncomfortable guitar.

I can totally relate to that. I played a les paul for a number of years as well and after playing my atom for a while now, when I play a les paul it feels like a lot of work.

[Kevin]

CT Atom is my guitar of choice right now. I have never had a more versatile guitar. Well maybe my Crowdster+2 !!

[bear79]

If I could get in on this subject. I've seen a Atom for sale on ebay that I might be able to swing and I'm like the original poster (i.e. would like an LP I don't have to fight with).

Is there much difference in tone (all things being equal) between an Atom and an Atom CT or is it more the feel of the carved top being like an LP?

[chriswhite]

I have an Atom CT and I dont think there is any tonal difference between the two, the only difference is as you say with the flat top and the carved top.
I could be wrong tho, it happens quite a bit. :o

[tom]

the ct is bigger in the middle than the flat topped atom.

[ducmike]

My .02 that's worth less than .02. :D

My Cobra with HC2/HC1, cobra switching, and 3 way mini with boost sound very LP, especially with the boost on, has that tone. It nails that early BG tone. My Droptop Short S w/ HC3 is close, a little more zing, probably from the maple neck and Floyd.

I love Pauls, used to play them all the time. Can't stand the weight anymore, and lack of comfort features like a tummy cut. Every time I get the itch and try a new one I am just appalled at the quality they are putting out for that price point.

My PRS sunburst 22 with 57/08s is probably the best LP tone I have owned. I don't think it has to be a LP to get that tone at all. But the look and attitude...

My PRS through an 11 rack direct to the board, very LP in tone to me.


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=1084115&songID=9872208