Encore E99CSB E99 Electric Guitar - Cherry Sunburst

Product Information

Bottom Line: The Schecter Solo-II is a fantastic Les Paul-style guitar that delivers in all aspects – sound, build quality, versatility, and value for money. For me, it’s a guitar that has inspiring looks and tone, making it a worthy addition to any collection. Estimated Price The inclusion of the two-point vibrato ensures that you can wham away without fear of drifting into coarse tuning problems. Verdict

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 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. This guitar is about as close as you can get to a real Les Paul without breaking the bank. Being owned by Gibson, Epiphone has made this guitar authentically true to the original. It looks, feels, plays, and sounds just like you would want. Gibson Les Paul, along with Fender Stratocaster, has a body that is instantly recognizable. The iconic design featuring a single cutaway, smaller upper bout and a larger lower one is just about the epitome of the electric guitar. Sure, nowadays you can get a Les Paul with double cutaways, but when we think of a Les Paul, we think of its default, single cut incarnation. Usually, the body itself is made out of mahogany. Les Pauls often have a top made out of maple, which can make the guitar look absolutely gorgeous, provided that the finish is semi-transparent and that it showcases the beauty of the wood.By this time, many guitar manufacturers from the Far East had 10+ years experience under their belts, and the improvement in quality began to shine through. Univox, Kawai, Silvertone and Domino were starting to deliver guitars that – from a price / quality point of view – were beginning to eat into the markets that Fender and Gibson dominated. Not only was the manufacturing quality improving, but the quality of the REPLICATION was reaching new highs. The lawyers at Gibson started to get restless, and young guitar players like myself were also getting restless… I could not wait to go out and buy a UNIVOX Les Paul for 1/5th the price of the real thing! Damn, it was so inexpensive that I could almost afford to smash it on stage! Cool! But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. The Reverend Roundhouse is best suited for guitarists who crave versatility and a unique tone. It’s not the best option for novices looking for an LP-style guitar, and it’s also not a 1:1 of the Gibson Les Paul. But if you can adapt to this guitar, it’ll serve you very well. 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. First Act’s guitars have girly names: Lola, Delia and Sheena. According to First Act, each of its ‘girls’ has a distinct personality; our Lola is ‘free spirited, deep and complex. Take the time to get to know her - the rewards will be considerable and long-lasting. Er, what? We’re guessing they named this guitar after the song Lola by The Kinks, the one about the transvestite who walks like a woman but talks like a man. We could be wrong, of course… 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.

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 Having had the chance to play the L7 in various sessions over the past year, I can confidently say it’s a guitar that keeps giving. The sound quality, aesthetics, and playability are all top-notch. Overall, it’s one of the best single-cut guitars out there. 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. 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.

The EC-256 comes in a range of colors, including Cobalt Blue, Dark Brown Sunburst (the one I reviewed), Vintage Natural, and See Thru Purple Sunburst, making it easy to choose your flavor. 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 Reverend Roundhouse is a premium guitar, which shows in its price tag. So if you’re a complete beginner, I would not recommend it at this stage; other LP copies half the price can do a great job nowadays. 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. 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.

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. The playability of this unit is as impressive as it looks. The 24.75″ scale length felt familiar, and the 12″ fingerboard radius was just right for playing chords and riffs. The factory setup came with low action and perfect intonation, so I could get straight to jamming with it.The Schecter Solo-II is a bit on the expensive side, but with its superb craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and innovative design, I think it’s well worth it. It’ll serve intermediate and professional players nicely, especially if you like exploring different genres.

From its striking design to its versatile tonal range, I really enjoyed playing this guitar throughout the review. It felt inspiring; whether I was recording some demos or just jamming with my friends. This model is great for seasoned players looking for a high-quality single-cut guitar, with some unique features. It’s comfortable, looks magnificent, and the bass contour was a special highlight for me that adds to the tonal versatility. Any guitarist worth their salt can take good advantage of this impressive instrument. Bottom Line: The Epiphone Les Paul Standard is a worthy tribute to the iconic Gibson Les Pauls of the 1960s. With its quality build that mirrors the original, authentic tone, and affordable price, it’s a guitar that’s sure to serve you well. And if you’re a Slash fan, this is probably the closest you can get on a budget. Estimated Price 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

Here are the Best Les Paul Style Guitars and Copies

For most of us, the affordable Epiphone range of guitars is the only way to get hold of iconic designs from Gibson such as the Les Paul Standard, Firebird, Explorer and Flying V. You already knew that? Hey, we’re just making sure… The Epiphone Les Paul Standard offers a high-quality build, excellent playability, and vintage style at an affordable price point. I feel it captures much of the essence of a Gibson, without the costly overhead. Before moving their operation to Nashville, Tennessee, Gibson used to build its guitars in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Well, there was a number of workers and guitar builders that didn’t want to leave, so they formed their own company named the Heritage, which still continues to make high-end Les Pauls of their own. The instruments are handmade, for the most part, and their quality is excellent, and if you are looking for a vintage Gibson Les Paul that doesn’t sport the Gibson name, but has everything else, this is about as close it gets. 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.