A fast-playing Les Paul at a price you wouldn’t believe. For the people looking for an even cheaper option, the Epiphone Les Paul Special is our choice for the best value Les Paul copy. I got one last year. They sound amazing and look phenomenal but I have never picked one up and liked the way it felt. Epiphone Inspired By Gibson ES-335. The finishing is nitro, which is also lightly aged (looks and feels really nice). I was planning on maybe getting a higher end Epiphone, and then I was able to. The Les Paul shape is probably one of the most inspirational (read: copied) guitar body shapes in history, so alternatives are not difficult to round up. So for my fix of thick. The Gibson SG is the perfect alternative to a Gibson Les Paul. Roundhouse Guitar - Reverend Guitars | We know what players want. Used Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro Solid Body Electric Guitar. Check around on Ebay. After the robot tuner fiasco, Gibson paid all the technicians at their dealers to swap the robots for regular tuners. The original model provides Gibson’s rock and roll heritage along with vintage tones and outstanding build quality. 2. An excellent beginner guitar. The Monarkh SC JS22 is their take on a Les Paul, but with a faster playing neck that is great for metal and similar styles, as is commonplace with many of this company's guitars. But what sets these apart from the versions I wrote about back in September. Jul 10, 2020. Gear Review: The String Butler by Dietrich Parts. The Les Paul is the most iconic Gibson design on the planet. The '56 and '57 Les Paul Goldtops look similar but are entirely different beasts. Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess Standard. Worst Gibson Les Paul Years: Final Thoughts. Matt_Dunn [UG Writer] Aug 05, 2022 12:54 AM. Now it is a rare oldtimer with 5 Kg and at the moment I prefer true single coil sound with less weight. Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Les Paul alternatives. But it was two out of three out of the box. Then there's a ton of options that don't have Les Paul's name on the headstock but they're very similar guitars. The Les Paul Standard features the new Ultra-Modern Weight Relief, whereas the traditional has no weight relief. ESP LTD Viper-256 – Best SG Style Guitar for Intermediate Players. Check Price on Sweetwater Check Price on Guitar Center. The Tribute has a rounded “C” shape, while the Classic features a slim tapered body. 00. Explore the best Les Paul alternatives and get the iconic Gibson sound on a budget, including our Expert picks from Antiquity, Epiphone and more! Read More ; Best 335 Style Guitars: Semi-Hollow Alternatives . The best Les Paul alternatives are: Antiquity LS Guitars. It just seems that all the claims Gibson made regarding these alternative woods was just a marketing ploy to maintain sales. Most of the ones you read about (Epi's, PRS, other korean guitars) tend to have fit/finish issues, or just plain stink. slashfann995 Member. These guitars are essentially low-cost clones of some of the most iconic guitars in the world. Free 2-Day. But Fender necks are so much better IMO. Our Top Pick – Epiphone Les Paul Standard ’60s. Goldtop, super cool USA made ’94 Hamer. . A 2015 Les Paul Standard is now $2199 down from $3750. The former represents a high-quality alternative to the Les Paul, while the latter is Godin’s own take on the Fender Stratocaster. I've been experimenting with a few pickups lately and surprisingly none have improved upon the sound of the 57s in my Les Paul. Top-wrapping creates a shallower break angle over the bridge saddle, since the strings pass from the top of the bridge instead of halfway through it, and many players report that their strings feel looser and slinkier as a result. Kind of. 00 Grover locking tuners you just cant go wrong for $700. This is a good guitar that is made of a solid mahogany body and neck. As other's have stated, Epiphones are fine instruments. Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded Humbucker Set – Best Les Paul Pickups for Modern Rock/Metal. . Made in Korea, IIRC. I would humbly suggest looking at ES-335s ~ though they can be heavy, I think they average out lighter. Luckily, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard comes in a wide variety of styles, finishes, and even left-handed models. Used Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro Solid Body Electric Guitar. The tailpiece can have a noticeable influence on the tone and dynamics of a Les Paul. Though the hokeyness of the spot. Any control layout is cool. Click on my profile you’ll see my post about my Revstar. 