Les paul vs stratocaster
Gibson's Les Paul sets a new standard for the solid-body electric guitar, and rival guitar maker Fender needs to respond. The company does so in with a sleek, futuristic guitar unlike anything else on the market: the Stratocaster. It's a hit. With their higher volume and heavier tones, the Les Paul and Stratocaster help give rise to a new style of music: rock 'n' roll. It opens up a whole new market for electric guitars -- but which company will dominate?
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Content:
- Les Paul: “If you don’t do something, Fender is going to rule the world”
- Fender vs. Gibson: The Differences and What the Pros Prefer
- Strat, Tele, Les Paul "Generic Cutout" 1/4" Light Duty ATA Case
- [Debate/Discussion] Gibson Les Paul vs. Fender Stratocaster
- The Les Paul is more versatile than the Stratocaster
- How to choose and buy an electric guitar
Les Paul: “If you don’t do something, Fender is going to rule the world”
Experienced players have always compared and debated the playability of the Les Paul and Stratocaster. Their reputation and status go before them, yet they differ from one another in many ways: tone, looks, feel, playability, and charisma.
However, both camps mutually agree, that both guitars are living legends and quite rightly so. After owning and appreciating both guitars for years, the feel and ride on both guitars are completely different animals altogether. Not to mention the vast differences in sound and tone. It has to be said, I can not speak for all variations of the Stratocaster and Les Paul. However, the blueprint and outline of both guitars are still the same.
In the red corner, The Stratocaster traditionally adopts a slimmer profile neck meaning a thinner and less bulky profile than the traditional Les Paul, benefiting players out there with smaller hands. This curvature is great for fretting barre chords and feels smooth for horizontal lead playing. The Stratocaster neck is praised for being one of the most comfortable necks which are easy to get around and very forgiving when playing. The neck and fingerboard are traditionally constructed from maple, one of the most popular woods typical constructed for the Strat.
No problem , remove the current neck with a screwdriver and swap it for an upgrade to your preference great customizable feature! Your turn now Les Paul! In the blue corner, the Les Paul neck is traditionally slightly wider and thicker in the palm of the hand. When it comes to playability, there are positives to the extra real estate.
The first being that some players may prefer the added control and grip when string bending. This flatter radius also prevents bends from fretting out when bending up, the second is added space in between strings meaning more separation , allowing for more room and control on the fingerboard.
The fingerboard wood of the Les Paul is usually mahogany with a few choices when it comes to fingerboard material. Fretboard materials can vary between the model with the main choices being maple, rosewood or ebony. Keep in mind, ebony is a tough and more durable than rosewood.
This makes a difference when it comes to touch. With rosewood, you can feel the slight grain of wood against your fingers compared to the smoother ebony. These are small details I agree, but small details that all add up that depicts how a guitar feels and how easy it is to play. The Strat sports the traditional longer scale length of Changes the subtle dynamics on how the guitar feels when it comes to playability. The extra length means added space in-between each fret, giving the fingers more surface area to aim for each note.
Guitar players have contrasting opinions which feel better to them for their playing. One camp enjoys the added fret length as there is more space and fret to aim for lead playing and solos as your fingers are less likely to stumble into each other when noodling around the higher frets making the instrument easier to play.
The Les Paul on the other hand, with the shorter It has been noted that some guitar players with smaller hands usually prefer a smaller scale length. The reason being a larger scale means stretching the fingers further to fret chords which can amount up to fatigue with a player with shorter fingers.
The scale length also affects another big factor…. There is much to discuss when it comes to tension. The key point is that tension affects the tone and playability quite a fair bit.
A guitar with a higher scale length produces more string tension. For the Strat, this produces a brighter, sparklier and more defined tone. Combine this with the single coil pickups enhances the iconic bright and thin sound. The Les Paul on the other hand, with its smaller scale length, results in the strings under less tension.
Producing a warmer and rounder tone compared to the Strats brighter tone. A string under more tension will also feel firmer and more sturdy to the touch whereas, a string under less tension will feel more fluid when string bending and using vibrato. The body of a guitar shape, curves, cutaway, and thickness will depict how comfortable a guitar feels to play sitting or standing up. Weight also heavily ties into this equation but we will get to that in just a second.
