Jimmy Page used a Tele a lot in the studio even though he was nearly always seen live with the Les Paul. I forget the details, it's been a lot of years, but much of the first two albums was Tele, like the solo on "Communication Breakdown". Also in his Firm days, he played a Tele modified with some sort of bending device to get that pedal steel sound like on the solo for "Satisfaction Guaranteed" or whatever that song was called. Although also on that same track, he had a Les Paul with a modified bridge for bowing. So really he used both guitars a lot.
Ritchie Blackmore I recall always used a Strat live, and thinking about their psychedelic sound, I think that's right.
I've never liked Strats, I think Hendrix is the only guy whose sound I liked, everybody else just sounds like a bad imitation, whereas the Tele and Les Paul seem more flexible.
In the '80s I owned two guitars, an active pickup Tele and limited edition Les custom with active pickups, red sparkle finish, black hardware, etc. It was like $1000 in '88, I shudder to think how much a guitar like that would cost now.
But I can't stand active pickups anymore, they disguise the sound of the guitar. So I've got two different guitars in the studio now, your basic late '80s US Tele with a maple neck, and a '99 The Paul, which was like an SG with a Les Paul shape--no top, thinner, lighter, has the black uncovered humbuckers and IT ROCKS. It was only $600 but it's my favorite guitar ever. The tone is just awesome. If you ever see "The Song Remains the Same" (and honestly, I hope you don't), during the 57 minute version of "Whole Lotta Love", Page switches from his usual Les Paul to one with the SG pickups, and rips out the thickest, fattest sounding riff ever.
My The Paul has that tone, I love it.
There is one major major major difference between Tele and SG/Les Paul, and that's the scale length--the Tele is longer. I'm lazy so the Les Paul is the clear winner here.
Basically if I want a guitar to stand out in the mix, I use the Tele, if I want it to drop back, I use the Les Paul. The Les gets most of the work. It's like when you play a chord, each note on the Tele is distinct, but on the Paul, it sounds like a single massive chord. I like the option of having both.
With what you like to play, that's kind of tough. The Les Paul kind of sucks for blues but is great for metal. I like the Tele with humbucker idea, but I'd want it in the bridge position. I don't think Fender makes one like that anymore.
What about one of the odder Gibsons, like
the Blues Hawk? I've never played one, but they look interesting.
