Best off brand LP Custom?

[imissmj]

I really love the look of a black Les Paul Custom with chrome/nickel hardware but I can't justify the cost of a new or vintage one right now.

What's my best alternative? Orville, Burny, Epiphone, etc? Yes this is purely cosmetic purchase, ha I'm a strat guy...help!

Thanks!

Chris

[circusinthesky]

Probably an Agile would suffice. The brands you mention (other than Epi) are fairly expensive guitars. An Agile (well regarded in the Les Paul forums) may suit you well. The only problem is the web site sucks of explaining their models. You'd want an Agile owner to point out some traits of the different models.

[imissmj]

Thanks I will check those out. I should have been more specific about price. I can spend a grand, I just can't justify 2-3 which seems like the range for Gibsons with these appointments.

Thanks again!

[g-mane]

I love my Orville custom, but it does have gold hardware. Most MIJ customs have rosewood fretboards, if that matters to you (mine has ebony).

[custom53]

Love my Burny....

[amc]

find a used heritage h-157

http://www.heritageguitar.com/models/solidbody.html

[Halowords]

I'd say try to find a nice gently-used Heritage H-150, or maybe an H-140. The H-150P usually runs cheaper, but I believe it's Poplar-bodied, not Mahogany. They apparently still sound very nice and Les Paul-y. The H-140's are thinner-bodied than a Les Paul, but still apparently sound very nice. Both are lighter too from what I've gathered (the H-150 P and H-140, that is), which might be something of a positive if you're a Strat guy.

Anyway, you can probably find a standard H-150 for a bit over $1,000, the H-150 P or H-140 will probably be cheaper. It depends on the guitar and the seller, but it's pretty much a buyer's market. Still, if you guy a used Heritage at a decent price and don't like it you can probably sell it for what you bought it for. This is being hotly debated in the Gibson vs. Heritage threads, but I love my Heritage and for an American made guitar built in the old Gibson factory I think they are very nice and very reasonably priced, practically a steal on the used market. In particular if you look around and find a nice deal on a nice gently-used one.

At the very least, it's worth a look.

-Cheers

[WKG]

I was in a similar situation earlier this year. I love the look of the black LPC's but didn't want to cough up the cost. On a whim I ended up picking up an Agile AL3100, black/gold, double bound body, bound neck/headstock etc. Looks great but I was really surprised at the playability/tone and overall quality. I would have expected to spend multiples of what it cost to get to that level. I would still like to pick up a Gibson at some point but I am in no hurry. I am pretty sure they have a black/nickel option also if that's what you are looking for.

The AL3100 is the only Agile I have experience with though, I have read differing comments on some of the lower models.

[randombastage]

I got an Edwards shipped straight from a music store in Japan called Ishabishi and it rivals any Gibson I've ever played. Well worth the price, I don't miss the Gibson name on the headstock one bit.

[travisvwright]

I just saw a Greco for ~$500 that looked pretty authentic to me. (Well in crappy Clist pics.)

[imissmj]

How long did it take to get the guitar from Japan? Thanks for all the rec's all! I think I have enough to start looking at least.

[bettset]

epiphone elite or elitist....made in japan at fujigen....where the orville's were made. very solid build.....check ebay. i have several & they just are very good

[Rod]

I have a Burny LP Custom from the 70's that's absolutely killer sounding and playing...It has block inlays like a custom but has a rosewood fingerboard!! I sold the Gibson LP Customs I had because this was such a better guitar,,,For $700

[mabands]

I have a Burny LP Custom that is a great guitar. It's from the early to mid 80's. I would definitely recommend the Burny guitars from the 80's.

[imissmj]

I think what makes me hesitant about the Burny's and the like are that they are so old and I wouldn't be able to play it before hand. I'd hate to get a dud, but where there's smoke there's fire and lots of guys seem to love Burny's!