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Location: Michigan | Why does it seem that the Fender Stratocaster & the Gibson Les Paul always seem to be the two leaders in the electric guitar world?
Are they that great of an instrument or is it just an Urban Legend that they are the best?
I have a Stratocaster and it is OK for lead guitar but not much more than that.
I have played a few Les Pauls and they are fantastic players but they seem to weigh a ton to me,Its not something that I would want strapped around my neck for very long.
What do you think?
Are ther any Ovations that you would put up against them in playing or sounding comparisions?GWB |
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Location: NJ | Yeah.
a Hamer. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I have a Stratocaster and it is OK for lead guitar but not much more than that.
I have played a few Les Pauls and they are fantastic players but they seem to weigh a ton to me, Its not something that I would want strapped around my neck for very long.
Are you serious?
I used to think that anything with a bolt on neck was not a real guitar; until I really PLAYED a Strat; owned one and now I would never be without one: it can do it all; It is much more of a finesse instrument than a Les Paul, which I have played for 30 years and Absolutely Love. Yeah its heavy; but its not for wimps...Ovations have “round backs and tend to slide off the lap” (and for those of us without laps that’s a problem :eek: ). But you learn to adapt to what fits, sounds, lasts and groves the best to you personally! There are other good (even great) electrics, but nothing will take the place of the Strat or les Paul. "The First with the Most is the Best that will Last"...
Blessings... |
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Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Which Les Paul ..?...The Solid body..?..yeah that`s a heavyìsh one,but a Burns is even heavier,the Strat is of course the best,versatile,nearly impervious to feedback,comes in many variations,flavors,colors,and has that "it" that No other electric has..I wish I had one..or a G&L Leacy (mine is a strat-copy)..but I`ve got a slim-line jazz box,with two humbuckers ( Washburn J-9 ) :)
Vic
..But there are many who have at least one of the two..ICON`s they are...that`s probably why.. |
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Location: Tychy, Poland | i don't know what you're talking about. Strat? best?
i've just sold '69 strat and i'm happy with it. For the money i got i'll buy 2 good guitars, amp and pay for my vacation.
There are better guitars than Strat's.
And other thing is that i'm just tired when i see Strat on nearly every blues concert, all the time the same sound.
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | But there are many who have at least one of the two..ICON`s they are...that`s probably why..
Like these?  
:rolleyes:
Blessings... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | One has two Hum-dingers, one has three single-coil...
They are two basic designs that are copied alot.
Real Gibson and Fender guitars just have the better quality and action
(depending on which foreign country they are made in).
But it is two classic designs.
Some folks have their preferences, some like both.
[personally, I passed my Phony SG on... with the two hummers. Kept the Pseudo-Strat) |
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Location: PDX | I prefer a Tele -- but modded with a hb at the neck.
But seriously -- if not a strat or a LP -- what? Most of the iconic pop music from the '60s on has been played on those two guitars.
If you don't like the tone, i doubt it's the guitar.
_____
gh1 |
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Location: Central Oregon | The volume control on a Strat is right where my little finger likes to be. I can't play 'em comfortably. LP's are nice but they just don't interest me, I prefer my old 175. |
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Location: Tychy, Poland | i don't like the tone of strat.
i like Les Paul's tone, but i don't like 24 3/4 scale.
And i've played on 90's American Strat, Japan and Mexico stratocasters and they didn't sound as good as '69, but still the best sounding guitar so far (for me) was Godin LGX-SA.... And i like the sound of Dean Cadillac Select. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | The question was "Why does it seem that the Fender Stratocaster & the Gibson Les Paul always seem to be the two leaders in the electric guitar world?"
the answer is Marketing.
Anyone that thinks either is the "best guitar made" as subjective as that might be, has their head in the sand. But, they are the most popular. They are even good guitars for the most part, but there are a LOT of good and even great guitars out there.
Ya know what would have been a cool guitar. A strat style guitar, nice 4-bolt neck with DiMarzio pickups in a H-S-S format with a coil top on the humbucker. Add a Kahler tremolo system, with smaller frets and Schaller tuners.. Maybe even route the edge of the guitar for a little more comfort. That would be a cool guitar that would tear up most strat copies out there. Oh wait... Ovation did that. :) |
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Location: NJ | in the beginning there was 48 or 9 leo fender. He put out the broadcaster that evolved into the telecaster in 53 or 4 he put out the statocaster.
gibson decided they needed to be in the solid body biz and put out the LP in about 53.
sure there were others but these were the founding fathers if you will, of the guitar industry.
sorta like ford and chevy.
now we have many better choices but most love ford and chevy. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I have to agree on the marketing angle. There are other guitars better than the big two. Examples, Hamer and Parker. Also, the higher end Ibanez, at about $900. I've played an RG model with two humbuckers (splitable) with a 4 way switch, dynamite guitar. In fact, it's making want to sell the tele I made and build one just like it.
Early on the Fender people had good salesmen, and they just kept it going (with a few bumps in between). That's it.
