All depends on what you can afford and what you are going for. Les Pauls come in three flavors, Studio, Standard and Custom. A Custom is your best bet, but the quality of the more recent ones hasn't been up to the level of the older models. I would say go with the Strat unless you can get a good deal on a pre-2008 Custom. EDIT: Also, just to clarify, I'm a Gibson guy personally, but appreciate Fender. Strats are the best bargain for the money, and before someone chimes in, I realize a stock Les Paul Studio can be tricked out to the point of playing like a Custom. But for your money, a Strat is equal to a Studio or Standard Les Paul IMHO. Les Paul Custom is the ultimate guitar for pre-1980's style rock, although Rickenbackers are qute good as well.
Never been a huge fan of single coils, but recently I've almost decided that a good American Strat is the way to go.
Just out of curiosity, what kind of stuff do you play? It's hard to give a good opinion really without knowing that, personally I used to use an Explorer when I covered 80's metal bands, even though a Les Paul is my favorite, it's not right for that sound.
Lots of discussion here: http://www.dawgsaloon.com/showthread.php/52296-i-ve-always-been-a-strat-fender-guy
Just out of curiosity, why are you recommending the H 150? I've never owned one, as a Les Paul guy I'd be interested to know.
I like distortion, so been looking at the Stratocaster with a humbucker in the bridge. Also considering a PRS.
I like playing with Strats cause of the open body neck, look wise i would prefer the LP....has more of a classic look to it imo. Reason i play strats <3
I bet you can teach me how to be an online asshole.. Not that I need lessons on that or anything.....
To be honest with you, you can get much better distortion by using the right pedal set up than with any guitar based on its stock configuration, so the choice between a Les Paul and Strat is really all based on looks after you get into mods (like the humbuckers). My recommendation would be the Way Huge Red Llama effect pedal, it was the gold standard for most grunge bands and I've never played with one that gave a crunchier sound. They quit making them for about 10 years, but they're making them again. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...huge-red-llama-overdrive-guitar-effects-pedal
I know. I'm looking to spend about a grand give or take on a quality axe, want to make it count since I won't be spending that much on another one for a while...
If you aren't interested in a used Fender/Gibson, a new PRS is the only good one in that price range. Don't buy a shitty mexican Fender, this would be your best bet: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-PRS-CMSH-LIST I bought one for my nephew, they're great guitars.
