Advice on Les Paul copy

[Mr. Air]

I've always wanted a Les Paul, but I'm never going to get one because they're just too expensive. So what could be better than getting a Les Paul copy and fitting it with BKPs?! I just love the looks and the tone of the paul.

That's why I'm looking for a good and hopefuly cheap Les Paul clone. Anyone who has recommendations for a bang-for-buck LP?

[TheIronBeast]

It really depends what your budget is. Epiphone's mid ranged LP's are good, the ones that start around £400. Tokai make some good ones too, as well as Agile.

[dobbins]

I've never had problems with my Epiphone, though I'm sure many will disgree. The Tokai Love Rock is pretty sweet as well, though i think the cheaper models are now made in China so have to check the build quality for yourself. Both worth a look though IMO.

[Pete24v]

the Jap Tokai's are great, not tried the cheaper china ones. Vintage and Fret King are good too.

[lamp]

So what could be better than getting a Les Paul copy and fitting it with BKPs?!

I did this exact thing with my old LP copy - unsurprisingly it completely transformed the guitar.

[Bradock PI]

The epiphones I tried with the help of a couple of people at the shop were very different several were made in indonisia (all not as good as the low cost PRSs we tried) Two were made in china these were significantly better than the others and it was one of those I picked. Watch for flaws in the finish though they are all surposed to be checked in the USA or Europe depending on destination but there were a couple with minor flaws that may annoy you if you spot them after purchase.

BTW I have Rebel Yells and new electrics in mine and it is several people have commented that it's closer in sound to a high end Gibson than an Epiphone now

[Lu_B]

the Jap Tokai's are great, not tried the cheaper china ones. Vintage and Fret King are good too.

+1

This is what I've got, they are great value for money and brilliant build quality.  Buy a second-hand one, throw in a new set of pups and away you go - only cost you about £450 which is £1000 less than a Gibbo.

[Alex]

I've always wanted a Les Paul, but I'm never going to get one because they're just too expensive. So what could be better than getting a Les Paul copy and fitting it with BKPs?! I just love the looks and the tone of the paul.

That's why I'm looking for a good and hopefuly cheap Les Paul clone. Anyone who has recommendations for a bang-for-buck LP?

The Vintage and Tokai ones are good. I also love the LTDs but they are a bit thinner in body, it does effect tone. IMO it's still more LesPaul-tone than SG. THere are also good Gibson Studios which I think are pretty good for the money. I'd try those first, then the Tokai and LTD and the look at the Vintage.

But you have to keep in mind, "hopefully cheap" means that. You're cutting costs there. My advice would be to not order online but go and try out some.

[dave_mc]

out of what I've tried, anyway, MIJ is the way to go for bang for buck.

[murraymurray]

I've played a lot of horrible epiphone LP's, but at the same time one of my favourite guitars I own is also an Epiphone LP. Seems to beat out my Gibson SG for playability. when im looking for a guitar just to chill and jam on, its normally first cab off the rank. then add some nailbombs and its even better


also keep an eye out for Burny LPC's
a mate of mine picked one up a while back and its pretty damn nice, just read something about them in Guitar World and Duff is using them over Gibsons in the band hes playing gat for

edit - typos

[Bradock PI]

Worth looking at the Wiki for Burny

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burny

One problem with taking my route of the upgraded Epi or whatever starting poing (Tokai, Burny etc) is that the setup and new nut, fretdress and the new pickups and electrics add up to almost the same cost as the guitar so the total cost with a new epi is close to £750 which is the price of a good secondhand studio Gibson.

There are many diamonds in the rough on the cheaper guitars though and it is worth checking all the ones in a shop, the only issue is one of the biggest let downs is the pickups, I suspect changing my stock epi to RY would be a bigger change than had I bought a Gibson studio or traditional so you sort of have to allow for that when listening. In an earlier thread it was said the only real way to do this is to listen acoustically which can be real hard in a loud shop. Also a few people have mentioned that the cheaper guitars seem to have cr@p strings even if they are surposed to be a decent brand.

[Sifu Ben]

I've got an Agile AL3100. I got it when the exchange rate was better and it only cost me £380 shipped, taxed and HSC. Serious bang for buck.  2 piece centre joined body, ebony fretboard, real MOP, Tusq nut, made at the same Korean factory as Schecter and Indie (and a similar specced Indie will cost you £650).
How awesome is this one? http://www.rondomusic.com/product2405.html