This guide has been about my view up to now. All these add up to generations of loyal followers of one style and design, or the other. The simple bridge also means it tends to stay in tune fairly well. Regardless of what you are doing, your Strat is still likely to seem like a Strat. This will help … Why choose a Fender Stratocaster? Something to consider(mentioned earlier)....future problems/issues: Strat- Trem system, maybe pot issues, pickups, switch, worn/bad nut....easily fixed by you, fellow guitarist(money, parts)or Luthier(more cost for services). In this way, a Strat offers a greater variety of tonal possibilities compared to the Les Paul. They are also are prone to creating hum and other noise brought on by electrical interference. Les Paul or Stratocaster: What Guitar is Perfect for you? A longer scale length results in more space between the frets and greater string tension making it a little more challenging to play for smaller hands. I love their beautiful sound. Stratocaster vs. Les Paul: Which Is Ideal For You? Thread starter FLICKOFLASH; Start date Dec 30, 2007; Prev. Why is Les Pauls more costly than Stratocasters? The alder body and maple neck, along with the single-coil pickups, make the tone brighter overall. The Fender Stratocaster is a much thinner guitar than the Les Paul, with a body made from brighter woods such as alder or sometimes ash. A new Gibson Les Paul costs several thousand dollars, but Epiphone, a company owned by Gibson, also makes Les Paul guitars to Gibson specs. I have one of each. Les paul vs. SG vs telecaster vs stratocaster? Guitar Gopher (author) on February 13, 2015: Thanks for weighing in, Ted! On the positive side, working on a Strat is generally easier than a Les Paul. You can use an EQ pedal and dial in your amp settings to get the sound closer still. Inspired by guitarist and inventor Les Paul, his namesake guitar was born in 1952 as a direct competitor to Fender's Telecaster. It’s a fixed bridge and humbucking pickups, which I believe makes life somewhat easier for novices. The Stratocaster has a 5-way pickup selector, giving it a wider range of possible tones. If you are considering studying guitar and wish to purchase either a Les Paul or a Strat, you may wonder which is much easier to play with. On the other hand, the Squier Affinity Strat is also a fantastic option if you would rather the Stratocaster layout. Scale length. I have a strat and I'm still getting used to an SG I just bought. It features a mahogany body with a walnut top and also a set mahogany neck. Personally I am a die hard Stratocaster fan, its ergonomics are simply unmatched. I agree that its a good idea for a guitar player to have one of each in their collection. In this article, we compare the SG Standard with the Les Paul Studio(instead of its standard model in order to keep the same price range). This traditional mixture of forests has functioned Gibson nicely through the last few years and created a few essential tools. Now I'm starting to want a semi-hollow. The Les Paul is 24.75 inches versus the Stratocaster’s longer 25.5 inches. Les Paul vs Stratocaster vs Telecaster: The Ultimate Electric Guitar Comparison. The Fender Stratocaster is a better designed guitar than the Gibson Les Paul Standard. The easy bridge also means that it tends to remain in tune reasonably well. Mahogany is a warm-sounding tonewood and accounts for its depth and resonance Les Pauls are famous for. Gibson Les Pauls and Fender Strats and Teles are among the most popular guitar models of all time. Guitar Gopher (author) on September 04, 2018: Thanks, Lefty! Since this is about comparing the LP to the Strat - well, having the two alternative guitars is interesting - they were both similarly priced - retail prices in the $600 range, I bought my MIM Strat new through a wholesale connection for $350, and bought my Epi LP used (2014 model though which makes it same age as my Strat) for about $400. The alder body and maple neck, alongside the single-coil pickups, make the tone flatter overall. From the legendary 175 335 SG. I usually advocate a Les Paul-style guitar for novices, especially the Les Paul Special II. I said the tremolo on the Strat could potentially mean the LP has better tuning stability, but to experienced players who know how to work on a guitar it probably doesn't matter. I know that even with the humbucker the strat still won't sound exactly like a Les Paul but it seems to be a good option if you can only afford one guitar or are a beginner. Les Pauls is more elaborately constructed than Strats, frequently with binding around the neck and neck, and also prevent inlays in the fingerboard. I always recommend the Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop PRO for serious guitarists who need a quality instrument but can't justify spending the money on a Gibson. It has a fixed bridge and humbucking pickups, which I think makes life a little