Looking to buy a new guitar. Everything on the market seems to suck.

[Mattayus]

Why does everything absolutely blow right now? Too much choice? There seems to be a ridiculous amount around at the moment, but with no real variation between them.

All Schecters look horrible.
All Jacksons have the single most terrible control layout anybody's ever put on a guitar.
All LTD's look cheap.
All Charvels are trying to be Suhrs
All Ibanez seem have an odd spec that nobody asked for.

Either I'm being overly picky or there's just nothing worth a damn right now.

I just want a locking trem'd superstrat with a sensible (minimal) control layout, 2 humbuckers, or 1 hum 1 single, that isn't boutique money. Is that too much to ask? Does anybody even offer that right now?

[Markus]

RG565?

[Iron1]

Why does everything absolutely blow right now? Too much choice? There seems to be a ridiculous amount around at the moment, but with no real variation between them.

All Schecters look horrible.
All Jacksons have the single most terrible control layout anybody's ever put on a guitar.
All LTD's look cheap.
All Charvels are trying to be Suhrs
All Ibanez seem have an odd spec that nobody asked for.

Either I'm being overly picky or there's just nothing worth a damn right now.

I just want a locking trem'd superstrat with a sensible (minimal) control layout, 2 humbuckers, or 1 hum 1 single, that isn't boutique money. Is that too much to ask? Does anybody even offer that right now?

Solar.

[Mattayus]

RG565?

Interesting you should mention this. This is the only thing I've narrowed it down to.

The only thing that bugs me is the fret sprout. It seems way too common on these. And it's not just internet hearsay, I played one and you could cut pastrami with it.

I'm well aware that I'm a guitar technician and this isn't an issue for me to resolve, but after spending £900 on a guitar, should I really have to?

Otherwise, yeah, this is the closest thing I can find to a good guitar at the moment.

Solar.

I keep forgetting these exist tbh. Not sure I'd want to take the punt having never played one. Plus some of their control layouts are also a little... not very sensible.

[playstopause]

Out of boredom, I did the same exercise yesterday... And came to the exact same conclusion, ending up with the RG565.

You should definitely try a Solar. Find a used / mint one?

[Markus]

The RG652AHM is another Ibanez that might fit your criteria.



How about the Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredders? The headstock isn't the best looking, but otherwise I think they're pretty cool.

[Budda]

Used ESP M?

[playstopause]

Not a fan, but a PRS SE CUSTOM 24 FLOYD?

[Adam]

Are you looking for new? What about a partscaster? Or would you rather just get something ready to go?

[Chris]

I paid ~$1100 for an Edwards Eclipse last year and it's one of my favorite guitars I own. Not a locking trem on that one, but they have a bunch of models. I'm still over the moon with the thing, it's great.

[Chris]

If you can settle on a high quality 2-point instead of a full locker, look into EBMM too. They do make a JP with a locking trem (I have it) but their regular bridges are nothing short of sorcery when it comes to staying in tune. As good if not better than any locker I've ever used, they're brilliant. AND they have sexy compensated nuts which are one of those things you don't care about until you own one and then you can't live w/o them.

Edit: this is the JP w/the floyd. They're south of 2k on Reverb.

https://www.music-man.com/instruments/guitars/jp16

[mpexus]

Not all LTD's look cheap

Also have you seen the PRS SE CUSTOM 24 FR?


I'm so tempted!

[Mattayus]

The RG652AHM is another Ibanez that might fit your criteria.



How about the Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredders? The headstock isn't the best looking, but otherwise I think they're pretty cool.

Gotta be solid colours!

Those Schecters look ok but none of them jump out at me. Some of the natural wood finish ones look kinda cool. I might try one out tomorrow if I get any joy.

Used ESP M?

Yeah, that would be awesome. Pretty ideal, spec-wise really. They just don't come up very often in the UK, and when they do they're not cheap. I'll keep an eye out...

Not a fan, but a PRS SE CUSTOM 24 FLOYD?

LOVE the way it looks. They have a Charcoal Burst one in my local guitar store and it looks stunning. Only thing I can't get passed is the 25" scale. I just can't play anything other than 25.5" these days. It's definitely a consideration though.

Are you looking for new? What about a partscaster? Or would you rather just get something ready to go?

Yeah new, ideally, but am looking 2nd had as well. Ideally something ready to go.

