It might help if you switched the neck for a similar feel, and added electronics like a Clapton Strat for more punch.

I'm still not used to it, but I love it.

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10-4 good buddy, over and out!

Have you guys tried Hss configuration?

I played C-shape necks on strats for years, bought a U-shape neck tele, took a while to get used to, its my main axe now. I also have a V-shape neck deluxe strat on layaway. Keep playin' it, you'll get comfortable in time.

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

I started out on Gibsons (Marauder and ES-335-S Firebrand double-cut). Then I got a cheap Charvel Strat copy around 1990. In the late 90s I got a MIM Standard Strat that was nice to play. In 2000 I upgraded to an American Series Texas Special Strat, and now I have a 2003 American Series Strat. I knew that going from the MIM to the MIA I'd have to get used to the wider nut width and larger frets, but everything else on the guitar was of much higher quality. Well, it's been 10 years now with a MIA Strat, and I still don't care for playing on the first few frets because of the nut width difference. I wish I had another neck that had the same shape and dimensions of that MIM Strat, but with the higher-quality wood and finish of the MIA Strats.

A strat is alot more organic feeling when you play it. They make you sweat when you play it. (For alot anyway )
Gibson's seem to be alot more laid-back playing... I'v always put it down to the fingerboard radius's. Obviously Gibson have a flat 12'' radius, and strats have a rounder one.

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• Fender American Series Stratocaster (Olympic white, maple)
• Gibson Flying V (dusty faded cherry)
• Fender 1969 Custom Shop Stratocaster (3-tone sunburst, maple)
• Fender Highway One Stratocaster (Honey blonde, rosewood)

Hi Masterhacker,My situation was the opposite of yours and I went from Strat to Les Paul but after a few days the Les Paul didn't feel out of place at all.I guess that going from a fairly narrow neck to a wider neck must be easier than the other way around.

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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.

I'm pretty much the opposite as well...I've tried playing many LP's over the years and I'm just not comfortable with them. The only exception is my old Memphis LP copy and I think that most of that is simply because it's a flat top...I just don't like arch top guitars. It's also -a lot- lighter than a real LP too and that could be a factor...but then my big basses never bothered me (although granted, it's a different instrument). In fact I just played a bud's Galveston ES-335 clone and again, it just felt awful to me...very nice guitar for what it is but I just didn't feel comfortable with it at all.

As with all things of this nature, it's a personal preference issue...some folks like LP's, some like Strats and some folks like both. Honestly, I wouldn't "force" myself to play the Strat if you don't really care for it...it will show in your music. I'd say give it some time...if it "grows on you", great...if not, just stick with what you're comfortable with.

Just my usual $.02 worth,
Jim

I never really had any issues with Les Pauls and I adapt to necks very easy. I run into discomfort with knob placement and pup placement on guitars and have to adapt. I enjoy playing guitars that have the controls as far away from the bridge as possible. A Tele is by far the most comfortable guitar to play for me as is a Les Paul. I even watch how world class players have there signature guitars designed. Paul Gilbert and John Petrucci bot have there knobs as far away from the bridge as possible. Martian nailed it on the head when he said whichever was your first work horse and I played a Tele 13 years before I bought my first Strat.Took some getting used to but now that I removed the volume knob and pot and had it rewired it is like Fender came out with a new model which has the best of both worlds.-my Signature series.lol

Funny thing is I just passed this on to two guys in the Tele room who were saying everything gets in there way on there new Strats.

Wow a great thread Masterhacker. Nice to read differing opinions. I hope you resolve the issue with the Strat. I've played both and the only thing that bothers me is the scale when going from larger to smaller and I've got little hands.

I was taught guitar as a classical player, so I adjust to necks without too much difficuty. Any elec neck is a doddle after a wide, thick spanish one with the inevitable higher action.

As for Strat against LP, well it doesn't need to be either or does it?

As a wise fellow here said earlier, use the best properties of either the Strat or the LP for the characteristics of the song you're playing.

Stick with it. The (probably less refined) playing experience of the Strat may well give you new insights into your Les Paul playing. No doubt the combination of the two means you're extending your learning experience (or have started to learn again if you'd reached a point where you weren't challenging yourself on the LP anymore). Challenge your comfort zone and you'll be a better guitarist as a result.

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

As much of a hassle that it is, I've decided to take both guitars to every gig , set them up, and switch out whenever the song calls for it. All the Haggard type material will get the Strat and all the Skynrd will get the Paul. The difference in the two are amazing. Everyone notices it when I change out, even getting compliments from the other guys in the band and some folks out front. I haven't got the speed or the ease and accuracy with the Strat yet as I do the Paul, but the tones I get from the Strat make it worth the effort. Thanks everyone for keeping me from selling the Strat.

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Life is like a sh*t sandwich. The more bread you have, the less sh*t you have to eat.

didn't mention this before, but the other guitarist in my band plays a LP. i play the strat because i like it and it adds a differn't flavor to the music if you will.