Thoughts on the hybrid

[musicispeace]

Curious as to what forum members think about these. http://www.warmoth.com/Pages/ClassicShowcase.aspx?Body=2&Type=94&Path=Stratocaster,Hybrid I am starting to think a vintage white one with no pickguard could be passable. Anyone on the forum have one of these strat/tele hybrids?

 

[Axkoa]

I don't have one, but I think they would look amazing. I wouldn't mind sort of a single humbucker version.

 

[Cagey]

I went out in search of something like you describe, and this is the closest I found...

That may be the wrong bridge and pickups, but perhaps somebody could photoshop the body white and change the background color so it'd show up.

Personally, I don't normally care for the various "hybrid" designs as it generally doesn't bring anything to the party other than questions like "Why?", for which there doesn't ever seem to be a good answer. But, I have seen some that worked out ok. For example, the Teleocity recently built here looks nice.

 

[musicispeace]

Wow, that "Telocity" thing is pretty cool. I've been watching the whole hybrid idea from afar and generally circling back to "why", as Cagey points out. I think to me the appeal is that I find the strat body soooo comfortable that I could see staying with it and putting a set of Tele pickups into it. Plus I kinda am drawn to guitars that appear very utilitarian. I drool as much as anyone here at some of the stunning projects that get done by members but for what I want to have in my own possession I like the plain and simple. I got to go get handsy with a couple Teles in a shop here to really see how I feel about how they feel. But the strat body feels like a long missing piece of my life.

 

[Cagey]

Well, if you have an urge for a Tele sound but a more comfortable body feel, you might consider a regular Tele body with belly and forearm cutaway, or a carved top with a belly cutaway. They both feel closer to Strats than they do to traditional Teles. Then, put a Warhead neck on it to get away from the traditional Tele neck headstock design. Voila! A Sortatele that feels great and doesn't poach on other traditional designs.

Remember that blue ice Tele body I bought about a 100 years ago? It's in service now and feels very Strat-like, although it doesn't sound like a Strat or a Tele...

 

[bagman67]

Oh, my, yes, the carved-top tele is the bee's knees. 

 

[zebra]

I like the concept, and have considered doing a hybrid build.  I like the general Tele pickups/electronics scheme, but also enjoy how comfortable, well-balanced and ergonomic a Strat feels.  A Tele with contours gets you most of the way there, but not quite.  Also, I like that the hybrid isn't either  - that appeals to me. 

 

[stratamania]

I'm not a fan of Tele type stuff on a strat. The hybrid tele I think is a better idea.

 

[rgand]

I didn't like the hybrid initially but it's growing on me. I have to agree with what several have mentioned above that the Strat is better for balance and ergonomics. Can't say I really am a fan of the standard Strat layout, though. The hybrid seems to be a nice blend. It also appeals to the non-conformist in me.

 

[pabloman]

I'm building a hybrid right now. It's pearl white with a tortoise pick guard. I'm having trouble finding a neck I like for it. I have a maple/Pau neck and the fretboard is too light. I also have a roasted all maple and it doesn't do it for me either. It's a cool looking guitar. Just needs the right neck for aesthetics. Maybe I'll change the guard.

 

[swarfrat]

I like the concept, but the tele pickguard with the upper horn is an abomination. Function over form, keep the balance lever, drop the plastic. I've played a hardtail stray for 20 years, and love it. Its sort off an honorary telecaster by virtue of the bridge.

 

[rapfohl09]

I really like the strat ones, not so much the tele hybrid. I will probably build one, because I have a pretty large assortment of tele parts.

 

[pabloman]

The funny thing is I have always hated teles. I strongly dislike the control plate and traditional bridge. And especially twang. Something about the hybrid just spoke to me. I bought it on a whim on sale out of the showcase.