Looking for a Les Paul on a budget.

Neil-Nitro

Hey guys.

So I'm looking for a Les Paul equipped with humbuckers mainly because I've recently become a huge fan of Joe Bonamassa and his sound.
My current Les Paul is equipped with P90's thus I am looking for another.

Here's what I am looking at:

Cort CR250
Cort CR280
Tanglewood TSB 59

Any other recommendations?
Epiphone is not on my list because my experiences with them have not been too good...
I'm not looking for a goldtop necessarily as Bonamassa is famous for playing, but I'm more interested in the sound and have been considering these two brands I've mentioned above.
Any help and advice is appreciated!

ezietsman

I would save up longer and get something better than one of those. Second hand. Better to buy a great guitar once than having little upgrades often. I know that is probably not the advice you want to hear, I know what GAS feels like and it is tough but you'll thank me later on ?

There are really good Les Pauls in this country going for a steal if you know where to look ?

Explorerlover

I would suggest one of the Chinese Tokai LP/Love Rock's

ezietsman

Explorerlover wrote: I would suggest one of the Chinese Tokai LP/Love Rock's

There are those but I would rather go straight for a Japanese model.

Like this one ?

Gentlemen prefer Goldtops...

Neil-Nitro

Tokai's do sound awesome and that Goldtop sure is pretty. Aren't the Chinese ones basswood though?
Nothing wrong with basswood I just dont see it as very traditional for a Les Paul style guitar.

bindog

Which tokai is that ? A 150? It's gorgeous...

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ezietsman

Neil Nitro wrote: Tokai's do sound awesome and that Goldtop sure is pretty. Aren't the Chinese ones basswood though?
Nothing wrong with basswood I just dont see it as very traditional for a Les Paul style guitar.

Not sure what they're made of but you're right, Les Pauls are meant to be made from solid Mahogany with solid Maple caps.

bindog wrote: Which tokai is that ? A 150? It's gorgeous...

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Its a LS92. I installed Bareknuckle pickups in it. You can have it if you pry it from my cold, dead hands.

bindog

ez wrote:
Neil Nitro wrote: Tokai's do sound awesome and that Goldtop sure is pretty. Aren't the Chinese ones basswood though?
Nothing wrong with basswood I just dont see it as very traditional for a Les Paul style guitar.

Not sure what they're made of but you're right, Les Pauls are meant to be made from solid Mahogany with solid Maple caps.

bindog wrote: Which tokai is that ? A 150? It's gorgeous...

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Its a LS92. I installed Bareknuckle pickups in it. You can have it if you pry it from my cold, dead hands.

Hahahaha don't tempt me...

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IceCreamMan

just go straight t othe Tokai stand, irrespective of budget....

bindog

So i have a question no, as I'm also looking around for an upgrade....

Whats the difference between say the ls92, ls105, and a ls160?

Ive seen a few ads online and trying to figure the differences?

IceCreamMan

bindog wrote: So i have a question no, as I'm also looking around for an upgrade....

Whats the difference between say the ls92, ls105, and a ls160?

Ive seen a few ads online and trying to figure the differences?

www.tokaiguitars.co.za

ls92 and 105 are close spec wise both being vintage, 160 is a premium range with a few more improvments....

all great guitars right thru the range...... have a look at the LC107 range too...drooolworthy...

Squonk

The tone of these things ???

=

AlanRatcliffe

The Japanese Tokais thoroughly impressed me - if you can stretch to one of those, don't hesitate.

However, on the lower end, I'm a bit too much of a traditionalist as far as wood choices go to really go for the Chinese Tokais. Tanglewood and Vintage brands are well worth looking at. And yeah - the Epiphones too (especially if you can find an older Korean made one second hand) - just avoid the cheapy Epi models with the bolt-on necks. The Cort CRs didn't impress me at all - I'd rather go for one of their M range of guitars (which are loosely based on, but not really Les Pauls).

Speaking of loosely based, the PRS SE Singlecuts are well worth a look too...

ezietsman

bindog wrote: So i have a question no, as I'm also looking around for an upgrade....

Whats the difference between say the ls92, ls105, and a ls160?

Ive seen a few ads online and trying to figure the differences?

The LS92 - LS105 are the "Vintage" series. The are made from multiple pieces of mahogany (mine is 3 piece back but most I have seen has 2), The flame top versions have solid maple caps with flame veneer. They all should come with the (very awesome) Tokai Mk II PAF pickups. They have poly finishes. Mine was second hand only a touch more expensive than a new Epiphone.

The "Premium" series are numbered LS150 and up. These guitars are made from one-piece mahogany backs, they have higher quality CTS pots and Orange drop caps, the flame top models have solid flame maple tops and they have the long neck-tenon. They also come with nickel hardware and nitro finishes so the finish will rub off and the hardware will tarnish as time goes on. These are more costly. Not many available second hand (the owners don't sell them) but they are seen from time to time.

Singemonkey has a LS150 which is a plain top Les Paul and it is one of the most magnificent Les Pauls you're ever likely to play. I would consider buying a Premium series Tokai without playing it first.

chris77

Ja look you get plenty of LP type guitars in the budget range, but not all that glitters is gold. Making a set neck guitar from traditional tone woods is an expensive endeavour, so to price themselves in the budget range makers have to take shortcuts and compromise on materials. That doesn't necessarily mean that in that price bracket you automatically get a bad guitar or that the tone will suck, but it won't sound like the traditional LP it tries to imitate either. So my advice is to save up a bit more and buy a decent second hand guitar. I have always desired a Gibbo and one day when I can justify spending that much I'll have one for sure, but when it comes to bang for your buck and getting a great LP type built like they are meant to be built there is no contest - Tokai all the way.
Mind you, if you're after the JoBo tone........sjeesh, good luck no matter what gear you use. Yes he uses some awesome and truely epic guitars and amps, but a lot of his signature sound is down to his style and the fact that he plays live so much. The guy is not only a gifted artist but a hardworking one as well and that hugely contributes to his sound being what it is.

ezietsman

Bindog, what is your budget? All this talk about possibilities and such is nice but without knowing a number it is hard to help any further.

Attila

Get one of these Vintage LP a lot of guitar for not a lot of money construction is excellent up grade the electronics to suit your style

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guidothepimmp

does it have to be a LP shape 100%?

Or could it be a les paul double cut?

Without a shadow of a doubt I would hit the Ibanez Artist series.. AR300 up..

and those stock super58 pups are fabulous.

6x9base13

ez wrote:
Its a LS92. I installed Bareknuckle pickups in it. You can have it if you pry it from my cold, dead hands.

Not to hijack this, but which Bareknuckles do you have ? Is there a thread where I can hear them ? Lusting after some Stormy Mondays, just eye watering pricy. Got a trip to the UK later so will pick some up and save on shipping at least !

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Neil-Nitro

Thanks guys!

I appreciate all the feedback.
From the sound of it Tokai is quite popular around here but why wouldn't it be with tone like that?
As far as nailing Bonamassa's tone..... thank you for wishing me luck Chris!