I went out and picked up a 1997 Epiphone Les Paul:
Attachment 119196
Sure, it's not a hand-built work of art like the Gibson version, but it's a damn fine instrument - sounds great and is just playable as hell - I could barely tear myself away from it to get ready for bed :) Getting it for a fraction of the list price with some upgrades by the previous owners didn't hurt either :D

