I have an Epiphone Les Paul Standard... The price tag was right on and the Fat tone and killer sustain is why I have it. Of course, there is some prestige in having a Paul also. I think the Fender Srat is more of an all around usable guitar and you dont wind up with shoulder arthritis at 30 yrs old. Differnt ax for different sound and feel. Dont get one just because. Go play them and play some of the others, see what sound you want and playability. The price will go up with quality, neck speed, ease of fingering, etc. Oh yeah, Ace Frehley made it cool to play a Les Paul.

Tim