I have to admit that I miss the sound of my old Les Paul, but not the guitar itself--didn't like the too-thin nitro on the faded, and it wouldn't stay in tune no matter how carefully I strung it (yes, did all the tricks too).

So I'm on window shopping mode, not buying mode, for a carved top, set neck, mahogany guitar that can get close to what I like in a Les Paul or differently, a 335--a creamy and rich sound on the neck pup, crinkle highs and mids on the bridge.

I'm lefty, and my search has taken me to some interesting places online:

Gaskell Guitars in Australia crafts excellent copies of Explorers.

Halo guitars has an online builder. Righty or lefty. Carved top on all models. Very interesting possibilities. They also do custom builds. Some of the appointments in the builder look cheap.

Carvin has an online builder, but they do not simulate the look of the guitar as does Halo.

Warmoth offers all of their bodies in a left handed version. I'd buy a solid colored body from them, but I'm a bit put off by their paper-thin veneers. Also, they don't offer set neck constructions, at least not from what I've found.

Dillion makes lefty versions of some of their guitars, most notably a Firebird copy.

Of course, most major online shops offer what is most available for southpaws. The problem is that companies are producing fewer lefty models.

But a bigger problem is that none of these does it for me. I can't help looking at Gibsons, and they're just so expensive now. When I can buy a new guitar, it'll probably be a 335. They've reissued one with block inlays--I'm lusting after it soooooo much. I hope they'll keep the model alive for a few years. It's the one I want most. I still like SGs, but my heart's into 335s.