Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Jamie on March 21, 2012, 01:47:44 PM
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Hey guys just wanted some opinions on a 80s style guitar. I know pretty much what I want in terms of design but im not sure which guitar to buy. I want a superstrat, pink sunburst with George Lynch Bengal Tiger gaphics, floyd rose, H/H pickups and I was toying with the idea of shoving some Holy Divers in there.
Now I am not sure whether or not I should try and grab an authentic 80s Charvel or Kramer and get the body sprayed, or buy myself a new Kramer Pacer Classic (£250 but mahogany body and maple neck) and upgrade the pups and the trem, I have heard only good things about them. I have had a quote of just over £400 for the paintwork. I just want to know if any of you guys think the pacer would be worth spending £400 for the paint job, or would I better off with something else?
Thanks Guys
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Shame you aint got a bit more funds, you cudda made yaself a Warmoth guitar. Ya looking at about $450-$600 dollars for the body and neck, which in £ works out pretty good for a guitar customised to your liking. Then you just add Hardware and Pickups. If you get a Warmoth without paint ya looking at something like $350-$450
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i'm not sure i'd want to spend £400 on paint on a £200 guitar, but that's just me. if you consider that £600 would get you a new MIJ charvel pro mod, for example.
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Yeah, I 'd rather spend £600 on a guitar than £200 on a guitar and £400 on a finish.
It's the same total outlay, but knowing 2/3 of the cost is just paint seems disproportionate.
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Better buy a good guitar instead of a flashy finish.
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Better buy a good guitar instead of a flashy finish.
+1 8)
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surely you'll be able to find an 80s superstrat for that kind of money with an existing naff paint-job ???? :?
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like this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charvel-Predator-Reverse-Headstock-Crackle-Finish-MIJ-/270770434925?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0b2cf36d#ht_500wt_1180
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like this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charvel-Predator-Reverse-Headstock-Crackle-Finish-MIJ-/270770434925?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0b2cf36d#ht_500wt_1180
That is totally not a naff paintjob!
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^ +1, that's an awesome finish
Better buy a good guitar instead of a flashy finish.
yeah exactly
and i frickin' love flashy finishes :lol:
but only if the guitar is good already
i mean it's not like those MIJ charvels aren't fairly 80s already :D
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like this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charvel-Predator-Reverse-Headstock-Crackle-Finish-MIJ-/270770434925?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0b2cf36d#ht_500wt_1180
That is totally not a naff paintjob!
Hasn't Davey got a guitar very much like that?
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i think he has that exact same model.
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like this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charvel-Predator-Reverse-Headstock-Crackle-Finish-MIJ-/270770434925?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0b2cf36d#ht_500wt_1180
That is totally not a naff paintjob!
not for me I'm afraid, screams 80s hair rock - great if thats what you want, just not my thing.
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like this one...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charvel-Predator-Reverse-Headstock-Crackle-Finish-MIJ-/270770434925?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0b2cf36d#ht_500wt_1180
That is totally not a naff paintjob!
not for me I'm afraid, screams 80s hair rock - great if thats what you want, just not my thing.
That is a good point. I also think that was/is the point of it. I can see why it isnt to most peoples tastes though
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Thanks for the replies guys.
Yeah, I 'd rather spend £600 on a guitar than £200 on a guitar and £400 on a finish.
It's the same total outlay, but knowing 2/3 of the cost is just paint seems disproportionate.
The reason why I was thinking of the pacer classic was because I would love a Kramer and the Pacers are the only line I like. Besides its cheap to start off with so I can buy it now and then upgrade as I go. With the new pups and OFR it won't be just a £250 guitar anymore. The only thing that is stopping me from buying it is that although its a mahogany body and maple neck I'm not sure what the quality of the wood will be like. I've read numerous reviews on how good the build quality is. Sorry Philly that wasn't all in response to your post, I rarely use forums and im not exactly sure how to reply to multiple people at once.
Thanks for the recommendation on the MIJ, would love to try one but the music shops where I am are shitee and I don't drive so I'm not going to be able to try one out. My only worry would be spending £600 on a guitar which I might not like the feel of, where as £250 isn't such a loss. Buying a £600 guitar and finding out I don't like it is the perfect excuse for my girlfriend to bump me off... Especially since I've just taken out life insurance!
I can see that the whole 80s thing isn't to everyones taste but I would love to add one to my collection. If you guys think that the pacer's body would be a waste for an expensive paint job then I might try looking at secondhand 80s superstrats around the £300-£400 mark.
Thanks for the replies guys.
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it kinda still is a £250 guitar, though. just one that now has upgrades.
not trying to rain on your parade or anything, i love 80s guitars. and have half considered those kramers myself (but i haven't tried them, nor the newer MIJ charvels, just the older USA ones). Just i don't want to you waste your money.
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well.. just so you know.. as far as the MIJ charvels go, i've played at least 7 or 8 now in the diff guitar shops around here (all the san dimas) and i haven't played a bad one yet. I woulld have been happy dropping 6 on any of them. Consistency is what the japanese do. I also own a couple japanese fenders alongside a PRS and Musicman. I would say with good MIJ brands you're getting a sound thats usually vastly disproportionate to the money spent. in a good way.
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you can always try a cheap paint job. spray can and a tiger stripe stencil? it would be as good as a pro job of course, but alot cheaper! will look fine if you take your time over it.
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well.. just so you know.. as far as the MIJ charvels go, i've played at least 7 or 8 now in the diff guitar shops around here (all the san dimas) and i haven't played a bad one yet. I woulld have been happy dropping 6 on any of them. Consistency is what the japanese do. I also own a couple japanese fenders alongside a PRS and Musicman. I would say with good MIJ brands you're getting a sound thats usually vastly disproportionate to the money spent. in a good way.
that's what i'd have thought :)
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you can always try a cheap paint job. spray can and a tiger stripe stencil? it would be as good as a pro job of course, but alot cheaper! will look fine if you take your time over it.
That's not a bad idea - and probably more in keeping with the intrinsic value of the guitar.
Even if you mess it up it's not too expensive an error, and you can always strip the paint off and start over.
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you can always try a cheap paint job. spray can and a tiger stripe stencil? it would be as good as a pro job of course, but alot cheaper! will look fine if you take your time over it.
I did think of that but, with my artistic skills, I think it would probably turn out a complete mess.
I have been looking at the San Dimas' and they do look like very nice guitars, none of the finishes really seem to be to my liking though, with the exception of the slime green one, and it's a shame about the stratocaster headstock.
I think I could maybe buy the Kramer and have a crack at it myself, and possibly save up for a San Dimas as well if I can find a Slime Green one. The Sand Dimas can be my 'sensible' guitar which I suppose everyone must have at least one of.
Thanks Guys