• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: Les Paul alternatives

Hello All-

With the price increase over at Gibson USA this year, I was just curious what you all like as an alternative to Les Pauls? They can be boutique or a big brand, I just want to hear what you all are into. I'd really like to test out a Bartlett Retrospec (though it is certainly more expensive than most LP's)

Is there anything out there that can even get close to a LP?

Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.

2 Reply by ZeyerGTR (edited by ZeyerGTR 2014-09-25 16:40:51)

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: Les Paul alternatives

PRS Singlecut or McCarty,  Hertitage, Tom Anderson Short Scale (cobra, etc), Carvin CS6...  Depends how close you want to get, but there are tons of options in the ballpark and each brand has it's own pros and cons.  Of course, there are also a million used LPs out there way, way cheaper than new.  I love my LP Traditional and I don't regret it at all, but I'll probably never buy a new one again.

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  • From: Parma, Italy
  • Registered: 2014-01-25
  • Posts: 132

Re: Les Paul alternatives

It depends on how much you want to spend. There are very pricey guitars out there, but they also have such an high quality that you'll never find on a Gibson. PRS Tremonti or Singelcut, Knaggs Kenai, Frank Hartung guitars (Embrace), Seth Baccus Nautilus, Nik Huner Orca or Krautster II, Tom Anderson Bulldog....and many many others.

All of these are wonderful guitars, real works of art in most cases, but if you really want the Les Paul tone, you will have probably to go with a Les Paul!
If you have that sound in your head, probably all those guitar won't sound so good to you.
I have a PRS Tremonti, amazing guitar, very comfortable and fast neck, super high quality and great tone. It's built 1000 times better than a Les Paul, and every detail is really well done, but it does not sound like a Les Paul. I love PRS, but i have to go with my 2005 Les Paul standard to have THAT sound you're probably looking for.

But you live in the USA, you can find really a million used great LPs, and for a really nice price.

I personally will never buy a guitar with an auto o mini tuner, or with an ugly flag inlay on the fretboard saying "50" "60" "120" "2014" or anything else.

Fender John Mayer, Clapton CS, Ash Tele Am. Deluxe; Gibson Les Paul std. 2005, Es-335 Bonamassa (JB328), Warren Haynes; PRS Tremonti 10 Top; Asher Ben Harper Sig. / Martin D41; Taylor 914CE; Takamine TNV460SC; Rockbridge SJ & 000-12/ Two Rock Custom Reverb Signature V3; Marshall TSL100; Fender Twin Reverb '65; Orange Tiny Terror, Blackstar Artisan 15 Combo.
  • Registered: 2012-03-10
  • Posts: 265

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Look into a used Gold top R7, R8, or GO. You can get these used for right around the 2k mark if you are patient. They may not have the fancy flame top, but they are built at the Custom Shop. IMO, these are the best bang for the buck.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Heritage makes quality guitars. Never played one I didn't like, and their price is probably under gibson's by now. They still make a Les Paul style guitar, and remain true to the original recipe.

http://www.heritageguitar.com/models/solidbody.html

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Heritage for sure. The senior guys there were originally with Gibson.  Great value.  And they are handmade

  • Registered: 2011-06-19
  • Posts: 21

Re: Les Paul alternatives

I've tried many alternates for LP's and the closest one I had was an old Ibanez Artist. But in the end the only thing your going to find for a LP is a real Les Paul. There are used ones that are great, so I recommend taking your time and waiting for a real Les Paul. I found a R8 that is amazing and I bought it used for under 2k, this was about 5 years ago so don't hold me to that price now. I have 4 custom shop Les Pauls and I bought them all used 3 were under 2k. Nothing sounds, feels and reacts like a Les Paul.

8 Reply by ruger9 (edited by ruger9 2014-09-26 00:28:15)

  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 197

Re: Les Paul alternatives

I have never liked Les Pauls, well not the feel of them anyway- they sound great.  But I LOVE my PRS singlecut, I have DGT pickups in it, with 50s wiring. I don't think I could be much happier...  it has cured my GAS for any kind of LP (except maybe that new Pellham Blue Epi JB  that was just released smile )

  • From: Bristol, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 237

Re: Les Paul alternatives

I've no personal experience of them but I've often read that the Yamaha SG series are "similar" to the Les Paul.

