Fender Strat Vs. Epiphone Les Paul

Thumbing My Way

gobrowns19 wrote:

Sunburst for the Strat, ALA Mike, and Black for the Les Paul, ALA Neil.

Ahhh

The Strat.

:D

moster78

gobrowns19 wrote:

Sunburst for the Strat, ALA Mike, and Black for the Les Paul, ALA Neil.

That's the way to go for a Strat. That's what mine is, and she's a beaut!

sheenTN

I know no one's mentioned this yet, but I'm a lefty (which SUCKS for guitar shopping) who has owned an Epi LP Standard (excellent instrument indeed), but now I have an older Lefty Squier with Seymour Duncan Hot Rail(which are small humbuckers that can fit in a single coil hole) that just screams, but if you can find one in your price range, try a G&L. I got the telecaster, lefthanded, at a music go round store for $450, and this guitar has a tone and the playability like no other. I've played vintage Strats and Gibson Les Pauls, and none feel as good or sound near as good as a G&L. Try it, but remember, whatever feels best to you is probably the best fit for you. Good Luck!!!

enharmonic

There is nothing "better" or "worse" about a guitar with single coils vs. a guitar with humbuckers. A strat and a les paul are dramatically different instruments...not the least of those differences are tone woods and scal length.

The one that's best is the one that works best for you and inspires you to play.

andych

if the strat is american,buy it over a copy which at the end of the day the epiphone is,they have nice tones (played one) but the strat if US beats it hands down..
an original standard then we have a totally different point to debate..

go with the strat

TheLuckyOnes

whatever amp you own should play a big part in your decision..

les paul will push your amp so much harder
strats, for me, have always worked better with pedals

full disclosure: currently own --- American Strat (main guitar for 2 years)
Squier Waynes World Strat (main guitar for kid years, the WW strat was the best quality squier i've seen, fair P/U and neck,only guitar i had for 4-5 years)
Samick 335 copy (no les paul bite, bassy)

and...
Just purchased Epiphone Les Paul Standard

so that should tell you something.... had the strats, needed the LP.
make sure if you buy the Epiphone, take a lot of time finding a good neck, check intonation and frets closely. i tried about 20 before i bought. you can always swap Pickups too (which i'm already considering,Epi's are very average,not bad,average).

but definitely consider the amp you use and music style you're shooting for.

strat = versatile
Lp = rockin!!

oh yeah .... and i need a tele now too for sure

rude

nice Epi for sale...I can totally recommend this seller....Seymour Duncans ('59 bridge and '59 neck) installed PLUS Gibson Kluson tuners as well as Dunlop straplocks.


http://www.chrisguitars.com/epi03lpstd-csb-upgrade.jpg

brain of c

get both.

ctvedhead

I have an Epi LP as well and I love it. I like everything about it better than the Strat I used to have. As far as amps...Marshall...accept no substitutes.

MLC2006

I've had an American Strat for about 7 years. I can't remember exactly which model it's called but it has 2 single coils and then a humbucker at the tail end. it has plenty of 'fatness', especially with the right amp.

I agree with what somebody else said.....an American Strat is just better than a second tier (epiphone) Les Paul, though the price is pretty much the same. I have always heard that the shape (the way the neck is more angled back) backs the Les Pauls easier to play, don't know.

as far as amps, if you want bang for the buck, get a Peavey tube amp. solid state amps are crap, imo. also imo, Fender amps are crap. however if you want a solid state Fender amp, I've got one I'd be glad to sell you.

Dirty_Frank

enharmonic wrote:

There is nothing "better" or "worse" about a guitar with single coils vs. a guitar with humbuckers. A strat and a les paul are dramatically different instruments...not the least of those differences are tone woods and scal length.

The one that's best is the one that works best for you and inspires you to play.

Sigh. That's what I wanted to say.

Totally different guitars. It all comes down to preference in sound, style and feel.

Now for my opinion, based on MY experiences and sound and style preferences.

If I had to have one guitar, it would be a Les Paul. Just thought I'd throw that out there to add some more dimension into the conversation.

harrisonmerwin

Dirty_Frank wrote:

Sigh. That's what I wanted to say.

Totally different guitars. It all comes down to preference in sound, style and feel.

