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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ I Need A New Guitar!
Posted by: Arrival Dec 2 2007, 11:54 PM
Hey guys, Christmas is coming up and my parents have decided to buy me a new guitar. Hooray!! I've been using a $100 Squier Strat for almost four years now (I'm broke and only practicing at this point) and I'm very excited to use something a bit more sophisticated.
Just for an idea, I play a ton of styles, basically anything that can be tagged as a form of rock, so I like to experiment with different tones.
Anyway, considering that I know nothing about guitar tech, I'm asking all of you: what kinds of guitar should I look at? 
I'm probably looking for something under $500.
Posted by: Hisham Dec 3 2007, 12:00 AM
you can find in ibanez collection/ gibson epyphone/ a second hand USA stratocaster in a good case for that money
Posted by: Alucard Dec 3 2007, 12:02 AM
Here's a few ideas for you...
Michael Kelly Patriot Glory
Hagstrom Swede
Both of those are great guitars and $500
Posted by: Arrival Dec 3 2007, 12:33 AM
Yeah that is my most comfortable investment, something familiar and respected.
Michael Kelly Patriot Glory
Hagstrom Swede
Both of those are great guitars and $500
I love the Patriot Glory neck that looks awesome. Hopefully I can find a store in the area to try it out.
Also, do you by chance have affiliation with the band Alucard?
Posted by: Hardtail Dec 3 2007, 01:22 AM
I've owned Michael Kelleys and since they are based in Florida I have actually been to their factory and played many of their guitars... long story short... I wouldn't buy another MK. They are made in Korea if I remember correctly. They come setup horribly and the craftsmanship leaves much to be desired. The neck IS beautiful but run your hand along the inlay once and you'll discover why they are so affordable.
For $500 bucks I would steer you towards Made in Mexico Stratocasters (or maybe even a used USA strat), Ibanez guitars, Schecter guitars, and that is about it. I respect Gibson a lot but their lower priced stuff is not that good IMO.
Happy hunting!
Hardtail
Posted by: Bogdan Dec 3 2007, 02:21 AM
Used USA strat is a good option!Also I would recommend a "strat like" guitar..Peavey has some great guitars , you should look some of them..
Posted by: nickmarx12345678 Dec 3 2007, 02:38 AM
I would definatly suggest searching around ebay for maybe a lightly used guitar. As for the actual guitar I would suggest maybe a les paul or a strat or maybe a gibson SG, my friend has an SG and he loves it and i believe he picked it up used for 300
Posted by: skennington Dec 3 2007, 05:04 AM
Go play a MADE IN JAPAN JACKSON at your local GUITAR CENTER and you WILL be sold! 
Posted by: swingline Dec 3 2007, 05:08 AM
For me I went to Guitar Center open minded with no budget and fell in love with the Jackson Dinkeys. Bang for the buck Jacksons have something to prove.
Posted by: Alucard Dec 3 2007, 05:38 AM
I love the Patriot Glory neck that looks awesome. Hopefully I can find a store in the area to try it out.
Also, do you by chance have affiliation with the band Alucard?
No, Alucard is simply Dracula spelled backwards.
Really, Hardtail? The MKs that I have played were excellent
Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Dec 3 2007, 02:02 PM
I agree with Bogdan, try some Peavey guitars, you will be surprised. ALso try some blade strats, they sure are great sounding instruments.
Posted by: Smikey2006 Dec 3 2007, 02:08 PM
Schecter has great stuff for until 500. try the Demon or Omen series.. I also agree with who ever said Jackson Dinkys. They are great guitars AND they can look wicked cool.. U can get a jackson V or Warrior or Regular all for around the same price!.
Posted by: Smells Dec 3 2007, 02:20 PM
yea agree with all the above, my preference would be a Jackson for that money, I also thought the Mexican strat that I bought was fantastic value for money, also as Ivan said the Blade Strats (although not played one personally) I`ve only ever heard good things about them.
Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Dec 3 2007, 08:25 PM
I have a Peavey Generation EXP with Piezo guitar. It is a mighty fine guitar for the money. You can find a review on the review board.
Used USA strats are very cool, but be carefull.. there are a lot of fakes and modified ones.
Blade Strats I tried in store several times and they are one fine guitars! Way better than a Mexican Strat and having a lot more tone versatility (also active pickups..)
