Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

[Neeradj]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I voted other. I've owned a Gibson les Paul Deluxe '76, and still own a Fender Strat '60/'70. These make great comparisons. I once took the LP to bandpractice and lay down to watch some tv when I got home. When I tried to get up, my arm wouldn't move and it had a terrible ache. Good thing it cleared up after an hour or so, when I forced it. But really, I noticed the Les Paul's weight really being too much, even when playing at the time. I also hate the "heel" on the set-in Gibson necks, and some of them are also really fat and uncomfortable (like holding baseball-bats). I do have to add I was a lot smaller and weaker when I had one, and was in my 7th month of playing. I don't have the weight problem with the Les Paul anymore, I guess.

The strat ain't perfect either, with it's 10" radius fingerboard the action isn't very proper on the higher frets, which makes soloing a problem. The bolt-on heel is something I don't like either, and some of the strats suck up your sustain. I also don't like S-S-S configs, because they usually sound thin and unbalanced. Fender also used 21 frets for this model, so sometimes I'm playing a great solo and all of a sudden "Darn I don't have that extra fret for that cool 22nd note full bend".

The thing I like about the overall Les Paul is it's shape, it looks so amazing especially with an arched top. The H-H config, sustain, warmth, durability are something we all shouldn't leave out. The strat however has a longer 25.5" scale neck which ads up in playability, it has a deeper cutaway for better fret acces, rounded sides and tummy cut. So how to combine these great elements and leave out the bad stuff? Ibanez got pretty close to wiping these problems out for me, but I needed something more. That's why I'm workin together with Blueline to make my dreamguitar. It'll have a Single Cut Les Paul body, with an arched maple cap, 25.5" scale neck which will be a little thinner than a LP (it'll have the Petrucci specs), a H-H config with push-pull so I can get both strat and Humbucker sounds, a set-in neck but with no heel and a deeper cutaway and a tummy cut for comfort. As far as the feel and weight will go, I'll sure have the perfect axe

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

you need to check out the brian moore i1...

it sounds like exactly what you are looking for!!!???

yup sure does but i want something more simple, justlike i described it (excepting for the neck heel contour). Plus the breian moore axes are way beyond my wallet

 

[dd12939]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I can comment on the difference between a Strat and an SG. The SG is way better as far as ergonomics go. I like the way the sg sits/hangs a lot better, plus the neck is more comfortable. Also, when you get up into the higher frets on the Strat, that big ol' bolted on neck pocket makes it really hard for me to play.

 

[Farkus]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

Strat all the way!

Feels like it actually fits my body. I'm always fighting Les Pauls just to play them! :laugh2:

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

i p[refer the strat design, which goes to many other designs like the superstrats like ibanez, jackson, etc. which i like the most. i have a les paul, and while it does sound good, i prefer my strat shaped guitars alot more. so, ergonomically shaped, the strat murders a les paul. i love strat shaped guitars, especially with floyd roses, 24 frets, and duncan pickups

 

[C. Snake]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I believe the body of the Strat is more comfortable to play and has a great clean sound. The Les Paul has the better dirt and is a better rock guitar. I'm a blue's man at heart, so the strat is my preference.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I love the way the Strat feels, that's probably I can't pull the trigger on buying an LP yet, and I probably won't.

 

[kill your scene]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I can comment on the difference between a Strat and an SG. The SG is way better as far as ergonomics go. I like the way the sg sits/hangs a lot better, plus the neck is more comfortable. Also, when you get up into the higher frets on the Strat, that big ol' bolted on neck pocket makes it really hard for me to play.

I can't imagine liking the way an SG hangs. You can't let go of the neck... it dives to the floor. It's just awkward and unbalanced. To each his own, but from my humble experience, a Strat wins in the "comfort" category.

I think the golden rule of thumb is this: if the strap button is on the upper horn, then I'm happy. If the strap button is on the back of the neck joint... it'll be too awkward for me. Every time I play a guitar that has the strap button situated on the back of the neck joint, it doesn't work for me... permanent nose dive. Put the button on the upper bout! Bonus points if you've got a nice generous double-cutaway (like a Jackson Soloist) and the upper horn has some substance.

 

[RACER X]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

Even though I love LP's I gotta say Fender, just more user friendly.

 

[Maggie]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

The most ergonomic design I've played (and one of the best guitars I have ever played) was a Klein Electric.

I'll very happily second that!

 

[Gamera]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

The comments about a Les Paul's tone and sustain are right-on. And so is the comment about a fat strat.

But since the question relates specifically to ergonomics, I'd absolutely have to choose a strat. You've heard it said a million times before: "It just feels like a natural extension of your body."

 

[texasguitarslinger]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I've played both and I have to vote Les Paul. Mainly, because the angle and shape of the neck are just perfect. The ergonomics of my frethand take priority to anything else.

 

[FenderBoy]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

For me, the LP seems to fit my 5'6" frame a little better. I also like the angled neck, it's just more comfortable IMO. Everybody has different needs though.

