lp style travel guitar

Best travel guitars: Top acoustic and electric guitars for musicians on the go

Out top picks for practicing your guitar on the move, wherever the road takes you

Best for tone

Best for volume, best for value.

• Best Strat-alike
• Best electric
• Best full-scale
• #1 acoustic-electric

Best for portability

• Best solid wood
• Buying advice
• How we choose

1. The quick list 2. Best for tone 3. Best for volume 4. Best for value 5. Best for Strat players 6. Best electric travel guitar 7. Best full-scale travel guitar 8. Best acoustic-electric model 9. Best for portability 10. Best solid-wood travel guitar 11. Buying advice 12. How we choose products

As guitar players, our passion and joy shouldn’t have to stop the second we leave the house or the practice room. Sometimes, when you’re on the go; whether that be travelling for work or just for fun, you want to be able to take your music with you. That’s where the best travel guitars come in.

Travel guitars are smaller, more compact instruments that are easier to take on the road. If you’re heading out on a road trip, and space in the car is tight, a travel guitar will fit in a much smaller gap than a full-size guitar. Some of them even pack down into a rucksack so you can take them on a plane as hand luggage.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re more into playing acoustic or electric, we’ve picked out the best travel guitars currently on offer to make sure that the music doesn’t have to stop when you hit the road.

Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World and Dawsons Music. Chris has spent years writing about and testing guitar gear for MusicRadar, in addition to nerding out about everything from synths to microphones, DJ gear and music production hardware.

Best travel guitars: Quick list

Want to cut to the chase and find out exactly which we think are the best travel guitars on the market right now? Below, you’ll find a round-up of our top choices. You can jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.

This ¾-sized dreadnought comes with all the quality and projection you’d expect from one of the acoustic world’s biggest names, just in a size that can be hauled around anywhere without breaking your back. Or, indeed, your wallet. 

Read more below

The Martin Backpacker has a unique body shape, that’s for sure, but coming from a name like Martin you can rest assured this guitar will perform brilliantly. What surprised us was the volume and projection this little guitar pumps out, thanks in part to the solid mahogany used in the body.

The Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe definitely fits the travel guitar bill due to its distinctive size and shape. Despite the smaller body, the Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe features a scale length of 25.5”, making the actual playing area larger than that of a standard Les Paul.

You can instantly see those famous Stratocaster outlines of the pickguard, the three single coil pickups and the control knobs. Yet the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed anything on the body that isn’t underneath the pickguard has been shaved away, leaving a guitar which is 35% lighter and 14% shorter than a regular Strat.

This is a short-scale travel electric guitar featuring a single mini-humbucker, two-piece poplar body, bolt-on neck and fairly sturdy tuners. It doesn’t pack down any smaller than it is, though it’s very compact already and if you really needed to, you could always take the neck off, if you were packing it up in a suitcase for example.

The Shorty provides full scale-length familiarity which, when combined with the tiny body, makes for a comfortable playing experience. The single humbucker at the bridge is meaty enough to blast out your favourite riffs, while you’ll feel instantly at home with the classic maple/rosewood combination neck and fingerboard.

Load the next 3 products... ↓

The Traveler Escape Mark III comes equipped with plenty in the way of tools and toys, and it all comes in 26% shorter and 10% lighter than a standard dreadnought. The Escape Mark III features tuning pegs within the body itself, which means it has no need for a headstock and is instead strung in reverse.

This handy, foldable acoustic is great for players who want something quality but affordable. It’s got a solid spruce top and layered mahogany back and sides. You can get a great tone from it, whether you’re playing with a pick or with fingers. It’s dynamic, and while it might not be as loud as a full size guitar, can still throw out a good amount of volume.

This is one for serious acoustic players. It bears a hefty price tag, but you can get some serious tones from this guitar. Boasting a solid red cedar top and solid African mahogany back and sides, the Furch Little Jane yields a beautiful, rich and balanced tone with a good amount of projection. 

The best travel guitars right now

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full and detailed write-ups for each of the best travel guitars in our list.

1. Taylor Baby Taylor

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If the more outlandish styles of travel guitar aren’t for you, maybe the Baby Taylor will be. This ¾-sized dreadnought comes with all the quality and projection you’d expect from one of the acoustic world’s biggest names, just in a size that can be hauled around anywhere without breaking your back. Or, indeed, your wallet. 

The Baby Taylor would be the perfect option as a second (or third) guitar in anyone’s collection, designed to be stashed in the included gig bag and taken anywhere. Players with larger hands may feel a bit cramped navigating the 22.75” scale length, but for the majority of people the Baby Taylor is easy to recommend.

2. Martin Backpacker

We weren’t lying when we said travel guitars can jar a bit visually. The Martin Backpacker has a unique body shape, that’s for sure, but coming from a name like Martin you can rest assured this guitar will perform brilliantly. What surprised us was the volume and projection this little guitar pumps out, thanks in part to the solid mahogany used in the body.

Originally launched in 1992, the Martin Backpacker has carved itself a nice niche in the world of travel guitars, and its exceptional build quality means it will last for many more years to come.

3. Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe

While not officially marketed as a travel guitar, the Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe definitely fits the bill due to its distinctive size and shape. The classic Steinberger ‘headless’ design is correct and present, making the same bold visual statement of its more expensive stablemates, yet the decision to use wood over composite materials makes the whole thing more cost-effective and suited for travelling. 

Despite the smaller body, the Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe features a scale length of 25.5”, making the actual playing area larger than that of a standard Les Paul. It’s also pretty rare to find neck-thru bodies at this price point, which all adds up to a decent value instrument regardless of how you end up using it.

Best for Strat players

4. Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe

It’s called ‘cognitive dissonance’. That conflict you feel when something you know to be right is challenged. The Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe is a relative example; to look at it, you can instantly see those famous Stratocaster outlines of the pickguard, the three single coil pickups and the control knobs. Yet the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed anything on the body that isn’t underneath the pickguard has been shaved away, leaving a guitar which is 35% lighter and 14% shorter than a regular Strat. 

Weighing in at only 5 lbs, the Travelcaster Deluxe may take some getting over visually, but in use it provides that same Strat experience, the same 25.5” scale length and the same tonal versatility of those pickups. If you can get over the cognitive dissonance, it may just be the perfect travel guitar for you.

Read the full Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe review

Best electric options

5. Blackstar Carry-On Travel Guitar ST

This is a short-scale travel electric guitar featuring a single mini-humbucker, two-piece poplar body, bolt-on neck and fairly sturdy tuners. It doesn’t pack down any smaller than it is, though it’s very compact already and if you really needed to, you could always take the neck off, if you were packing it up in a suitcase for example. 

It plays great and the shorter 20.7” scale length doesn’t take long to readjust to - younger beginners might find that they can fret chords and make stretches between frets more easily too. The mini-humbucker covers a lot of ground, so will suit any musical style you can throw at it. Whether you’re playing clean or super distorted, this little thing can really pack a punch! 

There is a more expensive version that’s around double the price with some upgrades, but in terms of value for money, we feel that the Blackstar Carry-On ST is one of the best travel guitars around. 

Best full-scale experience

6. Hofner Shorty travel guitar

The Hofner Shorty has been around since the 1980s, and has long been a favourite for players looking for a portable electric they can travel with. It provides full scale-length familiarity which, when combined with the tiny body, makes for a comfortable playing experience. The single humbucker at the bridge is meaty enough to blast out your favourite riffs, while you’ll feel instantly at home with the classic maple/rosewood combination neck and fingerboard.

Sure, it’s not going to win any awards for tone, and you’re unlikely to see them used on album-of-the-year contenders, but as an inexpensive way to add a bit of portability to your line-up the Hofner Shorty is well worth consideration. 

Best of both worlds

7. Traveler Escape MKIII Mahogany

Choosing a travel guitar doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on your needs. The Traveler Escape Mark III comes equipped with plenty in the way of tools and toys, and it all comes in 26% shorter and 10% lighter than a standard dreadnought.

The Escape Mark III features tuning pegs within the body itself, which means it has no need for a headstock and is instead strung in reverse. The onboard electronics are both extensive and useful too, with an under-saddle Shadow NanoFlex piezo system, tuner, aux-in and studio headphone out making for quite a comprehensive setup for the traveling player.

8. Journey Instruments PJ410N

This handy, foldable acoustic makes for one of the best travel guitars for players who want something quality but affordable. It’s got a solid spruce top and layered mahogany back and sides. You can get a great tone from it, whether you’re playing with a pick or with fingers. It’s dynamic, and while it might not be as loud as a full size guitar, can still throw out a good amount of volume.

It fits perfectly inside the included padded rucksack, and can be assembled in 20 seconds. Simply put the neck into position, snap it in place and lock it from the back of the body. Then you’ve got a guitar with a 23” scale ready to play. It’s great for experienced players who want something that sounds good while they’re on their travels (the bag will fit under many airline seats), but also makes for a great beginner guitar for kids . 

Best all-solid option

9. Furch Little Jane LJ-10

This is definitely one of the best travel guitars for serious acoustic players. It bears a hefty price tag, but you can get some serious tones from this guitar. Boasting a solid red cedar top and solid African mahogany back and sides, the Furch Little Jane yields a beautiful, rich and balanced tone with a good amount of projection. 

The guitar can be folded down and fit into a rucksack (included). The headstock, neck and body are separate from one another to save space but can be assembled into one piece very quickly and easily. Once the neck is locked into position using Furch’s proprietary assembly system, it’s ready to play and will even go back in tune. 

The included rucksack is well padded and will ensure that it’s protected enough on your travels. Travel acoustic guitars seldom sound this good, and to be fair the price reflects that, but it really is one of the best out there. 

Best travel guitars: Buying advice

What is a travel guitar?

Essentially, a travel guitar is a guitar designed with portability and mobility as its key function. This will usually mean the guitar has a significantly smaller body or weight, and they often boast creative solutions to common issues like tuning or storage. From conception to construction, the travel guitar is designed to be thrown in a bag and transported anywhere, everywhere, and all those places in between. 

Standard-sized guitars can be, as we know, too large, too heavy or too delicate to carry around for long stretches, so travel guitars offer a specialist tool for those specific situations. Realistically, you’ll not find too many studio musicians reaching for the travel guitar to nail that perfect tone, but then that’s not what they’re for. Portability, size and weight are order of the day here, and it helps that there are travel guitars on the market today which also nail that other crucial element; tone. 

What makes travel guitars different?

At first glance, the sight of a dedicated travel guitar can jar a little. Often, they have quite striking aesthetic differences from regular guitars. Like looking at something you know, only quite different. Manufacturers employ all kinds of measures as they seek to reduce the overall size and weight of the guitar, and it’s not uncommon to see guitars without headstocks, or with radically different shaped bodies, or even no body at all. Yet a guitar still has to function, so there is still the need for tuning pegs, a bridge, and other essential components.

