Since I was a kid, the two guitars that were icons of rock to me were the Stratocaster and the Les Paul. It's been a lot of years since I watched my older brother's band mates play those guitars! I started playing more than a year ago and purchased my first guitar - an Am. Deluxe Strat - last year. I've been wanting to add a Les Paul so I'll have each of my dream guitars so I've been visiting shops to try them out. What I find disturbing is that the Les Paul is so different to play - the shorter scale length, different cut of the bouts, etc. make the LP sit completely differently when playing. At this point I'd have to say I like playing the Strat better. Maybe it's just a matter of getting used to but I'm rethinking my idea. Maybe I should just get another Strat (an Am. Std. in Olympic White with maple neck) instead. Or, maybe I'll get used to the LP?

Just wondering about other's experiences with these guitars...

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Custom Shop '59 Stratocaster
AV Hot Rod '52 Telecaster
AV '56 Stratocaster
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

I prefer my Strats, but I do own a fabulous Gibson LP Standard too!
My personal opinion is you need at least one of each.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I'm with Chet. I have a Les Paul Studio as well as three strats and I love them all. You'll get used to the LP once you play it a few times.

I have both and I prefer to play my Strat, but my `69 LP screams. The only thing I don`t like about the LP is the weight of it.

I'd go for the LP as well, it's good to have variety.

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

They are two different guitars, but you will adapt!
Variety always

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

I had the same idea,.lots of Strats,but one day I traded two for one Les Paul,because you just "have to have" one.

Played it exclusively for a couple of months,to try and get used to it.

But as soon as I picked up one of the Strats,.the LP stayed in it's case!

6 months later I sold the LP.

Although I sold it to help finance an amp buy,I still wish I would have kept it,maybe I would have gotten used to it by now.

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50th AmSe. Strat
54 ThinSkin Strat
Mesa Boogie LoneStar Special 2-12 Combo
Mesa Boogie Nomad 45 1-12 Combo

My LP is a 2001 Standard. I added a TonePros bridge and locking studs with a Gotoh Aluminum tailpiece, WCR BetSet pickup with the Moore/Green mod, RSGuitarworks wiring kit, and a V-Picks personalized Pickgaurd.



My LP is actually a little famous. Check it out here:

http://www.v-picks.com/accessories/75

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I'd get a Les Paul of some sort to broaden your tonal possibilities

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A thousand words tell more than one picture

That's a great pickguard Chet. I have to get one of those.

Thank You. They add a touch of class!!!

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I don't have more than one of any style/model guitar. I actually only have one Strat. I won't buy another one until the one I have is unplayable. You get used to them really easily. It's a good thing to play different guitars IMHO. I get asked to play a few songs with various bands when I visit different clubs and half the time I don't have a guitar with me. I play everything from LP Goldtops to Medely Makers, LP Customs, Reverends, which are really sweet guitars IMO, Strats, Teles, Ibanez. It's fun and each different guitar seems to change your style of playing a little.

I'd go for the LP.

I also love strats but also Les Pauls to a point. I don't like the feel of most Les Pauls so I went with a SG. I love to play my SG almost as much as my strats. If you like a chuncky neck the standard SG is perfect ar a thinner neck the 61 RI SGs are nice. Don,t give up on the Les Paul just find the right one.

I was up to 6 electrics earlier this year 3 strats, 2 Les Paul (not Gibson) and 1 Tele. I pared down to my 4 favorites. Variety is the spice of life so I have a Strat, a Tele, an Epiphone Les Paul with upgraded electronics, and a Gibson ES-339 for that hollowbody tone. Sold 2 strats to finance the ES-339 and I could not be happier.

My strat is MIM Standard with upgraded block and EMGs
My Tele had MIM parts and an unknown body.
My Epi Les Paul has Seymour Duncan pickups.
My Gibson ES-339 is bone stock.

I think I'll be wanting one higher-end Fender at some point. Either a 52 re-issue tele, or the '62 Hotrodded Strat in Sherwood Green. Prices have come down some on that one and I'm very tempted. I am sorry I missed out on one of those Fender Friday deals though, the American Deluxe Strat in Tobacco Burst w/ maple fretboard was going for 899. Still kicking myself.

So to answer your question, go for the Les. It's not a very risky purchase as they hold their value very well. If you want to try before you make a big investment in a real Gibson, grab an Epiphone Les Paul Custom or Standard off of Craigslist for $350 - $500 and put a good set of pickups in it. When you upgrade the electronics the Epi's are really about as good as a Gibson anyway. I even like the frets better on the Epiphones.

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I'd go for the Les Paul,Epiphone makes some Les Pauls that are on par with Gibson and are great players for 1/4 to 1/3 of the price,I've seen some outstanding examples.There is also an Epi Les Paul Ultra that has hollowed out resonating chambers that only weighs 5 1/2 lbs.Also you could look into buying a used Orville by Gibson a MIJ Les Paul with American Gibson hardware and superb build quality again at a much lower price.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.