What do you look for?

[jcmktgguy]

I tend to look for strange lights in the sky. One time there were these little green men about four foot ten...

I would expect nothing less from you Tim.....LOL

[Joe_Steeler]

1. Type of guitar. I prefer Strat body guitars and Strat headstocks. Pointys not too far behind.
2. Build quality, alder body, smooth playing neck and cool pups.
3. No outrageous Zombie paint jobs. Flame/quilt tops, cool paint color or a cool retro graphic.

[charvelguy]

...appearance/brand.. I'm pretty open on that, but it is initially what may draw me to even considering it.
...construction/craftsmanship, country of manufacture/reputation-materials, how it is put together-also very relative to cost as well, and cost will play a decision as to how, when, why.
...Tone/sustain/playability... this is actually number 1,2 & 3 all in one as these are the three key deciding factors.

Buying is a process, and I don't spend big bucks too easily, but if an instrument sounds or plays like crap and but looks good-whats the point?

Let me put a Hohner L-59 up against my Charvel 750XL...both are 24.75 scale..hardtail, construction varies obviously because of shape and brand..but I tell ya.. I am very impressed by the Hohner believe it or not and the two are almost equal in quality of construction as well as playability and tone.

[Bryan]

1. Features - I don't really need to buy a guitar unless I need it for a reason. (ex. humbuckers, Floyd Rose, etc.) Once I have that I go to:

2. Feel - I'll pick it up and play it unplugged just to see if it "fits" me. After a while I might plug one in just to see what it sounds like.

3. Looks - once I find a guitar that passes the first two tests, I'll se if there are any other in a color or finish I might like better.

[tanpsi]

1. Feel - that would include neck shape and finish, I know action can be changed but if the guitars not set up with low action and properly intonated I'll try another. Also I guess string or spring tension would be part of it or what ever it is that makes strats w vintage trems feel rubbery!!

2. Sounds through different amps(this is #2 but if it doesn't sound good to me, I'll start the search over).

3. Simple electronics easily worked on and standard sizes of parts, mainly pickup spacing and trem post spacing, so if I want to upgrade or something wears out, it's easy.

[diablomozart]

neck shape, floyd, good ringing acoustic tone...d.m.

[straycat]

I buy/trade a lot so I look for used USA guitars prices are usually very reasonable in relation to their original price.Fenders I buy to resell,Gibsons usually the same.Jacksons and Charvels I keep.
Condition has to be solid, original parts must be intact.Paint can be dinged or worn thats OK with me refins are no problem.
They must play reasonably well, be loud and proud un plugged.I tend to go for the well played guitars because you have proof that they are solid players.
Every now and then I'll buy a new guitar then fit and finish, neck pocket, fretwork,hardware etc comes into play.
USA, Japan and Korea make fine guitars.

[Endrik]

1. The most important thing - the TONE. It has to sound good acoustically and plugged in.

2. Craftmanship and components - it must be very well built to last many many years even in the most insane enviroments. And it should be versatile and have the components I need - more than one pickup, floyd etc.

3. Looks - No way I'm buying ugly guitars.

[straycat]

+1 ugly guitars suck.ie stabbed poo remember?

[ozzuk1]

We'll I persoanlly look for a certain guitar I used to only like certain things ebony fretboards, two hums anda few other things but my tastes have changed after recently playing a H-S-Hguitar in the 4th position I was able to get a magnificent clean from it...

So Personally I wouldnt mind seeing a few jacksons in H-S-H, also more maple boards wouldnt go amiss a RR3 with the current specs but with maple, or a two hum one volume and toggle would be even nicer....

However I use EMG's and Swinesheads so would likely replace the current pickups in the x and pro series, I may also give bareknuckle a try in the near future...

So All I would really like to see is some more maple boarded models...

Also how about a DK2M FX and matching headstock colours? the FX would have a hardtail bridge, and locking tuners if this didnt knock the cost up too much...

OFR's would be nice but dont bother me I prefer the Gotoh FR personally so OFR's for most of the imports wouldnt be a selling point then again you run into the chance of recreating the pro series of the early 90's and possibly take away usa sales, and yes I would love to see a usa jackson outside of london...

And more Imports Ibanez have a large monoply in the UK because they have good distribution and people can try them out few people will travel and search for a usa jackson or charvel when they can play a nice Ibanez for just over a grand......

So for me I would love to see a RR with a maple board, a HSH dinky or soloist, and a fixed variation of the HSH DK or SL preferably with maple fretboard, the black sharkies are fine...

Owain

[mudkicker]

Forget price points, etc. I'm looking for info on the most essential elements that trigger you to buy it.

Thanks for your input!

Price point is the most essential point when purchasing a guitar or anything else.

Everyone else has listed the obvious, we all look at craftsmanship and components. But in the end it all boils down to is price. Some will say price doesn't matter. Good for them.

But I think for the majority PRICE MATTERS. This is something J/C is ignoring at least in the Charvel line.

[~K~]

But I think for the majority PRICE MATTERS. This is something J/C is ignoring at least in the Charvel line.

The charvel line is cheaper than the corresponding Jackson line?

[Eric_kv2]

1. Do they have anything else left handed besides that white or black piece of crap/made in (insert 3rd world country here) fender strat copy or look-a-like? If so? REJECTED

2. Is the neck warped as your average pool cue found at the local pool hall? If so? REJECTED

3. Does it have a floyd and decent (name brand) pickups in it? Usually a major selling point for me but not critical.

Otherwise I'm fairly leinient.

[hippietim]

I would expect nothing less from you Tim.....LOL

I actually meant what I said - perhaps not in literal terms though .

I hate walking into GC and seeing this sea of sameness. It's pitiful really. I was traveling this week and popped into a few music stores (including a couple GCs) and it's just so fucking boring. I hardly even look at the new guitars.

The Schecters are all over the top with dorky abalone binding, gay inlays, and gold hardware. The only Ibanezes they have are the Satch and RG style in 4 colors a piece - maybe a JEM or something if you are lucky. The Gibsons are predictable - several cherry burst standards, a black LPC, a couple faded SGs, a white V with a white guard, a black explorer with a white guard. Fenders are ultra boring - you can have anything you want as long as it's a burst Strat or butterscotch Tele - oh they come in 3 other colors too. Yawn. The PRSs are perhaps the worst - everyone has a 24 fret 10-top trans red with birds. Charvels are really sad. Why? Because there aren't any. Jacksons - there's like 2 or 3 per store - one will be black for sure. The other will be Eerie Dess swirl. How exciting. Don't get me started on the BC Rich offerings - does anyone remember laughter? Lather, rinse, repeat. Sadly, the most interesting guitars to look at in most stores are usually the Epiphones - too bad those are such hit or miss guitars.

The sad thing is that all of these companies have many wonderfully diverse options - they just don't make it into many stores. Even the boutique stores just carry the boutique versions of the guitars hanging at the chain stores.

I suppose this is more a reflection that everyone just wants the same as everyone else.

[hippietim]

The charvel line is cheaper than the corresponding Jackson line?

Unfortunately there are almost no stores where one can actually walk in and try a Charvel.