Well to be honest, I really love my Les Paul...I have a Deluxe 1975....everything on it was removed before I bought it...(other wise how would I be able to afford it?) but it still has its stamp inside the pick up cavity 1975...I forgot what month...I need to open it again so I can celebrate its birthday with it...I think its January.If there is any other guitar I really like it would have been my 1974 Tele thin line...I sold that one but re built one of my own with the help of the maestro Jack fixer and its almost as good...all other guitars I just like I could give or take but those two are the only ones that for me make a difference...I really love Fender Champ tube amps but I also sold mine a long time ago I currently play a Line 6 red face spider with two tens...it works for me...its what I like...you choose your own...and about the Les Paul..its almost a rite of passage ...if you really love music...then you can...over time afford to save up and buy the best and take good care of it....just my thoughts