Ok, I've noticed a few like-minded people around here and I'm having a fierce debate with one of the lads in my class at the moment(another guitarist) so I want your opinion. I've already seen this debated on a guitar forum but the general consensus there was that they were better for different styles of playing and I don't believe that. The whole sound of a guitar can be changed with effects pedals and I reckon you could get a Strat to sound like a Les Paul if you wanted/had the money, so it brings me to the basic question, which is a better maker of guitars?
Before you even do so much as plug them into an amp?

For the most part, they are both very strong contenders.....I will say neither is superior....just like ATI and Nvidia, you're going to have people preferring one over the other. I don't play but I've been around a LOT of players and I like 'em both....right outa the case.

I`ve always been a fan of Les paul`s. The fret board is totaly flat, which means you don`t get any string choking during string bends.

I also think the sustain is better and the tone is something to die for.

In my opinion, strats always sound a little thin, unless of course you replace the stock pickups, with for instance EMG`s etc.

Obviously I was a heavy rock freak.

Just my 2 cents.

Regards Howard :)

The whole sound of a guitar can be changed with effects pedals

I disagree. Both resonate differently. Besides - a truly good guitarist tends not to use millions of effects, preferring just one or two, or maybe three at any given time (the less the better), depending on the sound they're looking for. Each guitar has its own unique voice, which is kinda the whole point to going for one guitar over another.

I disagree.
I knew someone would :D
Both resonate differently. Besides - a truly good guitarist tends not to use millions of effects, preferring just one or two, or maybe three at any given time (the less the better), depending on the sound they're looking for. Each guitar has its own unique voice, which is kinda the whole point to going for one guitar over another.
Gah, I'd kinda have to agree with that. I wasn't saying that the two guitars weren't different, but in theory you could get pretty close, especially with effects pedals out now that let you replicate a famous guitarists sound.
Like I voted, I prefer Fenders. (I forgot to mention this, didn't I) The thing that always bothered me about Les Paul's (well 2 things)
1. The tone controls. I find it very hard to reach the tone controls on a Les Paul, and some SG models didn't even have a grip on the bloody things, so you were sliding around the thing. (maybe I'm just a midget)
2. The body. For me, a Strat just sits right (I don't want to play standing up all the time) and a Les Paul reminds me of a big hollow acoustic, harder to get around(the midget thing again) I'm 5'10 by the way, so I'm actually not a midget :D I will admit that you can get a crunchier tone out of a Les Paul easier, and that will appeal to you metal heads (not looking at anyone in particular, Howard :haha: )

...Ibanez... .. tis true, the raw sound of a guitar determines its sound quality.. effects shouldn't even be considered in this post

My Machine (http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=JS1000)

Yeah. I like Ibanez guitars, particularly the Jem seven string. A little hard to get used to, but if you`re into the metal scene, it`s capable of some awsome low end crunch.

Regards Howard :)

...Ibanez...
My Machine (http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=JS1000)
That is an absolutely stunning looking guitar! I never would've gone for an Ibanez, now I wish I'd put them in the poll too. And that thing isn't cheap, if I googled the right one. I got a price of $1200!
Another reason I prefer Fenders is they look better. "Looks aren't everything" but they sure as hell help. What can I say, I'm shallow when it comes to guitars :D
This here is the pipedream for me:
http://fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0101200700
Just like Rory's...

luckily my father liked joe satriana enough to order this for me..

I'm trying to save up money to get that guitar(the fender) now that I have a job. Should get it in a few months. Only a few months...
Waht sort of stuff do you play?

me, I can't play anything LOL, chili peppers - scar tissue, californication
everlast
alkaline trio - radio (lol)
pink floyd - shine on (took me weeks)

and then just random stuff I invent when I'm bored outta my damn mind
guitarwork isn't really one of my better skills, I just play it every once in awhile when I've got nothing else to do..

me, I can't play anything LOL, chili peppers - scar tissue, californication
everlast
alkaline trio - radio (lol)
pink floyd - shine on (took me weeks)

and then just random stuff I invent when I'm bored outta my damn mind
guitarwork isn't really one of my better skills, I just play it every once in awhile when I've got nothing else to do..

That`s a bit of a shame. With a beautiful guitar like that as well.

Have you ever thought of taking some guitar lessons?

You never know, you could be the next Joe satriani or Steve vai etc.

Regards Howard :)

No discussion about Fender and Gibson would be complete without somebody
pointing out that Gibson`s are,of course, grossly overpriced(especially in Europe).
In terms of materials and build quality there are several other guitars at least as good.
Even the Gibson sound can be replicated,with a bit of tweaking.
People want the name,so they pay 30 - 40% premium to for it.

