Yeah, Les Pauls are waaaaay overpriced. Players are saying that the quality has improved a bunch through the 90s.

I have a "The Heritage"-brand Les Paul (H-150 Special) that's a super-sweet alternative to a Gibson LP, and costs about a third of a Gibby. They're made by some of theold Gibby luthiers from the 50s, in the old Gibby Kalamazoo plant, with the same 50s-70s machines.

If you like Fender, try G&L. Oh man, are those nice! It's like having a Custom Shop Fender for an off-the-rack price! I've had 4 of those and stupidly traded them. Their resale value is horrible--bad if you are selling/trading, but EXCELLENT if you are buying. You can get them for next-to-nothing used.

Personally, I don't se how ANY hunk of wood and a buncha wire can cost more than a coupla hundred bucks!!:lol