Looking for a New Guitar

[CoffeCanSlayer]

Hey guys, I am looking for a new guitar. I play just about anything, but more into heavy/rock. I have a Fender Strat I put a Dimebucker in, custom pickgaurd, and a Spider III 75 watt amp. Its just not heavy enough for me and time to upgrade. I have been to guitar center like every week to play on the new guitars they have. My price range is 400-750 bucks. I am very picky on feel. So far the contenders are:

Most of the new Ibanez's
Schecter Blackjack
PRS Standard SE
PRS Tremonti SE
Schecter Hellraiser C-1FR

The Hellraiser is my favorite so far. But I would like some input if anyone has any of these, or anything else that carries the sound and feel that these guitars put out.

Thanks.

[pantera02018]

if you are looking for a better tone get a better amp first.

if you just want a new guitar, check out some jacksons, jackson soloists are niiice. the japanese DKMGs are nice too, but they are loaded wiht EMGs, might be a bit much for rock

[Mindripper]

Originally Posted by smallfry06

Hey guys, I am looking for a new guitar. I play just about anything, but more into heavy/rock. I have a Fender Strat I put a Dimebucker in, custom pickgaurd, and a Spider III 75 watt amp. Its just not heavy enough for me and time to upgrade. I have been to guitar center like every week to play on the new guitars they have. My price range is 400-750 bucks. I am very picky on feel. So far the contenders are:

Most of the new Ibanez's
Schecter Blackjack
PRS Standard SE
PRS Tremonti SE
Schecter Hellraiser C-1FR

The Hellraiser is my favorite so far. But I would like some input if anyone has any of these, or anything else that carries the sound and feel that these guitars put out.

Thanks.

I have a Hellraiser. Great guitar for the money and its made for metal.

[marblehead]

I have a Jackson DKMGT with EMG's. I got it for 600 bucks.
Definitely a great guitar.
Active pickups are gonna give you a great crunch. I have played many guitars with passive pickups, including the Razorback/Dimebucker, and they don't sound nearly as nasty as the EMG's

You can buy a cheaper guitar, the ESP KH series are relatively cheap and then buy the active pickups or just buy a guitar with them in it to begin with.
I had a Dean ML I got for 400 bucks from Sam Ash great guitar but lacked the aggressive tone. I threw a set of EMG's in it and it owed.

[CoffeCanSlayer]

Thanks for the replies. Im not sure about getting a new amp, I just got it and really only have enough money for a new guitar. I dont mind spending 700 on a good upgrade. Don't get me wrong the Fender sounds kickass, but the Dimebucker isn't enough for me. I do kinda want a new amp tho, I played on a nice Peavey stack and those sound pretty good.

Could I throw some EMG's in my Fender like I did the Dimebucker? I have the double-single-single, so I would have to make my own pickgaurd. Can you buy blanks and cut them out yourself?

Anyway, thanks for the input. Im starting lessons very soon.

[marblehead]

Originally Posted by smallfry06

Thanks for the replies. Im not sure about getting a new amp, I just got it and really only have enough money for a new guitar. I dont mind spending 700 on a good upgrade. Don't get me wrong the Fender sounds kickass, but the Dimebucker isn't enough for me. I do kinda want a new amp tho, I played on a nice Peavey stack and those sound pretty good.

Could I throw some EMG's in my Fender like I did the Dimebucker? I have the double-single-single, so I would have to make my own pickgaurd. Can you buy blanks and cut them out yourself?

Anyway, thanks for the input. Im starting lessons very soon.

You could throw an 81 in the bridge in the single.
But I would recommend going with a new guitar. One that is ready to shred, well, even having your fender setup with a lower action would help it.
So you could put in EMG's. If you have the balls to do it and a router you can do anything you want to the guitar. Just route the pickup hole big enough for the EMG set.
Dime made his string through guitars Floyd Rose capable with a router. No reason you couldn't do it here if you had the balls to cut your axe.

If you want a stack I recommend the Peavy XXL and a Marshall 1960 cab

[metalkobra]

I wouldnt reccomend getting a 7 string if you just do rock, 7 strings are honestly made more for metal, mainly death metal, cthontic uses a baritone 6 string though and they're BM.

it also sounds like youve been playing for a short amount of time, i'd focus on 6 strings still before moving to 7's. the schecter necks are pretty wide and uncomfortable to me though.

definetly get a new amp, also seymour duncan blackouts>>>>>>>>>>>>EMGs.

[pantera02018]

Originally Posted by marblehead

If you want a stack I recommend the Peavy XXL and a Marshall 1960 cab

ehhh 500 dollar SS head..might as well get a b-52 tube head, or a valveking head, both will sound better than the xxl

OP, strat with dimebucker into a good amp will soudns way better than and EMG equipped guitar into your line 6.

[metalkobra]

XXL sucks balls haha.

i second the B-52 AT100 =). i just sold mine to my friend cause i went rack system with a 2120.

[MetallicaManiac]

I have an ESP KH-2, but thats like $2k, so id recomend the ESP LTD KH-602, same look, plays really nice, and overall great guitar for the price...

[marblehead]

Originally Posted by pantera02018

ehhh 500 dollar SS head..might as well get a b-52 tube head, or a valveking head, both will sound better than the xxl

OP, strat with dimebucker into a good amp will soudns way better than and EMG equipped guitar into your line 6.

Originally Posted by metalkobra

XXL sucks balls haha.

i second the B-52 AT100 =). i just sold mine to my friend cause i went rack system with a 2120.

I enjoy the sound of mine XXL over the alot of the heads out there
Personal taste FTW

[Mindripper]

Originally Posted by marblehead

I enjoy the sound of mine XXL over the alot of the heads out there
Personal taste FTW

Personal preferance is key to a sound that yours. You run a L6 Pod XT as well right?

I had a 2120 and it was fun but my GT-8 is awesome as well.

To each there own; we don't want to sound the same.

[BlackRadio]

upgrade your amp first.

[Too swole]

[QUOTE=marblehead;162596361]I have a Jackson DKMGT with EMG's. I got it for 600 bucks.
Definitely a great guitar.
Reps brother Jacksons are awesome!!!!

[Vengeance10]

Schecter Hellraiser C-1FR


that one right there

and forget the hellraises and just get the c1-fr standard both are great guitars for hardrock/metall

[adamski335]

id think an ibanez would be great value for money, an RG prestige- massive output, easyplayability (thin neck, ergonomically sound), and made to last. RG prestiges are also made in japan hence the quality.

really ideal if ur into shredding stuff too because the really thin neck and thier sooo easy to play, but they have a meaty low for the -chug-a-chug style playing of heavy rock/ metal too.


i think the line 6 has one of the best hard rock/metal tones out there tbh, especially for the price.

but if u wanne splash on a amp stack, go for KRANK all the way, heavy as amps used by dime himself.

[giantsfanftw]

Get rid of the Spider. It sucks and really is just a waste of money. I have the exact same model as you. It's days are numbered.

I dunno what you can get for $700, but I hear Peavey 6505 is the best for metal. It's more then you have, but maybe it's worth saving for. Definitely try out a lot of amps at the store. What bands are your favorite? What band's tone is your favorite?

BTW unless you're going into a band you don't really need a half stack at all.

[pantera02018]

Originally Posted by giantsfanftw

Get rid of the Spider. It sucks and really is just a waste of money. I have the exact same model as you. It's days are numbered.

I dunno what you can get for $700, but I hear Peavey 6505 is the best for metal. It's more then you have, but maybe it's worth saving for. Definitely try out a lot of amps at the store. What bands are your favorite? What band's tone is your favorite?

BTW unless you're going into a band you don't really need a half stack at all.

you dont need a halfstack period. 2x12 is more than enough

[giantsfanftw]

Ya pretty much lol

[CoffeCanSlayer]

Thanks for all the replies. I can only spend on one thing right now and I would rather it be the guitar. I find nothing wrong with the Spider I have, no its nothing great, I suck anyway. I mean I can play all of 3 days grace, 3 doors down, creed. But I really want to break through to harder music.

I would have to say Three doors down and AISL has my favorite tone. Clean and distorted. I have never played on a Peavey, I will go to guitar center tommorow and play on one.

[BlackRadio]

have fun getting good tone out of that amp.

[maxlift]

Someone said something about an ESP earlier. I bought an ESP 7-string several years ago and it's still my favorite guitar. The tone is heavy, and the neck feels fantastic.

Just play a few and see how it feels. Feel, especially in the neck, is very important, because if you don't like the way it feels when you play it: you'll never play it. My first guitar was a Jackson, I still have it, but I never play it because the neck is too narrow for my liking.

Also, if you're really looking to get into playing heavier music, then go with a double humbucker setup. Once you start playing death metal and thrash, you'll rarely use the single coils anymore.

And I know you keep shooting it down, but the best way to get better tone really is to buy a better amp. I got a steal on a Crate amp a couple of years ago and it make a world of difference for me, a definate upgrade from the POS Fender I had before.

[CoffeCanSlayer]

I dont mean to shoot you guys down on the whole amp idea. I thought about it pretty hard lastnight. I guess its just me Wanting a new guitar. I am actually checking into amps now. I may have to go with a used, but oh well I dont care for now. Guitar Center nearby carries a good selection of used amps/stacks. So I will take my guitar in today and play on a few.

I didnt know what to look for when I went in there and got an amp. Stupid me did no research either. So I bought the best seller. I see I made I mistake. Thanks guys.

[metalkobra]

just FYI

I HIGHLLLLLLLLLLLY reccomend this cab, I own it and it sounds amazing and is great for recording.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...net?sku=601077

there are some 2x12s out there that sounds really nice though, look up avatar cabs.

[maxlift]

In an amp, just plug your guitar in and play around with the settings on it. Find one where you can tweak the tone to your liking. Also, unless you're in a band, odds are you don't need a stack. I have one of these:



Which I can expand out and put on a cabinet in the future if I need, but as of right now, I pretty much can't turn it up past 2 without shaking the house.

I also wouldn't recomend a tube amp if you're starting out, they require alot more maintenance.

Finally, I don't really recomend a Marshall amp either... They've only got one sound: Marshall. It's a good sound, but it gets old, and those amps crap out alot faster than people like to admit.

[CoffeCanSlayer]

How much did that Crate run?

[metalkobra]

if you're not in a band you dont need a half stack? rofl. sure you dont NEED one, but they're better to have so you dont have to fork out more cash in the future.

[pantera02018]

DO NOT GET THAT CRATE

i have it. its a piece of ****.

ill recomend a tube amp. the mainntence is not that bad. (preamp tubes last for years, power amp tubes on average last 2 years, then you have to retube). alot of solid state amps sounds really bad, especially for metal. SS amps are great for jazz, or really clean playing, but for distortion you want tubes.

[giantsfanftw]

Originally Posted by metalkobra

if you're not in a band you dont need a half stack? rofl. sure you dont NEED one, but they're better to have so you dont have to fork out more cash in the future.

lol

Why would you ever need a stack? Tube combos are loud as ****. I guarantee this guy won't ever need a stack. And no it's not better to have one. They are ridiculous to move around and take up a lot of space.

[BlackRadio]

Originally Posted by giantsfanftw

lol

Why would you ever need a stack?

Uh...to play big shows.