DragnBreth Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Heya, So, I'm looking into purchasing a new guitar. I took a look at some of the other requests for guitar suggestions that have previously shown up on here, but sadly the poster's budget was slightly higher than my own. I was wondering if I could get some advice. I've looked at the reviews, but quite honestly I'm more inclined to believe people on OCR than random reviewers. Anyway, I'm thinking an Ibanez, since I've heard a lot of good things about them, but really have no clue about guitars. I mean, my current guitar is the Behringer iAxe 393... *cough* Yeah... Only reason I bought it was for the USB support... and it was on clearance. Before that was an Epiphone Special SG which ended up falling appart. Not the best guitar track record. Some of the models I've looked at (online) and seemed to have good reviews are the RG321E, GRGA32T, GRGA32, and GSA60. But I'm really not sure, and I don't want to blow that kind of money only to find out its not as good as it says... Budget: $300-$400 (USD) max (not a lot to work with, I know) Use: Metal. Specifically power/prog metal. Notes: I'm also intending to purchase the PodX3 to record with (since that is the sole purpose of a new guitar and which is partly why my budget is as low as it is). Obviously I'm open to other brand suggestions, if you have them. My thanks for any and all advice, and especially for your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusK Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 I make primarily metal, and my Schecter C1+ with an EMG 81/85 set has served me well. My Tempest with the same pickups was even better till someone jacked it. They're built as well as guitars that cost over twice as much, and I've read more than once about how someone's SG or Les Paul started collecting dust 'cause they got a Schecter. That brand's all I play nowadays, so I can't really give an opinion on other brands. Nekofrog has experience with Ibanez, so he'd definitely be a better source of info if you plan on going that route. He's also enjoying a shiny new Carvin, another brand that's supposedly good for power metal. $400 is really not a good budget to go by, but if you can find something with Duncan Design HB-102s, they have some good tone for offshoot cheapie pickups. They're no JB/'59 set, but they'll do for starters. If you find a really nicely built guitar with cheap pickups, you could always upgrade later. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, most guitarshops don't charge much for a pickup switch job. The POD X3's a little pricey. If you go with a POD Studio, you'll end up spending about half as much as you would on an X3 and you can put that extra $200 towards a better guitar. And a budget jump from $400 to $600 can make a big difference there. I'll throw in a couple of Schecter links to look over if you're thinking about grabbing one. This first is a hardtail with an EMG 81/85 set, and the second is an FR with a DD HB102b/101n set. Schecter Hellraiser Special C-1 http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Schecter-Guitar-Research-Hellraiser-Special-Electric-Guitar?sku=430479 Schecter C-1 FR Standard http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Schecter-Guitar-Research-C1-FR-Standard-Electric-Guitar?sku=584531 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 First Act from Walmart, quality guitar. $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragnBreth Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 The POD X3's a little pricey. If you go with a POD Studio, you'll end up spending about half as much as you would on an X3 and you can put that extra $200 towards a better guitar. And a budget jump from $400 to $600 can make a big difference there. Thanks, DusK. I took a look at the Pod Studio when I saw yer post. Definitely more what I'm looking for. I guess the X3 is for if you're wanting to play live as well or somethin'? I'd just seen a lot of guitarists going for the X3 in the past (on here as well as youtube and even Arjen Lucassen) and had never heard of the Studio. I'll definitely keep the Schecters in mind as well. Certainly a nice lookin' guitar and based on your stuff on Youtube, a decent tone like you mentioned. Definitely test 'em next I'm in a Guitar Center. (Note to self: Next time friends are being indecisive, suggest Guitar Center...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darangen Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 The Pod Studio is basically the X3, but without the pedal board. Same sounds, same capabilities, different utility. The X3 is tailored for live use, and the Studio is tailored for, well, studio use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabeel Ansari Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 First Act from Walmart, quality guitar. $100. I cannot even fathom why you would make such a suggestion. First Acts are really bad guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicThHedgog Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 E B A Y good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuketheXjesse Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 I cannot even fathom why you would make such a suggestion. First Acts are really bad guitars. It's called sarcasm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabeel Ansari Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 It's called sarcasm. He could stand to be serious, the OP did say he had no clue about looking for guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragnBreth Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 E B A Y good luck Only problem with that is I can't play it a bit first and get a feel for the guitar before buying. Or actually getting a chance to hear the guitar tone, y'know? - Its not totally imperative that I get the guitar now. I'd like to have something that doesn't have horrible innotation and stays in tune longer than 15 minutes, lol, but I can deal with it if the necissary funds to get a decent guitar are higher than what I currently posses. If there is something in my price range thats good, that'd be awesome, but at least in the interm I'd have some idea of what guitars to try out. But its been less than a day, so I'll wait and see what others have to say... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicThHedgog Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Only problem with that is I can't play it a bit first and get a feel for the guitar before buying. Or actually getting a chance to hear the guitar tone, y'know?- Its not totally imperative that I get the guitar now. I'd like to have something that doesn't have horrible innotation and stays in tune longer than 15 minutes, lol, but I can deal with it if the necissary funds to get a decent guitar are higher than what I currently posses. If there is something in my price range thats good, that'd be awesome, but at least in the interm I'd have some idea of what guitars to try out. But its been less than a day, so I'll wait and see what others have to say... thats a good point but what i ment is go to a guitar store, find a guitar that feels good, even if a bit expencive and see if you can find one on ebay that beats that price and obcourse is great condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabeel Ansari Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 thats a good point but what i ment is go to a guitar store, find a guitar that feels good, even if a bit expencive and see if you can find one on ebay that beats that price and obcourse is great condition. Guitar models are like processors, they're never exactly the same when manufactured. Only difference is, they actually make the distinctions when they sell the processors (their Ghz rating is because of each one being able to handle more or less than the other, if I read prophetik's how to computer book correctly). That's why I was taught that when you play a guitar and like it, it's safe to go with the exact same one that you played and not just the same model. That could be a bit over-specific, but that's what I was told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekofrog Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Unless you're having the guitar built for you, there's no sense in buying a guitar brand new ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabeel Ansari Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Unless you're having the guitar built for you, there's no sense in buying a guitar brand new ever. I made this mistake with my First Act (which is actually like three mistakes. Buying a First Act, buying a guitar from Toys R Us, and buying a cheap brand new boxed package guitar) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 He could stand to be serious For my serious responses to this question, see the other 18 "what guitar should I get?" threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuketheXjesse Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 For a serious response, if you're just starting and your budget consists of 300-400 bucks, I'd suggest an Ibanez gio. Great starter guitars that handle really well. Alternatively, you could get a Schecter Damien. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragnBreth Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 thats a good point but what i ment is go to a guitar store, find a guitar that feels good, even if a bit expencive and see if you can find one on ebay that beats that price and obcourse is great condition. Okay, yeah, I see what yer saying. Hadn't thought of that. Although, I guess if what neblix and Nekofrog have said are true then my best option would be a used guitar from a guitar shop? For my serious responses to this question, see the other 18 "what guitar should I get?" threads. Adding a username to the query should narrow down the results. I'll take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekofrog Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Many of the common guitar forums (jemsite, ss.org, harmony central, etc) have people who have great guitars for sale. It's just an issue of knowing what you want and what a fair price is. craigslist can also be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusK Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 craigslist can also be good It's where I nailed my current C-1+ for $400. A steal, pretty much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Ibanez, fo sho. Best metal bang for yo buck in that price range. Be vary wary of second hand floating tremolos. If you don't know what they are go to jemsite and look them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshaggyfreak Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 In general, I always tell people who are just started out or are still in the beginning stages...don't buy a guitar with a tremolo. Other than that, pick out something that is affordable but don't pick up the cheapest thing you see. Generally, it's good to start by spending anywhere from $200-$400. Look at the big name brands like Fender, Epiphone, Schecter and Ibanez. They'll all have something decent in that price range. As far as used instruments go, I generally tell people not to go this route unless you know exactly what you're looking for. The reason for this is that you're not going to get screwed if you find something is wrong with it in the first couple weeks of owning it. If you buy something new from someplace like Guitar Center or any other big store, you can just return or exchange it. It's really easy to get burned on used instruments but you can get some really great deals by looking at Craigslist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melody Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 i'm a fender guy but schecters are beautiful guitars for those who want something more specialized. unfortunately the decent ones aren't within your price range. a lot of these entry level guitars boast similar specs to the point where a beginner wouldn't really be able to tell the difference, but they will set the stage for your preferences later on. on that note, you really can't go wrong with fender, schecter, carvin, and ibanez. you should also drop the pod and get a saffire instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darangen Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I'd lean towards Ibanez more than Schecters, I feel they're more versatile with the sound you can get from them. That said, I don't actually own a Schecter, I've just played them in the music store. You mentioned prog rock/metal. If it's anything to consider, John Petrucci used Ibanez guitars for a long time before switching to Music Man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.