Buying new guitar - recommendations?

[jtmann]

Buying new guitar - recommendations?


Thanks for the input all – very helpful. A couple follow up questions as I have changed my criteria a bit:


(1.) I have played a bunch of Ibanez models (JS 1000/1200, RG 1570, JEM). For the money the 1570 seems like a great guitar, especially the thin neck which I like. The only thing not hot on for the 1570 is the pickups (I think they are stock Ibanez Hums – IB8 and IB7??). They seemed a little weak. Anybody have any experience with them?


(2) I am coming around to being open to a neck-thru, but most of the neck thrus I have come across seem to have the back of the neck painted the same color as the guitar. The Ibanez I have been playing for 20 years has an unpainted back of neck. Does a painted back of neck affect the feel and speed of the neck – i.e., is it less fast than an unpainted neck?


(3) I never had a good impression of BC Rich but just came across a BC Rich model that seems to be getting rave reviews –everywhere I look the ASM Pro (see http://tinyurl.com/asmpro ). It has original (not copy/license) Floyd, EMG 81/85. But it has a painted neck (see previous question) and I am unsure whether the neck is as fast/thin as an Ibanez RG 1570. I am going to try to find a store stocking the ASM Pro so I can play it but any opinions would be appreciated.


(4) If I do start to now look at neck-thrus and painted necks then I will probably take another look at ESPs. For $1,500 or so any models you would reco?

(5) Finally, for a budget of up to $1,500, would you pick the ASM Pro, Ibanez RG1570 or an ESP? Or another? Key to me is neck speed, good pickups and ideally neck and bride Hums, no centre PU at all.
Sorry for long post and thanks a mill for thoughts

ORIGINAL POST:
Greetings,

I currently play an Ibanez EX Series circa 1990 (a $500 guitar at the time). I am considering upgrading to a guitar in the $1,200 - 1,500 range. Here are the things that I am looking for:
1. Neck - thin, fast, bolt-on, not a painted neck
2. Pickups - would prefer Hum on bridge and neck, with no middle pickup at all
3. Ideally would like to stick with 22 frets (vs. 24) but will make the move to 24 if no choice
4. Rosewood fingerboard - not maple (too bright)

A few questions for the forum:

Q1. I have looked at the entire lines for Ibanez, ESP and Charvel. ESP and Charvel seem to be out based on above criteria (Charvel only seems to do maple fingerboard and ESP necks seems to be mainly neck-thru and painted). Of the Ibanez line, the RG1570 seems to be closest (except it has a middle pickup and 24 frets – both of which I am not happy about but could live with if no choice). The Ibanez JS 1000 seems to be out of my price range and I have read that the neck is not as fast as the Prestige/Wizard necks – the JS 1000 is more like a Strat neck. My question for the forum on this point is are there other manufacturers you know who would meet above criteria? Also am I missing something in the Ibanez family?

Q2. I have been playing electrics with 22 frets for over twenty years (it is what I learned on). I am nervous about making the move to 24 frets if I have to – will the neck be longer, will my left hand and right hand arm position be thrown off/have to retrain, muscle memory, etc. Any comments from the forum on this?

Q3. Some Ibanez models I have seen state they use “medium” frets while others say “jumbo”. What is the difference and which do you think is better for my style (metal, hard rock, shred , Satch, Vai, etc.)

All comments appreciated

Thanks

[gmbob22]

DK1 gets my vote, but this is a jackson board, thin neck, bolt on, H/H

or maybe a new charvel

[livebiz]

Buying new guitar - recommendations?


Thanks for the input all – very helpful. A couple follow up questions as I have changed my criteria a bit:


(1.) I have played a bunch of Ibanez models (JS 1000/1200, RG 1570, JEM). For the money the 1570 seems like a great guitar, especially the thin neck which I like. The only thing not hot on for the 1570 is the pickups (I think they are stock Ibanez Hums – IB8 and IB7??). They seemed a little weak. Anybody have any experience with them?


(2) I am coming around to being open to a neck-thru, but most of the neck thrus I have come across seem to have the back of the neck painted the same color as the guitar. The Ibanez I have been playing for 20 years has an unpainted back of neck. Does a painted back of neck affect the feel and speed of the neck – i.e., is it less fast than an unpainted neck?


(3) I never had a good impression of BC Rich but just came across a BC Rich model that seems to be getting rave reviews –everywhere I look the ASM Pro (see http://tinyurl.com/asmpro ). It has original (not copy/license) Floyd, EMG 81/85. But it has a painted neck (see previous question) and I am unsure whether the neck is as fast/thin as an Ibanez RG 1570. I am going to try to find a store stocking the ASM Pro so I can play it but any opinions would be appreciated.


(4) If I do start to now look at neck-thrus and painted necks then I will probably take another look at ESPs. For $1,500 or so any models you would reco?

