Ok, so I'm in the market for a Gibson LP, I've always wanted one, I dig the sound and (although it may be a little vain) I really dig how they look. I'm trying to stay under $1000 and after some pretty extensive research, it seems to me there are some pretty good values out there to be had. If anyone can tell me which they might pick, I'd love it.
The first I found was the Gibson Vintage Mahogany, its a great price. The guitar sounds great (actually the only one i was afforded the opportunity to play at GC) with the burstbucker pro pickups. The only thing I'm not keen on is actually the looks. Again, I know thats silly, but this is alot of money for me and I want the guitar to be something I want to pick up and play. The worn brown is the choice i would make,the red is pictured here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-Vintage-Mahogany-Electric-Guitar?sku=517536
Second I found was the Gibson Special Faded. I think its a pretty cool looking guitar (in the black) and I've read that alot of folks dig the 490r and 498t pups. The price is definitely right again on this guitar. It, like the vintage above, has tons of great reviews on musiciansfriend: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-Special-Faded-Electric-Guitar-with-Humbuckers?sku=517199
The last and probably most ridiculous LP I was liking was the the LP BFG. I've read most LP purists hate this guitar, but I have to admit, I'm in love with it. I spotted Tracii Guns with one at Rocklahoma this year and was intrigued. The black model looks like a snakeskin finish from a moderate distance. It seems like the guitar fits my personality about right -- beat up and ragged, as opposed to nitro'd and sparkling. Now, I've only read that the combination of the zebra 3 in the bridge and the p-90 in the neck gives the guitar great versatility and tone, I'd kill to demo one at a GC, but nobody's got them on the showroom floor. Half of the GC's I called were like "a BFG, wtf is that", lol. She's a little more expensive, damn near the very end of my budget for this venture. Take a look: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-BFG-Electric-Guitar?sku=512579
Some misc info. I've been playing off and on for 5 or so years. Have an epiphone acoustic and a schecter diamond series, but I'm really looking to get into playing heavy this time. I know alotta people will say, "eff LP's get an american strat", or "epiphone LP's are just as good...". But in my heart of hearts I think any one of these would be a better buy than an Epi, (I've played alot of them) and I just really want an LP over any other style. Any advice from what seems like a wonderful community here would be appreciated.
Of the three, I would get the Vintage Mahogany. It is the closest of the three to a Standard Les Paul.
Have you also considered:
(1) a used LP Studio? New ones are around $1,200, but you could probably get a used one much cheaper.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-Studio-Electric-Guitar?sku=517030
(2) an Epiphone? Some of their higher end models are nice, although you may want to upgrade the pickups.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Les-Paul-Custom?sku=519391
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Custom-Electric-Guitar?sku=518350
By the way, I one two Gibson LP Standards - a 1991 and a 2006. In my opinion, you can get somewhat close, but not match them - unless you spend the $$$ to get a Gibson.
Of the three, I would get the Vintage Mahogany. It is the closest of the three to a Standard Les Paul.
Have you also considered:
(1) a used LP Studio? New ones are around $1,200, but you could probably get a used one much cheaper.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-Studio-Electric-Guitar?sku=517030
(2) an Epiphone? Some of their higher end models are nice, although you may want to upgrade the pickups.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Les-Paul-Custom?sku=519391
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Custom-Electric-Guitar?sku=518350
Interestingly enough, that silverburst Epi was saved to my favorites for a long long long time, since way back when they were out of stock. But I feel like if I'm just going to upgrade the pups on an epi, I might as well put that 200 into one of these I've linked and just get what i have to assume is going to be a better constructed guitar all the way around (plus the burstbuckers of course)
But a used studio isn't a bad idea...
Check your local music stores. I usually see at least one used Les Paul Studio for sale when I am there.
LP BFG. I've read most LP purists hate this guitar, but I have to admit, I'm in love with it.
I agree with you on this one.
That's a great look. Almost as good as a naturally worn one.
Like the biker saying:
"chrome won't get ya home"
I wrapped a newspaper ’round my head
So I looked like I was deep
I've been watching Ebay for a while to get an idea on prices, and you can find a nice LP studio used for 600-800$, you can find some rareish ones too, although if possible it'd probably be best to find one at a shop to try it out first.
"head in the clouds, feet on the ground"
