Fender Strat or Gibson Les Paul

[InterpolAgent]

Does anyone here know about electric guitars? I'd like to get one but I can't decide. What's your take on the sound of the Stratocaster or the Les Paul?

And how come I never see deals on instruments? If there are any, I'd appreciate a word on 'em.

 

[Gibson486]

Whoa...2 different guitars....It depends what music you want to play.....


For learning...I'd get a strat.

edit: As for deals on instruments, there really aren't that many. most are right place, right time kind of deals (one time, I could have bought a 52 tele reissue for $799.99, new....came back 2 days later, it was back to $1,099.99 ).

 

[Tiamat]

Do you live near a guitar center? Itd probably be best if you could try them out and see what style you want right now.

 

[Tylanner]

Isn't the Strat the hendrix guit?

Whats Jimmy Page's? I pick that one.

Google is my friend

I pick the Les Paul VIA Jimmy Page!!

 

[Colt45]

I prefer strat's, but it's sort of a personal opinion, no?

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Tylanner
Isn't the Strat the hendrix guit?

Whats Jimmy Page's? I pick that one.

Google is my friend

I pick the Les Paul VIA Jimmy Page!!

That is the exact way you do not pick a guitar...

 

[Platypus]

Two opposite spectrums my friend.

There are plenty of deals on them.. For example the studio LP is only 1000 bucks, drop some new pickups on it and you've got a scorcher..
Tell us more about what you want to play

 

[Tylanner]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Tylanner
Isn't the Strat the hendrix guit?

Whats Jimmy Page's? I pick that one.

Google is my friend

I pick the Les Paul VIA Jimmy Page!!

That is the exact way you do not pick a guitar...

Well aside from a $99 Wal-mart special, I've never touched a guitar.

What is the difference anyway? Feel? Weight? Style?

 

[InterpolAgent]

I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Tylanner

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Tylanner
Isn't the Strat the hendrix guit?

Whats Jimmy Page's? I pick that one.

Google is my friend

I pick the Les Paul VIA Jimmy Page!!

That is the exact way you do not pick a guitar...

Well aside from a $99 Wal-mart special, I've never touched a guitar.

What is the difference anyway? Feel? Weight? Style?

Yes to all three.
My pick is the LP.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

Welll Johnny plays a Stratocaster

The best advise I have is go play them both until your hands bleed. This is something you're going to have to be comfortable with for a while and it should do everything you want. I want to recommend the strat for you since it's a more versatile instrument as far as tone structure but like I said, it's all about how you like them. I've owned both and I would say that I prefer dual humbuckers and a 3 way selector (like a LP has) only because you kind of get bored with 3 single coils after a while, etc.


edit: an LP with some 57 humbuckers will give you that 'vintage sound' that bands like the Strokes, Interpol, etc are trying to recreate (as if it was a new genre )

 

[iotone]

i think it's a matter of personal taste... go to a guitar place and try out each, see which sound you like the best (make sure you plug it into a nice amp to so you can really hear the tones of each guitar)

as far as deals are concerned, i find that there aren't really many deals on instruments plainly because you get what you pay for... nicer sounding instruments often use better sounding materials, which leads to more expenses... throw in often being handmade, and you got yourself quite a cost...

like a previous poster said, you just gotta be at the right place at the right time... more often than not, a big volume place, like guitar center, usually has some of the lower prices on guitars mainly because they can buy in volume... you will find most high end guitars to be pretty consistent in price among different retailers, so i would suggest you shop around and see what else they can throw in for you if you buy from them... i've had guitar center hook me up with lots of extras (strings, a stand, a tuner, etc) after talking to one of the salespeople...

all in all, try 'em both, and buy to your liking, not to the salesperson's liking.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

Welll Johnny plays a Stratocaster

The best advise I have is go play them both until your hands bleed. This is something you're going to have to be comfortable with for a while and it should do everything you want. I want to recommend the strat for you since it's a more versatile instrument as far as tone structure but like I said, it's all about how you like them. I've owned both and I would say that I prefer dual humbuckers and a 3 way selector (like a LP has) only because you kind of get bored with 3 single coils after a while, etc.


edit: an LP with some 57 humbuckers will give you that 'vintage sound' that bands like the Strokes, Interpol, etc are trying to recreate (as if it was a new genre )

Of course there's always H/S/H or S/S/H Strats, or LPs with a coil tap on the humbuckers...

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

Welll Johnny plays a Stratocaster

The best advise I have is go play them both until your hands bleed. This is something you're going to have to be comfortable with for a while and it should do everything you want. I want to recommend the strat for you since it's a more versatile instrument as far as tone structure but like I said, it's all about how you like them. I've owned both and I would say that I prefer dual humbuckers and a 3 way selector (like a LP has) only because you kind of get bored with 3 single coils after a while, etc.


edit: an LP with some 57 humbuckers will give you that 'vintage sound' that bands like the Strokes, Interpol, etc are trying to recreate (as if it was a new genre )

Of course there's always H/S/H or S/S/H Strats, or LPs with a coil tap on the humbuckers...

