If you're Jones'in for a Les Paul, save yourself a lot of grief and get a Heritage. Any guitar tech I've talked to, who has been in business for more than five years, swears at Gibson for the way they have abandoned any pretense of quality control. Don't waste your money on an empty reputation! Some Gibsons are are truly beautiful, wonderful examples of the guitar=maker's art. A lot of them are frightening demonstrations of what happens when a company is run by people who do not care. The people at Heritage are trying to carry on the traditions that Gibson has turned away from.

My own preference runs toward mid-80's Yamaha SBG 1000's. I have two of them. And a Yamaha bass. I also like Washburn guitars. I have three of them!

Something else: a lot of the stuff on your favourite disks was recorded with gear that you will not see on stage. For show, you may find that 'The Beast' is just what you need... but you may find that a stripped-down Telecaster works better for you in the studio!

If you can only buy one guitar, choose it carefully. Keep your mind and your ears open... and shut your eyes, while you try out every axe you can get your hands on.

I've been playin' for some 34 years now, and I've learned a thing or two... like the fact that I still have some learnin' to do. My 2 cents.