I still find the pointy cutaway on the Vintage a bit troubling, and I don't like their headstock logo. But that's just me being picky...... :lol:
For this reason I think the cheaper Tokai models will do it - I'm assuming that they are the 'nearest' to Gibson looks wise?
I think so. Tokai is a strange brand, nearly all their guitars are undeniably "copies", no more no less, but the high-end ones cost as much as the real thing! For example, Rich Tone Music have some lovely goldtops with P-90s, but they're £1,500, which just seems a crazy amount of money for a "copy". :o
But I digress.... yes, I think Tokais look the closest to Gibson, in this price range. Unless you can stretch to a beat-up old Greco, Burny, Orville or something.
Just thought - there are some
new Burny models, Chinese(?) made. Bit more pricey, but you might be able to grab a bargain:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Burny-Fernandes-Les-Paul-Custom-New-Ex-Demo-/290543943316?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43a5c4be94