Do you recommend a Epiphone Les Paul Special II?

I am in the process of saving up some money (hard when you have alot of gifts to buy and bills to pay) for a new electric guitar. I pretty much have my mind made up about a Epiphone Les Paul Special II guitar. I have heard alot of good things about them and that with a little work they can perform with the big boys. For the price, it doesn't look like they can be beat.

What do you guys think? Any opinions are appreciated :D

No doubt they are a well built guitar for the money, all depends on the style of guitar you want though. Best thing is to sit down in a guitar shop with loads of brands to see which 'feels' nicest to you - if it's out of the price range at least you will have established the body type and neck profile that suits you. Make sure you check out Ibanez guitars too - I would go for them over Epi's any day but that's just because I like thin fast 24 fret necks.

What Ibanez models do you recommend? I want something that I can play with my stubby fingers =) As far as sound, I would like a guitar that can handle anything, from metal to funk to the blues and back again.

I would save up 50 more dollers (i think its that) for the epi LP-100. I played both in the stores, and found the lp "feels" a lot better. And i have very stubby fingers :)

As usual, I am an advocate against Epiphones. Personally, I have never had a good experience with one. I used to own a LP standard, and my friend recently bought one and they both could not hold their tune worth a crap. Overall, the craftsmenship was shoddy on both instruments. My recommendation is Schecter. I think they build the best quality guitars in that price range. Guitar Center usually has a ton of them in stock to play. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with the search.

I've never actually played an Epiphone Les Paul (just a Gibson). The only Epiphones I've played are a semi-hollow and the SG. I liked both of them. If you're thinking about a Les Paul though, I would agree with Superhuman and say check out an Ibanez.
Here is the model I play, the ARC300DVS:

It's a lot like the ARC300, but it's a double cutaway and has different pickups. Also no fine-tuning at the bridge.

Both are right at $400, and most major guitar stores carry at least one of them. I had to call around when I got my ARC300 though because everyone in town said they usually don't stay on the shelves very long when they get them in.

Both of those look nice turkey, but I am really looking for something in the $150-200 price range. Any suggestions when it comes to that?

bump bump bumpity bump

95% of the time with instruments, you get what you pay for. every now and then you find an amazing deal (those ibanezes I suggested cost right around what it costs to make them somehow), but deals like that are rare.

you are not going to find a good or even decent new guitar for $150 - $200. that being said, look at pawn shops. pick an afternoon, call a bunch asking what kinds of guitars they have, drive around and try them out. you have to decide a lot more quickly with a pawn shop than with a regular dealer, but you can find amazing deals. one time I found an ovation legend for $500 in mint condition and I regret not buying it to this day.

anyway long story short, if you want to spend that little and get a quality instrument, you're going to need to get creative. pawn shops, garage sales, classified ads, etc.

Originally Posted by: 7earitupWhat Ibanez models do you recommend? I want something that I can play with my stubby fingers =) As far as sound, I would like a guitar that can handle anything, from metal to funk to the blues and back again.

Entry level Ibanez is the RG120. Check it out, it's only $200 which is not bad for a starter guitar. You get 24 jumbo frets, a standard tremelo system (the floating systems in the pro models cost more than this guitar!) and an slim RG style neck.

http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-RG12...167511.Music123
BTW, this is the cheapest Ibanez I have ever seen, start here and the transition to any model above will be very easy.

Here's a great deal I just found for a starters kit, $299 for an Ibanez guitar, 15 watt amp, tuner, gig bag, headphones, pics, leads etc
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...kage?sku=518877

No trem system which is probably easier for a beginner for tuning etc plus you won't actually be able to properly use a trem system for at least 2 years
after starting to play - it's very difficult to master, only highly advanced players can do it properly.

The pickups are bound to be muddy in any entry level guitar to a trained ear but you can upgrade them easily at any stage (you have to be a pretty good player before you will notice any difference from pickups anyway).