Guitar Super System

Hi all. I will be getting a new guitar shortly. A Les Paul, now my issue is what brand I get, I am going to try both Gibson and Epiphone (the slash signature version). I am aware of other brands that have a LP or single cut style. I am looking for recommendations for ones to try, so i can get the guitar that is correct for me.

I had a Gibson LP deluxe gold top in the early 80's and loved how it played. I switched to bass for decades afterwards and just recently decided to revisit the LP by getting a Gibson LP standard. It plays as well as I remember but, it is heavy (10 lbs 4 oz) but that's what helps give it awesome sustain. The biggest issue most people have with the Gibson's are that they are expensive - some say overpriced. I'm fortunate that at this point in my life I could afford it but if I was in my 20's I might well be looking at the Epiphone to save some dollars.

My opinion is, if you can afford it, get the original from Gibson. Don't get a used one more than a few years old as Gibson was putting out some pretty crappy guitars for a while - definitely do not get a weight reduced model. In the end, try as many as you can - pick the one that feels the best in your hands and fits your budget.

Thank you for the advice. I am going to check out a few of both, then pick the best one.

Gotta say, I have a new 2022 Gibson tribute which has the "modern weight relief" and I absolutely adore it. Sounds no different than an LP with an extra couple of pounds.

I would say between Gibson, Epiphone, LTD, PRS, etc. etc. just play as many as you can and play the one that _feels_ the best. Who cares what name is on the headstock: the better it feels the more you will play and the better you will get. I got an Agile LP style guitar 15 years ago and it was awesome. Most people had never heard of it but it was so much fun to play that I was constantly using it. Only reason I still don't play it is because it was stolen and I never did play another Agile that felt quite as good as that first one.

Hi All. I have the new guitar(s). I ended up with 2 out of the 8 i tried. I have a PRS S2 McCarty 594 Single Cut in a limited edition colour Faded Grey black purple burst with a quilted maple top. And the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Slash signature in Anaconda green. I adore the PRS and play that a lot. Thank you all for the advise.

I've had varying degrees of success with finding Epiphones I love, but I've never picked up a PRS that wasn't fun to play. Either way, two guitars is always greater than one :) Congrats!