[Bob Womack]

Les Paul - Strong side: with moderate gain, single-string leads sustain forever and are extremely full. In fact, I'm amazed at the number of Strat players who gain up their guitars with pedals so that their single string lead sound is thick like a Les Paul. Great crunchy rhythm. In the middle position the blend between pickups is continuously variable. Downside: They lack an entire octave of overtones the Strats have and two of the sounds as well. Humbuckers reject LOTS of noise. They can get too thick really quick. A bit lackluster as a clean rhythm guitar, except for some very specific sounds. The older you are, the heavier they seem.

ES335 - Very much like the Les Paul but somewhere between a Les Paul and a Strat as far as EQ is concerned and more overtones available, but quite a bit "sweeter" sounding with an airier body sound mixed in. Sweeter than a Strat as well. Many of the ups of other guitars plus that semi-hollow sound. Buuuut, more susceptible to feedback than LPs and Strats.

Strat: Ups: Lots of tones. Lots of overtones. Vibrato tailpiece. Sweetness or brashness, depending on how you set your guitar and amp. Spank, latex, and quack. Downs: significantly less gain than an LP. Significantly less sustain than an LP. Significantly more induced noise than an LP. Trem tailpiece and its complications.

Tele: Ups: a very solid instrument with a fuller sound than a Strat. Spank and lots of overtones to make effects interesting. Downs: the same as a Strat.

Flying V: Ups: An interesting, spanky, banjo-ish sound that really cuts through. Surprisingly good ergonomics when you learn to work them (neck up). Downs: An interesting banjo-ish sound...

Explorer: Between an LP and a flying V in sound but with no spank. Not fun to sit down with.

Firebird reverse: Lots of sustain with a brighter, thinner sound but reminiscent of an LP. Downs - Banjo (through) tuners are kinda weird.

Arguments over ergonomics are like arguments about Ford and Chevy: everyone has different tastes and absolute statements are unhelpful and fruitless. Standing, I find the Les Paul the most comfortable electric guitar out there. It fits in right under my ribcage with just the right natural neck tilt for easy access. Heavy but comfortable, with lots of space between the pickups and under the strings to make picking easy. Sitting, the Strat, Tele, and ES335 are more comfortable. The low altitude of the strings over the Fender bodies takes some getting used to, as does the Strat's middle pickup right where you want to pick. There's the whole long versus short scale thing and it's entirely preference. However, the two scales tend to breed two different left-hand vibrato technique: Short-scale players tend to anchor the proximal joint of the index finger and rotate the wrist around it with the neck relatively static. Long-scale players tend to shake the whole neck, probably because of the increased tension. Basically, remember to always play an LP with a strap, standing or sitting, and position Gibsons with the neck up like a classical. Fender players seem to like their guitars more horizontal.

Each of these guitars has a use in the arsenal and a place in the guitar universe. You've just gotta learn to work 'em.

Take care,

Bob