Quote:
Originally Posted by ET2SN
If the case is the star, just how good is the player? 
The hard case is usually the best option but sometimes it comes down to how often you play that guitar.  If its only a couple times a year, a case won't protect your axe from overly dry or humid storage. 
I would vote for the black hard case. A generic case would be even better to protect the guitar from sticky fingers.
I knew a guy back in Maine in the 1980's who found an old Gibson LP in a pawn shop.
This guitar had the old school black lacquer paint, tuners, and knobs.
It also had three pick ups and it was all original.
He managed to buy it cheap so he could play with his band at weekend gigs.
When the LP wasn't working, he just kept it on a stand.
The first time I saw it, I knew what it was.
I asked him if I could buy it and he said..
"Neither of us could afford it." 
He knew what he had and how hard it would be to replace it. |
I agree on the basic black case. It does have nice plush, Grey interior and is a custom fit. Generic cases like Gator cases don't offer great neck supports for the guitars. This is often the case with generic cases. I won't buy them. I would rather build my own If I couldn't find something suitable. Your friend had a great find and made an awesome purchase with the Les Paul.
Peter Frampton had a number of the three " Buckers " Les Paul guitars. Peter used them exclusively. Peter had Issues with his Guitar one night and an Audience member who played guitar's and Les Paul's made some modifications for Peter. Peter loved it and it became his number one Guitar. They are as rare as hen's teeth. Peter Frampton lost his prized 1954 three " Bucker " Les Paul Guitar in a cargo plane crash- Or so he thought. The Guitar turned up decades later and after some negotiations, Peter was reunited with his prized Les Paul Guitar.
Peter Frampton poses with the guitar he thought he'd lost forever.
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/pet...after-31-years
ESP makes the higher end EC-1000 Les Paul Copy. It has a Mahogany body, set neck construction and high end EMG- 81/60 pickups. It also offers a 24-fret Macassar ebony fingerboard. Available in Vintage Black finish. They are about $ 1000.
https://www.espguitars.com/products/...0-vb#gallery-1
The ESP LTD EC-256 is another great option. They are about $ 550 and feature a mahogany body and neck and roasted jatoba fingerboard. The pickups are ESP Designed LH-150 passive pickups. The pickups work but have absolutely no character and have a harsh tone, to my ears.
https://www.amazon.com/ESP-EC-256-El.../dp/B00BEZY290
Drawbacks to a Number of ESP LTD models is fret buzz. Most of these guitars, depending on where they were constructed need the frets leveled. Calculate That fact into your final costs.
Probably the best Les Paul style Guitar is made by Epiphone. They feature good pickups and sound great. Drawbacks are that the body is made from several pieces instead of one solid one.