(5) Finally, for a budget of up to $1,500, would you pick the ASM Pro, Ibanez RG1570 or an ESP? Or another? Key to me is neck speed, good pickups and ideally neck and bride Hums, no centre PU at all.
Sorry for long post and thanks a mill for thoughts

ORIGINAL POST:
Greetings,

I currently play an Ibanez EX Series circa 1990 (a $500 guitar at the time). I am considering upgrading to a guitar in the $1,200 - 1,500 range. Here are the things that I am looking for:
1. Neck - thin, fast, bolt-on, not a painted neck
2. Pickups - would prefer Hum on bridge and neck, with no middle pickup at all
3. Ideally would like to stick with 22 frets (vs. 24) but will make the move to 24 if no choice
4. Rosewood fingerboard - not maple (too bright)

A few questions for the forum:

Q1. I have looked at the entire lines for Ibanez, ESP and Charvel. ESP and Charvel seem to be out based on above criteria (Charvel only seems to do maple fingerboard and ESP necks seems to be mainly neck-thru and painted). Of the Ibanez line, the RG1570 seems to be closest (except it has a middle pickup and 24 frets – both of which I am not happy about but could live with if no choice). The Ibanez JS 1000 seems to be out of my price range and I have read that the neck is not as fast as the Prestige/Wizard necks – the JS 1000 is more like a Strat neck. My question for the forum on this point is are there other manufacturers you know who would meet above criteria? Also am I missing something in the Ibanez family?

Q2. I have been playing electrics with 22 frets for over twenty years (it is what I learned on). I am nervous about making the move to 24 frets if I have to – will the neck be longer, will my left hand and right hand arm position be thrown off/have to retrain, muscle memory, etc. Any comments from the forum on this?

Q3. Some Ibanez models I have seen state they use “medium” frets while others say “jumbo”. What is the difference and which do you think is better for my style (metal, hard rock, shred , Satch, Vai, etc.)

All comments appreciated

Thanks

I would go with a San Dimas era Charvel or a USA Kramer Pacer or Baretta. Carvin's are pretty nice too and have a million options for a pretty good price. As far as the 22/24 - all my guitars but 1 are 22 frets. Physically, I don't notice a difference. If I'm playing the higher frets and glance down though there's a visual difference that takes getting used to.

[straycat]

The number of frets makes no diff to me.If that is your price range why not pick up a used USA Jackson DK-1 or a SD plated Jackson dinky or super strat?
That way you get the rosewood board and the fast neck + a hell of a lot better guitar than a new Ibanez or ESP.JMO.

[Killertofu]

i have a painted neck RR5 and a '98 fender telecaster made in mehico. in some ways the unpainted tele has a faster neck because over the years i've played it so much that its slicker than the jackson.

if you want the fastest neck possible i vote for unpainted maple bolt on neck BUT how fast do you really need it?

it sounds to me like you want a USA select dinky.

also if you dont want tremolo i'd check out the epiphone prophecy line.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I have painted necks and unpainted necks and it doesn't really make any difference to me, as long as the painted neck is clean or really really greasy.

I have 22 and 24 fret guitars, the only difference it makes to me is that it's easier to get to the 22nd fret on the 24 fret guitars, and there are 2 extra frets.

Whatever frets feel better to you is what's better. I like really tall frets.

In that price range ($1500) a used SL1 or SL2H (24-fret neck-through) is a great guitar, as is a used DK1 (24-fret bolt on). The DK1 is thinner and unpainted and the 24-fret thing really isn't a big deal, I think you'd actually really like the access to the upper frets.

[markD]

+1 to what is being said about the used jacksons. but out of the list you gave, if i were spending 1500 on a japanese guitar i'd get an ESP. my local dealer has the ESP horizon FR for 1559, with the case. so that's a REAL japanese ESP, neck-through, excellent parts/components all within your price range. only thing that sucks is i think it only comes in red. ESP also has a NT horizon with a string-thru bridge for the same price.

but i'd still go with the jackson.

[j2379]

find an older bcrich st-3, add a single sized hum in the neck and rip the middle pup out & have plenty of $$ left. killer necks, double hum st-3/slingers are hard to find. the pointy headstock charvel/jacksons, maybe even with graphics. for $1500 you got lots o options.

[Robotechnology]

For $1,500 you can get a used Ibanez JEM as it seems you like Ibanez guitars a lot. Like others have said you have a lot of choices.

[Axewielder]

Neck thru Jacksons with oiled necks can be found, but they are quite rare. If you are determined enough, you can find one. Painted necks aren't bad if they are poly finishes (which 99% of Jacksons are). Nitro painted necks....blegh!!

[toxikdeth]

Get a wr1 or kv2.

[Killertofu]

Get a wr1 or kv2.

i vote save up for a kv2 blue ghost flames!