What are the key features of travel guitars?

There are two major schools of thought when it comes to travel guitars. One is to take a regular sized guitar and zap it with a shrink ray, keeping the same proportions relatively but in a smaller overall package. This approach ensures the instrument retains its familiarity, and also makes them attractive to younger learners.

The other approach is to redesign the instrument completely, perhaps taking the tuning pegs and installing them in the body. Of course, such radical design changes can create other problems, so you may see these compensated for with the inclusion of detachable arm and leg rests, for example. While these guitars may look unfamiliar, the playing experience should be largely the same as a regular guitar. Scale lengths, fret locations and pitch will be the same, even if the physical form of the guitar is quite different.

Are travel guitars playable?

If you’ve never had the chance to play a travel guitar, you may be looking at the best travel guitars in this list and wondering if it’s playable in the same way as a regular guitar. The good news is that yes, absolutely they are playable. In the same way that jumping from the thin neck of an Ibanez RG-style electric to a 50’s style Stratocaster neck may take a bit of readjustment in your technique, so too will the leap from a regular to certain travel-sized guitars. It’s not difficult to adjust though. You may also have to sit differently to accommodate the smaller body, but as these guitars are inherently lighter in weight, this shouldn’t cause too much of a headache. Or, more accurately, backache.

Electric or acoustic?

All of the best travel guitars will either be electric or acoustic. Electrics do tend to be thinner, as the body doesn’t need to resonate as much to get a good sound, although it’s worth remembering that you’ll need an amp to get the most out of it. The body of a travel acoustic will normally be deeper, but as a result of this you can get a fairly loud sound without any amplification.

What do I get when I spend more?

The quality of the best travel guitars does vary, and as you might imagine, it does go up as you spend more money. As the price increases, you’ll likely find better hardware, which can not only help keep the guitar in tune and playing nicely, but can also improve how it sounds too, increasing resonance and sustain.

On electrics, you’ll find better quality pickups - these will be more dynamic and have a wider frequency range so you’ll get more detail and clarity. With travel acoustic guitars, you’ll get better quality, and even solid woods which will give you a better, more responsive and richer sound.

Who might use a travel guitar?

The breadth of today’s range of travel guitars means there is a guitar to suit most playing styles and genres, so the quick answer is that yes, there is a travel guitar for everyone. In terms of scenarios, travel guitars are, as their name suggests, designed to be taken places ordinary guitars cannot reach. 

Small enough to fit on your back as you scale a mountain, or taken on a plane as part of your hand luggage, travel guitars give players the freedom and convenience of being able to play anywhere, at any time. For that, we applaud them. Let’s examine some of the best travel guitar options available today.

Can you buy travel guitars for children?

Travel guitars, as well as being the perfect accompaniment to a musician on the go, can also make for great instruments for children. If you’re looking for one of the best travel guitars to get a kid started on their guitar playing journey, then look for one that has a shorter scale length. This will mean that the notes are closer together and will be easier for small hands to fret. 

Scale length and string gauge

Speaking of short scales, the gauge of strings you use is also worth considering. The strings on a guitar with a shorter scale will feel slinkier - they will be easier to bend and to some players may even feel too loose. One way to combat this is to use thicker strings, so something like 12s on an electric might make them feel a little more like 10s on a full size guitar. Though, if you’re just starting out then the thinner, slinkier strings might be better so they don’t quite hurt your fingertips as much.

How we chose the best travel guitars for this guide

Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides. 

When choosing what we believe to be the best travel guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best travel guitars on the market right now.

Find out more about  how we test music gear and services  at MusicRadar.

Related buyer's guides

• The best acoustic guitar strings to get the most from your guitar
• ...and the best electric guitar strings
• Sharpen your chops with the best practice amps
• Keep your guitar safe on the road with the best guitar cases and gig bags
• Want something even smaller? These are the best ukuleles
• Need some inspiration? Check out these gifts for guitar players

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.

Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Dawsons Music. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar and bass gear, to synths, microphones, DJ gear and music production hardware.

“Having too much stuff to start with gets in the way; there's too many options now”: Trent Reznor says that he and Atticus Ross like to choose “the best tools for the job” before they start writing

Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge confirms release date for his new signature Fender Starcaster – and you could win one for free

“Delivering clarity and accuracy which means you can mix your tracks with confidence”: IK Multimedia ARC Studio review

Most Popular

10 Singlecut LP Style Guitars for Your Consideration

So I am increasingly thinking my next guitar will be a singlecut style one - the usual mahogany body + mahogany neck, Rosewood or Ebony Board, usually 4 control dials and (at least) two humbuckers etc. - for some deep and rich rock sounds. Up until now my preference has been for doublecut S-style guitars, and the PRS CE and Holcombe SE I already have quite adequately represent that genre for now.

You may recall I was considering a Gibson Les Paul Standard HP for a while - but on further reflection there are too many things about it that annoy me now. I also happened to catch a YouTube video of some poor sod unboxing one and experiencing all kinds of tuning issues in the first few weeks. It did settle down eventually - with all manner of tactics being applied to solve the tuning issues - but it kind of gave me cold feet.

You may also remember my earlier post on how Headstock Shape and machine heads impact on tuning and tuning fidelity . It is a prerequisite for me to have locking tuners on all my guitars - the Gibson LP Standard HP has a clever G-force automatic tuning system, but the strings are affixed via old-fashioned figure-of-8 methodology rather than using proper locking posts - insane if you ask me.

You also need to regularly apply silicone type lubricant to nut and strings on a Gibson to prevent the strings sticking in the nut grooves. I reacted to this quite quickly by setting my sights on a signature Ibanez Marco Sfogli ( see NAMM post )- which is another S-type and high on my wishlist. Yet further consideration rationalised that I already had 2 S-Types and it was probably time for more of an LP style one now.

Along with a requirement for locking tuners and strap locks, I am also back to being wholly resolved on satin (non-gloss) necks - which disqualifies a lot of the likely candidates, even some in the following list - although you yourself may have a different preference.

Another thing I’ve become accustomed to is the PRS promoted ’coil-tap’ function which allows you to semi-split your humbuckers for more chimey single-coil voicings. So ideally my next guitar should have coil taps too.

I will indicate in the following listing which my current target guitar of choice is, while also highlighting the pros and cons of each guitar shortlisted:

Note : I hate 9.99 style pricing - costs are rounded up to nearest whole significant integer!

Costs : £3,300 (Andertons.co.uk) Manufactured : USA

A Peter Frampton -ish style triple humbucker Gibson with gold appointments - only 150 of this particular model will be built.

• 3 Burstbucker Humbuckers
• 4 Control Dials - 3 volume, 1 tone
• Locking Tuners for tuning fidelity and easy string replacement
• Classic Gibson Sound
• Old-fashioned headstock shape with known tuning issues (G-string anyone?)
• No coil-split/tap

Costs : £540 (Andertons.co.uk) Manufactured : China

Epiphone’s considerably more affordably version of the Gibson Black Beauty above.

• 3 Humbuckers
• No Locking Tuners

Costs : £1,000 (order from Andertons.co.uk) Manufactured : USA

This is currently my front runner for next guitar - I don’t usually like scratch-plates, but this one seems to fit in perfectly. Also the more recent models have the new single bridge with saddles - for proper intonation fine-tuning. With the PRS S2 #7 Bass and #7 Treble pickups you get beautifully rich and rounded typical vintage LP style tones - but with added versatility via coil taps on tone dials. You get all the usual USA PRS build quality with Satin neck too for effortless movement and access along the entire fretboard - a proper journeyman’s instrument.

• Vintage-toned PRS Humbuckers
• 4 Control Dials - 2 volume, 2 tone, including push/pull coil-taps on tone dials
• Ergonomic Headstock Shape for tuning stability
• Satin Neck for smooth playability
• Great value for this spec of US
• None worth mentioning

Costs : £2,400 (PMTOnline.co.uk) Manufactured : Japan

Beautiful modern styled LP type with Satin Finish and superb Bare Knuckle Nailbomb Humbuckers. Headstock string angles are sill a little acute, but significantly better han Gibson. All-round a beautiful guitar.

• Bare Knuckle Nailbomb Humbuckers
• Extended 24 fret fingerboard
• Near enough Ergonomic Headstock Shape for tuning stability

Costs : £690 (Andertons.co.uk) Manufactured : Indonesia

LP-type Jackson with very modern headstock and natural finish neck for smooth playing. Also benefits from superb Seymour Duncan Blackout pickups and locking tuners.

• Vintage-toned Seymour Duncan Blackout Humbuckers

Costs : £1,034 (Andertons.co.uk) Manufactured : South Korea

Elegant modern looking LP-type with largely traditional headstock and satin finish. One of two on this page to use active pickups - EMG 81 at the bridge and 60 at the neck. Note that satin body finish is very sensitive to marking and will easily tarnish and stop looking pristine in a relatively short while.

• Active pickups may be issue for some - less tonal control
• Relatively expensive for overseas model

Costs : £870 (DolphinMusic.co.uk) Manufactured : South Korea

Hybrid modern LP-style guitar with more traditional headstock, gloss body and satin neck. Like similar LTD it sports active EMG pickups but different ones - 57 at the bridge and 66 at the neck. Comes with gorgeous quilted maple top.

• Reasonably affordable for guitar of this quality

Costs : £596 (Woodbrass.com) Manufactured : Indonesia

Somewhat modern take on traditional style with some elegant body texturing details and featuring Custom Lundgren Design No.2 and No.5 Humbuckers - gloss finish throughout.

• Custom Lundgren Design Humbuckers
• No locking tuner

Costs : P.O.A. (Around £6,000+ from Hartung-Guitars.com) Manufactured : Germany

Upper echelon beautifully sculpted body with extensive design details throughout and sporting locking tuners, satin neck, Bare Knuckle The Mule pickup and ’scratch engraving’ on highest quality quilted mable top - totally premium components throughout. If money were no object, I would spring for one of these, or the Framus below, mind you - there is usually a 12 month waiting list on this beauty!

• Vintage-toned Bare Knuckle The Mule Humbuckers
• 4 Control Dials - 2 volume, 2 tone
• Gorgeous unique instrument with top level Maple top
• No coil-split/tap - can be custom specified though
• Waiting List
• Very Pricey

Costs : Around £7,000+ (Warwick.de > Framus) Manufactured : Germany

Similar upper echelon sculpted beauty to above Frank Hartung with Seymour Duncan Pegasus Sentient Humbuckers, satin neck etc. Some models come with built-in lit-up LED fret markers and headstock logo. Top needs to be seen for amazing level of depth of finish.

