Best CHEAP Les Paul Alternative? ***UPDATED UPDATE!***

[hamerhead]

Yesterday I was going to a jam and realized I don't have a LP-type that I can just grab and go and not worry about abuse (from me or someone else). What I need is a decent-but-cheap singlecut 2HB guitar that I can slap some of Josh's pickups in, take anywhere and not care too much if something happens to it. There are a ton of them out there.

You guys have any preferences or experiences you'd like to share?

ETA: Chunky neck preferred.

Edited November 2, 2024 by hamerhead

[scottcald]

PRS SE McCarty594 I think has a chunkier neck. 
Edit:  Also a Bernie Marsden PRS. 

Edited July 29, 2024 by scottcald

[RobB]

Yamaha Studio Lord. 

[BTMN]

Really cheap? IYV off Amazon for $182 plus shipping. 

[RobB]

Edwards MIJ LP Search on Reverb

Search the "Filters" link for "Show Only-Sold." It'll give you a good idea of market value.

[Steve Haynie]

Epiphone  would be a cheaper alternative.  You might find a used Les Paul Studio at a reasonable price.

[G Man]

I'd grab this, if I were in the market.  No affiliation.  https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/precision-59-les-paul.2578422/#post-39292079

[Gabe]

Sire 

[cynic]

Late 90s/early 00s MIJ Epiphones or any of the current crop of MIJ LP styles by FGN, Bacchus, Edwards, etc.

[beezerboy]

I'll add Godin

[geoff_hartwell]

On 7/29/2024 at 8:20 PM, Steve Haynie said:

Epiphone  would be a cheaper alternative.  You might find a used Les Paul Studio at a reasonable price.

Right On- I found a Les Paul Tribute on local CL for $750 and it’s dope! Amazing model that flies under the radar. It’s now my main guitar for a touring Allman Brothers Tribute.

Chambered body, maple neck and no binding. For me, Win win win!

[Steve Haynie]

What is the name of your Allman Brothers tribute band? 

[geoff_hartwell]

Just now, Steve Haynie said:

What is the name of your Allman Brothers tribute band? 

“Soulshine: An Allman Brothers Experience”

Easy to find on FB (we appreciate likes and shares!) and at

www.SoulshineABB.com

We’ll be in Jersey in a couple weeks and PA after that 👍

[Disturber]

3 hours ago, geoff_hartwell said:

Right On- I found a Les Paul Tribute on local CL for $750 and it’s dope! Amazing model that flies under the radar. It’s now my main guitar for a touring Allman Brothers Tribute.

Chambered body, maple neck and no binding. For me, Win win win!

So the guitar is a tribute model to play in your tribute band. That is KARMA! 😅

[geoff_hartwell]

Disturber- Not only that, but where I physically picked up the guitar from was *two blocks* from my studio space (especially insane for the NY area), and the guy who was selling it knew who I was when I walked in because he had seen the band live before 😳🤷🏼‍♂️🤣 

He came to a show in January and came by the Merch table after to say hi 😊 wild stuff I tells ya 

So back to the OP, I’m sure there’s a cool LPesque guitar out there that’s right for you! 🤘😁

 

[Disturber]

1 hour ago, geoff_hartwell said:

Disturber- Not only that, but where I physically picked up the guitar from was *two blocks* from my studio space (especially insane for the NY area), and the guy who was selling it knew who I was when I walked in because he had seen the band live before 😳🤷🏼‍♂️🤣 

He came to a show in January and came by the Merch table after to say hi 😊 wild stuff I tells ya 

So back to the OP, I’m sure there’s a cool LPesque guitar out there that’s right for you! 🤘😁

 

I was going to chime in that the Hamer Monaco Elite import model might have been an option. But then I saw you already found what you were looking for.

[hamerhead]

7 hours ago, Disturber said:

....But then I saw you already found what you were looking for.....

But I haven't!

Thanks for all the input everybody. The more I looked, the more 'mission creep' set in and the higher the prices went. There is some really nice stuff available under $2K, but that really defeats the purpose of a knock-around guitar.

So currently I'm leaning towards an Epi LP Traditional, as I've read they have bigger necks. They are everywhere under $500 and easier to replace if it gets dumped on its head.

Keep 'em coming, though - I haven't jumped yet.

[tbonesullivan]

The ESP LTD guitars come to mind. They have a lot of guitars in their EC / Eclipse series, in a wide variety of colors and styles. They can also be found used relatively easily.

[Hbom]

Deleted 

Obviously, a AI created scammer post. Don't know how that happened. But they sneak in every once in a while. 🤐

 

Edited August 2, 2024 by Hbom

[Jimbilly]

A friend has a setneck single cut Aria Pro ii dual hum, it's quite nice, I think Lukather or someome played one of those for a bit. I wouldn't dismiss one of those.

 A Tokai Love Rock would probably be a good choice, the MIK models are very affordable, I've got two MIK basses (different brands) with great fretwork.

Edited August 2, 2024 by Jimbilly

[hamerhead]

2 hours ago, Hbom said:

...You don't say where in Oregon you are,.....

About 2 miles southwest of downtown, across from the golf course.

OK - that's Oregon, Wisconsin (10 miles south of - and the wart on the ass of - Madison, Wisconsin). It still confuses me, too.

[Hbom]

Sorry about that. Guess I should do my homework better.

Process would be the same just change the towns you walk around in.

[Jimbilly]

I just saw a LTD 256 that looked pretty ok, it was tagged at $250, set neck and nice burst finish too. Those are from China, btw.

[Biz Prof]

On 8/2/2024 at 11:57 AM, Jimbilly said:

A friend has a setneck single cut Aria Pro ii dual hum, it's quite nice, I think Lukather or someome played one of those for a bit. I wouldn't dismiss one of those.

Neal Schon played one in the early '80s.

ETA:  An early '90s Yamaha Weddington might be the ultimate Les Paul alternative, but good luck finding one now under $1,200. Those were absolutely killer guitars with top shelf build quality.

Edited August 3, 2024 by Biz Prof

[duncans]

I have a Japanese built Epiphone Elitist that may be the best LP I've owned, I've had a few Gibsons in the past. Can be had for $1K or so. I did switch out the pickups to Dimarzio 36th anniversay. Originals are Gibson made equivelant of 490/491. Hotter than i like.

Edited August 4, 2024 by duncans