Just Unsure what to even do anymore.....

[gemini8026]

G.A.S Attacks.....

But damn, I've played this game for too long, and I am tired of it. Im 27 years old, and have owned upwards of 35+ guitars. Four USA Jacksons, 7 Ibanez's, 3 Peavey Wolfgangs, Custom Warmoth's, Kramers, Ernie Balls, etc, etc, 3 Carvins, etc.....


USA Jacksons have always been my favourite, but they always have one flaw, I am too scared to beat on them, and "wear" them out. Ive also had bad luck in that two of the USA's I purchased had major issues that the sellers didnt feel like disclosing at the time. (raised frets, overly worn frets)

The other two were great guitars, if not somewhat HEAVY. the one mahog SL2H was a complete beauty, but it was heavy after a while.....

There's one guitar that does everything for me perfect, except for one MAJOR thing. Thats Carvin, my chubby fingers just arent used to, and dislike the shorter 25" scale. OTher then that, I LOVE THEM. Ive mailed them asking for a custom order, but they dont even respond.

I like Ibanez guitars, but I hate the Wizard neck. I like the Wizard 2 neck, but they dont offer it on any of their prestige guitars. I want to pay good money for a quality guitar that will last, and the cheaper Ibanez guitars just don't appeal to me. However, theres one that I am interested in, the MTM2. It has the fixed double locking bridge, and it's simplistic design with tunign stability appeals to me. BUT, it's made in Indonesia, and It's 600$....... Thats HARD to justify when I can pick up a 900$ USA Jackson which is a lot more.

I dont know what to do with myself. I need a double locking trem, a 25.5 inch scale with at least a 43 mm nut, and Im stuck between a rock and a USA Jackson that I KNOW I will be scared to play......

Here's the other catch, I dont want to spend over 1000$ So that means I can buy a great used guitar, but cant buy anything silly......

Anyone got any ideas, Im running out and I need to purchase some damn gear..........

[straycat]

Why are you worried you won't wear out a Jackson I have tried.I have refretted my 93 fusion H-H 3 times and its beat to hell and back,been stepped on beer spilled on it even a baby has puked on it so its been thru hell but still plays great and sounds killer.

[gemini8026]

Stray, I guess its the idea of spending 1k on a guitar, and then one small accident costing me a lot of $$$$. Im not rich, I do roofing and I install windows and bend metal for a living. Our local tech in town is a joke, so major work is tough to get done.....

Also, I like a satin/unfinished neck. When a person scuffs up the neck with some scotch brite or light sandpaper, it also kills the value of the guitar.

Three fretjobs though, wow!

[thetroy]

What's wrong with a model 6 (or any number of other old J/C's) that's already been dinged?

I can't be of much more help since I have 2 guitars and the more expensive one cost $199 new

[bibz]

A high quality import jackson would suit you there. I dont get the fear of wearing out a usa, that just means you use it! I agree on the ibanez though. 'Prestige' doesnt mean that anymore. I dont agree with the necks, but the quality is abysmal from what I've seen of late.

I'd say checkout the jackson stars range and see what you think!

[Sunbane]

Find a dinged up USA that you don't need to be afraid to play.

[Shawn Lutz]

enjoy them, they are not investment pieces and in all honesty there are far better things ou there for better returns on the dollar than USA Jacksons

Play your best guitars and if you happen to give it a character flaw so be it...fear my friend gets you no where

[quiksilver]

Good advice. Play the USA Jacksons and don't worry about the wear. Most of them aren't all that collectible anyway. If you get a neck-through, you can scuff the neck as you described for a satin feel, then when/if you decide to sell it, just shine it back up with rubbing compound/polish remover, then wax.

Alternately, get an Ibanez Prestige with the "Ultra" neck. It is much thicker than a Wizard or Wizard II. They seem to use the Ultra neck on more of their neck-throughs, though I did have a killer bolt-on RG with it (2120KKB).

[j2379]

NT model series, maybe a jackson stars. robin? schecter? you could always try & find a used USA jackson thats already been beat up a bit.

[straycat]

The only new guitar I have is a new mutt and I even chipped the neck pocket clearcoat(nitro lacquer)) dry fitting the neck so its new with a caracter flaw already.

[lerxstcat]

Gemini, you're a good guy and I've watched you go through this oddyssey and I have to say, your expectations are too high!

Get a Model 6 or 650XL and play it. You are a bit too anal in that you really scrutinize looking for potential reasons not to like a guitar, rather than ever bonding with the guitar and going from there.

And you should get one and stick with it for awhile. I mentioned Model 6s; when you started your odyssey, they went for $300-$400 used every day. Now the going rate is $600-$700. Snag one and live with it before they hit the $1000 level.

If not a Model 6, something else. Have you ever stuck with a guitar for 6 months even, or do you look for something to make it NOT perfect for you, and then move on?

I think you are a bit fickle. Buy something and stick with it for awhile. Adapt to the guitar instead of tossing it aside because it didn't make you the guitarist of your dreams instantly.

Again, I think you're a great guy from what I know of you from here, but I also think you'd be happier if you'd settle down with a guitar and let it grow on you. The next guitar you buy, decide you're stuck with it for at least a year, then play it every day for that year. You might find that imperfect guitar is perfect for you.

[straycat]

All good points lerx.Some people just have a hard time finding that perfect guitar.Maybe soon he will.
With me I love the looks of the RR and the Kelly and have owned a few but as far as playing them they are uncomfortable for me.A Dinky or a full sized strat just feel good to me.I love the Gibson L.P's and explorers but again the same thing so get what feels good to you and give it time it will grow on you.

[gemini8026]

Damnit I knew you would give me shit Lerx, but I do appreciate the psychological advice! It's all true, a lot of it is mental. But at the end of the day, it's a question of $$$. If I had the money to keep all thwe guitars I like, I'd be a lot better off. Sadly, I make enough to enjoy life, but not enough to be able to afford thousands of $$$ in guitars, Ive already spent enough on my little recording studio.....

I hope in the near future I will be able to affrord and justify having various guitars to suit my needs so I dont have to rely on just one to fit the bill.

For thew record, Im highly considering putting in some heavy overtime in the next 2 weeks to pick up a GREAT offer from a board member on a beautiful SL1

[skorb]

I totally don't get this "I go through a million guitars" thing.

buy good stuff and play it I say.

I've owned a total of 6 guitars in my life and only sold one, a 12-string, and only after I upgraded that one by getting a much better 12 than I had. all my other guitars are either exactly what I wanted or I modded them to make them what I wanted.

the 5 I have right now (3 electrics / 2 acoustics) are perfect for me. I'll never sell any of these. I could not imagine selling any of them.

I guess I'm just the keeping type. plus each guitar I own has some level of sentimental value and they all sound great.

[straycat]

Gibson, Fender and Ibanez I usualy buy to flip and make money to buy amps or rack gear.The Jackson/Charvels I keep.I've built several mutts(10) over the years and still have 2. Mutts rule!!!!