When guitarists debate the comfort between a Les Paul vs Strat… most experienced players will agree although is still subjective the Stratocaster is the more comfortable axe for playing for long periods vs a Les Paul. Making for a more comfortable embrace. There are also curves in the corner of the body where the string plucking forearm rests, promoting l ess resting pressure.
When it comes to fret access, the Stratocaster body shape features a double cutaway DC design. A double cutaway opposed to single cut SC refers to how many contours the guitar has near the neck joint. How does this affect comfort and playability? Well, it is quite simple, a double cutaway design allows for better access to the higher frets 18 th fret and above as it grants the thumb better access to the neck joint.
When fretting notes your thumb is the anchor, the closer the anchor is to the higher notes the, easier fretting and bending notes promoting more control without stretching the fingers in a compromised position. If you look closely between both guitars the large cutaway on the Strat allows for full access to the 21 st fret which is great for high access noodling.
The only negative about the strat when it comes to comfort is the right-angled back plate where the neck meets the body. This plate can dig into the palm of your hand when playing the higher frets. I have seen Strats with curved plates which is a modern feature that is far and few between. The Les Paul body vs the Strat body is….. I must admit, this extra beef does affect comfort.
The normal assumption with Les Pauls is the body is wider than a Stratocasters. However, If you were to hold these guitars side by side, you will notice that they are in fact similar widths.
The reason the Les Paul feels bigger comes down to the lack of contours on the back of the body. Portraying the importance of how subtle curves do make a big difference when it comes to playability and comfort. I have played a few gigs with a Les Paul and will admit the lack of a curvex for my rest plucking arm results in a burn rash for where my arm rests for long periods.
It also has to be noted where the binding meets are at right angles compared to the Strats more curved and forgiving shape. Notice the image below, how the Strat just melts into my body when sitting.
Clearly, the comfier guitar to play. When it comes to cutaway design, the Les Paul body is alternatively a single cutaway compared to the Stratocasters double cutaway. I must admit, this means more of a stretch when reaching for higher frets due to the thumbs lack of access.
Meaning, the Les Paul is not the easiest guitar to reach and bend on the higher frets 17 th and beyond due to this extra chunk of wood , especially for players with smaller hands. However, they just get on with it and enjoy the sound. When comparing fret access, the access contour starts at the 19 th fret compared to the Stratocasters 21 st fret.
There is also a block of wood that meets the neck join that compromises access to the neck joint similar to the Strat. On the surface, the Les Paul vs Strat when it comes to comfort is a clear runner up.
The Les Paul standard depending on the brand, model and year, can weight anywhere from a lofty 8. These classics are known for being heavy brutes which makes all the difference when it comes to comfort.
This becomes apparent when playing standing up for gigs for long periods. Especially with shoulder and back issues forcing them to reconsider their axe choice due to its mass. If you have ever played a gig with a Les Paul for 2 hours you may have felt much lighter after the gig. Almost like hoisting a small sack of potatoes off your back when taking it off. Now you have a heavy guitar! Not many people know this, but humbucker pickups are actually heavy, they can contribute to a significant proportion to the weight to most guitars in fact.
The Stratocaster on the other hand, is a much lighter and forgiving 7lb in contrast. That may not sound like much, but for total comfort and playing for an hour or more will make a difference. The lightness is down to the less wood and lighter pickups compared to heavy humbuckers of the Les Paul. Therefore, when it comes to Les Paul vs Strat weight…. However, it depends if you view weight as a factor when playing.
For example, players believe it or not actually enjoy and prefer the heavy weight of a guitar. Some guitar players like the feeling of working against a guitar which I suppose is all personal preference and individual taste.
Make a heavy guitar lighter by using an elastic guitar strap as opposed to a traditional strap. Elastic straps are known for being more comfortable by dispersing the weight more effectively between your shoulder and back than the standard strap materials.
Unfortunately, I can speak from experience here! For a beginner, on the surface, it seems a big issue and something that needs to be taken into consideration. However , the reality is very different! The truth is, small hands and big hands can be an advantage and disadvantage for beginners whatever way you look at it.
