But if you want to, you could push it to distortion and play some heavy stuff too. It definitely is versatile and adaptable. If you want a Gretsch, inspired by Les Paul, but with a retro-futuristic design that looks stunningly classy, this is the guitar for you. But it’s not a Les Paul copy by any means; it has its very own character. Genre-wise, if you need powerful, crunchy tones, this is perfect for you. But if you’re looking for more mellow tones and a bit more versatility in the clean and edge-of-breakup areas, the next guitar on my list is probably a better bet. Everything feels thoughtfully designed; modern, but still inspired by Les Paul. And the body is quite light, so it’s easy to play while standing up too.

The Schecter Solo-II is a bit on the expensive side, but with its superb craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and innovative design, I think it’s well worth it. It’ll serve intermediate and professional players nicely, especially if you like exploring different genres. Most guitar manufacturers have had a go at designing guitars aimed at female players. To be honest, most of them are nothing more than regular guitars sprayed pink or covered in glitter. There is an element of that with this Squier, but by aligning itself with a hugely successful character like the cute little Kitty, Fender has produced probably the least patronising guitar for young girls - and boys in touch with their feminine side, of course. Bottom Line: The G5220 is a beautifully crafted guitar that offers incredible sound and playability at a very competitive price point. Its blend of vintage and modern features makes it a versatile choice for various musical styles. It’s an instrument that’s hard to put down once you start playing. Estimated Price Players looking for a guitar that is close as possible to the original, but only costs a fraction, as well as guitarists not willing to play their Gibson Les Paul in a live setting. Playing through a tube amp, I could really feel the clarity and top-end sparkle in each chord as it sustained. With an overdrive pedal, I got a really creamy lead tone too. And the volume controls were really response; you can dial them down and make them sound mellow without losing power.Right out of the box, the beautifully carved maple top with a flamed maple veneer hits just right. The body is made from solid mahogany and weighs about 9 pounds, which I felt had that authentic Les Paul heft and sustain.

I’ve spent a great deal of time with the Atlantic: playing, recording sessions, and simply enjoying the feel and sound of this guitar. The tones I’ve been able to achieve, the comfort of playing, and the visual appeal all make it a must-try. I classify this as a premium guitar that’s meant to inspire. It’s not a Les Paul copy; it’s a single-cut work of art. The Reverend Roundhouse is best suited for guitarists who crave versatility and a unique tone. It’s not the best option for novices looking for an LP-style guitar, and it’s also not a 1:1 of the Gibson Les Paul. But if you can adapt to this guitar, it’ll serve you very well. Personally, I’ve always found most PRS models to be very versatile; they easily adapt to anything I want to play. And this one fits the bill too. Bottom Line: The Sire Larry Carlton L7 electric guitar is a sophisticated and versatile instrument that offers classy quality at a reasonable price. With its elegant design, robust sound, and adaptability, it’ll likely exceed your expectations. Estimated Price By this time, many guitar manufacturers from the Far East had 10+ years experience under their belts, and the improvement in quality began to shine through. Univox, Kawai, Silvertone and Domino were starting to deliver guitars that – from a price / quality point of view – were beginning to eat into the markets that Fender and Gibson dominated. Not only was the manufacturing quality improving, but the quality of the REPLICATION was reaching new highs. The lawyers at Gibson started to get restless, and young guitar players like myself were also getting restless… I could not wait to go out and buy a UNIVOX Les Paul for 1/5th the price of the real thing! Damn, it was so inexpensive that I could almost afford to smash it on stage! Cool! But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

The Seventies was the era of Classic Rock, so it’s not surprising that so many new guitar brands were flourishing then. But it was a less innocent time than the Sixties, and it soon became known as the “Lawsuit Era”. Here’s all you need to know about all the best,  the most badass, and the most copyright-infringing guitars of the time.

Hey, this VR100CR guitar looks a wee bit similar to a classic '50s guitar, doesn’t it? We’re not going to say which one ’cos someone might get cross. Vintage describes its guitar as ‘vital, raw and responsive’. Well, we’ll see about that. Since we are speaking about Les Paul style guitar, we have to say that just about every guitar manufacturer out there, apart from Fender Stratocaster obviously, has or has had a Les Paul copy in their lineup of guitars, this means we won’t be listing all of them, but we will shine spotlight on those whose work and quality warrants a mention. Also, we will also provide information you will need to know when choosing a Les Paul copy. What Makes a Good Les Paul Copy? However, I did find the plastic nut to be a bit of a letdown, especially considering the overall quality of the other components. You may consider getting it replaced if it becomes an issue for you down the line. Sound

First Act’s guitars have girly names: Lola, Delia and Sheena. According to First Act, each of its ‘girls’ has a distinct personality; our Lola is ‘free spirited, deep and complex. Take the time to get to know her - the rewards will be considerable and long-lasting. Er, what? We’re guessing they named this guitar after the song Lola by The Kinks, the one about the transvestite who walks like a woman but talks like a man. We could be wrong, of course… The inclusion of the two-point vibrato ensures that you can wham away without fear of drifting into coarse tuning problems. VerdictFrom its striking design to its versatile tonal range, I really enjoyed playing this guitar throughout the review. It felt inspiring; whether I was recording some demos or just jamming with my friends. This guitar is about as close as you can get to a real Les Paul without breaking the bank. Being owned by Gibson, Epiphone has made this guitar authentically true to the original. It looks, feels, plays, and sounds just like you would want.