The Fender Les Paul?? - Fender's Best Kept Secret!
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- Опубліковано 5 січ 2025
- Did Fender just build a better Les Paul? Let's find out!
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Now this is an interesting guitar!
Which one did you think sounded the best, the Gibson Les Paul or the Fender?
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The better value for money seems to be in the fender and i love teles
I liked both, but the Gibson doesn't have the Tele tone when you hit the coil split it's twangy. I never cared much for the Gibson/Epiphone angled headstock. On acoustics it's fine, but the straight stock is better. I wonder what a Tele would sound and play like with a music man style headstock? Hmmmm! Sounds like another build!? 😀
Both are amazing examples. However I have the Fender in the cherry burst because I love a tele and don't have Les Paul cash.
How do the necks feel in comparison. They can sound the same, but if the feel isn't good, it's not always worth it IMO
I've listened to this comparison pretty intensely and, while it's an awesome guitar, it simply didn't hold up to the Les in the heavier tones. Just a different animal, really, once you get away from clean neck pickup... which was surprisingly identical. Really nice finishes, too. LOVE the thin metal logo. Cool color. Nice sound. This was a very well-shot and well-crafted guitar review.
I am a 67 year old guitarist, and front man in a Classic Rock cover band. Not only is this the most beautiful Fender I have ever seen, it might be the most beautiful electric guitar I have ever seen. What a beauty! I sure would love to play it. Nice job Fender!
What is fretboard radius and scale length? I have an Epiphone LesPaul Special I with a bolt on neck. I can’t play a 12 inch radius now I am 63 broke my shoulder and arm and likely wrist but the Les Paul specs put me down in 5 minutes. I don’t know what to do . I wish I could swap necks
@@Bbbbad724 look into Harley Benton. Great guitars for your money and they have LP models with a 13.75 inch radius
@@Bbbbad724 According to Sweetwater, the radius is 15.75".
I'm 23, I've got a 93 Mexican made telecaster with cherry red paint, 3 layet tortoise shell pickguard, and brass hardware. I want a Les Paul for looks, and of course, it's iconic, but I'm in love with how Telecasters feel to play between the body shape and the scale length. This is really tempting.
I ended my years long search for a Les Paul with this guitar. I could never justify the cost of a Gibson at my skill level and prefer a Tele anyways. This has been the funnest and most playable guitar I have ever owned, and it gives me everything I wanted from an LP style guitar.
Thanks for the great comparison! Let’s me know I made the right choice!
Really? That glossy neck isn't sticky?
I have one in crimson and It's superb.
I've played SGs of one sort or another over the years (Yamaha, Gibson, Vintage) and picking up this was like a dream come true. It's so light. I'm 58 and play live, so this guitar has made life so much better in that respect.
I also think of it as being closer to the Gibson SG, as opposed to the Les Paul; it's far thinner and lighter than an LP, and due to that thinness it sounds, to my ears at least, much more reminiscent of an SG.
1:10 Comparison
7:11 clean
7:39 blues
8:12 distortion
8:46 high gain
9:18 neck, middle & bridge
10:38 Final thoughts
I recently went to buy an Epi Les Paul Standard and walked out with one of these instead. Big difference in sound output from the pickups and just felt better to play. Thanks for the review.
This is now officially the next guitar I want. It holds up well to the LP but sounds just slightly brighter and clearer. More Fender-ish. Exactly the sound I want and don't have yet.
Now we’re talking. I LOVE this Telecaster. I thought they sounded very similar too, obvious difference being the scale length on the Tele vs the scale length of the Les Paul, an slight variation of the pickups. Would love one with the 24.75 inch scale length, that would be killer 😃
Warmoth can provide the 24.75" Tele.
Then buy a Les Paul
@@ericwright6672 haha, I feel you
The JA-90 is similar and has that scale length
Gibby has four knobs; some like that teeny extra bit of tonal flexbility. (I'm not one of them).
A "Gibson" with no tuning issues! Thank you Fender.
I’ve owned a few of these over the years - a 2004 showmaster from this line is my main go-to. The neck is simply magical. If fender and ibanez had a baby, this would be it. I love that 15 years on the tele version is still in production - more players need to get in on these!
I have had the 2004 since it came out as well and will never get rid of it. I actually really hate flame maple tops, but I’ve learned to ignore it.
@@mykaljoseph same, had mine since day 1 and it’s mine forever. Though I’ve got the flame ash top and often think I’d prefer the flame maple haha
Fender and Ibanez did have a baby: The Heartfield Talon.
@@russellzauner yep! I have a Talon III and it’s almost exactly an RG!
Long live the Showmaster! I've had a Scorpion (Black w/binding-hardtail-basswood-light as a feather) version since new, and I've always wanted a twin. Only 500 made. I finally gave up and grabbed a regular flamed with similar aesthetics to the video. Drove 8 hours for it, because the figuring was spectacular. Always wish they put binding on the flame tops. If my house catches fire, the Showmasters will be the two guitars I run out the front door with.
