Best 25.5" Scale Les Paul Style Guitars in 2026
Since the distance between bridge and nut is relatively long, you'll need to give the strings more tension to get them in tune. This higher tension will allow for a couple of things. First, you can get a lower action (get the strings closer to the fretboard) because the strings won't 'wiggle' too much when pluck and won't cause fret buzz. This can allow you to use lower tunings without increasing your string gauge, and it will make it easier to press down the strings fast.
However, the frets will also have a wider separation between each other, which can make it harder to play, especially if you got small hands. The higher tension will also make the strings feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Chapman ML2 Pro
What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (8 votes)
Show All Specs
| Chapman ML2 Pro | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Chapman | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | South Korea | |
| Series: | Pro | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Flame Maple Veneer On Maple Carved Top, Satin Finish | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Chapman String Through hardtail | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) | |
| Fretboard: | Macassar Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple – Dark Colour | |
| Decoration: | Glow-in-the-Dark Side Dots with Pearl Infinity | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | C Shape | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.905'' (23mm) - 12th Fret: 0.944'' (24mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Black Tusq XL | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Chapman ML2 Pro
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Black Tusq XL Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Coil Split Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Strap Lock
- Made in South Korea
- No Weight Relief
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
2. ESP E-II RZK-II Burnt
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (9 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP E-II RZK-II Burnt | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP E-II | |
| Year: | 2010 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Natural Patterns | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Rammstein Logos | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
ESP E-II RZK-II Burnt
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
3. ESP RZK-II Burnt
What our users think
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP RZK-II Burnt | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2010 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Natural Patterns | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Rammstein Logos | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
ESP RZK-II Burnt
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
4. Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (61 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (60 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Jackson | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | South Korea | |
| Series: | Pro | |
| Colors: | Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Poplar Burl | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Nyatoh | |
| Bridge: | EverTune F6 Model | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 3-Piece Nato | |
| Decoration: | None | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Speed | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 85 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Top Brand Pickups
- Stays in Tune (Evertune)
- Luminescent Inlay
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in South Korea
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Harley Benton SC-Custom III FR
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (22 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton SC-Custom III FR | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Custom Line | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Meranti | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Jatoba | |
| Neck Material: | Meranti | |
| Decoration: | White pearloid crown | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Modern C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 41mm (1.614'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Tesla TM VR-Nitro Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Tesla TM VR-Nitro Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Harley Benton SC-Custom III FR
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Retainer Bar
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. Kramer Assault Plus
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (3 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (4 votes)
Show All Specs
| Kramer Assault Plus | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Kramer | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Modern | |
| Colors: | Brown Burst, Purple Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Flame Maple Veneer | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Kramer black die cast mini 14:1 | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Black Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | K-Speed SlimTaper C | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Parallel Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Kramer Assault Plus
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Parallel Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
Show All Specs
| Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Epiphone | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 7 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Artist Collection | |
| Colors: | White, Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Locking Mini Rotomatic with Tulip Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Custom Blocks | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | SpeedTaper D | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fishman MKH Fluence Ceramic (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fishman MKH Fluence Alnico (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split, Multi-Voicing | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins 7-String
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
- Weight Relief
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in China
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
8. ESP LTD NW-44
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (39 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (50 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| ESP LTD NW-44 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP LTD | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | H | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | White | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany w/ Maple Cap | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | LTD Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Macassar Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 3Pc Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Blocks | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Bare Knuckle Aftermath (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 0 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
ESP LTD NW-44
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Indonesia
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. ESP E-II Eclipse-7 Evertune
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (9 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (8 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (8 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP E-II Eclipse-7 Evertune | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP E-II | |
| Year: | 2014 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 7 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Eclipse | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany w/ Maple Cap | |
| Bridge: | EverTune 7 (F model) | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Flags | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
ESP E-II Eclipse-7 Evertune
- Locking Tuners
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Stays in Tune (Evertune)
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
10. Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG FR
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (22 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (5 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG FR | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Deluxe | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Orange, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Okoume | |
| Bridge: | FR-Style | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Machine Heads: Wsc Schaller Style J07 | |
| Fretboard: | Jatoba | |
| Neck Material: | Nyatoh | |
| Decoration: | White Pearloid Trapezoids | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Modern C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG FR
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Retainer Bar
- No Strap Lock




