Author Topic: What kind of guitar should I get? (Read 2352 times)

Keski · « **on:** December 23, 2005, 10:32:03 pm »

I've been playing guitar for a while, but I broke my guitar.
So I've saved up all my money to get a new one.
I was wondering what kind of guitar you guys think I should
get, because I can't decide.
By the way the band I play in is a heavy metal furry band.

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2005, 11:02:38 pm »

Hmmm.... You didn't give us much to go by for giving a recommendation..

What's your budget? Have you tried out the guitars your favorite guitarists play? Is there a sound you are trying to emulate? What guitars have attracted your eye?

I think the best advice I can give is to go to a music store and try out as many guitars as you can. If you can plug into an amp like the one you use, even better. For heavy metal, you are probably looking at a guitar setup with humbucker pickups, but there is still a lot to choose from.

I could tell you the guitars I like and play, but then they may not suite your style.

Keski · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2005, 11:38:48 pm »

Sorry I wasn't more specific before.

Well I've got about 1000 dollars, I like the SG, Warlock, and Mockingbird styles, and I'm looking for something that sounds like Paul Allender from Cradle of Filth's guitar.

« **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2005, 06:32:22 am »

Honestly, if you are looking for that kind of down and grungy distortion that alot of metal, death metal, and black metal bands are getting, an Ibanez would be your best bet. Gibsons are great guitars, but i think alot of them are overpriced and may not be appropriate for some metal, but if Ynigwe can play metal on a Strat, anything is possible.

Look for a single humbucker Ibanez. They are built very well and are the defacto choice for shreders, plus, your range will get you a top of the line Ibanez. Ive played them for years and have yet to break one or have one warp on me.

But drake is right. Spend alot of time in a guitar store and try EVERYTHING that you like. Buying an insturment is less about logic and more about finding the insturment that makes your heart beat a little faster, and with a grand, you will definitley find something that fits that description.

Also, and this is very important!

The guitar store that you buy your guitar at is just as important as the guitar itself. Guitar Center, (and i know, since i worked there for a while) is one of the most heartless multi national corportations out. They want to sell you the guitar that makes them the most gross product, and not what you may want.

Also, alot of smaller stores know how to set up there guitars before you purchase them. this is very important, because ive seen 4000 dollar gibsons and major chain stores being played by 5 year olds, and they are also constantly out of tune, warping the neck. Its almost a death sentence honestly.

Another thing is that smaller stores offer is free service sometimes, which is probably the most important thing. Maintaining your guitar is essential, and a bunch of teenagers who dont know the first thing about luthiery work is not who you want touching your guitar. Guitar maintenence is an artform done correctly by only the most skilled.

Not to mention, buying from a small, boutique type store keeps someone who actually cares about your guitar buying expirence in business, while not supporting a major business who really could care less about you.

Shopping stores is just as important as shopping guitars.

I wish you luck, and post some pics of what you buy!

Om · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2005, 09:56:21 am »

I have to agree with Koogs and Drake -

1) Try before you buy - and try any and every guitar that you think might speak to you.
2) Try to buy from the little music store if you can. I ended up getting my Les Paul Studio from a small little music/pawn shop. Alas... had to sell it to move here. And now I have a Pacifica Strat clone. It's a cute little guitar (that I don't play often enough) - once I get better again (and have a little extra spending money), I'll pick up a Les Paul again.

From your description - I'd check out Ibanez. They're good quality, fairly nicely priced.

Good luck. Post pics when you get it!

-Kai.

RebelKat · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2005, 11:48:25 am »

Some excellent advice here.

Finding a guitar is an extremely personal thing. Again, you want to spend some time trying out as many as you can. TAKE YOUR TIME!
Sooner or later, you'll find one that feels good in your hands, and puts a goofy grin on your face.

Koogs brings up some important points. Guitars do need tweaking every once in a while. Make sure the tech at the place you get it has got the skills, and the passion to do the work properly.
My last guitar was purchased at Sam Ash.. where I specifically heard the tech say, "It's not MY guitar...." so now I'm stuck looking for an authorized gibson/epiphone tech. *rolls eyes*

I agree also, you want a humbucker pickup at the bridge. Ibenez DOES make some nice guitars, in both H-H, S-S-H pickup configs.Try them out for different tones also, you may not want just crunch for everything.

I've been very happy with my Epiphone/Gibsons. They crunch nicely and still can play clean with sweet tone.

