Les Paul model opinions

If you really like the Epiphone you have obviously a 60s Standard would be basically the same feeling guitar. If it were me and I was looking for something different I would go,with a 50s Gold Top with P-90s.

I splurged on a Gibson 60’s standard, and then came across a used Gibson studio.

I’ll play the studio all day long.

Yeah Gibson QC has taken a hit over the years. That said I would not rule out looking at Heritage guitars. Their H-150 core model that comes with Seymour Duncan 59s is just a LP standard. If I was buying used I would definitely look at their Custom Core line. They are a bit lighter and usually have higher grade maple caps with in house wound pickups. Those run 4k new but usually run around $2500 used in very good to excellent condition. I fell like on average with those you are getting a better guitar than a new LP Standard for the same or less money.

I have a Les Paul Standard and PRS McCarty 594, along with a bunch of strats, but the guitar that I regret selling the most is a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s with P90s. Man that thing was sweet.

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Really? What didn’t you like about the studio?

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Not so much that I didnt like it but I liked the Epiphone better, it was a higher end Epi. I preferred the neck and had upgraded the pups and tuners etc. Went on to trade that Epiphone for another one. Then sold the other one to a cousin and bought a PRS that really love now.

I tell my clients because Gibson can have trash and treasure in consecutive serial numbers ... and because high-dollar examples aren't necessarily guaranteed to be treasure ... if you want to get a really good Les Paul ...

Schedule a three- or four-day weekend in a major metro with a lot of examples you can actually handle. I'd personally go to Nashville or to DFW if I was shopping for a LP. Play EVERY example that appeals to you at EVERY store carrying new and used Gibsons in the market. Write down the SN and description of the best Gibson you test-drive at each store you visit. After you've got through every store, before you leave town, revisit your list of the MVPs at each store. One SN and description will jump out as being the best on that MVP list for your ears, your hands, your ribcage. And that's the one you should probably buy ... you found your example to treasure.

Notice I didn't say "your eyes." The irony is that you might want a black Custom, but you bought a wine red Standard because it was the best LP in Chicago... or you really wanted a black Studio but you bought a goldtop Tribute because it was the best the Atlanta or Houston metro had to offer. Life's funny like that.

In my experience, the best value in the entire Gibson/Epiphone line are the Gibson Les Paul Classic and Gibson Les Paul Traditional models on the used market. Those can be sourced in very clean condition for under $2K and they will at least hold, more likely increase, their value on the used market.

You can't pick wrong between the two. However, if you want light weight, Classic models are usually chambered. If authentic LP tone is your priority, Traditional models fit the bill but they are not chambered and subsequently heavier.

Best of luck to you!

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My current guitar that i play the majority of the time live is an epiphone Les Paul 60s standard

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Good taste brother. I love the one I got last year.

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I tell my clients because Gibson can have trash and treasure in consecutive serial numbers ... and because high-dollar examples aren't necessarily guaranteed to be treasure ... if you want to get a really good Les Paul ...

Schedule a three- or four-day weekend in a major metro with a lot of examples you can actually handle. I'd personally go to Nashville or to DFW if I was shopping for a LP. Play EVERY example that appeals to you at EVERY store carrying new and used Gibsons in the market. Write down the SN and description of the best Gibson you test-drive at each store you visit. After you've got through every store, before you leave town, revisit your list of the MVPs at each store. One SN and description will jump out as being the best on that MVP list for your ears, your hands, your ribcage. And that's the one you should probably buy ... you found your example to treasure.

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A-frickin-men! Nashville has such an outstanding collection of music stores plus the Gibson Garage downtown. As someone who has owned multiple LPs, I'd say the above is top flight advice on buying one. Do not buy one of these online.

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I am learning on a mint Gibson Les Paul Tribute i got for under $800. Doesn’t have a binding or polished finish but seems really solid and a joy to play. Much prefer the neck and fretboard radius/width over my son’s MIM Strat.

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I have an amber Tribute that's my current #1. Love that guitar!

Luckily, I got it out of my system and realized I'm far, far, far from a guitar player that should even be thinking about getting one (granted I did splurge on a Cherry ES-335 on Reverb for a decent deal). But for a period of time I really wanted a '57 reissue gold top with Murphy Lab aging. More of a collector type of thing than worth the price they charge for them.