easier for newbies. Guitar Gopher (author) on October 13, 2013: In all the years I've been playing I've never been able to decide to between them. This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. If you drop your Les Paul down the steps the headstock will snap off. The Fender Stratocaster is a much thinner guitar than the Les Paul, with a body made from brighter woods such as alder or sometimes ash. Or you know, you could have a les paul with coil splits and get just as many if not more. But, it does sound much thicker than a typical single-coil bridge-position Strat pickup. Marc Hubs from United Kingdom on October 12, 2013: Its the Les Paul for me, such a beautiful instrument it almost plays itself! But are any of these guitars good for playing jazz? The walnut cap can bring texture to the tone, so walnut is a brighter timbre. And, this is all kind of a trick question when you think about it. The Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster are classic instruments and the reigning kings of the guitar world. For a Les Paul, I'd go with a PRS McCarty 594. Strats are lighter-duty guitars with a wider array of available sounds great for any style of music. Strats have bridges using a vibrato characteristic. By this I mean that their low-end may not match the crushing lows of the Les Paul humbuckers, but that there is a low-end to speak of (compared to the opposite in the lack of a high-end on Les Paul’s). Guitar Gopher (author) on November 28, 2016: @gibb: I agree! when i got my les paul and came home and plugged her in i could reset my whole gt5 board and run with pre amp and overdrive/distortion only and the sound of a les paul was instant, deep, warm and sweet.. Les Paul FTW. I have owned several guitars over the years and have been fortunate enough to play some of the best from Rickenbacker to Gretsch. Unfortunately, all of the major builders are getting big $$ for their wares. Both great guitars for the money, with very different sounds and vibes. The LP’s set throat, with its humbucking pickups, bring about its warmer tone and more excellent sustain. Check out the poll below and take a moment to vote. Arguably the Stratocaster, the Les Paul and the Telecaster have become the paradigm for the electric guitar. Most Les Pauls have 22-fret rosewood fingerboards, but some feature ebony, and in some recent years Gibson has been using some interesting alternatives. I love the tonal ranges that I can get out of my Strat and when I'm playing when I need cleaner sound or just a bit of crunch, it's my go-to. “A Les Paul feels like a guitar and I play differently on that and I sound too much like someone else. The bridge pickup tends to have a vintage vibe to the sound, even with some decent distortion applied. In broad terms, single-coils contribute themselves to blues, funk, surf, and country designs. A Strat with a humbucker definitely will not sound like a Les Paul. The Gibson Les Paul on the other hand, starts coming to live when using it in an overdrive and distortion setup. tryed to emulate the les paul sound with my jackson soloist pro for years and it just wasnt there, even it could get close with pre-amps, speaker sim, eq and overdrive/distortion. Les Paul Vs Stratocaster. The Squier Bullet goes for $150. The Les Paul is 24.75 inches versus the Stratocaster’s more than 25.5 inches. Les Paul vs SG: which is the right guitar for you? Both guitars will hold their value for years to come. Gotta love the Fenders... Buy as much guitar as you can afford and keep saving for your next one! Keep in mind that many different variation of each instrument exist. Epiphone Les Paul vs Squier Stratocaster Tone. Does it matter, anyway? Les Pauls have two humbucking pickups, specially made by Gibson. These two guitars are considered the best of the guitars and, as such, these are the most copied guitar styles the world over. The LP is far more challenging to produce than the Stratocaster using its thinner, contoured body constructed from one slab of timber, typically ash or alder. What do other guitar players believe? I'm kind of similar to you in going back and forth between Les Paul and Stratocaster. The neck width is also significanly different - at least 3 mm wider at the 5th fret for the Strat than the Epi. They don't spend hours fixing their instruments. It features a mahogany body with a maple top, and a set mahogany neck. I had to have a Les Paul in '79, so I traded a '74 Telecaster Thinline and sold a '68 Tele with factory Bigsby to get the damn LP. However, they’re frequently accessible with a humbucker, too, as from the HSS Strat. Leo Fender and his team in Fullerton, California, began work on the guitar that would become the Telecaster back in 1949. A Fender is a Fender is a Fender - or rather, an American Fender is an American Fender, a Mex Fender is a Mex Fender, and a Squire Fender barely deserves to be called a guitar (but I bet you already knew