• From: Laredo, Texas
  • Registered: 2009-01-24
  • Posts: 38

Topic: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

Hey there blues players! Does anyone have an opinion why so many great blues players ( Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Jimmy Page etc.) have switched from the ES-335 or the Les Paul, to the Strat? I have an idea, but would be interested if anyone has an opinion on the matter.

But, here's the secret about the guitar: It's defiant. It will never let you conquer it. The more that you get involved with it, the more you realize how little you know.
                 Les Paul  March 2007

skydivr103's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,862

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

skydivr 103 I have owned each of these guitars and the strat has a unique sound I have played one for the last 25 years, both the ES and les paul are fine instruments but in my opinion the strat has a greater range of tones and fretability smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

Russ says it best. I think the Strat is the most flexible of all sound wise. For me it's a;so the most comfortable. I just find myself picking it up more. It's design, shape, versatility and weight make it the choice IMHO

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello
  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 533

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

I think they are simply just different guitars...Best scenario would be to have one (or two, three) of each! A Les Paul and Strat are simply two different guitars and both absolutely excel at what each does. For blues I think the Strat has the ability to get those really cool growly tones and then just scream with emotion...great for slide work too! For those big heavy power chords and leads (think Gun n Roses) then a Les Paul is really in it's element. Course the exceptions vary as much as the players do. Seem that practically all of the big guns will have a Les Paul, a Strat, a Telecaster, and a hollowbody in their arsenal...even if they play something different most of the time...

Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.
  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

jaygordon75 wrote:

I think they are simply just different guitars...Best scenario would be to have one (or two, three) of each! A Les Paul and Strat are simply two different guitars and both absolutely excel at what each does. For blues I think the Strat has the ability to get those really cool growly tones and then just scream with emotion...great for slide work too! For those big heavy power chords and leads (think Gun n Roses) then a Les Paul is really in it's element. Course the exceptions vary as much as the players do. Seem that practically all of the big guns will have a Les Paul, a Strat, a Telecaster, and a hollowbody in their arsenal...even if they play something different most of the time...

But what if you could only have 1???? I say strat.

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello
  • From: Laredo, Texas
  • Registered: 2009-01-24
  • Posts: 38

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

Thanks everybody. I think the ES has a deeper more resonant sound, especially in stereo when you run one amp set for treble and one for bass. More meloncholy if you will. The Les Paul fairly screams at mid-range, kinda of the darker edge of rock/blues. The Strat seems to be more versatile, somewhat of a biting edge. With the selector switch and pedals you can get varied tones. Just wondering. Right now I can get one or the other, but not both. Unless of course I go with a Casino, and maybe an Americn Standard strat. I have an epiphone Les Paul, that will do for now.

But, here's the secret about the guitar: It's defiant. It will never let you conquer it. The more that you get involved with it, the more you realize how little you know.
                 Les Paul  March 2007

skydivr103's Website

  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

Eric Johnson plays both.

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

skydivr103 wrote:

Thanks everybody. I think the ES has a deeper more resonant sound, especially in stereo when you run one amp set for treble and one for bass. More meloncholy if you will. The Les Paul fairly screams at mid-range, kinda of the darker edge of rock/blues. The Strat seems to be more versatile, somewhat of a biting edge. With the selector switch and pedals you can get varied tones. Just wondering. Right now I can get one or the other, but not both. Unless of course I go with a Casino, and maybe an Americn Standard strat. I have an epiphone Les Paul, that will do for now.

Skydivr103,

Your on the right tract going with the casino and a strat, more bang for you buck and you already have an epi paul with the money you save you can hot rod the strat & epi. Change the strat pick ups to texas specials and some rockfield swc's for your epi. You can change the epi buckers with Rio Grandes, Seymour Duncans or EMG's but for the money the Rockfields are a good buy ($100.00 american).  As Jaygordon75 said the pros usually have a few of each.  One thing that you did not mention about the 335's or clones is feed back when you have your amp cranked.

Regards,

Bootleger.
Bootlegger guitars.

I have 2 fender strats, 3 strat type (Washburn, Dean & Series 10) 3 custom made strats (I built) and a Michael Kelly Patriot Q Lp type clone, also a custom SG that I am going to finish as soon as it warms up for clear to dry. I forgot my 64 Fender Mustang.

  • From: Laredo, Texas
  • Registered: 2009-01-24
  • Posts: 38

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

I hear you bootlegger. I was looking at the B.B. King, Lucille signature model, that does not have the f-holes, which eliminates or greatly reduces the feedfack problem. As for the epi, I've been wanting to change the pickups for some time now. I have been considering the Seymour's, though I would like to hear the others, since I am not familiar with them. Thanks all for the feedback. (no pun intended) smile

But, here's the secret about the guitar: It's defiant. It will never let you conquer it. The more that you get involved with it, the more you realize how little you know.
                 Les Paul  March 2007

skydivr103's Website

  • Registered: 2007-12-24
  • Posts: 67

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

I think it is one part pratical and one part fashion.
They started with acoustics but needed more volume.
Then they went electric, initially favoring archtops since that was all that was available (Switchmaster was a fave)
The Tele arrived and lots of guys switched because it didn't feedback much and was handy in a fight. (Muddy, Albert)
The Strat shipped and was more comfortable for long gigs and looked fancier. (Buddy)
P90 and (later) humbucker pickups on Gibsons pushed preamp harder, for more singing tone (Freddy, BB)
Amps got better and strats w/ single coils could be used again
The Brits came along and brought their 'rock' guitars and amps in the 70's
Now, goodness knows, anything goes.

  • From: Laredo, Texas
  • Registered: 2009-01-24
  • Posts: 38

Re: Gibson ES-335 VS. Fender Strat

Great analysis Drew!

But, here's the secret about the guitar: It's defiant. It will never let you conquer it. The more that you get involved with it, the more you realize how little you know.
                 Les Paul  March 2007

skydivr103's Website