Or is your question, why are these configurations popular? I think it's because when it comes to guitars, players are conservative and don't want to stray into new territory ... like what stienberger or parker did. |
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Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | Why does it seem that the Fender Stratocaster & the Gibson Les Paul always seem to be the two leaders in the electric guitar world? Could it be because they both are good designs? I think there is a combination of reasons, mainly (1) great designs, (2) reasonable pricing and availability, (3) great name recognition and reputation. The Strat and Les Paul reside right where these three lines intersect.
It's lind of like the Ford F-150 Pickup. Sure there are nicer-faster-beefer-snootier trucks to be purchased. But the F-150 lives right where all the lines cross; price, quality, name brand recognition, and performance. |
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Location: Scotland | The designs are good, it's the execution that leaves a lot to be desired. The best Strat-style and LP-style guitars on the market do not have Gibson or Fender on the headstock. |
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| Fender and Gibson got a head start, and mass marketing keeps the ball rolling...
(I drove a Silverado for a long time, but my F-150 has a better turning radius... :) ) |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | During the late 50's and 60's, Fender guitars were marketed as the working musician's electric guitar and were more affordable than Gibson. I have three Strats and two Les Pauls, one of which is a prototype with some features that never made it to market. My Les Paul Standard has Burstbucker Pro pups and they are incredibly sensitive, but as previously posted, the weight bothers me after a few hours. Of my three Strats, all USA, all ash, only one (a '99 with Texas Special pups) is what I would call an outstanding guitar. In fact, it is my favorite solid bodied electric. I play a lot of blues and surf music and this thing looks and sounds just like the models played by almost every surf band from the 60's. The feel and comfort of a Strat is perfect for me (and, apparently, a whole lot of others). However, like Nils, the volume control is in the way so if I use my Strat in a gig, I remove the volume knob first. I've also noticed that like most other guitars, the set-up makes a big difference. And like other makes, Fender now offers a line of Strats from high-end customs to very inexpensive beginner guitars. To the uninformed, they all look exactly the same. The '99 arrived perfectly set up for my taste and style. The other two need some attention that I don't have time for. I can certainly understand why somebody might be turned off by a Strat that was not set up to their preferred specs. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | If you were going to send a time capsule to Mars containing examples of earthlings modern day musical instruments it would contain a Strat, Martin dread, Hammond B3, a Jazz or P bass, a Shure mic and a set of Ludwig drums. Maybe a Hohner harmonica. Of course there are better instruments but these are the icons.
Go look at the other thread about "Greatest 60's guitarist still playing today". You would have to look very hard to find people on that that list NOT playing Strats or LPs.
I've actually never owned either a Strat nor an LP. I'm just not an electric guy. I have a '62 Tele that meets all my needs when the rare opportunity arises.
Dave |
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Location: Vermont USA | Dave posted "I'm just not an electric guy."
Stick your finger in a light socket that should take care of that.
As for Strat and LPs I have played both the LP was great I owned a Hagstrom in the 60s and 70s. I now have a Telecaster custom I find this does what I want it to. If I was to buy another electric it would probably be a Strat. I find them to be able to do it all.
Pauly |
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Location: Omaha, NE | Personally, I've always like the Gibson humbucker tone better than the Strat tone. Just a personal thing.
My favorite and only electric is an Epiphone Lucille. Its wonderful. |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by Omaha:
Personally, I've always like the Gibson humbucker tone better than the Strat tone. Just a personal thing. I'm just the opposite. I prefer the lighter crispness and tone of single coils. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Teles rule the world. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | My Phat Strat-copy (bridge bucker and 2x single,China made) took about 1/2 year of fiddling,filing,more fiddling ,to get it to play decent,now,I would like the real thing,yeah,that`s right,there`s something magic about the Strat,Like Brian Robson Rankin put it ,the very first time he got one (present from Cliff Richard) "It looked like something from another Planet" I guess it still does,all the others are knock-off Aliens,and as far as Tone goes,..oh come on,that depends on the Amp.,and with that in mind ,let us remember that Leo Fender came with a Complete Package,Guitar with Amp.,what was that Amp. called again..."Dual band Master"..or something...50 watts 2x12"..seems that Leo went to concerts,found out what guitarists wanted/needed,went home and made it,Leo was a radio-tech. and made use of his knowledge,I would like to see modern corporate officials do that,I can keep on going ,but what`s the point,but anyway,as I allways say ;..when in doubt and U`ve got the cash,Buy Fender,best deal there is...( their marketing is top-notch )Personally I`m aiming for a G & L Legacy,Leo`s latest baby,the guitar that he wanted to make,made with over 40 yrs. of know how,So...I say;..Electric:Fender(G & L)....Acoustic/Electric:Ovation...Acoustic:Hmm....CFM...Gib..or..ehr...anyone ??! :)
Vic |
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Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by cwk2:
Teles rule the world. The last time I was at The Grand Ol Opry all the lead guitar players were playing Teles.
