The Les Paul wins my vote because of its playability and thick rich tone.

Strat. Because nothing sounds like a strat, especially a good one.

I voted Strat, because that's what I play now (a bottom of the barrel "Squire" strat)

I'm ready for a new guitar, and it most likely be a Les Paul. They have a version that is around $700-800 that I like.

Strat for some stuff, Les Paul for other stuff. Two different sounds. Of course, it also depends on the pickups.

I don't play but have noticed the best players use the Les Paul , so I'd think that would be my choice if I were to ever play. I really don't see many Strats used although I'm certain there are many who do like them just as well. :)

Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, SRV...and a host of others. :)

As Q said, two different sounds. That's why I want one of each. (at least to start with...like the song says "I want a new tour bus full of old guitars"

Ibanez, of course....

Les Paul all the way. Beautiful guitar in all aspects.

Les Paul.

Just because my mate has one with gold plating and opalescent frets.
Never seen a Fender as cool.

les pauls look cooler, but it depends on what you want..

personally i would get an ibanez, their high end guitars are amazing and a much better bang for the buck.

Stratocasters play nicer in my opinion. Les Pauls are too heavy and too loud, lack the customization of Fender and let's face it...you're limited overall. They have what they are good at...playing loud rock.

But Fenders, especially Strats can play much more than that.

I personally have a Strat with a Jazz Master on the neck, and a tone-zone humbucker on the bridge. In between is something...well I don't really know but it sounds classical. I should look it up. Custom roughed necked...light...good tone...

The action will be a little worse in most cases, but unless you're playing silly metal you'll survive.


By the way...for all of you Ibanez users out there. Grow up.
Ibanez is for people who want to be Joe Satriani, you're not going to be him.
In any case the low action on those guitars I don't like, they don't allow for dynamics. But when I need to play quick licks Ibanez is top of the line.

Strat is just soooo sweet, whatsmore it's got that Hendrix sound hasn't it? Les Paul has maybe a more elegant sound but is too damn' heavy. I've never played an Ibanez but Pat Metheny does so it's probably excellent (for that soft rounded jazz tone).

I'd really like to get me one of those hollow body "50's" guitars... like rockabilly guys play. Not only do I think they sound cool....but since I'm a rather small guy, I think it would be funny to see this great big ass guitar on a little dude. :)

Get one of those Gretsch Chet Atkins style things with a million switches and knobs on them, I think they're the coolest.

I have a '76 Pual jr. It's not heavy like a regular Paul from that era. It plays fine and looks great but I really want an American Strat. But,I can't justify paying over $1000.00 for guitar unless it says Martin on it.

And I do have an Ibanez 7 string. It's geared for metal with a tuning of F#,B,F#,B,E, G#,C#.
it's the most evil sounding thing I've ever heard.

Yeah it depends on what you're playing.

I'd really like to get me one of those hollow body "50's" guitars... like rockabilly guys play. Not only do I think they sound cool....but since I'm a rather small guy, I think it would be funny to see this great big ass guitar on a little dude.

Gibson makes like an ES-135, I think. They're around a grand, if I remember correctly, but totally worth it.

On "Antiques Roadshow" the other night they had a 50's era Strat in good condition. Fifty grand. A little out of my price range I'm afraid. :D

Just like in most everything, for a good price you get quality product, no matter what brand it is. So threads like this is meaningless because it is up to personal choice.

Saying that, if you play your guitar through a digital multieffect processor, like I do, it almost doesn't matter what brand it is or just how expensive it is, because 80% of the sound characteristic is going to come from the effect box, not from the guitar.

just so you guys now...

Yeah, DigitalSignalProcessing sucks ass. I hate it.

That is your problem, in the maintime:

Les Paul with Rocktron Prophesy II processor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_TBTUEVOHQ

Check out at 3:55 the Gary Hoey harmonizer....

P.S.: Only $1400...

Shit, I paid 800.00 for a Marshall JCM 2000 tube amp. I'll never go back to solid state.

I can actually hear the guitar now. Not some reconstructed version of what a guitar is "supposed" to sound like.

It's the difference between implied power and REAL power.

Hey, whoever started this thread, thanks. As much as the thread itself is worthless, I started to look up processors on Youtube and I might just go out and buy a pocket pod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5zB4QlsXr8&feature=related

Although for Christmas I might get a Boss GT-10

Thanks again!!!

Shit, I paid 800.00 for a Marshall JCM 2000 tube amp. I'll never go back to solid state.

I can actually hear the guitar now. Not some reconstructed version of what a guitar is "supposed" to sound like.

It's the difference between implied power and REAL power.

