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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ New Guitar Wanted

Posted by: Toroso Dec 16 2008, 06:55 PM

I starting to do some research for a new guitar. Looking to go around 600 US but if something really grabs me I might go a little higher.

Some things I'm curious about is type of neck.

Bolt-On, set or thru body. Is there really a big difference here as far as sustain goes? I feel the bridge would be more critical in this regard. I would think that set or thru would more comfortable tho.

Body wood. What the heck is Agathis??? Basswood suposedly has a good tone, but seems a little fragile from what little I know about it. Mahogny is heavier. Does wood really make a lot of tone difference in an electric?

Bridge. Never have been much of a whammy type player. Never had a Floyd Rose. TOM with string-thru body would seem to me to give the best sustain. ???

Any particular brands in this price range to absolutely stay away from? Any real winners?

Thanks smile.gif


Posted by: fatb0t Dec 16 2008, 07:31 PM

This all depends squarely on your playing style.

In regards to the Floyd Rose - I would avoid that setup on a guitar unless you rely heavily on the whammy or you do massive bends... Generally (obviously not always) FR users tend to be metal/hard rock players..

Through body necks are supposed to have higher sustain, is this true? It is from my experience, I have a bolt on Stratocaster and a Les Paul with a through neck, the difference is night and day. Just my opinion on the matter though.

Wood does matter, but I wouldn't make my decision on what guitar to get by the wood type at the stage in the game you're at. I would concentrate on getting quality machine heads(tuners), pick ups, tremolo, electronics.

I've seen some of your videos you seem to like slower blues - I would suggest maybe a PRS like: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/PRS-Guitars-SE-Single-Cut-Electric-Guitar?sku=519375
they're supposedly the real deal...

Posted by: Guitarman700 Dec 16 2008, 07:34 PM

QUOTE (fatb0t @ Dec 16 2008, 01:31 PM) *
This all depends squarely on your playing style.

In regards to the Floyd Rose - I would avoid that setup on a guitar unless you rely heavily on the whammy or you do massive bends... Generally (obviously not always) FR users tend to be metal/hard rock players..

Through body necks are supposed to have higher sustain, is this true? It is from my experience, I have a bolt on Stratocaster and a Les Paul with a through neck, the difference is night and day. Just my opinion on the matter though.

Wood does matter, but I wouldn't make my decision on what guitar to get by the wood type at the stage in the game you're at. I would concentrate on getting quality machine heads, pick ups, tremolo, electronics.

I've seen some of your videos you seem to like slower blues - I would suggest maybe a PRS like: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/PRS-Guitars-SE-Single-Cut-Electric-Guitar?sku=519375
they're supposedly the real deal...

Heh, you said Machine Head. their awesome.
anyway, id like to add that a Floyd Rose usually Decreases sustain, But not always, The Phil Demmel king V (Machine head again) has loads of sustain, with a floyd, but i attribute that to the neck through.

Posted by: USAMAN Dec 16 2008, 07:40 PM

Just a matter of note.
Les Pauls are not through neck guitars. They are what is known as a set neck (glued into a neck pocket).
Les Pauls come in long and short neck tenon. Long neck tenon guitars are suppose to sustain better and have better overall tone. Most les pauls produced have been short neck tenon.
I own set, through, and bolt on neck guitars. I have one bolt on in particular that out sustains and has better tone than my les paul. IMHO certain pieces of wood work well together. Dont let how the neck is connected limit your decision.
Peace.

Posted by: fatb0t Dec 16 2008, 07:41 PM

Oh sheet, that is true. My bad, that's for clarifying that for me USAMAN.

Posted by: Velvet Roger Dec 16 2008, 08:17 PM

What musical styles do you preferably wanna play with it?

Posted by: Toroso Dec 16 2008, 08:31 PM

QUOTE (Velvet Roger @ Dec 16 2008, 02:17 PM) *
What musical styles do you preferably wanna play with it?



Not trying to be an ass, so don't take it that way. But what does that matter? mellow.gif

Anyway, I like a heavier blues based rock'n'roll. smile.gif

Posted by: ZakkWylde Dec 16 2008, 08:56 PM

QUOTE (Toroso @ Dec 16 2008, 08:31 PM) *
Anyway, I like a heavier blues based rock'n'roll. smile.gif



So you want a Les Paul wink.gif

Try some Epiphone Les Pauls in you price range OR even better for 600$ : look for a used Gibson Les Paul Studio on Ebay, Craiglist, etc... it's the guitar Gabriel Leopardi plays!