The surprise was Tanya Tucker's rhythm player had an Adamas. |
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Location: Hicksville, NY | I currently own a strat, and although I haven't been playing it for quite some time now, I can't picture myself letting it go. Back in the day, when I used to play my strat a lot, I was amazed at the versatility of the instrument. Almost every kind of genre imaginable -- from straightforward blues, jazz, 60s style pop to thrash metal -- it plays it all. Now I'm not that good of a player, but I've had friends of mine [who are really good], and had played with it, and I'm always amazed at what the instrument is capable of. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Ya know what would have been a cool guitar. A strat style guitar, nice 4-bolt neck with DiMarzio pickups in a H-S-S format with a coil top on the humbucker. Add a Kahler tremolo system, with smaller frets and Schaller tuners.. Maybe even route the edge of the guitar for a little more comfort. That would be a cool guitar that would tear up most strat copies out there. Oh wait... Ovation did that. :) Mine doesn't have the Kahler, but the GS II does. Maybe I'll sneak up on another one. Got any extras in teal, Miles? |
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Location: Australia | I don't think the Strat and LP rule the world anyway but that being said.
It's more than just marketing, both are great designs but along with guitars themselves goes all the history, artists who played them, songs recorded on them etc that people buy into.
Someone mentioned on an earlier thread that the execution of these designs leaves much to be desired,I agree. Gibson in particular
If it was all down to simply the quality of the instruments themselves everyone would be playing Hamers and Tom Anderson's over Strats and LP's
....but what do I know, I'm just a Gretsch guy |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Originally posted by richardd:
I don't think the Strat and LP rule the world anyway but that being said.
try to sell a fender made in (fill in the blank of any other country outside of the USA) and almost any other strat style guitar even if it was made in the same factory along side fenders
the fender will always sell and for more money. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | It is the F word Al, that's why! |
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Location: villa ridge | it depends on what sound you are going for I LOVE THE FENDER SPARKLE AND WARMTH, as a matter of fact besides my ultra 1527, my only electric right now is a 51' squier i got for 99 bucks i put pearly gates in the bridge and a duncan scorcher in the neck, it absoultly screams and sparkles the blues out, i love it, and everyone who plays it loves it. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Screamy Blues...?!...O`Kay..
Vic |
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Location: villa ridge | oh but of course, how silly of me. the blues cant be screamed out of a guitar. how silly SRV was for thinking such things. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | I like the Idea though.... :D
Vic |
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Location: enid, ok | For my personal taste (so don't read too much into this) I'll put my Ovation LTD up against any Strat or Les Paul. Plays like butter, dozens of tones, comfortable and not too heavy. If it wasn't for whammy bars I wouldn't have any other solidbodies. It just fits me. |
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Posts: 651
Location: Australia | Originally posted by alpep:
Originally posted by richardd:
I don't think the Strat and LP rule the world anyway but that being said.
try to sell a fender made in (fill in the blank of any other country outside of the USA) and almost any other strat style guitar even if it was made in the same factory along side fenders
the fender will always sell and for more money. |
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Posts: 146
Location: Ct./ USA | I found a worn out SG stored in a garage for many years and acquired it (free). The past owners (moved on to higher ed) played the crap out of it. Past attempts to re hone and fit new pickups were hacked by a local shop. I have played it and enjoyed the old sounds from this 32+ year young guitar. I have since dis-assembled it. I have re fretted, honed, bought new p-80 pickups, new bridge, and as an experiment a new maple top. The carving is done, the pickups will be installed soon ect....
So what is a Fender, Gibson or any brand, WOOD, METAL, WIRE, electro waves, PAINT but the best design, price, exposure to the public, availability, is what makes a difference. Check out Zemaitis Guitars if you want high end material on a common design.
I love my Adamas, play it as much as I can it is unique and there is so much to explore, tapping, ect.
Play on. |
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Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | Originally posted by richardd:
Originally posted by alpep:
Originally posted by richardd:
I don't think the Strat and LP rule the world anyway but that being said.
try to sell a fender made in (fill in the blank of any other country outside of the USA) and almost any other strat style guitar even if it was made in the same factory along side fenders
the fender will always sell and for more money.
" WHY DOES THE FENDER STRATOCASTER &THE GIBSON LES PAUL RULE THE ELECTRIC GUITAR WORLD?"
Which probably has much more to do with sales volume than the merits of the instrument as the penultimate guitar. |
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Location: Illinois, U.S.A. | At one time, there were only three real choices for electrics .... Gibson, Fender, and Gretch. Fenders were cheaper, lighter, and easy for owners to maintain. If you were a kid trying to make sounds like you heard on vinal or the radio, you bought a Fender and moved into the garage. |
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Excuse my ignorance, but, like Tupp, I'm not an electric type of guy.
But it surprises me that there has been little or no comparison between these 2 iconic guitars and 'our own' solid body Ovations.
Personally, I love the look of the preacher, viper and UKII, but hate the breadwinner.
Could someone in the know give us acoustic types a comparison between the famous 2 and the 'O' solid bodies? (Just in case I feel the need to acquire an electric in the distant future. I'd prefer it to be an 'O'.)
Or maybe this should be a separate thread?? |
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WHY DOES THE FENDER STRATOCASTER &THE GIBSON LES PAUL RULE THE ELECTRIC GUITAR WORLD?