Beepster
 
Yup, that's very similar to the first electric guit I actually owned (my mumzie bought it for me) except it was a "SAGAII" and I've been having a balls up of a time finding much info on them but it was $500 in about 1990 dollars. It was a great guit but useless for high gain at high volumes (squealed like a pig) but man did I love that thing. I foolishly pawned it in my early 20's AND FORGOT I HAD (because I was playing bass at the time and was an idiot). I even took a lesser amount on the pawn because I wanted to be able to get it back more easily. Once I realized what I had done over a year later (after the pawn term was expired and it was lost forever) I was crushed. So stupid because it would have only been about $70 to get it back.
 

My first guitar was a Saga-II as well, a Gibson SG copy.  I remember it being surprisingly good.  I think I sold it to help pay for my first Telecaster.
I've looked around for Sata-II lately, but can't find anything about them online.  I've got the urge to buy a cheap "copy" guitar and Frankenstein it with high-end parts, I just can't decide on the base model.  Wouldn't be this "Les Paul" though, it's hideous!

seems like Gibson is coming down with price on some models,  2017 Gibson LP for 779 usd incl gigbag.
vary noise
https://www.musicstore.de...rst/art-GIT0039708-000

Slugbaby
My first guitar was a Saga-II as well, a Gibson SG copy.  I remember it being surprisingly good.  I think I sold it to help pay for my first Telecaster.
I've looked around for Sata-II lately, but can't find anything about them online.  I've got the urge to buy a cheap "copy" guitar and Frankenstein it with high-end parts, I just can't decide on the base model.  Wouldn't be this "Les Paul" though, it's hideous!

Hey, Matt. How's trix?
 
I'm now wondering if maybe they were a small Canadian company (that didn't operate long). That would explain the dearth of info online.

Sheanes
seems like Gibson is coming down with price on some models,  2017 Gibson LP for 779 usd incl gigbag.
vary noise
https://www.musicstore.de...rst/art-GIT0039708-000

These are actually pretty descent workingman's LP's.  I wish they would sand the back of the necks a little smoother.  I am also not that trilled about the 490T bridge PU, but I don't mind a 490R in the neck.  
 
I am wondering if Gibson has put the circuit board in this one for electronics?  I didn't realize my 2014 had the circuit board, until I was about to swap pick ups.  I ended up having to find a Classic 57 plus with the quick connect installed because I didn't want to rip out all of the electronics and replace them, to go with a solder install.

Beepster

michaelhanson

Beepster
Squiers and Epi's are absolutely the better value by far... at least for the working guitarist.
 
For collectors? Not so much... but I ain't a collector.

I bought this Epi for my 50th.  Later grabbed a Gibson 490R PU off eBay and had a Gibson bridge PU, Classic 57 plus from another guitar, that I installed into the Epi.  This guitar competes tone-wise with my Gibson LP and in some ways, actually sounds better, if you are looking for that semi-hollow tone. 
 

Howdy, Mike.
 
Yup, that's very similar to the first electric guit I actually owned (my mumzie bought it for me) except it was a "SAGAII" and I've been having a balls up of a time finding much info on them but it was $500 in about 1990 dollars. It was a great guit but useless for high gain at high volumes (squealed like a pig) but man did I love that thing. I foolishly pawned it in my early 20's AND FORGOT I HAD (because I was playing bass at the time and was an idiot). I even took a lesser amount on the pawn because I wanted to be able to get it back more easily. Once I realized what I had done over a year later (after the pawn term was expired and it was lost forever) I was crushed. So stupid because it would have only been about $70 to get it back.
 
Anyhoo... the "Lucille" of course isn't a proper hollowbody like that but has the multi switch which would be a trade off. Ideally I would have another "Dot" like that as well to replace my old SAGAII on top of the Lucille but if wishes were dishes then my life would resemble a Greek wedding (what with all the smashiness).
 
I think we've had this convo before though so hopefully that wasn't too boring. Hope you've been well and didn't get mucked up in this hurricane business of late.
 
Cheers!
 
 

I don't recall if we talked about this in the past, Beeps.  I like guitar discussions, though, so you will definitely not bore me with one.  I know I have posted the photo in the past and talked about mine as well.  I have had several LP Studios, which are very good working man's Paul's as well.  At one point, I kept this Epi 335 over one of my Studio's, because quite frankly, it was just a better playing and sounding Gibson.  
 
