Comments on: Eric Clapton Speaks: Best blues guitar, Gibson or Fender? http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/ Slide guitar and blues guitar lessons for the aspiring guitar player. Free videos, blues guitar tabs, and articles about the blues. Thu, 10 May 2012 08:06:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Justin http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-9001 Justin Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:20:27 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-9001 I have a PRS Custom 22 that will kill anything in my opinion. I traded a Strat for it; loved the sound but hated the feel! The 25.5" scale was way too long. The 25" PRS has a much more comfortable neck, and can get Strat or LP sounds. True, split buckers will never really be single coils, but it gets REALLY close. I have a PRS Custom 22 that will kill anything in my opinion. I traded a Strat for it; loved the sound but hated the feel! The 25.5″ scale was way too long. The 25″ PRS has a much more comfortable neck, and can get Strat or LP sounds. True, split buckers will never really be single coils, but it gets REALLY close.

]]> By: Kenny Tsak http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-8950 Kenny Tsak Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:41:55 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-8950 I have Strats, Pauls, Firebirds,Futura's,335s,SGs Rushmore's, Vs etc etc..I have played them all to blues and Rock....if your good... it does not matter what you play....if you have a blues bone in your soul, it will sound good regardless....more time picking the correct amplifier, speakers and pedals if you use them are what you should spend your time on, The front pick up on Strats especially vintage strats are unmistakable in sound and tone, however Firebirds and Pauls also in the middle PU position are unmistakable as well, I have a 75 Ibanez Moderne copy that trumps everything with its real PAF sound but my custom Rushmore with what i call distinct overtones....like I said if you can crank it out it really does not matter what guitar you play you should be able to make it sound good. I have Strats, Pauls, Firebirds,Futura’s,335s,SGs Rushmore’s, Vs etc etc..I have played them all to blues and Rock….if your good… it does not matter what you play….if you have a blues bone in your soul, it will sound good regardless….more time picking the correct amplifier, speakers and pedals if you use them are what you should spend your time on, The front pick up on Strats especially vintage strats are unmistakable in sound and tone, however Firebirds and Pauls also in the middle PU position are unmistakable as well, I have a 75 Ibanez Moderne copy that trumps everything with its real PAF sound but my custom Rushmore with what i call distinct overtones….like I said if you can crank it out it really does not matter what guitar you play you should be able to make it sound good.

]]> By: Chris http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-8949 Chris Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:11:33 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-8949 Strats are great guitars, especially if you're going to be playing for an extended period of time. The light weight and easy neck access is a huge factor in why so many people love them. Personally, I prefer the sound of a Gibson Les Paul. The tone (in my opinion) is much richer than that of a Strat. Even the Fat Strat sound isn't beefy enough for me. The Les Paul is much heavier, and may be a burden to play for 2 or 3 sets, but when you hear it, you know the tone is all Gibson. To solve the upper fret access issue, my favorite Les Paul is the Double Cutaway. Strats are great guitars, especially if you’re going to be playing for an extended period of time. The light weight and easy neck access is a huge factor in why so many people love them. Personally, I prefer the sound of a Gibson Les Paul. The tone (in my opinion) is much richer than that of a Strat. Even the Fat Strat sound isn’t beefy enough for me. The Les Paul is much heavier, and may be a burden to play for 2 or 3 sets, but when you hear it, you know the tone is all Gibson. To solve the upper fret access issue, my favorite Les Paul is the Double Cutaway.

]]> By: Kyle http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-8929 Kyle Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:14:10 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-8929 I only own 3 electric guitars. Two of them are a Gibson Les Paul Junior Special and a Lone Star Telecaster. I've been playing the Gibson since 2003 and it's a brick, but it's a SOLID brick. The thing never, never, never goes out of tune even through extreme temperature changes. (I brought it from Florida to California during winter and stayed in the grand canyon.) That things was still tuned. It has a sixties neck and the p-100s sound great for blues, rock, and jazz. The Lone Star I love as well, but I bought it with weird intonation problems that my guitar tech couldn't fix. It doesn't stay in tune as well, but it feels awesomely comfortable and has a great tone as well with the Texas specials and the Pearly Gates humbucker in the bridge. I think they are both great guitars, but in my case the Gibson came out of the box in top performance. I think the trick with a Gibson is the stopbar and angle neck-nut that keeps everything in tune. I only own 3 electric guitars. Two of them are a Gibson Les Paul Junior Special and a Lone Star Telecaster. I’ve been playing the Gibson since 2003 and it’s a brick, but it’s a SOLID brick. The thing never, never, never goes out of tune even through extreme temperature changes. (I brought it from Florida to California during winter and stayed in the grand canyon.) That things was still tuned. It has a sixties neck and the p-100s sound great for blues, rock, and jazz.

