I need some help in deciding what electric guitar to buy..

[sanXp]

Hi there! I need some help in deciding what electric guitar to buy and I hope you guys can help me out a little. I'm new to guitars and I'm not very sound about tone or feel or what not.. My budget is around $800 to 1.2k and I hope I can get an ibanez or a 2nd hand fender strat, what do you guys think? I will be playing mainly metal and rock, probably a little blues.

Thanks in advance

 

[bodomchild]

Ibanez rg's probably suit your genre better then fender strats.

 

[sanXp]

Really? I've read around here that strats are more versatile than rgs.. But I'm not entirely sure if that can be applied for me. Is it possible to get a strat for under 1.2k?

 

[Mjollnir]

i mean no use of versatility i gues if ure juz gonna play metal or blues lol cuz playing with a ibanez metal or rock is much better than fender playing metal or rock cuz its built specifically like u want right?

 

[sanXp]

I'm not sure cos I use a semi-acoustic now, anything is better than my semi-acous haha I may decide to try other genres in the future... But I think you have a point. And ibanez guitars are cheaper.. Hmm..

 

[subversion]

hi there 8)

fender single coils aren't cut out for metal, if you insist on the Fender brand name, get one which has at least a humbucker, like the ones depicted here:

Fender Std Fat Strat (Mex)

Fender Highway1 HSS (US)

however, i'd personally recommend this Ibanez, it's a no-nonsense rocker & should cost you about $550:

Ibanez RG321(Korea)

of course, there are other more affordable entry-level Ibanez guitars, notably from the GIO series but i consider those as average units, this 321 is above average. with the right amp, it'll help you to a good start. good luck...

 

[ShredCow]

Hi there,
Ibanez axes are great for rock... with your budget I'd reccommend RGs if you are into Metal/Rock territory...

If you are looking at getting a more versatile guitar, I'd reccommend the Ibanez S series guitars... I have one and its pretty versatile... Plays hard rock and blues best, but can handle metal pretty convincingly plus, Jazz is fine due to its solid mahagony body...

Since your budget is 800 to 1.2 k, try to get Japan made Ibanez guitars... the Korean guitars are usually of lesser quality although QC is better nowadays.. IMO...

 

[samu2963]

If I were you I would go for an Ibanez for one it is cheaper compared to fender strat. Two they have Floyd Rose or edge pro or ZR bridge(depending on the model you choose) which can help you stay in tune when you use the whammy bar. If you want, spend that money you will use on a real fender and buy youself seymour duncan pick-ups and replace the ones on your ibanez guitar. Although high end Ibanez do carry dimarzio pick up which is ok but seymour is the best. Go for and Ibanex RG series if you want 24 frets or S series if you want 22. RG series are made more for rock and metal and S can do all music on the average. However if you want style then go for Fender. But if you want more challenge go for an Ibanez but choose one with a nice pick up.

 

[sanXp]

Thanks a lot for all of your advice guys! Really appreciate it.. Didn't expect so many people to help

What do you guys think of the RG470? I kinda have my eyes on that... And the RG2550/2570 too.. Does anyone know how much they cost?

subversion >> I don't really insist on the fender brand actually.. I like the sss pickup strats for their clean sound, and I saw some rockers playing with sss strats so I thought it would work out, but they're kinda expensive.. I don't mind Ibanez guits, I like them actually (the floyd rose models) but I read from a lot of people that maintaining floyd rose bridges is a b*tch, so it's kinda intimidating..

shredcow >> The S series looks cool! How much does one of them cost?

Anyone have any experience on the Ibanez ergodyne line? It sports some kind of plastic body instead of wood. I heard the vintage trem model (last piece) is selling at swee lee at 750, but I'm skeptical about the plastic body.

 

[sanXp]

O yea subversion... I don't really have a good amp, it's a 15w bass amp I also have a so called 'integrated tube overdrive pedal' by DOD, not to mention a cheap semi acoustic. In other words, the tone REALLY sucks. Haha..

Oh and just to share with u guys.. I just downloaded a nice amp simulator, nice hard rock sounds. You can probably get other kinds of sounds like fender clean sounds out of it.. It's called GreenMachine Amp II (trial-ware), and you'll need a host for it. I use SpinAudio ASIO FX Processor LE.

http://www.greenmachine.pwuq.net/ for the amp simulator
http://www.spinaudio.com/downloads.php?download_type=3&download_id=32 for the host
http://www.kvraudio.com/ for a long list of host and effect links and amp simulators and what not

 

[ShredCow]

What do you guys think of the RG470? I kinda have my eyes on that... And the RG2550/2570 too.. Does anyone know how much they cost?

Well, I can't really rem how much they cost but www.sweelee.com.sg has some RGs with their price tags.... I wouldn't reccommend getting anything less than RG500 and above... One thing I've noticed about Ibanez RGs, if its made in Korean, the workmanship leaves must to be desired... The RG2550/2570 will cost you a LOT... prob 1.5 k... But anything in Ibanez that has the Prestige name to it, is going to have excellent workmanship...

subversion >> I don't really insist on the fender brand actually.. I like the sss pickup strats for their clean sound, and I saw some rockers playing with sss strats so I thought it would work out, but they're kinda expensive.. I don't mind Ibanez guits, I like them actually (the floyd rose models) but I read from a lot of people that maintaining floyd rose bridges is a b*tch, so it's kinda intimidating..

I'm baised against any fender guitar... :evil: heh... so I shall not say anything about them... except single coiled pickups don't have the power of a humbucker... so its pretty essential for metal esp to get humbuckers...

