finally gonna change it up

[mogar]

Hey guys. Well, I've decided that I'm tired of playing with imports, so I will be making the jump to something more along the lines of a USA model jackson or possibly an older custom ESP. Sure, I still love my mockingbird and LTD, but they just don't seem to posses any personality. I have found a few places where I can get ahold of some older esp mirages and other places where I can get sl-1's. Both of which are under a grand. Since I live in North Dakota, the ability to try out either of these models first hand is impossible. I was just wondering if any of you who have owned/played both could offer your .02 as to which one you would choose in my situation?
Thanks for your time and suggestions!

later,
mogar

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: finally gonna change it up

I think ESP Mirage can get it cheaper but I beleive they are bolt on.
I love them and the were my favorite guitars with replacement necks(maple 1pc. necks made by ESP,Warmoth and GMW).
On the other hand SL1 is a neck thru guitar.
I love Jackson's neck thru guitars.


I would say try them and see how you like them.
Good Luck!

[neilli]

Re: finally gonna change it up

ESP Mirage Customs are neck thru - the nut width is (I believe) 1 5/8 on the ESP, so is narrower than the SL1 and this might factor in your decision. I'd go for an SL1 (this is the Jackson Charvel forum!) but I do love my ESP as well!

[mogar]

Re: finally gonna change it up

Unfortunately, "try before you buy" is pretty tough here in north dakota unless your talking about schecter, LTD, or gibson/epiphone. But I think that I am definately going to go for the jackson. Now that thats decided, there are three I found that are on the top of my list. 1)snow white soloist with kahler and jackson p-ups. 2) dark forest green soloist with floyd and duncans. 3) black rr-1 with (mostly) gold hardware and duncans (only the bridge and nut aren't gold. All three of these I found for under a grand. I would love to have any of these but am unsure of which to get. Also, I have never tried a kahler before and thats making me qeustion the snow white sl1. Is the kahler as smooth with the dive bombs as a floyd?

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: finally gonna change it up

I guess I am confused with Mirage Deluxe and Custom.
The one I was talking about are Mirage Deluxe.
I thought the neck through versions of these older ESPs are called M1 or something. I had one with 1hum.

[RR05xx]

Re: finally gonna change it up

BTW: ESPs are imports too [img]/images/graemlins/poke.gif[/img] I think that they can make a decent guitar when they want to, but these days, dollar for dollar, I think you get more from Jackson than from ESP for your money, period! If you check out the bay, you will notice that even older ESP models seem command a premium if in any kind of playable shape. Mr. $0.02

[mogar]

Re: finally gonna change it up

Yeah, I know that ESPs are technically imports, but they are made to a higher quality on par with USA made instruments. I just used the term "import" to label anything that was made on an assembly line. Damn, I got two weeks until the cash flow comes in. Then after that, GAS cure time. Yay!

p.s. thanks for your guy's help so far!

[Inazone]

Re: finally gonna change it up

As far as buying a guitar without playing it first, it can be a mixed bag. I have bought a few Jacksons over the Internet, and had pretty good results. Oddly enough, the only one I didn't like was a brand new KV2; I bought it because of the "speed neck" and ended up hating the neck profile! Other than that, I've been very satisfied.

[mogar]

Re: finally gonna change it up

It won't bother me if I don't like it right away. Chances are, I more than likely won't. I didn't like my LTD's neck and action at first, but over time, it grew on me. Now it's my favorite guitar. Besides, I could always sell/trade the guitar if I really don't like it. Since it is cheap enough so that if I do sell it, I could probably get more than what I'll pay for it.