Posted by: Gerald Dec 3 2007, 08:34 PM
I say go to guitarcenter if one is available and try a small handful out and see which one appeals to you the most. That's what I did when I purchased my new guitar. I bought a SG Classic, red finish w/ black pickguard at GC. Also GC has used guitars to - you may find something used that would normally be out of your price range if new.
Posted by: Hardtail Dec 5 2007, 03:40 AM
I played a dozen of them at their very own showroom at their factory and they all sounded horrible except one which sounded exceptional (go figure). I bought that one but later began to discover more and more finish flaws so I eventually Ebayed it.
Yes I agree. I totally forgot about Peavey. They make incredible guitars for the price and get little loving.
Hardtail
Posted by: Arrival Dec 5 2007, 06:48 AM
Thanks a lot so far guys! I'll take all of this into consideration. Hopefully I can get out to a guitar shop and try some stuff out.
Posted by: Zephyr Dec 5 2007, 06:52 AM
Sorry, Smikey, this is way off topic, but is that quote in your signature from Sitting, Waiting, Wishing? 
I just had to know...
And I agree, Schecters are simply amazing guitars for the price, better than guitars I've played three times their cost. They're extremely versatile, too, they're great for blues, classic rock, shred, just about anything out there! At least, in my opinion...
Posted by: man0mule Dec 5 2007, 07:05 AM
remember that you can haggle with people at guitar center. The asking price for my Gibson Faded Flying V i bought last christmas was $570 and i talked the salesman down to $450.
Posted by: Arrival Dec 5 2007, 04:52 PM
Well, so far I think my first choice is a Schecter C-1 Artist Limited Edition.
This looks like quite the fine instrument. MusiciansFriend and Guitar Center list it at $899, but it's selling for $449 now! 
Half off!?! Awesome!
USA Duncan (one JB and one '59) humbucking pickups
Grover Tuners
TonePros Tune-o-Matic Bridge
Thru-Body Tail
What do you guys think?
Posted by: Unleash-The-Shred Dec 5 2007, 05:01 PM
Used USA strats are very cool, but be carefull.. there are a lot of fakes and modified ones.
Blade Strats I tried in store several times and they are one fine guitars! Way better than a Mexican Strat and having a lot more tone versatility (also active pickups..)
I agree, and also if you are looking into a strat, remember they do not have humbuckers on them and you mentioned you like to play anything to do with rock, so humbuckers are probably the way to go there, you can get a good rock sound out of a strat though i'm just giving you advice.
Posted by: SDMF75 Dec 5 2007, 05:04 PM
This looks like quite the fine instrument. MusiciansFriend and Guitar Center list it at $899, but it's selling for $449 now!
Half off!?! Awesome!USA Duncan (one JB and one '59) humbucking pickups
Grover Tuners
TonePros Tune-o-Matic Bridge
Thru-Body Tail
What do you guys think?
Go for it! I have a Hellraiser myself. You simply can't go wrong with a Schecter!
Posted by: Arrival Dec 19 2007, 09:47 PM
Hey just thought I'd update for you guys. I went out and picked up a PRS Tremonti SE.
Mahogany Body
Rosewood Fretboard
Treble and Bass Humbucking Pickups
Volume/Tone Control Per Pickup
It feels great to me and it looks awesome too.
Posted by: Jorbazz Dec 21 2007, 07:08 PM
I got an ESP LTD EC-1000 Deluxe Edition.
It sound very good, it weights something like 4 kg.
but it costs around 700 USD.
Specifications:
Construction / Scale: Set-Neck / 24.75”
Body: Mahogany
Neck / Fingerboard: 3-Pc. Mahogany / Rosewood
Nut Type / Width: Earvana Compensated / 42mm
Neck Shape: Thin U
Inlays: Abalone Flags
Frets: 24 XJ
Binding: White w/ Abalone Purfling (B/N/H)
Hardware: Gold
Tuners: Schaller Locking
Bridge / Tailpiece: Tonepros T3B-T & T1Z Locking
Pickups: EMG 81 (Back) / 60 (Neck) Active
Electronics: Volume / Volume / Tone / Toggle
Posted by: stratman33 Dec 21 2007, 09:00 PM
This looks like quite the fine instrument. MusiciansFriend and Guitar Center list it at $899, but it's selling for $449 now!
Half off!?! Awesome!USA Duncan (one JB and one '59) humbucking pickups
Grover Tuners
TonePros Tune-o-Matic Bridge
Thru-Body Tail
What do you guys think?
i say yes!!i have a friend who has that exact guitar, and i played on it, and i loved the feel and tone.
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