I got the bright idea to contact Tone Rider and ask them the same question. Here's their response:

Hi Tom,

Well I don’t think you’ll get one of our tele sets to sound like the very good, but very humbuckerish T-Tops at all. You’ll be in a whole new territory.

Our TRT2SET with Alnico III Magnets will give you an early 50s broadcaster sound - pure vintage tele, and about as far from the T-top as we can get!

Andrew Cunningham
General Manager
Tonerider Ltd
Reg Office: 26 St Stephens Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7HU
Warehouse/Deliveries: Rear Workshop, 21 Roper Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7EG


I'm a bit surprised to learn that the Hot Classics have a more vintage sound than the Vintage Plus!
I think Andyxlh is right when he says that I can't go wrong with either. Factor in that the Vintage Plus is out of stock and the Hot Classics are on sale and it's an easy decision.

Thanks again