• Vintage-toned Seymour Duncan Pegasus Sentient Humbuckers

12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition

12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Mini Edition

32 of the Best Mini Fuzz Pedals - 2022 Ultimate Selection

32 of the Best Compact Overdrive Pedals - 2022 Ultimate Selection

32 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types - Preferred Compact Pedal per Type : 2022 Edition

28 Key Guitar Effects Pedal Types - Preferred Medium Enclosure Pedals per Type

10 Doublecut S-Style Guitars for your Consideration

10 Guitars for your Consideration

10 Less Well Known Guitar Makers for your consideration

10 Modern T-Style Guitars for Your Consideration

10 of the Best New Guitar Amps Released in 2018

10 of the Best New Guitars Introduced at Winter NAMM 2018

10 of the Best New Guitars Released in 2018

10 Versatile Multi-Channel Guitar Amps for Your Consideration

12 Great Guitar Combo Amps for your Consideration

12 of the Best Guitar Tuners for Your Consideration

16 Cool Guitars from In and Around Winter NAMM 2024

2 Cool New Forthcoming Pedals - REVV Amps G3 and Flower Pedals Dandelion Harmonic Tremolo

20 Wishlist Guitars for Your Consideration

25 Iconic Guitar Body Shapes

3 Year Campaign for Direct Replacement PRS SE Locking Tuners Finally Bears Fruit!

4 Cool and Unusual White Electric Acoustic Guitars

4 Great Power-Scaling Tube Amps for Home Use

6 of the Best Amps introduced at Winter NAMM 2018

9 Notable and Distinct Variable Fret Markers

9 of the Best Contemporary Locking Tuners

9 of the Best Headless Guitars for Your Consideration

9 SG-Style Guitars for Your Consideration

Another 25 Distinct and Notable Guitar Body Shapes

Another 25 Notable and Distinct Guitar Body Shapes - Part 3

Boss Evolves and Expands Wireless Technology first seen on Katana Air Amp

BOSS is quite literally Bossing things again these days

Boss is Still Totally Winning the Amp Wars - launches killer Wireless Katana Air 30W

Choosing and Buying a Guitar

Choosing and Buying a Guitar Amp

Choosing the Right Guitar Pick

Electric Guitar EQ

Electric Guitar String Theory - Gauge, Type, Tone, Touch, Lifespan, Price

Electric Guitar Tuning Essentials - Tools and Tips

Emerald Guitars further Revolutionizes the guitar format with its Virtuo All-Carbon-Fiber All-in-one Acoustic, Piezo and Electric Guitar

ESP Guitars goes slightly overboard with a £9K Signature Guitar for Japanese Virtual Holographic Pop Star Hatsune Miku

Fantastic New PRS Modern Eagle V could be the Perfect Guitar but for its Price!

Further Thoughts on Guitar Tuning Fidelity, Locking Machine Head Types and Arrangement

Gibson Not Gibson - Classic Guitars with a Twist

Guitar Accessories, Tools and Resources

Guitar Gear / Pedals 12-Point Precision Condition Grading Scale

Guitar Highlights at the 2019 Birmingham Guitar Show

Guitar Pedal Directory - Favourite Pedals by Preferred Pedal-Makers

Guitar Pedal Info Resources

How That Pedal Show became the Leading Guitar Gear Influencer

Keyztone EXchanger vs SIM1 XT-1 vs Alternatives

Paul Reed Smith spends 2.5 years building John Mayer a PRS Strat Replica - the JM635 Silver Sky

Preferred Online Guitar Gear Retailers and Why

Preferred Stereo Amp Setup - Principals and Understudies, Solid State and Tube - A Personal Selection!

PRS Guitars - 6 of the Best

Taylor CEO Andy Powers creates a perfectly proportioned future classic with his Powers Electric Type-A Trussed Hollowbody Guitar

Supported by.

55 Bathurst Mews London, UK W2 2SB © Guitar Pedal X 2023

Ultimate LP Standard Template Bundle

LP Standard Essentials Bundle

LP Standard Template Set

LP Standard Bolt-on Template Set

Binding Jig LP Jr Doublecut

LP Standard Mini Template Set

LP Top Carve Template Set

Marauder Template Set

LP Special Doublecut Bolt-On Template Set

LP Special Doublecut Template Set

LP Special Bolt-On Template Set

LP Special Template Set

LP-Style Chambering Templates

LP Jr Doublecut Bolt-on Template Set

LP Jr Singlecut Template Set

LP-Style Mashup Template

LP Jr Doublecut Template Set

Binding Jig LP-Style

Home » Guitars » 10 Best Les Paul Style Guitars & Copies in 2024 (All Price Ranges)

10 Best Les Paul Style Guitars & Copies in 2024 (All Price Ranges)

Gibson Les Paul is one of the most iconic guitars ever designed. It’s hard to imagine a guitar player that hasn’t dreamed of owning one. Although Gibson has made a lot of different guitars over the course of its rich history, Les Paul has become synonymous with the company. It’s hard to count all of the influential players that have made the Les Paul their go-to instrument. There’s Jimmy Page, Slash, Paul Kossoff, Duane Allman, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa, Peter Green, as well as Les Paul himself, and many more.

Gibson Les Paul, apart from its striking looks, also boasts a warm, full sound that has tons of sustain, making it ideal for anything from jazz and blues to heavier music genres, such as hard rock and heavy metal. It’s also made exclusively in the USA, which ensured the use of premium materials and superior build quality. However, all of that comes at a price, which is why your average player can’t afford one. Fortunately, there are plenty of great Les Paul style guitars, as well as Les Paul copies, which are a lot more affordable, but offer much of that familiar Les Paul sound and feel.

If you are in love with a Les Paul but are looking for an alternative to the Gibson brand, we’ve put together a list of the best Les Paul style guitars at each price point, as well as a buying guide at the bottom of the article explaining the brands and manufacturers. If you’re looking for a Les Paul copy this list will definitely help you out.

Here are the Best Les Paul Style Guitars and Copies

1. esp ltd ec-256fm electric guitar (best value).

Shop on Sweetwater

Shop Guitar Center

Check Amazon Price

Build Quality and Design

For its budget price tag, the ESP LTD EC-256FM brings impressive build quality to the table. It’s crafted with a mahogany body, topped with a flamed maple veneer, and is powered by a set-in 3-piece mahogany neck. The fingerboard is Jatoba, decorated with wavy trapezoid inlays. The body itself also looks more aggressive, thanks to the sharp outline. Note that this is the ‘FM’ version, and the standard model doesn’t have a flamed-maple top.

The guitar’s overall build feels sturdy, well-crafted, and I felt its weight is comparable to my Gibson Les Paul. Heavy, but feels good on your lap. The Thin-U contour neck also felt comfortable for shredding for my playing style.

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.

True to the Les Paul, it features a classic single-cutaway design, which is supposed to allow easy access to the upper frets, and a Tune-O-Matic bridge for solid intonation and tuning stability. The LTD tuners in chrome finish looked good and were pretty stable too.

The only slight hiccup I encountered was the neck heel, which limited upper fret access for me a bit. Playing on the 20th to 22nd frets didn’t feel like I had a very natural place to put my thumb. Honestly, it’s a minor quibble, but I would have liked to see more neck-heel contouring on the EC-256FM model.

As soon as I plugged the EC-256 in, I could feel its potential. The ESP-designed LH-150N (on the neck) and LH-150B (on the bridge) humbuckers offer a lot of punchy power, with a warm tone and a rich top-end response.

It’s perfect for hard rock and metal, where you need that gritty, amp-driven distortion. Chug away some Metallica or Lamb of God on this beast with no issues at all.

The push-pull coil tap feature was a pleasant surprise, and sounded better than I expected. With a simple pull of the tone knob, I could switch the humbuckers into single-coil mode, adding a new dimension to the guitar’s sound palette.

Versatility

This is where I felt the EC-256 wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. Don’t get me wrong; it sounds fantastic most of the time. But if you’re into a lot of different genres, like say, Blues, Country, Jazz, and also Rock, this guitar doesn’t feel versatile enough to actually cover all of them.

Mainly, it could be the pickups being high-gain; they just don’t sound dynamic and soulful enough to cover softer tones that well. Simple cleans work nicely, but if you want a lot of ‘character’ in your sound, this falls a bit short.

Although, if you really wanted, you could swap out the pickups for a pair of Seymour Duncans or something, and I’m sure that would spruce it up beautifully.

Ease of Use

When it comes to playability, the EC-256 checks all the boxes. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and its Gibson-like 24.75” scale length and 13” round neck radius offered a familiar feel. The factory setup on my piece was good; I only needed to adjust the neck relief slightly to get the action where I wanted it: 1.5mm on the high E side at the 12th fret.

Perhaps the only main difference from a traditional Les Paul is that there’s only one Tone knob, which applies to both pickups. In my experience, the main advantage of two Tone knobs is you could set a bright bridge pickup for rhythm and a mellow neck for lead. Here, you’ll have to set it somewhere in the middle.

Value and Target Market

I feel the EC-256 delivers a lot of bang for your buck. I’ve tested a lot of Les Paul copies, and most cheap ones tend to miss out on a lot of things, But this one fits the bill; it’s perfect for both beginners and intermediate players who want the LP vibe without breaking the bank.

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.

Having played the EC-256 for a few weeks, I can confidently say that it’s a great buy for anyone who is looking for that Les Paul magic at a fraction of the cost. You get everything you would want, with a few minor drawbacks that don’t really impact your experience much. The build quality is robust, and the guitar feels premium in the hands. It’s incredible value for money and an excellent guitar in its own right.

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.

• Two powerful humbucker pickups with good clarity
• Classic Les Paul shape with a comfortable feel
• Push-pull coil tap feature sounds good for added versatility
• Variety of nice finishes
• Less versatile due to high-gain output
• Factory setup may not always suit your playing style

Bottom Line: The ESP LTD EC-256FM electric guitar is a fantastic Les Paul copy and one that won’t burn a hole in your budget. If you are also a fan of the modern, yet subtle updates to the original, this one is a no-brainer.

2. PRS SE 245 (Best Overall)

The PRS SE 245, while being affordable, doesn’t compromise on build quality at all. It features a single-cut mahogany body, a wide-fat profile set mahogany neck, and a 22-fret rosewood fretboard with 24.5” scale length. It felt sturdy, but also lightweight while I was testing it.

It has a beautiful maple top with a polyurethane gloss finish that felt smooth to my touch. The hardware includes PRS-designed tuners and a wraparound tailpiece, which I found pretty stable while playing in different tunings.

The old-school bird inlays on the fretboard are eye-catching, a signature PRS touch that I’ve always loved. Looking down at the gorgeous inlays while playing always seems to inspire me more creatively.

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.

The PRS 245 “S” humbucking pickups on this machine offer a wide range of tones. They deliver a tone that is dynamic and incredibly expressive. Its harmonic overtones sound delicious, which really brings out chords and upper-fret melodies nicely.

