So in the next few months (if all goes as planned) I will have enough money to buy myself a high quality guitar. I'm looking to spend about $3000 - 4000 TOPS.
I've been looking at a few guitars but can't make up my mind. I also want to know if there are any others out there I don't know.
I've been looking at:
Parker
Ernie Ball
Carvin
Steinberger
and Black Machine (not really in my price range at all but I sure as hell have been looking at them)
I want to buy a high quality guitar that I can use for metal but is also versatile enough to be able to pull a variety of tones out of it. I want a pretty thin neck too, though I don't know how thin I'd like it. I'm not sure if I want a trem (I've never owned a guitar that had one) and if I did, it would need to really stay in tune. I would also want an aesthetically pleasing body shape. Though I usually don't care, if I'm paying, I want it to look nice.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Niccolai, Blue, I'm lookin' atchoo.
post by BILLY MAYS /w BOVAISM at Jun 15,2009 8:00pm
im guessing youre going for a 6er? carvin rules alone for you getting so many options, and theyve been cutting back on their prices lately. wish they did that when i ordered my 7 =(
post by Martins at Jun 15,2009 8:32pm edited Jun 15,2009 10:49pm
Ya 6 for now. I plan on being that guy that owns 20 guitars when I'm older but I need something to last me till then. I've been looking at Carvin a lot but I've never played one besides yours for a few a minutes.
The new Charvels are awesome. If you can live without the fancy paint, you can snag a San Dimas for around $1000. Slim neck, versatile, original floyd that will stay in tune, and quite good looking imo.
However, I gotta say: You've been hounding for a Parker for a while now, and a Parker would nail every requirement you just listed. Seems like a dead match to me.
Ya I've been jonesing for a Parker pretty bad but I walked into Performance Music Center in Woburn the other day. Saw this weird guitar on the wall by a company called Flaxwood (really really interesting guitars). Got to talking to the owner about it and conversation drifted to Parker. He was a dealer up until Washburn bought them and says that they aren't worth the money. It just got me thinking that I should start looking at other guitars.
I'm sure I will be berated for this comment, but don't shell out $3000 to $4000 for 1 guitar. You can definitely get a quality ax for the $1000 range. Shit, buy a couple $1000-$1500 guitars, that should keep you busy for awhile.
Can't go wrong with a DC-series Carvin. Want a variety of tones? Get the Fishman vintage-style trem with a piezo, and either get the 135 with H-S-S, or get a H-H and coil split it.
lol "due to FF"
Steampunk would be the coolest movement if it weren't so gay.
I mean, if I can find a awesome guitar that can hold me over for quite a few years for half of what I'm willing, I will sure as hell buy it. I'm looking at Carvins more and more.
used is obviously cost effective and you can get a GREAT guitar.
but in my experience, there's just nothing like dropping a couple grand on a brand new axe and opening that box up and everything is exactly how you want it, everything is immaculate, there's just nothing like it.
For my money, I'd have an ESP custom, a Carvin CT6 carve top with maybe some bare knuckles or dimarzios, or a ran.
I'd avoid a trem. You said you're not used to them, so I wouldn't get one on a guitar that you're dropping alot of money on, as they can be frustrating. You don't want something you drop over a grand on to frustrate you.
Nicc, what's that Ran guitar in that picture? Looks great!
For my two cents, Carvins have always been a great guitar. However, nowadays you get what you pay for, unlike before when you got way more than your moneys worth. They're not bad by ANY measure, just not as much of a bargain.
Also check out Carparison guitars.
For another two cents, I gotta throw in my opinion on buying big expensive guitars. Around your age I got me that one big fancy electric guitar. It's great, I still have it. However, I often found myself uninspired or limited in one way or another. As you well know, I now have a RIDICULOUS collection of cheap <$500 guitars, and I've never been happier or more musically prolific. I'm not saying that you should buy a billion $200 guitars like me, I just take what I can get for lefties. But you could always pick up two REALLY nice guitars for not even close to $4000. Grab one now, and then in 8 months when you're starting to wish-you-hadda you can pick up another. Maybe one stop-tail beefmonster and one lightweight tremolo shredder. Y'know?
As for the Parker thing, what you say might explain why the guys in Pain of Salvation have suddenly switched from Parkers after many many years.
caparisons are nice, but those headstock shapes are just appocalyptically ugly and easy to break.
That ran in the picture is a copy of the Rico Vixxen shape.
Bernardo Rico (bc rich)'s son sold BCR to classaxe, and then to HHI. he started his own company and that's one of the shapes.
When I was in 8th grade, I designed the exact same shape and built one with pictorials and stuff on the MCS forum. the design may or may not have been stolen from my original design haha
and neal developed a similar shape:
post by brian_dc at Jun 16,2009 3:49pm edited Jun 16,2009 3:51pm
As hard as my prick gets for the late 60s / early 70s Gibsons attainable with such a budget, I'd be more into upgrading / expanding my amplification if I had such financial resources.
I'd definitely look into some Bareknuckle pickups (great call, Nicc) and I'd pick up another Tube Screamer-like boost and an AB pedal, buy my friend's 5150 II head, have the A channel of my Simul 2:95 power amp fixed and order 2 phresh Earcandy 2x12's (I'm thinkin alligator cabs).
If I had money left over, I'd try out some of those NOS tubes that so moisten the loins of middle aged Fender nazis.
Last I talked to Tim from Earcandy he said that he was going to start pre-making buzzbombs, because the flooding workshop taught him a lesson. Prices are going to be up but turnaround MUCH quicker. I love my Earcandy. I cuddle with it when the lady isn't around.
My opinion about NOS tubes. If you don't have an old amp, you're wasting the talent of the tubes. The difference is huge if you have an amp with some age to it, but it's pretty subtle in modern amps. Waste of a couple hundred bucks, IMO.
I love those 10 years or so of Gibsons. And you can get them from $600-1000 usually, which is amazing.
The fact that we haven't gear nerded out in real life is a travesty, man.
Its best to know your craft well. Tone is life, tone is love.
Don't know if I'd ever go as far as buying a new set of BKs, its very hard to believe that I can really hear the difference in a 200 dollar pickup. I'd go for one if I found liek a Holy Diver or Miracle Man used. I'd def like to try an APC Persuader Custom in whatever high end axe I get next.
I grew up writing music in DOS and/or keyboards and only picked up guitar in 2000 so I still don't consider it my "craft" although I certainly want it to be now.
post by Martins at Jun 17,2009 11:03am edited Jun 17,2009 11:07am
Does anyone have opinions on Suhr?
Also, so far I've only used guitars with set necks. Are there advantages to bolt ons or neck throughs?
If you're looking for the guitar the strat always wanted to be, suhrs destroy. They have fantastic floyded shredders too. Definetly a company to consider.
Neck throughs are generally going to be a little brighter with more sustain than a bolt on, which is why I'd prefer say a mahogany body NT, or some darker sounding wood to combat it. Set necks have a bit more subdued high end than BO and NT.
Aril; your case is understandable, but you've playing for 9 years, get on that shit -cracks whip-
It really is a goddamn shame, Brian. We must remedy this.
That's cool that Tim is going to start pre-making them. I waited FOREVER for my Buzzbomb but it was absolutely worth it. Didn't know his workshop flooded. That really sucks.
I'm curious what some nice tubes would do in my Mesa gear. I've got the coveted mid 80's Simul 2:95 power amp with 6L6's and EL34's and a Mesa Quad pre-amp, which is basically the pre-amp sections of the Mark II C+ and Mark III.
One of my students is a guy in his mid 40s who buys and flips older Gibsons and Fenders. I think it's safe to say that his '74 Les Paul Custom is the nicest guitar I've ever played. His '69 SG is a close second. Those were $5000 +
corksniffer tubes! that's mint. i'm talking entirely hypothetical. i am presently reinventing poverty. i don't have money to get a decent set up and my intonation unfucked. where's my bailout? i hope mustaine is right and washington really gets it.
What guitars are these? Up until a year ago, these guys played Parker guitars forever. Now they've got these new guitars that sound great, but I have no idea what they are. I think Gildenlowe's guitar has a piezo in it like his parker did, if you listen to more clips from the "ending themes" DVD you can hear it. I'd look into these also, since they are some incredibly versatile instruments. (If Daniel can play the same guitar for an entire set including songs from every album, that's impressive!)
Speaking of Conklin, they also make a nice guitar. The guy from Redemption uses one that I'd give a left nut to get left handed. Not necessarily MY left nut, but someone's definitely!
Oh, and I'm pretty sure I want to go custom now. Carvin seems to have everything I want and I think I'm going to call in sometime and ask some questions but I think I need to decide on a body wood first before I decide which company will make it.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure I want to go custom now. Carvin seems to have everything I want and I think I'm going to call in sometime and ask some questions but I think I need to decide on a body wood first before I decide which company will make it.
Carvins are awesome. Good luck! Just keep in mind, they depreciate heavily, so don't plan on selling it. Make it a keeper!
Carvins actually hold their value a bit more these days. Not as much as comparable companies, but I almost never see them going under say, $700 anymore.
Carvin does neck-through, right? I can't find as much information as I'd like on the Carvin custom shop. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place.
Since you just put the thought in my head, I think I'm about to order one of those carvin CT6s.
Do you know if you can order non-Carvin pickups in a Carvin custom? I'm really leaning towards Carvin if I can put APC's in it and do the Ghost Piezo but be able to have the mags bypass the preamp (but also go into it, blend with the piezo, and also have the piezo by itself...is that picky?).
I'm probably going to call Carvin up sometime.
post by niccolai at Jun 18,2009 2:46am edited Jun 18,2009 2:47am
It's going to depend on how badly they are hurting for buisiness right now.
i've seen carvins roll out of the shops with various pickups.
That is a tall electrical order though.
not sure how much they'd be willing to comprimise on.
The only thing I think you may have an issue with is the neck profile on some of the guitars. You mentioned you wanted something a bit thinner.
The california models have a similar neck profile to aguile LP ripoffs, or ESP eclipse/viper necks. Definately not thick, but not really like a thin thin ibanez wizard neck either.
No custom pickups on carvins, I had to put them in. As far as neck profile is concerned, it might be a little thicker than you might want. Make sure you get an unpainted neck. I've also heard of more profile options being avilable than before. Basically. I'd giv e Carvin a call and talk to them about it.
I'm probably going to call Carvin today or tomorrow about it because I can do those two things myself...I just don't want to have to drill the hole for the extra switch myself.
Well I just emailed Carvin so I'm expecting to get a response on Monday or Tuesday but it would be one of the neck-through models. I asked a bunch of questions and asked them which model I should start with to make some of the options I wanted more feasible. I really want a 25.5'' neck through and it seems that none of their 6 string models are 25.5''. I was looking at the DC400 before I noticed that. But I'm thinking walnut neck, ebony fretboard, mahogany body, walnut top. Really early stages of deciding wood plus, I don't even know if they'll do that. I just want a tonally balanced guitar I also haven't decided if I'll put APCs or BKPs in it when/if I get the guitar.
Don't you have to clean it really often and sometimes sand it if you get it unfinished. I could do tung oil but that also demands a lot of maintenance.
The people on the Parker forums are pissed at me for not getting a Parker haha.
gloss necks aren't sticky anyways unless you're playing in intense humidity. unfinished necks can be just as sticky.
Gloss or bust.
That's really going to be different on a person by person basis. By sticky I wasn't referring to how tacky the finish is, (any poly coat will be tacky to start with), Moreso how it reacts with your hands/sweat. I've found that an unfinished neck plays MUCH smoother for me, since my hands NEVER sweat much and I can slide around on the wood easier than they do on a poly finished (or painted) neck. This one is REALLY personal preference, but there is a definite difference between the two.
post by Martins at Jun 22,2009 7:02pm edited Jun 22,2009 7:03pm
Well I got word from Carvin... that I need to call some guy Albert before 4:30 tomorrow. I might get their cheapest neck-through model with all different shit and then also get a Parker. I also need to save up money to snatch up a B6 or B2 when the Black Machine guy starts making guitars again.
there are a few people around MA who build custom guitars that you could probably get to build you one for that kind of price range..this is a little late im realizing. dana something or other, used to play in compost pile and shit. he kicks around knows pete rutcho and other guys around town. hes made a couple fuckin SICK guitars. dont really know how to get in touch with him but i;m sure someone does.
Yeah I may have a friend make me a custom in his spare time. He's made a few builds himself and it would mostly be to have a guitar my friend made but that would be alongside whatever guitar I get now.
there are a few people around MA who build custom guitars that you could probably get to build you one for that kind of price range..this is a little late im realizing. dana something or other, used to play in compost pile and shit. he kicks around knows pete rutcho and other guys around town. hes made a couple fuckin SICK guitars. dont really know how to get in touch with him but i;m sure someone does.
pretty sure I saw SAW 3 with that dude and partied with him in framingham one night.
He's the man. Knew his shit too. I didn't see any of his guitars though.
So I just talked to Carvin and...Albert was a weird guy.
I asked him about a 6-string 25.5'' neck-through which apparently just does not exist and CAN not exist. "We're not programmed to do that." So I guess their CNC machines don't wanna learn some new tricks.
Then I asked about a bypass switch and he said that could NOT happen. Which I don't get...it's one more switch.
Whatever. This just means I'm not going with Carvin.
There's always custom ordering through Rondo! I just recently had an experience that again reminded me how awesome that guy's customer service is.
Also, I feel the need to say again: Get the Parker. I was thinking about it, of COURSE the guy that is no longer a DEALER is gonna say it's not that great. They're great guitars from all reviews and accounts I've heard, and from the bells + whistles and versatility you seem to want it's really the right combo.
After spending the better part of my afternoon browsing sevenstring.org and getting an email from a member on the Parker forum. I will definitely be purchasing a Parker.
But if Black Machine comes back around before I have all the money together for the Parker...
post by Martins at Jul 20,2009 11:22pm edited Jul 20,2009 11:24pm
Well, now that I'm making $550 dollars a week, I'm full swing on the guitar search. I was really jonesin' for a Parker but now I'm not so sure. I lurk on the Parker forums hardcore (and post once in a while) and there's this whole thing with tuning/trem stability now. A bunch of people have come forth with problems and that's not something I want to deal with on a new guitar. I'm waiting for a Parker representative to stop in and say his part.
In the meantime, I've been eyeing Caparison very heavily. Like rape-stare. I wouldn't mind owning a Tat II.
Edit: Also, the Mayones Regius makes my dick creamy.
I love caparison stuff, but I feel as if they're a bit overpriced for a bolt on, though very high quality. If you could find one used for a good price I'd say its worth it.
post by martinswork at Jul 21,2009 1:55pm
That Tat is a neck-through model. It's design is actually quite cool. Check it out on the website.
Hey hombre, check out G Guitars in New Haven before you make your big decision. You'll play some of the necest guitars of your life there. Place is retarded. They have Parker, I'm pretty sure.
i have to admit, it's strange seeing "work" next to your name. never thought you'd leave the couch playing FF and actually get a job
I don't know if I should be more insulted that you're calling me lazy or that you think the ONLY RPG I play is Final Fantasy. I PLAY POKEMON TOO.
Nah, I'm usually at school but I had two months off and now I start my coop/intern cycle at Northeastern. So I work through December at a place that's actually important. I'm working at 3M doing stuff with (multitouch) touch screens.
post by arilliusbm at Jul 21,2009 10:57pm edited Jul 21,2009 10:58pm
I used to play Pokemon on Gameboy but never dared watched the show. I sincerely hope you weren't one of those kids with the Pokemon underwear who used to run around reenacting power rangers on a daily basis, all while sipping their sunny delight and playing with their Mighty Maxes and stretch armstrongs.
Let me know when you're going if you wanna be a fatty and get a bitchin lunch... if you're making it such a day of pleasantries, I would be happy to help you compound them.
And if you're not content playing PRS guitars past the point of priapism and vintage Gibson shit makes you long, there's Amity Music - a wild motherfucker on the other side of New Haven you should check out.
I mean, at the current rate, I'll have enough for a 2000 dollar guitar in 3 weeks. If I find one I like, I'm pretty much getting it. I want a Parker bad but I don't want to deal with tuning/trem problems. I'm at the point where I'm considering getting a guitar with a Floyd but I've never had a guitar with a trem. I gotta keep looking around to find a guitar I REALLY like.
I used to play Pokemon on Gameboy but never dared watched the show. I sincerely hope you weren't one of those kids with the Pokemon underwear who used to run around reenacting power rangers on a daily basis, all while sipping their sunny delight and playing with their Mighty Maxes and stretch armstrongs.
No way! I wore my Power Rangers underwear when reenacting Power Rangers.
Buy that used F series LTD in the other thread for $200. It's a floyd, and cheap enough to give it a go before you drop big money on a floyd. I'm a Floyd NUT, I doubt I'll ever want another stop tail in the future. (I just ordered 2 more on sunday. Brings me to 7 Floyds, and 3 stop tail.
If you like a Floyd, you'll REALLY like it. It's great for a lot more than whammy dives. (But dives are STILL required) Just playing one won't really tell you. Changing strings a few times, setting it up and trying to balance it properly, that's where you decide if you still love it or if it's not worth the effort.
