Originally Posted by: Zf97Which do you like better Strat or Gibson style guitars?

I think what you mainly want to look for in a guitar is what you want it to sound like.
Fender Strats and Gibson Les Pauls are pretty opposite ends of the spectrum.
the strats have bolt on necks, generally single coil pickups, bodies are made out of different types of wood than les pauls and are just a one piece body, necks are usually maple or maple with rosewood fret board.
Now, a les Paul has humbucker pick ups, set necks, bodies are usually mahogany with maple(or other wood) tops so it's a two piece body, necks are usually mahogany with rosewood fretboard.

Even the wiring is usually completely different form the two.

So with all these factors taken in to consideration, you're looking at two completely different guitars, none being better than the other just different.

Of course they're also going to feel completely different when playing them. So what you need to do is just really figure out what sound you want and get a guitar that has that sound.
Play around with different models of that brand and find one that sounds and feels the way you want.

Here's a short list of Strat and Les Paul players and songs that generally fit the description of what the guitars sound like.

Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing - Strat
Stevie Ray Vaughn - Couldn't Stand the Weather - Strat
David Gilmour - Another Brick In the Wall - Strat

Slash - Sweet Child of Mine - Les Paul
Jimmy Page - Heartbreaker (solo) - Les Paul
Joe Perry - Eat The Rich - Les Paul