What les paul copy do you think is best.

[Barks McKay]

Tokai forum folk are snobs?....and you dismiss probably the greatest Japanese independent guitar manufacturer when only ever trying a Fakia?
Haha.
The very fact that there ARE fake Tokais - as you have admitted to - goes to show why there is a necessary "snob" attitude ( as you put it) to make sure there is valuable, accurate and correct info out there for those looking for legitimate instruments.
Those guys are doing a serious good service over there AND here - don't dismiss a hard line, truth search attitude for snobbery.

Also remember that Tokai probably led the pack in forcing the American manufacturers to get their acts together and focus on quality again. Many here remember how poor that QC had gotten by the end of the 70's.

 

[Matty]

Brilliant first post.

...oh, I'm sorry for being an asshole but I have a few Tokais so I guess you're right.

 

[Lukey]

I have an aria pro ii from 77 that plays better than all the new gibsons i played at the music store. It's not just me that has that opinion either. I can't say that its better than the older gibsons but the new ones felt awful.

 

[drewob]

I recently picked up an AXL Badwater 1216 ($250 including a nice hardshell case) in the antique brown finish. It's put together pretty well and is made of solid mahogany -- nice volume and sustain without amplification. When I plugged it in I was not pleased -- very muddy sounding with the stock alnico humbuckers. I ripped those out and put in a set of GFS Dream 90s, had the instrument completely rewired, put in new CTS pots, and replaced the antiqued bronze hardware with chrome/nickel tone pros bridge, kluson black and chrome tuners, black speed dial knobs, a black pick guard, and chrome strap pegs. It now looks and sounds very nice. There is some very slight buzzing in a few places between the 12th and 17th frets, but I am hoping a bit of additional setup work will solve that problem. The result is a pretty solid gigging/beater instrument for under $500 that, for now, looks and sounds great.

 

[villager]

This one

 

[frail]

which iiiisss?? !

 

[cybermgk]

Ok I guess I need to re word I didnt think it needed to be but anyhow... Im asking for opinion here Mr Einstein. You arent the sharpest knife in the drawer huh??? Nothing anyone says will be the answer what is best.... Its a question just trying to get peoples outlook and opinion...

And weeth ziss, we can now identif the little beastie pooping eetz head out of the hole. Eet is a Lesser Internet Troll.

 

[Ape Factory]

Hands down, Larry Corsa's builds. Better than Gibson.

 

[slapshot]

Out of all the Les Paul copies out there.... tell which ones you think are best like out of (burny, edwards, tokai, electra, etc etc)

Burny

 

[Scotty67]

Agile

Serious?

I've heard they were great quality for the features/finish you get for the buck...but this seems to be a MIJ dominated forum...not sure if you are joking...that, and because you said Burny in the post just before mine


These look sweet...not cheap though
http://www.prestigeguitars.com/currentmodels.php

 

[e-c]

Esp ltd ec-1000 sounds and plays better than any Gibson standard or studio you coulx get a used one for 600-750 (Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.)

 

[CHUNKYNECK]

Esp ltd ec-1000 sounds and plays better than any Gibson standard or studio you coulx get a used one for 600-750 (Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.)

 

[Spiteface]

Personally, I don't have much experience, but I cannot say enough nice things about my Edwards.

 

[kevinpaul]

I like my Brian Moore and it has a lot more going for it than my Gibson. Coil split and RC Piezo acoustic pick up. L P shape but thinner with a curved back. Locking tuners ebony fret board and it is a rock and roll axe like no other. My ESP Xtone is close. Then my 1969 Les Paul.

 

[Kemper59]

Out of all the Les Paul copies out there.

The correct answer is, TOKAI.

 

[Kemper59]

Great question.... Thought I would chime in as I'm a big LEs Paul and copy fan.

1. Nothing beats the real thing, Gibson's resonance, playability, sustain, and quality is unparalleled. However, if you don't want to fork over 2k for a guitar there are suitable replacements.

2. Aria LS800: High end les paul copy with ebony fretboard, real mop, fret edge binding (FEB), set neck. Has vowel/hollow sound tone, which is exceptionally rare, as is this guitar. Other Aria LP copies I've played have been solid but not as good as this specific model. This one cost me 650 shipped.

3. Washburn WP90 - Has rosewood board, but FEB, set neck, real flamed maple top. An exceptional value, I got it at 400 bucks. The only copy that has that Gibson resonance "pop" off the fretboard. Literally is the best "copy" meaning if I closed my eyes I would swear it was a gibson.

4. Edwards - I have a custom 2007 3 pickup in alpine white with gold hardware, ebony fretboard, NO FEB. Guitar plays well and has throaty LP tone. Doesn't quite "pop" out each note like the real LPs do, but still very high quality. This one cost me 650.

5. Gladiator - Real carved flame top, beautiful top. Mine had some buzzing issues, so I lowered the rating, has FEB, but notes do not "pop". To me, that is what separates Gibson from all other guitar companies, the clarity of individual notes. It's a high quality instrument, I stole this one at 350 bucks. Tone is very good, will tweek a little, probalby replace wilkinson pickups which are boring to me.

5.5 Ibanez LP copies- I don't rank these quite as high as some other "copies" because the Ibanez' sound like a different guitar. They sound GREAT! and are high quality, but probalby wouldn't pass the "closed eyes" test.

6. Low End Japanese Bolt Ons: Get one of these for less than 300 bucks, they sound amazing, most are real wood, and the tops aren't solid caps, but a thing molded cap, which produces an airpocket between it and the body. The tones on these are amazing, and the value (sometimes you grab one around 150 bucks) can't be beat. I have a "no name" japanese les paul. Will never sell it.... never.

7. Tokai - I have a "fakai" and it's okay. It has a veneer, so the components really can't compete with the Gibson. I for one, found this guitar to be fairly average. Tone was not brilliant, and it was just a so os guitar. Did not produce deep throaty les paul tone like all the others above. The Tokai guitars attract assholes, go to the Tokai Registry, a bunch of snobs. Not into tokais.

8. Electra - every electra I've owned has been an overrated POS. Piece of ... They are mostly fancy pretty guitars that are fairly well made, but many of them aren't real wood guitars, or have veneers. I find that these eye stunnign guitars, rarely sound good, and rarely play as well as the other Matsumoku brand guitars. Just my opinion though.

Anyways, just my two cents on a topic I'm passionate about. Rock on

This might be the most ridiculous post I've ever read on this forum.

 

[jimmyjames]

Of course it is, the best one is mine

 

[TheWilly17]

Well if Esteban made one I know it would be the best!

 

[Scotty67]

Great question.... Thought I would chime in as I'm a big LEs Paul and copy fan.

1. Nothing beats the real thing, Gibson's resonance, playability, sustain, and quality is unparalleled. However, if you don't want to fork over 2k for a guitar there are suitable replacements.

I don't know how you can make such a statement that Gibson's quality is unparalleled when you have fine builders that can match, or build better. Are you basing this solely on Gibsons top offerings, that few can afford?

You forgot Epiphone Elite/Elitists.

 

[Edubya]

I disagree. Looks like there are a lot of knowledgeable people on the site, what better place to inquire about knock-offs? And given the problems at Gibson under the current CEO, used Gibson prices are going through the roof. So it's either fork out the money for a used Gibson or buy a knock-off.