Fender Strat versus Gibson Les Paul

torresfan · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:01 am

bluesguitar65 wrote:

torresfan wrote:

I often wonder how the Strat and the Les Paul both got to a point where they were compared to each other or were considered rivals. Let's just take the normal configuration only in terms of one having single coils only and the other humbuckers.

One is a thinner sounding Guitar and the other is a warmer thicker sounding Guitar. The Gibson is a solid body archtop, the Fender is not. They are both so different in so many ways.

Is it because they both came out within a couple of years of each other and were among the first of the truly accepted solid bodies? Why isn't the Tele a rival for the Les Paul and not the Strat as it was the Tele that made Gibson step up production of their first solid body Guitar in 1952, two years before the Strat. Having a fatter sound, should the Tele not be in comptetition with the Gibson?

This theory of competition between the Strat and the Les Paul has always confounded me.

Maybe the biggest reason is the famous Guitarists down the years who switched from one to the other. Clapton, Townsend and Beck moved from Gibsons to Fenders Strats while Jimmy Page moved to Gibsons after playing Teles and even Strats.

These are just my personal thoughts on this and this could prove to be a devisive subject for some. I'm hoping for some calm and measured responses.

LOL! You posted the same post over the Gibson Lounge Forum.

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topi ... -les-paul/

Yep.

I wanted to see what the Gibbo folks felt about the whole thing.

Jah Soldier · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:12 am

I can't limit myself to just the two. For me, a Strat is more comfortable as far as weight and thickness. My LP just weighs too damn much for me to play 3-45 minute sets with. Great in the studio though. That's where it gets it's use.

My favorite Strat style guitar right now is one I pieced together from a super lightweight basswood Squier body, Hamer neck, and Duncan PATB pickups. It's so nice to play live. Especially when I'm having back problems. It only weighs 4-lbs.

I usually just disregard this comparison anymore. But that's my personal take on this topic. There are so many great guitar brands that have a lot to offer that it doesn't matter to me. My collection itself includes:

Fender Stratocaster
Ibanez RG
Gibson Les Paul
Schecter Tempest Custom
Cort MGM-1
Squier Esprit Masterbuilt
Epiphone Special II
Washburn BT-2
Just to name some. I use my own pieced together stuff as well.

Some of these guitars may seem cheap to some people, but I painstakingly take the time to make them perform and sound the way I like them to be. So why compare just the two? All of my guitars are so different, and perform differently. In the studio, no joke, I have a cool freaking spread to work with. So many different sounds to work with it would be a shame to limit myself.

I think this comparison happens because the two types are so drastically different in their original makeup. Mainly because of the SSS vs. HH thing.

My interest would be to play a Les Paul routed with 3-singles in it and some Texas Special pickups. See if it sounds like a Strat.

Ceri.. We have a mission for you. :idea:

torresfan · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:18 am

My collection at the moment comprises of:

2010 American Special Strat
2010 American Deluxe Tele
2011 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Honey Burst

I'm still in the process of paying off the Gibson, then my next purchase will be a Gretsch Duo Jet and then once that's paid off it will be a Rickenbacker 360/12. And then it will be a Jazzmaster or Jaguar and then..............

bluesguitar65 · **Joined:** Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:56 am **Posts:** 1277

I have them both

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-05

53magnatone · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:32 am

They are so different, the comparison is really about what is the musical statement at the moment that I'm trying to voice...

Today it is all Strats, even though I had a 59 Les Paul Custom from 74 to 93. It was a fretless wonder 2 pickups, I'd love to have it still but we move on. Heavy would be an understatement which is the mainreason why I sold it and went to a strat.
But of course an old Les Paul thru a 410 Custom Classic magnatone....

It sounds like nothing else...

I'm actually thinking about purchasing a Les Paul once again.
Not of the same vintage of course as those are out of reach but some of the more recent ones I've played are really nice...

Gorgon · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:45 am

My favorite piece with the Les Paul, gives me the chills every time i hear the tone Pagey gets here. From 0.25secs on is sublime!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkiyKXggeu0

Gorgon · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:44 am

bluesguitar65 wrote:

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-05

Oh man! look at that eye popper of a Les Paul!

I'm jealous beyond words!

Triskele · **Joined:** Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:18 am **Posts:** 3084

Every guitar player should own different makes/models of guitars!![/quote]

+2

cheers

bluesguitar65 · **Joined:** Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:56 am **Posts:** 1277

Skirt So Plain wrote:

bluesguitar65 wrote:

I have them both

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-05

I can't believe you lay those beauties on wood. What if there is some sand that can scratch it? Am I too anal about that?

YES!!

bluesguitar65 · **Joined:** Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:56 am **Posts:** 1277

Gorgon wrote:

bluesguitar65 wrote:

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-05

Oh man! look at that eye popper of a Les Paul!

I'm jealous beyond words!

Here is more of her

Yes, she sings the blues. 2006 Gibson Les Paul R8 VOS plain top

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-05

bluesguitar65 · **Joined:** Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:56 am **Posts:** 1277

Skirt So Plain wrote:

Gorgon wrote:

bluesguitar65 wrote:

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-05

Oh man! look at that eye popper of a Les Paul!

I'm jealous beyond words!

I was thinking the same thing about the strat. I love that particular red color.

Yup...aint she purty?

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-04

airbornestrat · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:35 pm

I have had all 3. I eventually sold the LP because I just could'nt bond with it or get the tone I was looking for. I love my Strats and Teles. For my humbucker tones I prefer my Gretsch Pro Jet or 5120. That said I do appreciate a nice thick LP sound!
ABS

Gorgon · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:38 pm

bluesguitar65 wrote:

Here is more of her

Yes, she sings the blues. 2006 Gibson Les Paul R8 VOS plain top

By bluesguitar65 at 2011-10-05

Oh dear! this is too much! bad enough an eye poppin' les Paul but to see it in it's plush velvet lined case

Love it!

Solid Body Love Songs · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:11 pm

torresfan wrote:

I often wonder how the Strat and the Les Paul both got to a point where they were compared to each other or were considered rivals. Let's just take the normal configuration only in terms of one having single coils only and the other humbuckers.

One is a thinner sounding Guitar and the other is a warmer thicker sounding Guitar. The Gibson is a solid body archtop, the Fender is not. They are both so different in so many ways.

Is it because they both came out within a couple of years of each other and were among the first of the truly accepted solid bodies? Why isn't the Tele a rival for the Les Paul and not the Strat as it was the Tele that made Gibson step up production of their first solid body Guitar in 1952, two years before the Strat. Having a fatter sound, should the Tele not be in comptetition with the Gibson?

This theory of competition between the Strat and the Les Paul has always confounded me.

Maybe the biggest reason is the famous Guitarists down the years who switched from one to the other. Clapton, Townsend and Beck moved from Gibsons to Fenders Strats while Jimmy Page moved to Gibsons after playing Teles and even Strats.

These are just my personal thoughts on this and this could prove to be a devisive subject for some. I'm hoping for some calm and measured responses.

A well thought-out opinion, good to see your post torresfan.

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