help/advice/recommendation needed!

[Flying_V]

Hello everyone, im a guitar noob. Hence, i would like some advice as to which electric guitar i should buy. I originally wanted the ibanez SA260FM, that was advertised on luther musicworks. However, they're currently out of stock and Im not sure if they intend to stock up on it anymore. My budget for my guitar is <$700.

Im currently looking at the Yamaha Pacifica 412. If you're wondering, i prefer a guitar with SSH pickups because im not really sure what genre i would like to go into and would think that a versatile guitar is best.

An alternative would be the SA160QM from swee lee. nonetheless, if u happen to have any other recommendations or know where i can buy the SA260FM in singapore, please list them below.

 

[subversion]

hi there, sure hope you've read the SA260 review in SOFT's database, otherwise, you can do so here: http://www.soft.com.sg/new/modules.php?name=MReviews&op=show&rid=21

Fender's Standard Fat Strat is a worthy contender.

 

[embryo]

Heh, ok here's my take on this. If you need a great go between starter guitar that stays in tune, that's functional in rhythm and lead from mild to crazy from clean to dirty from "chinky, chinky, jingle jangle, wah, wow" r&b type clean and chimey to bold gutsy bluesy and downright heavy when you need it... Putting brand and model aside for now I'd recommend the following must haves in a guitar;

1. 3 Passive pickups (Humbucker bridge + 2 Single Coils) Preferably a fat sweet humbucker that's compatible with some classic Fender sound single coils For the best of classic LP and Strat neck and in between sounds.
2. Floyd Rose type locking bridge and Nut system (tuning stability for mild to crazy)
3. No more than 22 Frets on a 25 & 1/2 inch scale neck (24 frets is really not necessary 98% of the time but really the 24 fret necks do compromise the positioning of the neck pickup which is very important in attaining the classy John Mayer, Dire Straits, SRV and Hendrix Strat woody neck pickup vibe.
4. Coil Split with Parellel/Series or Reverse Phase switching for the pickups to attain a wide pallete of pickup tones and gain from low output bright and chimey to full blown shred patrol readiness.

I do own and use the classic guitars but based on the above and this thread I use my trusty Yamaha Pacifica 912J. I own 2 of them over the years and these have continued to serve me well and reliably again and again.

I'm sure there are many models available here from different makers of quite a wide budget range from entry level to custom make that will fit the above specs. This is also a great way to start appreciating the individual aspects of the guitar and later on use this experience to help you zone in the right kind of classic or specialty guitar that does one thing well like a Reissue Strat, Les Paul, Tom Anderson or PRS among so many other great guitars out there.

 

[Flying_V]

thanks alot guys! i guess i shall have to go online and research on more guitars now! Not that its bad though!

 

[embryo]

Hee! Careful with that Axe!

 

[Flying_V]

i suppose the pac 412 with upgraded pups would sound good enough

 

[Flying_V]

eh sub i think the fender fat strat is abit off from my budget, but then again swee lee should have eoy sales! an alternative would be the poor mans strat, squier fat strat...

 

[Fruitwine]

alternatively, get the fender 2nd hand? or eoy sale buy a squier, and get nice replacement pickups too. it should all fall under ur budget i think.

 

[Flying_V]

yeah i suppose a squier with dimarzio pups

 

[subversion]

eh sub i think the fender fat strat is abit off from my budget, but then again swee lee should have eoy sales! an alternative would be the poor mans strat, squier fat strat...

IMO the Ibanez SA models are the very few good HSS pickup guitars out there. the mex Std fat strat is a contender, then again, it lists for >$1K. let us all pray that there will be a sale this year end, many of us are assuming there is one...

 

[phreeek]

hey flying v! ive pm'ed you