If you’re into classic rock, blues, funk, jazz, etc., this will suit you very nicely. I jammed with a Fender ‘65 amp and I loved its nuance. I compared it side by side with my Gibson LP, and honestly, I was amazed at how close they sounded. But they’re also a bit mellow, so they’re not that energetic when it comes to high-gain tones for metal.

With dual volume and tone knobs just like the original Les Paul, this SE 245 is a versatile choice for beginners and pros alike. Like I mentioned earlier, the pickups sound great across various genres.

Personally, I’ve always found most PRS models to be very versatile; they easily adapt to anything I want to play. And this one fits the bill too.

Just to note, the 245 doesn’t have a push-pull coil split, so you can’t really get those ‘glassy’ clean tones like a Strat. But tweak your amp settings a bit, and it’ll still sound gorgeous.

While the 24.5” scale length seems less than Gibson’s 24.75, in reality it felt very comfortable and just about the same. Bending the strings, playing in different positions across the fretboard, and chugging the low-E string all felt natural.

The single-cut’s bevel and the neck heel felt really good, giving me easy access to all the frets. So I could tap and shred all the way up with no issues.

The wide-fat neck also feels really good while holding chords; it gives you a lot of area to grip with your thumbs. But if you’ve got small hands, it might take some getting used to.

The PRS SE 245 offers solid value for money. It’s more affordable than its US counterparts, without any significant compromise on quality. It features a comfortable neck, quality tonewood choice, and a beautiful fretboard. And did I mention it comes with a PRS gig bag? That’s a nice bonus!

I spent a fair bit of time with this model as I’ve always been a fan of PRS, and I’m confident it’s one of the best Les Paul-style guitars around. You get a great blend of quality, reliability, and sound: an excellent choice for a wide range of players.

This guitar is ideal for rock players or anyone looking for a vintage feel and tone in a modern package. It would suit beginners, students, bands just starting out, and even experienced players looking for a quality, budget-friendly instrument.

• Solid build quality with great wood choices
• PRS 245 “S” humbuckers provide a wide range of tones
• Comfortable wide-fat profile mahogany neck
• Good value for money
• Not ideally suited for metal players
• No single coil functionality

Bottom Line : The PRS SE 245 is a fantastic single-cut guitar that offers a clear and vibrant tone, solid construction, and easy playability. While it may have a Les Paul shape, it’s got its own character, one that won’t disappoint you at all.

3. Epiphone Les Paul

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.

As for the neck, it’s set-in mahogany with a comfortable Slim-Taper “C” profile. The Indian Laurel fingerboard, adorned with traditional trapezoid inlays, adds to the ‘Gibsoness’ of the design. On the bridge end, it features a LockTone Tune-o-matic that’s very dependable. It’s also got a GraphTech NuBone nut which holds tuning stability very well. Overall, I found the build quality to be robust and very reminiscent of the original Les Paul. It’s got this ‘old-timer’ look that I just love; from the shades to the aged-knobs.

This Les Paul sports a pair of Epiphone ProBucker-2 (neck) and ProBucker-3 (bridge) humbuckers with Alnico II magnets (same as the legendary PAF pickups). These have that distinct Les Paul flavor: powerful in the mids, fat in the lows, and rich natural harmonics.

Thanks to this wide tonal range, the guitar excels in a variety of genres, from hard rock to jazz. Plus, I love the inclusion of separate tone knobs for each humbucker.

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.

But if you know how to dial in the right tone in your amp and use some pedals, this guitar can deliver just about any tone you need. I even used it for a couple of local gigs and it held its own admirably.

When it comes to playability, this guitar performs exactly as you would expect from a Les Paul. The slim-C neck and 24.75” scale length are classic Gibson qualities, so I felt right at home with this. The action and factory setup was great out of the box, but I was able to tweak it and make it just right for me with only a small adjustment of the neck relief.

Perhaps the only potential snag is its weight; the heaviness makes it authentic, but it can quickly bear down on your shoulders if you perform live with it like I did. I’ve tested other modern LP copies that manage to be lightweight and still maintain a great playing feel.

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.

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.

Players looking for a guitar that is close as possible to the original, but only costs a fraction, as well as guitarists not willing to play their Gibson Les Paul in a live setting.

• Incredible ProBucker pickups inspired by the PAF humbuckers of the ’50s
• High-quality construction reminiscent of Gibson models
• Comfortable to play with great setup
• Excellent value for the price
• Heavier weight might not suit everyone
• No push-pull coil-split might hinder versatility for some

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.

4. Sire Larry Carlton L7

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.

The C-shaped mahogany neck with the Ebony Edgeless fretboard (with rolled fretboard edges) is one of the most comfortable ones I’ve played at this price point. Most of the specs are as you would expect from a Les Paul, with no compromises.

You can also choose from a range of available colors like Transparent Blue, Tobacco Sunburst, Gold Top, Black, and White; whichever shade fits your vibe. The one I tested had gold hardware, which is an additional expense, but looks elegant and chic.

This is the Sire L7’s real deal: incredible sound. The Larry Carlton Modern Humbucker Set is the heart and soul of this Les Paul inspired guitar, with a rich and punchy tone that lives up to Carlton’s legendary history.

Playing through a tube amp, I could really feel the clarity and top-end sparkle in each chord as it sustained. With an overdrive pedal, I got a really creamy lead tone too. And the volume controls were really response; you can dial them down and make them sound mellow without losing power.

The only catch I found? The pickups are naturally quite bright, so even if you lower the tone knobs, they’re not as warm and dark as other models tend to become.

One word: adaptable. Whether it’s blues, jazz, rock, or even psychedelic tones with a fuzz pedal, the L7 handles them all with grace. The Sire-made electronics add to the guitar’s responsiveness, so it kept up with everything I put it through.

The absence of a push-pull coil tap option did leave me wishing for a bit more tonal variety, but the overall versatility is still top-notch.

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.

Plus, the Sire Premium Locking Tuners are stable and hold well while playing in different tunings like Drop D and Open E.

Given its build quality, and sound, I reckon the Sire Larry Carlton L7 offers excellent value for money. It’s perfect for intermediate players who are looking to upgrade from their first guitar or even for professionals who need a reliable workhorse for gigging or recording.

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.

The L7 is perfect for intermediate to advanced players who are looking for a versatile, high-quality LP-style guitar. It’s well-suited for jazz, blues, and rock. And it’s reliable enough for gigging.

• Excellent looks with a premium build and feel
• Comfortable to play with rolled-off fret edges
• Rich and warm sound with bright pickups
• Tone knobs weren’t that effective
• No split coil setting

Bottom Line : The Sire Larry Carlton L7 electric guitar is a sophisticated and versatile instrument that offers classy quality at a reasonable price. With its elegant design, robust sound, and adaptability, it’ll likely exceed your expectations.

5. Reverend Roundhouse

Right out of the box, the Reverend Roundhouse was absolutely stunning. The body and neck are made of korina, a tonewood known for its balanced sound and low weight. On top of the body is a gorgeous maple top (mine was Venetian Gold) with a beautiful bevel: it seemed to catch the light in just the perfect way.

The guitar features a three-piece Korina set neck that provides an extra level of stability and eliminates any potential dead spots. Meanwhile, the rosewood fretboard felt very smooth during my review.

While the Roundhouse has a single-cut design like a Les Paul, its body shape still feels unique, like it has its own character. And while some might miss the pickguard, I love it because it looks sleek and modern. I do fear scratching it while playing heavy riffs though.

This modern single cut guitar sports the Reverend HA5 Humbuckers on both the neck and bridge positions. Even though they’re the same model, Reverend says that both pickups are specifically tuned for the position they’re in: for maximum clarity and presence.

To my ears, the tone felt very warm and mellow. The kind of sound that could make you melt away and float. It’s perfect for some soulful phrasing and dynamic leads, because it really brings out the nuances of your playing.

In my opinion, I found this guitar is very well suited for genres like funk, country, blues, jazz, etc., where you need expressive dynamics and that crunchiness, without oversaturating the tone.

But if you want to, you could push it to distortion and play some heavy stuff too. It definitely is versatile and adaptable.

However, while there’s no coil-split on this guitar, Reverend has included a ‘bass contour’ knob, which allows you to fine-tune the frequency curve of the guitar. It’s like an inverse tone knob; if you lower it, you can get a brighter, trebly tone like you would on a single-coil pickup.

This was my favorite feature, and it gave me the best of both worlds. It lacks separate tone and volume knobs for the pickups, but the well-tuned pickups make up for it.

The Roundhouse is an experienced guitar player’s dream. The 24 and three-quarter-inch scale length and the medium oval profile make it comfortable to play for extended periods. The knobs feel smooth and easy to adjust on the fly.

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.

Now the pickup selector is at the bottom of the guitar rather than the neck area, which can take some getting used to. But within a few days of jamming with it, I had no issues at all.

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.

But if you’re looking for an exquisite single-cut guitar that’s inspired by the Gibson Les Paul, without straight up copying it, the Roundhouse is a great pick. It’s a work of art; I could just stare at it all day and feel inspired by its distinctive character.

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.

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.

• High-quality Korina body and neck
• Versatile tone with bass contour control
• Comfortable playability
• Beautiful beveled maple top
• Expensive, so it’s not great value for beginners
• Pickups are mellow, so don’t expect a lot of punch

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.

6. Schecter Solo-II

The Schecter Solo-II boasts solid build quality, and its design offers a modern twist to the traditional Les Paul style. The craftsmanship is impressive, with the mahogany body and solid maple top giving the guitar a sturdy feel and a gorgeous aesthetic. Similar to the ESP, the single-cut body on this looks razor-sharp.

I got the most classy finish: the Aged Satin Black with gold hardware and mother-of-pearl block inlays. You can also get Trans Black Burst, or the Natural Flame finish with chrome hardware; but the most spectacular, pricey, and perhaps a bit over the top one is the Gloss Natural Burl Top, with an organic look and Abalone Block inlays.

The Solo II features the Schecter Pasadena Neck and Schecter Pasadena Plus Bridge Humbucker Pickups, which provide a ton of bite, making this guitar incredibly well-suited for heavy genres like hard rock and thrash metal.

Schecter claims their bridge pickup was designed for Avenged Sevenfold’s guitarist, so it’s got a high output. I also tried playing some Hetfield-style riffs on it, and it held up very well with a lot of aggressive presence without any muddiness.

The push/pull tone pot was a welcome addition that allowed me to switch between the sizzle of single-coil-like tones and the richness of humbucker crunch. However, it’s not as warm as one may like.

Schecter Research’s guitars have always proved versatile in my experience, and this one is no different. I was particularly impressed by how comfortably it handles a wide range of genres, especially compared to its single-cut competition. Whether I was churning out bluesy licks or riffing a thrash metal track like ‘Master of Puppets’, the Solo-II held its own.

