off-brand LP-style guitars with good build quailty?

[JimmyDoomsday]

looking to see if any of you guys know of any obscure brands to check out that make a quality les paul style guitar for around $300 used. i'm thinking possibly japanese/korean (i've seen aria, lotus, hondo, lincoln brand lp's that look pretty nice), but anything anyone can recommend would certainly be appreciated. additionally, any brands to steer clear of would be appreciated as well! please avoid the obvious (epiphone, ltd, etc). thanks!

 

[iplayloudly]

Agile

 

[kissmyace]

Agile

http://rondomusic.com/

 

[headlessdeadguy]

Agile

Mine kicks ass! My buddy sold his Gibson Traditional and is borrowing my Agile and absolutely loves it!

 

[ProgFree]

I I bought a Jack and Danny (j&d) ls 500 that comes with Seymour Duncan's for 300€. I think it is a special edition for musicstore. I bought it out of curiosity and it turned out to be a very nice guitar.

 

[chunktone]

I have not tried these, but have heard nothing but good things.

http://ravguitar.stores.yahoo.net/elguit.html

 

[rlord1974]

A used Orville.

 

[The Hoff]

Agile

/thread

 

[billm408]

Vintage. Based in the UK, but even with shipping it was less than $400.
My Lemon Drop Greenie is below.
http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html

I've seen a few Chinese knock-offs online too, but can't remember the site.

 

[5150clone]

A buddy of mine has 5 of them. He replaces the nut and the pickups. Great guitar for the price.

 

[5150clone]

Agile that is

 

[garey77]

Find an old lawsuit era Ibanez.

 

[rlord1974]

Find an old lawsuit era Ibanez.

Yep, that would work too. Or, probably even cheaper would be one of the post-lawsuit 'PF' line models. I had a PF200 years ago that was a smoking guitar for the money!

Here's a PF200.....

 

[232cap]

Edwards LP are great, Made in Japan by ESP. You can find them on Ebay. "EDIT" I missed the 300 dollar part so that leaves Edwards out for sure.

 

[dwizted]

Agile makes a nice les paul copy so does Tradition they are very nice as well and super cheap but plays like a nice gibson after you set it up to your tastes. I have a super nice manito les paul but they are hard to find these days.

 

[Mudder]

I think you'll have a tough time finding an Orville, Edwards, or Ibanez for $300. Those Agile are great and upgradeable. If you're not hung up on if it's a set or bolt on neck take a look at Electra, Univox, or that era Matsumoku LPs. I had an Electra with bolt on neck and it was a real lively guitar.

 

[gbsmusic]

A used Orville.

 

[Chris6870]

If your talking $300 Epiphones are not bad at all.

 

[Ventura]

If your talking $300 Epiphones are not bad at all.

Agreed.

Outside of this, I've only ever heard good things about Agile. And as for the Vintage, the wood's there, but the level of finish and feel is highly inconsistent. I don't care about "finishing" so much as hey, it's $300 - but playability is critical in any guitar no matter what price.

 

[JimmyDoomsday]

thanks for all the input fellas!

diggin the agile al series. probably gonna go with the 3110 for the mop inlays and upgraded bridge.