3. SG1000 with coil taps is an amazingly versatile guitar. 99. However I see lead 55s all the time for 1600-1800$ used. My top choice when it comes to Les Paul alternatives for metal is the ESP LTD EC-1000. Later ones had a three-piece neck, fingerboard biding, and LP-style inlays. See full list on guitarworld. At just $949, the LTD EC-1000 Floyd is definitely worth a look when considering the different features it comes loaded with. It offers a great blend of price and performance, with handsome looks, killer tones, and solid build quality. The Gibson Les Paul Standard is, well, the “standard. 3 Best Les Paul Clone For Beginners: Epiphone Les Paul Special II. Gibson is Epiphone’s parent company, so if you’re looking for a traditional singlecut style guitar, it stands to reason that’s the first place to look. . I paid 1500 for it. The Epiphone Les Paul is an excellent budget alternative to the Gibson Les Paul. 10. The H-157 is a Custom model that has a few features (like ebony fretboard, etc) similar to a LP Custom. What's the best gibson les paul alternative that won't break my bank account. 75" radius and extra jumbo frets is my easiest guitar to play. It’s an affordable choice for a classic looking guitar with modern features. Yamaha Revstar 502 - love the looks, but haven’t found one in the wild to put hands on. Wait…the best Gibson Les Paul alternative is…another Les Paul? Well,. This is why manufacturers use substitute materials. Gibsons are also fine instruments, but the gap in pricing is kind of crazy. The ESP LTD EC-256FM is intended to be a Les Paul copy that’s perfect for all musical style, as well as look great, and be easy to play. However, the Duo Jet has been there almost since the Les Paul was first conceived. With only one single P90 bridge pickup, super lightweight body, and short scale, easy to. Complete – This starter pack has everything a budding guitarist needs to start playing. The body is made of agathis, which is a cheaper alternative to mahogany and not quite as rich sounding. nice. . I. I’ve NEVER Seen a Guitar Body Like THIS Before! January 11, 2023. The model becomes even more with its “Player Pack,” a bundle that includes an Epiphone guitar amp, a bag, a cable, a strap, a set of picks, and a tuner. 10 *Fantastic* Les Paul Alternatives! October 14, 2022. Take one look at it, and you'll see just what we mean. Washburn Paul Stanley Preacher; Valley Arts Brent Mason Custom Pro; Ibanez Herman Li E-Gen; Robert Smith – Schecter ‘UltraCure’ Guitar; Dean Eric Peterson “Old Skull V” Gibson Jeff Beck 1954 Les Paul Oxblood; Fernandes Brad Gillis Signature Stratocaster; Ibanez Pat Metheny Signature Series PM120; Fender Sonic Youth. Thoughts? Gibson4NJ Senior Member. It offers a great blend of price and performance, with handsome looks, killer tones, and solid build quality. Gibson Les Paul Special - 6-7 lbs, flat top, light weight, super slim neck 60's neck. The Gibson Les Paul is an undeniably. All the tone, less weight, better fret access. The Wilson won hands down in quality. 03-18-2023, 06:19 PM. Starts at around $2500 (or £2200 in the UK) and is available with humbucker or P90 pickups. However, with its hefty price tag, you may be looking for some Les Paul alternatives to get that similar tone at a lower cost. It's probably one of the best Les Paul alternatives since then. Part of Ibanez's Artist Series, the AR420 has a feel and playability that will appeal to a wide range of players of all types, and the versatile tone, combined with quality construction and tonewoods, adds up to a value-packed guitar. None of these instruments are affordable Les Paul alternatives, so expect to pay custom shop (or higher) prices for these. It would be best if you also considered the price range for the Epiphone Les Paul Modern. The best Les Paul alternatives are: Antiquity LS Guitars Epiphone Les Paul Guitars ESP Singlecut Guitars Schecter Solo Guitars PRS Singlecut Guitars Next, we’ll. But if you look on Reverb you can find a nice used Standard at or slightly under 2k. Very shortly afterwards, there was a lot of publicity about them suing the owners of Dean Guitars, and then their failure to. nigelr said: SGs and Semi-hollows don't give you the Les Paul sound, a PRS would be better in that regard. Jackson JS22 Dinky. CryptoDe van néhány más gitár is a legjobb Gibson Les Paul Alternative címet viselő versenyen . Today we're livin' the dream!. You can apply alternate tunings, capos, and open tunings as you like, which makes this guitar one of the most versatile Les Paul alternatives ever. 7 Best Les Paul Alternatives For Under £1000! May 20, 2023 comments off. After it was forcefully removed from my hands I decided that I needed a pair of PAF's in my life. Syrus Senior Member. Probably the best deal I ever got on a guitar. There is no best wood for a Les Paul since it mostly depends on the quality of the current slabs available. 1,395. The build quality and electronics used are exceptional. Is Epiphone the Best Les Paul Alternative?The Epiphone Les Paul Standard is an excellent affordable alternative to the Gibson Les Paul. Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is a solid body guitar which features a lightweight poplar body with a satin finish and a comfortable mahogany neck. All three would give you great sounds depending on what you're looking for. . Sure makes something comparable to a nicely crafted Epiphone LP, very similar. PCollen. Orville Les Pauls 1989-92 Orville By Gibson Les Paul LPS 57C To help combat the up-and-coming Japanese copies that were a threat to market share, Gibson started Orville in the late '80s to help spread. Best for Blues and Jazz Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet. Guitar Center has slashed $100 off the price of the Junior Jet Club BT – an absolute bargain if you’re looking for a budget Les Paul alternative (Image credit: Gretsch) There are Cyber Monday guitar deals , and then there are Cyber Monday-winning guitar deals, and this offer on a Gretsch Streamliner is undoubtedly the latter. There are also Gibson Tribute SGs and LP for not a lot more. This vintage replica from the company that introduced the mini humbucker in the ’60s uses alnico-2 magnets for its bright and focused output, but still retains Gibson’s well-known humbucker. Throughout the vintage era,. Firstly, a Les Paul is made from Mahogany. It is a Les Paul Special alternative that I got for under $150. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard has come a long way. Fender Player Stratocaster: The obvious choice for blues, rock, and country players who want that Strat tone. The ESP LTD EC-1000 is essentially a Les Paul designed for metal heads featuring a thinner neck and body and EMG active pickups. However, if you’re coming from a traditional Les Paul, or looking for a Gibson Les Paul alternative, you’ll feel right at home with the EC-1000T. My Bottom Line up Front: A Les Paul Junior is an iconic model, the simplicity of which makes it unique in design and tone. I’d like to discuss the replacement Les Paul bridge as well as review some of the best replacement bridges for Les Paul guitars. The tonewood combination is great for rich and resonant tones, and the looks of the instrument feature the timeless aesthetics with the iced tea finish. Conclusion. . The new Fender Corona-made guilds are something in between if you read the Guild marketing fluff. The Les Paul 100 shares a few similarities with the Special II. reverb. AI Score. Let’s dive in! Of course there’s a Paul Reed Smith model. For example, something like Fralin Unbuckers are designed with mismatched coils so, when split, they do not lose so much volume. Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners. The Monarkh SC JS22 is their take on a Les Paul, but with a faster playing neck that is great for metal and similar styles, as is commonplace with many of this company's guitars. Les Paul and Stratocaster models come in various price ranges, from entry-level to high-end. WHY in the world would you even WANT an alternative to a Les Paul? Besides, there ain't one! :dude :) Any number of reasons: ethics, budget, personal taste. Unfortunately many of the Junior replicas seem like they target lower price, not. Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SC shown in tobacco burst finish. Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s. Duncan JB levels of output. Throughout the vintage era, Gibson tailpieces were cast. 40 years on, the Super Swede is back (albeit now made in China like the entire Hagstrom range), and is now available with a trio of P90 singlecoil pickups and a vintage style vibrato aka Tremar. The Les Paul is the choice of so many guitarists, mostly because of its history and sound. a20xt6 • 2 yr. Who makes the best non-Gibson Les Paul Junior DC Replica? Thicker 59 or 58 neck, not smaller 60's neck, 1 piece mahogany or spanish cedar body, P90. $675. I've owned a bunch in the past and currently still own and gig an early 90s Special with P90s. 3 Best Les Paul Clone For Beginners: Epiphone Les Paul Special II. I'm a big fan of the Callaham steel bridge - it's an ABR-1 (Gibson tune-a-matic) style bridge. Browse on Sweetwater. Guild Bluesbird. The tailpiece can have a noticeable influence on the tone and dynamics of a Les Paul. EMG 81/85 – Best Les Paul Pickups for Thrash Metal. We recently ran a post on Les Paul Alternatives. $3,199. The Les Paul Tribute models also end up weighing about the same as the thin-bodied "Lite" models. I would go with the guitar that replaced and outsold the Les Paul - the SG. The neck pickup is softer. The neck Duncan '59 gives up the classic "woman",Warren Haynes and Gary Moore neck tones in spades,while the bridge Duncan Custom Custom has enough kick to. the Line 6 makes the whole thing un-understandable! you can't take a you Tube clip and assume it sounds like a Les Paul. Seems the options are to go 'out of house' and get a Japanese (eg, Edwards) or have the patience to wait for a Corsa to sell used. At NAMM 2017, Epiphone’s parent company, Gibson, unveiled its S Series, intended to give musicians an affordable route to the revered Gibson family of guitars. I see new LP's all the time for less than $2k, nice Standards and Classics. I have owned six Les Pauls, ranging from 8+ pounds up to 11 pounds. 25" fretboard radius, and affordable prices. Thread starter Jon;. ago. This Les Paul Junior Review and Guide will come in handy for everyone considering buying the vintage classic or modern reissues. The Epiphone Les Paul Special II model pictured above sells brand new for under $200. As you surely know, the Gibson Les Paul is one of the top guitars in the world. Les Paul & Friends: Tribute to a Legend. From its classic archtop feel to its super-versatile pickup system, the Gretsch. Itt. / By Zach Ariston Introduction The Les Paul is an American classic. There are hundreds of budget Les Paul alternatives to choose from, but the Oscar. Les Paul himself in 1954 as the “tuxedo” version of his groundbreaking solid body masterpiece. Alternatives to 57 classics. There are a few reasons for this, and it’s all about design. A 1970s/1980s Hamer Sunburst is the best non-Gibson "Les Paul": the early ones had a sunburst flame maple top; one-piece mahogany body; one-piece mahogany neck; rosewood board; Grover tuners; and two humbuckers. I've seen those used faded SGs go around $400 to $450, so you might be able to get one of the Juniors for that price. Newsletter Get Our Weekly Threads Newsletter. View. It is a simple, straightforward Les Paul that will allow you to explore genres beyond rock. Add to Cart. But of course, this Epiphone loses to real deals a lot in terms of playability, sound, and quality. Pickups and Electronics. Gibson. They often have woods and features that even Gibson cannot source on a regular basis. All the tone, less weight, better fret access. My first pick for Les Paul alternatives is by another big-name brand, Epiphone. At NAMM 2017, Epiphone’s parent company, Gibson, unveiled its S Series, intended to give musicians an affordable route to the revered Gibson family of guitars. 2 Best Les Paul Copy Under $1000: Reviews. Heritage was founded by Gibson employees who stayed in Michigan when Gibson left. 2Rastus said: SG. Especially for the Traditional, the action is spot-on. English (Publication Language) 09/30/2008 (Publication Date) - Immergent (Publisher) $17. 2. UNBOXING One of the Best “LES PAULS” I’ve EVER Played! Sarah Rogo’s National Resophonic Reso Electric One of a Kind Custom Color. If you’re looking for the Best Value, take a look. Jul 2, 2013. The guitar features all of the same qualities you would find in the most collectable and coveted of electric guitars, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul. ESP USA Eclipse Flamed Maple. If you're the type of player who likes a no-nonsense instrument built to melt faces, do yourself a favor and check this one out. I have a 1967 ES-335 and I would guess it's a bit below 8 pounds (not bad at all!). In contrast, Fender's Stratocaster, also introduced in the 1950s, focused on innovation and providing a versatile instrument with a sleek design and bright, punchy tones. They compete against Gibson directly. An LPM (bottom of the line HH Les Paul) is $699 with a hardcase, down from about 1k. A lot of people are thinking Epiphone but they don't place the pickups in the same place for some reason. Throughout the vintage era, Gibson tailpieces were cast using a cheap alloy called zamak that contains aluminium, magnesium and copper, and they’re about a quarter of. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. Epiphone Les Paul Standard: This is a step below the PlusTop PRO but in my opinion one of the best electric guitars under $500. This is the main reason why the 1959 Standard is $250 more expensive than the ’60s Standard and ’50s Standard Epiphone Les Paul models. The Epiphone Les Paul 100 is an excellent guitar aimed at beginners and intermediate players. While it looks a lot like a single-cutaway Tele, it landed closer to a Les Paul Junior in terms of tone. Sep 24, 2007 #103 guitarvc said: I did the side by side comparison at Maken Music in Chicago. There is no best wood for a Les Paul since it mostly depends on the quality of the current slabs available. Great Condition. [QUESTION] Les Paul Alternatives by Fun_Instance_3227 in Guitar. The SKB 3i-4214-56 iSeries Waterproof Les Paul Guitar Case was our Top Pick. Ibanez GRG121DX-WNF Gio RGone. Firefly Guitars have gained a lot of popularity in recent years for producing high quality budget electric guitars. The Blues 90 neck is like a 50's LP neck, nice and fat. Epiphone Les Paul Special - not a fan of the typical comfort and upper fret limitations that come with LPs. If you are with us for the long run, in this article we. Heritage, Edwards, Tokai, ESP, etc. Epiphone Les Paul 100. Best for Beginners – Squier Affinity Stratocaster. Here are six inspired modern-day recreations every PAF lover needs to know about…. But when it comes to construction and electronics, the LP 100 is a notch above. Reason 1 – The Iconic ‘Les Paul Tone’. It depends a lot on the pickups you use. The Epiphone Les Paul ENB-EBCH1 Electric Guitar comes with two humbuckers, 650R & 700T Humbuckers, for better sound quality. There's something satisfying about finding a guitar that competes with, or even wipes the floor with the instruments of. Apr 27, 2013. 8mm Split Pots" there is also a speed knob version "OULII Speed Control Knob with White Word for Electric Guitar 4pcs". Epiphone – A trusted brand, owned by original Les Paul manufacturers Gibson. 99. it just feels nicer, more playable and comfortable, and a more refined and practical design overall. Then there's a ton of options that don't have Les Paul's name on the headstock but they're very similar guitars. $2699. It just ain't a Les Paul, Ester, Rock and Roll. 2Best Les Paul Alternatives :Top 10 Recommendations in 2022. The PRS SE Custom 24 has a 25-inch scale length, whereas the scale length of the Gibson Les Paul is 24. And, even if you have a slightly high (or low) action, the Tune-O-Matic bridge allows easier and more accurate adjustments. Having said that, I think the Gold Top is a better looking guitar, but I prefer the 60's necks to the baseball bat 50s. The guitar sold for a whopping $2 million, tying Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Fender Stratocaster for the third. 46. These guitars could all be described as Les Paul-ish. If you haven’t. Epiphone Les Paul Special VE. 1. Probably looking at $750-$1500 range. Is there anyone else out there that's an alternative to Historic Makeovers? I know they're no longer taking any new orders and I'd really love to get the fretboard on my R4 changed to a dark brazilian board. A few years back, Epiphone revamped its lineup to closer match Gibson's '50s and '60s models. I'm a. I understand the neck angles can vary. Great Condition. com BEST CHOICE ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar Our Rating: Check Price PREMIUM PICK PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom Electric Guitar Our Rating Check Price BEST VALUE Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Pack Our Rating Check Price Table of Contents The 9 Best Les Paul Copies: ESP LTD EC-256 Those days are gone, and now Epiphone offers a serious alternative to the Gibson Les Paul. From its storied history and artist endorsements to playability factors and genre suitability, we’re covering all the. 1 Best Les Paul Copies Compared. Les Paul Special Tribute – P-90 – Worn White Satin. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING!. The SG has a slimmer profile, whereas the Les Paul is chunkier. Search titles only By: Search Advanced search…The Les Paul has been turning heads and melting faces since its release back in the late ’50s, with a who’s who of rock’s most celebrated ambassadors relying on the flame-topped beauty to deliver their signature riffs. If you are looking in the same price range as a Les Paul. That sort of thinking led Paul to create his own alternative to what he saw as the tinny, thin-sounding guitars of the day. Epiphone: Plain maple top with a figured, glued on veneer. Especially their Les Paul alternative the Roundhouse. The neck and overall playability are simply superb and the tones are real fat with killer sustain and cut. com and currently going through an exchange process due to excessive neck angle (~5. If you Google "LP Knob Gold Black", there are. If you are a metal player and you aren't convinced a Les Paul is right for you, maybe take a step back and consider how to choose a metal guitar that's perfect for your needs. 1. /Carl . Epiphone Limited Edition 1959 Les Paul Standard. Epiphone Les Paul Special. I have an epi Les Paul and a Gibson Les Paul and I’d say the epiphone is 85% of the Gibson. Seymour Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover (Best All Round) These are a tribute to the original Les Paul humbucker pickups that were designed in 1955. The PRS SE Custom 24 weighs 8. Since the 1950s, Guild has used the Bluesbird as a. Sale Bestseller No. It is as iconic as can be and has been used and abused by all the greats – Adam Jones, Buzz Osbourne, Sunno))), BORIS, Matt Pike. And the comments section reflected that. Although it doesn’t quite match up with. The 12 best hollow and semi-hollow electric guitars to buy in 2023 at a glance. The problem is that everyone in the world has one. Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SC. Brand New. The guitars feature a Boneite nut and Reverend's Bass Contour Control while basses are stocked with Hipshot. Ibanez GAX30 demo and review BETTER Than GIBSON?? - 10 *Fantastic* Les Paul Alternatives! TREV WILKINSON GUITAR KIT - HOW TOWhat's The BEST Acoustic Guitar Brand? (Tier List) I Finally Got A Strandberg And Here Is What I think Of It. I would go with the guitar that replaced and outsold the Les Paul - the SG. Evan_R Member. Sasha and Marc check out these two wonderful Gibson Custom Shop guitars!Thi. Firstly, the boosted mid-range allows you to control the saturation you get from the combination of a Les Paul with a tube amplifier. for the "fat tele" type of vintage PAF tones. 1. The Les Paul is an American classic. A highly affordable alternative to spending thousands of pounds on a Gibson Les Paul. Heritage was founded by Gibson employees who stayed in Michigan when Gibson left. $1,449. Best Playability – Ibanez. Dec 23, 2009. If you’re looking for a guitar, you’ll notice that the. I'm a huge fan of the les paul shape, but the weight is a real. The rosewood fretboard allows you to play any kind of music you want. I infact, I like both MORE than any Gibson I have owned, minus a 50s Tribute Gold Top that I used to have. It has old growth Brazilian, Honduras Mahogony, Eastern Maple top ( think ZZ top Pearly Gates) and all the politically correct Les Paul stuff, Hide glue, long neck tenon, correct tail piece placement etc. and they come stock with Seymour duncans. The Melody Maker has a thinner body,. Got one of these for my sons 21st ( he's a massive fan of Shinedown ) Great looking and great sounding guitar. 4 Best Les Paul Copy For Metal: ESP LTD EC-256. Assuming that the comparison is to a Gibson Les Paul, the next questions i would then. Best alternatives sites to Tytabor. SCORE. Home; About Us. Joined Jul 11, 2010 Messages 17,515 Reaction score 31,775. Les Pauls without the Maple top are therefore likely to sound thicker and more ‘midrangey’. . . People can't figure out if some Zeppelin songs were recorded with an LP or a Tele, but you're telling me that a 24 3/4" scale guitar with a set mahogany neck and mahogany body with maple cap isn't going to sound like a Les Paul if they've got the same pickups and electronics? I'd argue that. The pickups are handwound by Amber, a German company, and use aged Alnico 5 magnets and no wax-potting in order to get as close as possible to the response of vintage PAFs. Gibson Burstbuckers are some of the best pickups for Les Paul guitars you’ll find. Best Overall Pick – Epiphone Les Paul Custom. Unlike Gibson, there is not as much structure to the price tiers of Epiphone models, as there are so many of them! With Epiphone, you definitely get what you pay for, however. Here are five lightweight alternatives to the Gibson Les Paul. I have a 1967 ES-335 and I would guess it's a bit below 8 pounds (not bad at all!).