Guitar Recommendations

[mfshockey]

You can see the guitars I have in my sig, currently using a Gibson SG as my main axe but I'm looking to make a change. Other than Gibson, what other guitars would you guys suggest in the $1000-$1200 range? Not really interested in anything with EMG pickups either. Looking forward to hearing your input!

 

[JD]

Find yourself a good used Ernie Ball Music Man. The quality of their guitars is excellent for the price range.

 

[JKMV12]

Check out DBZ Guitars. I own the Imperial and it is an amazing guitar. It won best in show at NAMM last year. This is Dean Zelinsky's new company. They have been active for about two years now but they aren't that well known yet. I highly recommend looking into his guitars. If you have any questions about the Imperial i am happy to answer them. If that model doesn't suit you then there are about seven other models to check out. Good luck.

 

[hunter]

Find yourself a good used Ernie Ball Music Man. The quality of their guitars is excellent for the price range.

Agreed, I have an Axis and it kills.

Also you might be able to find a PRS McCarty for that money, they are great guitars, too. Depends on what you want. The PRS would be closer to your SG, the Ernie Ball a totally different animal, which could be good to justify a second guitar.

In terms of new for that money, a MIJ Charvel Promod would be great, or a Fujigen FGN, they are awesome quality for the $$

 

[Julia]

Check out a used MIA Telecaster. Drop a set of Kinman Broadcasters in it and get back to me.

 

[BigBrewtus]

MIA Tele would be killer. I would also go for a Gibson Les Paul Tribute. Super nice. I would vote for an American PRS too. I have a Tremonti and
it is perfect. Great cleans and gain sounds. Plays very easy and needs adjustments very rarely.

 

[Hamner1]

Charvel ProMod or SoCal.
Jackson - pick one any model. If you are looking for traditional shape then the SL2 is probably your best choice.

 

[Julia]

I see three tonal possibilities:

* MIA Tele -- already mentioned
* G&L Legacy -- like a Strat w/ a major trem upgrade. Used around $650.
* LP Limited Edition '60s Studio This has P90s. They will hum, but the tone....

If you want another humbucker, I used to have one of these. It has a thick neck, great tone. The neck was too big for my hand so I sold it. I think the natural wood grain looks fantastic. It's so different from anything else. The body is chambered so it's not a boat anchor. There are two on e-bay. http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=Gibson&_kw=Les&_kw=Paul&_kw=Swamp&_kw=Ash

I'm sorry I sold it. I was given incorrect information about the neck. It turns out I could have had it resized into a 60s slimline.

 

[drewiv]

You know me, and you knew this was coming.

Get yourself a nice Ibanez Prestige RGT (make sure it's a MIJ Prestige). You can pick one up for under $1K (I just picked up my fourth one for $750), one of the most underrated guitars ever made. The neck through on it is amazing, never fight with your neck joint again. You'll probably have to swap out the DiMarzio IBZ pickups, but other than that the guitar is ready to play right out of the box. You played one of mine for at the jam we had a while back. The guitar is smoooooth.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

looks like all your axes are 24 3/4
My favoriate guitars are this size- when I go to 25 1/2 I enjoy the tone and playability but not quite as much

If you're looking to stay at 24 3/4, see if you can hunt down an SG Diablo or carved top. Truly the best guitar I've ever played, so if you're digging the standard, check out the custom models. You can find decent prices on the used market
as for 25 1/2, I picxked up a wolfgang that slays really sounds like it took the best qualities of a strat with a touch of LP mid-full tone. Axis, Peavey HP specials are in simialr parks. Bware the new EVH wolfgangs as they have tiny frets, changed from the usual jumbo

Everybody loves Suhr and at a moderate price level the new Charvels

enjoy the search!

 

[mfshockey]

Thanks for all the awesome input everyone! Now it's time to do more research and start playing some of these!

