spook

Have to agree with littleknowitall here.
Any Les Paul will hold it's value better, have a better range of sounds and will be less fragile if it gets a knock or two, (which is inevitable if you're planning gigging with it).
I'm not a big Gibson fan, having played many of their guitars, but in your shoes, I'd buy a Les Paul, an Explorer or a 335, or better still refer to my previous answer.

Plus you can haggle with them and get the price down, and maybe some extra strings, strap, straplocks and picks thrown in the price!
REMEMBER they WANT you to spend your cash! - most music stores have 100% mark up on instruments, so they can afford it.

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