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Thread: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

  1. #1
    Forum Member slikwili's Avatar
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    Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    OK... as we all know, Page is god! Now having gotten that out of the way, I had to have a tribute guitar in my collection to honor my favorite guitar player of all time. LED ZEPPELIN I was the sound & Page a living legend.



    I'm in the process of having a replica built of this tone machine. Without a working relationship with Page, FMIC is unlikely to ever produce such an instrument; FabGear to the rescue!

    The body is highly figured Ash & the fretboard is a dark rosewood with fat frets. The bridge plate is a toploader with a through the body feature. Strings are .009 - .042 Dean Markley Blue Steels. The pups are Don Mare's Yardboy 2s. The pups are now available in 3 configurations, known as ZEP-O-TONES in Graf Airship ONE, TWO & THREE. http://www.donmarepickups.com/tstylepickups.html



    I'm thinking that a G A TWO with my BUDDA BudWah for treble boost & wah, plus a Thro-Bak sToneBENDER fuzz & a Visual Sound H20 for a little slap into a BUDDA SDII 45 Twin ought to do the trick!






  2. #2
    Forum Member goofballone's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    That look very cool
    We'll be needing some sound clips......
    Greco Gold Top

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    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    I've never seen a clear enough photo of that paint job to know what it really looked like.
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

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    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Yeah, if you're shooting for authenticity, you wouldn't want to use the string-thru option.
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...


  6. #6
    Forum Member slikwili's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by NeoFauve View Post
    I've never seen a clear enough photo of that paint job to know what it really looked like.
    The Master in action... !


  7. #7
    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Wow, his website's tough to look at is some areas, let alone read.
    Royal blue type against that gold/ochre background. Jeeze.
    And he says he wound one version of those things to eliminate the need for a treble boost?
    That sounds kinda scary.
    And "stage" and "studio" versions of p'ups?
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

  8. #8
    Forum Member slikwili's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by NeoFauve View Post
    Yeah, if you're shooting for authenticity, you wouldn't want to use the string-thru option.
    Page's Tele had string-thru body ferrules although he loaded from the top. The replica has these features.



  9. #9
    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by slikwili View Post
    That's exactly what I mean.
    Based on shots like that, I just asumed it was a very worn finish.
    Glimpes of it in the early footage on the DVD set wasn't great either.

    If it's your thing, it's cool.
    Me, I'd have to stop wa-a-a-a-a-a-y short of the Zofo (Zoso??) case.

    I must say, I wouldn't mind giving a toploader Tele a whirl.
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

  10. #10
    Forum Member slikwili's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by fezz parka View Post
    Not that it really matters, but Page's guitar was a toploader.
    The replica has a bridge tray that can be top loaded or loaded through the body.




  11. #11
    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Page's must've been a forerunner of what we now call a Parts-o-caster. Toploader bridge, rosewood neck. He and Beck were tinkerers rather than gear purists.
    My understanding is that '58-'59 toploader Tele's were not drilled for ferules.
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

  12. #12
    Forum Member rudutch's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    I'll pass
    do I look like I know what I'm doing?

  13. #13
    Forum Member slikwili's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    I keep hearing that Don is a bit... how you say, eccentric? I've been told that he's very down to earth... & really out there at the same time. Perhaps his personality is somehow infused in these pups; it seems that most creative types are nonconformist & often misunderstood.

    In any event, short of having possession of nos vintage pups, you have to wade through a myriad of aftermarket options. I've been kicking it around for a while with folks who've tried this & that... heard audio clips... & experimented with one of my Telecasters that came with Texas Specials & a Bigsby.

    Actually, that particular CIJ '50s Classic Ash body & Maple neck Tele pretty much "nails" Page's TONE with a ZOOM 510 Driver & a BUDDA. The Thro-Bak sToneBENDER MK II Pro is a nice pedal & comes "close", but it's noisy & has a few quirks in the effects loop.

    Page is the reason that I picked up a guitar in the 1st place. The YARDBIRDS got my attention, but LED ZEPPELIN blew me away.

    I'm not likely to ever put $25K into a Frankenstrat or Blackie even if my ends were meeting like a mo-fo. Page has been my greatest influence & the Dragon was quite appropriate... even relatively affordable!

