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Hey guys!

After all these years I'm finally starting to feel the need/interest in getting a Les Paul type guitar. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Paul, but something in that vein with a set neck, humbuckers, etc. I've already got a great semi-hollow, so I don't need a 335 type guitar.

I'm looking to spend less than $800. I've been looking at Gibson, Epiphone, Heritage, Schecter, etc. I've been looking at lawsuit copies too. So what do you guys suggest? I tend to like skinnier strat type necks. I'll be playing classic to modern rock on it mostly. I'm basically looking for pros and cons of the various brands and maybe some model suggestions.

Thanks!

Mike

since you mentioned schecter in that list, that gets my vote. out of all my guitars, my schecter c1 XXX is still my go to guitar that i know i can rely on for anything. for the price, schecters are some of the best guitars around IMO. i'd take my C1 to a gig before either of my les pauls!! look into something in the schecter C series that catches your eye IMO. mahogany bodies with mahogany set neck and a rosewood board most times with grover tuners and tonepros hardware, you can't go wrong IMO...even the duncan designed stock pickups can be pretty good, but toss in a set of duncans and you have a killer guitar for a great price! they also come with a push pull tone pot stock for splitting the pickups which is also a great plus for more sounds.

-Mike

Orville, Tokai and Burny all make good guitars in the style you are after.

I'd try out a bunch of new or newish Epiphone Les Paul Customs and then buy the best one. Maybe do a little fret polish and set-up if needed and pop in a set of Duncans and you'll have a great guitar! The newer Epi LP Customs I've worked on have all been excellant guitars but did need a little set-up work and new pickups...no biggie considering how nice they can be when you're done. Lew


I have an Evo Special Quilt Amberburst from when they made them with quilt tops. Now they're flame tops. There's also the tiger eye finish, special select. Good hardware, grover tuners, good pickups. Mine is flawless as far as quality goes. Perfect binding, unlike $800 ESP guitars I've seen. I guess theres not much love for Dean around here, but they're great guitars. They are around $450.

B2D found a quot;Customquot; OLP on ebay with lawyers approval.

BTW-love the Picasso avatar.

Check out some Hamers. The Studio is like a Les Paul Double Cut and the Monaco is more like the traditional Les Paul. You could get a used Studio for $800 or less. The Monaco Elite Mahogany could be had for around $800 used if you're patient. Excellent guitars.

Another vote for Schecter here. I'm a big fan of their set neck, mahogany, maple top, dual humbucking PT Teles.



Thanks guys! Keep 'em coming. A lot of good things to check out. I think I like the Les Paul types best. They just have that hard edge mojo, ya know?

Anyone play an Ibanez SZ? I'm a long time Ibanez fan(flame away!) and the SZ looks like it might be a cool axe...

the sz is another great guitar IMO and i plan to add one to my collection (a gold top one). the other guitarist in my band uses one as his main guitar and even with the stock pickups the thing sounds pretty damn good and plays real nice!! ibanez hit the nail on the head with that one...copying schecter lol.

-Mike



SCHECTER!!!


Originally Posted by XSSIVEthe sz is another great guitar IMO and i plan to add one to my collection (a gold top one). the other guitarist in my band uses one as his main guitar and even with the stock pickups the thing sounds pretty damn good and plays real nice!! ibanez hit the nail on the head with that one...copying schecter lol.

-Mike

1. i love the stock pickups too. there's a modern bite to it. i nearly bought it, but i bought another axe, which i dig more

Well if you actually want the Les Paul SOUND then you will need to go with an Epi/Gibson or direct copy...Tokai, etc...singlecut, same body thickness, etc.

My Epi Std. gets THE less Paul sound. As Lew said, with a bit of work (new PUPS, fret job), it's alot of bang for the buck. You have to play several and pick the best one/s. Thats what I did and ended up with a very nice playing amp; sounding les Paul for around 6 bills (US). I was going to upgrade everything and put new pups in, but bought another Gibson and just don't *need* it anymore, so I'm selling it...otherwise I'd keep it. Very nice value for the $.

All the other quot;similarquot; guitars don't and won't sound the same even though the tonewoods/neck construction may be the same. Double cuts amp;/or thinner bodies dramatically alter tone.

I'm going to be the oddball and go with Heritage on this one. They're comparable to a Gibson in playability (better sometimes) and IMO are much better in quality, though you'll probably want to get a new tailpiece. $800 will get you a nice used one. I'm getting one for my next guitar, probably. There's some other good guitars mentioned, though. As always, you should play it before you buy one.


Originally Posted by JeffBWell if you actually want the Les Paul SOUND then you will need to go with an Epi/Gibson or direct copy...Tokai, etc...singlecut, same body thickness, etc.

1

But if your not going for the Les Paul body. I would say Schecter. I love my schecter and its got great quality and performance.

How would you guys characterize the differences between the sound of the Schecters/Ibanezeseses and the Les Pauls? I haven't played any of those enough to really know what they sound like.

I used to own a Heritage 175 copy. Really good guitar and I have looked at those a lot, but they are kinda pricey. I'd have to find a smokin' deal.

It sounds like the Epi is a good way to go. Where did you guys get yours? I'll have to check out some of the bigger dealers that have a few in stock to try to find a good one. I have a great tech that should be able to make it play great...

Mike

1 on the Ibz SZ.

Be very careful with the Epiphone guitars. Quality is inconsistent - some are fantastic and others are trash. Like Lew said, try a bunch and pick the best one, but be prepared to replace the stock pickups and hardware anyway.

i'm so diggin the Ibanez SZ series ... well everything including and under the 520. I can only stand one of the flaming squid inlays.

so 1 for the Ibanez

Save up the money and buy a lifetime keeper. Buy a used Gibson LP Std or PRS McCarty. Sure, you'll spend $1300-$1400, but at least you won't be selling your $700 guitar in a year, losing money, then trying to go after what you really wanted in the first place.