Non-Gibby Les Paul suggestions?

[Chameleonfong]

Heritage

[RacerX]

I second Agiles if you're on a budget

http://www.rondomusic.net/

[jcm800x]

Agiles are not bad, here is my $150 Agile.

[Drake S.]

I'm gonna have to say Agile aswell I got 1 for 300.00 & did some mods to it & it smokes.This is a Honey burst finish. AG3000

[zeegler]

My Xaviere XV500

[zeegler]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Late-70s-Aria-Pr...QQcmdZViewItem

Even with $120 shipping from Japan, nice price for a very accurate LP copy.

[VulfgangPfuck]

Agile is my vote also...I had a Ghost (Explorer) and the build quality was definitely there!!
I've tried the Paul copies at Rondouche (that's what I lovingly refer to the store who distributes this line) before they changed the shape. I was, to say the least, blown away by the quality..feel, setup (out of the box) details. The electronics left a little to be desired, but not enough to ever sway me against buying another.

I would like to try the Xaviere that Zeegs posted too...those look very cool also!

[zeegler]

http://cgi.ebay.com/aria-lespaul-198...QQcmdZViewItem

Another one. This ones even nicer.

[VulfgangPfuck]

I don't care for tobacco burst, but that's definitely a lawsuit guitar at it's finest!

[zeegler]

I don't care for tobacco burst, but that's definitely a lawsuit guitar at it's finest!

Exactly. For those who constantly throw around the lawsuit reference, usually where it does not apply, that one is a perfect example. The open book headstock is an exact copy of the Gibson headstock. This is the reason Gibson threatened to sue. It never actually happened, because Aria, Yamaha, and some of the other manufacturers backed off, and stopped using the open book headstock.

This one is pretty much an exact copy of an LP with the exception of the logo, and printed serial number rather than stamped.

[fuel0707]

I'd also recommend the PRS Singlecut, either the SE or the American-built instrument. With the Gibson lawsuit over, PRS is building new Singlecuts.

[slayer]

For USA-Hamer or Heritage. I prefer the double cuts myself, but a nice LP can`t be beat. Jack.

[charvelguy]

I have an Aria Pro 2 double cut melody maker copy.. they only made it one year.. in '77...pancake body..but for a copy it kicks butt. The only problems I have had with MIJ lawsuits is the occasional guitar with tuning issues...meaning its a bitch to keep in tune. I had a Rocket Roll Sr from '77 and that thing was so sensitive to temp changes it wasn't even funny.

If you do not like pancake bodies then you have to be careful what you buy from this era of MIJ guitars because they are copied akin to the Norlin years...unless you buy a higher end Tokai or Greco Super Real. Those are copies that are to pattern the classic Gibsons.

[hammer84]

GMP Pawn Shops are the best LP-style guitars I've run across. Once in a while you can find a really cool-looking one as well:

Some GMPs even come with strings

[jimbilly]

A Hamer usa would be my first choice, Studio Customs are about $1k used, studios and specials are less than that.
I have a Tokai LP that is killer, I think I saw a love rock on porland OR craigslist, it might still be there (can't find it), -it was stunning looking, and around $750. That would be worth the drive (it looks like you're in WA). What are you looking at spending?
my Hamer SC :
my Tokai, '85 made in Japan LC60