The split coil functionality makes it even more versatile. And another thing I liked is how I could make the guitar more mellow by dialing the volume knob down, without losing its dynamics too much.

The Solo-II felt as familiar as any Les Paul-style guitar, but it’s also got some nice design elements. For one, I really liked the 12” to 16” compound fretboard radius, because it made it much easier to play solos on the higher frets, especially with tapping and legato.

Plus, the thin-C neck profile felt comfortable for playing with scales and licks. And the extra jumbo frets felt better than I had expected. But it’s a bit thin to grab onto, and so playing a lot of power chords occasionally felt a bit slippery to me.

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.

After spending a few weeks with the Schecter Solo-II, I can confidently say that it’s worth every penny. It’s one of the few guitars on this list I felt was a proper fit for my collection. It’s a perfect blend of classic aesthetics and modern playability, making it a great choice for any guitar enthusiast.

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.

• Exceptional build quality and design
• Powerful and versatile sound
• Great upper fret access with compound radius
• Split-coil functionality
• A bit too advanced for beginners
• Lack of warmth in its tone may upset Les Paul fans

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.

7. Gretsch Guitars G5220 Electromatic Jet

Gretsch’s take on an affordable single-cut design comes with a chambered mahogany body, a laminated maple top, and finished in eye-catching colors like Dark Cherry Metallic and Firestick Red; this guitar is bursting with vintage flair.

The design features like the Gretsch V-Stoptail tailpiece and Anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge blend both functionality and style, giving you a guitar that looks as impressive as it sounds. The bound headstock, Big Block pearloid inlays, and chrome hardware add to the retro aesthetic.

The build quality is top-notch, and at just under 8 lbs, I found it very comfortable on my lap. The set-neck construction felt sturdy in my hands and inspired confidence. The 12″ radius neck was smooth to navigate and comfortable to play.

The real soul of this guitar is its pickups. The Black Top Broad’Tron Humbuckers offer a rich mid-range, fat lows, and shimmering highs. From clean, bright tones to aggressive overdrive, I felt this guitar sing any note I played on it.

Whether I was jamming to some blues or rocking out some crunchy riffs, the pickups delivered with clarity and definition. The treble bleed circuit added an extra layer of sonic detail, maintaining that sparkling treble even when I rolled down the volume.

What you get from this guitar is a classic retro sound, as I would expect from Gretsch. It excels in classic rock, blues, jazz, funk, etc.

Plus, you get a lot of tonal control here: individual volume knobs for each pickup, along with a master volume and master tone knob. There’s no coil split, but the bright treble makes it sound great on any clean tone.

The Thin “U” style neck allowed for easy finger movement, and the medium jumbo frets felt just right. I did need to tweak the setup slightly to lower the action, but that’s just my personal preference.

I must say, the three volume knobs on the guitar can take a little getting used to, especially with the slightly awkward positioning of the neck control. But they were very responsive and adjusted the sound really well.

With its affordable price tag, the Gretsch G5220 is fantastic value for money. It’s well-suited for intermediate players, vintage tone lovers, and those looking for a unique blend of modern features with old-school aesthetics.

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.

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.

• Black Top Broad’Tron Pickups deliver crisp, warm tones
• Solid build quality with vintage appeal
• Treble bleed circuit ensures clarity on low-volume settings
• Comfortable to play with a well-crafted neck
• Triple volume knobs can get confusing
• No tone control for individual pickups

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.

8. Mitchell MS450

The Guitar Center exclusive Mitchell MS450 model as their take on the classic single cut design. With a mahogany body, flame maple top, and a set mahogany neck with a shallow-C profile, it’s a visual treat at such a low price point.

The body features bevels that make it comfortable for playing, and the string-through-body design offers a lot of sustain and tuning stability. It’s also nice to see a GraphTech TUSQ nut on this model; should help add to its durability.

I did feel a few rough edges here and there, and the neck heel was not as smooth as I’d like it to be, but I’d say it’s a common, forgivable problem on budget guitars like this. Now I’m a fan of classic Les Paul style inlays, so I didn’t like the ones on this pau ferro fretboard too much.

Mitchell has loaded this guitar with humbucking Alnico V pickups, which are paraffin-dipped to reduce unwanted feedback. I tried playing some crunchy blues riffs in A, and the bright top-end really caught my ear.

Now to be fair, I wasn’t expecting a lot from the pickups on this, but I was pleasantly surprised. They do work well for the most part, especially for beginners. Plus, you get a push/pull coil tap, another great feature in this budget segment.

This guitar’s tone is well-rounded and suitable for various genres, from rock to jazz. The coil split functionality adds another option for your tonal palette: you can individually split both humbuckers.

For a beginner who wants to try different bands and styles, still finding their sound, this guitar does the trick. But I did find the MS450 leaning a bit towards high-gain tones, suitable for rock and metal, with a lot of brightness and presence to it.

Now, the factory setup on this guitar was not as good as you get from more expensive models, but it was decent. There weren’t any major flaws; just minor issues like neck relief, action, and intonation that I had to adjust to get it to where I wanted it.

After that, the guitar played very well; good enough to rival single-cut guitars a weight above it. It had a lot of sustain, and the 24.75” scale length felt familiar as always.

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.

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.

This machine is rough around the edges, but offers quite a bit of value, especially if you are not afraid of tinkering with it. If you have a pair of great pickups you need to rehome, or if you are only starting out on your guitar journey, this can be just the foundation you need.

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.

• Attractive flamed maple design
• Versatile sound with coil-tap feature
• Really affordable
• Comfortable on your lap while shredding
• Some build quality and factory-setup issues
• Sound might be too bright for some

Bottom Line : The Mitchell MS450 is a great value pick for those on a budget. It’s a worthwhile first instrument and can be a pretty good spare if you already have another great guitar to work with.

9. D’Angelico Deluxe Atlantic

At just first glance, the D’Angelico Deluxe Atlantic is a treat for your eyes. This guitar isn’t another Les Paul knock-off; it’s an art piece that combines style with functionality. Built with an Alder body that’s lightweight yet resonant, and a 3-piece Maple/Walnut neck that’s both sturdy and elegant, the craftsmanship quality is top-notch.

The Ebony fingerboard feels smooth and luxurious, and the Matte Walnut satin finish adds a touch of class. The model features a low-profile heel neck for maximum playability, which I absolutely loved; my left hand felt natural on the top frets.

It comes in four different finishes, and each one looked breathtaking to me. The headstock particularly has some nice inlays that add class to this piece.

Plugging this beauty into my Blue Angel amp and testing it with different setings, I was blown away by the sound. The Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 Humbuckers provide a versatile tone that’s punchy and offers massive sustain.

The guitar also features coil-splitting capabilities for both pickups. From rich and warm humbucker tones to vivid and crystalline single-coil sounds, the possibilities are endless.

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.

Whether you’re into jazz, blues, rock, or anything in between, this guitar has got you covered. The coil split flexibility and 4-knob volume/tone controls allow you to experiment and find your unique sound.

I tried this with various pedals and amps, it felt as if it brought out the clarity and distinction from anything I used. So it’s definitely a versatile, adaptable beast that’s ready to rock whatever you throw at it.

The Atlantic feels like it was built for playability, with carefully crafted design elements. The C-shape profile neck and the 14″ radius make it comfortable to play, while the Grover 509 Super Rotomatic Locking tuners kept everything in tune even as I was bending all over the place.

The single-cutaway and the neck heel are contoured such that it’s really easy to shred and tap all over the 20th-24th frets with no issues.

The Atlantic is an exquisite, premium guitar that’s brimming with character and personality. From the expensive wood construction to top-tier pickups and ergonomic design, it’s built for serious players. The hardshell case included with this model adds a nice touch for traveling musicians.

I’ve spent a great deal of time with the Atlantic: playing, recording sessions, and simply enjoying the feel and sound of this guitar. The tones I’ve been able to achieve, the comfort of playing, and the visual appeal all make it a must-try. I classify this as a premium guitar that’s meant to inspire. It’s not a Les Paul copy; it’s a single-cut work of art.

• Exquisite design and build quality
• Versatile sound with punchy humbuckers
• Coil-split flexibility for varied tones
• Comfortable neck and fretboard
• Enhanced midrange might not suit everyone

Bottom Line : The D’Angelico Deluxe Atlantic is a top-tier guitar that offers the perfect blend of style, sound, and versatility. Its classic design, coupled with modern features like coil-splitting capabilities and locking tuners, make it a valuable addition to any guitarist’s collection. It’s a player’s guitar and a show-stopper in every sense; a work of art that feels true to John D’Angelico’s legacy.

10. Jackson PRO Monarkh SC

The Jackson PRO Monarkh SC is a guitar that shows off its modernity while paying homage to the classic Les Paul. With its mahogany body and arched maple top, it’s a beauty to behold. My unit came with a satin matte black finish, with elegant pearloid Ghostfin inlays.

With a 24.75” scale, set maple neck, and a Speed Neck profile, it’s crafted for comfort. The guitar’s 12″-16″ compound radius and 22 jumbo frets provided a comfortable grip and gave me easy access to the entire fretboard.

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.

True to Jackson, I was immediately hit with a wall of sound that was both rich and warm as soon as I tried the guitar. The Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 bridge and ’59 SH-1N neck humbuckers produce a precise low-end punch with a vocal rock lead sound that’s perfect for hard rock, metal, blues, or jazz.

This pair of pickups are one of the best you can get for heavy genres, but they also work really well at everything else. Plus, the open-cover look is a nice change compared to most Les Paul copies.

The pair of pickups in this guitar lend themselves to a very versatile sound. With the neck, I was able to get a smooth, creamy lead tone, while the bridge ones can punch a hole through any riff.

What I found truly impressive was the guitar’s ability to retain a unique mid-range character, regardless of the style I was playing. It always cuts through the mix beautifully. But I admit, some may not like this aggressive personality of the guitar.

The contoured cut heel, dome-style knobs, and adjustable Jackson TOM-style bridge make this guitar easy to play and quick to adapt to your needs. You also get two volume knobs and one tone control, but unfortunately, there’s no coil split here.

I found the neck to be whip-thin, with a satin-smooth, hand-rubbed oil finish that allowed my hands to glide fluidly along the bound ebony fingerboard.

The Jackson PRO Monarkh SC isn’t cheap, but it offers a lot for the money. Premium pickups, locking tuners, and an elegant design make it a solid investment for intermediate and advanced players alike. I do wish they’d include a gig bag at this price though.

After putting this thing through its paces, I can confidently say it’s a top performer. One of the best Les Paul-style guitars for metal that I’ve reviewed, and still flexible enough to adapt to other genres. And the eye-catching finishes only add to the overall aggressiveness of this guitar.

If you want a Les Paul-style guitar that can comfortably take on even the heaviest of metal genres, this is the one for you. But don’t dismiss it as a one-trick pony; it’s still got a lot of power up its sleeve for anything you throw at it.

