Guitar shopping

[KlanKaos]

I'm in the market for a new guitar. At the moment I have an Epiphone Chet Atkins Signature, which is a really sweet guitar, but it's not what I need. It's a hollow-body electric, and it feeds back if I try to overdrive it too much. So I'm looking for a new, more metal electric guitar, but what I want is not pure metal. I don't want something that just crunches everything. I need a guitar with a bit lighter tone that can get reasonably metal, but I'm not trying to kill anyone with hardcore distortion. Cleans need to sound good. Basically what I'm saying is I want a reasonably balanced, high-quality electric guitar. Anything under $1000 is an option for me right now. I've been looking at Les Pauls a lot, and they seem good, but I've also heard that PRS make damn good guitars that I should take a look at. So what are your guitar-playing opinions on a guitar that might be right for me?

[Lachesis]

Well, I'm a metal bassist and technically a volunteer at my local guitar shop so I'll try to provide some help.
If you're looking for a metal guitar, check out a Jackson, they have an awesome sound. Dean has a lot of metal guitars, such as the ML, Razorback, and SplitTail. Look at Gibson Les Paul's, SG's, and Flying V's. BC Rich is also, like, THE metal guitar company.

LINKS:
Dean SplitTail Floyd: http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_ ... lFloyd.htm
Dean Dime ML Redwood: http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_ ... edwood.htm
Dean Razorback 255: http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_ ... ck_255.htm
Jackson Guitars: http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/body.php
BC Rich: http://www.bcrich.com/
Gibson: http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars.aspx

Honestly, you have to just go to a guitar shop and play them until you find one that has the right feel and sound.

[squibbles]

These are my guitars:

Ibanez Iceman: Link
Ibanez Jem:Link

The first is my metal guitar, the second for prog. Both are extremely good for shredding.

[a happy song]

Ibanez are mostly one trick pony shredders or down-pick monsters. They're limited, but very good at what they do.

A few Framus models I've played can do what you're looking for, but I can't remember exacts.

As nichtmesister said, you really need to go play the guitars your're curious about before you even think about making a purchase.

[SlappyMcGee]

Okay, first of all, do not get a BC Rich. They have slick designs, but the actual sound of the guitar is mostly shit. You can get the same kinds of shapes from Jackson (usually at reduced cost!), and Jackson's sound really nice with lots of distortion. They aren't too bad clean, either, although the tone can be a little empty for humbuckers.

The Les Paul -is- -the- -best- guitar in the world. Hands down, assuming you like humbuckers, and I imagine you do. This is pricey as seven balls though. If you are still at an early enough stage in your playing that you don't know which guitars you want and need advice (Not a bad thing at all; you came to the right place) you probably shouldn't invest into a les paul.

I have an Ibanez and it is GOD-DAMN excellent. The output jack is broken, but that was my fault ^.^ The guitar sounds and plays like a dream. It isn't either of the models recommended to you, mind; it's a classic guitar body.

And finally, Epiphone, whom I mostly despise, make solid guitars that look great, sound excellent for metal, and are really reasonably priced.

[Tunco]

Dean SplitTail Floyd: http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_ ... lFloyd.htm
Dean Dime ML Redwood: http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_ ... edwood.htm

Those two.

[KlanKaos]

The Les Paul -is- -the- -best- guitar in the world. Hands down, assuming you like humbuckers, and I imagine you do. This is pricey as seven balls though. If you are still at an early enough stage in your playing that you don't know which guitars you want and need advice (Not a bad thing at all; you came to the right place) you probably shouldn't invest into a les paul.

I've been looking at Les Pauls ever since I touched an electric guitar and salivating =P I came and asked mostly to find guitars that I might not know about that are potentially cheaper and/or better than what's sort of in the mainstream.

Dean SplitTail Floyd: http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_ ... lFloyd.htm
Dean Dime ML Redwood: http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_ ... edwood.htm

Those two.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

[T3chno]

I have a Washburn and I like it.

\o/

[handofgod]

Okay, first of all, do not get a BC Rich. They have slick designs, but the actual sound of the guitar is mostly shit.

you have been warned.

anyways, your best bet is to ignore everyone else's recommendations, go to your nearest guitar store that has a reasonable variety of makes and models (not just fender and ibanez or something) and play away. Pick out guitars you think have a cool vibe, or has a nice sound, but also pay close attention to what type of pickups you'll be getting, the weight, the frets, all that jazz.

You sound like you're looking for a relatively diverse guitar, and yes, a Les Paul is generally all-around perfect. Its like the David of guitars. PRS are also very sexy looking and have excellent tone, and can sometimes be less expensive. A friend of mine currently owns an ESP ec-1000 deluxe and I've tried on many occasions to steal it because of how fabulous it is. If you want a metal-ish sound, just buy a rock guitar, they preform equally as well if not better. Also, do not fall into the metal guitar trap, as most metal guitars aimed at aspiring shredders are very low and price as well as quality and can turn out to be one trick ponies. Or half a trick ponies. Cheers.

[McP]

for the love of god dont get a fender or ibanez

[SlappyMcGee]

Okay, first of all, do not get a BC Rich. They have slick designs, but the actual sound of the guitar is mostly shit.

you have been warned.

anyways, your best bet is to ignore everyone else's recommendations, go to your nearest guitar store that has a reasonable variety of makes and models (not just fender and ibanez or something) and play away. Pick out guitars you think have a cool vibe, or has a nice sound, but also pay close attention to what type of pickups you'll be getting, the weight, the frets, all that jazz.

You sound like you're looking for a relatively diverse guitar, and yes, a Les Paul is generally all-around perfect. Its like the David of guitars. PRS are also very sexy looking and have excellent tone, and can sometimes be less expensive. A friend of mine currently owns an ESP ec-1000 deluxe and I've tried on many occasions to steal it because of how fabulous it is. If you want a metal-ish sound, just buy a rock guitar, they preform equally as well if not better. Also, do not fall into the metal guitar trap, as most metal guitars aimed at aspiring shredders are very low and price as well as quality and can turn out to be one trick ponies. Or half a trick ponies. Cheers.

I forgot about PRS. +1 Rep.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCdDKEFFU7Q

[KlanKaos]

So I've been looking around and I think I've found my dream guitar. Unfortunately, they went out of production when the company closed down in '90 after four years... so they're quite rare. But here it is: Signature Aurora

They're SO cool...

[Donfuy]

Get yourself a Jack & Danny and you'll be fine.

[Torex]

Right now I play an SG, which is pretty good, but I'd definitely recommend a Les Paul. They are the best. Also, looking at your specifications, a Gretsch solid-body might be good for you. They're originally meant to be used clean, but they also get a really heavy crunch with distortion, so it's also a good choice. Price-wise, I'd recommend this one. The only problem I really have is the Bigsby, just because it isn't the best whammy bar out there, at least not for extreme usage. But I'd recommend that or a Les Paul.

[KlanKaos]

Right now I play an SG, which is pretty good, but I'd definitely recommend a Les Paul. They are the best. Also, looking at your specifications, a Gretsch solid-body might be good for you. They're originally meant to be used clean, but they also get a really heavy crunch with distortion, so it's also a good choice. Price-wise, I'd recommend this one. The only problem I really have is the Bigsby, just because it isn't the best whammy bar out there, at least not for extreme usage. But I'd recommend that or a Les Paul.

If I do get one like that, I'd customize it with a Floyd, probably.

[maya]

I play with a Stratocaster and a Jackson Rhoads at the moment. Both are great, although I would personally recommend getting a Jackson as they are very versatile and have a great sound.

[Awesome67]

I play (well, have) a Fender Squier. I've managed to lay down a few chords and it sounds divine. I couldn't really suggest anything, but I'm going to go with Lachesis when he says "Honestly, you have to just go to a guitar shop and play them until you find one that has the right feel and sound."

...yup, that's about it.