Les Paul or Strat???
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 1
From: Rockford, Il
i must cast my vote for the les paul!!!!!! I have 2 0f them and looking for number 3. I love the size and contours to the body. the sustain is great! In my opinion they always seem to have more bite than a strat. turn it up, and give it a dirty distortion and there is just more there than you get with a strat. I have played friends strats, and while they are nice, i could always hear a difference. same strings, amp, and hands, and the les paul just had something more. the strat guys will always mention the strat is lighter, always sounded like a reason to workout to me. so that is my humble opinion, both are great, a strat is cheaper, but an epi les paul is darn close to the real deal for mucho less coin! in fact they still hold an edge over the strat to my ear! Got a Guitar Center somewhere close by? you can play with them all there and come up with your own opinion! All my favorites played Les Pauls, except Ritchie Blackmore! Dan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 14
From: cape may county NJ
You need to go to a guitar center as Dan already said and try them for yourself and see which one floats your boat,they both have a very different feel and sound to them and yes the Les Paul is heavy but alot of people like them it's almost as bad as asking should I get a chevy or a ford when it comes to this decision. Myself I like strat style guitars that are light and easy for me to play,not that I would turn a good Les Paul style guitar down it is just what I prefer.
Just get something you like and play man.
Just get something you like and play man.
Last edited by GlennFordx4; Sep 1, 2008 at 07:55 AM. Reason: spelling
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 2
From: Mississippi
I have both and they are both amazing my Les Paul was much higher then the strat but my strat was made in mexico so you know it is not a good as other starts but still a great guitar. Les Paul is amazing with a wonderful tone all the way down the neck and also remember your guitar is only as good at your amp!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,918
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From: Michigan
I agree with the comparing Chevys to Fords metaphor,,,but I would have used Cadillacs to Lincolns,,You really do need to road test them both. They really are quite different. Your playing style will have alot to do with the one you choose,,that and the type of music you play. The action,,the tone,,the pick-ups are quite unique to both of these guitars.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 361
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I had a (Gibson) Les Paul Jr. back in high school days that I loved...very easy to play. Not sure who else played one of these besides Leslie West (Mountain). He sure was able to make that thang talk.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 94
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From: Flower Mound, Texas
I don't have either. But I do have a 100 dollar acoustic and a 200 dollar electric. Schecter I think is the model. I'm tempted to buy something better. I use both of them. I will play the electric at least 3 times a week and the acoustic and the same. To me its like getting a great set of golf clubs and playing once a month. Good clubs but my score would be about the same.
What kind of music do you play and how often do you practice? Any good websites you go to for tabs or chords?
What kind of music do you play and how often do you practice? Any good websites you go to for tabs or chords?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 0
From: Munroe falls, Ohio
try a telecaster also.
I have a friend that went from a mexican strat to a $1k american standard strat. Have another friend who has an american standard strat and a telecaster($1k-$1200).
Look for a guitar around the $1k range
I have a friend that went from a mexican strat to a $1k american standard strat. Have another friend who has an american standard strat and a telecaster($1k-$1200).
Look for a guitar around the $1k range
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 721
Likes: 0
From: Ft Wayne IN
i usually play a few hours a day,i play pretty much all forms of rock through the 60s up until now...i go to ultimate-guitar a lot for tabs and ill buy sheet music from various bands if its a good deal
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
Should point out that - one of my personal guitar gods - Hughie Thomasson (rip) played a strat from another level. listen to some of the backlevel outlaws tunes to get an idea of what can be done via phrasing on that axe.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Like a wood carving tool in the hands of an artist, it's not about the instrument itself, it's about how your hands touch it. They both have their pros and cons sound-wise, but neither one is going to improve your technique or tone.
It's really personal preference. I love the strat sound (as in Mad Season, "River of Deceit") and I love the Les Paul sound too (Led Zeppelin, "Immigrant Song").
Yes, the strat is considerably lighter. If you're gigging, a two hour set with a Les Paul on your shoulder is going to make you remember it next day.
It's really personal preference. I love the strat sound (as in Mad Season, "River of Deceit") and I love the Les Paul sound too (Led Zeppelin, "Immigrant Song").
Yes, the strat is considerably lighter. If you're gigging, a two hour set with a Les Paul on your shoulder is going to make you remember it next day.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
personally a fender guy myself, love the sound of single-coils singing the blues! I just borrowed my dads fender deluxe "tweed" tube amp that my grandpa bought new in 57'- and can't get enough! but you really gotta try them out first, although rockers usually like the distortion of gibson guitars.