Now abt the Floyd Rose (Ibanez Edge) bridges... Its true that having the Edge bridge makes maintanence a pain but its really up to you... If you envision yourself as someone who loves the extra possibilities the Edge trem will offer you, then get it! The maintanence factor is a small price to pay for the special efx you can do with the trem, IMO! Besides, everone with a Floyd will learn to cope with it... In addition, Ibanez Edge, Lo-Pro Edge and Edge Pro bridges offer remarkable tuning stability... Joe Satriani has one of his Signature guitars, the JS2000, with a fixed Lo-Pro Edge bridge, becuase of its tuning stability...

I'd admit, I can't live without an Edge trem! :lol:

shredcow >> The S series looks cool! How much does one of them cost?

Well, 1.2 k should get you a nice Japan made S series... I got mine 2 yrs back and never looked at another S series so I'm not sure on the actual price of one.... Anyway, the S series of 2004 all come with D tuners on the ZR Trems (Floyds with different structures) so you can drop D anytime you want.... One thing to note, I've seen korean made S series guitars and they have really bad workmanship... those are ard the 800 dollar range...

Anyone have any experience on the Ibanez ergodyne line? It sports some kind of plastic body instead of wood. I heard the vintage trem model (last piece) is selling at swee lee at 750, but I'm skeptical about the plastic body

I have no idea... but here's a user review that might help you...

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Ibanez/Ergodyne-01.html

 

[sanXp]

I see. Thanks loads man.. So what you mean is that I should stay away from ibanez guits that are made in korea and go for made in japan ones? Any particular model to look out for? Are there any others as well, like made in the US?

I wouldn't reccommend getting anything less than RG500 and above...

Didn't quite get what you meant by this..

I read that the RG550/570 is not bad but I can't find them in the ibanez site, the closest I guess are the prestige models 2550 and 2570.

 

[ShredCow]

Yeap! Stay away from Korean made Ibanez... UNLESS, you are talking abt the Ibanez Artcore or Euphoria guitars...

Prestige models are great but expensive due to the extra workmanship...

Signature models are all prestige models too so they are really great! However, some are way too expensive... the K7 guitars are rather cheap though!

US made ibanez guitars are very very expensive... i think its the exchange rate or something but they are really over the top!

What i meant by getting RG500 and above is getting RG models that are above the number 500... RG550, RG570 and so on... The non prestige RGs are listed in the Ibanez site too... its under RG/GX/**/** ....

 

[PinkSpId3r]

i think the RG-2570 cost about $1250..i once made an enquiry about it..it caught my attention too..have still been looking at it hee but havnt really seen the real model yet(went to swee lee bras brasah,but cant find it..think only left with sim drive 1). The texture of the 2570..is those matte with shinny tinggies...it doesnt looks the same as the photo @.@

 

[sanXp]

Yea I know but it stops at 470, nothing above that. According to the site both the 550 and 570 have been replaced with the 1550 and 1570 (in which both are not on the site either, only the 2550 and 2570 are there, the prestige models)

I think I'll give the RGx550/RGx570 a test run this weekend. Where can I find them besides swee lee? I don't really like the service there, the last time I tried something there and didn't buy the sales guy NOT attending to me gave me the black faced treatment. Now that I'm really going to buy I refuse to do business with them.

 

[subversion]

the reason why i recommended you the RG321 in the first place was because it's a fixed bridge model, hassle free this one. if you have prior experience with any floating vibrato unit, then the S470 should be on your audition list. if you think you are better off with a fixed bridge instead, the 321 should not be overlooked despite its korean make.

there's a general misconception with the Korean Ibanez these days, players in general think they are still 'bad'. WEF 2003, the korean units are as good as the jap counterparts. i've tried many such guitars & i'd vouch for their revised standard.

also, do check the Ibanez SZ series out, but be warned that it's a departure from the RG's thin-necked + bolt on profile. i'm an ibanez fan myself (these make up the most in my collection, fender's catching on though...), i used to dismiss the korean models but after 2003, my perception of them took a turn.

SZ320

 

[sanXp]

i think the RG-2570 cost about $1250..

Hmm? $1250? I think it's within my budget.. You called them up to ask is it?

 

[ShredCow]

Hmmmm....
I dunno Subversion... I guess I'm just stuck on the old made in japan thing... Really can't get myself to get a Korean made guitar...

In anycase, Muthy, you have to get down and dirty with the guitar... play it, try it then decide... What subversion makes sense too, if you play the Korean Ibanez and you like the make and all, then get it...

The RG1550 and RG1570 are on the website... go and check out the RG Prestige section...

BTW, i must add that, if you want to get a trem model, pls get a guitar with the Edge Pro bridge... anything less is inferior for metal/rock... not bad but not the best....

 

[sanXp]

the reason why i recommended you the RG321 in the first place was because it's a fixed bridge model, hassle free this one.

Yea I do understand what you are getting at but I do want a trem for.. I dunno, to use? No harm learning yea? I will consider that guitar still, don't worry What's the price range of the S series and SZ series guitars?

 

[sanXp]

Hmmmm....
In anycase, Muthy, you have to get down and dirty with the guitar... play it, try it then decide... What subversion makes sense too, if you play the Korean Ibanez and you like the make and all, then get it...

Hmm ok. Anyway to handle the salesman? I hate it when they act as though I'm just trying for fun

The RG1550 and RG1570 are on the website... go and check out the RG Prestige section...

Gah stupid site design.. The 1550 is at the side menu but the main menu doesn't have it. The 1570 is nowhere to be found tho.

BTW, i must add that, if you want to get a trem model, pls get a guitar with the Edge Pro bridge... anything less is inferior for metal/rock... not bad but not the best....

Yep. I've looked at the parts of the signature guitars of vai and satch, both of them use mostly the edge pro so I'm aiming for a guitar with that if I ever get one with a trem.