by Rowlandwithaw

Created on: November 22, 2011

The first thing to say is that both these are classic guitars. If you are trying to make a decision which would be the better but for yourself, I’d say you couldn’t actually go wrong by choosing either – it’s simply that one might suit you better than the other. So let’s look at the differences between the two, but first their essential similarity: they are both ‘solid-bodied’ guitars – which means that they have no acoustic sound and the sound depends on the pick ups, and to a lesser extent on the resonance of the wood.

For most guitar players, when choosing an instrument the sound is the first consideration. The Fender Stratocaster – affectionately known as the Strat – has single coil pick ups which have a thinner more cutting sound than the ‘Humbuckers’ fitted to the Gibson. Humbuckers is short for ‘humbucking pick ups’ as they were designed to avoid unnecessary mains hum when the guitar is plugged into an amp. The end result is a more ‘thicker sound’ with a wider range of frequencies particularly at the bottom end (the bass). It’s really though a matter of taste – look at the type of guitar your favourite players use., and you’ll start to see the logic.

Slash ?– Les Paul

Clapton? – Strat ( though on his legendary album with John Mayall he used a 1960 Les Paul.)

Robert Cray? A Strat

Jimmy Page? – Les Paul ( though the first Les Zeppelin album was recorded on a Telecaster).

I mention the anomalies above as it is the combination of guitar and amplifier (and player, of course . . . .) that creates the final sound. Nevertheless, you will never get a real Strat sound from a Les Paul, nor vice-versa. So heading where your heroes go is one pretty ‘sound’ approach.

There are a few other factors to be taken into account. The neck of the guitar is also of major importance. The actual scale length varies on guitar. The scale length is the actual length of the string which is ‘played’ – Strats (and Telecasters) have a slightly longer scale length (25.5”) as opposed to the 24.75” of the Les Paul. The shorter scale is designed to make the strings easier to bend. ‘Super Luthier’ Tom Anderson is now offering a Short T option – a Telecaster style guitar with the scale length of a Les Paul –  reviews claim that it makes for a much ‘easier playing’ guitar.

Two other considerations are the profile and the radius. The profile is the shape of the back of the neck – a V-shape, a gentle shallow curve or a more substantial neck. On the other hand, the radius is the degree of curvature of the fretboard -  the larger the radius, means the flatter the fretboard. Strat necks are available in a bewildering variety of profiles and radii. In general, though Gibson guitars have larger ‘chunkier’ necks than Strats and also have large frets – the metal being flattened. This ‘chunkiness’ of the Gibson over the Strat also extends to the body. The mahogany body of the Les Paul makes it a substantially heavier instrument on stage – though the upside is that the denser wood does affect the resonance of the guitar giving it greater sustain.

In conclusion, I would restate that these are both classic guitars and each has its own strong points – neither has weaknesses. They are the result of different philosophies, and the fact that they have both survived and maintained their popularity for nearly sixty years speaks volumes.

Learn more about this author, Rowlandwithaw.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.