In answer to the question about Fender or Gibson,see Fiziks machine.

I totally agree Pedant.

I only voted for Gibson based on the two choices in the poll, I never really been a lover of Fenders.

I used to be a big fan of Charvel, Jackson and Kramer guitars.

I always wanted a B.C.Rich, simply because of all the pointy bits lol.

Regards Howard :)

me, I can't play anything LOL, chili peppers - scar tissue, californication
everlast
alkaline trio - radio (lol)
pink floyd - shine on (took me weeks)

and then just random stuff I invent when I'm bored outta my damn mind
guitarwork isn't really one of my better skills, I just play it every once in awhile when I've got nothing else to do..

What you should do is learn how to read tabs, then you can basically learn almost any song, because the tabs are all on the internet. I am not happy unless I spend at least an hour a day playing (anything) and I've learnt loads by simply learning songs I like. Also, it makes it easier to "practice" if you really want to learn what you're learning, so I don't go and learn songs I hate.
No discussion about Fender and Gibson would be complete without somebody
pointing out that Gibson`s are,of course, grossly overpriced(especially in Europe).
In terms of materials and build quality there are several other guitars at least as good.
Even the Gibson sound can be replicated,with a bit of tweaking.
People want the name,so they pay 30 - 40% premium to for it.

I completely agree with that. But Fender still only has one vote!

I always wanted a B.C.Rich, simply because of all the pointy bits lol.
Is that Slash's guitar?

Is that Slash's guitar?

As far as I`m aware Slash plays a Gibson les paul.

I know Blackie Lawless(W.A.S.P) plays B.C.Rich, as does Kerry king(slayer).

Regards Howard :)

Have a look at the attachment.
Sorry the picture is not great, I'm scrambling to find another.

I must admit, that does look like a B.C.Rich lol.

Regards Howard :)

Just got Back in Black(AC/DC) and Echoes(Pink Floyd) in town.
:D :cool:
Anyway what do you think of the Fender I linked. Is good, no?

If you`re into Fender guitars and you obviously are, then yes that`s a very nice axe. Just not my cup of tea lol.

Regards Howard :)

(sighs) Each to their own... So I suppose that's where the debate ends, for the moment anyway, until someone new joins the thread. It seems to be a matter of preference, even if Fender are obviously better :p :haha:

(sighs) Each to their own... So I suppose that's where the debate ends, for the moment anyway, until someone new joins the thread. It seems to be a matter of preference, even if Fender are obviously better :p :haha:

Yes. You`re quite right mate. It really is a matter of personal preference.

At the end of the day, there are an awful lot of pro`s that use Fender.

Whatever makes you happy, is the right choice for you.

Regards Howard :)

I don't Care. I'm going to nick Slashes hat and guitar. They're mine I tell ya!!!! mwahaha

Seriously though, I've liked slash ever since the Sweet child o mine video. lol

i'd have to go with fender, just because i own a fender j-bass. i'm an active bass player and love the tone i get (american 5-str w/noiseless pickups ;) ) and of course hex DR funk lo-riders.

i picked the fender because the tone and the action was amazing. and the beautiful rosewood body, maple neck, and chrome looks awesome. it wasn't cheap but was priced lower than many competing products.

i'm using an swr bass 750 head and an swr goliath III 4X10" cabinet. it keeps up with my band's two 120 watt tube guitar stacks, 500 watt PA, and a full drum set quite well. and of course it rattles windows half a block away...

Sounds like a pretty decent setup! I'm glad someone else is in the Fender corner, for a while I thought I'd have to convert everyone myself :haha: That's cool as well that you play bass, it's a very neglected instrument, at least where I'm from. I know bands that might have a great lead and drummer, but have to settle for any old bass player because they're so rare. It really is a problem that demands international attention :D

I don't Care. I'm going to nick Slashes hat and guitar. They're mine I tell ya!!!! mwahaha

Seriously though, I've liked slash ever since the Sweet child o mine video. lol

A bit off topic but i have to say it.

Do you remeber BucketHead? He never had anything on Slash!

Personally I prefer Fender in this poll....because I have an old 60's model. But there is nothing wrong with Gibson either, other than the price tag. I have an old Humingbird acoustic I wouldnt trade for the world. As far as Ibanez...I think they are hyped up alot, I've play a few over the years and didnt see anything that special about them, other than scalloped fret boards which you could have done to any guitar. I do have a Ibanez thin body acoustic electric that I like. But I also have a Godin A6 that plays and sounds much better!

I think my favorite guitar that I have right now is a mid 80's model made by Westone. I think they are a English company, not even sure if you can still buy them in the states. But I also have a Schecter Diamond series that I think plays and sounds better than any Gibson or Fender...but then again the pickups are different too and its a matter of preference. I say go play as many different guitar as you can and buy what you like....not what your guitar hero plays!

Sorry to drag it out so much....just annoying that many guitarist go for the name and the price tag just to brag about what they got. Seen it many times over the years.....

I say go play as many different guitar as you can and buy what you like....not what your guitar hero plays!
Really? You're not supposed to do that? Uh oh...

just annoying that many guitarist go for the name and the price tag just to brag about what they got. Seen it many times over the years.....
Oh, Eh, yeah, I wasn't going to do that...
So if I told you I had a limitless budget, and wanted a lead guitar, for light stuff, no death metal, and a David Gilmour/Rory Gallagher-esque sound, what would you recommend?
EDIT:On a totally unrelated note, what happened to Fiziks?

My comments were not directed at you. I was just stating from experience.....The type of music you describe I would say a Fender strat. BUT.....for the money I would look at the Schecter diamond series. I think they are a well made instrument for the money. And work well for a variety of music. You never know...you may get into metal down the road! I once played in a Queensryche cover band and this was the guitar I always used. Plus if you dont like the pick-ups (mine has EMG's) just swap them out for something that has a warmer tone like a strat.

i would also recommend you buy Nuendo and install it on your computer. Its an awesome program for writting music and mixing guitar tracks etc. Plus a good tool to learn to play with! But there are many other programs out there you may like as well. Some even free I believe.

I know bands that might have a great lead and drummer, but have to settle for any old bass player because they're so rare. It really is a problem that demands international attentionahh, i've always enjoyed a pint of guinness!

we actually have a similar situation here. i know several bands that have no bass player at all, and have been lookign for some time.

my rythym guitarist, who happens to be 100% irish, has a les paul and will never play anything else. in his opinion, gibson's guitars are infinitely better than everything else. his les paul doesn't sound that bad, especially with a full stack to back it up. and jimmy page was a les paul guy...

I might have to start learning bass...
I would actually reckon that Les Pauls are better for rhythm, but then I remember Jimmy Page and no way was he a rhythm guitarist!
Still, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and David Gilmour were Fender players, and that has to mean something.
EDIT:woohoo just realised Fender's winning!

EDIT:On a totally unrelated note, what happened to Fiziks?

I was wondering the same thing???

I was wondering the same thing???
Maybe...maybe we're not allowed talk about it. Did I mention how much I LOVE Techspot?
Keeping (slightly) on topic, did anyone ever hear of Gary Moore? I just got one of his albums, he's good(and Irish :grinthumb ) But, he uses a Les Paul :evil:

Yeah. Gary Moore is amazing. He uses real heavy gauge strings and still manages to be lightening quick up and down the fretboard.

I always liked him. He was brilliant in Thin Lizzy as well.

Regards Howard :)

Maybe...maybe we're not allowed talk about it. Did I mention how much I LOVE Techspot?


Yes Gordon....Keep quiet. We dont want the combine to come knock at our door!!

-Sean

Yes Keep quiet. We dont want the combine to come knock at our door!!
:haha: the combine. I'm at the part(half life) where I've just got control of a squad of resistance, after the nova prospect thing. How far am I?
And(still on topic) did he(Gary Moore) play dancing in the moonlight?

It runs in my mind that Gary Moore didn`t play dancing in the moonlight. He was only in Thin Lizzy in 1974 and then again in 1978-79 I think.

Edit: Gary Moore doesn`t play Gibson guitars exclusively, he also plays Fenders as well.

Regards Howard :)

I have just listened, no forced myself to listen to the first three songs on Dark Side of the Moon. What the??? I don't understand it at all. It all sounds like it was created under the influence of some bad acid. Comfortably Numb and Money I liked, but this... this just worries me.

No Stevie Ray Vaughn fans here??? lol....

No Stevie Ray Vaughn fans here??? lol....Well said halo71.I was just going to say the same thing myself.Nobody ever got a better tone from a Strat than SRV.

BTW EVERYBODY should listen to Gary Moore`s live version of "The Stumble"

As for Fiziks, he`s still trying to tune his machine.

i've always been a fender person myself but my epiphone playing friend is totally for gibson. he said that when he got his epiphone he tried out a gibson too (les paul) and there wasn't enough difference to spend all the extra money - about £1000!!!
i was reading an old total guitar and they had a review for a strat with 2 humbuckers and they thought that it was better than a gibson les paul. if i had a choice between a les paul and an HH strat i'd go for the strat.
fender basses are amazing though, so many bands use them because they're so good. i'm not even a bassist and i know they're some of the best basses you can get.
but if someone walked up to me in the street and offered me a gibson then i wouldn't say no haha
but it's fender for me, all the way :grinthumb
even though for now i have to have a squier... but most of it's fender! :D

On the subject of guitarist.....I never thought to much of John Mayer until I seen him in concert. You guys may want to check him out also.

I'm still plugging Rory Gallagher, I should be paid for all this promotion :haha:
I don't understand one thing about Gibson SG's, which one is the best? At least fender make an attempt to say which strat is the best. You have the standard strat(€700), then the American strat(€1200), and then the deluxe american strat(€1500). With the SG series, you have the standard, the special, the supreme(which you'd think is the best but it's not the most expensive), the menace, and a pile of other variations. I know I'm only working off the assumption that the more it costs, the better it is, but I haven't played all the guitars so this is all I have to go by.

I own a Fender Telecaster and it really doesn't impress me, not a very rich sound to it. My friend's dad owns 3 Gibsons and god they blow mine away. But i would have to have the "best" of Gibson and Fender in front of me to play in order to compare to really make a decision.

And if i'm correct Gibsons are known as the "rich man's guitar" due to the outrageous prices :P

Yeah, but how much was your guitar, compared to his?
I'd reckon a $1200 American Tele would beat any $2000 Gibson, but it depends on what sort of amp you're using as well.

I have just listened, no forced myself to listen to the first three songs on Dark Side of the Moon. What the??? I don't understand it at all. It all sounds like it was created under the influence of some bad acid. Comfortably Numb and Money I liked, but this... this just worries me.dark side of the moon is my favorite pink floyd album, and one of the most successul in history. i reccomend you listen two the whole thing, especially because the second to last track (brain damage) is the focus of the album.

furthermore to the last comment about pricing, it should be known that fender musical instruments corp (FMIC) is a massive company that recently bought out SWR and has several other companies under its control. in the united states, fender has excellent control over the distribution systems as per thier special relationship with musicians friend/guiter center. so while gibson's models generally cost more in the united states, it is simply a way for FMIC to dominate the market. it should be noted thaty FMIC also has extensive lines of entry-level products so they can hook beginning players.

1 word:
The American Series 60th Anniversary Stratocaster guitar represents 60 years of innovation.
okay, okay
12 or so words :slurp:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/SOcRatEs120/Misc/strato.jpg


Aint she pretty?

US MSRP for the Stratocaster guitar models is $ 1,642.84 :eek:

Oh'Yeah, Stevie Ray Vaughn!!!helicopter,,,,so sad

im an ESP guy but i like gibsons over fenders because its more heavy(the sound but it could go for the weight too) and i prefer humbuckers over single coil. I like slayer so im going for a heavy tone.

furthermore to the last comment about pricing, it should be known that fender musical instruments corp (FMIC) is a massive company that recently bought out SWR and has several other companies under its control. in the united states, fender has excellent control over the distribution systems as per thier special relationship with musicians friend/guiter center. so while gibson's models generally cost more in the united states, it is simply a way for FMIC to dominate the market. it should be noted thaty FMIC also has extensive lines of entry-level products so they can hook beginning players.
That would annoy me if they were bad guitars, or I really liked Gibson, but they aren't and I don't. Plus, an american deluxe ash strat(which fender plugs as the best one) costs €1500 in waltons.ie, where the gibson sg standard(which, judging only by the name does not seem to be the best one) costs almost as much!(€1439) So it seems that Fender's control of your market is "protecting" you from Gibson :haha:
dark side of the moon is my favorite pink floyd album, and one of the most successul in history. i reccomend you listen two the whole thing, especially because the second to last track (brain damage) is the focus of the album.
I will. The album couldn't be so famous if it was so bad.
and finally@SOcRatEs: What a guitar. I am seriously considering getting that or a deluxe american strat when I get the money. I think I'd get that purely because they won't be around forever.

yes, i'd go with the american-made guitars over the mexican-made ones anyday. they might not seem that different, but the mexes are made to less exacting standards. this means that the frets are usually wider than the fingerboard is, so the little metal edges stick out just enough to tear up your fingers.

most people think this isn't a big deal and buy the cheaper mexican guitar. but after a while those frets will feel bigger and bigger until your hand starts to tear up. for guys that play a guitar for a few hours a week, they probably won't have a problem.

i have an american-made jazz bass and i am glad i decided to spend a bit of extra money, because i play my bass all the time (and sets that are typically 3-6 hours) the smoothness of the american-made guitar is really important to me.

whatever you do, try before you buy!

BTW, what amplifier do you have/plan to purchase?