Best Gibson Les Paul Alternatives: Top 5 Premium Single-Cut Electric Guitars
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Our list of the 5 best premium alternatives to the Gibson Les Paul · Source: PRS/gearnews.com
Love it or loathe it, no other electric guitar has generated mystery and controversy the way the Gibson Les Paul has. Introduced in 1952, the original models can easily fetch upwards of five figures on today’s vintage market. But sixty years down the line, what are your options if you are searching for quality Les Paul alternatives?
The Les Paul Single Cut Guitar
What defines a Les Paul guitar? Is it any Gibson guitar with the Les Paul model name? Must it have a single-cut shape? Does it have a mahogany body with a maple top, or a pancake body, or a chambered body? Is the neck made out of one piece mahogany or three-piece maple? Does it have a Brazilian rosewood neck and aniline dye?
Gibson has made Les Paul models in all these guises over its long history. If it’s the famous ‘Bursts manufactured between 1958-1960 that you’re after, well, even Gibson hasn’t seemed to master that recipe yet. Nowadays, these original ‘Bursts regularly bring astronomic prices on the vintage market.
What makes a true Les Paul?
Some people will argue that for a guitar to be a true Les Paul, it must come out of a Gibson factory (which particular factory is sometimes also up for debate) and feature the Les Paul logo, regardless of materials, methods, or even shape. Anything else should be considered a counterfeit. And they would be correct. In fact, Gibson will probably be the first to let you know that anything even remotely in the vicinity of the Les Paul shape, is fake and illegal.
Others will argue that a Les Paul is actually the original ‘Bursts made prior to 1960, and any guitar made identical to those specs. Even Gibson has been trying to replicate those early Les Paul models, and will now charge you a premium for its most accurate replicas. But some purists are vehement that Gibson’s own replicas, which Gibson goes as far as to call clones, are unfaithful to the original, differing in some details. These people also have a point.
Chasing the dragon: Les Paul alternatives
Today, there are many, many Les Paul alternatives, covering all price ranges, and these guitars will certainly get you the Les Paul sound. But if you’re willing (or eager) to look beyond Gibson’s current offerings on the single-cut market and go down the rabbit hole, there are some fantastic models out there to tempt you.
Here are 5 premium Les Paul-style guitars, from interpretations to downright clones of those original ‘Bursts. None of these instruments are affordable Les Paul alternatives, so expect to pay custom shop (or higher) prices for these. Let’s dive in!
Paul Reed Smith McCarty SC 594
Of course there’s a Paul Reed Smith model on this list. The company was taken to court by Gibson over its single-cut shape. Gibson lost, and PRS went right back to making the model. In fact, the company decided to make models even more similar to the Les Paul.
The relatively recent McCarty 594 models are named after Ted McCarty, the president of Gibson during its golden years and the man responsible for many design aspects of some of the company’s most iconic instruments. The control layout will be very familiar to Les Paul players. And the 594 part of the model name is derived from its 24.594” scale length, which Paul claims is what the original ‘Bursts had, not the 24 ¾” that is more widely accepted for Les Pauls. This claim has been verified by several other sources as well. I’m not sure exactly how much noticeable difference this makes, but it’s a cool little piece of trivia.
The McCarty 594 comes in both double- and single-cut models, and since 2020 is available in PRS’ proprietary nitro over cellulose finish. It has the standard Les Paul recipe of mahogany body and neck, with maple cap and rosewood fingerboard (although for an additional cost, PRS will let you choose any woods you want). The models also feature PRS’ in-house 58/15 LT TCI pickups, and some cool hybrid hardware. Like many other guitar builders, PRS doesn’t believe in fret-edge binding, a hallmark of high-end Gibson guitars.
PRS McCarty Singlecut 594 · Source: prsguitars.com
Tokai
Tokai has been manufacturing instruments in Japan for a long time, but the company became well-known for its copies of American brands in the ‘70s. While Gibson and Fender were struggling to keep players happy, companies like Tokai from Japan swooped in to offer high quality alternatives at lower prices. This eventually led to what are now referred to as lawsuit-era guitars. But the story doesn’t end there. Tokai still makes high quality replicas, and is still able to offer guitars that are constructed closer to those original ‘Bursts than Gibson. The company offers everything from budget copies, to high-end replicas, complete with Honduras mahogany, Brazilian rosewood, and nitro finishes. Like the Tokai LS370 FVF.
Tokai LS370 FVF with Honduras Mahogany and Brazilian Rosewood · Source: Faber
Schwarz St. Helens Summit
Gerhard Schwarz is a luthier from Bavaria, who makes guitars based on classic designs. That is by no means all he’s confined to, as he also has some original models of his own. The St. Helens Summit is not really a clone, and has a few differences, such as the scale length being 24¾” instead of 24.594”. But if that matters to you, you can give Gerhard a call and he’ll be happy to do you a custom order. Of course, you get all the high-end stuff, including Brazilian rosewood and period correct dyes and glues.
Schwarz Custom St Helens Summit · Source: Schwarz Custom
Gil Yaron
If you’re an A-list celebrity, or a bonafide rock star, then you probably want a Gil Yaron. It seems he has since shifted to a slightly more “inspired-by” design recently, than the full-on Burst replica for which he has become renowned. His Les Paul models are as close as you can get to the ‘Bursts of the ‘50s, and can cost 5 figures.
Each detail is meticulously recreated, from the nylon nut to the celluloid inlays, using the same materials Gibson was using way back when. The only way to tell them apart from the real deal is by the cleverly disguised headstock logo that looks strikingly familiar to a very famous one. But it comes with a hefty price tag, one that would put many Custom Shop Gibson Les Pauls, and even some vintage ones, to shame. His Bone model will also get you the same vibe.
