Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

[BTMN]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Used Hamer prices are not bad still for the quality you can get. Hamer Special all the way to the Studio line are killing. This 1991 Sunburst model is a LP Killer indeed. Evilbay for $950 7 years ago IIRC

5-0, My 50th birthday present.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

a hamer usa sunburst is on my short list. beautiful guitars

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

I wasnt referring to the ones with actives. Maybe the JB is too strong? Or just get 2 colors of these, I love mine
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ENTPBCNH--epiphone-les-paul-tribute-plus-black-cherry

I would like a good Eclipse with a JB or whatever, but first and foremost I would like something that would sound good with more vintage type pups as well. Eclipses seem to have a pretty focused and tight sound, I would think they would be thin and dry with the pickups I have in mind. I actually choose my dream pups and go after the right guitars for them, strange as it may seem, but maybe not so much on the Duncan forum.

^ If you go in this direction, check out Precision Guitar Kits. Same sort of thing but actually a proper glue in Les Paul shape/dimensions.


But where you are is important.....remember anything going international with rosewood needs a CITES permit. There are not many places geared up to that yet.

I tried that route, Mr Phil isn't being helping with my questions and demands so that project is suspended. He is using Pau Ferro on fretboards now I know that much.

I have a bunch of Les Pauls these days, but back before I was able to buy a Paul, I found an Ibanez GR-520 Ghostrider. They are as rare as hen's teeth, but the one I found really fit the bill for LP tone, and it was lightweight and easy to play. I've since acquired a second one, and I really enjoy playing them.

The other one I have that can serve as a LP alternative is my G&L ASAT. Top bound mahogany body with a 3CSB flame maple cap; a '59N and a TB-4 bridge; volume, tone and a coil-split. Mine has a birdseye maple neck and RW board. It is listed as a rare bird, as it is one of the few G&L has done with a Dual Fulcrum Vibrato. G&L is basically a custom shop so you can have one built to your specs.

It is an incredibly versatile guitar. And even though it has a 25.5" scale, it does have thick 2HB tones. Not exact LP tones, but a great guitar nonetheless.

And don't forget the 335 and it's clones. If you're not playing at extreme volume and gain levels, a 335 can deliver very similar tones.

Good luck.

Bill

Thanks I take note of these...

In the price range that you mention if you can find an Orville Les Paul, I hear that certain years are really good. The problem is most of the ones I see for sale are in Japan, and shipping costs drive the price up when you factor it in. If you are lucky enough to run across one locally they are supposed to be a great value for the money.

I checked them out a bit on the Japanese sites, they could be cool, I am just not too willing to frequent Luthiers to fix problems that may be with an old guitar. Maybe I wouldn't need to, I don't know, but I will like to play safe I think.

i love my hamer usa guitars and think they are on par with the gibson historics that ive owned but they dont sound exactly like a great lp. they sound great, but not the same. is it close enough? thats up to you.

Yeah trust me I would love those. I am not looking for a 59 Burst replica or anything.

Used Hamer prices are not bad still for the quality you can get. Hamer Special all the way to the Studio line are killing. This 1991 Sunburst model is a LP Killer indeed. Evilbay for $950 7 years ago IIRC

5-0, My 50th birthday present.

View attachment 89617

Used guitar from overseas... I dunno... but I am truely attracted to those Hamers no question there.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Nothing wrong with Tokais. I tried a new Tokai LP at a store recently and felt just like a nice old Gibson in many ways.

Give them a go.

Umm yes a lot of people like them a lot, a few don't, maybe I take a chance.

Dude Warmoth. You get to spec out everything and the quality is through the roof.

I didn't know Warmoth offered set-neck guitars.

Ibanez ARZ by far.

I will check them out thank you.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Thanks a lot gentlemen I will take into account all suggestions, feel free to state any other options you think may be, or any other points on those options already suggested.

 

[Diego]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Umm yes a lot of people like them a lot, a few don't, maybe I take a chance.

