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Guitar Discussions -> Strat or Epi?
There are 28 messages in this thread.
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Strat or Epi? - Champagne Charlie - 23:16 18-11-05
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My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him recently and
he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar is "okay when he
sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing up with". I teach him,
but I'm not a teacher, just a player. He thinks if I bought him a Strat
(maybe a MIM one for a few hundred quid) that this would solve the problem
as he says it would be lighter and easier for him to move his fingers around
the fretboard whilst standing up especially. At first I said "no way", but
now I wonder if I am being too hard on him and maybe I should switch the Epi
for a Strat. Would it really help him that much? He isn't a very tall kid,
but has a lot of growing to do yet, so do I keep slogging it out and stay
with the Epi, or go for the new Strat idea? You'd think I'd know the answer
to this one by myself, but it's not so easy and I just can't make up my
mind, mainly cos I can't be sure the Strat will solve the problem. The
stress is starting to tell on me! ;)
C.C.
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Re: Strat or Epi? - acronychal - 23:38 18-11-05
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Have him compare the two in your local music store. Is the sound
difference worth the switch? Will he want the LP later after he's
matured as a player and person? If he wants a strat in addition to the
LP, well that's just a financial decision you have to make for
yourself. Obviously, much of the weight and size problem will be
solved by switching to the Strat, but not the developmental problem.
Chances are, he will learn his instrument, whatever it is. He will
most likely adjust to its size, weight, and scaling as he learns. If
its just a preference thing, then his complaints are null. I have
both, and both are fine for me now after having played for 13 years,
but my 12 yr old nephew certainly couldn't handle the weight of the LP
standing up for any amount of time no matter how tough he wants me to
think he is, nor could I at that age.
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Re: Strat or Epi? - Russell Watson - 01:10 19-11-05
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On Sat, 19 Nov 2005 04:16:07 GMT, "Champagne Charlie"
<FreeSoft@(SkipTheBrackets)Tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
>My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him recently and
>he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar is "okay when he
>sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing up with". I teach him,
>but I'm not a teacher, just a player. He thinks if I bought him a Strat
>(maybe a MIM one for a few hundred quid) that this would solve the problem
>as he says it would be lighter and easier for him to move his fingers around
>the fretboard whilst standing up especially. At first I said "no way", but
>now I wonder if I am being too hard on him and maybe I should switch the Epi
>for a Strat. Would it really help him that much? He isn't a very tall kid,
>but has a lot of growing to do yet, so do I keep slogging it out and stay
>with the Epi, or go for the new Strat idea? You'd think I'd know the answer
>to this one by myself, but it's not so easy and I just can't make up my
>mind, mainly cos I can't be sure the Strat will solve the problem. The
>stress is starting to tell on me! ;)
>C.C.
>
Has he played a Strat before? The 25.5" scale length might throw him
off if he's used to a Les Paul type guitar. My guitar is a G&L ASAT
(like a Tele in case you aren't familiar with it) and I am considering
giving it for a Gibson or maybe an Ibanez because I have really short
fingers and the 24.75 scale length works better for me. The guitar
that I found to be most comfortable to me and that I wish I still had
was my old SG. You might want to have him try the Epi version and see
what he thinks. They're usually lighter than LPs but have the same
scale length, bridge, pickups, etc. that he's used to.
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Re: Strat or Epi? - Ether - 01:57 19-11-05
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Champagne Charlie (SkipTheBrackets) wrote:
> My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him recently and
> he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar is "okay when he
> sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing up with". I teach him,
> but I'm not a teacher, just a player. He thinks if I bought him a Strat
> (maybe a MIM one for a few hundred quid)
For that amount of dosh, you could buy one from the States and have
money for a few pints left over.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/510000/
> that this would solve the problem
> as he says it would be lighter and easier for him to move his fingers around
> the fretboard whilst standing up especially. At first I said "no way", but
> now I wonder if I am being too hard on him and maybe I should switch the Epi
> for a Strat. Would it really help him that much? He isn't a very tall kid,
> but has a lot of growing to do yet, so do I keep slogging it out and stay
> with the Epi, or go for the new Strat idea? You'd think I'd know the answer
> to this one by myself, but it's not so easy and I just can't make up my
> mind, mainly cos I can't be sure the Strat will solve the problem. The
> stress is starting to tell on me! ;)
> C.C.
Haven't you read Oliver Twist? Glower at the little urchin and tell him
to start lifting rocks to get into shape. After all, he's already 12,
and he should be strong enough to hold down a job involving heavy
manual labor. Standing with a guitar on his back is nothing. Wot!
But really...
Have him try out a Mexican Strat in a store before you make this
decision. As Russell mentioned, the scale length is longer, and it may
be harder to play for small hands. Personally, I think the quality of
an Epi LP is a little higher than that of a Mexican Strat.
