Warning Guitar thread ! Which sub £400 Jap LP clone?

[davidd]

Right I have decided that I deserve a new guitar.

Would like a Les Paul but cannot justify the cost of a real one and so I've been looking at Jap copies.

A friend has a Tokai Love Rock which is a very, very nice guitar but I'm aware that there are other very good Jap clones such as the Greco EG series, ESP Edwards, Burny etc, etc.
Anyone got a decent opinion.

Rules
1) must cost less than £400 inc shipping
2) Can be second hand
3) must be a les paul clone (I have a number of guitars, this is what I want now)
4) blame Mr Page

I await your exciting replies.

D

[D_Mike]

tokai

[dieseljohn]

£400 pounds will get you a real second hand LP studio wont it?

Wont be A1 condition but that adds to the charm in my eyes.

PS, I'll swap you mine for your cerb or your griff. Actually, I probably woudn't, how bizarre is that?

>> Edited by dieseljohn on Thursday 13th October 17:04

[davidd]

dieseljohn said:

£400 pounds will get you a real second hand LP studio wont it? Wont be A1 condition but that adds to the charm in my eyes. >> Edited by dieseljohn on Thursday 13th October 17:02

Ah, meant to say..

Rule 5, not a studio

But thanks, in fact it is almost like I don't want a real one as I think the Jap ones might be very , very nearly as good for probably a lot less cash. Also as I intend to get back into playing in a band at some point I want something that I can not get overly precious about.

D

[dieseljohn]

davidd said:

dieseljohn said: £400 pounds will get you a real second hand LP studio wont it? Wont be A1 condition but that adds to the charm in my eyes. >> Edited by dieseljohn on Thursday 13th October 17:02 Ah, meant to say.. Rule 5, not a studio But thanks, in fact it is almost like I don't want a real one as I think the Jap ones might be very , very nearly as good for probably a lot less cash. Also as I intend to get back into playing in a band at some point I want something that I can not get overly precious about. D

Naught wrong with a studio mate. I've got a boggo studio. My dad's got a 57 re-issue goldtop ($$$). Me and him can just about tell the difference in tone, thousands wouldn't.

[planetdave]

davidd said:

Rules 1) must cost less than £400 inc shipping

you'd buy a shipped guitar?

I wouldn't buy any guitar I hadn't played. And what about happy accidents that can only happen in a shop eg I set my heart on a Ricky 4001 and walked out with a Guild B301 for £150.

[davidd]

planetdave said:

you'd buy a shipped guitar? I wouldn't buy any guitar I hadn't played. And what about happy accidents that can only happen in a shop eg I set my heart on a Ricky 4001 and walked out with a Guild B301 for £150.

Yes I would, I do have a contact in japan who can play and will check anything out for me, arrange shipping etc. Saying that if the right guitar came along I'd probably take a punt anyway. I can always sell it on later.

Nothing at all wrong with a studio, I've had one. I just don't want one this time.

D

>> Edited by davidd on Thursday 13th October 17:17

[mr_tony]

:shake:

the real thing sounds infinitely better. buy a copy for that money and every time you hear a LP Studio, your guitar will gently weep along with you that you didn't buy one....

Oh and Iv'e got a nice one in clear cherry that I'd flog for 400 as it's had a couple of minor repairs...

[devdog]

have a look here

[bga]

Tokai are good & I preferred my Epi loaded with Duncans to the "real" LP I replaced it with.

As others have said, play them & see which one you fancy (as long as it's not a Stagg!)

[bga]

satch said:

try www.musicground.com guitar heaven

as is www.guitarvillage.co.uk

[gbbird]

I've been out of the guitar buying scene for a while, but i would have thought Epiphone was a good bet. I remember from my school days that Tanglewood did some LP copies - never had one but i was told they were good and cheap. Not sure if they are still around though