epiphone is good I also own a LP Special II and For my first ax I wouldn't have it any other way but there are alternatives like Agile guitars. www.rondomusic.com they are priced as good as Epis but come constructed like a Gibson (mahogany body. mahogany set neck) With some upgrades to the hardware ie pickups, tuners, switches and pots these would probably hang with a Gibson. Epiphone is good though. Just thought you might want to weigh all options.