Angled Neck on a Les Paul Rocks!!!

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

Overall, the strat. My strats are the most comfortable guitars I own. My PRS comes close, though. I'd agree with gearjoneser about the PRS being the best compromise. The only thing that makes it less than perfect is the slight rub the edge of the top makes on the picking forearm. But that's a very minor thing.


By the way, I believe Gibson may be releasing an LP with a reduced neck joint. I've seen a photo of Neal Schon with one. Of course, that hefty joint is critical to the tone.

Strats with cutaway heels and repositioned controls are commonplace.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

Strats

Particularily Floyd Rose Strats. The raised bridge and tilted neck on a FR Strat is somewhat similar to a LP in feel, but the Strat has much better fret and pick arm access. With my Strat I can wear it up high or down low. My LP has to sit low or else I have to reach around it to get my pick hand in there.

The flatter fretboard on a LP makes bending much easier, but makes it harder to chord. I find the fretboard on my Strat to be alot faster than the LP.

One of my Strats (H.M.) has a contoured heel, and it's so much nicer than the heel on my Standard. The 24 fret neck is also a bonus. The controls are repositioned and I find them much better located than the normal locations. The Floyd Rose adds tremendous sustain over a normal tremolo bridge.

I think Fender should go back and see what it did right on the H.M Strat, and incorporate some of those ideas into their current Strat line.

I'd have to admit that in a look cool contest, the LP's ability to be slung down down by your knees and remain somewhat playable makes it a clear winner,

but when it comes to comfort and payability, the Strat has it hands down.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

Strats



One of my Strats (H.M.) has a contoured heel, and it's so much nicer than the heel on my Standard. The 24 fret neck is also a bonus. The controls are repositioned and I find them much better located than the normal locations. The Floyd Rose adds tremendous sustain over a normal tremolo bridge.

I think Fender should go back and see what it did right on the H.M Strat, and incorporate some of those ideas into their current Strat line.

The current deluxe 50th anniversary strat has the same heel as the HM. The problem with the 24 fret neck is that it messes with the positioning of the neck pickup, changing the neck pickup's tone. This would not be a popular move for most strat players.

As for the floyd adding sustain, I've experienced the opposite. -Grab a strat with a standard trem, and compare the trem block to that of a floyd. It's significantly bigger. So for the heavier main surface, any gain of mass is lost with the piddly sustain block. People have built retrofit blocks to help combat this.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

The current deluxe 50th anniversary strat has the same heel as the HM. The problem with the 24 fret neck is that it messes with the positioning of the neck pickup, changing the neck pickup's tone. This would not be a popular move for most strat players.

As for the floyd adding sustain, I've experienced the opposite. -Grab a strat with a standard trem, and compare the trem block to that of a floyd. It's significantly bigger. So for the heavier main surface, any gain of mass is lost with the piddly sustain block. People have built retrofit blocks to help combat this.

The neck pickup is about 1/4" closer to the bridge saddles than a normal Strat neck pickup. Not an issue for me, but I see how it could be for some.

I'm not going to argue the sustaining qualities of various Floyd Rose/FR Lic bridges and the various Strat trem bridges. Some Floyd Rose systems are great, some suck ass. Some Strat trem systems are great, some suck ass.

Either way, my H.M. Strat has better sustain than both my regular Strat and my Les Paul, and that's all that really matters to me....

....It's also the most comfortable of all three, which is what this threads really about :wink:

 

[strat_master]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

SG's look awesome and play awesome, but they feel wierd when you wear them, the body is soo light, and it feels just awkward to me. I prefer guitars that have their strap buttom on the side rather than the back of the guitar. Teles are hard to play for me mainly because of those metal ash tray styled bridges kinda feels odd to me i dunno thats just me.

 

[psy]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I voted for other. Both LP and Strat have bros and cons. Both were the first with this design which has been improved over the decades by innovative guitar builders.
e.g. I find the straight headstock of fender not modern. Also the thick square heel.
The 3-way toggle of standard LP: why not something more versatile? Split, series, parallel, out-of-phase. There are 4 pots to "hide" switches which would not noticabely affect the sound. Also the hard to get long-shaft switches/pots would not be necessary if the cavity is routed appropriately

That's only view things I don't like at these classics. That's one reason why I never ever would spend money for such overpriced old-feshioned instruments.

Just my opinion

I prefer Framus over everthing else

 

[Duncan]

Re: Best ergonomic Design: Fender or Gibson

I'm just in the process of getting my first strat. I've been an LP guy for over 20 years...

However, I think you'd have to give the 'ergonomic' award to the Strat. Most people don't like the weight of the Les Paul, and the body shape is not contoured. On the other hand, I've tended to find that slimmer guys (like me) tend to cope far better with the Les Paul, as the body contour issue is not such a drama as if you have a bit of a belly out front. Having a gut makes the Les Paul sit at a shocking angle....