Epiphone Les Paul Special vs LyxPro 39" SB Series Electric Guitar Kit for Beginners

The Epiphone Les Paul Special is the better guitar and the one to buy if you want an instrument that plays and holds up. Its set-neck mahogany build, Tune-O-Matic bridge and rosewood board are a real step above the LyxPro's bolt-on kit guitar. The LyxPro wins only on completeness: it arrives with a 20W amp, so a total beginner can plug in on day one. Owners of the Epiphone praise the humbucker tone and feel; the LyxPro is widely seen as a starter package that gets replaced.

• Choose the Epiphone Les Paul Special if you want a solid, gig-ready guitar with classic Les Paul tone and are willing to supply your own amp.
• Choose the LyxPro 39" SB Series if you are buying a first guitar for a beginner and want an amp and accessories in the same box.