that). Note: The above is based on the traditional build and style of each guitar. Because there’s not any simple answer to this question, let us have a good look at the gaps between strat vs Les paul to determine what you might prefer. The Fender Stratocaster is a considerably thinner guitar compared to the Les Paul, with a body made out of brighter woods like alder or occasionally ash. On top of this Gibson utilizes a ‘plek’ machine when setting up new guitars, meaning the action is setup as low as possible. The neck pickup is round and warm when played clean, and has tremendous sustain with a little distortion behind it. ....Professional fix, Big cost, headache! Both guitars will maintain their worth for many years to come. Next, let’s look at the Les Paul Special II and Affinity Stratocaster in detail. The Les Paul. With the quality of the woods used, the hardware, and the B.B. The deep tone of the Les Paul, or the rip of the Stratocaster: the choice is ultimately yours, and the best part is there is no wrong answer. The Les Paul sounds much darker and warmer than the Strat. The classic Strat design features three single-coils (SSS). All good. Some people prefer the Strat, but I use to have one and the trem was always giving me a hard time, it didn’t sustain well, and the pickup output was too low for me. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an LP and a Strat? Strats naturally possess three pickups. The Stratocaster sounds thinner too, but for Strat lovers, this isn’t a bad thing. Epiphone Les Pauls compared to Squier Strats. A Strat is great for the blues and rock. What do other guitar players think? It’s an implement which is my voice. Guitar Gopher (author) on March 29, 2016: @DNB: That's funny. Les Pauls are more elaborately constructed than Strats, often with binding around the neck and body, and block inlays in the fingerboard. Then decide. How about both! I did. Let your ears and hands pick. That doesn’t mean Les Pauls are better, necessarily. Pro pickups you can get almost any sound. I’d both guitars are simple to play with. And, that is a trick question when you consider it. With its slightly curved (radiused) fretboard, the Strat feels much more curved and comfortable to a few players, while others prefer the heftiness and increased width of their LP’s neck, which help with notice bending. Strats are lighter-duty guitars using a more extensive array of accessible sounds great for any music. This cuts costs a bit, along with a difference in the hardware, electronics, and wood. Go. Guitar Gopher (author) on December 02, 2016: Hi Ronnie. The tailpiece, alongside the timber and set neck, gives the Les Paul great preserve capacities. The Fender Stratocaster is by far THE best guitar ever made! The Fender Stratocaster is also one of the most iconic guitars of all time along with the Gibson Les Paul. The tone is a private thing, and both guitars are unusually flexible. So, this article has all been about my opinion so far. Les Paul or Stratocaster: Which Guitar is right for you? The Stratocaster seems thinner also, but for Strat fans, this is not a terrible thing. The neck pickup is warm and round when played clean, also contains enormous sustain with just a tiny bit of distortion supporting it. The Strat has a bolt-on neck, which simplifies manufacturing when providing a powerful link. A conventional Les Paul includes two humbucker pickups (neck and bridge). The neck angle from the body and the body shape are more ergonomic on the strat. After these models I would guess SG‘s and ES style guitars would come in second with Jazzmasters, Jaguars and Jazz hollowbody guitars coming in third when accounting for the amount of people who own and play these different types of models. The Les Paul is 24.75 inches versus the Stratocaster’s more than 25.5 inches. If you are on a budget you might choose between the Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop PRO and Fender Player Series Stratocaster. However, it is tough to get either guitar to sound exactly like the other. The famous Les Paul seems like it is a staple in the music of all genres today. There are also many guitars out there that do a great job of emulating each. Guitar Gopher (author) on January 28, 2014: Thanks for your insights Mark! Guitar Gopher (author) on January 19, 2016: I agree Doug. Many pros and working guitarists love it for its sound and value. As a result of its set of humbuckers and mahogany body, the Les Paul has a thick, rich tone that is heavy on the bass and articulates. The deep tone of this Les Paul, or the tear of the Stratocaster: the decision is yours, and the best part is that there is no wrong answer. The Gibson Les Paul is a thick, heavy guitar, both physically and sonically. It did that both before and after the pickup change - so not a pickup issue there. It also depends on the style of music you play. On the bright side, working on a Strat usually