Strat or Les Paul?!
Question: What is an all-around better guitar... a Fender Stratocaster or a Gibson Les Paul?
Answers: What is an all-around better guitar... a Fender Stratocaster or a Gibson Les Paul?
That is like saying what's a better car, an SUV or a sports car. They do different things and have different applications these guitars have different sounds. But here is a break down just so that you can make a decision.
1-Sound: the Les Paul has hum bucker pickups. These are great for rock and metal because they can handle a distorted tone better. They are essentially two single coil pickups wound together to cancel the “hum” produced by single coil pickups. They have a warmer, well rounded sound. They have a little more bass and middle than single coil. Strats have three single coil pick up. They produce a bright sound that is popular with country, blues and even some rock players. They usually produce a lot of background noise or “hum” when distorted but most strats are designed to cancel the hum when two of their pick up as used together.
2- necks: the necks are completely different. And some players have no problem going from one guitar to the next. Others like one neck better than the other. And you will see that a lot of Gibson players will only play Gibsons (they make the Les Paul) and some Fender player will only play other Fender instruments (they make Starts) because they will have the same or similar necks. I would suggest you try both and see what feels more comfortable. You can always change the pick up later.
3-Wood/body: Les Paul’s are made from heavy woods and can be uncomfortable to play unless you have a good, wide guitar strap. Strats are a little lighter. But that extra weight causes to have a “warmer” tone.
A guitar is a personal choice. its like me tell you what shoes to wear without knowing anything about you. if you go to a good music store they can help you more because they can ask questions like "what type of music do you like?" and "who is your favorite player?". the best thing is to go several times and try to play both of them. play the same thing and see if one is easier to play than the other. with effect pedals, amplifier and tone controls you can modify the rest.