Author's pick: Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain Top Electric Guitar

This guitar is ready to go as soon as you unpack it.  It plays and sounds much like a Gibson, but it's cheaper and better for beginners/intermediate players who want good sound for an affordable price.  It won't give you quite the same quality as a Gibson, but comes pretty close.

It's got a thick, warm tone on clean channels and looks fantastic, even if it isn't as detailed as a Gibson.  The ebony model is very clean and pretty.

Bottom line:

If you want a cheaper alternative to a $3000 Gibson but don't want to sacrifice sound, durability, and quality, this is your best option, hands down.