A Yamaha Pacifica is also eminently playable while not being all that expensive.
Here, I'll even help you get started:
https://www.epiphone.com/Guitar/EPIMNJ943/Les-Paul-Melody-Maker-Starter-Pack/Vintage-Sunburst
https://www.sweetwater.com/yamaha-pacifica/series
It has been said that I'm a horrible influence. You have been warned.
I dunno that les Paul special for 450 is a hell of a deal didn't know they had models that cheap. Always looked at fender and their artist ones and 2 times les Paul dang
The components are a little less special, so you get less sustain and the tone isn't quite as rich, but they're very playable. There's even a Slash line and Slash has happily even performed with them. Epiphone makes some great stuff at not much money. Dollar for dollar, they're very much worth it.
I think I have made me a switch as I stick mainly to blues unless playing tool
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