In contrast, beginners with larger hands struggle to fit all 3 fingers into a simple A chord. Its all about using whatever you have to your advantage and working on your disadvantages. Take me for example, I learned for most of my younger years on the thicker and wider neck of the Les Paul. My hand size was never something that crossed my mind when I first started, and should not be on your mind or any other aspiring guitarists out there.
Both guitars are fun and very playable guitars to learn your craft. However, If hand size was a genuine concern, and felt you wanted everything in your favor when first starting out for more of a psychological boost. If I had to choose a Les Paul or Strat with small hands for a beginner, I would agree the Strat would be a better choice with the slightly thinner neck for fretting and more comfortable body.
Fender vs. Gibson: The Differences and What the Pros Prefer
The Gibson Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster are two of the most iconic electric guitars available. Some guitarists feel a Strat is easier to play due to lower weight, better upper fret access, and a more comfortable neck. Other guitarists feel a Les Paul is easier to play due to a shorter scale length. The scale length, weight, and type of neck all play a big role in the playability of a Strat vs a Les Paul. A shorter scale length improves the playability of a Les Paul, while the neck on a Strat improves its playability.
Strat, Tele, Les Paul "Generic Cutout" 1/4" Light Duty ATA Case
It has inspired many arguments and hopefully a few good tunes. The question is, Stratocaster or Les Paul? Which one of these two storied instruments is the ultimate electric guitar? There are countless makers and models to choose from, but somehow these two basic designs remain the most popular and most imitated guitars in the world. I can't settle this debate, but I can educate players on why the Strat and Les Paul are so wildly different, and maybe why they're so great. Here's a breakdown of each one Disclaimer: these specifications are what are usually found on Strats and Les Pauls not always.
[Debate/Discussion] Gibson Les Paul vs. Fender Stratocaster
All the aluminum angle and valence is permanently riveted together. Our strat guitar case special has all heavy duty surface mounted hardware to prevent shearing off in transit. The inside has a professionally die-cut generic insert that fits Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, and many other similar shaped guitars. Please email, phone or text us for a quote for air, expedited, and international delivery options. I ordered the wrong case for a Bass Guitar which did not fit but it fits my Fender Slim Line 6 strong perfect.
The Les Paul is more versatile than the Stratocaster
As a result, the more affordable Epiphone Les Paul and Squier Stratocaster have become some of the best selling budget electric guitars , with millions of guitarists buying them over the years. As two of the most popular beginner guitars, its important that new guitarists know how distinct they are both in sound, playability and build. Officially owned by Gibson, Epiphone are known for making affordable, licenced copies of famous Gibson models, such as the Les Paul. The Epiphone Les Paul is a single cutaway, solid body guitar that is loaded with two humbucker pickups in the bridge and neck position. Gibson Les Pauls are usually made out of thick slabs of mahogany, a tonewood used for its warm, dark and full sonic qualities.
How to choose and buy an electric guitar
Today I will be comparing the major iconic guitars of the 80s and 90s. These guitars shaped the sound of the 80s and 90s music. Every kid wanted one for Christmas, every aspiring musician wanted one, and anyone who wanted to learn to play the guitar sought one of these guitars out. Therefore I feel it is important to discuss these iconic models. Photo Credit: Fender Guitars.
Epiphone has been designing guitars for the legendary Les Paul since the s. In fact, the company is known for customizing guitars to match his tuxedo. This Les Paul custom model featured here has an alpine finish, mahogany body, and a maple veneer and rosewood fingerboard. It looks stunning with its white and black binding options, and its output lives up to its looks.
Which one of these three is the best one for playing jazz music? Jazz has been around from as early as the 19th century. It came as a result of the intertwining of African slave folk songs and American classical music. Although jazz has been around since then, the jazz guitar style has only been around since the s. Jazz guitar is well known for its unique sound and style that can be recognized anywhere.
An interesting debate was brought before our attention and felt we should pass it along to you good folks. Please feel free to comment at the bottom of this comparison review! Gibson Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster are, without doubt, the most iconic solid-body electric guitars since their invention. The legends, Mr. Les Paul and Mr.
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