• Seymour Duncan humbucker pairing for rich tones
• High-quality build with an elegant finish
• Versatile for various musical styles
• Excellent playability with a smooth neck
• Plastic nut could be better
• No split coil functionality

Bottom Line : The Jackson PRO Monarkh SC is beautiful, versatile, highly playable, and offers good value for money: it’s one of the best deals around. With its unique combination of classic and modern elements, it’s a standout guitar for anyone looking to upgrade their gear.

Choosing the Best Les Paul Copy (Buying Guide)

Since we are speaking about Les Paul style guitar, we have to say that just about every guitar manufacturer out there, apart from Fender Stratocaster obviously, has or has had a Les Paul copy in their lineup of guitars, this means we won’t be listing all of them, but we will shine spotlight on those whose work and quality warrants a mention. Also, we will also provide information you will need to know when choosing a Les Paul copy.

What Makes a Good Les Paul Copy?

The best Les Paul style guitar is always going to be the Gibson Les Paul, so let’s just get that out of the way. However, in the world of guitar, the word “copy” or “replica” does not necessarily have to spell poor playability and subpar build quality. In fact, you could make a case that some of the guitars we have reviewed on our list are actually better than the original. Let’s take Slash as an example and his iconic sound. Slash has always been known as a Gibson Les Paul player, but what you may not know is that he recorded the legendary Guns N’ Rose LP “Appetite for Destruction” on a guitar that wasn’t a Gibson Les Paul.

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.

So, given the right materials and a capable luthier or manufacturer, you can end up with a Les Paul style guitar that matches the original pretty closely. But, in order to choose a good copy, let’s see what makes the original so coveted:

Les Paul Guitar Body

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.

Of course, Les Paul is also available in solid color finishes, as well. Other cosmetic and functional details, such as the binding around the body or a pickguard also vary from one Les Paul model to the other.

Neck and Headstock

Although Gibson Les Pauls have been issued with slightly different headstocks over the years, they all have one thing in common, and that is three tuning machines on the left side of the headstock and three on the right. This is the opposite of Fender Stratocaster, which has six tuning machines on one side of the headstock. As for the material, Les Pauls are usually made out of mahogany or maple, with the latter being a preferable choice in terms of sound and durability. When it comes to the fretboard, Les Pauls usually feature a rosewood or ebony fretboard, but there are plenty of cheaper models that feature more sustainable tonewoods.

Les Paul guitars have a scale length of 24.75”. This gives the guitar that signature warm tone, just like the 25.5” scale length gives the Strat its characteristic twang. However, there are Les Paul-style guitars, such as most PRS guitars, which don’t necessarily stick with this scale length. Usually, Les Pauls have 22 jumbo frets, but models with 24 medium-jumbo frets are not that uncommon. Finally, we come to fretboard inlays, which are just dots on some models, and more complex block or trapezoid shapes on the more expensive guitars.

The most iconic and common pickup configuration on a Les Paul guitar consists of two humbucker pickups. To control these pickups, you get a three-way selector switch, which enables you to play any combination of the neck/bridge pickup. Also, for each pickup, you get a separate tone and volume knob. Nearly all Les Pauls come with a fixed, Tune-O-Matic style bridge, which enables the player to adjust the individual string saddles, not just when it comes to pitch, but string action as well.

Guitar Brands that Make Les Paul Style Guitars

While there are plenty of nearly anonymous guitar manufacturers that make cheap and poorly built Les Paul copies, here are some reputable companies which produce their own take on the classic Les Paul electric guitar:

Paul Reed Smith guitars are some of the finest instruments you can currently buy for your money, and in many respects, their guitars surpass the original Les Paul. While it would be unfair to treat them as a Les Paul copy, since they have a different scale length and a number of other details which make them unique, we have included them because they offer pretty much everything you would look for in a Les Paul, especially if you were to look at their USA-made lineup of guitars. Of course, those come with an appropriate price tag. For those looking for a more affordable option, PRS has its SE lineup, which is made in Indonesia.

These guitars offer probably the best money/value ratio out there, especially when it comes to Les Paul style guitars. In fact, they pretty much beat any Les Paul copy when it comes to build quality, playability, and looks, and they get dangerously close to some of the cheaper USA-made Gibson Les Paul, such as the Les Paul Studio. In fact, PRS was sued by Gibson over its single cut design. Surprisingly, Gibson lost, and PRS continued to make their single cut guitar, since copyrighting a guitar shape is much harder than you would imagine. You should also pay attention to the PRS McCarty models, which are named after Ted McCarty, who was the president of Gibson during its golden era, and has also helped Paul Reed Smith with his guitars.

Tokai is a Japanese guitar manufacturer that has a long tradition of making high-quality replicas of Gibson and Fender instruments. In fact, in the 1970s, there was a period of time when Gibson was having a hard time keeping its customers, and companies such as Ibanez and Tokai emerged with pretty accurate copies of the Les Paul. Ibanez actually got sued, and Tokai was threatened with a lawsuit, which is why their instruments of this era are also known as “lawsuit guitars”. Ibanez replicas are no longer made, but they are highly coveted among players because of their quality, which is rumored to be superior to that of original Gibsons of the era.

Tokai, on the other hand, still makes their copies of the Les Paul, and according to guitar aficionados, they are actually better than original Les Pauls from that time period. Tokai has a pretty diverse lineup, which means they make anything from cheap, affordable copies to high-end Les Paul replicas which are so good that they’ve inspired their own copies. That’s right, there are copies of a copy, so be careful when looking for a Tokai Les Paul. Another thing you need to pay attention to is the location where Tokai guitars are made. Obviously, the best Tokai Les Paul copies, or “Love Rock” guitars, are made in Japan, and their budget versions are made in Korea, which is also where their knockoffs come from. Tokai Les Paul copies are also named based on their quality: the higher the model number, the better the guitar.

Guild is known for making superb acoustic guitars, so their electric instruments don’t get hyped as much. However, they have made and they still make the Bluesbird, which features a lot of the elements you find on a Gibson Les Paul. Although the original Bluesbirds had a spruce top, modern ones have one made out of maple, just like the Les Paul. What’s interesting about the vintage Guild Bluesbird is that, while it did look like a Les Paul, it sounded a lot different, mainly because of the chambered body and the spruce top. Even with humbucking pickups, these guitars didn’t sound like a good fit for heavier music genres, which is something that Les Paul is synonymous with.

Guild has reintroduced them model in recent years, and since then, it has featured USA-made Seymour Duncan pickups, which are certainly familiar to anyone who has ever played a Les Paul. The necks are made out of mahogany, and the fingerboard is rosewood, which is a very common combo on Gibson Les Pauls. The guitars themselves are made in Asia. Modern Bluesbirds are quality instruments, and their price tag is around one thousand dollars, which pits them against some of the original Les Pauls.

ESP is another guitar manufacturer that needs no introduction, because they are one of the biggest brands on the planet. However, there are plenty of other companies owned by ESP, and the brand itself has branches all over the world, including the US, Japan, China, and Indonesia, with the first two producing high-quality instruments with a more hands-on approach when it comes to guitar building and quality control. One of the brands that makes fantastic Les Paul style guitars under the ESP banner is Edwards. Edwards’ Les Paul Custom guitars are inspired by the 1950s era Gibson Les Pauls, and in terms of quality they are right up there with high-end Tokai Les Pauls. The best models usually cost around a grand, and for that kind of money, they are better than the equivalent Gibson Les Paul.

Collings is a company that is geared toward making boutique acoustic guitars, but their City Limits guitar is quite similar to a Gibson Les Paul. There is the maple top, the single cut, as well as the overall shape. And because it’s a Collings, you can rest assured that each guitar will be made to fit the highest possible standards. However, when you take a closer look at their Les Paul style guitar, you will notice that there is another Les Paul-inspired guitar that the Collings resembles more: it’s the PRS. And it’s a dead heat in terms of quality, attention to detail, and price as well, especially if in comparison to the PRS SC 245.

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.

And there you have it, everything you need to know about what makes a Gibson Les Paul such an iconic guitar, as well as which guitar manufacturers and models are worth a look if you don’t want the original for some reason. We hope that our list of Les Paul style guitars and our buying guide will make your choice just a little bit easier. Good luck!

My name is Chris and I’ve had a passion for music and guitars for as long as I can remember. I started this website with some of my friends who are musicians, music teachers, gear heads, and music enthusiasts so we could provide high-quality guitar and music-related content.

I’ve been playing guitar since I was 13 years old and am an avid collector. Amps, pedals, guitars, bass, drums, microphones, studio, and recording gear, I love it all.

I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. My background is in Electrical Engineering, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University. With my engineering experience, I’ve developed as a designer of guitar amplifiers and effects. A true passion of mine, I’ve designed, built, and repaired a wide range of guitar amps and electronics. Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community.

1 thought on “10 Best Les Paul Style Guitars & Copies in 2024 (All Price Ranges)”

I’d have to agree that ESP/LTDs are some of them best LP style guitars on the market. Love mine and honestly, the PRS are beautiful but I cant for the life of me wrap my head around the price of the USA core models. I personally love the LTD over a SE line PRS.

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Build Your Dream

Showing 1–12 of 22 results

Custom Buckethead Signature Alpine White LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Jimmy Page Signature Tobacco Burst LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Black Beauty LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Cyan Corvette Fretboard Inlay LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Red Corvette Fretboard Inlay LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Abalone Dragon Inlay Natural Wood LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Abalone Flower Inlay Honey Burst LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Gold Top LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Metallic Blue LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Zakk Wylde Bullseye Vintage Yellow LP Style Electric Guitar

Custom Dark Sunburst Flame Maple Top LP Style Electric Guitar

Inspiration

Orientation.

Right-Handed

Right-Handed $ 0.00

Left-Handed (Not displayed)

Left-Handed (Not displayed) $ 0.00

Scale Length

Not displayed

24.75" (629mm)

24.75" (629mm) $ 0.00

25.5" (648mm)

25.5" (648mm) $ 0.00

27" (686mm)

27" (686mm) $ 0.00

30" (762mm)

30" (762mm) $ 0.00

2-3pcs wood construction.