Regards,
--E
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Re: Strat or Epi? - Rick N. Backer - 03:18 19-11-05
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On 18 Nov 2005 20:38:31 -0800, "acronychal" <Acronyc@hotmail.com> did
courageously avow:
>Have him compare the two in your local music store. Is the sound
>difference worth the switch? Will he want the LP later after he's
>matured as a player and person? If he wants a strat in addition to the
>LP, well that's just a financial decision you have to make for
>yourself. Obviously, much of the weight and size problem will be
>solved by switching to the Strat, but not the developmental problem.
>Chances are, he will learn his instrument, whatever it is. He will
>most likely adjust to its size, weight, and scaling as he learns. If
>its just a preference thing, then his complaints are null. I have
>both, and both are fine for me now after having played for 13 years,
>but my 12 yr old nephew certainly couldn't handle the weight of the LP
>standing up for any amount of time no matter how tough he wants me to
>think he is, nor could I at that age.
I agree with the above but would inject the following. I have a
Gibson LP and a MIM Fender Strat and the weight difference between the
two is about 1 pound. That, though, may all be relative to a younger
player. I believe a more important consideration at this time would
be the scale length. The Strat has the longer scale so the reach
between frets will be greater on the Strat as well as the string
tension will be higher for the same gauge strings. While you may gain
in body weight you may lose in ease of play. If your son is still
adamant on the change I suggest taking him and his LP to the shop and
have him switch back and forth a couple of times and make sure he
appreciates and can deal with any differences, scale or weight. Just
my 2 pence worth.
Ken Wilson
Amer. Dlx. Tele, Gary Moore LP, LP DC Classic w/P90s,
Jeff Beck Strat, Morgan OM Acoustic,
Rick 360/12, Std. Strat (MIM), Mesa 100 Nomad,
Mesa F-30
"Goodnight Austin, Texas, wherever you are."
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Re: Strat or Epi? - John King - 05:14 19-11-05
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Champagne Charlie wrote:
> My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him recently and
> he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar is "okay when he
> sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing up with". I teach him,
> but I'm not a teacher, just a player. He thinks if I bought him a Strat
> (maybe a MIM one for a few hundred quid) that this would solve the problem
> as he says it would be lighter and easier for him to move his fingers around
> the fretboard whilst standing up especially. At first I said "no way", but
> now I wonder if I am being too hard on him and maybe I should switch the Epi
> for a Strat. Would it really help him that much? He isn't a very tall kid,
> but has a lot of growing to do yet, so do I keep slogging it out and stay
> with the Epi, or go for the new Strat idea? You'd think I'd know the answer
> to this one by myself, but it's not so easy and I just can't make up my
> mind, mainly cos I can't be sure the Strat will solve the problem. The
> stress is starting to tell on me! ;)
> C.C.
>
>
Dunno about a Strat. That might save him a couple of pounds,
but those sure aren't the only alternatives.
If the Kid is progressing well, he deserves an instrument that
he is comfortable with. There are so many good options nowadays!
I'd suggest you let him try some Ibanez and Yamaha guitars, and
also he might find the 24" scale of the Fender Jagmaster. I sure
do! There's also the MIM Fender Cyclone that has a 24 3/4" scale
like a Gibson, and an interesting single coil in the neck and
Bucker at the bridge that gives a good variety of tones. (I happen
to have a Cyclone at auction on eBay right now!)
Another possible alternative is the super light bodyless / headless
Steinberger guitars:
http://www.musicyo.com/brandland.asp?dept_id=3
My Hohner (second one) G3T Steinberger copy has the fastest low action
neck of any guitar I've ever played. Even better than an old buddies
legendarily easy to play Gibson SG.
http://www.hohnerusa.com/gguitarheadless.htm
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=hohner+steinberger
Just some alternative suggestions...
Regards,
John King
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Re: Strat or Epi? - Dave - 06:40 19-11-05
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> Champagne Charlie wrote:
>
> > My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him recently
and
> > he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar is "okay when
he
> > sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing up with". I teach
him,
> > but I'm not a teacher, just a player. He thinks if I bought him a Strat
> > (maybe a MIM one for a few hundred quid) that this would solve the
problem
> > as he says it would be lighter and easier for him to move his fingers
around
> > the fretboard whilst standing up especially. At first I said "no way",
but
> > now I wonder if I am being too hard on him and maybe I should switch the
Epi
> > for a Strat. Would it really help him that much? He isn't a very tall
kid,
> > but has a lot of growing to do yet, so do I keep slogging it out and
stay
> > with the Epi, or go for the new Strat idea? You'd think I'd know the
answer
> > to this one by myself, but it's not so easy and I just can't make up my
> > mind, mainly cos I can't be sure the Strat will solve the problem. The
> > stress is starting to tell on me! ;)
> > C.C.