Posted by: Velvet Roger Dec 16 2008, 10:14 PM

QUOTE (Toroso @ Dec 16 2008, 08:31 PM) *
Not trying to be an ass, so don't take it that way. But what does that matter? mellow.gif

Anyway, I like a heavier blues based rock'n'roll. smile.gif


It matter in such a way that it will in practice also determine what type of guitar (in terms of wood, pickups etc) you probably would like to use. As ZakkWylde already mentioned a Les Paul is probably what fits best (which have mahogany wood bodies (more sustain) and humbuckers (fatter sound)).

If you would have said that you would like to do funky and clean/crunchy stuff, I would have suggested a Strat (e.g. often with Alder wood bodies and maple necks (bright sounds) and single-coil pickups).

Hopefully this helps.

Posted by: Sondre Dec 16 2008, 10:18 PM

A floyd rose is often a lot of work too. Takes ages to tune it after changing strings unless youve done it a couple of times ... sad.gif Which I haven't ... tongue.gif

Posted by: kjutte Dec 17 2008, 05:11 PM

QUOTE (Sondre @ Dec 16 2008, 10:18 PM) *
A floyd rose is often a lot of work too. Takes ages to tune it after changing strings unless youve done it a couple of times ... sad.gif Which I haven't ... tongue.gif


Floating trem=versatility.

Posted by: unmarshal' Dec 19 2008, 12:03 AM

A guitar I recently purchased in that price range is the Schecter Hellraiser C1. Mine is the model with the floyd rose, but there is a hardtail string-thru body model. I'd avoid the floyd rose unless you are super into metal and know how to maintain the trem. I bought it to try something new and I've found that it really isn't my style.

The guitar on the other hand is awesome and has deluxe features for the money. You get a set-neck, mahogany body with high quality EMG active pickups and grover tuners with a nice abalone inlay and binding. All under $700.

Check it out:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--SCEC1HR



Posted by: Pedja Simovic Dec 19 2008, 12:26 AM

Toroso for price range up to 600$ I recommend PRS !
I love playing these guitars. Great neck, easy to play , good sound and it has Tremolo system as well - so go and try it on wink.gif

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 19 2008, 12:46 AM

QUOTE (Toroso @ Dec 16 2008, 06:55 PM) *
I starting to do some research for a new guitar. Looking to go around 600 US but if something really grabs me I might go a little higher.

Some things I'm curious about is type of neck.

Bolt-On, set or thru body. Is there really a big difference here as far as sustain goes? I feel the bridge would be more critical in this regard. I would think that set or thru would more comfortable tho.

Body wood. What the heck is Agathis??? Basswood suposedly has a good tone, but seems a little fragile from what little I know about it. Mahogny is heavier. Does wood really make a lot of tone difference in an electric?

Bridge. Never have been much of a whammy type player. Never had a Floyd Rose. TOM with string-thru body would seem to me to give the best sustain. ???

Any particular brands in this price range to absolutely stay away from? Any real winners?

Thanks smile.gif


Neck thru and set neck have increased sustain over bolt on, but it doesn't really matter that much. There are a lot other factors involved in sustain as well like wood, pickups, bridge, body shape, nut, and of course player. I think you can choose whatever you want Toroso mate, but bare in mind that bolt on neck is a lot easier for maintenance because it gets off really easy.

Wood plays important role in the sound of one guitar. Agathis is a group of trees and I quote the Wiki "The wood is commonly used in the manufacture of mid-ranged guitars, due to its good resonating properties, yet relatively low price of production". This should help clarify things a bit. I'm not familiar with characteristics of that wood so can't go into details. Every wood has different sound, and there are many articles on the web that go into details on this subject like http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm great article for example.

String thru body should give the best sustain yes. If you are really after the sustain then go for it. Lot easier for maintenance as well.

Well, don't know what to stay away from, everything should be checked out when buying, but I think Epiphone Les Paul sounds like a good solution. It's a very cool guitar and a bit less then your budget. You can switch pickups on it for some better ones for the rest of the cash, and I think you will have awesome guitar. That would be my suggestion mate.

Posted by: Fullmetal_Tmd Dec 19 2008, 01:14 AM

If you decide to go for a Les Paul-like guitar, you can get a better value from an ESP Eclipse than the Epiphone Les Pauls (which are horribly overpriced now imo). Lots of people think they're just for metal, since thats whats ESP is famous for. But they've made a model that's more versatile, plus its pretty damn sexy tongue.gif. I'll try to look for the guitar I'm talking about, Musician's Friends is bound to have it...