Brody · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2005, 07:42:29 pm »

I agree, Ibanez is best, and I think humbucker setups for metal are better than single coil (sorry Koogs!). Also, since you like Warlocks, that was my second choice.

« **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2005, 07:50:48 pm »

Quote (Brody @ Dec. 26 2005, 7:42 pm)

I agree, Ibanez is best, and I think humbucker setups for metal are better than single coil (sorry Koogs!

'>. Also, since you like Warlocks, that was my second choice.

sorry for what, i agree with you ':p'

FlameWulf · « **Reply #8 on:** December 26, 2005, 09:14:08 pm »

Quote (Keski @ Dec. 23 2005, 11:38 pm)

Sorry I wasn't more specific before.

Well I've got about 1000 dollars, I like the SG, Warlock, and Mockingbird styles, and I'm looking for something that sounds like Paul Allender from Cradle of Filth's guitar.

Paul Allender is my favorite guitarist

'>

But if you want the sound he has, then I guess your best bet would be to use the same guitar. He uses Paul Reed Smith guitars I believe. I don't know anything about that brand, because so far i've only owned a Washburn. But I thought I should point that out if you're interested.

Drake Blackpaw · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2005, 08:55:54 am »

Quote (FlameWulf @ Dec. 26 2005, 9:14 pm)

But if you want the sound he has, then I guess your best bet would be to use the same guitar. He uses Paul Reed Smith guitars I believe. I don't know anything about that brand, because so far i've only owned a Washburn. But I thought I should point that out if you're interested.

Great guitars, I actually have #165 in production, which was a gift from my parents in 85 for my birthday. It is now very valuable collectors item.

It's interesting that he uses a Paul Reed Smith (PRS) as that wouldn't be my first choice for a heavy metal guitar. They have excellent build and great humbucking pickups, put they weren't designed with the heavy metal tone in mind. They also don't have the blazing fast necks that a top of the line Ibanez or other guitars discussed in this thread.

Also, while I love my PRS, I'd say they are overpriced as well. I think they start at $1500 new. You can get a top of the line Ibanez or ESP that is specifically geared towards the metal sound for less. Certainly go try one out, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a metal guitar.

Brody · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2005, 04:13:11 pm »

Quote (Koogs @ Dec. 26 2005, 7:50 pm)

Quote

sorry for what, i agree with you ':p'

Well, you said:

Quote

Look for a single humbucker Ibanez. They are built very well and are the defacto choice for shreders

And I disagreed: humbuckers for shred. But hey, they're just opinions, after all.

« **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2005, 05:08:00 pm »

Quote (Brody @ Dec. 27 2005, 4:13 pm)

Quote from: Koogs,Dec. 26 2005, 7:50 pm

Quote

sorry for what, i agree with you ':p'

Well, you said:

Quote

Look for a single humbucker Ibanez. They are built very well and are the defacto choice for shreders

And I disagreed: humbuckers for shred. But hey, they're just opinions, after all.

Well, being a drummer and a bassist for almost 20 years (dont mean to be arrogant), when I played metal with any guitarist, They almost always use the bridge humbucker pickup only, since that is where the secondary harmonics yeild the best mix of definition and "crunch"

Granted, using two humbuckers can yeild a deep sound, I dont know many metal specific guitarists who do you more than the bridge pickup, which is why you see many artist special edition guitars from this genre of music and many new metal "specific" guitars with one bridge position humbucker and a single volume control.

And just a side note, the term "humbucker" is a trademark of gibson guitars i believe, all others are refered to as double coil.

And by single humbucker, i meant one "dual coil" reverse phase pickup at the bridge position, i didnt mean a sing coil pickup.

Sirrinose · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2005, 06:40:53 pm »

either bronze worlock, ibenez or a flying V. [ i have a bronze worlock bass and it rules] gfender is good too.

Brody · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2005, 11:00:46 am »

Quote (Koogs @ Dec. 27 2005, 5:08 pm)

Quote

And by single humbucker, i meant one "dual coil" reverse phase pickup at the bridge position, i didnt mean a sing coil pickup.

Ah, see, that is where the disconnect was. I thought you meant single coil.

FlameWulf · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2005, 06:48:14 pm »

Quote (Drake Blackpaw @ Dec. 27 2005, 8:55 am)

Quote (FlameWulf @ Dec. 26 2005, 9:14 pm)

But if you want the sound he has, then I guess your best bet would be to use the same guitar. He uses Paul Reed Smith guitars I believe. I don't know anything about that brand, because so far i've only owned a Washburn. But I thought I should point that out if you're interested.

