Preference in prog gtr: Les Paul vs Strat
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22033
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Topic: Preference in prog gtr: Les Paul vs Strat
Posted By: Dr. Occulator
Subject: Preference in prog gtr: Les Paul vs Strat
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 16:23
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Two of the most widely used gtrs in rock are the Gibson Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster. Both have different playing properties and sound. Is there one that you prefer over the other sound and playing wise but not just because your favorite guitarist happens to use it. For me the Les Paul seems to have a warmer full tone although the Strat seems to 'rock out' a little stronger. Thoughts anyone? ------------- My Doc Told Me I Have Doggie Head. |
Replies:
Posted By: eddietrooper
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 16:34
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I, as a guitar player, prefer the Stratocaster because of its characteristic sound and attack. I can't imagine David Gilmour playing his solos with a Gibson. They simply wouldn't sound the same. The Les Paul is a very good guitar but IMO its sound is similar to many other guitars. Top Strat players: David Gilmour Ritchie Blackmore Yngwie Malmsteen Adrian Belew Mark Knopfler etc, etc All of them would sound very different with another guitar.
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Posted By: Fearless
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 16:35
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It's true that the Strat "rocks out" better, but Les Paul has a much fuller, atmospheric sound along with a broader array of sounds which is essential for progressive rock. I imagine this is why Gibson is the most widely used guitar in progressive music
------------- If you don't stand up You don't stand a chance! |
Posted By: mystic fred
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 16:44
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any true guitar player will say this is an impossible poll - the les paul and the strat are two totally different animals, chalk and cheese, black and white, they do totally different jobs, horses for courses etc.etc.etc....!!! you CAN'T judge one over the other, they have their own specific sound used for specific tasks. -------------  Prog Archives Tour Van 
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Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 18:08
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Gilmour actually played some solos with a Gibson, most notabily the original version of "Comfortably Numb". I believe he also used a Lewis for higher notes. I actually prefer the Strat, but a Gibson will sound very well in proper hands (like Hackett and Barre). ------------- Bigger on the inside. |
Posted By: Dr. Occulator
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 18:30
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I think Robert Fripp (along with Nigel Tuffnell of Spinal Tap) gets the most incredible sustain out of his Les Paul.
------------- My Doc Told Me I Have Doggie Head. |
Posted By: Tony Fisher
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 19:16
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Hackett and Latimer make the Gibson sing like a bird and Johnny Fean of Horslips and Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe are also exceptional Les Paul players. But Gilmour, Knopfler, Malcolm Jones of Runrig and Bryan Josh of Mostly Autumn produce exquisite sounds from a Strat. So it's a draw. Each has distinct merits. But let's not forget the Yamaha SG 2000 - in Rothery's hands it's as good as anything. |
Posted By: stan the man
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 19:24
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I myself like the Strat for its diversity. I dont know though both are pretty good even though i dont own a les paul (i have an american strat) I have been wanting to play a les paul for a while. ------------- true as a lobster in a pteredaktyl's underpants. 
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Posted By: stupid_dreamer
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 20:06
| I really like the sound of the Paul Reed Smith.....but, I also like very much the Les Paul, and I like the Stratocaster too...f***, I can decide :P |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 21:19
Gibson is king...the rest...is ok I guess...
------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: Empathy
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 21:53
I'm a "Strat Cat".  Jimi Hendrix is the primary reason why, then Dave Gilmour sealed the deal. ------------- Pure Brilliance: 
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Posted By: smokey
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 22:09
| I personally play a Les Paul Classic, mostly because of its full bodied sound. I would take my Les Paul over a strat or telecaster anyday. Plus the look and feel is awesome! |
Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: April 19 2006 at 22:23
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Can't.....decide....both....so....GOOOD.....screw it im going with Kasuga (some guitar company from japan in liek the 70's...point is its crap)
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Posted By: Sloth
Date Posted: April 25 2006 at 16:39
Couldn't agree more. It depends on what sound you are looking for. For example Malmsteen wouldn't sound the same on Les Paul. But bands like Porcupine Tree (early), Pink Floyd, and other atmospheric spacy bands fit the Les Paul sound better. So I cannot vote for either. ------------- BUH!!! It's what the Buffalo say! |
mystic fred wrote:Posted By: DrWizard
Date Posted: April 25 2006 at 20:35
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They are both awesome guitars with very distinct sounds though i like the sound of the strat more. It's got a raw twangy sound that could never be mistaken with any other guitar. Such a hard choice though...the Gibson is more suitable for hard rock or metal while the strat is more geared toward the blues etc. |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: April 25 2006 at 20:44
Nigel is God!!!!!! ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?"
