I have the Epiphone version of the Black Beauty. The Epiphone version was 550 I think...the Gibson version is 2500. There is no way that the Gibson version is worth the extra 2000. It will be miles better, but not 2000 better. I wish I could afford a Gibson, but sadly, it will never happen. Not a good one anyways. I really want a Fender Jazzmaster next, then maybe a nice American Telecaster. And cheers for the info about the Bare Knuckle pickups, wish I could hear them both side by side. I can get a hold of a guitar with the warpigs in them, just to try it out, and maybe gauge from there with where I should go.