Les Paul vs. Stratocaster-attn. guitar players

[pickincolours]

I currently play a gibson les paul studio, and I am in a grateful dead cover band and would like to get some feedback. Does anyone feel that a Fender Stratocaster would be a better guitar to play jerry garcia esq music? I'm considering trading the lp studio for a nice strat. what do yall think?

[jackr]

IMHO I would keep the LP instead of going to a single coil strat. I guarantee you one thing though, no matter what guitar Jerrry is playing you will know it is him. We've seen him play Gibsons and Fenders. So I dont really think changing out guitars would be your answer.

[NashvilleMike]

I have a classic strat and I'm building an SG. This is why we each need 8-10 guitars!

[Tennessee Jedi]

I currently play a gibson les paul studio, and I am in a grateful dead cover band and would like to get some feedback. Does anyone feel that a Fender Stratocaster would be a better guitar to play jerry garcia esq music? I'm considering trading the lp studio for a nice strat. what do yall think?

I cant say it is better but it will be different thats for sure. More different tones from a Strat I think ...
Jerry digs a Strat - Europe ' 72 here you go ....
If you aren't worried about value I say do it you only live once

[BuddhaG]

These two guitars are really quite different.

LP is set neck, dual humbucker. Strat is bolt-on neck, 3 single coil. The neck on the LP is tremendously chunky compared to the thin Strat neck.

I myself own an Epi LP but have played my friends Stratocasters quite often and here's what I've noticed:

Strat is easier to play because of the neck.
You can get a more biting, precise sound from the Strat.
LP will give you a fuller, more bell-like sound (check Garcia circa '68).

I don't think I could just pick one or the other... they are totally different.

I only wish my LP was a double cutaway so that I could play above the 15th fret with ease (I have pretty short fingers).

[jackr]

I dont think I agree that the strat is easier to play because of the neck. Some LPs have thinner necks like a 1960 and some strats have fatter necks, like an SRV Strat.

But remember that an LP is a 24.75" scale length as opposed to a strat with a 25.5" scale length. That will give an lp a "looser" feel.

I wouldnt give up my lp or my strat.

[deadguise]

I have a friend who traded his LP for a (Japanese) Strat and I think that was the dumbest thing he ever did. The neck shape varies with either make, so one playing easier than the other is relative. Generally I have found that LPs usually play "like butter" if they're set up right while with a Strat, you have to "work it"; which can be a good thing because I feel they can be more expressive. I think the Strat will fit the Country & Folk styles of the Dead more because of the "twang". Keep the Paul and save for a Strat.

[onlinejack]

I wouldnt give up my lp or my start. what do yall think?

[Pete B.]

I would say add a Strat to your collection.
They are both classic.
If it has to be one or the other, for a Dead cover band I would go with a Strat.

[strumminsix]

This:

I have a classic strat and I'm building an SG. This is why we each need 8-10 guitars!

and that:

I would say add a Strat to your collection.
They are both classic.
If it has to be one or the other, for a Dead cover band I would go with a Strat.

[Grateful Dad]

IMHO I always liked the way Weir's Gibson sounded with Jerry's Strat.

[Tennessee Jedi]

[Tennessee Jedi]

[Tennessee Jedi]