I recently bought one of these (red) was just browsing on sweetwater and stumbled on it. Immediately wondered why I've never heard of it before. IT'S AMAZING! Love it
I have one of these in the amber - over time it became the guitar I reach for first. I flat-out love it. I think of it more as a Fender SG than a Les Paul, though, because of its light weight and the seamless way the neck joins the body, albeit with a bit more heel than an SG but still more ergonomic than a Les Paul. The workmanship is wonderful, and the tonal range is great, with factory coil tapping. Price-to-quality is off the charts - a bargain if ever there was one. I bought mine used but virtually unplayed with molded case for $400 - and they're online new for $800. Some of the best money I ever spent on instruments or gear...
Darrell, I had asked that you review one of these some months ago when I had picked up mine. I’m so happy that you found one. I have four teles and the FMT is my favorite. Thanks for the review. It’s nice to know we agree.
Darrell is really highlighting all the important work for luthiers to keep in mind and apparently, they take note!
You’re making the modern guitar world shine even brighter than it already does, keep it up Darrell!
this model has been around for a long time.
I absolutely love my FMT HH. He’s even for the amber color, I’m sooo glad to see love for this
I've been playing this same amber Fender FMT for about 13 years. It is my go to for playing out because of the variety of tones I can get with the split coil. Also, as someone else mentioned, the neck is comfortable for those with smaller hands.
I have one of these lovely Fender's and yes it's easy to play. The neck is a little chunkier than a regular Tele and the jumbo frets were not mentioned which are really nice.
This Tele is a killer rock & blues machine ! SO much fun to play ! And it sounds great !
I put Seymour Duncan hot rails in my Squier Telecaster for this specific purpose, to get those twin humbucker tones, and with the coil splitting it still performs what we expect from a tele, for me it beats a LP hands down on weight, price, playability, tones, tuning, and intonation.
One other key difference tied to the weight - I find the tele neck to be significantly thinner and more comfortable (for my smaller hands); I think that accounts for a little of the tonal differences too of course!
Maybe it could change the tone to an extent based on how it is played and fretted, but the biggest difference in tone between this and a Les Paul would probably be caused by the pickup height, (closer to strings = hotter sound), scale length (strings are under more tension than a normal Les Paul) and the position of the pickups on the strings, which are probably aligned differently with the nodes in the vibration pattern of the string. The position of the pickups is also why an SG differs from a Les Paul in sound when they use similar pickups. The wood type for the neck and body only really matters in an acoustic guitar, because really, the pickups on an electric guitar are hearing vibrating metal, not vibrating air.
Crazy thin, I love it.
This is my faorite guitar video. I had just purchased a used Telecaster FMT HH when you had posted this. I fell in love with this guitar right away and to hae you post this video like, two months after I bought it was just great. I noticed that you haven't posted anything in months. I hope things are going well with you. You are my favorite guitar video guy. Maybe it's just your natural Canadian friendliness, but I think you're great. I hope things a going well with you, again thanks for the videos.
I have been singing praises of this guitar ever since I first had my hands on one three or for years ago. For many amateurs or half-professionals it might be the only electric guitar they'll ever need.
I've been playing one of the original Korean made FMT Teles for 20 years. Way more comfortable than a les paul, lighter, and a very easy neck to play. I think it's awesome that they're still making these guitars so many years later. Great value.
I've had one of these for about 10 years, and it still plays like a dream! Would highly recommend this guitar to anyone!
I thought was a Les Paul guy until I bought a cherry red 2017 FMT. It's been my daily ever since.
They've fixed everything that was wrong with the Tele; a slim and light carved body, slim neck without a bulky bolt-on joint, a proper bridge instead of a tin plate, humbuckers with a splitter. LP's short scale length and tight spaced strings make it a very compact instrument. Along with the heavy weight (my '70's Ibanez LP weighs 5,3kg/11,7lb) and heavily tilted neck makes it a one of a kind experience.
The neck pickup is my favorite. With a slight roll of the tone pot it goes from so very mellow, bassy and sweet mid-los to clear, chimey highs that cut thru any mix.
I have the red/black burst. I absolutely love everything about this guitar. I've been telling people its basically a Les Paul the entire time so I'm pumped to hear the direct comparison from this channel! Those pickups stack up against my US SG .
Penso em comprar uma... me fale sobre a sua...obrigado
There's also a parallel universe series called the "Troublemaker Tele" - while this one has the LP aesthetics, with the maple top, set neck and binding, the troublemaker has more of the form, with the toggle up top in the LP position and four volume/tone controls, as well as a similar bridge to an LP.
Who wants a Les Paul anyway?
@EE Ship $500-700 isn't "super" expensive lmao. That's the cost of a solid beginner-to-intermediate guitar, these days.
@@duffman18 He was referring to the Les Paul’ being expensive, then commenting the price of these…
The current ones have a bolt on neck.
I liked the tele better "clean" because I personally just prefer the brighter tone. Once the dirt was added in, they were very difficult to tell apart. Also, that split neck position is my cup-o-tea. Love it.
