Is owning LP's a sickness?

[Kam]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Les Paul hater/Strat fan

I know you're just kidding but I just wanna say that I'm neither of those things. I love Gibsons and I love Les Pauls. Strats are actually my least favourite guitar out of all the Fenders I can think of. My tastes lie right in the middle of the big two companies, with a 50/50 split each way. I wouldn't want a guitar collection that wasn't at least roughly equal between the two styles.

But look at the Stratocaster. There's a reason it's the most modified and hot-rodded guitar around. It's because it's so insanely versatile. I think it'd be extremely difficult to make a case for Les Pauls having more options than Strats; without getting into custom shops and Warmoth type projects, at least.

But then, when it comes down to it, any 'F vs G' argument is basically retarded anyway, in my opinion.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Looking at LP's only from Gibson, and Strats just from Fender:

Besides having 1, 2, or 3 PU's (various combinations of HB, P-90, and Alnico Staple), there's a big variety in body shape: single and double cutaway, flat top and archtop. Didn't some LP's come with factory Bigsby's, plus there's Access LP's with vibratos (Floyd's?). There's all-maple LP's (including the fretboard).

I've never seen a single cutaway Strat, or one with factory P-90's. Maybe they're out there somewhere. Are there archtop Strats? Ebony fretboards?

An archtop LP Std with HB's, is a very different feeling and sounding instrument than a double cutaway, flat-top LP Special with P-90's. I haven't seen that kind of variety in Strats made by Fender, hence a justification for collecting LP's, as the OP was talking about (getting back on topic). I don't know that any guitar has as many variations, from the original manufacturer, as LP's.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Well at least this pissing match isn't the typical "My Agile is just as good as an LP" type of "discussion".

I like both Strats and LP's. They both have a purpose and have their own unique sound(s). I've played Strats and Strat type guitars for years. I just feel more comfortable with an LP right now. That could change in 6 months, but right now, I'm just enjoying what I have and the sounds I'm getting!

 

[Kam]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Looking at LP's only from Gibson, and Strats just from Fender:

Besides having 1, 2, or 3 PU's (various combinations of HB, P-90, and Alnico Staple),

I shouldn't have to do much to rebut this argument. Strats are widely available with dual humbuckers or three single coils, plus any combination of that, HSS and HSH being the most popular, I guess. The real strength is that it's so easily changed. Most Strat bodies, as far as I know, are routed for HSH. You want to change the bridge pickup from hum to single coil. Not a problem. You want a single humbucker guitar? No sweat. Include hum-sized P90s in that and you can have pretty much any arrangement of pickups you can dream up. Just get yourself a new scratchplate.

It's this modular nature of the guitar that I was trying to point out in my post. The exact configuration you want may not always be widely available straight from the factory but if you have a Strat you can turn it into pretty much whatever you want, with minimal cost and effort. You buy a Les Paul, you put in something the same size as a humbucker. You buy a Strat, you put in whatever you want.

Hell, you don't like the fretboard? Change the whole neck. Not a problem.

That's why I said it's the most versatile instrument. Because there are far fewer limitations to what you can do with it. If you want something out of the ordinary it's far easier to achieve with a Strat.

there's a big variety in body shape: single and double cutaway, flat top and archtop.

Personally, I wasn't actually counting double cuts because, as you point out later in your post, they feel, play and sound like totally different instruments. They just share the same name.

If you want a single cut Strat then you buy a Nashville Tele. Not exactly the same, no. There's a different bridge (which you can easily change) and a different control layout (which you can also change) but there's a good parallel to be drawn between the Strat/Tele relationship and the single/double cut Les Paul relationship.

...one with factory P-90's.

Unfortunately discontinued, but out there.

Are there archtop Strats?

There was a carved top Strat but, as far as I know, it was only offered as a Custom Shop model. Apart from that, there was the Fender Showmaster, which was basically a super-strat, that was offered with a set neck and a carved top, plus many different pickup and bridge arrangements.

Ebony fretboards?

The Jim Root sig Strat has an ebony board.

Apart from all that, apart from the ease with which these guitars can be modified and transformed (which was my main point in my first post) there's the different bridge arrangements. Vintage vibrato. modern non-locking vibrato. Hard tail. Floyd. Different body woods. Alder. Ash. Poplar. Pine (I think). Mahogany. Agathis. All with their own sound and resonance.

This is an argument I don't want to get into. As I said, arguing about Fender vs Gibson is just dumb. They're both great.

I get that you have passionately held preferences and I know that you believe strongly in your opinions but please please please stop dropping lines like, "And unlike a collection of Strats, they really are different." It makes you seem much less intelligent than you are and it really doesn't help anyone. It just helps propagate rumours, bias and internet untruths.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Looking at LP's only from Gibson, and Strats just from Fender:

There are hundreds of variations of the Strat and the Les paul. Ignoring the rest is called ignorance. Fender has other designs they work on, they have multiple guitars/amps/products whereas Gibson has 5 or 6 guitars they are known for and not much else.

Gibson have been riding on McCartys designs for the longest time while Fender is doing other stuff. Designing new amps all the time, guitars, putting out new pickups, pedals whatever. They come out with the Mustang amps which are a big hit and Gibson puts out the Firebird X which obviously wasn't the next big thing.

Fender doesn't worry about variations because they have other stuff going on, they know they are still making tons of money off the strat and other designs, and they know that other companies they own like Charvel and G&L will put out other instruments for the other crowds that want something a little different. Gibson puts new paint on a guitar and that's what they show at NAMM. They turn their most famous designs into Melody makers and that's their new guitar. Sure they come out with more variations but it's because that's all they got.

Don't think I'm completely dissing Gibson. I'm a huge Gibson guy but disregarding Fender is like disregarding the most important brand of musical instruments that has ever graced the industry.

Fender has done it all whether you or anyone else likes it or not. They basically massed produced the solid body (quality or not), they developed modern amps, probably 98% of amp designs have originated from Fender, and they continue with solid reliable products, with their sister corps. coming out with new designs. They are the biggest guitar company in the world with Gibson coming in at number 4 (Jackson and Ibanez between them respectively).

Music as we know it would not have been the same without them, even Les paul himself has said that. Gibson thought Paul was a nut until Fender came out with the tele. Marshall basically copied the Bassman as the "first" Marshall. So much of what you like has come from FMIC and you need to understand that and I don't think you do.

I'm not mad if seems like I am, I just think you are close minded.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Don't think I'm completely dissing Gibson. I'm a huge Gibson guy but disregarding Fender is like disregarding the most important brand of musical instruments that has ever graced the industry.

Earth to Andrew, no one's 'dissing' or 'disregarding' Fender here. You''ve got a rambling defense for something that wasn't attacked. What I said didn't question Fender's contribution to musical history. How did you manage to come up with that? How about turning down the rhetoric and holding a normal conversation. You act like this is life and death. We're just guys talking, it's all opinions on everyone's part, and you get yourself all worked up. Chill out. :eyecrazy:

Gibson has chosen, all the way back to the 1950's, to make many distinctly different models of LP's, to reach as many players, and budgets, as possible. Maybe it was a good marketing move, maybe it wasn't. LP's may have the most legitimate variations of any guitar, who knows? Which would be why (in an attempt again to get back on topic) LP's would be particularly collectible to some people, and could be diagnosed as a 'sickness' like the OP suggested.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Earth to Andrew, no one's 'dissing' or 'disregarding' Fender here. You''ve got a rambling defense for something that wasn't attacked. What I said didn't question Fender's contribution to musical history. How did you manage to come up with that? How about turning down the rhetoric and holding a normal conversation. You act like this is life and death. We're just guys talking, it's all opinions on everyone's part, and you get yourself all worked up. Chill out. :eyecrazy:

I'm not getting myself worked up. You consistently rip on Fender and it seems you have no basis to go on. The reason the history was brought into play is because you seem to think Fender has done nothing in regards to variety while Gibson has been releasing interesting new things all the time. Not true. After you "mentored" me, I saw how you act towards many different subjects. You are a very close minded, ignorant person.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

I'm not getting myself worked up. You consistently rip on Fender and it seems you have no basis to go on. The reason the history was brought into play is because you seem to think Fender has done nothing in regards to variety while Gibson has been releasing interesting new things all the time. Not true. After you "mentored" me, I saw how you act towards many different subjects. You are a very close minded, ignorant person.

Again, none of this was in my posts here, but don't let that stop you. My saying LP's may have more variety than other models, you take as a scathing attack on Fender (where did that come from?). Who's close-minded? You keep on and on, putting words in my mouth. Do you just feel the need to vent, regardless of what anyone else may or may not say? How many threads are you going to mess up with outbursts? The name calling is a nice touch, very mature. Do you think Seymour put this forum up so you can rant at fellow members?

Why don't you see if you can stay calm and respectful, and keep a sense of humor about all of this. We don't need the high school drama.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Why don't you see if you can stay calm and respectful, and keep a sense of humor about all of this. We don't need the high school drama.

Who's in high school?


I guess the way this can be solved is this. Dr. K's signature.

"Remember, never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience."

Seems about right. Have fun playing your Epiphones.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

 

[voggin]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Let's start a collection and buy Andrew and Blueman each a PRS.

(By the way, am I the only one who hears the Star Trek pon far fight music when I read their posts?)

 

[Kam]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Let's start a collection and buy Andrew and Blueman each a PRS.

(By the way, am I the only one who hears the Star Trek pon far fight music when I read their posts?)

This is true. There really aren't enough cans of worms open in this thread.

PRS sucks!!!

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

LMAO! I was going to make a comment along these lines, but that says it well enough I think!

 

[formula73]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Let it go, guys. We all know damn well there's no room for differing opinions in the world of Blueman. It's his way or the highway and we're all retarded for not worshipping the ground he walks upon.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Let it go, guys. We all know damn well there's no room for differing opinions in the world of Blueman. It's his way or the highway and we're all retarded for not worshipping the ground he walks upon.

Today has been a great day on the forum.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Back on topic.. I love lps and wish I could afford more!! :friday:

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Yup. Don't tell my finacee, but I'm eventually gonna have to get another one. The amount that I love the Tribute -- which is a lot -- has only made me want some other LP flavors as well. I used to have an Agile with a Custom and Distortion that was perfect for punk and metal. Might have to get something along those lines again.

Back on topic.. I love lps and wish I could afford more!! :friday:

 

[butnut]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

Been through Strats, Teles (a lot) MusicMasters, Mustang, Epi LPs, Sheritons, Riviera, Firebird, a slew of LP copies (Univox, Dillion, Heritage), Gibsons; a few LPs with big sellers remorse, a 336 which I may be having sellers remorse...but I am now a sick LP whore. It's all I play and all I wanna play. I am sick, but it's OK.

 

[formula73]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

LOVE the white rings on that custom!

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Is owning LP's a sickness?

pcorn: