singlecut dilemma

[elijen]

Hey guys!

I got myself a dilemma... it concerns two guitars: Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded vs. PRS Tremonti SE.

I'll try to make this short and coherent. I am fairly satisfied with my Dean Caddy, apart from its neck heaviness, it is a good guitar. I've been playing for only a year and a half, and my first six-string moments are attached to the Caddy. But, I am also a part of a songwriting team (lyrics are my domain) and a need for a mahogany guitar to be used in studio arose. So this new acquisition is intended for both my bedroom playing and studio use (not done by me).

Now, Deans are rare on the Croatian market and are extremely difficult to sell, but I found a nice shop that is willing to take my Dean in exchange for Gibson Studio. Plus additional payment, of course. Tremontis are a bit cheaper and one can even find some on the used market, but the dealer carrying PRS is not interested in taking my Dean. 

Soooo... I've tried both of them. And I liked both of them, despite their different feel. I'm having difficulty deciding, as I have a US made guitar on one side and a PRS (GASing for one - though not so much for the Korean one) on the other.

I would be grateful if any of you with some experience with one or both of these guitars would be so kind and tell me your opinion.

Thank you in advance :)

[Ian Price]

First thing I would do is buy a guitar that I liked rather than worry aout who will be playing it in the studio - I've played loads of guitars that other people swear by even though I wouldn't choose them myself.

If you have found a Les Paul Studio that you like it would make sense to go for that - PRS quality control is very good (much, much better than Gibson) but it sounds like you won't be able to try one before buying.

[elijen]

I hear you! But you misunderstood what I meant. I can try both guitars but if I opt for Gibson, then I'd be able to get a deal for my Dean. As I said I tried them both, and liked them both. I can't really decide yet, so I'll try them both again this week. I just wanted to hear some thoughts on the guitars from you guys on the forum.

[sgmypod]

tremonti are great feel and play well..but to me have a much lighter sound, than say the gibson studio...guess what I'm saying is depends what kind of sound your after.

[Sifu Ben]

I'm confused, surely your cadillac is mahogany??? Why do you "need" a mahogany guitar???? Why are you buying a guitar for someone else to play???

[elijen]

Hey guys! I see that I need to apologize for my poor communication skills. I've been working long hours these last few weeks, so it took its toll on my coherency.

You see, I am trying to ditch my Caddy. It simply does not speak to me any more. It was an excellent buy when I got it, since it was 50% off. I could not have asked for a better first electric guitar. Now, I want something just a bit lighter (weight-wise), mainstream look and with better built quality. Caddy came with quite a few flaws.
But I am set on getting a new guitar for myself, not someone else. It just so happens, that I am looking for something solid, with a nice pronounced midrange, as it will also be used, on occasion, in our studio. Is is a personal purchase, but could be looked at as a business investment also.

When comparing Tremonti SE and Les Paul Studio Faded, after spending more time with them, I found Tremonti to be lighter sounding like sgmypod said. Studio's sound is fuller and more rounded, and I think I am going for that one. I can't think of anything comparable at that price range, but if anyone has a suggestion... :)

RC

[hunter]

If I were you I would go "old style" and visit a shop, try as many singlecut types as I can get my hand on, and get a good one. No guitar is alike, and even more so in the sub 800 bucks range, there are better ones and worse ones. I loved my SE Singlecut, it was a great guitar, flawless, but it was very minimalistic.

And if I compare it to my Epiphone LP, which was 200 cheaper, it's a much more lively and raw guitar, with more edges about it, that make it sound and play more interesting. Now one person might prefer the SE, but I guess most would agree from my clips, that the Epi with the Black Dogs in it sounds the business. Even if the top is Alder instead of Maple.

Really, try and buy. Mabye it's ok to buy a 3,000 Tyler on the internet, because they all KICK ASS, but a 600 or so guitar is better tested in person.

[AndyR]

Really, try and buy. Mabye it's ok to buy a 3,000 Tyler on the internet, because they all KICK ASS, but a 600 or so guitar is better tested in person.

+1

I'm noodling about on my Faded SG Special at the moment. It's a lovely guitar for me personally, but on the day I bought it I tried 3 or 4 others (and I've tried another one since) - the others were all horrid, or seemed so to me, this one is gorgeous.