The market is flooded with “safe” Standards and Historics, but the real magic right now is in the models everyone sleeps on.

These are the Les Pauls that sound 95% as good as a $6,000 Custom Shop but still trade hands for peanuts — perfect sleepers to play forever…or flip once the secret gets out.

Here are the ten most underrated Les Pauls still under $2,500 in late 2025 (with real sold prices from the last 30 days).

1. 2015–2018 Les Paul Classic with G-Force tuners Sold range: $1,350–$1,750 Why it’s underrated: Everyone hates robot tuners (just swap them for Klusons in 10 minutes). Underneath is a killer non-weight-relieved mahogany body and Custom Bucker pickups.
2. 2008–2012 Chambered Les Paul Standard Sold: $1,600–$2,100 Often under 8 lbs, huge resonant tone, Burstbucker Pros. Market still punishes “chambered = bad” myth.
3. 2019–2022 Les Paul Standard 50s Plain Top (no flame) Sold: $1,750–$2,100 Same exact specs as the $2,400+ figured versions. Plain mahogany looks classy as hell once the flame tax is gone.
4. Les Paul BFG (Trans Black or Goldtop with P-90s) Sold: $1,400–$1,900 Raw, stripped-down, and mean — Gary Moore in a box.
5. 1990–1996 Les Paul Studio Lite (M-5 multi-chambered) Sold: $1,100–$1,600 Frequently under 7.5 lbs and still 100% USA Gibson.
6. 2016–2019 Les Paul HP (High Performance) with G-Force & titanium saddles Sold: $1,500–$2,000 Fastest neck Gibson ever made, compound radius, killer electronics package.
7. 2003–2008 Les Paul Standard Faded (worn finish, baked maple board) Sold: $1,650–$2,200 Darker, punchier tone than rosewood-board models. Aging looks intentional now.
8. 2013–2018 Les Paul Traditional Pro (push-pull coil splits, boost circuit) Sold: $1,700–$2,300 The most versatile factory Les Paul ever made.
9. Epiphone Elitist / Elite Les Paul (Japanese 2002–2008) Sold: $1,200–$1,900 USA pickups, nitro finish, long-tenon — many players can’t tell them from Gibson blindfolded.
10. Any 2019–2023 Les Paul Modern with weight relief & asymmetrical neck Sold: $1,800–$2,400 Contoured heel, ebony board, and still flies under the radar.

Own one of these? You’re sitting on a tone monster the market hasn’t caught up to yet.