Mar 16 2009
Poll:Fender Stratocaster VS. Gibson SG
Did you know the Gibson SG’s double cutaway ‘horned’ design was intended to compete with the Fender Stratocaster? Gibson introduced the new design in the 60’s when Les Paul sales were slumping.
Vote for your favorite right now !
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares in 1954. The Strat has been played by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Yngiwie Malmsteen, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour or Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix as well as Buddy Holly who is known as the “first Strat Hero”.
Gibson SG
The Gibson SG was originally the redesigned Les Paul model for 1961. Les Paul didn’t like the new design and asked for his name to be removed. They renamed it the SG for Solid Guitar.
The Gibson SG electric guitar was played by Angus Young of AC/DC, Elliot Easton of The Cars, Black Sabbaths’ Tony Iommi and Robby Krieger from The Doors. Eric Clapton played an SG in the 60s with Cream and Jimmy Page is known for using various SG model guitars.
Gibson VS Fender: Which of these classic guitars do you prefer?
( polls)
I don’t own either guitar but I have tried them both a lot. I always liked the design of the SG a lot and the sound is great. The Fender Strat has its’ own distintive sound and no other guitar is quite like it. The playability of both guitars is good for me but I just find the SG sound is a lot like the sound of any Gibson electric guitar.
Strat for me. I dunno, it just feels better - might be because I learned to play on a Strat copy
Fender Amplifier and Gibson Guitar,
Always make a real Rockstar.
The Fender Strat is hands down the winner in this axe battle. Now if you want a little closer tug of war put the strat up against something like a early model Les Paul. Then you would have two real classics going head to head. Each with its own sound an place in time that can never be forgotten. Being a fan of the old black man blues sound I’m gonna have to lean toward the Fender on this one.
In my opinion, the Strat is overused. It’d a great, versatile rock guitar, but everybody plays it. I’d take an SG or a Les Paul or even a Telecaster over a Strat. Of course, when you’ve got two guitarists, one on a Strat and one on a Les Paul is a classic combo. Think Dickie Betts and Duane Allman, or Gene and Dean Ween.
I agree with lowellhenderson that a better match up would be the Strat vs the Les Paul, and maybe the SG vs the Telecaster.
I may have to have a matchup between the Fender Jazz Bass and the Fender Precision Bass on my blog.
It would be interesting to see how the Strat goes up against the Les Paul. That will have to be round two
Oh, and I don’t think he meant Gene Simmons.
Being a convert from the Fender Stratocaster to the Gibson SG and Les paul, I have to go with the SG. The SG is lighter, is easier to play and delivers much more punch than a Strat. Also, all Gibsons are made in the USA and most Fender Strats are made in either Mexico or South Korea so that also sways my vote.
must say i have to go with the strat on this one! The les paul and strat though is a totally different ball game
Who said most Strats are made in Mexico or Japan? I don’t know–I got an Amewrican Strat.
SG-great guitar. Good necks, nice action!
Tele’s scream
Strat’s growl (I prefer a Strat-Ash body-American standard)
What do ya like?
I own both a fender stratocaster and a gibson sg and, as much as i like the feel and sound of the fender, it is a bit too heavy for me. I must therefore reccomend the SG, it’s sound and feel match the quality of the strat, but it is much lighter, therefore allowing a 15 year old guitarist like me to pull off some insane tricks and solos at gigs without the constant thinking as you play with the strat, what if the guitar is too heavy for me to do this? whereas the SG just lets you get on with virtually any trick you want to pull!
My thoughts exactly Decian! SG has more sensitive response. It is much smoother and easier to play.