Best Les Paul-esque guitar under £400 (incl Used)

rlw

I know where there is a nice LP Studio with Classic 57s going for your budget..................................2015 desert burst.

Panama_Jack666

400 x 2015 Les Paul Standard

TTBZ

Yep I ended up selling my Pearl LP for about £250, it's an awesome guitar regardless of the money. Heavy but thats Les Pauls. 

HarrySeven

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/82282/fs-or-ft-pearl-mij-lp-custom-300#latest

olafgarten

I had a similar choice last year and it came down to the Bernie Marsden and Epiphone Tribute Plus. 

In the end I chose the Epiphone as it sounded a lot better but if you can afford a pickup upgrade I would go for the PRS, it has a fatter neck and plays beautifully. 

ESBlonde

Lots of good advice here, If you want a les paul for 'that' sound and vibe then @jellybelly nailed it. Since you are likely to be buying used the most important thing is to stuff the cash in your pocket and go try all the options available to you. When one speaks to you (not the bling but the actual guitar playing experience), buy it because thats the best one FOR YOU.

rico

Gassage said:

Gordon Smith always great

Interesting - I tried a few around the £700 mark this week and they didn't seem that great. Build quality all over the place and not particularly inviting to play. 

geetarguy85

Hi All,

Thanks for the advice - lots of options to consider. I'll keep you all updated on how the search goes! Hopefully I manage to sell some bits n bobs in the next few weeks so that I actually HAVE the £400 ready...

Rabs

Have you seen the new Gibson S series... 

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2017/USA/Gibson-M^2-S-Series.aspx

And I know its not a LP but out of interest

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2017/USA/Firebird-Zero-S-Series.aspx

PeterOne

I recently got a Vintage Lemon Drop which I'm really pleased with. I assume the regular V100 is just as good but with normal in-phase wiring.

William Williamson

I got a V120 (the LP Jr version) and honestly compared favourably to any Epiphone or PRS SE I've ever played in terms of fit and finish, comfort/etc. Of course the pickups are a bit naff, but as above a set of Oil City pickups in there will get you an amazing sound.

Fuengi

Left field choice, but I've done this so can vouch for the guitar. 

Bought a Vox SSC 33 for £275 discontinued online, and took their - rubbish try to everything but don't do anything well - coax pickups out and replaced with some superb @Mojopickups P90 that Marc made for me. They fit standard size. 

Rewired so that the upper switch now does out of phase. All in for less than £400, an absolute tone machine and beautiful guitar. Mine is a gold top. 

The link below they have one left now at £225. Ridiculous. 

http://www.fairdealmusic.co.uk/vox-ssc-33-bk-single-cutaway-electric-guitar-in-black.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAtefDBRDTnbDnvM735xISJABlvGOvKVfzDDWtj-vsxwN3hQ7w2II-_8ZJuDcsVPmf0Zqa9hoCHU7w_wcB

Deadman

Jap Tokais would be the obvious choice for me. They just tick all the boxes.

sm55onl

I saw this on Gmtr - a rarely seen MIJ Les Paul for just a little over yer budget.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/coolz-les-paul-mij-/1210136096

stickyfiddle

Used MIJ all day long. Tokay, Burny, Greco, Edwards are the easiest to find in the UK. 

KrisGee

If £400 can get you a second hand US made les paul studio then I'd say it's a no brainer. I got a brand new 2016 studio faded few months back, first new guitar purchase in over 10 years, amazing guitar for the money. Tone wise easily on pair with standards if you forget about lack of binding and fancy paint.

ChrisMusic

You don't live that far from me @geetarguy85 , I have a very nice Edwards (not for sale though), you are very welcome to pop over and try if you want.    Just shoot me a PM  

HAL9000

William Williamson said:

kennedydream1980 said:

What about the Epiphone Tribute Plus model? Great spec and can be picked up between £250-£350 used.

If that's the one with Classic 57's then I can't agree more heartily. I found it impossible to tell sonically and it wasn't a far try froom the LP Trad.

This. A friend owns one and it is pretty excellent.

imalrightjack

I'd endorse Japanese Tokai Love Rocks. The one I had was a seriously good guitar. Enjoyed the Vintage Lemon Drop I had. PRS Bernie (older model) was pretty good too. 

All easy to pick up cheap but the Vintage was best VFM and sound a stock. 

scrumhalf

If you see a Westbury, have a try. They are seriously good guitars. I've not seen an Epi or Vintage that comes close.