Ive had allot of guitars over the years, this one is absolutely my favorite!
Upgraded the pickups to bkp nail bomb which made the guitar just perfection
I'm not generally a Tele fan but that's an incredibly beautiful guitar with great sounds. I'm not generally a fan of Fender finishes either (although I absolutely love the shape of the Strat and Mustang/Duo-Sonic bodies) or a fan of flame maple finishes - I much prefer the more understated beautiful of a really nice plain top - but that guitar finish is gorgeous. When Fender decided to compete with Gibson & PRS on Gibson-style finishes a decade or so, with this kind of finish as well as bursts like Sienna Sunrise and some solids snazzier than the same tired old pastels, they didn't half-ass it. This year I've picked up a gorgeous Duo-Sonic in Sienna Sunrise and a gorgeous transparent red Noventa Strat, and as I'm not a big fan of the Les Paul either I very much prefer this tele, especially at 6.6 lbs - I love light guitars. Though I've been wanting another SG, I think I might want this more.
I've had one of these for several years, but with PRS pickups someone put in. Nice to see it tested out!
When I saw a used one as a kid at the music shop where I got my lessons, it was love at first sight. I ogled it every time I saw it and would "test" play it every chance I got. It was just so incredibly easy to play (and easy on the eyes), I absolutely had to have it. Few months later I found out my parents bought it and just kept it at the store as a graduation present. Ten years on, it's still my pride and joy.
That's an awesome story man
Excellent review!
This Tele has been my main guitar for almost a year now and I just love it. The tone is perfect for my sound and the beautiful top end clarity gives me the ability to cut through a live mix without having to use too much stage volume. I play a lot of classical guitar too and the flat, wide radius neck makes the transition between the instruments much smoother. Plus, my back thanks me every day for choosing such a lightweight guitar.
I have a brutally heavy 1998 '58 reissue LP that has mostly hung on the wall since I got this gem of a Tele. I think it's jealous.
I just bought this guitar and its phenomenal.
My first guitar was an Ibanez GRX-40. Pretty good for the price, but like on most cheap guitars not the best playability. This on the other hand is just so comfortable and nice to play😃
Thanks for the review!
I own one of these! I’ve had it for a couple of years now and love the guitar! Mine is a Goldtop, with the color being carried throughout the back and sides. Same pick ups, tuners and everything else. I believe it’s a little older version from Indonesia. Anyway, it plays and sounds awesome. I run it through my Marshall DSL40C, and I can play any style with it. I get the LP classic rock tones and the Fender quack with the coil splits. AND it’s lightweight! Everything Darrell said about this guitar is spot on. Thanks for posting this Darrell, I was hoping you would give us your thoughts on this unique and awesome Fender! If you haven’t tried this guitar, I would definitely recommend it. You won’t be disappointed!
I've had this fender for about 10 years. I absolutely LOVE it.
My buddy just got one of these a few weeks ago in red with matte black hardware. The thing was an absolute joy to play. Just amazing.
I have this same guitar. I keep 8 gauge strings on it. Mixed with that Pearly Gates bridge pickup, delicious! Also, sustain for days. I play it unplugged often.
Best review ever ! You clearly love this instrument. All I want for Christmas is the Fender Telly LP..
I've got the carved top, set neck, 24.75 scale, Fender Toronado from a similar series as this. Great guitar!
That is the true Fender LP. It's got more similar specs, not to mention 2 vol/tone pots so you can actually blend the pickups.
Ow this is the way every review or comparison video should be. Great job
This is a great guitar. Had to get a lighter weight guitar for my back and this was the only one I could find that really made a difference (6.25 lbs vs my Schecter which comes in at 8.6 lbs). The Seymour Duncans are nice but hotter than the EMG's on my Schecter, so I had to turn the gain down on my patches in the Zoom g6. Nice clean tones, especially with the split coils. And you're right, it felt comfortable to play right out of the box. I never liked the typical Fender curved fretboard, and thankfully this one is more like the Schecter with a 15.75" radius. So far the tuning seems fairly stable. Agree with your review 100%.
LOVE the sound of the neck pickup in that Tele!!
I just got the dark cherry burst model. I love it. Sounds like a Les paul without the weight or the price tag.
I like the Tele. It is ironic you posted this video. I just took a esp ltd te 200 and made it my ltd lp NO coil split crap..play a strat or regular tele for single coil. I put sh-Jb4 bridge, and sh-2n neck, hipshot bridge, black tusq nut and gotoh tuners. And custom pickguard with japanese vine abalone art work, and abalone knobs. Completely set up. It sounds and plays amazingly well. I learned my luthier work from John Rainey who did George Lynch's guitars. That's why I like your channel. You really dont have to spend a crazy amount of money for a real keeper guitar. Awesome videos!
You can for sure tell a difference, whether it’s the scale length (not sure if you mentioned this being a normal Fender scale or Gibson scale), or just the pickups. If you’re a Fender person or just don’t like Les Paul’s, I’m sure this would be the perfect guitar if you wanted that kind of vibe while still playing fender
I own one of these and a LP Standard. And there definitely is more of a difference in real life. It's probably the scale length and the actual positions the pickups are placed in. That's the main difference a LP sounds different to an SG so I assume it's even more of a factor here.
