Please dont make this thread into another one about the state of the working conditions in Cort factories. That is not what this is about. There are many threads on this in the forum, search for them if you want to discuss that topic.

I want a Les Paul type guitar, but dont like the Les Paul design. Ive tried a few, and its just not me, likewise with the SG.

While on a guitar hunt i happened across a Cort Z Custom:

http://www.cortguitars.com/_webapp_2726498/Z-Custom#

Its not too heavy( a big problem with regular les pauls), has a really nice C shaped neck(unlike the baseball bat feel i get from most les paul necks), has locking tuners ( like my Am Dlx Std), Seymour duncans which sound pretty good, made from mahogany and flame maple, and is carved in such a way as to reduce weight while still looking awesome. And the finish is a matt finish, so you can still feel the wood grain and see the pores in the wood, truly beautiful.

I can get it and a case for 750 euros in ireland. This a lot of money when i dont fully need a new guitar (justifying it as i dont have anything with humbuckers in it at the mo).

It really plays awesome, feels like its worth twice the money.

Anyone play/own one of these? what are your reactions to it? you sus out any negatives that i wouldnt come across while playing it for an hour in the shop?

I would pay especially good attention to the neck, making sure that the fretwork and such is well done. With that body and those pickups, it will likely sound pretty good. But it is the neck that makes it for me. That all being the case, you'll likely have a player for years to come. I like the pups you get with it. I am not a big fan of that shape, though -- but that is purely a cosmetic thing I'll let you decide. Good luck. Post pics if you get it.

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Good call on checking the fretwork closely.

When buying a guitar how do you check the frets, other than line of sight test and feel?

Do you bring a straight edged piece of metal with you to check for uneven frets or have any other tricks to help you pinoint potential issues?