Paulownia $ 0.00

Basswood $ 10.00

Mahogany $ 20.00

Ashwood $ 30.00

Alder $ 30.00

Body Colors

Red $ 0.00

Orange $ 0.00

Olive Green $ 0.00

Aqua $ 0.00

Cool Blue $ 0.00

Eggplant $ 0.00

Cream $ 0.00

White $ 0.00

Black $ 0.00

Blue $ 0.00

Gold $ 0.00

Transparent Red $ 0.00

Transparent Orange $ 0.00

Transparent Olive Green $ 0.00

Transparent Aqua $ 0.00

Transparent Cool Blue $ 0.00

Transparent Eggplant $ 0.00

Transparent Cream $ 0.00

Transparent White $ 0.00

Transparent Black $ 0.00

Transparent Blue $ 0.00

Transparent Gold $ 0.00

Natural $ 0.00

Top Wood (Veneer)

Flame Maple $ 16.00

AA Grade Flame Maple $ 26.00

Quilted Maple $ 20.00

AA Grade Quilted Maple $ 30.00

Spalted Maple $ 20.00

AA Grade Spalted Maple $ 30.00

None $ 0.00

Black $ 16.00

Dark Blue $ 26.00

Olive Green $ 20.00

Tobacco $ 30.00

Tea $ 20.00

Cherry $ 30.00

Honey $ 30.00

Gloss Finish $ 10.00

Satin Finish $ 0.00

Solid or Hollowbody Construction Body

Solid Body $ 0.00

Hollow Body $ 75.00

Mahogany $ 0.00

Maple $ 0.00

Roasted Maple $ 10.00

Flame Maple $ 84.00

Birdseye Maple $ 84.00

Neck Profile

C Shape $ 0.00

U Shape $ 0.00

D Shape $ 0.00

V Shape $ 0.00

Set Neck $ 0.00

Bolt-On Neck

Bolt-On Neck $ 0.00

Headstock Colors

Rosewood $ 0.00

Roasted Maple $ 0.00

Birdseye Maple $ 0.00

Flame Maple $ 0.00

Ebony $ 40.00

Fretboard Radius

180mm $ 0.00

240mm $ 0.00

350mm $ 0.00

400mm $ 0.00

21 $ 0.00

22 $ 0.00

24 $ 15.00

27 $ 20.00

White Plastic $ 0.00

Black Plastic $ 0.00

Bone $ 0.00

White Dots $ 0.00

Cream Dots $ 0.00

Black Dots $ 0.00

Mother Of Pearl Dots $ 5.00

Abalone Dots $ 5.00

White Trapezoid $ 0.00

Cream Trapezoid $ 0.00

Black Trapezoid $ 0.00

Mother Of Pearl Trapezoid $ 40.00

Abalone Trapezoid $ 40.00

White Block $ 0.00

Cream Block $ 0.00

Black Block $ 0.00

Mother Of Pearl Block $ 40.00

Abalone Block $ 40.00

Imitation Mother Of Pearl $ 16.00

Imitation Abalone $ 16.00

Pearloid $ 7.00

Black Pearloid $ 7.00

Tortoise $ 7.00

Truss Rod Cover

Pearloid $ 2.00

Black Pearloid $ 2.00

Tortoise $ 2.00

Tone and Volume Knobs

Black and Chrome $ 0.00

Cream Plastic $ 0.00

Chrome $ 5.00

Gold $ 10.00

Black (Metallic) $ 10.00

White Speed Dial $ 10.00

Cream Speed Dial $ 10.00

Gold Speed Dial $ 10.00

Black Speed Dial $ 10.00

Rear Cavity Covers

Pickup selector ring, pickup selector tip.

Chrome HH $ 0.00

Chrome HHH $ 0.00

Chrome PP $ 0.00

Gold HH $ 22.00

Gold HHH $ 22.00

Gold PP $ 22.00

Black HH $ 15.00

Black HHH $ 15.00

Black PP $ 15.00

Chrome Standard Tuners $ 0.00

Chrome Locking Tuners $ 0.00

Gold Standard Tuners $ 0.00

Gold Locking Tuners $ 0.00

Black Standard Tuners $ 0.00

Black Locking Tuners $ 0.00

Pickup Configuration

HH $ 0.00

HHH $ 12.00

PP $ 12.00

Gold HH $ 12.00

Black HH $ 0.00

White HH $ 0.00

Cream HH $ 0.00

White P90 $ 0.00

Cream P90 $ 0.00

Black P90 $ 0.00

Gold HHH $ 18.00

Black HHH $ 0.00

White HHH $ 0.00

Cream HHH $ 0.00

Pickup Rings

Headstock text.

If your desired text doesn't fit or you would prefer to discuss first. Please visit our contact page and provide more information.

Label Character Limit

LP Style Custom Electric Guitar

Build Summary

Total price -, description.

• LP-Style electric guitar
• 2-3 piece body (available in both solid, or semi-hollow)
• Generic Tune-O-Matic Bridge
• High Oxidation Resistant White Nickel-Copper Fretwires
• Unbranded generic pickups (Wilkinson pickups available on request)
• Unbranded generic hardware (Wilkinson bridge and Grover Tuners available on request)
• Available as left or right-handed
• 90-day delivery

Related products

335 Style Custom Electric Guitar

TT Style Custom Electric Guitar

LPJ Style Custom Electric Guitar

T Style Custom Electric Guitar

• Guitar Kit Deals 🔥
• Beginner Friendly Kits 🚸
• Blank DIY Kits
• Low Solder Kits
• Stock Guitar Kits
• Custom Shop 📐
• Hollow Body Kits
• Archtop Guitar Kits
• Musical Genres 🎵
• Offset Guitar Kits
• 7 string Kits

on orders over $45*

• Blank Guitar Kits
• Hollow-body kits
• Low Solder kits
• Offset body kits
• P-style kits
• V-style kits
• T-style kits
• S-style kits
• L-style kits
• G-style kits
• F-style kits
• X-style kits
• Start Your DIY Kit Project
• DIY kit Assembly Manuals
• Guitar Finishing 101
• Luthier Tools
• Electric Guitar Wiring
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Customer Reviews
• About Guitar Kit World
• Subscribe on Youtube
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Follow us on Twitter
• Search us on Google

L-style DIY Guitar Kits

Do it yourself L-style guitar kits  are a popular shape for many guitar builders.  Most of our LP-shaped kits are fitted out with two humbuckers allowing for more gain than single-coil guitar kits, making them ideal for rock and heavier music styles.  Build your own  guitar using our DIY guitar kits. Here's how to get started:

• Start Your DIY Guitar Kit Project
• Guitar Kit Assembly Tutorials & Guitar Kit Reviews
• LP-style Guitar Kit Assembly Manual

Contact our support team at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

L3 Junior Solid-Body Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer

Build your own junior solid-body singlecut guitar using this DIY guitar kit with a beautiful Spalted Maple Veneer, mahogany body & bolt-on mapl...

Junior L-style Blank Guitar Kit with Mahogany Body and Rosewood Fretboard

Level up your building skills with our Junior L-style Blank Guitar kit. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Headstock Shape: Blank Headstock...

Lefty L2 Semi-Hollow Kit with Quilted Maple Veneer

Build your own left-handed semi-hollow body guitar using this DIY guitar kit with quilted maple veneer, trapezoid white pearl inlays. Specification...

L4 Doublecut Junior solid Mahogany body Guitar Kit with Rosewood Fretboard

Build your own solid-body double-cut guitar using this DIY guitar kit with a mahogany body & bolt-on mahogany neck with a beautiful rosewood fr...

L4 Doublecut Junior Guitar Kit with Ash Veneer

Solid basswood body LP Junior style double-cut guitar kit with a maple neck and chrome hardware. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Headstoc...

Lefty L-style Guitar Kit with Flame Maple Veneer, Chrome Hardware

Build your own left-handed DIY L-style guitar with flamed maple veneer, chrome finish hardware, and trapezoid pearl white inlays. Specifications H...

L1 Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer, Gold Hardware

Build your own DIY LP-style guitar with two gold finish humbucker pickups, a beautiful spalted maple veneer body top, and abalone inlays on an eng...

L1 Guitar Kit with Flame Maple Veneer, Rosewood Fretboard, Ivory Pickguard

Build your own LP-style solid body guitar using our DIY guitar kit with a mahogany body and neck, flamed maple veneer. Specifications Hand Orient...

L1 Basswood body Guitar Kit with Maple Fretboard

Build your own Basswood LP-style body Guitar with Maple Fretboard using our DIY Guitar kits. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Headstock Sh...

L4 Doublecut Junior Solid Mahogany body Guitar Kit with Ebony Fretboard

Build your own double cut junior solid mahogany body guitar with ebony fretboard using this DIY guitar kit. *This DIY kit comes with pearl white do...

L2 Semi-Hollow Kit Guitar with F Sound Holes, Spalted Maple Veneer

Build your own semi-hollow DIY guitar with a beautiful spalted maple veneer, mahogany body & set-in neck, engineered ebony fretboard, and trap...

Lefty L1 Guitar Kit with Quilted Maple Veneer, Chrome Hardware

Build your own left-handed LP-style guitar with a mahogany body and quilted maple veneer using our DIY Guitar kits. Specifications Hand Orientati...

L1 Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer, Chrome Hardware

Build your own DIY LP-style guitar with two chrome finish humbucker pickups, a beautiful spalted maple veneer body top, and abalone inlays on an e...

L2 Semi-Hollow Guitar Kit with Trapezoid Pearl White Inlays

Build your own semi-hollow LP2 alder body DIY guitar with F-Holes. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Headstock Shape: LP Styled Headstock...

L2 Semi-Hollow Mahogany body Guitar Kit with Ebony Fretboard

Build your own Semi-Hollow Body Mahogany LP-style Guitar Kit with Ebony Fretboard using our DIY Guitar kits.  Specifications Hand Orientation: Rig...

Ash Body L1 Guitar Kit with Maple Veneer & Maple Fretboard

Build your own Ash Body L1 Guitar Kit with Maple Veneer and Maple Fretboard using our DIY Guitar kits. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty He...

L1 Mahogany body Guitar Kit with Flame Maple Veneer

Build your own Mahogany body LP-style guitar with flame maple veneer, and rosewood fretboard using our DIY Guitar kits. Specifications Hand-Orient...

L2 Semi-Hollow Basswood Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer

Build your own basswood semi-hollow body guitar using this DIY LP-style guitar kit with spalted maple veneer, dot abalone Inlays. Specifications ...

Lefty L2 Semi-Hollow Basswood Guitar Kit with Spalted Maple Veneer

Build your own left-handed basswood semi-hollow body guitar using this DIY LP-style guitar kit with spalted maple veneer, dot imitation abalone Inl...

L1 Guitar Kit with Quilted Maple Veneer, Chrome Hardware

Build your own DIY LP-style guitar with two chrome finish humbucker pickups, a beautiful quilted maple veneer body top, and trapezoid pearl white ...

L1 Zebrawood body Guitar Kit with Trapezoid Pearl White Inlays

Build your own DIY LP-style guitar with two black finish humbucker pickups, a beautiful one-piece zebrawood body top, and trapezoid pearl white in...

L1 DIY Mahogany body Guitar Kit with Ebony Fretboard

Build your own Mahogany LP-style body Guitar with Ebony Fretboard using this DIY Guitar Kit. Specifications Hand Orientation: Righty Headstock Sh...

