Fender American Deluxe Fat Strat vs. Gibson Les Paul

[Alyseum]

Hey, I am looking to buy a new guitar. I either want a Fender American Deluxe Fat Strat or a Gibson Les Pual. Right now i have a Fender Toronado that i love and the pickup set up is 2 humbuckers. The Fat Strat has 1 humbucker and 2 single coils and the Gibson has 2 humbuckers. Ive played on them both and they both sound really nice. I am completlety cofused on what to get. Tell me what you think. I want a sound that blends the late 80's and early 90's. Thanx lot.

[Raskolnikov]

"That sound" is a pretty wide range of sounds.

If I were you, I'de go with whatever guitar you liked better. Play them both, decide which feels better, which sounds better and go from there.

You'll probably find that the Strat is a lot more versital, but the Les Paul has a fatter tone.

[Zeppelin]

actualy i myself have a mexican deluxe fat strat, which is in my opinion better than the american one and costs half of it. the mexican one is designed in a vinatge style, with large 70's headstock and other vinatge ****, but anyway i think fender overaly gives you better variety of sound, especialy the HSS models, which you can use to play any music in the world - mine is good for anything from jazz to death metal, and fender has a more comofrtable bridge, so in my opinion get the fender
but then again its only my opinion

[MighTEEbean17]

Fender.....No contest. The Les Paul is too heavy and the neck is set at a weird angle the slants back toward your left arm, the tones you get with it are far too bassy, and the shape of it is rather akward. The Strat on the other hand, can simulate a range of sounds for any style of music for wish to play, has a kick-ass, totally-bitchin' design, is light weight, AND if you get the Floyd Rose System with it, you'll be able to do some really narly wammy-bar tricks that you wouldn't be able to with a Les Paul for the obvious reason that the Les Paul doesn't have a wammy-bar system. Those are just my opinions though.

[Raskolnikov]

I think what most people do is get what they like best first, then branch out to get other guitars later when they're more serious and have more money.

I'm a Strat sorta guy, but if you really like the Les Paul better, you should get that now. Or visa versa. People swear by both because they're both solid, time proven designs.

[skee1]

Here's one thing you might want to know!
No affence to you gibson lovers.
You can make a Fender sound like a Gibson,
but you can'nt make a Gibson sound like a Fender.

(Get what you like thier both ok)

Mark

[monkeypants1]

I've got a Gibson Les Paul myself and I prefer it to a Strat, mainly because it's heavier and the humbuckers are DiMarzio Invaders (I changed them, there's nothing wrong with the humbuckers that come fitted, but I preferred the sound of the DiMarzios.
Saying that, I want to get a Strat because it's been a few years since I owned one. I want the tremelo arm and the single coils for Punk/Rock playing, the Gibson sound is too fat for some songs and the signal is often spliced by the distortion from my effects pedals.
Get what you want, and what feels right for you.

[educatedfilm]

If like me you have a bit of a light wallet, I'd go for the Fender, you get more for your money...
hmmm... Skee1: How similar to a gibson can you get a strat to sound? And how do you do it? (you could save me alot of money ;))...
In the end it's taste and what other guitar(s) you've already got (I mean if you've already got a strat, or a strat style guitar you might want to go for the les paul, or vice versa)...

[Raskolnikov]

Easy: Use one of the "in between" positions, roll off the tone on your mid pickup (the second tone knob if it's a standard Strat wiring set up). Instant muddy humbucker sound. Not quite the same thing, but close. Especially if you're using some overdrive or distortion.

[Led Zeppelin]

I hate strats. Theyre so uncomfortable. Then again thats just me.

Try them both out and whatever is more comfortable. It also depends on what your playing. Like someone said if your playing punk your better of with a strat type but if you more of a hard rock get the L/P or even an SG.

[Alyseum]

Ok well I will be playing a mix of like hard rock and punk. Like if you had to say compare my sound it would be like a mix of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Metallica combined. Also like what qualities is the Gibson good for and what qualities is the Fender good for. For example if im not mistaken the Les Pauls have better sustain, well what are some qualities that are good for each kind of guitar?

[Led Zeppelin]

The strat has a tremolo arm if your into that sorta thing. As ar as I know none of the bands you mentioned have either a Les Paul or Fender in them. I think Hammet might of used a Fender for a while. For what you said Id recommend the strat but keep your options open. Ive heard Fenders manufactureing standards have slipped alot recently but that could only be a rumour.

[skee1]

Originally posted by educatedfilm
If like me you have a bit of a light wallet, I'd go for the Fender, you get more for your money...
hmmm... Skee1: How similar to a gibson can you get a strat to sound? And how do you do it? (you could save me alot of money ;))...
In the end it's taste and what other guitar(s) you've already got (I mean if you've already got a strat, or a strat style guitar you might want to go for the les paul, or vice versa)...

Just add a humbucker pickup to the strat=instant Gibson!
The humbucker pickup is the gibson sound.



Mark

[Edited by skee1 on 10-12-2001 at 11:53 AM]

[skee1]

Originally posted by educatedfilm
If like me you have a bit of a light wallet, I'd go for the Fender, you get more for your money...
hmmm... Skee1: How similar to a gibson can you get a strat to sound? And how do you do it? (you could save me alot of money ;))...
In the end it's taste and what other guitar(s) you've already got (I mean if you've already got a strat, or a strat style guitar you might want to go for the les paul, or vice versa)...

If you add a Humbucker pickup to your strat it,
=s instant Gibson sound.

Mark (Hot-Rod Guitar)

[mc9mm]

Im going with Fender.
Why? this is why:
1. Heavier sound
2. Better features
3. Looks better
4. And The Les Paul weighs a ton.

Although Les paul has a bit smoother sound and
an incredible sustain, but still, Fender Fat Deluxe
is the guitar of the month.

/ Commander Briggs