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Author Topic: Non-Gibson Les Paul advice  (Read 10843 times)

Dreichlift

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« on: March 22, 2007, 09:57:43 PM »
Hey folks,

A short time ago I was forced to sell my prized possesion an Ebony Gibson Les Paul Custom, worse than that I was reduced to playing a Westfield Telecaster copy that in all honesty would make a better doorstop than a musical instrument.

However, I have managed to scrimp and save and now have enough to buy a les paul copy. I've heard of many brands - Burny, Tokai, Orville, Edwards, Agile, Signature, Greco, Rally, Vintage and MD all of whom claim to be or are reputed to be of high quality for what they are, which leaves me in a quandry as to what to pick.

I had an Epiphone around 2000/2001 which disuaded me from choosing them because of their awful construction methods (essentially they have the rough shape carved by a baboon wielding a chainsaw then cover it with hair thin veneers and copious amounts of epoxy to make it all look pretty). That aside, I know a few of the people here have some of the makes I mentioned above and would like to know what guitars you all think are the best value.

Essentially I'm looking for a new or used les paul style guitar with solid mahogany body with solid maple top (plain, flamed or quilted) and rosewood fingerboard (no veneers). I Don't have much to spend (less than £400) but getting a good instrument is really important to me so any advice you can offer is much appreciated.

[Edit] forgot to say set neck too :oops:

thanks

Jon
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indysmith

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2007, 10:27:02 PM »
Greco EG-600 Mint Collection, mahogany body, neck, rosewood board, long neck tennon, nitro finish, SD '59s.
Got her for £180
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TwilightOdyssey

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2007, 10:32:46 PM »
I have an Agile AL-2800 that cost me $300 USD. I then put in a Riff Raff/Stormy Monday combo, which cost more than the guitar lol.

It has a 14" radius neck and is very comfortable to play as long as you don't need upper fret access on the low E, A, or D strings.





It has a SOLID mahogany body with maple cap that weighs 10lbs. VERY HEAVY!!!! Fit and finish are excellent, considering the price. Graphite nut, Grover machines. Rosewood fingerboard, set neck, and abalone block inlays.
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noodleplugerine

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« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2007, 11:11:58 PM »
That LP cost $300?!?!??!

Bleeding hell, I need to get some cheap axes!
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dave_mc

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2007, 11:37:15 PM »
^ arg, problem is postage and VAT on those agiles, they seem like great value if you're in the USA, though...

though gak have a pretty good deal on the yamaha aes 620 at the moment, £239 last I checked.

Back on topic of the thread, they aren't really a copy in the true sense of the word, but I quite like Gordon Smiths- though ironically the ones I like the best are the non-LP ones, lol.

EDIT: I haven't been too fussed on any of the vintage guitars I've tried, to be honest. Washburn idols are good value, as well as that yamaha (though they don't look exactly like a LP).
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TwilightOdyssey

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2007, 01:56:08 AM »
Well, I can bring one over for LGS, ya know ... ;)
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the_bleeding

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« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2007, 02:07:51 AM »
eastwood ultra GP

i have one and its my sex monster.
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SixGunLover

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2007, 04:42:53 AM »
I can highly recommend a Japanese-made Tokai, though I've also known people who've had great experiences with Edwards, and heard good things about Greco, Orville, Agile and Burny.

It's too bad you don't live in New Zealand - I'm selling my Tokai LS150 '59 Les Paul Replica with Rebel Yells, although it's going for a little more than what you're looking at. You can check it out here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=92255565

Best of luck with your search - Japanese-made Gibson copies are brilliant bang for the buck.  :)
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Twinfan

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2007, 08:25:49 AM »
If you want a brand new one, I'd import an Edwards from Japan.  There's a thread about Edwards guitars here on the board, if you do a search you'll find it easily.

I worked out it would cost around £450 to get it here including all shipping/taxes etc.  You can't argue with that!

If you don't fancy the import route, I'd go for a new Japanese Tokai.  Coda Music usually have a few in stock, as do other places.  They usually run to £450ish.

Old Grecos/Burnys etc are getting more collectiable now and are going for £500+.  If you're after a playing guitar, I'd go for one of the new ones above.
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Dreichlift

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« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2007, 08:54:40 AM »
I've seen mid 70's to 80's Burny, Greco and the like going on Ebay for around £350 latley and I've been seeing some of the newer guitars appearing too so I'll keep an eye out. Thanks for all your help though folks, you've been a great help.
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Sifu Ben

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2007, 09:43:32 AM »
Having just got an awesome new Dean, I would recommend the Dean Evo Special or Special Select. Ridiculously cheap for giggable guitars, very well made and set up. Made in the same factory as the Ibanez artist models, but they are QC'd and set up in the UK. £260 for a Special and £325 for the Special Select.
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Crazy_Joe

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2007, 10:00:52 AM »
The Tokai Japanese made Les Pauls are so good, they look and play awesome, definatley try and find an LS150 or LS70 or up on ebay.

If you want a brand new guitar you might want to look at Tokai Korean models, they are just as good for a fraction of the price.
Take a look here http://www.coda-music.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_42
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Black Dogs

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Kilby

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« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2007, 11:50:31 AM »
Quote from: Crazy_Joe

If you want a brand new guitar you might want to look at Tokai Korean models, they are just as good for a fraction of the price.
Take a look here http://www.coda-music.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_42


I have to mostly second this suggestion, as I have played a couple of real nice Korean Tokais.

However, I have also played ones that are pretty damned cr@ppy and you have to be much more careful about them than the Japanese built models :(
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Ratrod

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« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2007, 11:56:07 AM »
The new Vintage V110 Lemon Drop gets some good reviews. Ishure do like the look of the thing. Just add BKP Mules with a Peter Green wind.

http://www.jhs.co.uk/reviews/G&B%20DEC%20(V100MRPGM).pdf
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Dreichlift

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Non-Gibson Les Paul advice
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2007, 06:04:21 PM »
Quote from: Ratrod
The new Vintage V110 Lemon Drop gets some good reviews. Ishure do like the look of the thing. Just add BKP Mules with a Peter Green wind.

http://www.jhs.co.uk/reviews/G&B%20DEC%20(V100MRPGM).pdf


I really liked the vintage guitars when I first saw them, over time though that cutaway/lower horn would niggle at me though, I don't know what it is, just something looks iffy about it. I wish they'd either do what ESP did with the Eclipse or do something else (I always thought a PRS style lower horn would suit)
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