If you are using the right digital processors they are very good. All DVDs are digital and even if you are playing through a tube amp it is still the hardware that colors the sound.

I actually prefer solid state now. Wish i could afford that Rocktron.

I want an amp that goes all the way to 11. :)

I have:
Epiphone Les Paul Junior (black)
Ibanez Artcore AF-75 Hollow body (orange)
Epiphone Les Paul-100 (cherryburst)

I also have a 30-watt Behringer V-tone 110. It rocks!!!

I want an amp that goes all the way to 11. :)

I've never understood those amps.

How about a guitar and processor together? Line 6 Variax guitars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD26HIrfFjg

It mimics other brand guitars....

http://line6.com/variax/

Staying ontopic: Variax vs. Strat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1lq0fialQs&feature=related

The Variax can model 25 other guitars and slightly cheaper than the Strat....

This is no extra processing just out of the box sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwDaOJLSS4&feature=related

The Les Paul wins my vote because of its playability and thick rich tone.

i use a les paul when i play guitar hero, does that count? lol :)

Staying ontopic: Variax vs. Strat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1lq0fialQs&feature=related

The Variax can model 25 other guitars and slightly cheaper than the Strat....

This is no extra processing just out of the box sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwDaOJLSS4&feature=related

Modeling a guitar is impossible.

Modeling a guitar is impossible.

No, but building a space elevator is...

Les Paul, definitely. Because of the amazing tone.

I also have a 30-watt Behringer V-tone 110. It rocks!!!

I also have a Behringer modeling unit, but I don't use it that often as I usually use a Mesaboogie Dual Caliber DC-3 amp. The Behringer is interesting to play with now and again as it models some great Jeff Beck and Hendrix sounds, as well as others.

However, anything Behringer is chinese crap, and will break down within a year or two of regular use. Hence, when it came time to upgrade my mixing board, I went with and older 16 track analog Yamaha board I picked up from a small recording studio selling off some spare equipment.

When brand new Behringer boards are dead and in the garbage, my Yamaha board will go on working for years to come. And, it was cheaper. :)

Just because Behringers are inexpensive doesn't mean there cheap.

If my house ever gets nuked the only things alive in it will be all of my Behringer amps and the termites.

By the way...for all of you Ibanez users out there. Grow up.
Ibanez is for people who want to be Joe Satriani, you're not going to be him.



idiot. ibanez guitars are great guitars, defintiely a better deal than les paul. don't tell me to grow up because i just happen to have a different opinion from you.

idiot. ibanez guitars are great guitars, defintiely a better deal than les paul. don't tell me to grow up because i just happen to have a different opinion from you.

I was quazi-Joking, because the majority of Ibanez lovers are people who want to be John Petrucci and play prog-Metal for a hobby.

The Pat Matheny guitar has great tone for jazz and the JS model has great pickups and action. Don't behave as if I directly assaulted you.


My Favorite Guitar
http://www.americanmusical.com/ProductImages/Large/50344.jpg
http://www.guitarsandeffects.com/guitarimages2006/parker_fly_dlxPLUMB/parker_fly_deluxe_italian_plumb_003.jpg

I don't own one, but if I ever have money for it I will buy one.

Hey, whoever started this thread, thanks. As much as the thread itself is worthless, I started to look up processors on Youtube and I might just go out and buy a pocket pod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5zB4QlsXr8&feature=related

Although for Christmas I might get a Boss GT-10

Thanks again!!!

The pocket pod is pretty nice and has wonderful effects. I personally think most of the effects on it are virtually unusable...it's not really a tone modeler as much as its processing has the potential to be. It seems like a novelty in many respects. I think it was designed to be used for practicing on the road, because the headphone processing exceeds the general output in quality.

I would just save your money and get a rack...virtually any rack will be more useful and better for simple tone shape. Adding effects to that afterwards would be higher quality. Be patient.

I changed my mind and ordered a Korg AX3000G. It was only $70 more and it is a pedal too,cabinet modeling,synth, the whole 9 yards. Incredible tones! Here is a sample video with the patches and sounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B-xe_tv5NQ&feature=related

Also, since I already have a Korg PX3, the pocket pod wouldn't be too much different from that, and I wanted something more exciting, a step higher...

http://korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=AX3000G

Just because Behringers are inexpensive doesn't mean there cheap.

"Having had more than one Behringer unit cross my repair bench, I can say this:

Their support is horrible. Getting parts is near impossible and takes forever.

The other problem with them is that, from the retail side, you never know what will be available for order. If an item is backordered, then hang it up for a few months until they get the databases back up to speed.

They are right up there with Alesis for support. Alesis, having shut down in factory service center, uses smaller repair shops to service regions. We had two Quadraverbs and a QS6 waiting on displays. We gave up trying after six months. One customer threatened legal action. We stopped servicing Alesis all together.

