Fender Strat

[soulman101]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Szvu09t3I

[Omegstrat6]

Hi Soulman,
Certainly more of a Strat man than a Les Paul one myself. I appreciate the differences of course and pros and cons (not least in the sound of coil v humbucker pick ups) of each but think the Strat both a nicer looking instrument and more versatile. My own Strat is an early 80s CBS model so not generally very well thought of and much heavier than classic earlier ones, but I love it. I have played Gibsons, including a Les Paul Gold Top, SG and Flying V but never liked them as much-although I would love a 335! Some guitars-Telecaster, Gretsch, Rickenbacker 12 string etc-seem best suited for particular genres but I like the versatility of a Strat.

Since it was first popularised by people like Buddy Holly and Hank Marvin, there have been some great Strat players over the years including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Peter Green, SRV, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Nile Rogers, Ry Cooder and Mark Knopfler but nice to see Rory Gallagher feature in this video as he is too often forgotten about.

Anyhow, hope you are well and continuing to play yourself

[Q165]

I know nothing about guitars but a lot about Peter Green. I am sure he principally played a Gibson Les Paul.

I have always loved the way Robert Cray plays.

[Omegstrat6]

I know nothing about guitars but a lot about Peter Green. I am sure he principally played a Gibson Les Paul.

I have always loved the way Robert Cray plays.

He did indeed Q so maybe a poor example to give! My uncle actually set up the Les Paul (that eventually passed to Gary Moore) for his recording of Albatross. He may be primarily associated with the Les Paul but he did use a Strat on things like "Need your love so bad".

[kettering_baggie]

I have a Les Paul, the Epiphone version, not the Gibson, it sounds really nice but I don’t find it the easiest guitar to play. I also have an Aria Strat copy, which is what I learned to play on; I think Arias are really good instruments and very attractively priced, too! I have a few others, as well; a nice white Telecaster, which I currently have in Nashville tuning, and a Crafter Cruiser which has a very nice tone and is lovely to play, bought in an online auction for ?70. Crafter make some good guitars, I have one of their electro acoustics, very nice tone and I have a Gretsch parlour guitar, for taking away with me. Then there are the basses and ukuleles! I enjoy playing bass the most but not as much opportunity for playing as there is with guitar and uke. Of course, if I could do them all justice………….!!!

[Omegstrat6]

I have a Les Paul, the Epiphone version, not the Gibson, it sounds really nice but I don’t find it the easiest guitar to play. I also have an Aria Strat copy, which is what I learned to play on; I think Arias are really good instruments and very attractively priced, too! I have a few others, as well; a nice white Telecaster, which I currently have in Nashville tuning, and a Crafter Cruiser which has a very nice tone and is lovely to play, bought in an online auction for ?70. Crafter make some good guitars, I have one of their electro acoustics, very nice tone and I have a Gretsch parlour guitar, for taking away with me. Then there are the basses and ukuleles! I enjoy playing bass the most but not as much opportunity for playing as there is with guitar and uke. Of course, if I could do them all justice………….!!!

Hi Ketts,
I also found the Les Paul more difficult to play. Maybe I'm imagining it but I felt as though the fretboard was slightly wider than the Strat so the strings seemed slightly further apart? Oddly, I have no problem moving from the Strat to my 12 string Rickenbacker though.

Besides the Strat and the Rickenbacker, I have an Ovation Applause electro-acoustic, a budget classical guitar from Gear4music (which actually sounds quite nice considering the price) and an entry level bass from them too. Would love to add a 335 or Epiphone Casino and maybe a nice acoustic to my collection but money and space are not on my side!

Don't think I'll ever get to master the finger style on the bass so just use my thumb but I'm enjoying learning more melodic basslines. Also recently got a concert uke for Christmas which was pretty amazing value at just ?30 from Amazon. Haven't got too many chords down yet on it but have learnt George Harrison's version of "Between the devil and the deep blue sea" which is quite nice. Progress on all has been a bit slow lately though as it is just trying to find the time to play!