It's interesting that he uses a Paul Reed Smith (PRS) as that wouldn't be my first choice for a heavy metal guitar. They have excellent build and great humbucking pickups, put they weren't designed with the heavy metal tone in mind. They also don't have the blazing fast necks that a top of the line Ibanez or other guitars discussed in this thread.

Yeah, I was kinda surprised to find out that he uses those guitars. I was looking through a list of musicians who use them, and most of them wern't metal bands. But here's a pic of his guitar if anyone wants to see it here

Also, can anyone tell me how a B.C. Rich Warlock compares to other guitars? I've been thinking of getting one when I have enough money

Mazz · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2005, 09:11:20 pm »

B.C. Rich Warlock

^^ best EVAR!

*edit*
lol and I said that before reading flamewolf's post.

Brody · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2005, 11:20:48 am »

Quote (FlameWulf @ Dec. 28 2005, 6:48 pm)

Quote

Also, can anyone tell me how a B.C. Rich Warlock compares to other guitars?

Oh, they sound alright, but all those weird shapes aren't good for ergonomics. They're not comfortable to use. And unless you are hardcore, you'll probably be laughed at for the shape.

FlameWulf · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2005, 01:30:51 pm »

Eh, i'm not too worried about getting laughed at. Im into death metal, and that's mostly what I play. So the design would be perfect. The fact that they aren't comfortable to use could be a problem though ':p'

« **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2006, 04:29:52 pm »

well if your in a furry metal band, if its not one of those candy *** metal bands, then I would say get a freakin' Angus Young Signiture Gibson SG, and then pretend to be Angus Young, if ya are get the model they made with the P-90's. that and its a VERY good looking guitar... of course its pretty expensive.
-Mik Genocide, Arc Of Vomit

RebelKat · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2006, 05:19:30 pm »

Quote (Genocide @ Jan. 01 2006, 4:29 pm)

get a freakin' Angus Young Signiture Gibson SG, and then pretend to be Angus Young.

this is never a bad idea...

'>

Brody · « **Reply #20 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:06:14 am »

Quote (Genocide @ Jan. 01 2006, 4:29 pm)

well if your in a furry metal band, if its not one of those candy *** metal bands

Quote

well if your in a furry metal band, if its not one of those candy *** metal bands

I must admit, my band is candy ### ::sob:: Killing self now. ;)

South Munjoy · « **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2006, 11:32:22 am »

The Original BC Rich guitars made in the 80's were really good guitar. So were the original Dean guitars, but findong one is rather hard and can be quite expensive.

Ibanez guitars are good for shredders, and they have really good build quality (The Japanese made Fenders were made by Ibanez)

Here's some further info on Pickups, ( I imagine you'll gravitate towards Humbuckers). Ceramic Magnet humbuckers tend to have a fatter, more midrangey sound. Alnico Magnets on the other hand have a nastier, rawer sound which I think lends itself better to hard music, especially D and C Tuning.

I pesonally prefer Gibsons loaded with Alnico pickups, or P-90 Single Coils (The P-100 is the stacked humbucker version). The Worn Finish models are cheap and loaded with Alnico pickups. -- If you decide to get one of these, try and get the lightest one in the store if they have more than one.

TheComet · « **Reply #22 on:** April 15, 2006, 12:13:11 pm »

My suggestion for a lead guitar would definately be a Peavy or Epiphone. Peavy guitars always have a very nice sound to them and work great with pedals (snag yourself a distortion, flanger, delay, and sub pedal, they really do a nice job).
If you have a little bit of cash on you to snag an Epiphone (approx $400-$1000 depending on the model) grab one, I have one and have played a few of them. REALLY nice sound, strings are nice and low to the neck, strings don't get warped or stretch as often as another guitar would (I've had a few).

There's my advice!

'>

Zadorn · « **Reply #23 on:** April 15, 2006, 11:09:58 pm »

I am not sure about guitars, but Peavey basses are build like tanks, and will never let you down.

I know some guys with 20+ year old Peavey's, and still sound great.

WildbillTX · « **Reply #24 on:** April 24, 2006, 02:27:44 pm »

I dont know anything about this company but they make interesting retro-styled guitars for good prices, even a model like Jack White of the Red Stripes plays. And the reviews on Harmony Central have been mostly positive.

http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/

About the only other thing I can say is dont buy any Fenders made in Mexico - cheap parts and poor build quality. A freind bought one for gigs and he had all kinds of problems with it.