> >
> >
>
> How about a flying 'V'?
>He'd have to stand up ALL the time to play that one!!!
>Seriously though,my friend has just come back from working in the
Netherlands and picked up a cheap BC Rich KKV Flying V Signature guitar for
not much money.
>I had a go and it's great! Very light and it's got a lovely neck with
extremely low action that's very easy to play.
>Only downside is they don't put any position markers on the neck,only on
the side.
>Just an idea really.
regards,
dave
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Re: Strat or Epi? - =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Klas_T=F6rnquist?= - 07:33 19-11-05
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Champagne Charlie wrote:
> My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him recently and
> he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar is "okay when he
> sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing up with". I teach him,
> but I'm not a teacher, just a player. He thinks if I bought him a Strat
> (maybe a MIM one for a few hundred quid) that this would solve the problem
> as he says it would be lighter and easier for him to move his fingers around
> the fretboard whilst standing up especially. At first I said "no way", but
> now I wonder if I am being too hard on him and maybe I should switch the Epi
> for a Strat. Would it really help him that much? He isn't a very tall kid,
> but has a lot of growing to do yet, so do I keep slogging it out and stay
> with the Epi, or go for the new Strat idea? You'd think I'd know the answer
> to this one by myself, but it's not so easy and I just can't make up my
> mind, mainly cos I can't be sure the Strat will solve the problem. The
> stress is starting to tell on me! ;)
You sure this isn't about how the guitar looks? The Strat may look
better to young ones.
What guitars do his friends have?
My 15 year old daughter insists that she must have an Ibanez "with two
humbuckers" because it looks cool, although I have given her my Fender
Strat. She enjoys playing the Strat but won't let me trade it for an
Ibanez and says it must stay. She also plays my Epi LP Std without
complaining about weight or difficulties with the fretboard.
Admittedly, the Epi LP Std is a bit heavier than a Strat, but not much.
The rounded upper edge of the Strat body may feel more comfortable for
the right arm than the square edge of the LP. However, the position for
the right hand will not be better with the Strat. Depending on what
tremolo is fitted, it can be rather uncomfortable.
If he finds the position of the left hand/arm awkward when standing it
should be possible to improve that by adjusting the strap length and the
position of the guitar.
Before you buy him a new guitar, try to make the dealer lend it to you
for a couple of days so he can try it properly with his own amp etc.
Klas
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Re: Strat or Epi? - M.J.P. - 12:19 19-11-05
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"Champagne Charlie" <FreeSoft@(SkipTheBrackets)Tiscali.co.uk> wrote in
message news:bGxff.25997$6A4.14294@fe1.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him recently
and
> he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar is "okay when he
> sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing up with". I teach
him,
> but I'm not a teacher, just a player. He thinks if I bought him a Strat
> (maybe a MIM one for a few hundred quid) that this would solve the problem
> as he says it would be lighter and easier for him to move his fingers
around
> the fretboard whilst standing up especially. At first I said "no way", but
> now I wonder if I am being too hard on him and maybe I should switch the
Epi
> for a Strat. Would it really help him that much? He isn't a very tall kid,
> but has a lot of growing to do yet, so do I keep slogging it out and stay
> with the Epi, or go for the new Strat idea? You'd think I'd know the
answer
> to this one by myself, but it's not so easy and I just can't make up my
> mind, mainly cos I can't be sure the Strat will solve the problem. The
> stress is starting to tell on me! ;)
> C.C.
>
>
LP's aren't as "comfortable" to play as a strat ( my opinion)
due the body contouring. Strat seems to glue itself right
into your torso, while an LP kind of sticks out and seems
a little harder to balance. This might be why he feels its
harder to play/ its harder to hold.
I can move a strat all over the place standing up no problem
but not a LP. Have him try it out. MJP
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Re: Strat or Epi? - Grumpy - 12:56 19-11-05
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> My 12 year-old son plays an Epi LP Standard which I bought him
> recently and he loves it to bits, but now he is telling me the guitar
> is "okay when he sits down, but too big, heavy and akward for standing
> up with".
I hate heavy guitars. Can't stand them, literally. I don't buy the
"weight = tone" thing either.
And I'm not 12.
Strats are indeed very comfortable to play --those contours are a great
idea. They're not heavy. The scale length thing is a non-issue, at 12,
his fingers are probably long enough to accommodate the extra 3/4 of an
inch!
But the Strat sound is much different from the LP sound --has he thought
of that?
I have a nice Fender MIJ here, great guitar to play, but I really hate
the sound (don't like the look either, so I don't bother playing with the
pickups).
So I agree with allowing him to change guitars --does he practice a lot?
Is he dedicated to it? Does he really enjoy it? Is he going to keep
going?
If the answer is yes, then he NEEDS a guitar that is going to encourage
him to play.
Let him pick it out though.
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