Action differences between Strat and Tele

[MrD]

I'm looking to upgrade my starter Peavey electric guitar. Considering
either a Nashville Telecaster or American Stratocaster. I like the sound
of both.

Besides the differences in sound, can anyone comment on the difference in
playability and action? Every guitar I try feels slightly different, but
I don't feel I'm good enough to really know what fits me.

Someone told me that a Strat has a slightly "faster action". What does
this mean?

I (try) to play blues and classic rock riffs.

[Nil]

On 02 Jan 2008, MrD <M...@nospam.com> wrote in
rec.music.makers.guitar:

> Besides the differences in sound, can anyone comment on the
> difference in playability and action? Every guitar I try feels
> slightly different, but I don't feel I'm good enough to really
> know what fits me.

Every Strat and every Tele sounds and feels slightly different. Strat
and Tele necks of the same fingerboard radius are very similar. There
is no significant general difference in action.

> Someone told me that a Strat has a slightly "faster action". What
> does this mean?

Nothing, in this case.

Strat bodies are cut away a little more near the highest frets, so
those notes are a bit easier to reach.

[Derek]

Action typically relates mostly to the height of the strings off the
fretboard, so you hear, "this guitar has a high/low action".

Basically it comes down to preference. You can set the strings to the
same height, but neck shape, fret size, and body size all contribute
to what we all think is "faster action".

[Fletch]

Action on a guitar is a function of being set up. Any guitar can have
"fast" action, which usually translates as "lower" string height above
the fret board, i.e. the strings are closer to the frets.

You have played a number of guitars, which is what you need to do. Now
go back and start to narrow it down to the ones that "feel" good to
you. The action can be adjusted to your liking as you learn what it is
you actually like. It will change over time.

I have had the action on my guitars a various heights over the years
and have settled into a comfortable action on all my electrics, except
the slide guitar which needs slightly higher action to avoid fret
rattling; my acoustics are different for different purposes.

When you find you like the sound of both a Tele and a Strat, it means
you should buy one of each! :)

That way you have the best of both. I find the Strat has a different
sound than the Tele, so has a different purpose and function -- the
songs I use the Strat for are songs I would NOT use the Tele for;
songs suited for the Tele generally do not sound so good on the Strat.

--Fletch

[Chief...@hotmail.com]

On Jan 2, 1:39 pm, Fletch <geoffarn...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> That way you have the best of both. I find the Strat has a different
> sound than the Tele, so has a different purpose and function -- the
> songs I use the Strat for are songs I would NOT use the Tele for;
> songs suited for the Tele generally do not sound so good on the Strat.
>
> --Fletch

Interesting, and certainly a matter of personal preference. Jimmy Page
did most of his BEST work on a Telecaster, rarely playing a Strat
even
in the studio, and sticking with a Tele often in the studio for some
of his most
significant solo's. Yet he is most identified with having the low-
slung LP around his neck.
Did the LP really sound better live, vs. the Tele. Or did it just look
better
slung down low around his knees and him all hunched over it like
Gollum.

[Fletch]

Having both for live use, the Les Paul has a beefier sound because of
the denser mahogany and is more versatile due to the two volume/two
tone controls, the blending capability between pickups.

"Better" is subjective. Yes, JP used the Tele for the solo in
Stairway, among others. It has more "bite" than a Les Paul, due in
part because the wood is not as dense, so the guitar has an overall
"brighter" sound than a Les Paul -- not that it can't "bite", but the
'piercing' bite is better accomplished on a Tele than a LP for just
that reason -- construction.

Add to that the nature of the pickups creating further differences and
you see why I use both, why most players will have these choices
available, because they sound different and are useful for just that
reason, suited for certain songs that the given guitar will lend its
sound better to that song than the other guitar.

And the LP looks cooler live than the Tele, yes. :)

--Fletch