I am Les Paul hunting what could I get for my money?

adamm82

I will have a budget of £1500ish shortly, don't really want to go higher than that.

I've seen used Les Paul standards go usually for £1000-1500 upwards.
got my eye on a 2009 one which is really nice.

But what else do you think might be possible in this price range? too low for Les Paul custom? the seem nearer the £1800 mark.

Alternatively I've seen old melody makers, perhaps an old SG junior.


This isn't a post to see what you have for sale I'll do that when I am ready to spend in the right place.

HarrySeven

If a Custom is what you *really* want and you're:

a. In no hurry (it sounds like you aren't) and
b. Are happy to consider Norlin-era examples or those which have had repairs (eg. headstock breaks)

...then it is definitely possible, given time and luck.

Legionreturns

For £1500 you can currently get a brand new 2017 Traditional from loads of places. 2017 standards are not much more. (Although imho not as good as the traditionals!)

adamm82

HarrySeven said:

If a Custom is what you *really* want and you're:

a. In no hurry (it sounds like you aren't) and
b. Are happy to consider Norlin-era examples or those which have had repairs (eg. headstock breaks)

...then it is definitely possible, given time and luck.

I am not 100% sure yet. I think I may go for a standard/similar for now. custom later. 

adamm82

Legionreturns said:

For £1500 you can currently get a brand new 2017 Traditional from loads of places. 2017 standards are not much more. (Although imho not as good as the traditionals!)

this is also a good option. I am not too fond of the 2017 colours. but I really liked the 2016 traditional honeyburst.

LuttiS

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

guitars4you

A Custom and Standard are similar but different - not in a better/worse way - just different so try both if you can before spending - obvious difference is gold hardware, more elaborate trimmings and an ebony board (richlite on recent models) - otherwise built by the same guys, to the same level of workmanship - depending on the era, same pick-ups, often same hardware - so not superior in a performance way 

As you have said, you are not likely to get a Custom, in good order, for around £1500, but no shortage of good Stds between £1200/1500 and my advice would be you'll get far more for your money with a good used example than new

adamm82

LuttiS said:

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

Hmmm, could I get a custom shop for this money?

zepp76

You could go for a pre 2006 (non chambered) standard for around £1200 and spend the rest on a set of OX4 pickups transforming a good guitar into an outstanding guitar. That's what I did and now have a hell of a keeper!

LuttiS

adamm82 said:

LuttiS said:

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

Hmmm, could I get a custom shop for this money?

Probably not.. but professionals are pretty cheap at Andertons at the moment..

guitars4you

adamm82 said:

LuttiS said:

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

Hmmm, could I get a custom shop for this money?

maybe used but not new

I'd be a touch worried if one minute I'm thinking of a Strat the next a Les Paul - if you are confused and picking up mixed messages then the best advise is to try as many as you can in either 1 or 2 stores and see what works for you - I don't want that to sound patronizing, but it should help you know what you want if you try a few out - £1500 is not cheap/easy money to many, so spend wisely and more importantly spend it on what makes you happy - Your hands and ears are your best tools to asses what guitar work for you

adamm82

guitars4you said:

adamm82 said:

LuttiS said:

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

Hmmm, could I get a custom shop for this money?

maybe used but not new

I'd be a touch worried if one minute I'm thinking of a Strat the next a Les Paul - if you are confused and picking up mixed messages then the best advise is to try as many as you can in either 1 or 2 stores and see what works for you - I don't want that to sound patronizing, but it should help you know what you want if you try a few out - £1500 is not cheap/easy money to many, so spend wisely and more importantly spend it on what makes you happy - Your hands and ears are your best tools to asses what guitar work for you

I was just kidding I really want a Les Paul. I'm shifting several guitars in my collection to downsize. I will then have 3 electrics only and that will do for me.

Legionreturns

adamm82 said:

guitars4you said:

adamm82 said:

LuttiS said:

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

Hmmm, could I get a custom shop for this money?

maybe used but not new

I'd be a touch worried if one minute I'm thinking of a Strat the next a Les Paul - if you are confused and picking up mixed messages then the best advise is to try as many as you can in either 1 or 2 stores and see what works for you - I don't want that to sound patronizing, but it should help you know what you want if you try a few out - £1500 is not cheap/easy money to many, so spend wisely and more importantly spend it on what makes you happy - Your hands and ears are your best tools to asses what guitar work for you

I was just kidding I really want a Les Paul. I'm shifting several guitars in my collection to downsize. I will then have 3 electrics only and that will do for me.

I'm seriously tempted by your gold top...

adamm82

LuttiS said:

adamm82 said:

LuttiS said:

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

Hmmm, could I get a custom shop for this money?

Probably not.. but professionals are pretty cheap at Andertons at the moment..

I'll go crazy and get 2

Jack_

I'd be looking for a non-chambered Standard Faded.

LuttiS

@adamm82 ; said:

I'll go crazy and get 2

Watch out.. postage is where they get you...

adamm82

Legionreturns said:

adamm82 said:

guitars4you said:

adamm82 said:

LuttiS said:

Or..

You could get a strat? 

Then you don't have to go through the whole owning a les paul thing!

Hmmm, could I get a custom shop for this money?

maybe used but not new

I'd be a touch worried if one minute I'm thinking of a Strat the next a Les Paul - if you are confused and picking up mixed messages then the best advise is to try as many as you can in either 1 or 2 stores and see what works for you - I don't want that to sound patronizing, but it should help you know what you want if you try a few out - £1500 is not cheap/easy money to many, so spend wisely and more importantly spend it on what makes you happy - Your hands and ears are your best tools to asses what guitar work for you

I was just kidding I really want a Les Paul. I'm shifting several guitars in my collection to downsize. I will then have 3 electrics only and that will do for me.

I'm seriously tempted by your gold top...

Its a really nice guitar much better than I expected. I will regret selling it but I think it's for the best.

Then once my Gas returns I will probably buy another. 

andy1839

I’d recommend looking for a Custom Shop Catalina Les Paul. 
Ebony board, compound radius, long neck tenon, grovers, chambered. 

Really nice guitars to play, I’ve had one from new for nearly 20 years, and loads of lesnpauls have come and gone but this is the only one that is staying forever. 

Only four solid colours, Black, yellow, green and red, but really distinctive and just a a great les Paul. 

They dont go for huge money either, a genuine alternative to standards if you get in with the looks. 

http://i64.tinypic.com/2d299v9.jpg

mort

2016 Standard £1350 'like new' from Amazon - if you don't like it send it back!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B007QY8JB0/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&m=A2OAJ7377F756P&mv_color_name=1

adamm82

mort said:

2016 Standard £1350 'like new' from Amazon - if you don't like it send it back!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B007QY8JB0/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&m=A2OAJ7377F756P&mv_color_name=1

thanks for this I will keep it in mind.

Funkfingers

adamm82 said:

I've seen old melody makers

This isn't a post to see what you have for sale  

My lips are sealed.