Encore E99CSB E99 Electric Guitar - Cherry Sunburst

Product Information

Our reason for crowing about the VG1 is not just because it looks so cool (although that is a factor in the entry-level sector). No, we’re dishing out the accolade for the simple reason that when you strap on this beast, it doesn’t feel like a compromise. Verdict Most guitar manufacturers have had a go at designing guitars aimed at female players. To be honest, most of them are nothing more than regular guitars sprayed pink or covered in glitter. There is an element of that with this Squier, but by aligning itself with a hugely successful character like the cute little Kitty, Fender has produced probably the least patronising guitar for young girls - and boys in touch with their feminine side, of course. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.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. 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:

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. Ease of Use British brand Encore already rules the entry-level, but it raised its game with the Blaster Series, commissioning designer Trev Wilkinson to upgrade the spec, but not charging you for his time. But if you want to, you could push it to distortion and play some heavy stuff too. It definitely is versatile and adaptable.The inclusion of the two-point vibrato ensures that you can wham away without fear of drifting into coarse tuning problems. Verdict 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. For most of us, the affordable Epiphone range of guitars is the only way to get hold of iconic designs from Gibson such as the Les Paul Standard, Firebird, Explorer and Flying V. You already knew that? Hey, we’re just making sure…

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. 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.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. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong has a Gibson signature model based on ‘Floyd’, his 1956 Les Paul Junior. Original ’50s LP Juniors like Billie’s cost a bloody fortune, but don’t despair. Our little Epiphone job is on the right side of 200 quid.