Now for my opinion, based on MY experiences and sound and style preferences.

If I had to have one guitar, it would be a Les Paul. Just thought I'd throw that out there to add some more dimension into the conversation.

i on the other hand woudl take a strat....!

jbd

harrisonmerwin wrote:

i on the other hand woudl take a strat....!

+1

Drew263

harrisonmerwin wrote:

i on the other hand woudl take a strat....!

I want a Strat, and a Tele to go with my LP.

damn budget.......

rude

ctvedhead wrote:

I have an Epi LP as well and I love it. I like everything about it better than the Strat I used to have. As far as amps...Marshall...accept no substitutes.

Marshalls are nice....but I like my Mesa Boogie....

rude

MLC2006 wrote:

if you want bang for the buck, get a Peavey tube amp. solid state amps are crap, imo. also imo, Fender amps are crap. however if you want a solid state Fender amp, I've got one I'd be glad to sell you.

I had a Peavey Classic a long time ago. It was a tube amp with two 12 inch speakers and was a monster.

But it had a boomy, very distinctive sound that was a little 'dated'.....or limited.

Fender Amps, like the guitars seem to vary widely, I have a little Fender Champ from the 70's that I love...all tube, small and toneful (is that a word?)....anyway if you can find a vintage Fender tube amp from 1970 or earlier, they are amazing. I don't know about the current crop of Fender stuff.....but usually try to avoid anything solid state. IMHO

gobrowns19

I thought I would update. My friend and I went to our nearest guitar center. We didn't get to stay long, but I had time to test 2 different Epiphone Les Paul's, 1 vintage Strat that I would never be able to afford, and 1 Mexican Strat. I have to say I fell in love with the Mexican Strat. I didn't make any purchases, as it will be a while before I can afford anything. I'll test more Les Paul's out, but I wasn't really impressed at ALL. I couldn't keep my hands off the Strat though, and as of now that' what i'm going to purchase. I'm also planning on buying a Texas Special pick up, and possibly another pickup, yet to be decided. So now I have to find an amp I want, and get the money!

So I just wanted to say thanks for all the help.

Thumbing My Way

gobrowns19 wrote:

I thought I would update. My friend and I went to our nearest guitar center. We didn't get to stay long, but I had time to test 2 different Epiphone Les Paul's, 1 vintage Strat that I would never be able to afford, and 1 Mexican Strat. I have to say I fell in love with the Mexican Strat. I didn't make any purchases, as it will be a while before I can afford anything. I'll test more Les Paul's out, but I wasn't really impressed at ALL. I couldn't keep my hands off the Strat though, and as of now that' what i'm going to purchase. I'm also planning on buying a Texas Special pick up, and possibly another pickup, yet to be decided. So now I have to find an amp I want, and get the money!

So I just wanted to say thanks for all the help.

Good stuff man,

I would get whatever guitar you're going to see in your room and it just makes you wanna play so bad.....if you know what I'm sayin'

I'm thinking too that the amp will play a big role on which guitar you're playing, like if you were playing the Fender through a Fender it would shine where as if you were playing the Epiphone through a Marshall it would shine.....make sure you're getting the best tone from the guitar AND amp.

:)

Keep us posted.

who's_pearljam?

It sounds like you picked out a Strat!
You have to know the style that you want to play, but if you get a Strat that feels and sounds good to you, then you'll have a versatile guitar.

A Strat has a little longer string length (25 1/2 inches) which gives the same sized strings a stiffer feel than a Les Paul style (24 3/4 inches)
You get used to it though, and there are a lot of switching options and pickup options that give more sounds to a Strat as you develop your style.
You can always put a humbucker in the bridge instead of the single coil, and that'll give you a beefier lead. That's a common complaint about Strats.
A Seymour Duncan lil 59 is a great pickup for that.



I love'm all!!! Strats, Les Pauls, G&L, Teles,,, Hollowbodies

Like enharmonic says, they are different instruments altogether.
Play it, feel it, listen to what it has to say, and if it speaks to you, go for it!

Thumbing My Way

who's_pearljam? wrote:

Play it, feel it, listen to what it has to say, and if it speaks to you, go for it!

Very well said :)

That should be our M&G slogan at the top of the forum