Hmm... you no am gona disagree with that! The Gibson is embedded in rock history because of its tone not its image! Think of all the classic songs n riff penned with the les paul.
If you compare it to the copies like epiphone it kicks there ass's!
I no there are excellent cheap guitars out there, but if you can afford a Gibson you shouldnt be condemned. And I really dont see how people think they are so expensive... you can get one second hand for around $850, compare that to the price of a car... or a washining machine!