What i'm trying to say nicely is the Epiphone Les Paul Standard (400ish), is the first guitar in the lineup that is even worth buying, and that will last any longer than a few months. The special is cheaper, but once you get that low in their line, you no longer have very much quality.
You can find a used epiphone les paul standard for the price of a new special. I'd HIGHLY recommend going that route

hmmmmmm... ill check online for a used one

whooaaa the standard is too much $$ for me =X

i think right now the special is looking like the best option.. even if it lasts a year and a half, thats enough time for me to practice and maybe I can get a better one at that point

This post was edited by BB_MelloYello on Jul 16 2009 02:54pm

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/agile/al-2500/index.html

Agile Reviews

Yeah, one of my buddies has one and I just played it. It's not as bad as I remembered

Please don't get a les paul specia, you will regret it highly. Look at the LTD ESP EC-50, EX-50 etc or like the ESP LTD EC-100QM Electric Guitar... they are solid as a rock and are great guitars for the value, as one of my backups I currently own the ESP LTD EC-100QM and its a beast for the price, and the are actually worth customizing later on for the most part.

or check out this listing http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?N=100001+9&Ntk=All&Ntt=ltd+esp&Nty=1 shows quite a few guitars I would vouch in your price range........... as an amp go with like a roland cube, or if you are wanting a tube amp check out the epiphone valve juniors

This post was edited by MyExitEmergency on Jul 17 2009 11:58am

hmm.. the guitar store i was gonna get my les paul special also has the ESP EC-50.. its $280 though, 50 bucks more than the special.

they also have a ESP M-50 for $240, just 10 bucks more

amp-wise.. they have

Roland cube RX and Roland Cube Street, but the prices arent listed

and they have a Line 6 Spider III 15W for $130, which is kinda the most i want to pay for an amp

ESPs are to be considered as they are FABULOUS guitars.
And amp-wise, do NOT get a Spider III, you will regret it.

consider ordering online, as you can see musiciansfriend.com is cheaper and they deliver to candada

yeah but i have to pay customs.. thats at least another $50

+ shipping as well..

This post was edited by BB_MelloYello on Jul 17 2009 12:36pm

esp for 280 is a great guitar.prob better than the special.

they also make cheap marshall amps for like 130 i think which is prob better than that line 6 shit.