The Lone Star I love as well, but I bought it with weird intonation problems that my guitar tech couldn’t fix. It doesn’t stay in tune as well, but it feels awesomely comfortable and has a great tone as well with the Texas specials and the Pearly Gates humbucker in the bridge.

I think they are both great guitars, but in my case the Gibson came out of the box in top performance. I think the trick with a Gibson is the stopbar and angle neck-nut that keeps everything in tune.

]]> By: RedCurrant http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-8922 RedCurrant Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:22:17 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-8922 If Strats are so great, why have so many players (Clapton, Gilmour et al) customised their guitars? None of them play off-the-peg instruments, they've all had pick-up upgrades for a start. And what about the trems? Never heard Clapton use a trem, so why not use a guitar with a stoptail? Wouldn't that be more stable? I've always loved the look of a Strat - it's one of the most beautiful guitars ever made, and much prettier than most Gibsons - but I'm coming round to Gibsons more and more. It's not just the richer, more powerful humbucker sounds but also the build quality. Fenders were designed to be built on a production line by migrant workers, Gibsons have the look and feel of a hand-made instrument. (Consider this: what do you see most of in a PRS, Fender or Gibson DNA?) An interesting debate, and one I'm sure will go on and on. . ! If Strats are so great, why have so many players (Clapton, Gilmour et al) customised their guitars? None of them play off-the-peg instruments, they’ve all had pick-up upgrades for a start. And what about the trems? Never heard Clapton use a trem, so why not use a guitar with a stoptail? Wouldn’t that be more stable?

I’ve always loved the look of a Strat – it’s one of the most beautiful guitars ever made, and much prettier than most Gibsons – but I’m coming round to Gibsons more and more. It’s not just the richer, more powerful humbucker sounds but also the build quality. Fenders were designed to be built on a production line by migrant workers, Gibsons have the look and feel of a hand-made instrument. (Consider this: what do you see most of in a PRS, Fender or Gibson DNA?)

An interesting debate, and one I’m sure will go on and on. . !

]]> By: Jonny http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-8911 Jonny Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:09:40 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-8911 SO TRUE!!! Play the old stuff, the Fender just doesn't cut it. Not biting enough. SO TRUE!!! Play the old stuff, the Fender just doesn’t cut it. Not biting enough.

]]> By: Jimpy http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-6428 Jimpy Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:15:41 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-6428 In my opinion, the Strat is an acquired taste. New, developing guitarists have difficulty understanding and employing the nuances of sound that the guitar can provide. It simply is harder to play a Strat really well. Gibsons and, generally, most humbucker pickup guitars are easier to make sound good and are more forgiving. You have to be fairly confident in your playing and have some chops to get the most out of a Strat. But at that point, it really is a wonderful instrument. And the fact that you can buy a quality Fender instrument at such comparatively reasonable prices is the icing on the cake. Gibsons are so very over-priced. And until recently, your big bucks for a Gibson didn't always mean you got top quality for the money either. Now Gibson's semi-automated production processes are much better at producing quality instruments time after time. But you still have to pay twice as much for a really quality Gibson than for a really quality Fender. Every guitar player should own at least one Strat. You won't get the same sound or playing experience from anything else. A truly unique guitar. In my opinion, the Strat is an acquired taste. New, developing guitarists have difficulty understanding and employing the nuances of sound that the guitar can provide. It simply is harder to play a Strat really well. Gibsons and, generally, most humbucker pickup guitars are easier to make sound good and are more forgiving. You have to be fairly confident in your playing and have some chops to get the most out of a Strat. But at that point, it really is a wonderful instrument. And the fact that you can buy a quality Fender instrument at such comparatively reasonable prices is the icing on the cake. Gibsons are so very over-priced. And until recently, your big bucks for a Gibson didn’t always mean you got top quality for the money either. Now Gibson’s semi-automated production processes are much better at producing quality instruments time after time. But you still have to pay twice as much for a really quality Gibson than for a really quality Fender.
Every guitar player should own at least one Strat. You won’t get the same sound or playing experience from anything else. A truly unique guitar.

