Are you paying a premium for the name, in addition to what you’re paying for the guitar itself? Absolutely. Can you buy a guitar for less that has equivalent build and quality? Yes.

However, the one thing that makes up for it is that this guitar will have better resale value than an off brand.

I’m assuming that you know what you’re doing though. A les paul has a real character to it. Are you buying it because you like Les Pauls, or are you buying it because a Les Paul sounds like an instrument you’d like to own? If it’s the latter then don’t do it.

And, here’s what I’m also wondering….

Even within a brand like Gibson, no two guitars are the same. Even when the build is identical (which is pretty rarel given the number of options on a Gibson guitar), there are differences. So I’m wondering…*which* gibson les paul — specifically, which ONE — are you going to buy? Have you played it?

My personal philosophy when buying a guitar is that it’s an intensely personal decision that will determine your playing style for many years to come. When I’ve bought, I have waited until I found the ONE guitar that really spoke to me. The one that I really connected with. The one that was just an unspeakable and profound joy to play from the moment I picked it up.

My advice: if you can’t tell the difference, go buy a cheap one. Play it for a while. And after a while you’ll be in a position to make an informed decision as to what your next step will be.

A curious story. I’m a jazz player. My main axe is a beautiful Gretsch historical-series archtop that I have a profound connection with. BUt I’ve always wanted to try a Telecaster. (My jazz here, Ed Bickert, was a tele player). So I went down to the local guitar store, tried all the teles. There weren’t a lot. So I managed to make my way through all the teles, from the cheapest Squire tele to the most expensive custom shop tele. I have to say, honestly, the one I liked most, the one that I came back to again and again, was the cheapest Squire tele. I really liked the way it played. Loved the sound. And I had to grit my teeth, and work really hard against my prejudices to do the right thing and buy the $249 squire tele. (I had money in my pocket to cover the most expensive of the custom shop teles, so price was NOT an issue in play here).

So. I played that little $249 Squire tele for a while. And I really liked it. A few months later, I dropped in to a different music store. They happened to have a used classic american tele from a very good year. I played it. And I got it. I really got it. I understood what the difference was in fit and finish. I understood how beautiful that solid maple neck on the real tele was. So I bought it. Not a cheap instrument. But I got it.

At first, I had a bit of trouble with it. It was definitely a less forgiving instrument than the Squire. But I could hear the tone I wanted coming out of it, and I figured that my technique would adjust after playing it for a while.

But now, six months later, I have to say…. that little squire tele is an amazing instrument. It plays wonderfully, has a beautiful tone, it’s incredibly forgiving, and very jazzy. The real tele? Not so much. I don’t play it at all now.

Draw your own lessons and conclusions.

You will fall in love with “Your” guitar!

I didn’t see a style # for that guitar, So I don’t know!

Shop around! even look on e bay! A hard shell case is worth about $100.

I play Ibanez RG’s