Had I not been given a Quadraverb2, it wouldn't be in my rack. I fully expect the right side of the display to go out someday.

We stopped servicing Behringer as well. We would send it back to the factory (well, the regional address anyway). From then, it would normally take about two to three months for it to come back. Rarely fixed and most times worse off than before from being bashed around in shipping due to poor packing.

Honest truth - stay away from Behringer and Alesis. When you need it repaired, you're gonna be without a core piece of equipment for alot longer thna you would like....and time incurs no discounts in price either.

Both companies offer alot of options in their units, but you really do get what you pay for: Bare minimum manufacturing specifications, components with a 10% or higher tolerance, smaller and cheaper capacitors, pot stems that snap easily, and a support department that is apparantly nothing more than a recieve - hold - repack - and ship warehouse without a tech in site."

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=94490

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0abz4dtfRa0LC/340x.jpg

I'm bringing this one back because I AM going to buy either a Strat or Paul very soon. Any commentary considering years, models, options, sound, aesthetics, dealers or any other details are greatly appreciated.
As I noted earlier, I'm playing through a Marshall all valve head with Peavey 1960 copy cab.

Please help, there's so many incredible instruments out there. Though price is an issue, I'm not excluding anything quite yet.

BTW, the poll shows a virtual tie.

Though price is an issue

That would be "instrumental" in the quality of your choice. If you want quality and a guitar that plays extremely well, you can't pinch pennies, especially if you're looking for a guitar you'll keep for a long time.

If my past is evidence, I'll never sell any guitar. (The wife doesn't like that too well, but meh.)

I guess what I'm looking for is considerations that I may not have hashed over. Ultimately, once I've established a price range, it will be up to how it plays. Right now I just want to learn as much as I can about each.

Here's one I don't get. Why would someone buy a Strat with a rosewood fretboard? I would think the one piece maple neck would be at least half of the appeal of a Fender.

Ultimately clusteringflux you will have to use them both to hear which one appeals to your own style and tastes. No one can tell you which is better but yourself. So go out and try them all out before you decide on anything.

Ultimately clusteringflux you will have to use them both to hear which one appeals to your own style and tastes. No one can tell you which is better but yourself. So go out and try them all out before you decide on anything.

Thing is I've played a handfull of both brands. There are things I like and dislike about each of them. I'm looking for something to tip the scale in one direction or the other.
Though,I will say that a friend that worked at the Gibson factory in Nashville told me NOT to buy a new Gibson for various reasons, one being the owner has gone off his rocker and made decisions at the expense of quality.

Thing is I've played a handfull of both brands. There are things I like and dislike about each of them. I'm looking for something to tip the scale in one direction or the other.
Though,I will say that a friend that worked at the Gibson factory in Nashville told me NOT to buy a new Gibson for various reasons, one being the owner has gone off his rocker and made decisions at the expense of quality.

You have enough money to buy them both! Do so or you will be regretting that you didn't . :itold:

Here's one I don't get. Why would someone buy a Strat with a rosewood fretboard? I would think the one piece maple neck would be at least half of the appeal of a Fender.

It's all a matter of preference. Some would argue the maple neck is "faster" than rosewood due to it's tighter grain and coatings. Rosewood has no coatings and is susceptible to gathering oil, dead skin and dirt over maple.

Personally, I prefer rosewood, but keep the neck clean and with a light application of oil.

It's all a matter of preference. Some would argue the maple neck is "faster" than rosewood due to it's tighter grain and coatings. Rosewood has no coatings and is susceptible to gathering oil, dead skin and dirt over maple.

Personally, I prefer rosewood, but keep the neck clean and with a light application of oil.

Ja, I guess I like my ebony fretboard the best, I'm not sure I've seen one on a Strat. I think some high end Gibsons have them, though.

You have enough money to buy them both! Do so or you will be regretting that you didn't . :itold:

In due time, my friend. :D

Actually, I have a 76 Les Paul Junior, but it's not a contoured bound top so it barely qualifies in my book.:o

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0abz4dtfRa0LC/340x.jpg


John99,
Do you know anything about this picture?

Anyway, this is what a Strat should look like if it's to sound the best IMO. The less finish and polyurethane the better.

Also, I may be way off but I think that the oversized plastic pick guard along with the large cavity underneath are at least somewhat responsible for the "transparency" associated with the Strat sound.
Someone who insists it's "all in the wood" may be a less than ready to accept that theory.

I'm bringing this one back because I AM going to buy either a Strat or Paul very soon. Any commentary considering years, models, options, sound, aesthetics, dealers or any other details are greatly appreciated.
As I noted earlier, I'm playing through a Marshall all valve head with Peavey 1960 copy cab.

Please help, there's so many incredible instruments out there. Though price is an issue, I'm not excluding anything quite yet.

BTW, the poll shows a virtual tie.

In my rocking days I used to play a Gibson SG Standard; it had a powerful sound for the type of hard rock I was playing. but it was slightly muddy at lower volumes and it's a heavy bugger. When I acquired my Strat much later on, I fell in love with its playability, its fast neck, its clear tone and versatility; it can rock balls off but it can also be subtle. The SG hasn't been played in decades, it's just lying in its case gathering dust and appreciating in value.

Check out your favourite guitarists on youtube and just see what they're actually using.

John99,
Do you know anything about this picture?



That looks like it could have belonged to Rory Gallagher, or even Stevie Ray Vaughn. Strats are for kings.

Rush
______
Gibson and strat

Frank Marino ( Mahogny Rush )
_________________

Gibson

FM
_____________
can't recall

Black Sabath
__________
Gibson
______________
Joe Satriani

strat

John99,
Do you know anything about this picture?

Anyway, this is what a Strat should look like if it's to sound the best IMO. The less finish and polyurethane the better.

Also, I may be way off but I think that the oversized plastic pick guard along with the large cavity underneath are at least somewhat responsible for the "transparency" associated with the Strat sound.
Someone who insists it's "all in the wood" may be a less than ready to accept that theory.

Worst part about a strat is the hum from the pickups but then the pickups are clearer sounding. Many now have the hum canceling NCS pickups that are real good.

That looks like it could have belonged to Rory Gallagher, or even Stevie Ray Vaughn. Strats are for kings.

Rory Gallagher Strat.

In my rocking days I used to play a Gibson SG Standard; it had a powerful sound for the type of hard rock I was playing. but it was slightly muddy at lower volumes and it's a heavy bugger. When I acquired my Strat much later on, I fell in love with its playability, its fast neck, its clear tone and versatility; it can rock balls off but it can also be subtle. The SG hasn't been played in decades, it's just lying in its case gathering dust and appreciating in value.

Check out your favourite guitarists on youtube and just see what they're actually using.

Thanks for the entry and I agree, If one was to purchase a guitar that can do it all, the Strat is hard to beat. To bad most of them are so damned ugly.

And yeah, most of the guys I dig Play' em.

Worst part about a strat is the hum from the pickups but then the pickups are clearer sounding. Many now have the hum canceling NCS pickups that are real good.



On the subject of the Strat Pick-ups, the middle single coil is directly under where I pick. It interferes sometimes if the action is low. Not a huge deal since I prefer either the Neck PU or Bridge PU. I just lower the center PU down as low as I can.

The last one I worked on, Someone had put active EMGs in it. Not cool, IMO but the guitar was pretty sweet otherwise. 80's pink paisley from Japan (which is better than an American from the same era, so I'm told)
with the 60's contours. It may have been the heaviest strat I've ever picked up.

If I remember, I'll post a pic.

Worst part about a strat is the hum from the pickups but then the pickups are clearer sounding. Many now have the hum canceling NCS pickups that are real good.

The hum is from using single-coiled pickups. Double coiled-pickups will usually cure that problem, like a Humbucker.

I'd have to choose the Fender as I own one, however my opinion is void as I can't play.

I have an epiphone les paul standard(retail 500-600) and i can tell you if you are on a budget, this is the one to buy. It has some nice rich tones that make you think of gibson but at a third of the cost.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTzdcOcpyuE

I'd have to choose the Fender as I own one, however my opinion is void as I can't play.

ha ha. i know exactly what you are talking about.

The hum is from using single-coiled pickups. Double coiled-pickups will usually cure that problem, like a Humbucker.

sure but the noiseless single coils cure it too.

i was searching some key words and came across this thread:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/archive/index.php/t-1235380.html

i never knew he played a tele for solo on whole lotta love but it makes sense now...or maybe not.

ha ha. i know exactly what you are talking about.

I'm going to get an acoustic as everyone says they're easier to play, at least to start with.

Now guitar hero that's a different matter, THAT I can do.

I have a Zion.

A real instrument.

The Radicaster Custom, though most can't afford a custom guitar there is a world of difference.

http://www.zionguitars.com/

Eddie Van Halen is making a new guitar, he's called it the Wolfgang. Anyone seen a picture of it? Has he released it yet?

I have a Zion.

A real instrument.

[/url]

Um..I guess.
Looks like you can buy them on e-bay for a fraction of what it would cost to have one built..And no one's bidding.:shrug: