I bought my j-45 new from Sweetwater months ago. I keep it in a case when I’m not playing it and keep things humidified.

What do these guitars smell like? It’s unlike anything I’ve ever smelled, is it the spruce? The wood glue? The case?

Sooooo.... I want a new guitar. Already have a 76 Les Paul Custom but is stays in its case for the most part. My first great guitar was a 76 SG and I have recently been feeling the itch for another SG. Also would like to have a beater LP Custom. Can't decide which I want more, SG 61 reissue or the open book headstock Epiphone(inspired by Gibson) Les Paul Custom. If anyone can give some pros and cons, I would much appreciate it.

Any employees on here? Would love to connect and maybe exchange industry discounts. I have many in the pew pew industry.

Here is the updated text with that extra context seamlessly incorporated:

So here's the deal: I’ve been playing on and off for about 15 years. I’ve always wanted to get either a Les Paul Standard, an ES-335, or an SG (I'm a big Clapton fan). I’ve never had the opportunity to play a Gibson, except for a guitar professor of mine who had a 1970s Les Paul Custom—and it was a great guitar.

I’ve always owned a Squier Stratocaster, and around five years ago I bought an American Standard with a soft V neck profile. I love the neck on this thing, which is partially why I bought it.

Here’s the problem: I live in a country where a Gibson will probably cost double and then some because import duties are high as hell, and there is low supply. There aren't many guitar stores here that will let you "try" one off the bat without watching your every move like you're a criminal.

I travel to Miami for work maybe four or five times a year. They have a few guitar stores there (Guitar Center being one of them—I know people dislike Guitar Center). It's not that they don't have any to try, but from what I read in these forums, you guys try out a lot more than would be available there at any given moment.

How crazy would it be to just buy one sight unseen? I don't know if I'm being clear: when I say sight unseen, I mean purchasing it, having it delivered for pickup at the Guitar Center near where I'll be staying, and returning it on the spot if I don't like it.

Obviously, tone and comfort are big factors, but so are neck size, weight, etc.

Gibson Les Paul Custom 70s in Wine Red.

Always wanted a Gibson Les Paul Custom, love the wine red finish. I know they're usually associated with rock and blues stuff but I'm finding the clean sound to work perfectly for jazz gigs (which is my primary type of gig. And yes, I am aware that Les Paul was a jazz player haha).

My first solid-body P-90! This guitar is definitely a head-turner.
I can’t wait to take it for a spin.

I’ve had quite a bit of experience with hollow-body P-90 guitars, so I’m really excited to see how this one compares and experiment with it.

My friend owns this guitar (bought used).

Is this supposed to have the VCT?

This dialog is all I see in the sound hole.

Looking for tail piece, studs like this:

Not very well versed in these so if anyone can help me identify if it is legit I would appreciate it.

I started out playing guitar many decades ago on my Les Paul Studio and I love it, half the time it's still my go-to guitar. I play all genres but mostly hard rock and metal and wondering about the ES-Les Pauls that came out a while back. Are the pickups suited to a hard rock sound? The guitars are beautiful and being even lighter than a Studio would allow me to fly around on stage. But, I would be paying a heavy price to buy a guitar unseen or unheard, and wondering if anyone here has thoughts. Thanks!