[RoyBoy]

What kind of music are you into? I have an epi dot ES 339 I did a lot of online research and came close to splurging on classic 57s but it was a lot of $$$ for what is my number 3 behind a tele and a Gretsch. I ended up taking a gamble on Stewart McDonald's Parson Street for less than half the cost of the Gibsons. They are a classic PAF copy. They're unpotted so there's less of the compressed powerhouse and they're reportedly more prone to squealing if you play at extremely high stage volumes (which I don't). The sound is more open, lot's of depth and sonic detail, totally changed the guitar, lots more character and fun to play.

Update: I just discover Johnny A on another forum and caught some videos of the epiphone version of his signature thin line guitar series. They're loaded with Gibson classic 57s just like the original Gibson version and the pickups are amazing, I'm lusting for that guitar now.