Well yes, I didn't want to confuse the hell out of him just yet

My personal guitar has dual humbuckers with a push/pull coil tap so I can have single coils and humbuckers as I choose. Best tone circuit ever.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

Welll Johnny plays a Stratocaster

The best advise I have is go play them both until your hands bleed. This is something you're going to have to be comfortable with for a while and it should do everything you want. I want to recommend the strat for you since it's a more versatile instrument as far as tone structure but like I said, it's all about how you like them. I've owned both and I would say that I prefer dual humbuckers and a 3 way selector (like a LP has) only because you kind of get bored with 3 single coils after a while, etc.


edit: an LP with some 57 humbuckers will give you that 'vintage sound' that bands like the Strokes, Interpol, etc are trying to recreate (as if it was a new genre )

Of course there's always H/S/H or S/S/H Strats, or LPs with a coil tap on the humbuckers...

Well yes, I didn't want to confuse the hell out of him just yet

My personal guitar has dual humbuckers with a push/pull coil tap so I can have single coils and humbuckers as I choose. Best tone circuit ever.

That's exactly what I've got too
Yamaha AES 500

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

Welll Johnny plays a Stratocaster

The best advise I have is go play them both until your hands bleed. This is something you're going to have to be comfortable with for a while and it should do everything you want. I want to recommend the strat for you since it's a more versatile instrument as far as tone structure but like I said, it's all about how you like them. I've owned both and I would say that I prefer dual humbuckers and a 3 way selector (like a LP has) only because you kind of get bored with 3 single coils after a while, etc.


edit: an LP with some 57 humbuckers will give you that 'vintage sound' that bands like the Strokes, Interpol, etc are trying to recreate (as if it was a new genre )

Of course there's always H/S/H or S/S/H Strats, or LPs with a coil tap on the humbuckers...

Well yes, I didn't want to confuse the hell out of him just yet

My personal guitar has dual humbuckers with a push/pull coil tap so I can have single coils and humbuckers as I choose. Best tone circuit ever.

That's exactly what I've got too
Yamaha AES 500

Cool here's mine:

PRS

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

strat, then. none of those bands have particularly meaty guitar tones, so the strat is gonna be what you're after.

that said, a, deluxe american ash strat with a humbucker sounds HUGE. basically a les paul that doesn't play like garbage. see, even if you want a les paul, there's still a strat that does it better.

 

[InterpolAgent]

Thanks people...you all rock (literally). I've been messing around with both the Strat and LP and I like them both a lot. They both create really distinct sounds. Have any of you all experimented much with them? I'm still a little new to it. What have you all found?

And yeah, these new bands aren't really creating something new. But I really like the old stuff, just not over and over. It's nice to hear new stuff with the old sounds. I was at a Strokes concert and the two guitarists played both guitars, one with a Strat and the other with a LP. It was really cool 'cause they alternate lead guitars for each song. And if you know the song "12:51" you know he made a Strat sound very computer-like. The Cars did that back in the day and they just recreated it I guess. Radiohead also gets very experimental with their instruments. For a while I thought they were using computer effects but they distorted the instruments for that sound. They're really good live too.

I'd like to do that I guess...experiment with sounds but switch back to a basic sound without any hassle.

 

[aircooled]

I prefer the Les Paul, but damn a strat is smooth. buy them both

 

[SludgeFactory]

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

actually, to confuse you, you see Telecasters in Radiohead & Coldplay and several other Brit bands. Rather than base it on that, you're better off going in and trying some models to get a feel for what suits you best.

Not too many deals on new Fender and Gibson instruments unless you just happen across one. Gibson in particular seems to be able to put whatever price they want to on a Les Paul. Fender has some history of putting rebates on the American series instruments in late summer, but that's about it. Buying used opens up a lot of possibilities but also the chance of a noob getting screwed.

 

[thirdlegstump]

This is like asking if you like Mac or PC. It's all about your personal tastes and how comfortable you are with the instruments. Personally I like Strats as I prefer the smaller body and dang near perfect neck shapes. I also like the twang and versatility of the Strat. I also like super Strats.

 

[Gibson486]

Hmmm, you want something that is more light and sunny (that the right word????) in sound, so a strat would be the better choice. Then again, I think a Telecaster would be the best choice...especially if you would like to get a old radiohead (Johnny Greenwood) sound.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: InterpolAgent
I have a real eclectic taste, so there isn't anything I don't like. But my main preference is garage rock and also stuff from Britain. Some bands I like are The Stokes, Interpol, Radiohead, Coldplay, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cars, etc.... I do realize they're both different, but as for your opinion, which of the two would be better overall.

Thanks for the replies...

strat, then. none of those bands have particularly meaty guitar tones, so the strat is gonna be what you're after.

that said, a, deluxe american ash strat with a humbucker sounds HUGE. basically a les paul that doesn't play like garbage. see, even if you want a les paul, there's still a strat that does it better.

never tried that guitar... I think i look for one to play on later this week....then I will have to kill you for saying the LP sounds like garbage

 

[causearuckus]

Get a fat strat. it has a humbucker so it is a combination of LP and Strat. Or go with a tele. Thats what i own and i love it. Or the new PRS Soapbox with dual p-90 pick ups would be good.

 

[Mr N8]

I have a strat, and I like it a lot. It has great tone (although I have Lace Sensors, and not standard strat pickups). I can play Floyd to Metallica on it, as well as some blues.

Saving for an Ibanez JS1200. rool;