On that day, I tried a Tokai Strat that wasn't very good IMO, priced between a Fender MIM and a MIA.
I tried the LP with low expectations and it was killer. So there you go.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Definitely look at Reverend Guitars, Sensei model - Revs are hands down the best quality at their price point (and quite a way above as well).

You also might want to look at the PRS S2 Singlecut.


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Thanks I am checking out the Reverend. I think I can come to terms with the unorthodox design, and Korina/Limba is definitely an interesting wood option.

That’s the thing with Reverend guitars ...I find them completely unappealing aesthetically.
I’m sure they are a great guitar but I just don’t like the looks. The Sensai is the model I find least unappealing but still.....

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

I will check them out thanks

Would be very cool indeed, but doubt that is within my price range, pretty sure it isn't actually.

I bought a 79 Hamer Special for 900 bucks - one of the first ever made. There are some Specials under 1k on Reverb.

 

[devastone]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Prestige Guitars, made in Korea with the finishing touches in Canada. Great LP style guitars and some beautiful acoustics as well! I'm surprised more people don't know about these guys.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Thanks a lot gentlemen I will take into account all suggestions, feel free to state any other options you think may be, or any other points on those options already suggested.

Just to let you know....the communication is notoriously poor/sporadic with precision. Delivery is never an issue supposedly......if you decide at any stage to go ahead. Most of the options you might think of are in dropboxes anyhow so there is almost no need to trouble Phil for possibilities.
Pau Ferro is an incredible fretboard wood too.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

I didn't know Warmoth offered set-neck guitars.

= (

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Epi Les Paul MIJ. Cheaper and better made.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Eastman has an LP wannabe that is pretty nice.

Bill

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Eastman has an LP wannabe that is pretty nice.

Bill

Yep I consider those too...

= (

Yes seriously, I will check out the Warmoth site again then. One thing I know is I need a finished guitar other than electronics and hardware.

Just to let you know....the communication is notoriously poor/sporadic with precision. Delivery is never an issue supposedly......if you decide at any stage to go ahead. Most of the options you might think of are in dropboxes anyhow so there is almost no need to trouble Phil for possibilities.
Pau Ferro is an incredible fretboard wood too.

Okay I will consider again, I couldn't make sure any of the neck profiles he offers would be ideal for me. At that point we kind of lost connection... also about whether he made any body shape changes to the ones showing on his site.

Prestige Guitars, made in Korea with the finishing touches in Canada. Great LP style guitars and some beautiful acoustics as well! I'm surprised more people don't know about these guys.

I think they are too nicely priced to be credibly great, like 'Les Paul alternative' great... I like what I see and hear... on the other hand I see all these come with JBs, exclusively... that makes me suspect they need a lot of push from the pickups to sound substantial, if that makes any sense. They say those are really heavy-wood guitars, I dunno any further.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

Gentlemen my latest discovery is Yamaha Revstars, the best sounding butt-ugly guitars I have lately heard. Let me know if you know anything of possible interest about them, please. I am chasing the top-end Japanese version presently. Thanks everyone for your inputs.

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

I bought a 79 Hamer Special for 900 bucks - one of the first ever made. There are some Specials under 1k on Reverb.

Buying used from overseas in my situation, I might not be brave enough for that.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

LTD Eclipse 1000's - can't miss. Come with JB/59s.
Dean Soltero's - available all day for $600
Agiles - the higher end ones
Epiphones Elitists If $1000 US isn't too much these are amazing. Haven't ever touched one that wasn't perfect in every way.
Heck - any higher end Epiphone.
Tokai's of all sorts.

Man - we can go on for PAGES!!!!!! There are so many great non-Les Paul, Les Paul options anymore it is mind boggling. You are $400 and a set of Duncans plus some screwdriver time away from a great playing/sounding guitar. I don't see your problem other than too many choices!

