Need Advice!!!... Which CS to buy this weekend?

[Gibsonmac]

So I'm looking to buy either a Death Angel or a CS Ghost Flames Soloist this weekend, and would like some insight/ advice from you guys...

The Soloist is Ash body, Maple-gun oiled neck, Flame top trans-white ghost flames, with EMG 81/85, chrome floyd.

The Death Angel is Alder body, 3/4" flamed maple arched top, Trans-black, maple speed Neck-thru, SCYTHE inlays, and a single EMG 81, black floyd.


I really don't know which to get, they are both bad ass... I guess the soloist is more versatile because it has a neck pickup, but it really doesn't bother me at all, I am kinda unsure about the whole 'Ash' body, I've always played alder/mahogany/korina. But it has an unpainted neck, which I really like. And the 'standard' shape is definitely within my comfort zone . If it were alder/mahogany I would almost definitely go with it.

The Death Angel is just bad ass all around , I will definitely be the only guy in my area with one of those, It's the most extreme shape I've ever played, which Kinda excites me, and I know I like alder, I like the speed profile neck, but its painted, which I could do without (I really like unfinished necks).


Anyway, whatcha guys think I should do?? Thanks

[Oblivion99]

At one point I was considering both of those guitars myself. Honestly its all starts with which shape you would prefer.

The Death Angel looks very cool, but I myself have realized lately that those kind of pointy shapes are just not the right fit for me. If you don't mind those odd shapes, and they are comfortable for you to play, then I would go with the death angel. Personally, of the two, I'd go with the ghost because I much prefer a strat-shape.

There are some other differences too. One pickup vs two pickups, and top-mounted floyd (on the DA) vs recessed floyd.

I have found that the neck PU does have some use (though I used to prefer the bridge for everything), especially with cleans, so I would personally prefer the guitar with 2 PUs. If you only plan on using the bridge though, might as well get the single hum.

When it comes to the floyd, you won't be able to do those dime style huge pull ups with the top mounted floyd, so if you do enjoy those, might want to go with the recess. If you just like a trem for regular use, than the top mount is very nice, but it does make the string action a bit higher than the recessed.

There are truly a huge bunch of factors in this comparison haha. Good luck with the decision!

[Oblivion99]

O and at least in my opinion, ash is a VERY nice tone wood. Has a nice punchy sound to it, and cuts through the mix well. I don't currently own a guitar made of ash, but if I found a guitar that interested me with an ash body, I certainly would seriously consider picking it up. I have heard quite a few players (most recently Dave Weiner of Steve Vai's band) who think that ash is the best tone wood there is.

[Larz]

Death Angel (but no idea how those feel in the sit down position, if applicable)

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I've been "watching" that Soloist on Ebay for about... A long time.

I think you should buy it before I do something dumb.

[Gibsonmac]

Yeah, I don't know which way to go, I also like the white Death Angel... right now I'm leaning towards the soloist, mainly because I will be traveling a bit coming up, and the case is easy to move around and travel with, but the Death Angel cases are big, just about as big as the old style KV2/RR1/KE2/WR1 cases.

The guitar I get isn't going to be the last guitar I'll buy for a long time or anything like that... I'm going to order a CS of my very own as soon as I hammer out the spec's, so this guitar is going to tide me over till I get my "signature guitar" lol...

I just can't decide, they are all pretty Hawt, I think the main reason I'm drawn to the Death Angel is the rarity factor... I've never seen one in person before these, I don't know or even know of, a single person who plays one, besides Cavestany that is...

I'm planning on keeping the guitar I end up with, hopefully for good... I'm kinda worried if I end up with the Arched top Angel, a pure metal machine, five, ten years from now I'll be like "damn I feel like a tool with this ridiculous shred machine, playing in a Hendrix tribute band" or some shit like that, but its not like its my only guitar...

I'm just looking for one of these to be my 'main' go to axe, take with me everywhere I go guitar, for the next year or more at least, till I get my CS, They all play awesome, sound pretty similar, the Black Death Angel has a bit more sustain, it does have a TON of wood in the body, its like 3" thick...

On a side note, the woman says "ooh get the pretty black one (the arched top Death Angel), it looks cool"

[fordsho90]

The Death Angel is cool as hell I've been lusting on that one for quite some time now; I'd love to see that in person its a beautiful guitar. (the trans balck one) Who ever ends up with it is gonna have a cool-ass guitar. Now havent seen the Soloist your speaking of so I cant comment on it, but if your looking for an all around guitar then I would go with the Soloist but for my money I personally would get the Angel but im a bit biased cause I like it so much I could see you 20 years from now playing "All along the Watchtower" playing a Death Angel :ROTF: just dont take a zippo to it

[Gibsonmac]

Well I'm buying one for sure tomorrow, in the afternoon tomorrow (well technically today). I still have no idea which I'm gonna spring for... leaning towards the soloist, cause the case is way more compact, and I'm gonna be traveling with it quite a bit over the next several months... and the DA case is HUGE... its longer, wider, and thicker than a fender bass case, but shit its a hot guitar, and you really don't see many, like at all...

[Mazz]

Personally I would go with the death angel, by the sounds of travelling I presume you're in a band, so it depends if you play rhythm or lead, if Rhythm then you're better off with the soloist as it has the 85 in aswell as the 81 in, where-as the 81 is mainly for leads, so yeah do consider that aswell.

PS: Death Angel!!!! \m/

[TVTiZtiK]

I'd go with the Death Angel. If not for anything else, go for it for the rarity factor. You'll see plenty of dudes with CS Soloists, but you'll see very very few with a CS Death Angel.

[fordsho90]

Well I'm buying one for sure tomorrow, in the afternoon tomorrow (well technically today). I still have no idea which I'm gonna spring for... leaning towards the soloist, cause the case is way more compact, and I'm gonna be traveling with it quite a bit over the next several months... and the DA case is HUGE... its longer, wider, and thicker than a fender bass case, but shit its a hot guitar, and you really don't see many, like at all...

Well whatever you get make sure you post up and dont forget pics when you get it!! Good luck making your decision I am sure its not an easy one for you.

[Gibsonmac]

I decided on the soloist... Although the DA did look awesome, I liked the tone of the Soloist and the oiled neck better... the DA was really dark sounding and chunky, and not so articulate... the Soloist was still beefy, although not as much as the DA, but it was articulate as well, and just set-up better to shred. thanks for the input guys! will post pics soon

Also, the recessed trem of the soloist was preferred to the top mount of the DA, just a personal preference.

[Oblivion99]

good choice! definately will keep its value better than the DA as well

[Gibsonmac]

good choice! definately will keep its value better than the DA as well

very true, I can't say that didn't cross my mind in the decision making process, in case I ever had to sell it off, a soloist would be alot easier to move than a DA

[Jacksonguy666]

Too bad. I agree with everyone else. The DA is so rare. I'd shit bricks if I saw one in person. You should have gotten it for that reason alone. It could prolly fit in a coffin case. Which arem't TOO big.