Vintage Les Paul copies refer to guitars made to replicate the look, feel, and sound of the classic Gibson Les Paul, usually from the late 1950s to early 1960s era. These copies were particularly popular in the 1970s and 1980s when many guitar manufacturers produced high-quality replicas, sometimes even rivaling Gibson in craftsmanship. Notable brands that made vintage Les Paul copies include: 1. **Tokai** - Known for making highly accurate replicas, often referred to as "Love Rock" guitars. 2. **Greco** - Produced in Japan, these are well-regarded for their faithful reproduction of the Les Paul design. 3. **Burny** (by Fernandes) - Another Japanese brand that made high-quality copies with vintage specs. 4. **Edwards** (by ESP) - Known for their exceptional build quality, especially those made in the 1980s. 5. **Ibanez** - Before shifting to their own designs, Ibanez made "lawsuit" Les Paul copies that were very well crafted. 6. **Orville** - A brand by Gibson, manufactured in Japan, which essentially made Les Pauls but under a different name for the Japanese market. These vintage copies often share many features of the original Gibson Les Paul models, such as set necks, solid mahogany bodies, maple tops, and high-quality pickups. The term "lawsuit" is sometimes used because of the legal actions Gibson took against some manufacturers for making instruments that were nearly identical to Gibson's designs. Collectors and players often seek these copies because they offer similar quality at a more accessible price.