My point has always been that Epi's can be REALLY good.  Where they usually lack, is in the PU's and electronics.  Through in real Gibson replacement parts and they can get awfully close to the real thing.  
 
 

Agreed. Well mostly. I found that Epi's started becoming hit or miss past the 90's/early aughts when they started producing the really low end models. You know the ones that were $300 or less like that horrendous "Goth" SG I was whinging about earlier but some folks like them... (I think Rain has one but I seriously doubt it's the same model I had).
 
That said, by the sounds of things, the newer crop of $300-500 epi's are much better and those craptastic ones are generally the $150 ones that come in the "starter packs" and the like.
 
The guit in the OP strikes me as though it would fall into that category.
 
Still though for a kid getting started that's more than acceptable. Good X-Mas/B-day prezzy from the cool uncle/grandpa or whatever then if they actually stick with it more dough can be shelled out later when they've learned a bit more about how to respect/maintain the instrument.
 
Cheers.

Ham N Egz
Ironic, back in the 70-80s weren't there some famous Les Paul copies  from Japan (one that even invoked a lawsuit)
that were supposed to play pretty well and now are collectors items?
 
Thos of you who might  had/have one or know about it, were they good wood and hardware?

I had a CMI LP copy in my teens (70s), kind of a Special with two P90-style pickups and a wrap-around tailpiece/bridge. Still have it, isn't too bad a guitar actually once I'd filed the "lightning bolt" ridge off the bridge that was supposed to help intonation but mostly broke strings. Pickups are pretty low output, but have the right kind of feel to them. Was one of the more expensive Japanese copies of the time I think.

The most famous copies were made by Hondo, who I think Gibson ended up suing. Saw Johnny Winter playing one in he early 90s so I guess he must have liked it. Mind you, that was when he was far from well and really out of it.

michaelhanson
I am wondering if Gibson has put the circuit board in this one for electronics?  I didn't realize my 2014 had the circuit board, until I was about to swap pick ups.  I ended up having to find a Classic 57 plus with the quick connect installed because I didn't want to rip out all of the electronics and replace them, to go with a solder install.

My 2008 SG has the circuit board. Fortunately nothing's gone wrong with the pots - yet. As and when they need replacing I'm tempted to lift the whole circuit board thing out and rewire to 60s standard with 500K audio taper volume pots and period spec caps instead of the 300K linear taper Gibson have been using for the last few decades. I'd rather have a swift way to drop the volume to clean the amp up rather than have to turn down to 1 or 2. Might even change it to a master volume, two pickup volumes and one tone.

Information about servicing those boards seems pretty hard to come by. Luckily Gibson use very good quality pots.

michaelhanson
My point has always been that Epi's can be REALLY good.  Where they usually lack, is in the PU's and electronics.  Through in real Gibson replacement parts and they can get awfully close to the real thing.  
 

The Epi semis in particular are really good value. Like any semi replacing the wiring can be a bit of a pain, but the stock pickups aren't bad at all.

The "masterbilt" acoustic and electro arch-tops seem pretty good as well, especially for the price.

tlw

michaelhanson
I am wondering if Gibson has put the circuit board in this one for electronics?  I didn't realize my 2014 had the circuit board, until I was about to swap pick ups.  I ended up having to find a Classic 57 plus with the quick connect installed because I didn't want to rip out all of the electronics and replace them, to go with a solder install.

My 2008 SG has the circuit board. Fortunately nothing's gone wrong with the pots - yet. As and when they need replacing I'm tempted to lift the whole circuit board thing out and rewire to 60s standard with 500K audio taper volume pots and period spec caps instead of the 300K linear taper Gibson have been using for the last few decades. I'd rather have a swift way to drop the volume to clean the amp up rather than have to turn down to 1 or 2. Might even change it to a master volume, two pickup volumes and one tone.

Information about servicing those boards seems pretty hard to come by. Luckily Gibson use very good quality pots.

I think the circuit boards are another BIG mistake that Gibson is making.  Most of us life time enthusiast's want to tinker with the electronics and PU's and it makes it near impossible, with out ripping ALL of the guts out.