 

[speedemon]

Well,

Used, lots of good choices

Explorer
Firebird
Japanese LP
might find Gibson LP Classic for that, but no money for pkups leftover.
also might find an LP Std. Pro, with the satin finish, BB3 and 57, wired for split coils.
A good modern US strat
E series Japanese strat
Hamer USA Studio or Artist
Epiphone Sheraton or Casino (Korean made only!) and upgrade the hardware

New, is rather limited, USA strat or Gibson Les Paul Special w/ P90s (the $1k from GC, not the fadeds or jr.) is about all I would recommend for that price range.

If you want a tele, can get a great new or used one for that.

good luck!

 

[Mattfig]

I would check out Waterstone (especially on Ebay) guitars....I'll admittedly say that I am endorsed by them but would honestly recommend them either way....I'll also add that you'll want to swap pickups and probably upgrade tuners....But for the inexpensive guitar to begin with- you're golden...When it's all said and done you can have an exquisite guitar for 700-800...Lots of awesome paint jobs too...PM me if you are interested...I have 9 of them and every one is awesome...

www.modguitars.com

 

[Daryl]

My favorite brand right now is U.S. Masters. The fit and finish are very much as "boutique" as Tom Anderson, Suhr, etc...These guitars are underrated beyond belief. The conical radius fretboard is so easy to play on. The compression set captive neck joint is another great feature and leaves very little neck heel. It's pretty much a similar thing to what the other boutique builders are doing. Very good stuff...
http://www.usmasters.com/highperformfeatures.htm
If you can find one on Ebay you can save some $$.

The other guitar I swear by is the Ibanez RG series. I have an RG3120 Prestige with Dimarzio pickups and it kills.

The radius is pretty flat though, so if you enjoy more of a traditional style Strat or Les Paul radius, it might not be your cup of tea. I agree with Drew. The RGT series is just awesome. Great for shred, but by no means a one trick pony. Plus, they just look hot. The only issue I have had is that the customer service is a little weak. Not horrible, but not great. Speaking of Ibanez quality...
My last suggestion is a little known guitar maker that has been quietly driving the industry for years. Ever hear of Bunker Guitars? Well if you have played an Ibanez made in the U.S.A. custom shop, it was built in the Bunker factory. Not a lot of Ibby lovers are hip to this:
http://davebunkerguitars.com/media_release.html
He makes some really killer stuff. I want to snatch up one of his Strat clones. He does it semi custom where you can choose options and upgrades to get you where you want. The best part is that right now they start at $599 factory direct!!! Seriously...That is just fucking amazing for an all US made rig. The technology behind the necks is very interesting and you can choose a variety of woods and options for a very reasonable upcharge. Gibson and others get their maple from Bunker as well. The patented tension free neck is fully guaranteed and warranted for life. Check em' out. As soon as I can afford it, I'm getting one in Tobacco sunburst with a flame maple neck and fretboard.
http://bunker-guitars.com/articles/guitars/classic-57.html

:twisted: :shock: :twisted:

 

[GtrGeorge!]

Look for a used Tom Anderson...or maybe a new one on sale.
Or consider a Schecter,,,,,
I know I know everybody has an opinion......but I can say this:
the intonation, resonance, fit,finish and playability of these two brands has always been consistant ....

while its true you can play a gig with a Squier (I do on many occasions..) these 2 brands do offer a very consistant,quality guitar,imho.
..and m my squier kicks ***, If I do say so, myself.

GtrGeorge

 

[johnodge]

Godin LG with SD pickups
Used Peavey Wolfgang stoptail
Epiphone Slash Plus Top

 

[Riculus]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-PAUL-REED-SMITH-CE22-PRS-CE-22-FLAME-TOP-WHALE-BLUE-/270831999167?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0ed858bf

Your'e Welcome.

 

[RUDDY]

if you aren't decided yet, i strongly suggest that you check the yamaha sg 1000, 200, 3000, truly amazing guitars

 

[mfshockey]

Finally got a guitar. And it is a...........2006 Gibson Les Paul Custom (Black). I love it so far!

 

[drewiv]

Finally got a guitar. And it is a...........2006 Gibson Les Paul Custom (Black). I love it so far!

Very cool, I want to see it. Maybe you'll show up at the next jam session?