proto77

I've been playing since mid August of 2012, and from what I've been told by my friends who have five or more years experience, I have been progressing fairly quickly. I like to play anything from bluesy stuff to heavy metal. Someone whose I opinion I respect very much told me to look at used Epi LPs for a second guitar. While I love everything about these instruments, I may have come across a deal on an Ibanez RG4EXFM1 that is in great condition (this guitar also plays very well for me.) Should I keep looking for a nice Les Paul or should I jump on the opportunity to get this Ibanez? Thank you for your help and I apologize if my writing is sub par this time around as I wanted to write this quickly.

T00DEEPBLUE

They're far too different to compare.

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MG_Sora

I'd get the Ibanez. IMHO, the neck joint is way better for soloing, and the neck feels faster overall (due to the finish).

However, try not to get caught in a Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It's possible that once you buy a new guitar, you'll want to keep buying gear just because you think you need it, but keep in mind that you've been playing for less than a year. So try and remember that a new guitar is only as good as your technique. Just my two cents.

Edit: Also, keep in mind that the Ibanez has a floating bridge, which could be a little of a drawback if you change your tuning a lot. In general, it can be a bit of a pain in the ass if you are not entirely aware of the way it works.

Disregard that comment if you have experience with floating bridges.

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FruKlingVak

My second guitar was a epiphone LP and it was a great second guitar. I am unfamiliar with the ibanez but from what ive looked at, they are two very different guitars. kind of hard to compare them

romeozdistress

budget? style of music? location?

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2008 LTD EX-400
Agile Al-2000
Peavey Vypyr Tube 60
Peavey Vypyr 15 (eminence alpha 8a)
Boss NS-2
Electro Harmonics Big Muff

proto77

Thank you for your insight! I did have the pleasure of replacing the strings on the ibanez ...Not fun at all.

To everyone else thank you for the help! My problem choosing is literally that they are so different so there really isn't much of a checklist in my head I can write one guitar or the other off for certain features.

T00DEEPBLUE

Then the only thing you can really do is go to a guitar shop and play as many guitars that you like the look of as possible.

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proto77

Lol I spend more time at guitar center than I care to mention! I know the sound I want but the sound I want comes at a premium price so I'm looking for a guitar that is going to be comfortable and sounds reasonable so I can work on becoming a better guitarist.

proto77

Btw I have both at my house. I probably should have included this friend is in Arizona for a couple months atm so he let me borrow his guitars so I don't have to play my squier bullet (bleh)

T00DEEPBLUE

Well if the only guitars that you want to choose are between two completely different ones, then it seems that you don't really know what you want in terms of tone, playability or feel.

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proto77

Let me clarify, the Les Paul is what I 'want' so to speak. I would be happy with the Ibanez because it is a comfortable guitar for me and buying it would be convenient and I know that it is in top shape because it is here with me I see it everyday. My other plausible option is to keep my eye on craigslist, hit up ads I'm interested in, and go check them out maybe buying from someone I do not know. I know the history of the particular Ibanez I have here and the wiring, pickups, body, tuners, bridge, etc. have not been fiddled with in a way that might lead to undesirable performance or problems I might find out about later. If I look on craigslist I'm taking a chance, that is in essence my conflict with myself (will I be better off taking that chance.) I should have posted this when I created the thread and I am sorry for any confusion.

romeozdistress

i just bought a agile al 2000 from ronomusic.com supsoed to be pretty nice instruments.

__________________
2008 LTD EX-400
Agile Al-2000
Peavey Vypyr Tube 60
Peavey Vypyr 15 (eminence alpha 8a)
Boss NS-2
Electro Harmonics Big Muff