Which Les Paul Model should I be searching for?

[Naquat]

Hello All,

I know there's a wealthy of info you have to share so here's where I'm at.

I'd like to purchase a Les Paul style guitar that would be somewhat readily available. Could be an Epiphone, Burny, Greco etc.

Mahagany neck
Fretboard - not that particular
Dot or Standard type inlays - I'm not a fan of the large Custom inlays
Solid Maple Top - no veneer or photoflame
Mahogany Body
Hardware can be upgraded so I'm not worried about that.
Pickups: I have 2 Gibson T-Top pickups both 2.737.842 but one has PAT . NO. stamped in the metal and the other has a black sticker/ gold letters PATENT NO. I know both are mid-late 70's at the oldest, (I purchased them new)may be older, and they sound great .
I'd prefer not having a solid color, not concerned too much about condition as long as the neck and joint are in good shape.
I'd probably prefer something 10+ yrs old so it's dried out as I play some outdoor gigs.

Thanks! ! !

 

[paruwi]

Solid Maple Top - no veneer or photoflame

Not available from the current Epiphone line

A plaintop Elitist (2003-2008) might get you there

 

[brokentoeswalker]

A Non-flametop Tokai will get you there easy. Lower model plaintop MIJ Tokai is about the same spec-wise as a gibby LP standard, but with poly instead of nitro. Get em 2nd hand 10 + years old very reasonable.

 

[scott 351 wins]

Tokai LS50 or an LS60

 

[J-Dizzle]

Unless you go high end, you'll be looking for a plain top because all low & midrange models use veneers for flame (they have proper solid maple plaintops underneath however).

Hard to go wrong with a Burny RLG-50 or Tokai LS-50 both from the 1980s.

 

[jlee]

https://rvrb.io/super-grade-gold-t-oevqjd

Here’s a nice late 80s/early 90s Burny Goldtop. Crazy grain on the mahogany back and neck! Kind of heavy though.

 

[free713]

Bacchus lp can be had for cheap if sourced directly from Japan...

 

[Naquat]

Thank you for the replies. Yes I see that a lot of the Greco, Burny guitars are selling out of Japan but I have no experience with overseas sales. What about addition Customs import fees, is that a concern?

 

[nigelthebald]

Yes, unless you're very fortunate.

 

[villager]

where do you live?

 

[Naquat]

I'm in Texas, USA

 

[jlee]

Customs is all luck. I’ve paid fees on 2 out of 5 guitars.

CITES is another thing to contemplate. Will take a month prior to shipping for the seller to process CITES. Some sellers are willing to ship without, but you’re playing Russian Roulette. I got lucky with my last purchase, but it’s not something I would probably risk again.

 

[jlee]

There are a few Burnys on Reverb. If you’re not after something very specific, would be an easier way to go.

 

[Naquat]

There is a guy near me selling what he says is a 1978 Greco Les Paul Custom. I've asked for more pics and S/N. Any specific tell tale signs I should look for? I don't think the pups are original, but I'm not up on vintage Greco, because the neck pup white and the bridge is W/B and it's a great looking brownburst.

 

[Naquat]

If I did this correctly here are a few pics of the Greco. The seller is the 3rd owner and doesn't know much about it.

 

[jimmyjames]

February '79 that one. Rosewood board suggests EG500C or so. Maybe solid mahog/maple, I'd keep looking unless it's a steal...

 

[Naquat]

O, LP gurus, which MIJ Les Paul available in the US is going to give me the best performance, playing and construction, bang for the buck for under $1000. I could go higher for something that really stands out but I'm looking at $1K or less if possible.

Thanks

 

[villager]

old burny or greco mint collection...

 

[Naquat]

There seems to be a huge variance in models/years. i'm not stuck on a few nicks, dings, etc. As stated above I have an old set of Gibson T-Tops that sound great. At one point I had them in a PRS Bernie Marsden which was modeled after his '59 "The Beast" Les Paul. It played and sounded great BUT I didn't like the upper register because of the shorter than L.P. scale.

So far from what I've read and been told the Greco EG-700, 800C, Super Real, and the Burny RLG-50. I'll have to do a little digging as I'm not sure how to tell the dif between the Greco "Mint Condition" models and others. I'd like an all hog body/neck and maple top and if it's beat up a bit I don't mind.

 

[villager]

mint collection is post 82, and all plain tops are solid maple.. as are all burny plain tops.. go for a burny with the 2 screw truss cover though just to be safe ...