  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Re: Les Paul alternatives

ruger9 wrote:

I have never liked Les Pauls, well not the feel of them anyway- they sound great.  But I LOVE my PRS singlecut, I have DGT pickups in it, with 50s wiring. I don't think I could be much happier...  it has cured my GAS for any kind of LP (except maybe that new Pellham Blue Epi JB  that was just released smile )

I have a PRS 245 with DGT pickups in it, so it is simialr to yours.  It is indeed a great combination.

  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 197

Re: Les Paul alternatives

squawken wrote:
ruger9 wrote:

I have never liked Les Pauls, well not the feel of them anyway- they sound great.  But I LOVE my PRS singlecut, I have DGT pickups in it, with 50s wiring. I don't think I could be much happier...  it has cured my GAS for any kind of LP (except maybe that new Pellham Blue Epi JB  that was just released smile )

I have a PRS 245 with DGT pickups in it, so it is simialr to yours.  It is indeed a great combination.

...and that's the ultimate "LP in a PRS" guitar...   if I didn't already own a SC, the 245 is what I'd get... I prefer the selector switch up on the bout, and while I never saw the need for 2 vols/2 tones, as I grow as a player, I do wish I had that to experiment with.  Luckily, the guitar sounds so good, I don't NEED them, but it would be nice to have.

12 Reply by Jimi75 (edited by Jimi75 2014-09-26 11:20:32)

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Maybach (Lester) or FGN.

Maybach is not so well known, just check Maybach guitars on Facebook.

Fgn is a Japanese manufacturer and the guitars are really excellent. They have worldwide dealerships.
http://www.fgnguitars.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZeEWO0lTXk

Jimi75's Website

  • timb
  • timb
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  • Offline
  • From: Central Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-05-09
  • Posts: 316

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Has anyone here played a Duesenberg? The Starplayer Special seems to be the configuration closest to a Les Paul, though with a bolt on neck. The Starplayer TV has a set-in neck, but is a semi-hollowbody.

http://www.duesenbergusa.com/guitars/st … index.html

Comments on them seem to be that they are very well made. Joe Walsh played a couple on "Live from Daryl's house", and I saw Phil-X play one he was given on one of his youtube videos.

timb's Website

14 Reply by Jimi75 (edited by Jimi75 2014-09-26 12:00:33)

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: Les Paul alternatives

timb wrote:

Has anyone here played a Duesenberg? The Starplayer Special seems to be the configuration closest to a Les Paul, though with a bolt on neck. The Starplayer TV has a set-in neck, but is a semi-hollowbody.

http://www.duesenbergusa.com/guitars/st … index.html

Comments on them seem to be that they are very well made. Joe Walsh played a couple on "Live from Daryl's house", and I saw Phil-X play one he was given on one of his youtube videos.


Yep, I have played almost all of the Duesenberg line in a store nearby. Awesome guitars, how could I forget about them? But these won't give you the Les Paul feel.

Jimi75's Website

  • From: Bristol, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 237

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Having previously suggested the Yamaha SG I would lie to continue the Japanese theme going. Provided you stick to those made in Japan, Tokai make really top quality "copies"  of the Les Paul (and other models).

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: Les Paul alternatives

RichardH wrote:

Having previously suggested the Yamaha SG I would lie to continue the Japanese theme going. Provided you stick to those made in Japan, Tokai make really top quality "copies"  of the Les Paul (and other models).

I think the Yamaha SG cost almost as much as a Gibson. I've heard they plan a cheaper line though, but I doubt these will be made in Japan - rather China.

Tokai is cool, but you gotta be careful as there are two different Tokai lines. I think the good ones are from the Tokai Reborn line up.

Nobody mentioning Epiphone here? If I was in the market for a LP, I would check for a used Epiphone Elitist LP. These were darn good guitars.

Jimi75's Website

  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Only problem with an Epi is that freaking headstock.......ugliest one in the business.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Les Paul alternatives

Artisan wrote:

Only problem with an Epi is that freaking headstock.......ugliest one in the business.

http://youtu.be/vc66xR6Ww6o
epi head conversion

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool