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Posted by: Mudbone Aug 17 2010, 09:07 PM

There are infinite different guitar shapes out there, but these two are the most dominant, and most divisive amongst players. This poll is about the shape and not about the tone, simply because the tone comes more from the components and wood type than the shape of the guitar. The two things you should really factor in are the ergonomics and aesthetics of the shape.

Personally, I think the Strat shape is the best of any guitar. Its well balanced and is very comfortable to play for hours on end. Not only are the ergonomics fantastic, as far as looks are concerned, its a damn sexy shape. The Les Paul shape is also very sexy, but the ergonomics aren't nearly as good as on the Strat shape. Its bulky, has poor balance, and doesn't feel like it was formed around the human body. On the other hand the Strat shape is very organic, and feels as if Mother Nature herself designed it.

To reiterate what said earlier, This poll is about shape, NOT tone. Peace

Posted by: Praetorian Aug 17 2010, 09:09 PM

Strat without a doubt. The Les Paul I owned for a short time almost fell off my lap too many times!

Posted by: The Uncreator Aug 17 2010, 09:16 PM

Awww, where the Flying V?


Between those two though, Strat I guess.

Posted by: Azzaboi Aug 17 2010, 10:07 PM

Both really sexy guitar, it's a toss up...
Is also depends what your comparing - Gibson Les Paul Standard VS. Fender American Stratocaster Guitar?
It's kinda like comparing Slash VS. Hendrix, they are both great in their own ways!

The Strat I guess would win because it is more balanced playing (specially sitting down) and lower cost. Feels more comfortable.

The Les Paul grows on you however and the double cut is one of my favs, words can't describe how nice it sounds and plays.
If it was comparing tones, Les Paul would win. However, this does not mean that it will be the right guitar for you.

Not be a quick, simple decision. It's personal taste.

Posted by: lcsdds Aug 18 2010, 12:07 AM

Ibanez RG......

Posted by: ZakkWylde Aug 18 2010, 12:15 AM

Strat shapes are way easier to play but they just look ugly so the LP wins by aesthetics and we get a tie.

Posted by: Dexxter Aug 18 2010, 12:59 AM

Flying V. Ergonomics and aesthetics

But since that is not an option I'll go with the strat shape. I have never tried an LP, yet.

Posted by: Fran Aug 18 2010, 02:33 AM

I voted strat, I guess it's "the guitar" in my mind, when I think about electric guitars, strats are what I imagine, I love the shape, the balance, how they stick to you while playing, easy fret access, etc.

Having said that I also like many other guitar shapes, such as SGs, Vs and LPs. Someday I'll get a LP.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 18 2010, 11:11 AM

The strat shape provides better high fret access and has been modified by Ibanez, Jackson and other vendors to allow even greater upper fret access. Some guitars even trim down the lower cut away making it smaller than the top cut away to keep it from getting in the way.

That said, the LP shape does look pretty darn good and provides better sustain in many cases due to the lack of a "bolt on" neck in many cases and the fact that the top cutaway is actually connected further up the neck than the strat shape. But the the poll was on shape, so Strat shape! It's all about access to frets high and low.

Todd

Posted by: audiopaal Aug 18 2010, 11:59 AM

Between those two, I'll have to say the Les Paul

But the ultimate shape for me is a mix between Tele and LP (I have two), looks great

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 21 2010, 01:01 PM

Not really sure, I love both of these shapes, they are completely different, so comparing is a bit strange. Both Strat and LP look cool, and every guitar has it's own characteristics that cannot be matched on the other. So, I would say - both

Posted by: Wilska Aug 21 2010, 01:46 PM

I would also say Flying V. Ergonomics and aesthetics, hands down.
But between a strat and a LP, the LP would win every time. The strat shape is really really ugly, sure it's nice if your sitting with it on your right leg (if you're right handed), but that makes for a very bad posture. Standing up the LP wins, especially the ESP LPs, with the lighter weight and the small belly cutout.

For sexiness... Well the strat is just a tiny step above a tasteless BC Rich guitar in my mind =)
The LP is classy, but the Flying V rules them all

Posted by: Sollesnes Aug 21 2010, 02:38 PM

For playability/ergonomics, Id say this one:


But its almost as bad looking (for me) as a Les Paul, so my vote goes to Strats

Posted by: Alexiaden93 Aug 21 2010, 05:08 PM

Strat No question ^^ Both playability and looks, there's nothing more beautiful than a pristine white Stratocaster

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 21 2010, 06:09 PM

i love Flying V's also .
but between those, both wins

Posted by: Trond Vold Aug 22 2010, 01:09 AM

Stratshaped guitars are probably easier to sit and play with, at first. LP's might feel a bit heavy and uneven at first, but it's nothing you cant get used to.
I've had my LP for around 15 years now, but the whole feeling of it being heavy went away after the first month.

All in all, i voted for LP. It's the superior shape. It looks classier and is (in most cases) built way more robust.
You can almost break a Strat by looking at it the wrong way.