For me the Tele still seemed a bit brighter. Note articulation seemed more vibrant with the Tele; now to be fair not having identical control layouts or pickups could have a lot to do with that. The scale length is going to play a little bit into that as well but I do not think it will be as much as one thinks. Electronics and wood choice are the biggest part of the tonal equation. Yes the scale has some effect because of length of string altering vibrational characteristics due to tension differences to achieve the same tuning. Just my thoughts and 2 cents take it for what you will.
That was my very first thought after hearing the first comparison, he didn’t mention the scale length and that could play a big difference.
@@mkds7756 for sure. scale length makes a huge difference because it changes not only the string tension and that can change the sound anyways, but also the harmonic frequencies. One of the main reasons if you put the same bridge humbucker in a LP and a Strat it’s gonna sound so different. Of course there’s Mahogany vs alder, different body thickness, different bridges and often different neck woods as well, which play a part but scale length even from my Duo Sonic to a Jazzmaster or strat you can tell a difference.
I suspect also other things like the neck/body angle. WRT to scale length, it is complitely overlooked (as I believe it would be impossible to test properly) but I think it affect the "window" of the strings that the pickups see.
THe shorter the scale length, the (relatively) longer the part of the vibrating strings the pickup will react to.
The might be more significant with Humbucker and the closer you get to the bridge as the harmonic node are packed down there.
May be something a youtuber could test, 24" inch vs 25,5", same pickups, same position (relative the scale length), same body/neck construction (say maple bolt on alder), then run an analysis of the spectrum of the frequencies response.
I BOUGHT ONE OF THOSE FENDERS LAST YEAR...... I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!! SUPER LIGHT-WEIGHT, GREAT TONES WITH THE PREMIUM PICKUPS AND GREAT VALUE FOR THE DOLLARS SPENT!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS UNIT!!!!!!
How is the fretwork. This is in my cart rn
@@blakebowles6625 FRET-WORK IS VERY GOOD..... THE ONLY "ISSUE" I HAD WAS THE 1/4" JACK LOOSENED UP.... MINOR ADJUSTMENT/FIX. MINIMAL "TWEAKS" TO SET INTONATION, WHICH IS NORMAL..... NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS GUITAR.
@@danoliver2817 awesome. I’m super excited. Very easy fixes !!! Black and red version for myself
At 1/3 the price of a LP, given it's lighter weight, beauty, & great tones, & coil split (and not subject to Gibson lack of QC), seems like a no brainer. I really like the amber color.
I have the Korean version of this I got used from years ago and its a really great guitar but man do I dislike the neck on mine.
Its real thin and really flat which probably works for a lot of people but I just dont love it. I will never sell it though because it was cheap as could be and its just really interesting and I like everything else about it. What a great idea for a guitar.
Its interesting in the sound comparison you can tell more of a difference than I thought you would be able to, thought I suppose the weight is going to be vastly different as well as the bridge so it makes sense...as well a pickups which you mentioned which is probably most of it, but its still a cool guitar and I think you hit the nail on the head that you can get the same spirit.
As a side note I will always regret not buying a les paul studio (alpine white) back in the day when they were like $899-999. I had it in the cart so many times and was like..."well I shouldnt" then I remember they raised the price like $100 and I was like "oh, well I certainly cant now"
Both guitars sounded almost exactly the same, with the Tele slightly hotter & brighter. But those tones once the coil-split was in! I've been looking at this guitar for months as my next guitar, and this sealed the deal.
Thanks for the review.
The Tele has a Pearly Gates in the bridge position. Slightly overwound.
@@ronaldsweet3484 Thanks, I figured they were. Of course not all Les Pauls are created equal, but to my ears the Tele sounded better overall than the LP he used as a comparison.
@@robertgransee8849 it also has a Duncan 59 in the neck position.
@@ronaldsweet3484 Correct. I've been eyeing this guitar for a while as potentially my next purchase, so I'm familiar with the specs. I've been torn between this or possibly a 12-string, but I think my mind's made up now lol 😁 I'm actually hopping on Sweetwater now to see how much this will set me back after a Plek job, a setup, and hardshell case.
@@ronaldsweet3484 okay I just got into rebuilding guitars for the first time since I started playing 19 years ago. I guess a stupid question I have is, is there an unwound type pickup? If so what's the difference between wound and unwound? I learned guitar by ear entirely, no knowledge prior so I apologize if I seem ignorant to the instrument but I just love playing. I don't know any scales or all chord shapes or any cool stuff like that but I just taught myself the first part of the fade to black solo about 10 minutes ago. I've had many guitars and didn't really look at any specs just bought because I wanted a new guitar and something looked and sounded good pretty much. I'm 29 years old and would like to complete my diy project that is very close to plugging in. Just looking for some insight from fellow guitar players alike. Thank you.
