Forums > Electric Guitar > les paul or strat?
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Forums > Electric Guitar > les paul or strat?
Original message:842 days 1 hours 4 minutes ago
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Member: charles
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I am much more into Les Pauls then strats i just love the feel of a les paul. they have a thicker song too
anyone with me or against me?
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Reply:842 days 53 minutes ago
Member: John Paolilli
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I'm 100% with you. I can listen to other people play strats, and really dig their tone and the sound, as soon as I pick it up, the neck turns me off. Les Pauls feel amazing in my hands. I would take a Les Paul over any guitar, anyday. How about teles? RGs? Gretschs?


I'm also in love with the Les Paul tone, and have been since before I played guitar.
Reply:842 days 47 minutes ago
Member: charles
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Les Paul does have a great "think" tone. teles to me, are better then strats but still not as good as a les paul
i have never played a Gretsch (i want to)

and what is an RG?

how do You fell about SGs?
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Reply:842 days 2 minutes ago
Member: shanejohnson2002
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RG's are like strats on crack. Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolos, paper-thin neck, sick finishes and great tone.

Personally, I'm more of a strat guy myself. I like LP's mainly for rhythm playing. Nothing gets a thick rhythm chunk like they do. But I'll stick with my RG's, because I'm addicited to having a tremolo on my guitar.

That, and I can build / buy a strat for way cheaper than a decent les paul, and if the neck breaks on a set-neck LP you're screwed. On a strat, it's just a matter of getting a new neck. They're also lighter which is wonderful for those 4-hour-long dive bar shows.
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Reply:841 days 19 hours 11 minutes ago
Member: Sullivancountychops
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Les Pauls, Strats, I love them both although I do find myself playing my Les Paul more.
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Reply:841 days 17 hours 13 minutes ago
Member: johnny cox
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I have always liked liked Les Pauls better than strats. I got my first LP when I was 25 and still have it today. I bought my first Strat a few months ago and it took a while to appreciate the contrast between the two. But the guitar I play the most is my Gibson SG. It just fits my hands.
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Reply:841 days 15 hours 36 minutes ago
Member: Richey
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My first guitar was a tele which I still have. I love it. However, I got an LP earlier this year and it has taken over as my preferred guitar. I'm sure this will come as a shock to you all but I prefer the Tele for cleans and the LP for my distorition. Even though I favor my LP, I still find myself play the Tele or my acoustic just as much when playing covers but when writing my own stuff, it is usually done with the LP.
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Reply:841 days 15 hours 10 minutes ago
Member: Zanary
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My main axe has been a Les Paul since Reagan's last term...but for the last 8 years I've had a G&L Fullerton (think reissue Strat) that has let me add to my collection of tones and was very instructional in terms of picking hand technique.


When a Les Paul (or similar guitar) player switches to a Strat/Tele, there's often an adjustment to the brightness and the lesser sustain of ash/alder vs. the warmth and all-day-sustain of mahogany. However, the Strat/Tele's single coils are often more sensitive to picking and fretboard nuances...so different picking approaches and changes in vibrato will usually be more pronounced.

While I still worship at the temple of the Holy Les Paul, the Strat was the guitar on most of my MP3s at the previous guitar.com.
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Reply:841 days 14 hours 54 minutes ago
Member: Richey
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When I made the switch, my biggest adjustment was the difference in a flattop verses and arched top. The faster I play, the more the heel of my thumb presses down on the body above the strings. Since the strings are farther away from the body on the arch top (LP), I had to adjust the way I hold my picking hand to accommodate the arched-top LP. It took some adjusting but I've gotten used to it now.
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Reply:841 days 12 hours 1 minutes ago
Member: charles
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sometimes i think all guitars are just LPs or strat take offs
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Reply:841 days 11 hours 45 minutes ago
Member: Richey
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What about hollow and semi-hollow bodies? What about an Explorer or Flying V? There are only so many options for body shapes that people will buy. You won't see my ass playing a guitar shaped like the one I have been seeing Prince play lately. It's a little too fu-fu for me.
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Reply:841 days 10 hours 16 minutes ago
Member: Johnny
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i prefer the LP 10 to 1 as far as my own taste goes, but i do appreciate the strat. it is a quality guitar as well.
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Reply:841 days 7 hours 40 minutes ago
Member: Patrick MacFarlane
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I love both. Playability goes to the Gibsons in my book with their shorter scale length. Tone depends on what you're going for.

Of course, I think 99% of tone is in your hands.
Reply:841 days 7 hours 34 minutes ago
Member: randy rooster
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LP all the way
Reply:841 days 7 hours 28 minutes ago
Member: Jeremy Rouse
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The Stratocaster is like the Swiss Army Knife of guitars, but if I had to choose between a Les Paul and a Strat, I'd have to go with both.
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Reply:841 days 6 hours 44 minutes ago
Member: jg76aries
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Les Paul...Classic Tone, elegant looks, great feel.

...nuff said.
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Reply:841 days 2 hours 16 minutes ago
Member: duane
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apples and oranges, dogs and cats, men and women..

They all have their place and in the end it's ALL about personal preference.
Reply:841 days 1 hours 57 minutes ago
Member: Klaus Vanderson
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Stratocaster like a mofucker. I've got a 50's reissue with the V neck and I love it. I like the versatility, and just the all around feel of it. Les Pauls just don't do it for me.
Reply:840 days 21 hours 55 minutes ago
Member: marcin milan
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I have a strat, I feel this guitar, I like its sound and form, but I think that LP sounds better... looks better... is better...
Reply:840 days 17 hours 13 minutes ago
Member: ibzRG
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The LPs look more elegant/classy. Strats and teles look more like they can take more abuse...