is more comfortable than a Les Paul. I usually recommend a Les Paul-style guitar for beginners, specifically the Les Paul Special II. To understand the magnitude of this decision, try to imagine, for a moment, Stevie Ray Vaughan playing Texas Flood on a beat-up Gibson. Les Paul vs Fender Stratocaster. For the most part, as a beginner you will want to choose from three models: the Les Paul, Stratocaster, or SG. It can mimic Les Paul whereas the Les Paul can’t mimic the Strat The Stratocaster is played and endorsed by some of the greatest players of our time, some of which, (including Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton) who have move over from Gib… Like Gibson, Fender has a less-expensive version of the Stratocaster available for a fraction of the price of the USA-made Strat. I’d recommend checking out from Gregor Hilden clips to get a real taste of what a LP can do. I have 3 Strats, the Les Paul and 2 great Martins. The neck pickup is typically bell-like and clear. Remember, even though you can only play one guitar at a time, you can own as many as you want! I’ve also had some of the top flight Korean imports. The hardware on a Strat is a bit more complicated than a Les Paul. I was trying to figuring out how something I wrote could have been taken that way. The Stratocaster has a 5-way pickup selector, giving it a much broader array of possible tones. That's really what you'd expect to see. It is hard to answer this question universally, as there are so many different neck shapes for each guitar. I guess it depends on what mood I'm in. I literally choose which one I'm going to play right at gig time. That's total b.s. Humbuckers were created to get rid of sound, and they usually produce a thicker, more resonant sound than single-coils. Some people prefer the Strat and that is AWESOME, it takes all kinds, but I honestly don’t know how it’s possible aside from cost. Finally, the scale length is shorter by nearly 20 mm on the Epi LP - my smaller hands move better on it. Guitar Gopher is a guitarist and bassist with over 35 years of experience as a musician. I simply look at each and let my gut decide. Many Les Pauls has 22-fret rosewood fingerboards, but some attribute ebony, and in particular recent decades, Gibson has been utilizing several intriguing options. Strats usually have three pickups. Let your hands and ears decide. The Strato… And I did not say LPs universally stay in tune better. Strats are relatively simple guitars that are rather simple to develop and assemble. Les Pauls is heavy guitars with a thick sound suitable for any music. However, the Squier Affinity Strat is also a good choice, if you prefer the Stratocaster design. Notice the comparison between an American Strat and Les Paul Standard. If you are really trying to decide whether you like the Stratocaster or Les Paul sound better the smart thing to do is get out there and play a few of each. The Les Paul has giant frets and they are tough-as-nails. I feel owning both is the answer with all the history involved as well as both playing and sounding so sweet; with that said, I am a Fender Strat man all the way! Anyway, it seems to me most great guitar players know the value of both the Les Paul and the Strat. The improvements in the Players Series Strat have moved the MIM Strat closer than ever to the American versions. My LP was terrific with the original Probuckers but I recently upgraded it to '57/''59 reproduction alnico open humbuckers and wow what a difference in sound - bigger, warmer, more "woody tone" than the stock buckers. Both have been used by legendary guitarists in every music genre, and both have a reputation as fine, American-made guitars built with the highest quality in mind. I agree with all the differences between the Strat and LP and that’s why I have several different models of each and branches(SGs, TELEs)....and other brands (PRS, etc.). Even though the Stratocaster’s tremolo bridge enables wild string-bending actions, there’s a drawback: These theatrics can pull off your guitar’s strings out of tune. So the answer as to which is the most significant lies with the participant. I know this sounds like a Gibson ad but it isn’t. The Gibson Les Paul is a thick, heavy guitar, both physically and sonically. I especially like the change to a 2-point bridge and the new colors. Gibson and Fender guitars typically have a few key differences, including scale length, tonewoods, build design, and pickup type. The Stratocaster neck is thinner than the LP’s and is favored by some players with smaller hands. The Les Paul is a bit heavier and that may make it tougher to play for smaller players or those with back issues. On the other hand, the LP has a glued, set-in neck, which requires more ability to produce. Just different. On the flip side, Les Pauls has features like brick shirts and place necks that create construction a significant little more labor-intensive. Move