I think you really should get out and play some if you can. Those pointy 80s wank noodle guitars are basically all the same, but those LP bodies will probably all feel vastly different. And who puts EMGs in a Tele? That's just silly.
If you want an LP, I think the Epi GX model with the 498/490s would be good for you. Those pickups are pretty hot. Not EMG hot, but they'll sound like guitar pickups instead of a robot fart. Epis have come a really long way and they make some really nice guitars these days. I'd question the "coil tap" though. Is it a tap? Or a coil split? They're very different and the terminology gets misused very often.
I'm pretty much leaning on a LP type guitar, while I'd love to have the Gibson I linked, that's still a lot of fuckin' money for a guitar....Cheap for a Gibson I know, but still.....The Prophecy LP looks to be winning the race today, but could change tomorrow...LOL...
On the Tele, man, I had a USA made Fender Tele Plus II just like this one, except mine was sunburst:
1991 Fender Telecaster Plus Blond Electric Guitar Lace Sensors Case Made in USA | eBay
And it was an awesome guitar, the Red Lace Sensor humbucker in the bridge had a coil tap for single coil tones (3-way switch, could have either the front or back coil), & the Blue Lace Sensor in the neck was great for bluesy tones....To be honest, the Tele I had was the best guitar I'd ever had/played in a band situation...Paid $700 for it used, & gave it away for $400 around 2002 or so...
I understand about the comments you made on the EMG's though, I had a guitar that had an EMG 81 in the bridge, & for
high gain, it was killer, tons of gain on tap, but, it was shitty for cleans & semi-dirty stuff....This was when I played in a band too, & a lot of the stuff we played needed either clean or the semi-dirty/edge of breakup stuff, & the EMG sucked for that...After thinking about it for another day, I don't want a guitar with EMG's at all, so that's gonna narrow it down a little more....
If the blue Prophecy LP came with the 498/490 p'ups, that'd be the one, I really like the blue finish, & the binding makes it look even better to me...Of course, it ain't about the looks, but if I'm gonna drop that kind of $$$ on a guitar, I want it to look good too ya know....
On the coil tap, I'm pretty sure it splits the humbucker into a single coil, now, which one it uses when in single-coil mode is anybody's guess (front or back)....It would be cool to have a LP-type guitar that does the single coil thing too...
Like Lt Boob, I'd really recommend the Tubemeister. It's bad ass. But really, for what you're doing, I think you're pretty set man. I'd bank that money for when I REALLY want something.
Yeah, I agree dude, I think I'm gonna just stick to the amps I have for now, & get some more speakers, mics, & another interface so I can do the 2-mic on a cab/speaker thing, with both my amps at the same time....
I started a thread last night about audio interfaces, dunno if you saw it or not, but what interface do you use Greg??? I know you record a full drum kit, so, you have to have 8 pre's, right??? Lemme know, I might go the Epiphone LP & a new interface route...
