Les Paul question

[Clem]

Falling Man/whomever:

I'm knocking around buying a Les Paul. I already have a Fender American Stratocaster that I got around 20 years ago, but it has a custom tremelo system on it that makes alternate tunings a huge pain in the dick. I was thinking it would be nice to have a second electric that I could use for alternate tunings and I'm debating how much I'd like to spend. Fortunately, as a little bonus at work, I just got $400 in Amazon gift certificates.

So, what are you thoughts on a high end Epiphone Les Paul vs a low end Gibson? I've read that Gibson owns Epiphone and that while Epiphones are made in China, they are made by Gibson employees (not contractors) and that they are held to the same engineering standards as the Gibson guitars.

Beyond that, what are your thoughts on ordering a guitar from Amazon (vs buying at a local shop)?

[Falling Man]

I'll try and write up some kind of better review when I have more time if you want Clem but the short version is I bought a Honey Burst colored Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top last spring after playing one in a Guitar Center and I am very happy with it. In fact, I would try to purchase another one if something ever happened to it. It's been a solid workhorse for the practices, jams, and bar gigs I've done since. I do want to mention mine has a Floyd Rose bridge which looks a little out of place at first on a Les Paul but I'm happy with. The twin Alnico Classic Humbuckers have good sustain with a very warm tone and the hardware overall is pretty solid.

Although I would love to own one I couldn't see dropping over 2000$ for a Gibson Les Paul unless I did the band thing full time. Surely (I shouldn't call you Shirley?) you are wanting one for more than just alternative tunings?

As for ordering something that expensive sight unseen and unsound from Amazon or wherever, I would be a little worried without doing some kind of research and performance test myself. If you are deadset on getting one online I would highly recommend checking out some local shops and playing each through the same amp/eq beforehand. If you've never played either one you'll be amazed how ballsy they sound compared to the treble-heavy blues Strat sound.

[Clem]

Although I would love to own one I couldn't see dropping over 2000$ for a Gibson Les Paul unless I did the band thing full time. Surely (I shouldn't call you Shirley?) you are wanting one for more than just alternative tunings?

Alternative tunings is part of it. The other part is that sometimes I want to have that rich Les Paul sound. Also, I live in Les' home town (Waukesha, WI) just minutes away from Les Paul Parkway.

What's the difference between plain top and plus top?

[Falling Man]

Alternative tunings is part of it. The other part is that sometimes I want to have that rich Les Paul sound. Also, I live in Les' home town (Waukesha, WI) just minutes away from Les Paul Parkway.

What's the difference between plain top and plus top?

I believe plus top is only that quilted look in the finish.

This is basically the one I have: