Guitar Experts - Need a Metal Guitar

[BoldAsLove]

I am looking for a metal guitar. I was thinking of something along the lines of a schecter or jackson. Anybody have any reccomendations? Models?
I already have a gibson les paul custom studio...but lately ive been looking for something more single sided so I can really get the crunch on some of the songs.

 

[BoldAsLove]

up

 

[thomsbrain]

if all you want is a different sounds, look into different pickups. i would stay the hell away from either of those brands, especially if you are used to the gibson. they just don't make good stuff.

 

[BoldAsLove]

their is no way im replacing the pickups on the paul...it already has alnico burstbuckers..they are amazing. quite versaitle...i just need a second guitar which is more one sided.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
if all you want is a different sounds, look into different pickups. i would stay the hell away from either of those brands, especially if you are used to the gibson. they just don't make good stuff.

I'd say this is half true, Gibson is nowhere near what they used to be. They make some great pickups and some good guitars (if you pay out the nose) but not for his purposes.. you wouldn't want to use a Gibson pickup for metal aside from perhaps a 500T, but anyway..


Look into Jackson or Ibanez for cheaper metal esque guitar styles.. fast necks, 24 frets, tremelos.. these are all features you'd want on a metal guitar. EMG make the most 'metal' pickups because they're active, ceramic core, made for pinch harmonics and crushing clarity in heavy gain situations... however you sacrafice tone and clean tone... two things you probably don't care about if you're playing fast metal licks.

Higher up would be ESP and LTD models with fast 24 extra jumbo fret necks.. most come equipped with EMG's already.

Not to say EMG is the end-all metal pickup, but it's effortless to get the tone you want with them and they run on a 9V battery so they're self powered.

edit: Stay away from EMG-HZ pickups, they're not active and they sound like poo.

 

[biggestmuff]

name some bands or guitarist whos sound you like. Schecter and Jackson aren't really the best guitar manufacturers. It's okay for the masses, but you'll be disappointed after owning a LP. I've always considered LPs to be one of the best metal guitars out there.

John Petrucci gets a great heavy sound out of his Ernie Ball Music Man model. He also uses Mesa Boogie amps.

What amp are you using?

 

[BoldAsLove]

Originally posted by: Platypus

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
if all you want is a different sounds, look into different pickups. i would stay the hell away from either of those brands, especially if you are used to the gibson. they just don't make good stuff.

I'd say this is half true, Gibson is nowhere near what they used to be. They make some great pickups and some good guitars (if you pay out the nose) but not for his purposes.. you wouldn't want to use a Gibson pickup for metal aside from perhaps a 500T, but anyway..


Look into Jackson or Ibanez for cheaper metal esque guitar styles.. fast necks, 24 frets, tremelos.. these are all features you'd want on a metal guitar. EMG make the most 'metal' pickups because they're active, ceramic core, made for pinch harmonics and crushing clarity in heavy gain situations... however you sacrafice tone and clean tone... two things you probably don't care about if you're playing fast metal licks.

Higher up would be ESP and LTD models with fast 24 extra jumbo fret necks.. most come equipped with EMG's already.

Not to say EMG is the end-all metal pickup, but it's effortless to get the tone you want with them and they run on a 9V battery so they're self powered.

edit: Stay away from EMG-HZ pickups, they're not active and they sound like poo.

Thanks for the input... I was just checking out some LTDs....have u looked at the M100FM? or the KH202?...the EX400 doesent look bad either.

 

[BoldAsLove]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
name some bands or guitarist whos sound you like. Schecter and Jackson aren't really the best guitar manufacturers. It's okay for the masses, but you'll be disappointed after owning a LP. I've always considered LPs to be one of the best metal guitars out there.

John Petrucci gets a great heavy sound out of his Ernie Ball Music Man model. He also uses Mesa Boogie amps.

What amp are you using?

i enjoy anything from kirk hammett to say jade from afi.....right now i am playing through a crappy crate combo, but i am soon upgrading to a Line6 half stack with a 4x12.

 

[Rudee]

Ibanes RG series of guitars are incredible for metal. Starting with the 550 series (RG550, RG570...) and the newer 15xx series. I own 4 of them, with my most recent being a JEM7V. PM if you have any questions these specific series of guitars. Also, swapping out the stock pickups with various DiMarzio high output pickups is the best thing you can do for these guitars as the sound is incredible.

 

[BoldAsLove]

Originally posted by: Rudee
Ibanes RG series of guitars are incredible for metal. Starting with the 550 series (RG550, RG570...) and the newer 15xx series. I own 4 of them, with my most recent being a JEM7V. PM if you have any questions these specific series of guitars. Also, swapping out the stock pickups with various DiMarzio high output pickups is the best thing you can do for these guitars as the sound is incredible.

damn the JEM7V looks nice...does the little handlebar come in handy? Too bad I dont have 2gs.

 

[BoldAsLove]

Originally posted by: Rudee
Ibanes RG series of guitars are incredible for metal. Starting with the 550 series (RG550, RG570...) and the newer 15xx series. I own 4 of them, with my most recent being a JEM7V. PM if you have any questions these specific series of guitars. Also, swapping out the stock pickups with various DiMarzio high output pickups is the best thing you can do for these guitars as the sound is incredible.

also...how do u feel about the RG370DX or 170DX...or how about the RG350/DX?

 

[clamum]

I'd recommend Ibanez as well.

 

[Platypus]

What's your $ Range?

 

[Rob9874]

I have 2 Ibanez RG's: a 560 and a 1620 (1520). I love 'em. IF you have the money, I'd step up to an American made Jackson. I buy Ibanez's because they're <$1000. And I'm a Paul Gilbert FANATIC (if you say, "Who's Paul Gilbert?", youtube him and you'll be blown away).

 

[Rudee]

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove

Originally posted by: Rudee
Ibanes RG series of guitars are incredible for metal. Starting with the 550 series (RG550, RG570...) and the newer 15xx series. I own 4 of them, with my most recent being a JEM7V. PM if you have any questions these specific series of guitars. Also, swapping out the stock pickups with various DiMarzio high output pickups is the best thing you can do for these guitars as the sound is incredible.

damn the JEM7V looks nice...does the little handlebar come in handy? Too bad I dont have 2gs.

The monkey grip on the JEM7V is a Steve Vai signature. More for looks then anything else. I would not recommend the 300 series guitars. As mentioned, go for a used 500 series guitar or the newer 1500 series (RG550's became RG1550, etc). See if you can find a good used RG500 or RG550 or the newer 4-digit series (RG1550/1570) of RG Prestige guitars. (the 25xx series are good as well). Take it to you guitar tech and have him swap out the pickups. Best metal guitar you will own for the little amount of money spent. I play about 25% metal, and about 75% Satriani/Vai covers.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove

Originally posted by: Rudee
Ibanes RG series of guitars are incredible for metal. Starting with the 550 series (RG550, RG570...) and the newer 15xx series. I own 4 of them, with my most recent being a JEM7V. PM if you have any questions these specific series of guitars. Also, swapping out the stock pickups with various DiMarzio high output pickups is the best thing you can do for these guitars as the sound is incredible.

also...how do u feel about the RG370DX or 170DX...or how about the RG350/DX?

Do not buy anything under a 500 series from Ibanez; pure junk. The rest are on par with Shecter and Jackson. Even the top of the line Jem and Universe models have been having build quality issues along with poor wood selection.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff

Originally posted by: BoldAsLove

Originally posted by: Rudee
Ibanes RG series of guitars are incredible for metal. Starting with the 550 series (RG550, RG570...) and the newer 15xx series. I own 4 of them, with my most recent being a JEM7V. PM if you have any questions these specific series of guitars. Also, swapping out the stock pickups with various DiMarzio high output pickups is the best thing you can do for these guitars as the sound is incredible.

also...how do u feel about the RG370DX or 170DX...or how about the RG350/DX?

Do not buy anything under a 500 series from Ibanez; pure junk. The rest are on par with Shecter and Jackson. Even the top of the line Jem and Universe models have been having build quality issues along with poor wood selection.

+1

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I have 2 Ibanez RG's: a 560 and a 1620 (1520). I love 'em. IF you have the money, I'd step up to an American made Jackson. I buy Ibanez's because they're <$1000. And I'm a Paul Gilbert FANATIC (if you say, "Who's Paul Gilbert?", youtube him and you'll be blown away).

Damn, I want a guitar that lets me reach 17th easily..

 

[Rob9874]

Originally posted by: Vegitto

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I have 2 Ibanez RG's: a 560 and a 1620 (1520). I love 'em. IF you have the money, I'd step up to an American made Jackson. I buy Ibanez's because they're <$1000. And I'm a Paul Gilbert FANATIC (if you say, "Who's Paul Gilbert?", youtube him and you'll be blown away).

Damn, I want a guitar that lets me reach 17th easily..

17th fret? What do you mean? I reach the 24th easily.

 

[Rudee]

Originally posted by: Vegitto

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I have 2 Ibanez RG's: a 560 and a 1620 (1520). I love 'em. IF you have the money, I'd step up to an American made Jackson. I buy Ibanez's because they're <$1000. And I'm a Paul Gilbert FANATIC (if you say, "Who's Paul Gilbert?", youtube him and you'll be blown away).

Damn, I want a guitar that lets me reach 17th easily..

That's the Ibanez wizard neck for ya!

 

[Rob9874]

Originally posted by: Rudee

Originally posted by: Vegitto

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I have 2 Ibanez RG's: a 560 and a 1620 (1520). I love 'em. IF you have the money, I'd step up to an American made Jackson. I buy Ibanez's because they're <$1000. And I'm a Paul Gilbert FANATIC (if you say, "Who's Paul Gilbert?", youtube him and you'll be blown away).

Damn, I want a guitar that lets me reach 17th easily..

That's the Ibanez wizard neck for ya!

Here's mine: Text Why can't you reach the 17th?

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: Rob9874

Originally posted by: Vegitto

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I have 2 Ibanez RG's: a 560 and a 1620 (1520). I love 'em. IF you have the money, I'd step up to an American made Jackson. I buy Ibanez's because they're <$1000. And I'm a Paul Gilbert FANATIC (if you say, "Who's Paul Gilbert?", youtube him and you'll be blown away).

Damn, I want a guitar that lets me reach 17th easily..

17th fret? What do you mean? I reach the 24th easily.

Damn! I've got a Hondo 2 Les Paul and I can only reach the 14th. And it's hard. Up till about 12th is comfortable.

EDIT: The neck gets soo, soo thick. It was for free, though, so I'm not complaining.

 

[Rudee]

Originally posted by: Rob9874

Originally posted by: Rudee

Originally posted by: Vegitto

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I have 2 Ibanez RG's: a 560 and a 1620 (1520). I love 'em. IF you have the money, I'd step up to an American made Jackson. I buy Ibanez's because they're <$1000. And I'm a Paul Gilbert FANATIC (if you say, "Who's Paul Gilbert?", youtube him and you'll be blown away).

Damn, I want a guitar that lets me reach 17th easily..

That's the Ibanez wizard neck for ya!

Here's mine: Text Why can't you reach the 17th?

Here's the fretboard on my newest JEM7V. What do you know, I don't have a problem either.

 

[Vegitto]

Damn, I want a guitar that'll let me reach 24th easily. Also, left handed and right-strung, if possible .

 

[hellokeith]

Many guitar brands have cheapo, value, mainstream, premium, and custom models. So saying xxxx company makes crap guitars is short-sighted. I'd say decide if you are a whammy guy or not, and make your decision on that. And prepare to spend at least $1000 on a quality guitar, regardless of the brand.

Only exception I'd make it with a strat or telecaster. They suck for the metal sound, no matter how quality/expensive they are.