L1 Guitar Kit with Flame Maple Veneer, Ebony Fretboard, Black Pickguard

Do it yourself LP-style guitar kit with flame maple veneer and trapezoid pearl white inlays. Specifications Hand orientation: Righty Headstock Sh...

L1 Guitar Kit with Quilted Maple Veneer, Gold Hardware

Build your own DIY LP-style guitar with two gold finish humbucker pickups, a beautiful quilted maple veneer body top, and trapezoid pearl white in...

• Best selling
• Alphabetically, A-Z
• Alphabetically, Z-A
• Price, low to high
• Price, high to low
• Date, old to new
• Date, new to old

Added to your cart:

AxeKit 🎸 The DIY Guitar Place

LP Style DIY Guitar Kits

The Les Paul (LP) guitar is among the most easily recognized electric guitars. There are many LP style DIY electric guitar kits available in a wide range of configurations. Since most of these kits are a pretty basic design, it leaves open a broad spectrum of possibilities for customization. They will usually require a little more skill and patience than a beginner kit (such as a Tele).

LP style guitars are a single cutaway design. Often the top of the guitar will have a contour to it. The headstock on LP style guitars is angled back from the nut and fretboard, and tuning machines are arranged three on each side.

A Les Paul guitar made by Gibson has a set neck, one that is glued in place. A Les Paul guitar made by Epiphone will usually have a bolt-on neck. Both are legitimately “Les Paul” guitars (Gibson owns Epiphone). In the same way, you will find LP style DIY guitar kits in both set neck and bolt-on neck configurations.

LP style DIY guitar kits generally come with two humbucker style pickups, and a toggle switch selects between the neck pickup (“Treble”), both pickups, or the bridge pickup (“Rhythm”). Some configurations have separate volume and tone controls for each pickup, a total of four, and other configurations have only one volume and one tone control. There are variations in pickups other than just two humbuckers. The beauty of DIY is that you can change things up however you like!

Recommended LP Style DIY Kits

What to look for when buying a lp style diy guitar kit.

Everyone has different preferences on what is important or not when deciding on a LP style DIY guitar kit. Here are some of the most important things to consider in a LP style kit. There are no right or wrong answers here. Know what you want and try to avoid surprises.

Look at the Neck

Is it a set neck or a bolt-on neck? A set neck is glued in place, and you will need one or two clamps to hold it in place while the glue cures. Be sure not to clamp too tight and to protect the guitar surfaces. We recommend Titebond original wood glue. Gluing a set neck is not as difficult as it may seem, just make the proper preparations and take your time. Follow manufacturer’s directions with the glue you choose. A properly glued joint is very strong.

Test fit everything before attaching the neck, whether it is a set neck or a bolt-on neck. You may need to shim the neck to get the proper angle to align it with the pickup and/or bridge routing.

Look at the Bridge Mounting

The standard LP style guitar uses a Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece. In some instances, the bridge and tailpiece are combined. These will require posts to be inserted into the top of the guitar. Will you need to drill the holes for the bridge posts? If so, you will need to measure carefully before drilling. LP guitars have a 24.75 inch scale, but similarly designed guitars may have a different scale. For example, solid-body PRS style guitars with a Tune-o-matic bridge may have a 25 inch scale. Bridge placement is critical.

Even if the holes are pre-drilled, be sure to test fit everything before gluing or bolting the neck and installing the bridge posts. You will notice that that, while the bridge and tailpiece are installed from the top of the guitar, the controls are usually installed from a cutout in the back.

Look at the Body, Neck and Fingerboard Materials

Is the top of the guitar contoured or flat? How will you finish the guitar. Will you stain or dye it? Will you paint it? Consider whether or not you will want a “cap” or veneer that is a single piece of wood, or if you will need to grain-fill the surface in order to get it smooth.

The fingerboard of your LP style DIY kit may be maple or it may be rosewood (or something similar). Consider how you will be finishing the fingerboard.

LP Style DIY Guitar Kit Product Reviews

Here are the reviews of the best LP style DIY electric guitar kits.

Solo LPK-10 Guitar Kit

This is our recommendation for the best set neck LP style guitar. In true Les Paul style, it has a mahogany body and neck. This one has a flamed maple top with a cream binding, ready for a custom dye and clear nitrocellulose lacquer finish. It has a rosewood fingerboard with traditional trapezoid inlays. The headstock is already shaped, so all you need to do here is apply the finish and put it together. Or, you could customize it and make it your own.

It has two humbucker pickups with a three-way toggle switch, two volume and two tone controls. You will need to solder these. The body is pre-drilled for the Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece to match the standard 24.75 inch scale. The set neck has a 22-fret fingerboard.

Solo DIY electric guitar kits are advertised with the frets professionally leveled and dressed, which is very nice. A few builders (perhaps us perfectionists?) have reported that minimal fretwork was required. In truth, any guitar kit you buy will need some fine-tuning to your preferences.

• Traditional LP style woods – mahogany body and neck, flamed maple top.
• Body is pre-drilled for the bridge and tailpiece.
• Headstock is already shaped.
• Electronic components require soldering all connections.

Read more reviews at Solo Guitars or at Amazon .

Solo LPK-1 Guitar Kit

And here is our recommendation for the best bolt-on neck LP style guitar. This one is more like an Epiphone. It also has a true mahogany body and neck, and the bolt-on is a little easier put together. The body is flat rather than arched, so there is less of a challenge there as well. The headstock is already shaped; you can leave it as-is or customize it and make it your own. This is a great beginner kit.

• Traditional LP style woods – flat mahogany body and neck.
• Pre-cut headstock design.
• Good beginner LP style DIY guitar kit.

Read more reviews at Solo Guitars or at Amazon.

Leo Jaymz LP-Hollow Kit

This is our pick for the best semi-hollow body LP DIY kit. It’s also a mahogany body and neck with a maple top. It has a rosewood fingerboard with traditional trapezoid inlays, and a pre-shaped headstock that closely resembles the Gibson mustache.

Get ready for a challenge if you haven’t done one of these yet. The electronic components are partially assembled, and you will need to solder the remaining connections. All of them go in through the f-hole on the top of the guitar. There is no cutout in the back. The finished product is beautiful, but you will need a little patience.

• True semi-hollow construction.
• Component installation may be more challenging than other kits.

Read more reviews at Amazon .

A Few More LP Style Kits

Do You Have a Comment or Suggestion?

Please let us know your experience with building a LP style DIY guitar kit. We’d love to hear what you have to say. Leave a comment below or visit our Contact page .

Les Paul is a trademark of Gibson Brands, Inc.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Musical Instruments
• Electric Guitars

No featured offers available

• Quality Price,
• Reliable delivery option, and
• Seller who offers good customer service

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

LP-Style Electric Guitar With Epip ProBucker Pickups

About this item.

• 【Neck Profile 】Scale: 628mm, Nut width: 43mm,Shape: Modern C, Radius: 400mm
• 【 Epiphone ProBucker Pickups】The les paul electric guitarWith the Epiphone ProBucker Pickup, it can produce a rich and full sound. This guitar with 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3 Way Switch For Epiphone. Cts push pull pot
• 【Perfect Performance】The les paul guitar absolutely play at home on blues, classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, fusion, and much more.
• 【Excellent Material 】The les paul style guitar eatures a comfortable Mahogany body and paint flame maple venner, rosewood fingerboard with white mother of pearl inlay for guitar fingerboard.
• 【Merchant Guarantee】MUSOO Team always focuses on providing the best value to our customers. If you have any questions, We promise to answer your problems within 48 Hrs!

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Product information

Videos for this product.

Click to play video

Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar

Merchant Video

Cts Push Pull Pot

Epi ProBucker Pickup

Product description.

LP-Style Electric Guitar

Batking Brand

Batking is aiming to be innovative in musical instrument development. Batking Team, have got over 10 years experience in this field, always focus on providing the best value to our customers. Reliable quality & 100% responsibility, to manufacture each product, strive to be your choice.

Neck Profile

Scale: 628mm

Nut width: 43mm

Shape: Modern C

Radius: 400mm

• Epiphone ProBucker Pickup
• 2Pcs Mahogany Body With Flame Maple Venner
• 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3 Way Switch For Epiphone
• White Mother of Pearl Inlay For Guitar Fingerboard

Epiphone ProBucker Pickups

The electric guitar with the Epiphone ProBucker Pickup, it can produce a rich and full sound. This guitar with 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3 Way Switch For Epiphone. Cts push pull pot

Flame Maple Venner

The les paul style guitar eatures a comfortable Mahogany body and paint flame maple venner

Compare with similar items

Looking for specific info, customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the value, quality and appearance of the guitar. They mention that the pickups were the biggest selling point, the electronics are first class, the tuners are solid and the detail to quality was very good. They also appreciate the appearance and sound quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the guitar. They mention that it's made of quality materials, the electronics are first class, and the pickups sound great. They appreciate the meticulous paint job and the vintage tuners.

"...The detail to quality was very good . Again see all the pictures I included. Also note the weight of the bridge it is ligit." Read more

"...The electronics are first class and the pickups sound great. I still need to polish the frets and oil the dry fret board then put new strings...." Read more

"Absolutely gorgeous guitar- comes with epiphone pickups too- excellent craftsmanship ...." Read more

"This guitar is an absolute score! It's beautiful, and the vintage tuners are great . The fret ends are very nice...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the guitar. They mention that it sounds great, and the neck, frets, and intonation are exceptional.

"...Probucker Zebra pickups with coil taps on the vollume knobs and sounds great ! The other surprises were the frets are level...." Read more

"...The electronics are first class and the pickups sound great . I still need to polish the frets and oil the dry fret board then put new strings...." Read more

"...The pickups sound great , and you get a lot of versatility with the push/pull pots...." Read more

"...They work great. The neck, frets and intonation are exceptional . The intonation on the high E needs a tiny adjustment...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the guitar. They mention that it looks beautiful, has nice fret ends, and has a clever headstock shape. They also appreciate the clean and meticulous paint job.

"...On top of that the flame maple top is beautiful , the body is, beleive it or not, a one piece..." Read more

" Absolutely gorgeous guitar- comes with epiphone pickups too- excellent craftsmanship...." Read more

"This guitar is an absolute score! It's beautiful , and the vintage tuners are great. The fret ends are very nice...." Read more

"...frets, clean and meticulous paint job, super good tuners... clever headstock shape All quality materials and Epi zebra probucker pickups...." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the guitar. They say it's fantastic for the price and the pickups are the biggest selling point.

"...This on the other hand is amazing for the price . It looks beautiful...." Read more

"...The pickups were the biggest selling point for me. Two other nice touches were the vintage tuners and the pointer knobs...." Read more

" Worth every penny !!..." Read more

"This guitar is the best value for the money I've seen...." Read more

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Start Selling with Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices