Guitar Giants Head-to-Head: Gibson Versus Fender

For many musicians, especially guitar players, this has probably been the biggest question of all time. Which guitar do I buy, a Gibson or a Fender? In particular the choice of buying Gibson's Les Paul, and Fender's Stratocaster. These two guitars are buy far the most popular in the world, yet are worlds apart.

Let's start with the eldest of the two. The Gibson Les Paul, which made its debut in 1952, is widely known for its beautiful appearance, fat sound, and impressive sustain. Where appearance is concerned, the Les Paul's carved, flamed maple top makes it seem more like a work of art than a musical instrument. The combination of the two humbucker pickups, and three way switch, allow you to get anything from a rich deep tone, to a down right raunchy growl. The slightly thick neck can tend to make you work harder to play fast notes or a lot of string bends, but the rewards you get from the sound may be well worth the extra effort. The Les Paul is a hefty guitar, so you may want to make sure your back is in good shape if you plan to stand and play for long periods.

Now, the one major downside to owning a Les Paul may be its price. You should be prepared to spend well over one thousand dollars for a new Les Paul. If you decide to try and find a vintage guitar, then I hope you have a very hefty bank account. Many vintage Les Paul's have sold in the tens of thousands.

Now, lets move on to the younger of our comparison. The Fender Stratocaster, also know as a strat. The Stratocaster made its debut in 1954, a mere two years after the Les Paul. While the Stratocaster may not have the stunning looks of the Les Paul, many would argue that it is by far the more versatile of the two. With it's three single coil pickups, and five-way switch you get a much wider range of sounds. From warn smooth tones, to high pitch squeals, the Fender Stratocaster has definitely made its mark in music history.