SET-NECK CLASSICS

A collection of bona fide rockers that won’t break the bank

EPIPHONE LES PAUL STANDARD ’50S £549

Available in a choice of three finishes including Vintage Sunburst, Heritage Cherry Sunburst and Metallic Gold, this impressive recreation from the new Inspired by Gibson Collection features a mahogany neck and a mahogany body with a maple cap (AAA grade veneer on figured tops). A pair of vintage-voiced Alnico II ProBucker humbuckers deliver PAF-like tones at a steal. SKINTED: Epiphone Les Paul Studio, £399 MINTED: Gibson USA Les Paul Tribute, £1,099

GIBSON LES PAUL SPECIAL TRIBUTE £899

US-made and available in a choice of four satin nitrocellulose lacquer finishes – including Vintage Cherry, Ebony, Worn White and Natural Walnut – this ageless single-cutaway design features the simple yet stylish Les Paul Special appointments of mahogany body and neck, rosewood fretboard with dot inlays, wraparound bridge and a pair of black soapbar P-90s. SKINTED: Epiphone Les Paul Special, £349 MINTED: Gibson USA Les Paul Special, £1,449

VINTAGE V100PBB £449

The Vintage V100PBB offers a taste of the real thing while holding its own in the bargain basement. The guitar’s single-cutaway solidbody electric is put together in traditional fashion using a mahogany neck and mahogany body with a carved maple top. Dual Wilkinson W90 SK single-coil soapbars provide a broad range of tones here from mellow jazz to searing leads. SKINTED: Vintage V132, £349 MINTED: Vintage V100MU Midge Ure Signature, £529

EPIPHONE SG STANDARD ’61 MAESTRO VIBROLA £489

Another gem from Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Collection, this mahogany body double-cutaway has a SlimTaper profile mahogany neck and a 304.8mm (12-inch) radius Indian laurel fretboard with trapezoid inlays. Hardware and electronics include a Maestro Vibrola tailpiece with LockTone ABR tune-o-matic bridge, Epiphone Deluxe Vintage tuners, dual ProBucker humbuckers and CTS pots. SKINTED: Epiphone SG-Special VE, £159 MINTED: Epiphone SG Custom, £549

GUILD ARISTOCRAT P-90 £799

A lightweight alternative to heavier solidbodies, this dual Guild Franz P-90 soapbar-loaded single-cutaway features a chambered mahogany body with a bound carved top. Oozing style, this new model from Guild’s incredible Newark St Collection boasts gold hardware throughout, including a harp tailpiece with a tune-o-matic bridge and vintage-style open gear tuners. SKINTED: Guild T-Bird ST P-90, £799 MINTED: Guild M-75 Aristocrat, £929

PRS SE STARLA STOPTAIL £599

The SE Starla Stoptail features a classic tune-o-matic bridge/stud tailpiece combo and comes in two finishes: Metallic Green and Antique White. With a mahogany body, Wide Fat-profile mahogany neck with a 22-fret rosewood fretboard, and splittable PRS-designed DS-02 treble and bass humbucking pickups, this retro-inspired single-cutaway setneck solidbody punches well above its weight in price. SKINTED: PRS SE 245 Standard, £475 MINTED: PRS SE Hollowbody II, £999