EDIT: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-EC400VF?sku=512884
Its a little out of your said budget, but you said you're also willing to go a little bit higher. I'd look into it, I've played these models at a local store, and they're beasts!

Posted by: g-forcelover Dec 19 2008, 01:58 AM

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/B.C.-Rich-Mockingbird-Special-Electric-Guitar?sku=512697

Great guitar. TOM, ebony fretboard, mahgonay body, neck through, and great for all styles of music.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 19 2008, 12:32 PM

QUOTE (Fullmetal_Tmd @ Dec 19 2008, 01:14 AM) *
If you decide to go for a Les Paul-like guitar, you can get a better value from an ESP Eclipse than the Epiphone Les Pauls (which are horribly overpriced now imo). Lots of people think they're just for metal, since thats whats ESP is famous for. But they've made a model that's more versatile, plus its pretty damn sexy tongue.gif. I'll try to look for the guitar I'm talking about, Musician's Friends is bound to have it...

EDIT: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-EC400VF?sku=512884
Its a little out of your said budget, but you said you're also willing to go a little bit higher. I'd look into it, I've played these models at a local store, and they're beasts!


Yes I agree with Fullmetal on this one - this ESP looks like a great guitar, great features for the price. Mahogany/Flamed maple, and Seymor DUncan JB/59 will give is a more modern sound. It will not have that great bottom end as LP, it will sound more middly, but it is a great guitar.

Posted by: Toroso Dec 19 2008, 02:02 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I already had a Epi Les Paul Std. But I find Strat/SG body styles more comfortable to play. Since the econmy is down and future employment is uncertain. I just upgraded the LP pickups to EMG and will wait till things look a little better. smile.gif

Posted by: Matich Dec 19 2008, 04:22 PM

well if you're worried bout the cash, just sell your guitar with EMGs in it for some nice cash or just trade it straight up for something u'd possibly like better. As far as agathis goes...that's a freaking bush. lol. not really heavy, chips easily, but the sound ain't that bad, i must say. Set neck, necktrough, bolt on? i have a set neck guitar and a bolt on and i personally prefer the bolt on right now...doesn't really lack any sustain, if that's one of ur worries..i think that most guitars equipped with a FR lose a lot of sustain... i'd say that the PRS models and LTDs (pricier ones) are a sure bet for the cash...

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 19 2008, 08:46 PM

QUOTE (Toroso @ Dec 19 2008, 02:02 PM) *
Thanks for the input guys. I already had a Epi Les Paul Std. But I find Strat/SG body styles more comfortable to play. Since the econmy is down and future employment is uncertain. I just upgraded the LP pickups to EMG and will wait till things look a little better. smile.gif


Wise decision mate. I didn't know you had LP unsure.gif

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Dec 19 2008, 10:03 PM

Toroso when you get it post pictures please and perhaps some audio clip smile.gif

Posted by: Toroso Dec 20 2008, 01:42 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Dec 19 2008, 02:46 PM) *
Wise decision mate. I didn't know you had LP unsure.gif



I have many secrets! cool.gif Bwa ha ha! tongue.gif


@Pedja: I am playing the LP/EMG guitar in my Christmas Rock take for Ivan.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 20 2008, 05:20 PM

I would say that's a very cool guitar indeed! Haven't seen it before on collabs cool.gif

Posted by: vikingraider1 Dec 22 2008, 12:03 PM

QUOTE (kjutte @ Dec 17 2008, 04:11 PM) *
Floating trem=versatility.


Floating trem=pain in the arse

Especially Floyd Rose / Edge type trems. You lost on sustain, you'll have to gig with a spare and they are fiddly to set up. Granted that once you're up and running they can be fun but personally I don't think they're worth the hassle. Just a matter of personal taste, no doubt there are thousands out there who like them - not me though rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Praetorian Dec 26 2008, 11:32 AM

QUOTE (vikingraider1 @ Dec 22 2008, 06:03 AM) *
Floating trem=pain in the arse

Especially Floyd Rose / Edge type trems. You lost on sustain, you'll have to gig with a spare and they are fiddly to set up. Granted that once you're up and running they can be fun but personally I don't think they're worth the hassle. Just a matter of personal taste, no doubt there are thousands out there who like them - not me though rolleyes.gif


Me either...I hate my Floyd - and never use it anyway!!

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