Gil Yaron 1959 Les Paul Replica · Source: Dream Guitars
Bartlett Retrospec
Canadian luthier Tom Bartlett has a few Les Paul replicas floating around on the used market. Bartlett Guitars’ website has a very Les Paul-inspired looking Retrospec model, but no real replicas. However, upon closer inspection, the Retrospec model reveals itself as a ‘Burst replica in hiding. If the construction methods and woods used are important to you, but you feel uncomfortable having a Les Paul shaped guitar that wasn’t manufactured by Gibson, this would be a good alternative. Otherwise, if you want a guitar that looks identical to the one musicians were rocking in the ’60s, Bartlett’s replicas do sometimes show up on the used market, but expect to pay top dollar.
Bartlett Retrospec in Sunburst · Source: Bartlett Guitars
Have we left out your favourite premium LP-style guitar? Let us know in the comments section below!
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38 responses to “Best Gibson Les Paul Alternatives: Top 5 Premium Single-Cut Electric Guitars”
Navigator 680 N LP
Have you ever heard or saw a 1952 Las Paul with no serial numbers? I know of one. The man bought it from Gibson through a newspaper ad for $250.00.
How about theUS made Chris Mitchel Ashlee.
I have an early serial number ashlee that weighs 11.2 lbs.
This is the best and beefiest LP copy Ive seen thats not a replica of a 59.
A real value in the SC maro
Zemaitis makes a damn fine single cutaway. I picked one up a few weeks back.
It’s hard to believe the Collings City Limits isn’t on the list.
I agree, it is hard to believe.
Collings has so vastly improved the ergonomics of the Les Paul, it’s hard for me to consider it a clone, having both it and Gibson in my collection.
I would have thought The Heritage single cuts would have been a no brainer
What about Heritage Guitar’s version? Or Eastman guitar’s version?
I was going to mention the Eastman SB59/v as well. I’ve only played one a couple of times but god they’re incredible! Custom Shop quality for less than half the price (in New Zealand at least)!
I recently bought a new Eastman SB59/v and it’s every bit as nice as my Gibson Standards and maybe even pushing Custom Shop level. Absolutely a fantastic guitar.
No Heritage Guitars means no credibility. Heritage is, after all, the original Gibson factory, and their products are superior to Gibson, while being cheaper…
Surprising Heritage didn’t make this list. Totally agree with your comment
Why not mention Heritage?
ESP Eclipse
Bought my first Les Paul in 1975 , have owned a couple others including an early 80’s Tokai Love Rock. Just purchased an ESP Eclipse… been semi-pro guitarist for 35 years
Greco super real 1200.
How the he’ll do you write an article like this without making reference to Knaggs?
LTD, Vintage… These are good alternatives.
Singlecut produce pure wood resonance and music soul.
Knaggs anyone?
I have a Japanese Bacchus BLS-59 , 2004, lefty(!) that is a truly amazing Les Paul copy. Handmade to original specs with quality materials. Plus with the value of an original Gibson 1959 lefty Les Paul this is one I can afford. @$1000.
I’m a cursed lefty guitar player as well and our options are almost criminal! $$$ for a gibson hurts the wallet. I’ve pursued that pain twice and ordering a tuxedo in the works. So i would like to see more info on the 1k guitar you speak of.
Like you, I’m also a lefty and realized my options were limited. But I recently purchased a beautiful Les Paul ‘copy’ from All in One guitars in California. It’s Wolf WLP 750T. An amazing budget guitar @ $499 w/ Gator case. Check out Guitar Max’s review:
https://youtu.be/jlAVwW2UUuE
What about Maybach? . They made really nice guitars and not expensive…
For a high end Les Paul, check out Finnish luthier Juha Ruokangas and his take on the model: https://ruokangas.com/models/unicorn/
My Burny Sykes Custom knock off is Fujigen Gaki built and killer.
Prestige Heritage Classic, solid mid priced high quality Canadian made rock monster
Prestige guitars are amazing. Every bit as good as a Gibson at a fraction of the price.
The Carvin SH550B, one very playable very versatile guitar, outstanding customer service and very customizable (design your own)
I got the esp ltd ec256fm instead of the epiphone les paul. I love it!
I guess some AES Yamaha’s guitars has proved great value back in 2000’s…
Nik Huber…Peter Eggle…Roukugas…
No mention of Heritge?
Nik Huber Orca ’59 is absolutely the finest LP style guitar I’ve played. Priced higher than current Gibson CS reissues though. Gustavsson Bluesmaster, Ruokangas Unicorn, Rock n Roll Relics Heartbreaker, Knaggs SSC – all extremely cool stuff
Brian Monty Bluesmaster. I owned back in the day a 57 3 pickup LP Custom.
The Monty is the first guitar to make me not miss my old baby.
I recently acquired a RIGGIO LP Standard hand guilt by luthier and guitar mfg Riggio Guitars=Tacoma Washington…Its a replica 59 burst spec’d hand wound custom pick ups by Riggio Guitars as well…It weighs in at a little over 8 lbs…Is an absolute beast of a guitar that plays itself. Having played Max’s; Gil’s; this RIGGIO 59 LP replica is as good if not better than the ones I had a chance to play-Which, were really nice as well. The tone on it is just incredible with these Riggio custom wound pick ups-not sure what he does to them, but even through my little practice amp, it just sounds terrific-the tone that is…not my playing! But, getting better…Anyway…Great comments and wanted to mention the one boutique one I have/RIGGIO- If interested, try one out…you will not be disappointed!
Thank you for posting…
What about Burny. ? Great guitars. Or Trevor Wilkinson Vintage guitars. Both great guitars. I own a standard and studio Gibbo. I play Vintage guitars there up there with a studio all day long. Imho
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