    It's kind of fun to imagine what Page was experiencing when bowing the Dragon. Afterall, you now hold in your hands an axe that's as close to Jimmy's as you're ever likely to touch, let alone, play. I've always viewed electric guitars as works of art in addition to being tone machines.

    Maybe it's just a bit of nostalgia for a time that seemed to make more sense. Trying to catch a moment.

    In Page's case, I believe that TONE is mostly in his hands & that gear is merely an interface.

    One day I was on-line searching Musician's Friend for "talent" & I was dismayed to find that it was "backordered".


  14. #14
    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    I was a young Page fiend myself.

    In my early garage bands I aped the cosmic freakouts from "WLL" and "D&C" with a Memphis LP copy, a CryBaby, Distortion + and a Pignose Crossmix amp.
    Not having a bow, I rubbed my homemade slide (sawed-off CO2 cartridge) on the strings near the bridge. The slide was just rough enough to drive the strings. And I had to do manual slapbacks, because who knew what an Echoplex was then?
    The results were passable, maybe scary to some Jr High girls.

    Maybe it wasn't as merlinesque as Page's setup, but it was a fun way to explore sound, which I would imagine was how much of that stuff started for Page anyway.

    I DID try Herco nylon picks.
    I thought they were crap.
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

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    Forum Member slikwili's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...



    DUNLOP TORTEX .73MM
    I won't soil my hands on anything else... !

  16. #16
    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...


    I knew someone was doing it ahead of Page.
    But I never knew who.
    And who knows if he was the only one?
    Doesn't seem likely.
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

  17. #17
    Forum Member slikwili's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Christmas came a few weeks early for me this year. FedEx delivered a 2nd day Air package that I had been looking forward to receiving during a 4 month period. The weather here in the Midwest has totally sucked & this was a real upper. It's pretty kool to have an instrument crafted as close as is humanly possible to original specs with some very special personal touches thrown in. For example: the neckplate is machine engraved JP005 with a "quote" attributed to Page. It's pretty rare for a luthier to work so closely with a customer in order to assure that the final product is executed to surpass one's expectations. Communication is the key & often we find that large corporations don't have time for such customer service. The experience was a very pleasant surprise.

    Jimmy Page would undoubtedly give a thumbs up & big grin on this very special axe. The Dragon is extremely lightweight swamp Ash with a very fast, low action, buzz free Maple neck with Rosewood fretboard. It plays like a dream! String setup is for .009s. Don Mare's pups are quite mild to say the least & are about as close to a late '50s vintage winding as I've ever heard in the aftermarket. I was amazed at how clean & chimey they sounded w/o any mud or ice picking. With high gain, they are virtually noiseless. Actually, they beg to be driven hard & this is where they really shine. They are completely articulate & respond to pick attack & muting directly proportional to the intensity of the player. My BUDDA SDII 45 twin runs KT66s & I can hammer it for the sweetest overdrive that you've ever heard. While my Thro-Bak sToneBENDER comes pretty close to Page's tone, my ZOOM 510 Driver gets me to ZEPPELIN territory. The Visual Sound H20 & BUDDA Bud-Wah nail it!

    The Flightcase has some nice touches... butterfly latches, aluminum trim, accessory pockets & space for a bow & rosin. The ZoSo graphic often seen on Page's gear & his London addy are stenciled along with the typical FRAGILE stickers.

    While a simple white fabric strap would be more accurate, I added an El Dorado tan leather vintage style strap. Bob Silverman makes some great leather gear! It just seems to "work" somehow.

    Jeff Levenson aka jokerace72 dba FabGear was an absolute pleasure to do business with. He has an impressive portfolio on Photobucket that showcases his replicas & restorations. When you combine musical talent, attention to detail, craftsmanship, artistic skill & customer service, you have a winning combination.

  18. #18
    Forum Member ronworld's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    I used to use an old drum stick to bow the strings like Jimmy, not as good but I think I beat Steve Hillage to that Glissando sound.. Lol!
    Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.
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  19. #19
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Very kool! I remember seeing pics of it long ago, I've gotten goodies from Don and Jeff during my 'Tele-moddin' days....both are the koolest kats in my book. Enjoy that very special build...no Stairway...jus kidding! Rock on....
    Hopeless modaholic...

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Cool tribute and cool axe period!! I love Zep and Page is a master. I think you will enjoy looking at this guitar for many years to come.

  21. #21
    Forum Member butnut's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    hehe, yeah, I love the honeymoon phase of a new axe...just got my Gold Top Standard on Friday (ducks) and I just like opening the case and looking at it, then play the hell outta it.
    Hopeless modaholic...

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Just picked this up (bottom two pics) Doug Fiegers.

    Killer tone..!

    Quote Originally Posted by slikwili View Post
    OK... as we all know, Page is god! Now having gotten that out of the way, I had to have a tribute guitar in my collection to honor my favorite guitar player of all time. LED ZEPPELIN I was the sound & Page a living legend.



    I'm in the process of having a replica built of this tone machine. Without a working relationship with Page, FMIC is unlikely to ever produce such an instrument; FabGear to the rescue!

    The body is highly figured Ash & the fretboard is a dark rosewood with fat frets. The bridge plate is a toploader with a through the body feature. Strings are .009 - .042 Dean Markley Blue Steels. The pups are Don Mare's Yardboy 2s. The pups are now available in 3 configurations, known as ZEP-O-TONES in Graf Airship ONE, TWO & THREE. http://www.donmarepickups.com/tstylepickups.html



    I'm thinking that a G A TWO with my BUDDA BudWah for treble boost & wah, plus a Thro-Bak sToneBENDER fuzz & a Visual Sound H20 for a little slap into a BUDDA SDII 45 Twin ought to do the trick!






  23. #23
    Forum Member jeru's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by rudutch View Post
    I'll pass
    +1

  24. #24
    Forum Member Offshore Angler's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by jeru View Post
    +1
    +2
    "No harmonic knowledge, no sense of time, a ghastly tone, unskilled vibrato, and so on. Chuck is one of the worst guitar players I know" -Gravity Jim

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    misery loves company ..


  26. #26
    Forum Member the_best_of_fools's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Too bad. You could have built one yourself.

    http://www.thefenderforum.com/forum/...ad.php?t=43588

    tbof
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Great..any closeups of the jack?

    Cigarette burn or not? LOL

    thanks in advance!
    Last edited by Hippie; 06-16-2010 at 02:40 AM.

  28. #28
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by Hippie View Post
    Great..any closeups of the jack?

    Cigarette burn or not? LOL

    thanks in advance!

    No closeups of the jack. It's just a standard vintage tele jack.

    No cigarettes burns either. They look silly IMHO.

    Do you have any pics of your replica yet? And do you string through the body or top load yours?

    tbof
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    I get better sustain through body. This is the same guitar as shown above, made by fabgear for my friend Doug Fieger, RIP.
    Made some mods here and there , it now plays like butta...i hate that word but its true.
    Last edited by Hippie; 04-18-2011 at 11:02 PM.

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Quote Originally Posted by Hippie View Post
    Just picked this up (bottom two pics) Doug Fiegers.

    Killer tone..!
    it belongs to me , check i t out..close to what I have from DF..
    God bless him.
    What I want to know is, Was there something going on in the planets this past week???Could someone get back to me on that?


  31. #31
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Nice Jimmy Page quote...on a Fab Gear neck plate..
    Last edited by Hippie; 10-09-2010 at 11:10 PM.

  32. #32
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    "I don't deal in technique.
    I deal in emotions."
    Jimmy Page
    Last edited by Hippie; 10-09-2010 at 11:11 PM.

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Looks like Zak Wylde finally got "his" Dragon (this months VG magazine.

    Little does he know that his guitar morphed thanks to DF's custom made guitar .
    Last edited by Hippie; 04-19-2011 at 01:02 AM.

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...


  35. #35
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Listen to The Best of Fools on
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    Lawrence ^ did no research at all to clone Wylde's clone for the record.

    This painter didn't even use Pages guitar, OR of photos of Zaks in the game.

    Lawrence copied this guitar at a Santa Monica guitar show at nearby dealer booth.

    If that is not flattery for ^^^ this guitar, I don't know what is.

    I know he probably doesn t care a rats a**, just wondering if ZW knows.
    Last edited by Hippie; 07-22-2012 at 07:03 PM.

  37. #37
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    I don't think Zakk gives a shit. I personally don't care about ZW...
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  38. #38
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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...

    ZW definitely doesn't give a hoot, that's ok. i don't listen to him, never have, never will.

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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...


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    Re: Jimmy Page DRAGON Telecaster...


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