Les Paul Vs. Stratocaster.

[Lambo]

As far as Strats go, is there that much of a difference between the Standard Strat and the American Series Strat to warrant the increase in price? (2X the price for the American Series) I'm ready for a Strat and I just want to buy the right one.

 

[64Firebird]

A lot of you guys bring up the neck shape. I find that interesting because I don't think about it too much. It does influence the way that I play, but I sort of like that. My Strat (I think it's a 62 reissue) has about the biggest, roundest neck I ever played, it's very "D" shaped. I like it because I have fairly big hands.

The neck on my LP is flatter and I tend to play with my thumb on the back of it more. Whereas with the Strat my thumb is over the top by the big E string and I'll use it on some chords.

 

[sonarstar]

i own a fat strat and it is awesome. i have played a few LPs and they are equally awesome but in different ways. the LP is easier to play when i comes to lead stuff and it just feels more like an acoustic inrtrument cause of its nice warm, fat sound. but my strat plays such an awesome grunge sound and really can pick up those power chords. that is something where the LPs are lacking i think. but that is all in the pickups, so...

but all in all, if i could afford it, PRS is definitelly the way to go. talk about well made, good sound!!

 

[hixmix]

"As far as Strats go, is there that much of a difference between the Standard Strat and the American Series Strat to warrant the increase in price?"

Yes. They have a bottom line, profit margins and greedy shareholders.

 

[Cyrokk]

Strats tend to have a cool thwaakk sound when you are hitting individual strings hard for heavy riffs. Les Pauls don't do that because the sound is a bit too creamy. However, with the right distortion, you can scare the bejeesus out of people with a massive Paul tone. I learned on a Strat neck, and it's width made certain solo techniques a real challenge, whereas they are much easier on the slimmer Paul necks.

I can't choose between the two without the song for which it's used. For cold steel metal or late night boogie, I pick a Strat. For witches brew doom metal or fun, beer-soaked hijinx, I'll take a Paul.

 

[foo]

For cold steel metal or late night boogie, I pick a Strat. For witches brew doom metal or fun, beer-soaked hijinx, I'll take a Paul.

For cold steel metal, I'll take the Paul
For late night boogie, I'll take the Strat

For witches brew doom, I'll take my ex-wife

For fun, beer-soaked hijinx, I'll take my ex-wife's two sisters!!!





foo

 

[Henri Devill]

Besides the real differences in sound and string tension, there also seems to be a physiological difference resulting from the feel.

The LP feels more solid and "precision" to me, while the Strat feels more "alive". I think this really affects and reflects the way I play either one.

barefoot

Ditto..I also feel the Strat needs a more acurate technique for me.The scale is just outta my hand "size"..Where the LesPaul fits like a glove...But I use a Strat LOL


Don

 

[Even]

lets not forget that theres a huge range of Strats and pauls to be comparing for that matter. A fat strat can be pretty growly and weighs a good couple of pounds. I've played some pretty flimsy strats when I first decided I wanted a real live fender. They were the only ones even close to my budget. Well..... I know why now. On the other hand most pauls are built like volvos. You can drop them down the steps and toss them off the roof and they just get meaner.

 

[Natural Gass]

Best of both worlds

I have an American Strat (save your pennies and buy american, you won't regret it) and a Les Paul Standard.

I can't say I like one over the other. I'll play my Les Paul for a couple weeks and say "man, this is the best guitar I've ever played!" . Then I'll see my Strat hangin on the wall being all lonely and jealous, and I'll pick it up and play it for a couple weeks and say "man, this is the best guitar I've ever played!". Then I'll see my Les Paul hangin on the wall being all lonely and jealous and... you get the idea.

Its the best of both worlds. Between the two of them I think I can pretty much get whatever tone I want to. Besides, in my opinion all the guitars out there are either a copy of a Strat or LP

 

[64Firebird]

Re: Best of both worlds

Besides, in my opinion all the guitars out there are either a copy of a Strat or LP

I agree, either copies or a combination of both.

 

[Even]

and the Parker Fly is a copy of the........?

 

[64Firebird]

and the Parker Fly is a copy of the........?

The Parker Fly is a copy of everything! It was designed to be the guitar that could do everything.

 

[Lopp]

Re: Best of both worlds

in my opinion all the guitars out there are either a copy of a Strat or LP

The Strat and LP are hardly originals. In fact, they are as much copies of their predecessors as many guitars are copies of them.

 

[64Firebird]

Re: Re: Best of both worlds

The Strat and LP are hardly originals. In fact, they are as much copies of their predecessors as many guitars are copies of them.

Maybe so, but there are both benchmark guitars.

 

[JesusFreak]

I have to agree with most and say that you can feel pretty complete by owning one of each. I own an american strat and a LP and love them both. If I want a raunchy in your face blues or dirty type of rock, I go with the LP. A bit more "alive" sound, with more highs and crispy sound, gotta go with the Strat. It would be difficult if not impossible to get both of these sounds out of one or the other. Gotta love em both.

God Bless!

 

[esactun]

So how would you compare the SG to the LP and Strat? I have the LP and am trying to decide between the Strat and the SG.

I agree with Lopp, get a Strat. SG's are killer axes, but they have a really dark tone. They almost make LPs sound bright. They're big, heavy, thick-sounding guitars.

 

[Lopp]

I agree with Lopp, get a Strat. SG's are killer axes, but they have a really dark tone. They almost make LPs sound bright. They're big, heavy, thick-sounding guitars.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I think credit should go to LocusLarsen.