ATOT music nerds: recommend me guitars.

[Fausto]

I basically quit playing guitar back in college, but have started playing again recenly after my kids dug all my old guitars out of a closet and wanted to know about them.

So, now that I'm playing again, I have the urge to buy NEW STUFF but I know exactly nothing about what's gone on in the guitar industry for the last two decades. First thing I want to get is a modern(ish) rock/metal guitar with a fixed bridge that comes in under $500 either new or used. Not particularly interested in Ibanez (already have an older one), but otherwise wide open to suggestions.

 

[Gibson486]

What's gone on recently? Gibson has gone to shit....

Yeah, it's teh same old story with everything else.. Things move to China, it goes through this period of questionable quality. Talking about sub-$500 guitars of course. AFAIK, most Gibsons are still made in the US, but they are not sub-500.

 

[Fausto]

What's gone on recently? Gibson has gone to shit....

I picked up a few LPs and Epi LPs recently and really didn't care for them anyway. Lots of sustain, but just too damn bright for my taste.

 

[Gibson486]

I picked up a few LPs and Epi LPs recently and really didn't care for them anyway. Lots of sustain, but just too damn bright for my taste.

try Semi-acoustics (from any company)? Those give nice muddy dark tones.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Isn't the older stuff generally regarded as some of the best ever?

<--not exactly up on the guitar market.

BTW-Welcome back! Haven't seen you around here in quite a while.

 

[whattaguy]

Look for a used G&L. If you look hard enough, you can find a used one for about $500. The "G" stands for George Fullerton, and the "L" stands for Leo Fender. American handmade guitars. Awesome quality.

http://www.glguitars.com/

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Agile guitars from Rondo music. Look at the guitars in the $300+ price range. After case, tax, & shipping it'll still come in under $500, and you'll get a pretty good guitar.

I bought a LP last year and love it to death. I'm eyeing a Tele for my next purchase.

http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss10.html

 

[Fausto]

Agile guitars from Rondo music. Look at the guitars in the $300+ price range. After case, tax, & shipping it'll still come in under $500, and you'll get a pretty good guitar.

I bought a LP last year and love it to death. I'm eyeing a Tele for my next purchase.

http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss10.html

I have been eyeballing a 3100, but it's not first on the list.

 

[Fausto]

Isn't the older stuff generally regarded as some of the best ever?

<--not exactly up on the guitar market.

From what I can tell, some is and some isn't. Seems like every major brand has gone through this birth > growth > relocate manufacturing facilities > quality falls off > people run away > company nearly goes bankrupt > company is reborn as small boutique (high quality) operation.

I just want AT to parse all this for me so I don't have to do it myself.

 

[TechBoyJK]

used Carvin ftw. Seriously. They make awesome guitars.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

http://www.reverendguitars.com/

Check out the forums. Owners are really passionate about these guitars.

 

[AFurryReptile]

Epiphone makes some nice les paul knockoffs. The standard edition comes in at $400.

 

[tcsenter]

Schecter

 

[Fausto]

Epiphone makes some nice les paul knockoffs. The standard edition comes in at $400.

Played and did not particularly like, but thanks.

Schecter

Curious about these, but know zip about them. Tell me more, human.

 

[TrueBlueLS]

http://www.reverendguitars.com/

Check out the forums. Owners are really passionate about these guitars.

Reverend guitars were only good when they were built here in the USA. Now that they are made in Korea... forget about it. I miss the days the laminate covered Rocco model.

 

[A Casual Fitz]

Schecter

This. I own the Loomis signature and it's a beast.

 

[tcsenter]

Curious about these, but know zip about them. Tell me more, human.

I've played a couple and really liked them, not sure if you can find one in your price range with a fixed bridge. I haven't owned any but a friend of mine loves his Schecter. He's really good, has been playing for 16 years and owned about 10 guitars (currently owns four). He prefers it to his Ibanez.

Of course, he paid around $1200 for it (I forget which model). And in this price range, its really hard not to get a good guitar.

I like Fender Standard and Deluxe Strats, as well. I have an old mid-80s (first year Japanese) Fender Strat (its a piece of shit). Shouldn't have much problem finding a nice used one, three to five years old, for around $400 ~ $500. Strats from the early-80s to the early-90s weren't good years for Fender, so avoid them.

 

[PhineasJWhoopee]

Reverend guitars were only good when they were built here in the USA. Now that they are made in Korea... forget about it. I miss the days the laminate covered Rocco model.

USA is better, of course, but I think the Reverend Korean made are good value. My son has a Roundhouse P290 and he's pleased with it.

Check out any of the review sites.

 

[Fausto]

I've played a couple and really liked them, not sure if you can find one in your price range with a fixed bridge. I haven't owned any but a friend of mine loves his Schecter. He's really good, has been playing for 16 years and owned about 10 guitars (currently owns four). He prefers it to his Ibanez.

Of course, he paid around $1200 for it (I forget which model). And in this price range, its really hard not to get a good guitar.

I like Fender Standard and Deluxe Strats, as well. I have an old mid-80s (first year Japanese) Fender Strat (its a piece of shit). Shouldn't have much problem finding a nice used one, three to five years old, for around $400 ~ $500. Strats from the early-80s to the early-90s weren't good years for Fender, so avoid them.

I went out for lunch and tried out a few guitars including a Schecter Hellraiser. I may need to adjust my budget upwards as I really liked it.

 

[erikistired]

Agile guitars from Rondo music. Look at the guitars in the $300+ price range. After case, tax, & shipping it'll still come in under $500, and you'll get a pretty good guitar.

I bought a LP last year and love it to death. I'm eyeing a Tele for my next purchase.

http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss10.html

my buddy bought a rondo 5 string bass and he loves the thing.

 

[Fausto]

my buddy bought a rondo 5 string bass and he loves the thing.

Want, but want a more rock/metal-oriented guitar first.

 

[Fausto]

Up for more opinions/input.

 

[lxskllr]

I like Fender. The Strat and Tele are my 2 favorite guitars. Since you want a fixed bridge, a Tele. Or you can tighten the springs all the way on a Strat, and you'll have a fixed bridge. I've heard the vibrato models sound better than the fixed bridge anyway, but I've never played a fixed Strat.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

If your serious about your budget I suggest hitting up lots of pawn shops checking out used axes. Your not going to find anything you really like NEW in that price range.

Good used metal axes Schecter's, Jackson's, etc are usually pretty easy to find in pawn shops because most pawn shop pickers are locking for Gibsons and Fenders and such

 

[Fritzo]

I picked up a few LPs and Epi LPs recently and really didn't care for them anyway. Lots of sustain, but just too damn bright for my taste.

It's the Burstbucker Pros they've been using. They're fairly bright and farty sounding at high volume.