Encore E99CSB E99 Electric Guitar - Cherry Sunburst

Product Information

I did notice that the guitar’s midrange was slightly pronounced due to the Alder body, but I actually liked this characteristic. Overall, it sounds just like it looks: classy. Versatility Most guitar manufacturers have had a go at designing guitars aimed at female players. To be honest, most of them are nothing more than regular guitars sprayed pink or covered in glitter. There is an element of that with this Squier, but by aligning itself with a hugely successful character like the cute little Kitty, Fender has produced probably the least patronising guitar for young girls - and boys in touch with their feminine side, of course. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong has a Gibson signature model based on ‘Floyd’, his 1956 Les Paul Junior. Original ’50s LP Juniors like Billie’s cost a bloody fortune, but don’t despair. Our little Epiphone job is on the right side of 200 quid. Bottom Line: The G5220 is a beautifully crafted guitar that offers incredible sound and playability at a very competitive price point. Its blend of vintage and modern features makes it a versatile choice for various musical styles. It’s an instrument that’s hard to put down once you start playing. Estimated Price

It’s worth noting that the guitar might require some setup out of the box, but overall the EC-256 is a joy to play. British brand Encore already rules the entry-level, but it raised its game with the Blaster Series, commissioning designer Trev Wilkinson to upgrade the spec, but not charging you for his time. The inclusion of the two-point vibrato ensures that you can wham away without fear of drifting into coarse tuning problems. Verdict If you’re inspired to start learning guitar, need a Les Paul style model, and are unsure of what you want to play or how much you should spend, this is the perfect bet. But I think experienced players may want to splash a bit more and get one of the better guitars on this list.The MS450 offers a lot for your money. The appealing modern design and versatile sound make it a good choice if you’re not looking to splurge on a Les Paul copy. I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to beginners looking for a solid investment in their guitar journey.

Everything feels thoughtfully designed; modern, but still inspired by Les Paul. And the body is quite light, so it’s easy to play while standing up too.

Here are the Best Les Paul Style Guitars and Copies

I do take slight issue with the PPS plastic nut, which is certainly a cost-saver, but it feels a bit cheap and might get worn out more with string changes. It does work well enough, but you can replace it for a better one, like TUSQ, if you find it to be a problem. Sound

Hey, this VR100CR guitar looks a wee bit similar to a classic '50s guitar, doesn’t it? We’re not going to say which one ’cos someone might get cross. Vintage describes its guitar as ‘vital, raw and responsive’. Well, we’ll see about that. However, I did find the plastic nut to be a bit of a letdown, especially considering the overall quality of the other components. You may consider getting it replaced if it becomes an issue for you down the line. Sound Bottom Line: The Reverend Roundhouse is an incredible entry in the single-cut guitar market. Excellent build quality and playability with a nuanced sound make it a must-try for anyone who’s looking to try new guitars for inspiration. Estimated Price Towards the end of the 1970’s, Fender and Gibson were loosing market share. That is why we hear so much about the “Lawsuit ERA” guitars. Late in the seventies, Gibson Guitars won a legal battle for patent infringements, which over time, shut down all but a few “copy” guitar manufacturers worldwide. This allowed some elbowroom for Gibson and Fender to rethink and retool their operations to fortify their position in the market. To avoid the same problem happening again, Gibson bought Epiphone and started building some very nice Imported Copy Guitars! Fender opened facilities outside North America under different brand names like Squier. GIBSON LES PAUL COPIES Right out of the box, the beautifully carved maple top with a flamed maple veneer hits just right. The body is made from solid mahogany and weighs about 9 pounds, which I felt had that authentic Les Paul heft and sustain.If you want a Gretsch, inspired by Les Paul, but with a retro-futuristic design that looks stunningly classy, this is the guitar for you. But it’s not a Les Paul copy by any means; it has its very own character. Like Jimmy, Eric and Elvis, we’re sold on the Dano vibe. Some of the most expensive guitars in the world pass through the office. Not many of them can match the fun we had with the ’63. You can’t get a better recommendation than that. During those early GN’R days, Slash, just like the rest of the band, was struggling to make ends meet, and couldn’t afford a Gibson Les Paul, so he was given a Les Paul replica built by luthier Kris Derrig. Slash has used that guitar on every single piece of music he has recorded ever since. In fact, the guitar was so good that Gibson decided to make a replica of a replica, and the result is Gibson’s AFD Les Paul guitar which matches the specs of the “original”. Although Gibson has been more than ready to sue other manufacturers for copying their design, it turns out that protecting the design of a guitar body with a patent is a very difficult thing to do, which is why there are so many copies available nowadays. The Solo-II is ideal for intermediate to advanced players looking for a versatile, high-quality guitar. It’s perfect for those who appreciate the classic Les Paul style but crave a more modern instrument. Genre-wise, if you need powerful, crunchy tones, this is perfect for you. But if you’re looking for more mellow tones and a bit more versatility in the clean and edge-of-breakup areas, the next guitar on my list is probably a better bet.

The Sire Larry Carlton L7, with its single-cut design and blend of mahogany and hard maple, is a visual stunner. The flamed veneer adds a touch of class, made complete by ivory binding. This Epiphone Les Paul model does not have the push-pull coil tap functionality, probably because it’s inspired by the vintage Gibson ‘60s model. While I didn’t miss it much because the guitar already sounds so good, it definitely would have made it more versatile.

The Mitchell MS450 can be a bit rough around the edges at times, but it’s incredible value for money. It’s got a good design and sound out of the box, and with some tinkering, it can get even better.