Like I mentioned in the main thread, I got the green light from my family to pick out a guitar for my birthday. I'm starting to get a little bit overwhelmed, so instead of clogging up the main thread with my bullshit, I will do it here.
Since this is something I'll want to keep forever, I don't want to fuck it up. I've narrowed it down to a Les Paul, or maybe an SG with humbuggies (particularly in Silverburst).
I can't justify the cost of a 'real' LP Custom, but there are tons of Japanese copies out there. Primarily I have been looking at Edwards and Orville, but have seen several Japanese Epiphones pop up that were made in the Fujigen factory and have the 'correct' headstock.
As far as the Edwards, there are some that are 'all laquer' and some that just the top is (I'm assuming the rest is poly?). Should that really be a consideration?
I've seen quite a few complaints about weak/otherwise shitty pickups in the Orvilles, Tokais, Burnys, etc - anyone care to chime in on that?
Any experience with Japanese Epis?
Anything obvious that I'm overlooking?