My main guitar these days is a 2003 Esquire Custom GT. A carved top, set neck Tele is just a special kind of joy; especially when it has a flatter-then-normal-Fender radius.
Have had an Fender FMT in cherry burst made in Indonesia for several months now. Also have a Gibson Les Paul Studio. The Fender FMT is much more fun to play. I get the tones I want out of it. The pickups are amazing. It is a great value with great specs at half the price of my Les Paul. Really a great guitar.
Well said!
Also in the running for the title of a Fender Les Paul is the Jim Adkins tele, and that might win out because it's got a short scale length and Gibson-like bridge with a stop tail piece and bridge. It also has dual tone and volume knobs.
I got one three months ago and LOVE it. If this guitar interests you, I suggest you get one. You will not regret it. Great review Darrell.
I'm thinking about this as a gift. Can you please give me a price point on the fender? How much is it!
Congratulations Sean! 🎸🔥
@@angelmezarealestate USA I saw one at a local shop new for $750. I live in Europe and it was about $975.
@@DarrellBraunGuitar Out of the 10 guitars i own it is the only one my wife will not let me sell.
@@SeanAllocca thank you for the info!
The price is an important part of any purchase and this fender tele hits a home run! Awesome sound, quality workmanship, killer looks reasonably priced! Thanks Darrell!
As a life long (30 years of playing) Fender player, I've just recently been feeling the urge for the sounds of a Les Paul type guitar, but just can't stand the feel of the things. I'd been looking at one of these for a while on-line, but couldn't find one anywhere to play. I wasn't sure if it would end up sounding like a LP, or just some mutated Tele (I had a 70s style double humbucker Thinline Tele for example, and while it sounded cool, it just didn't sound anything like a LP). I think this answers my question. Seems like the perfect answer for a lifelong Fender player who wants some LP tones. If Sweetwater still has them in stock, I'm going ahead and ordering one.
Imo the telecaster in it's most "natural" form is closer to an SG than a Les Paul. I have a Les Paul and a "335" my next 2 are gonna be a tele and a strat (for blues and rockabilly)
Heath Wasson. Or you could just learn to adapt ? Of course the LP feels strange if you’ve only used it for a short while. So does a new car. You still driving your original car ? Get an LP because the HH tele does not sound like an LP. which also has a thick mahogany body with a substantial maple cap and rosewood fretboard. Does the tele HH ? Nope. So how’s it going to sound like an LP ? Does a split coil humbucker sound like a tele ? Nope.
@@douglasalexander4348 "Get an LP because the HH tele does not sound like an LP. which has a thick mahogany body with a substantial maple cap and rosewood fretboard. Does the tele HH ?"
Did you even watch the video? Yes this Tele is a mahogany body. Yes it has a thick "substantial" carved maple cap. Yes, mahogany neck. Yes, set neck. Yes the exact pickups used in many LP, even Gibson themselves uses these pickups in some LPs. And finally yes... it does sound like a Les Paul too.
How about you just stay in your lane, and I'll carry on doing exactly as I please.
@@heathwasson7811 I said does it have a Rosewood neck, Nope. Neither does it have a thick mahogany body, it’s a thinline. Your saying I’m wrong and I didn’t watch the vid? Well, point out the time where he stated that please because I can’t find it. Ta. It also does NOT have individual tone and volume controls and has different scale length ! Gibson do not use Seymour Duncan pickups, they use Gibson. Of course a humbucker guitar is going to sound like a Les Paul to you when you’ve been playing a single coil twangy strat haha. Gibson are like a Ferrari or Harley, plenty of cars and bikes that are like them. If your stuck in your ways and can’t adapt or afford a real Les Paul, get the Fender. It’s a good guitar and great value. But please tell me which ‘many’ Lps use Seymour Duncan pickups ? Maybe one ? Looks like your in the lane marked I don’t know my facts. Carry on.
@@heathwasson7811 it's funny, I've been a Les Paul lifer, started with an Epiphone LP. But Fender Teles, strats etc. I never liked the way they feel to me. Lol
this was the guitar i loved when i first started so i am so glad u made a video on it!
I've had my FMT (a red one) for about 14 years. It impressed me more as an SG. I took some time to compare specs with mine and an SG online and while not perfect it was pretty close. I don't think I would compare it to a LP. Between the big weight difference, headstock over-balance and the awesome Duncans it doesn't seem very similar. Except for the obvious, 2 pickups, 3-way switch, I think it's more aligned with the SG imho.
I just posted the same above before I saw your comment!
Yup. I said something like that on another forum. Still looking for my first, though.
Originally the SG was the original Les Paul...before it evolved to the single cut-away....so this line has many 'influences'.
I own a les paul and this guitar. It's a nice guitar but it doesn't compare. First the tone is similar until you play at stage level. It's Indonesian mahogany which is similar to pine nothing close to real mahogany. It has 2 knobs and a 3 way switch hello not 4 big difference in the middle position. The neck is extremely thin and flat. Neck choice is a personal preference I just say it's nothing like any les paul. I find a 6os lp neck easier to play. I would never use these together live the contrast in neck profile makes it an awkward uncomfortable swap for me anyway. I would use one live if I was playing southern rock Clapton etc. I would not use it for metal. It washes out zep is as far as I go distortion wise. It sustains but doesn't sing if that makes sense. Tone wise it's closer to a flying v it doesn't produce the gary Moore still got the blues tone maybe with the right pedal. Anyway I would play one first and be sure. It's a great guitar but very different than a les paul.
@@landofahhs_1 the SG was a completely new design built to replace the discontinued Les Pauls. Fender was winning the sales game with their Strats et al as rock 'n roll took over at the end of the 50s, so Gibson came up with their rock guitar (SG). The fight for the 50s Les Pauls (ie $$) began in the 60s so Gibson brought them back in 1968. The SG is more like a descendant of the Les Paul Jr (no maple cap, and Gibson makes these hefty) which is itself way different than a Les Paul. The double-cut Les Paul Special (a type of Jr, no cap) of 1959 and '60 is the direct predecessor of the SG.
Almost identical. The biggest difference to me (while listening on my phone) was the High Gain tone.
I was mesmerized by your beautiful Les Paul and those clear knobs.
So when the Tele hit it sounded less clear LOL
I love the white Trouble Maker tele! So I love this guitar. Can't wait to get my hands on one.
It's a nice guitar and I have been considering one all year. I play Stratocaster's most of the time but this guitar look's very player friendly with it's contours and neck shape. Seymour Duncan also make my favorite pickups, so there's many thing's that make it appealing. For the price, it might make a good back up guitar but i just don't see it replacing my favorite Strats.
Great video, I’ve been looking at these for a while and I finally pulled the trigger on one. Your video helped me with my decision!!
To my ears the tele had more mids, less lows, and sounded gainier. It was nice, and had similarities, but I think it lacks the completeness of the LP sound. I also liked it more clean, less with distortion.
I thought exactly the same
Ive been eyeing an HH for a while. Beautiful!!
hey Darrel! I have one, red to black burst with a black back as well. I LOVE this guitar. For some ten years now, I consider myself mostly an LP guy but I'm really passionate about Teles too. This one is very versatile and, as you said, comfortable to play. The neck joint is AMAZING and with all the pup combinations, you can get many great tones. The only thing I miss from an LP is separate vol and tone for each pup but I don't think of it as an issue. The are some videos on my channel using it live and I would do the full night with just this and a moderate drive (blues channel from my VTwin) and go from hard rock to Madonna just using my hands. Also, it's a looker too, everyone asks about it. For years I've been trying to avoid getting another one - they're very hard to come by here in Brazil. Apart from mine, I've only ever seen like 2 others and mine was not bought here =/ But yeah, thanks for showcasing it and really activating my GAS towards getting a second one =D lol
Very nice. I'd like to see a Strat variation of that too.
Absolutely no need to change the tuners. This thing stays in tune no matter what. It really is an incredible guitar. I have back issues so tend to gravitate towards light guitars like an SG, and this is close to that weight.
I love the binding. This is the only Fender guitar that I’ve ever seen with that accessory.
Those are great! I had one in 2010, sad to see it go. I did put a trusted SD JB bridge P/U and that was it! I still had the minds eye of me playing a Tele : ) Edit:Wow, on the tone test, for me, too close to tell with my speaker.
Hey Darrell, Another good video! Fender will NEVER make a better Les Paul because they only go half-way. If they want to build a Les Paul competitor (and certainly they are capable), there are lots of details they need to address: glued-in neck (as here), three-way toggle switch on upper bout (important location for singer/lead guitarists to select pickups quickly), four individual pots (to adjust volume and/or tone of individual pickups), rear loading hardware (as here), neck angle and more. They seem to "kind of" get it right again and again, but never get the whole thing right. As for tone, it is darn close (and the Tele sounds great).
Quote: "Now this is an interesting guitar!" Correct! But in a direct comparison with a G&L Tribute ASAT Deluxe, I still preferred the G&L. (8 years ago and still!) 😊🎸
😁👍 I 'almost' bought this exact Tele back in Sept but it wasn't in stock at Sweetwater then. While I waited, the more I looked at this Tele's specs the more I started hedging - there were a few things about the Fender I wasn't 100% on - and I began looking at different makes of T-Styles - until I went to the G & L, ASAT's😀. Not only did G&L have one that looked like this Tele but had ALL the Specs I preferred; *I wanted* a Bolt-On Neck and Medium Jumbo Frets & the G&L ASAT Tribute Deluxe had those. I opted for the Trans Black Finish. ps: Leo Fender ROCKED!😂
I love my FMT! I have a Squire double fat tele deluxe with a lot of the features but doesn't have the binding and I found the neck very narrow.
About a year and a half ago I was able to get a 2021 FMT and I love it. I put in Emg 81/85 with the 18v mod and Keisel locking tuners and this is my take it everywhere go-to guitar. It's just so unique for a tele. The double fat deluxe is almost the prototype and a cool guitar but they took it to the next level with the FMT. Very happy with mine!
I have had this model for 14 years now. It's one of my main guitars... versatile and just a major workhorse. My only wish is, I would love to have one with maybe a Floyd Rose option. But either way, this guitar freaking rocks.
I am thinking of getting one of these, but I can't seem to get over the feather weight. Does it hold up over the years? I somehow have a feeling that a guitar that light is somehow fragile, prone to warping. Any issues like that or no? Thanks!
@@BojanTomicMusicChannel Well, I have had mine for 14 years now. It's still going strong and it's one of my main guitars. The neck is solid and it stays in tune very well.
The attack on the tele is so much crisper, tighter. The LP sounds muddy next to it. It's funny when he plays the LP first, I was like, "Oh yeah, nice, classic LP throatiness". Then he'd play the tele and I'd think, "Wow, throaty like an LP but with a clean tele attack." The tele also sounds less forgiving, even with distortion. I don't see that as a downside.
Darrel went and reviewed my guitar! The Pearly Gates pickup is Billy Giboons pickup from ZZtop. So they are great for squealies (harmonics). Also, some people like a flat fingerboard like this one has for metal for speed. So i think this one can do what the LP does and a bit more. FYI mine was made in Indonesia.
I bought my Fender FMT in 2008. I had gone into Guitar Center for strings and saw a red one. Love at first sight. Bought it after 30 minutes play time. Still my main guitar today. I own MANY others, but this is my go-to. I love the light weight and the neck...on mine it's thin and feels fantastic. Different from my other Tele's and Strats. Mine has the stock Fender pickups; a "Black Canyon" in the neck, and an " Atomic" in the bridge. One of the few guitars I never changes pickups in! Plek'd the guitar for perfect playability. Very Tele, very Les Paul. Best of both worlds. I'll hang on to this one till I die!
Thanks for this Darrell! I've always been more of a fender gal but I just shelled out for a gibson les paul tribute because I want to branch out and play into different genres. But I wondered about these guys while I was pondering an H/H style guitar...this is so cool because you get the tele sounds too! might need to pick up one of this (way in the future when I'm more willing to shell out more cash on gear lol). Always a fan my fellow canadian!
I've had a red one for a couple years. Absolutely love it. Play it multiple times every week. Definitely one of my top 3 current guitars.
Scale Length and Pickup placement makes them two totally different guitars or the SG and Les Pul would sound exactly the same. Thanks for sharing
Same for the thickness of the woods and what type of wood they use. Ita like trying to compare apples and oranges
I was pleasently surprized that the Fender had a better sound distorted (to me) I'm a 54 year old guitar player. I do not & am not a thinker of older is better. Have been a modeler for a long while because carying too much gear is just stupid. Love your channel Darrel! I play cheap and dialed inwhich is why I love this channel!
I played this guitar when they first came out in 2014. It was the black cherry burst with Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates and 59 pickups. It looked like a Fender but played like a Jackson. The neck did not feel like a Fender style neck. I never liked Fender guitars but this guitar got my attention.
I got mine in 2006 new. But you might be kinda right. I swear mine is a neck through and mine came with jb-jazz pickups
Merry Christmas Darrell, appreciate all the content…God bless you dude
Another interesting side by side comparison could be between this Tele and the Charvel Tele you've already featured on the channel a few times. Keep up the good work 👍
Yyyyup.
I'd like to see that comparison too. I want to get an HH Tele this year, and both are appealing.
I have a 2007 Limited Edition Fender FMT HH with a spalted maple top. Superb guitar. Thanks for the review-comparison.
Huh... a clear win for the Tele, in my opinion. It doesn't sound like a proper Tele even in coil-split mode, but it does sound really good. I guess the scale length would affect the tone as much as the pickups when compared to a Gibson but, surprisingly, the difference wasn't huge.
Did he mention scale length?
Scale length wasn’t mentioned and the radius is certainly more than the regular 9.5 Fender. We guess it could be 12 ? A radius check would be a must for any review, imo.
25.5'' scale 15.75'' radius and has a 41,3mm nut width compared to around 43mm on the Gibson.
I bought one in 2003/4. One of the first ones (?). I wanted a Pete Townshend Schecter HH he was playing then. That went for $2500. The whole time wishing for a Fender. Lo and behold, I came across this. It was $599 I think through Musicans Friend.
Mine was made in Korea by Cort. With Fender p’ups the Atomic II bridge Black Canyon neck. WHICH I LIKE.
I changed the controls to both volumn with coil splitting on the bridge.
I have trouble with neck dive, but was recommended putting attached weights in the control chamber.
Fantastic review, makes me grateful I’ve held on to her all these years!
Looks great, sounds good - they're very close to each other - and it costs about 1/3 of the LP. From my perspective, this FMT Fender provides good value for the musician's dollar. If I were in the market for another guitar, this would be an easy choice.
I guess but you got Burny and Greco Les Paul's at like at 1/5 the price and also on par and Fender does a even more Les Pauled out Tele with the trouble maker series which is way more LPish but to each there own I guess.
