Some help in buying a Metal Guitar

[maliciousteve]

Every LTD i've played (from MH-400 to EC1000)'s have had a 'clumsy' feel to them. Like I had to struggle with the guitar to be able to play with it. They are well built guitars but there's just something about their playability that puts me off them. I chose a PRS Standard over a EC1000 because of this.

[Sifu Ben]

Yeah, but that can just be a case of what you're used to. For example I get that with strats. The PRS standard is a pretty different guitar though. The LTD's I've played have been very playable (I played a Viper 400 and something else, can't remember now).

[Crazy_Joe]

They are too overpriced, you can get the same quality or even better from a different company for a fraction of the price, the other thing i dislike about them is that despite being expensive, they look cheap.

[noodleplugerine]

They're really not that expensive, and if you think they are, then could you please show me the alternatives which you're insinuating, cos I'd love to see them!

The best LTDs are between $700 and $900 - After shipping and VAT it's still under £550 - Compare that with other makes, not many have set necks or neck thrus with active EMGs and mahogany/alder bodies.

I'm finding it harder to come up with alternatives with the same features in that price range and the £200 I'd have left over would be used on getting some extras like a fitted hardcase, or some BKPs if I suddenly feel ambitious.

[Crazy_Joe]

I didn't say the same specs, i said the same quality. And when i say that i mean companies like Dean and Ibanez.

[noodleplugerine]

I've played some extremely badly made Ibanez guitars, especially the RGs below the thru neck one, things like the 2620 and the 2570 I've seen with bad wiring and joints. Anyway, Ibanez isn't what I'm looking for, the cheap ones don't have the features I want, and those that do are too pricey.

Think I've only ever played 1 Dean electric, and can't remember it too well.

[Crazy_Joe]

There are some exceptions in the ESP LTD range, i'm not usually one for signature models, but i am really craving one of the Jeff Hanneman signatures now they have revamped them and upgraded all the stuff on the LTD versions.

Used to be:
Licensed Floyd + Bolt-On + Basswood

It's now:
Kahler Trem + Neck Thru + Alder

Sounds good to me :D

[TwilightOdyssey]

The fact that the body is alder means very little to the overall tone if the neck is made from a different wood.

[noodleplugerine]

There are some exceptions in the ESP LTD range, i'm not usually one for signature models, but i am really craving one of the Jeff Hanneman signatures now they have revamped them and upgraded all the stuff on the LTD versions.

Used to be:
Licensed Floyd + Bolt-On + Basswood

It's now:
Kahler Trem + Neck Thru + Alder

Sounds good to me :D

Ebony Fretboard on the new one aswell :D

How much does it cost? Feature wise it's awesome, but I can't stand the inlays :<

Neck's made out of maple.

[BloodMountain]

i quite like those inlays.....

[noodleplugerine]

Dunno what it is about them...

Too blocky, takes alot of the fret space and the material looks a bit plain.

[FELINEGUITARS]

The fact that the body is alder means very little to the overall tone if the neck is made from a different wood.

A neck thru relies less on the wings compared to the neck thru material
the change from basswood to alder would matter in a bolt on

A change to neck thru would change the sound too - but it would be the neck material that is the key to the tone

[Crazy_Joe]

I think the inlays rule.

[Dakine]

I didn't say the same specs, i said the same quality. And when i say that i mean companies like Dean and Ibanez.

Joe, just wondering, you seem hellish knowledgeable on all these guitars these days, how have you played em all? Do you work in a large guitar shop after school nowadys?  :roll:

[Crazy_Joe]

I have played them, i don't work there but there is a guitar shop in my town very near my school actually and they happen to stock Dean, Ibanez ESP and a lot of others.

I havn't played all the guitars in the manufacturers range but from what i have played i found that Ibanez necks rule, Dean sound cool and ESP sound alright but not as good as Dean, though remember i havn't played all of them, just 2 or 3 from each.