Ya I think that the different tops are about looks, for the most part. I'd concentrate on the quality of the tuners and pickups, plus any must-have features you want.

Well they all have the same pickups. From the two LPs and firebird i mean.

The Firebird has the Steinberger 40:1 direct drive gearless tuners.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead/Steinberger_Gearless_Tuners.html

I see. So we're down to basically looks and the tuners. I'm not entirely worried about price as long as it isn't over $550. So I'm wondering what tuners the LP standard has and maybe if the ultra has different tuners i guess. So far ultra and standard are the same. So tuners on the LPs...

Well, I wouldn't discount the neck size of the Firebird. That would be a stumbling block for me. If you have Alaskan King Crab hands, then I wouldn't be too concerned.

I have long fingers. I also see the firebird is backordered until 1/04/08. Was hoping to get something sooner. But I haven't really decided yet either.

Any Last Thoughts on the guitars?

OR

Final Word: Firebird or Les Paul?

Neither!

http://www.gregbennettguitars.com/tr1.html

http://www.gregbennettguitars.com/electricportal_torino.html

tried it in a shop and fell in love, mine doesn't have a pickguard :D

Sounds amazing and is beautiful

[edit] mine has gold hardware

Congrats!

I had some serious problems with GuitarCenter.com while trying to get a particular red guitar for my son. They kept sending guitars in a rather lame shade of yellow. After a great deal of time (on my part) and expense (on their part), we finally settled on this (apparently Musicians Friend is a sister company):

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-Kirk-Hammett-Junior-Electric-Guitar?sku=514654

And no, I didn't pay that amount.

Wow, those are nice.. now i want one! but i already have enough guitars...

Edari

Bought it locally, price in store was 859 and got negotiated down to 501. :)

Brought home and don't regret it. good guitar. solid body and set neck, nice sustaining warm pickups and a good finish with nice tuners. And in gold :P

Pretty nice deal for the price i got it for.

That's cool. I hate how musical instruments are priced. It's a new instrument with a known manufacturing cost - just sell it! I don't care what the "list price" is, as nobody actually pays that. Obviously used or high-demand items will vary somewhat, but enough with the horse trading.

He's right - I have a Les Paul Studio bought after i WASTED money on buying an Epiphone Les Paul....boy was I sorry...the EPI is a good starter guitar - but if you already know how to play - save up an extra 300.00 (my studio cost 770.00) and buy the studio...If not that try an schecter diamond ultra - different sound but still has the same wide neck, also might consider Godins lione of guitars - again with the same neck width, and heavy body (wood)....