Also take this into the equation. 25.5'' scale, 15.75'' radius and has a 41,3mm nut width compared to 24.75'' scale, 12'' radius and ~43mm nut width.
And then there's the whole layout difference the amount of knobs to control each pickup and the bridge. Not sure if the Fender actually has a slab of maple or if it's just a veneer on the mahogany body.
Omg this Fender is beautiful sounding.
I've had this guitar (cherry burst) for several years and it's a blast to play and never fails to impress. I also have a LP and is it better? Meh .. subjective. But it sure as hell holds its own. And due to the light weight, it is maybe a tad more fun to play. And far less expensive. Can't go wrong with one.
Know some of You wanna beat me up: I'll take the Fender "Telly".
Thanks Darell for this very good comparison 👍👍👍
I bought this guitar 3 years ago when I stopped at Sweetwater. It felt great and has become my go to guitar. I had never thought about the comparison to the LP.
Great video.
Darrell, I would be super interested in seeing a shoot out between this fender and the Charvel Style 2 HH that you also have. Great video!!
Cool guitar for sure! Might be a little biased but the LP still does it for me. I think compared to an Epi, which is a similar price point to that fender, the fender would have blown it away
Tbf the Fender doesn't really feel like an LP either, I found it MUCH more comfortable than any of the Epiphones or Gibsons I've ever tried.
I have a regular tele.
I have a few Les Paul's.
I record quite a bit.
I use the tele for tele sounds.
The Paul for that tone.
My, "go to" guitar for playing live & Jamming
Is a Parker and a Nighthawk.
Having said that....
I really like this Tele.
I will keep an eye out now for one.
Thanks Darrell.
All positive.
It is a very pretty guitar and I also agree the tone was very comperable. However, they made one mistake in the scale length. It should have been 24.75 and not 25.5. I'm already building a StratoPaul from Warmoth parts and it has two important features that I like. One is non bound neck. I hate the look of a bound neck. And my bolt-on neck is made from unfinished mahogany in the profile of my choosing, boat neck, and has stainless steel frets. It will be able to have 2 or 3 humbuckers or HSH depending on the pickguard. But thanks for doing the review.
This is true, however a lot of people would prefer the fender scale length… With mahogany neck. Very few guitars have this combination.
It would be helpful if Darrell mentioned the details of the neck profile and nut width
@@j_freed profile is their standard C and the nut width is 1 5/8. I believe Fender made a Mahogany Strat with a 25 1/2 neck. If this Tele is supposed to compete with a Gibson it has to have a 24 3/4 neck.
@@windsurfmaui8239 nah, you're nuts. The Gibson scale length is inferior to the fender one. If someone wants a les Paul, they'll buy a les Paul. Nobody is stupid enough to want a les Paul but buy anything other than a les Paul. No, this guitar is one with the playability and tuning stability of a fender but the tone of a les Paul. They're trying to compete with Gibson, not emulate them and copy all the mistakes that Gibson continues to make. That'd be really pointless and stupid. Nobody goes to fender to buy a Gibson guitar. But if they want something with more of a Gibson tone but with none of the downsides of Gibson, they'll look at this thing and probably fall in love with it
@@duffman18 that's me. I want the Gibson humbucker tone but in a Strat body and neck.
I own an earlier FMT HH tele model (bought in 2010) and will never sell it. The spalted maple top back then was a lot more flamboyant than the ones made those days. The back of the guitar back then was painted in a dark cherry color, and while I prefer the natural back of the tele on this video, the cherry color hides the neck joint pretty well. Price wise it was more expensive (just under US$1,000 in 2010, so would be about US$1,200 today). Fantastic guitar.
To me the tele still has the bite of a tele. Those are two completely different sounds in my opinion. There is no better or worse
I just picked one of these up used at my local music store, and I love it! Another guy was playing it and was considering it… but he ended up not getting it so I nabbed it, and it’s fabulous! I don’t have a lot of experience playing LPs, but I’ve heard them a lot and it does get that sound. My only complaint is that whomever had it before me I think probably changed the pots to ones that don’t coil split, which is unfortunate cause I read that about this guitar and got excited to try it. The pots they put in work well and are really smooth, but no coil split. Mine is the cherry red one
Amazing guitar! I assume this Tele has the regular Fender 25.5" scale length? They're definitely in the same ball park in terms of sound with the all the advantages you've mentioned (6.5 lbs = 2.9 kg is quite light even for Tele standards!).
I own one and it as the same scale length than other Fender. This make it very to swap for a standard tele or stratocaster, I guess à gison used player wouldn't find that so convenient.
I watched the whole video, but there is no mention of the scale length. What is the scale length of the fender Telecaster? 25.5" or Gibson scale length?
Personally, I didn't much like the distortion on the Tele, but the coil split gave it an added dimension.
I would have been interested to see the relative sustain from each and more bluesy lead comparisons ...
I agree. I have this model and don’t understand the love for the Pearly Gates in the bridge.