Guitar Players?

[Girl]

Yo, I know this isn't really the best place for this kind of question, but I come here a lot so why not right...

I was lookin to get a new Axe, but I'm not sure on what to get. Kinda debating between an Ibanez RG or Ibanez SZ320EX. There are many models of the RG so I haven't really narrowed my search down on that too well yet. But I'm lookin for a nice heavy sound, but also a nice clean sound when I need it. Any suggestions? $500 is around the limit.

I want something with decent sized frets, preferably a 22-Fret neck. Fixed bridge, or at least not a floating bridge.

[Boyiee]

Yo, I know this isn't really the best place for this kind of question, but I come here a lot so why not right...

I was lookin to get a new Axe, but I'm not sure on what to get. Kinda debating between an Ibanez RG or Ibanez SZ320EX. There are many models of the RG so I haven't really narrowed my search down on that too well yet. But I'm lookin for a nice heavy sound, but also a nice clean sound when I need it. Any suggestions? $500 is around the limit.

I want something with decent sized frets, preferably a 22-Fret neck. Fixed bridge, or at least not a floating bridge.

For more guitarists try the forums at ultimate-guitar:
http://ultimate-guitar.com/forum/forumd ... 68e8a&f=26

it's not a bad place to talk to people and get more information. The ratio to Experienced:Non-Experienced players there that will help you is much more than here. In fact I'm sure you're going to get inexperienced people trying to help you here before I finish writing this post, if not shortly after.

Is this your first guitar? There are some basics you will want to follow when it comes to a first guitar, or well, any guitar for that matter.

This is one of the stickies from the forum I linked, it's a good start:
http://ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showth ... p?t=328491

The number 1 thing to know about buying an instrument is to decide on it yourself, after playing it. It typically takes me 1-2 months to Narrow down which guitar I want. I travel all over my state to play guitars that some shops have that others don't. Each one plays differently, even of the same model. I'm happy you picked out an RG, I'm not a big Ibanez person, but I do like RG's. It's difficult to go wrong with them, they are good mid-range guitars. Go to Musiciansfriend.com and find a bunch of guitars in your price range with the specs you want. Don't just stick to RG's and Ibanez, look at everything. Then go find them at stores and play every single one. Sometimes you have to go to the main dealers website to find a store near you (jackson.com to find a jackson dealer), sometimes they have that exact model in stock, sometimes they dont but they have something you instead fall in love with and luck out.

If you want a nice heavy sound but with good cleans you're probably going to end up with Seymore Duncan pickups. I especially like the Jazz model, it's got a good sound. Typically though, 95% of the sound depends on your amp and setup though. Amp's are usually a more important buy that a guitar. A shitty amp wont make a 3000$ gibson les paul sound any better than a 200$ epiphone les paul. If your amp is decent, then it's mostly about feel than sound still. Sounds can always be altered with your amp and effects, and even through pickups. Got a guitar that you love to play, but you want it to be more grungy? Pick up some EMG's.

I'm very biased with guitars amps and pickups nowadays, but between me, my uncle, and my sisters father we have an insane collection so I have reasons to be so Biased. If you find an Ibanez you like, don't be afraid to drop down a model and get some nice pickups for it.

I could really discuss this for hours. Hit me up on AIM or MSN and we'll take a look at what you've picked out so far, and what you are REALLY looking for. Knowing what you have now and your experience playing is important and can greatly determine how little you really need to spend. There is no reason to spend more than you need to, it wont make you sound better. But if you already sound good, then we can have alot of fun figuring out whats best for you.

[Saga]

yea but can you play TTFATF on expert

[Tricen]

Jackson!

[Boyiee]

Jackson!

I have a jackson (hence why i listed the jackson.com thing since I had to find a dealer as well lol) but the only thing is at his price range I doub't I'd buy a jackson. The USA models are great but pricey. The only low end model I'd recommend are the ones around $800 even.

[Girl]

Right now I have a Washburn, and I don't really like it too much. I had a Fender Squire before that one. I'm an okay player I guess, but I just want something new cuz this washburn is kinda weird. I think the only guitar store we have around here is Schmidts which sucks, and Guitar Center which is decent. It'll still be a bit before I pick one up so maybe I'll stop off at a few places and try some out.

It's just that I played my friend's Ibanez Gio, which is like a lower model, and I even like that way better than my Washburn which costs twice as much. By the way, the Ibanez Sz320Ex comes with Duncans.

[sephir]

I would recomend an RG. But make sure to play it and make sure it feels comfortable to you before purchasing it. Ibanez make good range of guitars accross all price ranges. I own a sister model to the RG (JS model) and I love it. The sound is crystal clear and the feeling is perfect. My old guitar teacher owned an RG form the 80's and its always kept its great sound and its nearly indestructable. He would tell me stories of his band throwing it into pools from rooftops and him pulling it out and it being ok.

Just whatever you do, stay away from Epiphone. Gibson is a strong brand name and usually can provide good guitars but the epiphone series just seems to always come out sounding like crap.