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Posted By: Kord
Date Posted: June 09 2006 at 09:28
| Les Paul, Les paul and after all...Les paul |
Posted By: Mandrakeroot
Date Posted: July 16 2006 at 17:46
EH, EH... ------------- 
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Posted By: imoeng
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 08:08
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Strat, though its not my favorite.. I just prefer it than Les Paul, anything but it...
Now the great guitar is Ibanez JEM ------------- http://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spmiw7.jpg"> 
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Posted By: Rosescar
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 09:55
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Les Paul 'cos Fripp plays it. That's my only reason. ------------- http://www.soundclick.com/rosescar/ - My music! "THE AUDIENCE WERE generally drugged. (In Holland, always)." - Robert Fripp |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 11:45
I would have thought Bill Nelson was better known for playing a different Gibson model (not sure which one, is it a 335?).
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Posted By: Philéas
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 15:23
| Fender Stratocaster. Plays better, sounds better, looks better, and today, you get much more quality for your money than if you buy a Gibson. |
Posted By: maani
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 18:08
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The truth is that any top guitar player worth his salt - from mostly Strat-users like Clapton, Gilmour and others to mostly Paul-users like Fripp, Hendrix and others - owns and uses both types of guitars. Indeed, Adrian Belew, Gilmour and Clapton (among many others) would consider you warped for thinking that they are "Strat" guys simply because they are oftened pictured with one.
Peace.
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Posted By: AtLossForWords
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 18:14
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For lead playing, nothing sounds better than a Les Paul through a Marshall JCM head and cabinet. The only reason why they aren't as popular live anymore is their weight. They can take a players arm off if he's standing up with that 5 times a week for 45-60 minutes.
The rythymn playing, the strat. It's the quinessential background chord sound.
All around, I'll choose a Les Paul.
E.S.P. is a good mix of tone and playability. -------------  
"Mastodon sucks giant monkey balls." |
Posted By: imoeng
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 18:18
Musicman EBJP is pretty good too  ------------- http://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spmiw7.jpg">
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Posted By: Philéas
Date Posted: July 17 2006 at 21:18
Hendrix used a strat most of the time. Occasionally a Flying V or an SG, but hardly ever a Les Paul. |
Posted By: dralan
Date Posted: July 18 2006 at 11:58
| I love both, but in the context of the question - which is your preference for guitar in prog? - I'll say Les Paul. The rich warm tones of a Paul a la Hackett or Fripp better suit prog to me than the more piercing, trebly sound of a Strat. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: July 19 2006 at 01:03
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For God's sake, when will people learn that with two top instruments only the performer makes the difference?
Walsh makes an excellent work with a Kurtzweill, a keyboard that most top musicians wouldn't use.
Iván ------------- 
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Posted By: Foxtrot
Date Posted: July 19 2006 at 15:07
| Owning and playing both, I can tell you that Les Pauls and Stratocasters are very different animals. There is a best choice for any given song, or even parts the guitar will play in the song. Guitar players, like keyboardists, have the wonderful option (or is it a curse?) to have several different sounding instruments, and to have more than one on stage for quick changes. If I had to pick only one to use all the time, I would go with my Les Paul, (or my Explorer which has very similar characteristics) because it is much more versatile. I can play resounding rhythm guitar with the Les Paul, and still get some piercing solo sounds come out of it - The Strat can't keep up with the Les Paul when chording. I can make my Gibsons sound more or less like a Strat if I had to, but I cannot do the opposite. Fortunately, I don't have to make that choice, because duplicating a riff or making up new sounds in the style of a given performer is always best done with an instrument similar to what they used, and an extra guitar or two on stage is not a big problem. |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: July 19 2006 at 15:41
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Steve Howe about his favorite Gibson and Fender guitars: Gibson ES175D: "This is my ultimate guitar, I use it for the Yes vintage pieces"
Gibson ES345TD: "I sometimes think of this guitar as if I were an enormous landing
sight for my fingers"
Gibson Les Paul Junior: "It had a sound, you plug it in and there it is"
Gibson ES Artist: "I wanted something that was clean and simple, really streamlined"
Fender Telecaster: "True Telecaster chicken-picking sound"
Fender Stratocaster Sunburst 67: "I tend to use it for that wild side of myself, it's not
always a calm guitar"
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Posted By: dralan
Date Posted: July 19 2006 at 17:11
That is obviously true, but the two guitars definately have different qualities about them no matter who is playing them. I think if Hendrix were strictly a Les Paul man we would have heard very different results even though it would still sound like Hendrix.
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