My Concern: You seem be saying these guitars are not good based on online/experience. I don't know where you are, but I'm in America, with Access to everything, and have 25+ guitars (at the moment) including Les Pauls - which I love. I have no idea exactly what you think isn't up to snuff about any of these that you have experienced. Yeah...you'll want new hum buckers more your flavor vs the generic or cheap ones in there. But you know that. If it is how they play, well, I have extremely rarely experienced one that was good to go out of the box, and almost never find one that can't be set up to awesome.

I think you are either searching for Filet Mignon at Ground beef prices, or have some imaginary impression of a real Les Paul. By the way - there are more than enough of those that might not "do it" for you either. Especially for what they cost. I'd never buy a new Les Paul anymore.

So what do you REALLY want need out of this guitar, or what is it you perceive as lacking in all the options???

 

[stupendous silly]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

LTD Eclipse 1000's - can't miss. Come with JB/59s.
Dean Soltero's - available all day for $600
Agiles - the higher end ones
Epiphones. If $1000 US isn't too much these are amazing. Haven't ever touched one that wasn't perfect in every way.
Heck - any higher end Epiphone.
Tokai's of all sorts.

Man - we can go on for PAGES!!!!!! There are so many great non-Les Paul, Les Paul options anymore it is mind boggling. You are $400 and a set of Duncans plus some screwdriver time away from a great playing/sounding guitar. I don't see your problem other than too many choices!

My Concern: You seem be saying these guitars are not good based on online/experience. I don't know where you are, but I'm in America, with Access to everything, and have 25+ guitars (at the moment) including Les Pauls - which I love. I have no idea exactly what you think isn't up to snuff about any of these that you have experienced. Yeah...you'll want new hum buckers more your flavor vs the generic or cheap ones in there. But you know that. If it is how they play, well, I have extremely rarely experienced one that was good to go out of the box, and almost never find one that can't be set up to awesome.

I think you are either searching for Filet Mignon at Ground beef prices, or have some imaginary impression of a real Les Paul. By the way - there are more than enough of those that might not "do it" for you either. Especially for what they cost. I'd never buy a new Les Paul anymore.

So what do you REALLY want need out of this guitar, or what is it you perceive as lacking in all the options???

I had a Les Paul traditional, recently gave away, I know they are not all that good . Yeah probably I am asking too much for my price range. There are many Les Paul sounds in our memories, any of the good ones will do for me, plus I also have playability concerns. If I were in the States, trust me, I wouldn't need this much inquiring, not even if I were anywhere else in the Europe etc. I would just start saving for a Custom Shop Gibson or something at that level. The thing is, I wouldn't be able to get what I want even with the money where I am located - except for stupidly huge amounts of money, or some international traveling. Yamaha Revstar looks promising, the sounds I am hearing from those, from the multiple demo videos, it appears might do for me, check them out if you like. I also can't imagine collecting info on Les Paul alternatives in one tread would hurt anybody. I think you should worry neither for me nor for the well-being of the forum. Cheers!

 

[devastone]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

I think they are too nicely priced to be credibly great, like 'Les Paul alternative' great... I like what I see and hear... on the other hand I see all these come with JBs, exclusively... that makes me suspect they need a lot of push from the pickups to sound substantial, if that makes any sense. They say those are really heavy-wood guitars, I dunno any further.

RE: Prestige guitars, having owned one and a LP Custom, the Prestige played as well as the Gibson. The only downside to the Prestige is that it was heavy, pretty much the same weight as the LPC, ~9 - 10 lbs. IMHO, they are some of the best LP style guitars in the ~$900 - $1400 price range, sometimes great deals pop up on used ones.

 

[zionstrat]

Re: Gibson Les Paul alternatives, throw in all you know please

2nd Reverend and Warmouth... I love both.

Here's a different direction... Played a Gretch jet 5230 recently and it blows my mind... Much better quality than epi gib in $500 range... Great feel, finish, etc...

But the tone was incredible... Very much like a classic LP deluxe... tight and powerful. Growled when snapped.. Just a hint of Gretch sparkle in the one I played but closer to LP d.

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