One of the questions I am often asked by students beginning guitar lessons at Melbourne School of Music – by Adonis Kiritsopoulos (guitar teacher )

The short answer is TONE and playability. They sound, and play, very differently. It’s not that one is better than the other, it’s just that they are different.

With Gibson, their flagship guitar is undoubtedly the Les Paul. With Fender, it is the Stratocaster and the Telecaster. The Les Paul and the Stratocaster (and Telecaster) are very different guitars…..in EVERY WAY!

About the only thing they have in common is that they both have six strings!

Scale length:             Gibson – 24.75”                                              Fender – 25.5”

Construction:           Gibson – set neck                                           Fender – bolt on neck

Body material:          Gibson – Mahogany with Maple cap         Fender – One piece Alder or Ash

Neck Material:         Gibson – Mahogany                                       Fender – Maple

String gauge:            Gibson – 10 – 46                                            Fender – 9 – 42

Pickups:                    Gibson – Humbuckers x 2  (usually)          Fender– Single coil x 3 (usually) 

Tuners:                      Gibson – Three a side                                    Fender – In line six

Finger board:           Gibson – Rosewood or Ebony                     Fender – Rosewood or Maple

Finally….Gibson Les Pauls weigh A LOT MORE than Fender Stratocasters!

As a result of all these differences, Les Pauls and Stratocasters (and Telecasters) sound very different. The Les Paul will never sound like a Stratocaster and the Stratocaster will not sound like a Les Paul.

This different sound or tone that these guitars produce is what attracts different players and it is one of the ingredients that has given rise to different styles of popular music. For example, the surf guitar style and sound of the 60’s with bands like the Shadows and the Ventures was created using Fender guitars……and Fender amps! Everyone in The Shadows and The Ventures used mainly Fender Stratocaster and/or Jaguar guitars…… even the bass players used Fender Precision Basses! So if you want to sound like Hank Marvin from The Shadows…..DON’T buy a Gibson Les Paul!

If, on the other hand, Country rock and Nashville is where you are headed, you will need a Telecaster. Don’t even think of approaching Nashville city limits with a Les Paul……you will be refused entry….or SHOT!

But if Gary Moore is your guitar hero (as he is mine!) get a Les Paul…..or two!