Getting a new guitar...

L

LoneCaster

New member
I'm currently playing a MIM Strat and I'm looking to get a new guitar. There's nothing I particularly hate about the Strat, it's a great guitar for what it is and I love how it sounds with the active EMGs I have in it. Main reason for getting a new one is because the 21 frets bug me. There are a few songs I'd like to try which needs 22-24 frets and though I don't always dwell too much in the higher parts of the fretboard it'd be nice to be able to if the song needs it. That and I'd like to experiment with a floating trem.

Most importantly I worked my ass off this year and I'd like to get something nice for myself...

I've more or less narrowed it down to the Ibanez S series. Not too spendy and seems to be quite a bang for the buck. Particularly the S470 or S570.

Any opinions on these? Who stocks them for the best price?

Budget is around $900. I'll be playing through a Marshall MG15FX and an ME-25. Looks wise I like the shape and how thin they are but I do prefer solid colours compared to the maple topped ones. Music wise, classic rock mostly and I string with 9-42 slinkies.
 
s470 is out of production but i think u might be able to get it at sv or swee lee. and as for the s570 ( i suppose u're referring to the 2010 one) i dont think u can get it at shops here(correct me if im wrong) so u prolly have to ship it from overseas.
 
I haven't bought anything guitar related in years but having bought my Strat from them in 96 I remember their prices aren't always the cheapest even after their discount. Will have a look see. Mike from SV has confirmed he has the S470. Woodlands is a bit far from me but I'll see if I can get there sometime next week. Anyone used the S470 before? I'm assuming the main difference between the 2 is the number of frets... Is this true?

Shipping from overseas is out of the question... If my missus sees my credit card bill she's gonna give me an earful.
 
Ever thought of giving LTD's neck-through models a go if you're looking for a 24 fret guitar? The upper fret access is IMHO superior to any bolt-on and if you want solid colours, the H351FR comes in solid black.

If you don't like the EMGs that come with it, Davis is also the distributor of Seymour Duncan, so it is easy to make choice on what pick-ups you want. The Jazz and JB combo is a popular choice for ESP throughout their various product lines.
 
ibanez+rga32+ghs+strings.JPG


you might also want to consider Ibanez's RGA models which are superb for the money (pic above: RGA32)

as for the LTD models- these are great as well, in terms of tone & playability
 
dodgethis said:
Ever thought of giving LTD's neck-through models a go if you're looking for a 24 fret guitar? The upper fret access is IMHO superior to any bolt-on and if you want solid colours, the H351FR comes in solid black.

If you don't like the EMGs that come with it, Davis is also the distributor of Seymour Duncan, so it is easy to make choice on what pick-ups you want. The Jazz and JB combo is a popular choice for ESP throughout their various product lines.
Click to expand...

How much do the LTDs go for? Of course a through-neck is better... That heel on the neck is a major pain at times especially since I have small hands but aren't those very expensive?
 
Thanks for all the replies guys... I'm leaving my options open for now (in terms of brand and models) but budget is more or less fixed at $900 and yes it better includes at least a gig bag... LOL! Went cycling at East Coast today so I dropped in at Roxy Square (Beez shop)... Just to have a looksee. Man he has aged since I last saw him at Yamaha but still friendly and saw a bunch of younger chaps there. He has a few of the Marshall mini-stacks... Sigh, there are days when I feel I should have stayed single.
 
I find the S470DX to be one of the best guitars feature-wise for the price. Just that the stock pickups are well, muddy, but it shouldn't be too much of a concern. If you've got nothing against 2nd hand stuff maybe try to get it 2nd hand and upgrade the pickups to DiMarzios or something?
 
subversion said:
_c738561_image_0.jpg


i prefer the S320- no middle pickup. didn't buy this guitar because... it's black.
Click to expand...

Nice... I like the finish and black is a good colour but of course I don't have more than 5 guitars in black. I'd miss a single pup though. I like them when on clean. That and I'd miss the fretboard markers a LOT. Since my picking hand has very little nervous sensation left I'm forced to look every time I pick; not at the picking hand but at the fretboard and note which string is vibrating. It's down to the S series... or an ESP LTD H351FR... The S because I like the single middle PUP and the LTD because of the through neck. Price wise they seem almost on par. It's peak season in school so I'd only be able to view them in 3 weeks time when the school holidays start. That'll give me plenty of time to make up mind.

BTW... The missus doesn't pay the bills but she's an accountant and she manages the finances for most part. She hates anything paid on credit for a good reason.

I remember FR bridged guitars experiencing a lot of broken string issues. Have they improved? The strings on the ZR is supposed to be on a ball bearing so I believe they'd eliminate that part of the equation right?
 
string breaking issues for whammy bridges are more common for unreliable copies. thusfar, LTD's FR units are reliable in terms of tuning & performance stability. ditto Ibanez's ZR model (no such issues with the ZR in my S1620)

the strings in the (ibanez) ZR bridge are locked as per FR bridge mechanism, the ball bearing component is the alternative for the FR knife edge feature which aids structural pivoting, nothing related to string snapping issues.

he he... my missus here is a financial planner, she'll only do the banshee wail if i exceed credit card payment due. she manages the domestic accounts as well but wouldn't get in the way of my gear acquisition. in fact, she's rather cordial with the owners of some guitar stores on days when she accompanies me there... spouses should understand the cost extent of this hobby/ indulgence. same goes for hubbies who are into cars, bikes & stuff- it's not cheap.
 
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