[Unklemonkey]

Personally, I'd go for the RG, one of the most enjoyable line to play in my opinion.

[Plow]

But I'm lookin for a nice heavy sound, but also a nice clean sound when I need it. Any suggestions? $500 is around the limit.

I want something with decent sized frets, preferably a 22-Fret neck. Fixed bridge, or at least not a floating bridge.

I was going to say look for a Fender Jag-Stang (they don't make em anymore) but I don't think you'd like the bridge.


If you've got the time and energy to keep it in good shape and take it to a shop once a year or so to straighten the neck, it offers pretty much everything else you're looking for.

[Jerseyprophet]

But I'm lookin for a nice heavy sound, but also a nice clean sound when I need it. Any suggestions? $500 is around the limit.

A Les Paul clone (because of your price tag) would give you the warm tone, full body sound for the "clean sound" and with a good setup of pedals for a distorted tone.

I find that the solid body of a Paul gives that for me, but I own a true Les Paul - I dont know if the "budget" versions will give that quality. Worth a shot at the local store. Of course, just my advice. I only minor in guitar, I'm a drummer - but owning a recording studio means I'm a totally audiophile and geek for perfect sounds.

[Vandole]

i havent been playing guitar for too long, but my dad loves it so when i said i was interested he gave me one of his guitars, which happens to be a fender stratocaster, so thats pretty cool. its a great sounding guitar... good guitar for my first one IMO lol

[Marsala]

I am an acoustic player and love the feel of an acoustic when playing an electric. That being said, I am partial to Taylor T5.

[sephir]

But I'm lookin for a nice heavy sound, but also a nice clean sound when I need it. Any suggestions? $500 is around the limit.

A Les Paul clone (because of your price tag) would give you the warm tone, full body sound for the "clean sound" and with a good setup of pedals for a distorted tone.

I find that the solid body of a Paul gives that for me, but I own a true Les Paul - I dont know if the "budget" versions will give that quality. Worth a shot at the local store. Of course, just my advice. I only minor in guitar, I'm a drummer - but owning a recording studio means I'm a totally audiophile and geek for perfect sounds.

Gibson Les Pauls are great. Ive played a few at different places but the budget (they are called Epiphone) are complete crap. I owned one for 5 years and Once I found a better guitar I replaced it. Its a good beguinner guitar because chances are new players will quit within the first year and the price is low so its not a huge investment.

Fender Strats are good, but I find they are hit or miss. Ive owned mine for about 6 years now, I still play it every now and then, but Im more of a technical player so my JS model fits my needs a little better. If you choose to get a Fender be sure to try it out for at least 2-3 hours before buying it as you will want to be very picky with them. Even the same models form the same year can have completly different feels and sounds so pay close attention to them.

[Tricen]

Action on Les Pauls kinda suck :<

[Tricen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4jVZLLb ... h_response

Don't get those guitars.

[Huggo]

I've got a Gibson Les Paul and I love it to death. Great tone, sustain, and a nice colorful sound. With your price tag I think if you picked up an Epiphone Les Paul you may find something you like. Or you could spend maybe the same or a bit extra and get a Gibson SG. I used to like those a lot too before I bought my LP.

[Boyiee]

I have several gibsons, some dating back to the 70's, but he wants a 500$ price range. Stick with the RG.

If you go to guitar center, and one of the sales people comes up to you, tell them you're just looking and you'll let them know if you need something. They are hungrier than some car salesman, and will try to sell you whatever they can.

I walked in once looking for a jackson or ESP with emg's and a floyd rose, and the fucking guy points me at this guitar that has neither, costs 800 more, and has "a switch to make it sound acoustic". Fucking guy, I play classical guitar on stage, why the fuck would I want an electric that pretends to sound like an acoustic some kid made in woodshop.

If you're any good, find something with a maple or ebony fretboard mmmmm. Just love the way it feels on my fingertips.

Really, what you want is a USA made guitar. Under 1k they are hard to get (decent anyway) unless you go used or on Ebay - which you should really consider. Even the American strats are nice, and I hate strats lol. If it's too difficult to fit into your price range, you really can't go wrong with a mid range ibanez or fender - these guitars pretty much are in their prime in the mid-price range, go to the seymore site and listen to some of the pickups. I'm sure you can either get a cheap guitar and add those pickups, or find what you want already with them.

[Tricen]

PRS! Oh.. Uh.... Just go to a store, look for ones with 500$~ and play them. That'd be your best bet.

[Boyiee]

PRS! Oh.. Uh.... Just go to a store, look for ones with 500$~ and play them. That'd be your best bet.

Yeah, like I said. Go to musiciansfriend.com find a bunch with the specs you like then start calling places and traveling to see if they have those models in stock. Chances are you'll either narrow it down to one you want, or come across another you didn't know about that you love.

[Tricen]

I was at a guitar center and there was a really nice guitar that was abotu 700 or 800$. I was like daaayaaam cause it was beautiful. I sat down to play it and guess what had nasty fret buzz.