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Mahogany HH Gibson scale guitars 400~600. Rate my shortlist?

Discussion in 'Beginners/FAQ' started by silverabyss, Feb 12, 2018.

  1. silverabyss

    silverabyss ☼

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    Outside the stuff in the title I’m trying to score the best fretwork I can possibly manage /$.

    It’s tax time and I have room paying off credit cards and student loan debt to finally get a non shitplank. Years getting my return garnished when I could have been on a repayment plan all this time :facepalm:

    I need a guit that will last me a long time while I work toward something good like a Schec USA solo, ESP CS Eclipse, Uppercut ARZ or Vigier GV

    Use case: noodling and daily practice on Jamup or BIAS on IOS

    Ibanez
    AR725 expressionist ~600
    AM93 expressionist ~500-600
    Various ARZs (400-700-800)
    -I hear good things about higher end MIC Artists and Artcores
    -I quite like the AM, ARZ and Artist shape
    -Pickups are decent

    AXS32 and SZ320~300-400
    -These are allegedly pretty solid for the early 00s era both made by WMI
    -Beat up ones are okishly priced but minty ones are high

    Cheap MIJ oddball Ibbys, all around 400 bucks
    S classic SC420
    AX1220
    AX320H MIJ
    -seems like a no brainer but I’d have to mod the bridges on the s classic and ax1220

    PRS SE
    245/Single Cut/Zach Meyers
    -Don’t know about the Indo standards and WMI ones are kind of high
    -Appreciate the 24.5 scale though

    LTD
    EC 400/256/1k
    -Been looking at both OG early MIK bolt-ons and new body style ones
    -like the look a lot less
    -can live with EMGs

    Hagstrom Swede
    -Phenolic FB and H truss rod sound neat
    -Thicc and chunky
    -Have heard these are really hit or miss though

    Guild/DeArmond
    -Don’t know a whole ton about these

    Mastumoku/Vantage/Memphis LP copies and neck through DCs
    -Prices are kind of high for the non-junky ones

    Peavey USA impacts, T-60s and Firenzas

    Washburn WI-64
    Washburn USA WMS
    -These seem like good deals but I don’t think I like the shape and are kind of out of budget (700)

    Godin Core HB
    Godin LG
    Godin Radiator
    -Are the frets good on these? Why are they so cheap?

    Epiphone LP Tribute
    -Good pickups

    Carvin
    -Saw a Sc90 with Wilkinson for 500

    Stuff that’s cool but probably too much
    Greco/Burnys
    Eastman SB59
    Prestige level or old MIJ artists
    Gibson Fadeds

    Wild card: wait for my credit to go back up and finance a nicer guitar

    Thanks for putting up with my broke guitar nerd shit if you made it this far
     
    silverabyss, Feb 12, 2018
    #1
  2. MaxOfMetal

    MaxOfMetal Likes trem wankery. Super Moderator

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    Just grab an EC1000 and call it a day.

    The vintage MIJ and oddball USA stuff is such a gamble these days. You might get something amazing, or a turd. With that budget you'd have to find a really good deal and that could take time.

    The EC1000 is practically guaranteed to be solid and are very common.
     
    MaxOfMetal, Feb 13, 2018
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  3. Sogradde

    Sogradde SS.org Regular

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    Since you're in the US: Agile?
     
    Sogradde, Feb 13, 2018
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  4. dr_game0ver

    dr_game0ver SS.org Regular

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    Get a EC 256 for 200$, change PUs, still enough money for futur improvements.
    Also: Cort M600, used KX1, used CR custom?
     
    dr_game0ver, Feb 13, 2018
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  5. Shask

    Shask SS.org Regular

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    Depends on if you specifically want Les Paul shape, or just a shorter scale, but the PRS SEs are really nice. I have really been into PRS lately, and thinking about a S2. The Standards (Indo ones) have been nice that I have played, and they are everywhere, so you should be able to find a deal.

    Other than that, I also say EC1000, or older EC4xx. Always a solid guitar.

    The Schecter LP-shaped ones (not sure of their name) are probably solid also.
     
    Shask, Feb 13, 2018
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  6. silverabyss

    silverabyss ☼

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    The passive ones are 22 fret right?
     
    silverabyss, Feb 13, 2018
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  7. MaxOfMetal

    MaxOfMetal Likes trem wankery. Super Moderator

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    I want to say "yes", but there are so many variations and folks tend to swap out pickups all the time.
     
    MaxOfMetal, Feb 13, 2018
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  8. vilk

    vilk Very Regular

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    If frets are really the most important to you, wouldn't it be better to get a less expensive guitar and then have money left to get fretwork done? I mean that's the most fool-proof way to get awesome frets
     
    vilk, Feb 13, 2018
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  9. goobaba

    goobaba SS.org Regular

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    I second this. Just played my buddies which he bought used for around $600, was an excellent guitar.
     
    goobaba, Feb 13, 2018
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  10. silverabyss

    silverabyss ☼

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    I want to but I don’t know who’s good in my area
     
    silverabyss, Feb 13, 2018
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  11. MaxOfMetal

    MaxOfMetal Likes trem wankery. Super Moderator

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    At this budget, "less expensive" is probably going to mean cheap hardware and mediocre pickups.

    A good fret job is around $200, that's a third of the budget at least.

    If we were talking about $1k, I'd see your point.
     
    MaxOfMetal, Feb 13, 2018
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  12. silverabyss

    silverabyss ☼

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    There’s a ec1k black, mint, but no pickups for 325 on the ol reverb right now should I go for it
     
    silverabyss, Feb 13, 2018
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  13. MaxOfMetal

    MaxOfMetal Likes trem wankery. Super Moderator

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    Sounds like a great base to put your favorite set of pickups into. The price is certainly right. :agreed:
     
    MaxOfMetal, Feb 13, 2018
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  14. Shask

    Shask SS.org Regular

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    Seems like a solid deal if you know how to install the pickups yourself.
     
    Shask, Feb 13, 2018
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  15. MrMcSick

    MrMcSick Derp

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    I just traded in the absolute perfect guitar you want. It's a 2005 Gibson Les Paul studio vintage mahogany. These were only sold at guitar center and musicians friends from like 2003-2005. People liked them so much Gibson decided to make the faded series. It was $1000 brand new in 05. I think 200 shy of a normal studio. It is an all mahogany guitar. Body neck and top. Rosewood fingerboard. Burstbucker pro pickups. I loved that guitar but traded it in on a 93 studio with ebony board in wine red with gold hardware. Always what I wanted. I'll post a link to the shop that has it for sale. They are asking $550. Made in USA non chambered lp for that price is a steal.
     
    MrMcSick, Feb 13, 2018
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  16. MrMcSick

    MrMcSick Derp

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    MrMcSick, Feb 13, 2018
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  17. silverabyss

    silverabyss ☼

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    Trigger pulled on the black ec and some dragonfire screamers lets go! :sharpie:
     
    silverabyss, Feb 13, 2018
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  18. MaxOfMetal

    MaxOfMetal Likes trem wankery. Super Moderator

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    :hbang:
     
    MaxOfMetal, Feb 13, 2018
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  19. Spicypickles

    Spicypickles 8 string Warrior

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    I like the outcome of this thread. It's like reading a good book.
     
    Spicypickles, Feb 14, 2018
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