ahead to 2013....I purchased an Eric Johnson signature Strat and a Carmel Burst Les Paul Traditional. These are less expensive versions of the Gibson Les Paul, and fine instruments for the money. In other words: For beginners who go nuts with a whammy bar they don't know how to set up, strats are harder to keep in tune. Only different. Check the Pickups and Electronics part of our Electric Guitar Buying Guide for more information. In summary, both are fantastic guitars but you need to treat and GUARD your instruments right! Words are inadequate when it comes to describing guitar noises. Let’s look at which of these three guitars is the best for playing jazz. This has a direct effect on both audio and playability. which guitar should i buy? I recommend checking out the Player Series Stratocaster, which took that place of the Standard Series as the new MIM option. With Les Paul, you can play rock, punk, reggae, heavy metal, blues, rhythm and more. Soon after the two-pup Broadcaster was revealed. The maple cap helps to add some clarity to the tone, as maple is a brighter wood. The bridge is a Tune-o-Matic with a stop-bar tailpiece. But a Les Paul sounds a lot fuller. 1 of 2 Go to page. For example, replacing a neck on a Les Paul would necessitate work with a professional luthier, where you can substitute a Strat neck in a couple of minutes. Here are some answers: You can make your Stratocaster sound a little more like a Les Paul by installing humbucking pickups. It features all the stuff that has made the Les Paul one of the greatest guitars ever made. Les Paul vs SG: the history. Mahogany has a much darker sound with very pronounced mid range, which makes for a fatter sound that cuts through the mix well. By Guitar World Staff 02 August 2016. This traditional combination of woods has served Gibson well over the years and made for some classic instruments. Yeah, it's like having both a Chevy and a Ford truck or liking both the Cubs and the White Sox, but who cares. Gibson guitars are at the highest quality I've ever seen. Even better compare a $3000 dollar LP Standard with a same priced Strat Custom Shop. This may be an interesting effect but could also account for tuning instability along with a tiny bit of additional TLC in regards to maintenance and installation. A more scale length leads to more distance between the frets and increased string tension, making it a bit more challenging to perform for smaller hands. gopher said "All the greats play the fender stratocaster just a better instrument". Interesting that the vote is split 50/50. Each pickup has one tone and one volume control, and there’s a toggle switch that flips between the pickups or allows both to be active simultaneously. But a Strat made by either a company Masterbuilder or by Bill Nash. These first 'goldtop' guitars had a maple-topped mahogany body, P90 single coil pickups and a combined bridge and trapeze tailpiece. Did you, for a split second, get the feeling that Armageddon was fast approaching? Listen to famous musicians you respect and try to discern where their tonal magic comes from. It features a bolt-on walnut neck with a rosewood or maple fingerboard. Now you know the fundamental differences between these, go and perform a lot of every. The strat body is more comfortable. Guitar Gopher (author) on October 28, 2015: @cRAZYDUDE: I thought you meant I said that! If you’re attempting to choose whether you prefer the Stratocaster or Les Paul to seem better, the wise thing to do is get out there and perform some of each. Sure the Les Paul is considerably more and a few say the build quality is great therefore picking the LP as the better guitar. Required fields are marked *. After all, with the array of peddles out there I can make both sound pretty much the same. Two years after Les Paul was first released, Fender reveals its very own Stratocaster in 1954. Honetly les paul is less comfertable but it sounds better and the strat is very comfertable but not the best sound PRS guitars are a perfect blend of the 2, a good feel and the clssic les paul tone, a little bit thicker tone but its alright. You can grab a Player Series Strat for a fraction of the price of the American version. Both guitars are amazing instruments and both sound fantastic, so how can you possibly go wrong? This latter feature enables easier guitar installation if innovating strings. I have alwaysloved Gibsons due to their beautiful woodwork and coloring. Conclusion: Squier Stratocaster vs Epiphone Les Paul Ultimately, choosing between a Stratocaster and a Les Paul has everything to do with playability, character, and sound. Choosing between a Strat and Les Paul has everything to do with sound, playability, and attitude. Some may gravitate to one or the other, but they still understand the difference and importance of each guitar. It comes down to a matter of what makes you happy. Gibson Les Paul . They both have