Posted by: ZakkWylde Aug 22 2010, 01:12 AM

That's the best description of a strat I ever heard

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 22 2010, 02:17 AM

I beg to differ Trond, the Stratocaster in my humble opinion is exceptionally more rugged of an instrument than the Les Paul. When was the last time you've seen a beat up old LP? Never, because it can't even survive the first drop. Beat up old Strats however are all over the place, and survive years of abuse. SRV used to stand on his Strat and beat the day lights out of it night after night. In fact, Fender now beats up brand new Strats and markets them as "road worn" Of all the guitars in production the LP has the highest rate of neck fractures, most likely do to it lacking a neck volute.

If you've never heard of Ed Roman, you should check out his web page, its pretty interesting. He is one of the premier builders of custom guitars. Ed has worked for Gibson and even was a http://www.edroman.com/rants/ghost.htm for them. He also has a service department that fixes guitars, and they fix more Les Paul necks than all the other guitars combined. Heres an article he has written, check it out, its really eye opening.

http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm

Aesthetics and comfort are pretty much a matter of personal preference, but reliability and ruggedness are a matter of statistics.

Posted by: Trond Vold Aug 22 2010, 02:22 AM

Well, i too beg to differ
How many live-shows have you seen someone break a LP? There's a reason why everyone who bashes up a guitar on stage use a strat as their victim..

And.. you wouldnt believe the abuse my LP has endured! It's just 15 years old but it looks like it's been through both WW1 and WW2.
Still plays as good as new though, if not better

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 22 2010, 02:40 AM

True they are both different, one was designed (strat) and the other was slapped together (LP) But the reason why I decided to limit the poll to these two guitars is because they are by far the most dominant shapes on the market. I considered adding the Flying V but then people would ask how come I didn't add the SG, or Tele, or Explorer etc... (On a side not, I love the Explorer shape) I tried to keep the argument to the aesthetics and ergonomics of the shapes, but we've seen how well that went looool



Of course musicians break more Strats on stage, who in their right mind would smash up a $3000 guitar? Strats are waaay cheaper than Les Pauls. By the way, I have a 1981 Yamaha Lawsuit Les Paul, and it has been to hell and back, and survived mostly intact, (chipped headstock ) It even survived the desert heat of Kuwait, which can reach 50 C. But this Lawsuit Les Paul has a neck volute and is bolt-on rather than set, thereby eliminating the originals design flaws. I love that guitar, its got a nice sound to it, but it isn't nearly as comfortable as the Strat shaped LTD Horizon that I got sitting next to it But thats mostly personal preference, to each his own

Posted by: fkalich Aug 22 2010, 05:15 AM

Of course a Strat is more durable. They were designed to be so in the beginning. I have a Strat, rarely play it though. I have been pretty pleased at how well my LP's have held up. You just have to be a bit more careful, but not unreasonably so. Nothing wrong with being a bit careful. I mean, you don't set your coffee up on top of your computer either. With some of the best things, being a bit more careful comes with the turf.

I find the LP very comfortable, more than my other guitars. As Trond said, you quickly get used to them, or at least many of us feel that way. There is just something real nice about playing a LP.

Actually I would take a Tele over a Strat in terms of comfort. I also have a Tele, which I again rarely play. I just seem to always want to play a LP, something about a LP. I always was fond of them because Jimmy Page played one. But I think it is a lot more than that, I just like everything about them.

Posted by: Staffy Aug 22 2010, 07:44 AM

For me its not a question of which guitar-body is most sexy - rather, which guitar can You pick up the most sexiest bodies with? And by my experience this issue shows that a strat will win on all occasions. (unless You're not gigging at a retirement home) Why?

A Strat has a more human body (eg. a LP looks like it missing an arm or something), and reminds the girls of a Phallos-symbol. And if You shake that symbol fast enough, it will remind them of something else. No matter of how YOU look. They keep their eyes on the guitar and making fantasies of what is there behind....

In the line of duty:
Dr. M.D. Staffay.D.O.M.Freud

Note: D.O.M. stands for "Dirty Old Man"

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 22 2010, 07:48 AM

Loooool You're awesome Staffy, after reading a few of your posts, I knew I could count on you for a great opinion All hail Staffy!

Posted by: sted Aug 22 2010, 08:18 AM

lol!

Staffy man, you really crack me up!

Personally I like (And own) both but even thouh I love the sound of my LP cranked through my Boogie I always feel relived to strap my strat back on.What about the telecaster anyway? Thats probably the best of both worlds!

Posted by: Azzaboi Aug 22 2010, 09:47 PM

Yeah... Slash just gets all the dudes running and throwing themselves at him, breaking his Les Paul? Must not be a chick magnet at all?



Gees I must of picked the wrong guitar!

... while I'm at it, I also better get into Teenie POP music - that's the $@!* that get's all the girls going crazy, Justin Beiber has to daily fight off all the naked chicks!

Posted by: Alexiaden93 Aug 22 2010, 10:02 PM

Yeah, Lesbians can be such a threat! *falls off chair*

Posted by: Bear Rose Aug 25 2010, 09:29 PM

The Strat! Its amazing how a body style that was made over 50 years ago is still considered by many to be the best body shape!