I paid ~$1100 for an Edwards Eclipse last year and it's one of my favorite guitars I own. Not a locking trem on that one, but they have a bunch of models. I'm still over the moon with the thing, it's great.

They don't have a huge presence here really, but I'll take a look anyway, see what I can get!

Also I love that JP with the Floyd, but a little out of my budget I think. Over here they're pretty obscene money.

[maliciousteve]

Can't recommend Warmoth enough. I put this together last year and I love it. Best guitar I've had and I've had quite a lot

[Leon]

Why does everything absolutely blow right now?

...

Either I'm being overly picky...

This is me. I go into a big store, and very little on the walls interest me anymore. I've got a small rack with 4 Warmoths, a Les Paul, and one custom. I've managed to get most of the things I want in guitars into that one rack. Sure I still want a fat hollow-body and a baritone Dano, but most of what I GAS for I have.

Being picky isn't a bad thing... it just means you've grown into a place where you simply know what you want, and you aren't all that willing to spend your time with something that doesn't fit you.





So yeah, build a Warmoth, get exactly what you want

[Darren]

https://www.espguitars.com/products/21866-mirage-deluxe-87

[Darren]

Also available in extra-dorky:

[Mattayus]

^Those DO look fantastic, I must admit.... Just a tiny little bit wary of the control layout. Looks very similar to Jackson's modern layout, which I've tried, and absolutely despise with the intensity of a thousand suns....

Warmoth is a good option for sure. I'll spec something up and see what price it spits out. A bit of a gamble though, considering I've never played one and there's no chance of trying it out (or anything like it) before you buy it.

What about a Charvel USA San Dimas Style 2 (tele shape) in black? Looking to move it on as I play my MIJ So Cal more. HH configuration with JB/‘59 combo. With Charvel branded SKB hard case. Awesome condition.
Let me know if you want photos.

Thanks for the offer man. Already seen it on thefretboard. Very nice, and a couple of years ago I'd have bit your hand off for it, alas it's not for me. GLWTS.

[7 Dying Trees]

RG565. Ticks all the boxes, tilt neckplate, reverse headstock, loud colours, H/S pickup config, edge trem. What's not to love? THe fretwork you can sort out if you get one that needs tro. I mean, you'll probably be diving into making it shred more than shred can shred anyway when you get it.

[Josh]

Also look out for a used MIJ Schecter SD-2-24; they're the Japanese market superstrats that are kinda Tom Anderson-lite with a bunch of colors and finishes. I have one and just picked it up after a few years, totally forgot how nice of a guitar it is. HSH but I think you'd get on with the neck, it's more Charvel than Ibanez.

https://www.ishibashi-music.jp/category/select/pid/47096/language/en/currency/USD?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7oyNBhDiARIsADtGRZYxyh9pEFglZezAsoUP3f34y2RAKpkRM2WO9k88YnIDr5gE103qlxAaAoPcEALw_wcB

[Chris]

Also look out for a used MIJ Schecter SD-2-24; they're the Japanese market superstrats that are kinda Tom Anderson-lite with a bunch of colors and finishes. I have one and just picked it up after a few years, totally forgot how nice of a guitar it is. HSH but I think you'd get on with the neck, it's more Charvel than Ibanez.

I can't unsee the hilariously big pole pieces.

[jacksonplayer]

The limited-edition Jackson Soloist SL-27 might tick all the boxes.



It's relatively hard to find superstrats that don't have the volume control where you hate it. It's never bothered me, but each to their own.

[Mattayus]

The limited-edition Jackson Soloist SL-27 might tick all the boxes.



It's relatively hard to find superstrats that don't have the volume control where you hate it. It's never bothered me, but each to their own.

Yup! RG's and Charvel pre-2016 are the only two that come to mind which are sensible. 90s/2000's Jacksons also.

The last 5-10 years is anybodys guess as to why the fuck it all changed but man, manufacturers can NOT do control layouts any more.

I mean sure, everyone is gonna have different preferences, and you cant account for that, but don't put it somewhere OBJECTIVELY fucking terrible, where its just awkward for any human to access regardless of preference!

[Josh]

I can't unsee the hilariously big pole pieces.

Definitely weird. I hear that they're made in the Edwards factory though; not sure but I do like mine.

[playstopause]