similar play character unplugged - great ring and woody sustain although the article correctly says that the tone is warmer with the LP. Edit: "Collects dust" is a figure of speech. Speaking with Total Guitar awhile back, Beck says that compared to a Gibson Les Paul or Fender Telecaster, “My Strat is another arm, it’s part of me. The bridge is a Tune-o-Matic using a stop-bar tailpiece. Or Slash, onstage back in the glory days of G N’ R, top hat on and Strat slung low. Stratocaster vs. Les Paul: Which Is Ideal For You? Gibson Les Pauls. They are really two of the most popular guitars of all time. … The Les Paul and Strat each have a distinctive sound that veteran guitarists learn to recognize. But it’s challenging to get either guitar to sound just like another. A good swamp ash Telecaster with a 5-way superswitch, an Abigail Ybarra-spec type of pickup in the bridge, and a clear humbucker in the neck will not only cover most of the sonic territory of a Strat & Les Paul that matters in the studio, it will leave you with even-more tones left over that neither can do very well. The Les Paul features a single-cutaway for comparable fretboard access. It's tough to choose one above the other! The average weight of a Fender Stratocaster is about 8 pounds (3.6 kg) . Most every big name and Pro musician has and plays both brands (and many others). Even when they are backed and signed by one company or the other. How about both! They are light, have a wonderful, sexy shape to them, and are very versatile guitars! Like many it truly depends what instrument you play to what music you're playing. Keep in mind, though you can play with one guitar at one time, you can get as many as you desire! This has a direct effect on both audio and playability. The center three pickup positions have a clock quality, which is very good for blues and country. For the best guitar to own, it has to be the Strat. Your email address will not be published. The bridge pickup usually includes a warm, classic sound via a fresh guitar amp, along with a nice, thick pinch with some distortion inserted. Do any of those mental images make sense? The bridge pickup will have a classic vibe to the noise, even with a few sound distortions implemented. that a Les Paul has better "tuning stability". If you’re on a budget, you may consider Epiphone Les Pauls in comparison to Squier Strats. By the following year, a single pickup version called the Esquire was launched. Surprisingly shocked by the sound of my $100 Schecter with 496R/500t pups....but I wish I still had my flying but I wish I still had my flying V, Les Paul all the way, just cant beat that sound. Stays in tune great, bone nut and, staggered tuners. :-) Seriously though, if you did crack the headstock on your Strat you can replace it yourself in a few minutes, where a Les Paul would most likely require a luthier to fix. Les Paul vs Stratocaster. The section width is more cylindrical. For those of you on a REAL budget, and like Strats, I was looking for a quality-name Strat. The 2015 Gibson Les Paul Standard had a compound radius fingerboard of 10″– 16″, whereas the Fender American Series Stratocaster has 9.5″. A flatter radius equates to a lower action and better playabililty. Both are well made and come in a variety of beautiful finishes. Just too many great points to both guitars! It is really hard to say either guitar is better than the other. Epiphone Les Paul Special II vs Squier Affinity Stratocaster. The middle three pickup positions have a clucky quality to them that is great for country and blues. The classic Strat design features three single-coils (SSS), but they are widely available with a humbucker as well, as in the HSS Strat. It must be noted, however, that both Gibson and Fender provide versions with non-traditional neck profiles. The sustain and dynamics of this guitar are just totally different than the Strat - it picks up more string/hand noise, more pick noise more of those cool screechy harmonics in the upper fretboard. The Stratocaster has a one-piece tailpiece/tremolo bridge with separately adjustable string saddles. The Les Paul and Strat each have a distinctive sound that veteran guitarists learn how to recognize. That does not mean Les Pauls is better, always. Great article! The Les Paul and Stratocaster have become icons of the guitar playing world, famed by … Hard rock and metal players definitely want the humbucker, but blues, rock and country players may be just fine with a SSS Strat. Thanks to its pair of humbuckers and mahogany body the Les Paul has a thick, rich tone that’s heavy on the bass but also articulate. That (ease of maintenance and replacement parts) may be part of the choice between the two guitars for some people, particularly those who intend to throw their instruments down stairs. The weight can vary based on the type of wood that is used for the body.
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