shameolot

Hey UG,
I need some guidance for deciding what guitar to purchase. I'm going to go 50/50 with my grandparents on a new guitar for my graduation. There is just so much to choose from though I have trouble narrowing it all down.

Budget- 1500-1600 USD

My favorite artists usually change by season it's very wide from Paul Gilbert to Phil X

Preferences- I don't like using tremolo bars of any kind I'd much rather have a Stop tail or a string through bridge. Body shape doesn't matter to me much, but body wood does. I'd like Mahogany or Swamp Ash and a Maple fret board.
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My pickups will be changed after a few months either way. I just don't prefer actives they really aren't for me. The guitar must have a humbucker in the bridge though.

It can be new or used, some of the best pieces of gear I've gotten used.

I'm right at the New Jersey shore so I have access to a lot of guitar shops.

My current gear is a 6505+ with a nice little pedal board

So can you help me out?

miio

Get an Ibanez PGM301, it's not mahogany or swamp ash tho, but still a great guitar!

2thebeat89

Someone answer me here plaese! (removed)
Thank you!

shameolot

I really like that guitar and it never crossed my mind before, however; I really don't like that it's basswood. I just never really got too attached to it when I tested out a few basswood guitars.

miio

Hmm, have you thought about getting the Ibanez FRM100? I recently played one and I liked it quite a bit. The neck felt a bit weird since it was a little bit thicker than I'm used to but it felt like one you'll get used to.

Also in that budget I can recommend checking out Suhr guitars!

dannyalcatraz

Carvin should be able to deliver your entire wish list, and within your price range. They may even have something in stock that suits you.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/customshop/solidbody.php


Ravelle has a few models that might suit you- the Ravelle or Dragonfly, in the Elite, Elite JP, or SHIN models (though all of their fretboards are ebony or rosewood):

http://www.fernandesguitars.com/rav...elle-elite.html


Malden's Bulldozer, Karma and Bad Karma likewise might suit you but for the rosewood fretboards:

http://maldenguitars.com/


U.S. Masters has several models that would suit you well- the Vector, Sportster, Hornet, Vxtreme and Blackhawk offer everything you want, but most models start around $1500, so price might be an issue.

http://www.usmasters.com/allmodels.htm

__________________
Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: “Ninety percent of everything is crap.”

Why, yes, I am a lawyer- thanks for asking!

shameolot

I have looked at Carvin a lot lately.I do like the idea that they have semi-custom guitars. Also I guess the fretboard doesn't have to be maple the guitar I have right now actually has an ebony one. I'm going to check out all those other brands too.

dannyalcatraz

Another one you might like- except the rosewood fretboard (again!)- is Godin's Redline HB.
http://godinguitars.com/godinredlinehbp.htm

__________________
Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: “Ninety percent of everything is crap.”

Why, yes, I am a lawyer- thanks for asking!

shameolot

Luckily for me the guitar shop I live right across from sells Godin guitars so I've had the pleasure of playing if, but I didn't like the bolt on neck, it just did not feel right. I've been spoiled by having my main guitar having a set neck.

dannyalcatraz

That's why there are different brands- we are none of us alike in our tastes and peccidilos.

I personally don't have an issue with neck types of any kind. But give me a Fender, a G&L and a Godin to try, I'll pick the Fender last every time. Good as they are, there is something about them that does not feel right in my hands.

__________________
Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: “Ninety percent of everything is crap.”

Why, yes, I am a lawyer- thanks for asking!

shameolot

Well I spent most of today looking and I really like the Carvin DC600 especially because I can get it with a swamp ash body AND a maple fret board. Plus I really like that superstrat shape.

krehzeekid

I was thinking an EVH wolfgang special hardtail, but it's a basswood body (could have fooled me). brilliant guitars, some of the best players I've ever come across.

a schecter Hellraiser Extreme c-1 comes pretty close too, but it comes stock with EMG's, which you didn't want. however, it is mahogany with a maple fingerboard, and a hardtail. so, if you're considering a pickup swap anyways, it could be an option.

a richmond dorchester might also be an option. the silverleaf maple body sounds almost identical to mahogany, and the lace pickups are epic. it's a little bit of an odd guitar, but it plays beautifully and sounds great.

__________________
Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things...

dannyalcatraz

I don't own a Carvin myself, but I know a lot of people who do...and they are very happy owners. Because of them, i have a couple of Carvins on my G.A.S. list. About the only complaint I hear about Carvin guitars- and not from those people I know personally- is that some consider their pickups a bit bland.

__________________
Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: “Ninety percent of everything is crap.”

Why, yes, I am a lawyer- thanks for asking!

shameolot

Wait, the EVH has a hardtail style? That would be ideal because that guitar is beautiful I could honestly go for anything if I think it is good! I have a Schecter Tempest Custom and I love it to death I just want to try something different.

I'll look into the Richmond Dorchester because it sounds a bit odd but I like different

Also, the about the Carvin pickups, I heard they are a bit bland and boring but I have a friend of mine who enjoys making custom pickups plus I do have two bareknuckle pickups waiting for a guitar to be put into.

dannyalcatraz

Richmond is a subsidiary of Godin- that should be a good guitar. (I'm looking at the Belmont myself.)

__________________
Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: “Ninety percent of everything is crap.”

Why, yes, I am a lawyer- thanks for asking!

shameolot

I checked out the Dorchester and I liked the body shape and the pickups (I've always wanted to try those Lace humbuckers) but It looks like it would feel awkward and a little bulky.

I've narrowed it down to two different guitars
the Carvin DC600 and a used Gibson SG-X that I saw at a local shop. I have spent a long time looking for one and it's been on my G.A.S list. They are two totally different guitars so I"ll have to try a DC600 out, the SG-X needs a bit of work.