Encore E99CSB E99 Electric Guitar - Cherry Sunburst

Product Information

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?

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. Just to note, the 245 doesn’t have a push-pull coil split, so you can’t really get those ‘glassy’ clean tones like a Strat. But tweak your amp settings a bit, and it’ll still sound gorgeous. Ease of Use Bottom Line: The Schecter Solo-II is a fantastic Les Paul-style guitar that delivers in all aspects – sound, build quality, versatility, and value for money. For me, it’s a guitar that has inspiring looks and tone, making it a worthy addition to any collection. Estimated Price The inclusion of the two-point vibrato ensures that you can wham away without fear of drifting into coarse tuning problems. Verdict

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.

British brand Encore already rules the entry-level, but it raised its game with the Blaster Series, commissioning designer Trev Wilkinson to upgrade the spec, but not charging you for his time. While there are plenty of nearly anonymous guitar manufacturers that make cheap and poorly built Les Paul copies, here are some reputable companies which produce their own take on the classic Les Paul electric guitar: Collings is a company that is geared toward making boutique acoustic guitars, but their City Limits guitar is quite similar to a Gibson Les Paul. There is the maple top, the single cut, as well as the overall shape. And because it’s a Collings, you can rest assured that each guitar will be made to fit the highest possible standards. However, when you take a closer look at their Les Paul style guitar, you will notice that there is another Les Paul-inspired guitar that the Collings resembles more: it’s the PRS. And it’s a dead heat in terms of quality, attention to detail, and price as well, especially if in comparison to the PRS SC 245. In my opinion, I found this guitar is very well suited for genres like funk, country, blues, jazz, etc., where you need expressive dynamics and that crunchiness, without oversaturating the tone. The EC-256 comes in a range of colors, including Cobalt Blue, Dark Brown Sunburst (the one I reviewed), Vintage Natural, and See Thru Purple Sunburst, making it easy to choose your flavor.

The body features bevels that make it comfortable for playing, and the string-through-body design offers a lot of sustain and tuning stability. It’s also nice to see a GraphTech TUSQ nut on this model; should help add to its durability. During those early GN’R days, Slash, just like the rest of the band, was struggling to make ends meet, and couldn’t afford a Gibson Les Paul, so he was given a Les Paul replica built by luthier Kris Derrig. Slash has used that guitar on every single piece of music he has recorded ever since. In fact, the guitar was so good that Gibson decided to make a replica of a replica, and the result is Gibson’s AFD Les Paul guitar which matches the specs of the “original”. Although Gibson has been more than ready to sue other manufacturers for copying their design, it turns out that protecting the design of a guitar body with a patent is a very difficult thing to do, which is why there are so many copies available nowadays. Our reason for crowing about the VG1 is not just because it looks so cool (although that is a factor in the entry-level sector). No, we’re dishing out the accolade for the simple reason that when you strap on this beast, it doesn’t feel like a compromise. Verdict What I found truly impressive was the guitar’s ability to retain a unique mid-range character, regardless of the style I was playing. It always cuts through the mix beautifully. But I admit, some may not like this aggressive personality of the guitar. Ease of Use 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 PriceTo my ears, the tone felt very warm and mellow. The kind of sound that could make you melt away and float. It’s perfect for some soulful phrasing and dynamic leads, because it really brings out the nuances of your playing. Versatility

Paul Reed Smith guitars are some of the finest instruments you can currently buy for your money, and in many respects, their guitars surpass the original Les Paul. While it would be unfair to treat them as a Les Paul copy, since they have a different scale length and a number of other details which make them unique, we have included them because they offer pretty much everything you would look for in a Les Paul, especially if you were to look at their USA-made lineup of guitars. Of course, those come with an appropriate price tag. For those looking for a more affordable option, PRS has its SE lineup, which is made in Indonesia. If you’re inspired to start learning guitar, need a Les Paul style model, and are unsure of what you want to play or how much you should spend, this is the perfect bet. But I think experienced players may want to splash a bit more and get one of the better guitars on this list.

Here are the Best Les Paul Style Guitars and Copies

From 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 one of the best playing guitars I have used. I still play this guitar all the time. Never looses tuning. Had the truss rod set once 15 year ago. No other service required ever. Bottom Line: The Epiphone Les Paul Standard is a worthy tribute to the iconic Gibson Les Pauls of the 1960s. With its quality build that mirrors the original, authentic tone, and affordable price, it’s a guitar that’s sure to serve you well. And if you’re a Slash fan, this is probably the closest you can get on a budget. Estimated Price But if you want to, you could push it to distortion and play some heavy stuff too. It definitely is versatile and adaptable.