I don't know what my favourite would be, since I've only played my RG. I like the fat creamy sound of LPs, and I Iike the definition and bite of strats and the twang of teles... I think each has its own purpose in music.

If I had to buy one more electric (not in order to replace my RG), the tele would be my first thought. Then the Gibbies. Not a strat.
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Reply:840 days 13 hours 53 minutes ago
Member: evol666
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Les Paul all the way. I don't like Strats. In fact, I hate them. I hate the way they feel. I hate the way they play. And above all I hate the way they sound. In college I had a crafted in Japan Strat and could never get comfortable with it. Fender makes so many cooler guitars (Jaguar, Mustang, Coronado, Jazzmaster, Tele, etc), I just don't understand why the Strat has become such a standard. Maybe it was Hendrix's influence?

For the past few years I have been an SG player. It is the perfect guitar for smaller guys like me.

Please don't hate me. This is just my opinion. I know there are a lot of very happy Strat players out there.
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Reply:839 days 4 hours 39 minutes ago
Member: Jippy
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Strats are awesome for versatility, but I'm into the pure manliness of the LP. That guitar is the toughest mutha around
Reply:839 days 2 hours 57 minutes ago
Member: charles
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there is alot of hate on this form. If you look tho its only hate for the strat
Are there any LP haters?
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Reply:838 days 19 hours 43 minutes ago
Member: ibzRG
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I'm an LP hater as much as a lover... if that makes any sense...

I like their sound, I don't like their look. I can't imagine myself slinging one.





Anyway, I think the hate is gradually wearing off of me. Maybe it's because I don't see so many LP pics anymore to stir it up. I'm kinda partial to double cutaways...
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Reply:838 days 15 hours 11 minutes ago
Member: Atc_Gtr
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Rg's with original floyds would be perfect.I definitly prefer rg,sg,strat over les paul.They just sound more musical instrument to me.I mean tons of guitarist use strat rg and sg in many kind but les paul seems a little bit dull and uncomfortable for any kind than basic rock.
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Reply:838 days 3 hours 13 minutes ago
Member: BlueStratocaster
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Obviously a strat-man. What's not to love? (oh yea, the hummmmmmmmm).
But the guitar IS so versatile, more so than probably any other guitar.
But my next guitar will be a les paul even if it's a epiphone (which I hear great things about).
Les Paul's are beautiful instruments, with awesome tone.
Annnnnd I want one.
But it does kind of make me feel like a traitor...
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Reply:838 days 2 hours 4 minutes ago
Member: Zombre
      Forum Moderator + 2  
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+1 webcred to all. I love 'em ALL. Strats, Ibanezes, LP's V's, Explorers...
Next year I think I want to expand on the Ibanez collection, and then the year after that, It'll be time for Gibsons... (oooo yah!)


Blue: You CAN have your cake and eat it too... lol
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Reply:838 days 1 hours 50 minutes ago
Member: charles
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with all the strat remakes out there which is the best?
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Reply:838 days 1 hours 36 minutes ago
Member: Zombre
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I have a Malmsteen that love, and a fretless American standard which I also love... I dunno, man. Go play 'em, I bet no 2 sound or feel quite the same, you know?
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Reply:838 days 50 minutes ago
Member: Craig Robinson
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to me it doesn't matter what anyone else plays, I buy what I want. I have a strat in mind and a lp dunno when I will get them though. different strokes for different folks
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Reply:838 days 34 minutes ago
Member: Klaus Vanderson
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What I dislike about LPs is that I find them to be all around uncomfortable, edges and shit, and poor upper fret access.
Reply:837 days 23 hours 6 minutes ago
Member: Jippy
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82
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The straight edge on my LP (epi) can get to you if you're playing sitting down for a long time, like when recording. But when you hear that fat, smooth, screaming tone, you know it's worth the pain.
Reply:837 days 21 hours 38 minutes ago
Member: Dorian Bakx
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253
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Strat all the way up... in the road. Very light guitar and versatile sound, depending what you're rig at. I also use Ibanez & Jackson.

My 2 LP's definitely for the studio. Clearer sound and precision tones. Hate the appearance, though.
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Reply:837 days 12 hours 19 minutes ago
Member: goodbyeboy
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186
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strat all the way. period. i can't stand les pauls. and its soooo heavy. i do like the tone of les paul though. i just can't play those....its weird.
Where words fail, music speaks.
Reply:837 days 11 hours 22 minutes ago
Member: collisi0n
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I've always wanted to get a Les Paul like I've wanted to do shaolin kung fu. i have a highway one us strat that i jammed an SD hot rail into and it totally gives me the crunch i need. still, i'd get an lp in half a breath if i could afford it. just can't beat that good ol' humbucker tone, not to mention the beautiful finishes.
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Reply:837 days 8 hours 58 minutes ago
Member: Ryan Healy
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I'm torn between them as well, but Im saving up for a nice little solution. I love the thick tone of the Les Paul and I prefer the shorter scale length, but theres something about a strat that just grabs me, I just love the way they look, and the maple fretboards and everything.

So Im going to have a custom done and mix them.

All mahogany strat body, bolt on 24.75 scale length neck, two humbuckers (Im going to go top load rather than a pickup) and Im thinking maybe a maple fretboard ( I know itll brighten up the tone, but I just love the look)

If I had to go with a stock guiutar, Id probably pick up a Kramer Nightswan (the Vivian Campbell sig.), its a "strat style" and has an all mahogany body and is a killer looking axe.

Reply:837 days 8 hours 40 minutes ago
Member: the BIG Mac!
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For me i would personally prefer the lp over the strat. i had one but then sold it to my friend. I regret doing that lol. Now i have a tele which surprisingly has a familiar tone to the lp ,which i love. I have played many guitars, the best i have played though are the teles so far, but it really depends on how you like your tone. ; )
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