]]> By: Deroy Crews http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-6389 Deroy Crews Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:55:17 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-6389 I always wonder why Clapton switched; As for me, I am use to playing strats,but no other strat feels or sounds like that first el cheapo I had when I started. And I've always been curious about Les Pauls,I tried one awhile back at a music store,yes it was heavy and Loud but the clean pickup was really articulate,and it seemed that it was also fancy bending strings on that guitar. I now play a Shecter Tempest Custom, in my opinion it resembles more of Les Paul family guitars but has more of a strat feel. I love this guitar,it even has a coil tap so you can play a single coil at the neck position.I ownd a tele once and I liked that guitar too But I still kind of miss the deep clean tone of some of the Strats I gave away. I think deep clean tone belongs to the Stratecaster. DC I always wonder why Clapton switched; As for me, I am use to playing strats,but no other strat feels or sounds like that first el cheapo I had when I started. And I’ve always been curious about Les Pauls,I tried one awhile back at a music store,yes it was heavy and Loud but the clean pickup was really articulate,and it seemed that it was also fancy bending strings on that guitar. I now play a Shecter Tempest Custom, in my opinion it resembles more of Les Paul family guitars but has more of a strat feel. I love this guitar,it even has a coil tap so you can play a single coil at the neck position.I ownd a tele once and I liked that guitar too But I still kind of miss the deep clean tone of some of the Strats I gave away. I think deep clean tone belongs to the Stratecaster. DC

]]> By: Steve http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-6213 Steve Sun, 23 Oct 2011 01:06:04 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-6213 Love his sound,But listen real close,He is always trying to get that gibson tone out of his fender.I think he likes the fender better for playing,But misses that humbucking gibson sound.i got both,lay a les paul and a fender side by side,Witch is prettyer?plug them into the same amp,play them,Now compar looks and sound...GIBSON!!! Love his sound,But listen real close,He is always trying to get that gibson tone out of his fender.I think he likes the fender better for playing,But misses that humbucking gibson sound.i got both,lay a les paul and a fender side by side,Witch is prettyer?plug them into the same amp,play them,Now compar looks and sound…GIBSON!!!

]]> By: Rich http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/blues-guitar/eric-clapton-speaks-best-blues-guitar-gibson-or-fender/#comment-6107 Rich Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:09:33 +0000 http://learningguitarnow.com/blog/?p=644#comment-6107 I started with an Epi Les Paul copy after learning on an acoustic. I however did not like the muddy or darker tone of the humbuckers. I guess I should say I like the articulation and clean of the single coils, so I stuck with the body I knew and got another LP copy with P90s but the noise was just increadible with them but I liked the tone. I later pieced together a Fender Strat about two years ago and have been a single coil guy since. I have since settled in with a Telecaster recently with a Twisted Tele neck pickup. That pickup has the tone of a strat neck pickup (which is my favrite tone on the strat). So with the Tele the simplicity of the three positions (well mine has a 4 way switch where position 4 is in series) suite me. But I get the great bluesy sound from the Twisted Tele neck pickup, funk in the middle position and twang in the bridge. Roll back the tone knob and volume a bit and you get some very nice Jazz tones. The Tele just does it for me. Leo got it right the first time. I started with an Epi Les Paul copy after learning on an acoustic. I however did not like the muddy or darker tone of the humbuckers. I guess I should say I like the articulation and clean of the single coils, so I stuck with the body I knew and got another LP copy with P90s but the noise was just increadible with them but I liked the tone. I later pieced together a Fender Strat about two years ago and have been a single coil guy since. I have since settled in with a Telecaster recently with a Twisted Tele neck pickup. That pickup has the tone of a strat neck pickup (which is my favrite tone on the strat). So with the Tele the simplicity of the three positions (well mine has a 4 way switch where position 4 is in series) suite me. But I get the great bluesy sound from the Twisted Tele neck pickup, funk in the middle position and twang in the bridge. Roll back the tone knob and volume a bit and you get some very nice Jazz tones. The Tele just does it for me. Leo got it right the first time.

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