Best mid priced guitar for heavy rock

fuzzbrew

So i will open with when i say heavy rock, that is just what i mean. So no suggestions for pointy headstock, EMG loaded, 24 fret **** machines! The heaviest I am talking is Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath etc. So no guitars built for Djent, Death metal etc... I've got my vintage tones nailed with an Eastwood Airline Town & Country but now i need something that can handle a bit heavier sounds. I've been looking at Humbucker equipped strats such as the blacktop range by fender or G&L tribute models or some Les Paul copies but suggestions are welcome.

As far as price range goes, something in the 300-700 mark or maybe just a little more. I will go used or new, so let me hear your suggestions

ham_n_mustard

http://www.thomann.de/ie/jackson_adrian_smith_sdx_mn_sw.htm

this would be my choice if i could deal with anything more than 4 strings, just like the looks of it

fuzzbrew

ham_n_mustard wrote: »

http://www.thomann.de/ie/jackson_adrian_smith_sdx_mn_sw.htm

this would be my choice if i could deal with anything more than 4 strings, just like the looks of it

When i seen Jackson, i thought "oh god here we go. Exactly not what i am interested in. Pointy headstock All in black metal guitar" but that is actually quite nice and along the lines of what i'm looking at. I like super strats and fat strats that manage to retain some of that original Fender style strat quality. I didn't realise jackson did an Adrian Smith guitar and it's quite competitively priced.

fuzzbrew

I know i was just giving out about all black metal guitars, but i do like this:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/gl_tribute_rampage_bk.htm

Again, this has a bit of the real strat quality, even though the dimensions are different and the head stock is a bit different, At least it's not got one of those naff pointy headstocks. It's probably got something to do with the fact i am a big Jerry Cantrell Fan!

Ash.J.Williams

Always remember that some of the cheaper brands may make better mid priced guitars then big brands do!

I've never played one, but i like what i see with the brand "vintage"
Schecter-
Ibanez have a huge range..

martinedwards

One of Maiden's guitarists still lists a HB loaded squier strat in his rig.

IMHO, the pups do most of the work, so if you LIKE strats, get a decent one and load the pups of your choice.

666irishguy

http://www.adverts.ie/electric-guitars/2008-gibson-sg-with-upgrades/2270057
http://www.adverts.ie/electric-guitars/gibson-les-paul-studio-ebony/2702880

You can't go too far wrong with either a these if the budget could get up to the price. You could surely knock em down a bit on the asking to 700 for either.
That SG would be my weapon of choice for the kind of stuff you are into. Ham_n_mustard has a good suggestion too though. The Jackson's are hard to beat for play-ability. I have a dinky (not in black either) and it is hands down the easiest thing you could ever play and the build quality is decent all the way down their range of gear.

Chikablam

This kinda stuff?
http://www.thomann.de/ie/bc_rich_draco_ghost_flame_ltd.htm

feylya

A bit(lot) over budget but these are seriously nice guitars http://www.thomann.de/ie/espltd_ec1000vbduncan.htm

fuzzbrew

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Always remember that some of the cheaper brands may make better mid priced guitars then big brands do!

I've never played one, but i like what i see with the brand "vintage"
Schecter-
Ibanez have a huge range..

I was only on another forum the other day biggin' up those guitars. A friend of mine plays a V100 in his band, The Cold 100, and it always sounded great to me. I have never played any of the Les Paul or SG models but i played the strat from this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaYSj6ZBgeM
The neck profile was a bit different from your usual strat but it was finished nicely and sounds good in that video. I didn't get to plug it in when i played it but it did feel very nice. The Peter Green model and The Slash models by "Vintage" are supposed to be great guitars and the V100 models don't look bad, along with some of the strat, tele and hollowbody models. John Hornby Skewes, the holding company of "Vintage" guitars, also own the rights to "Italia" guitars and "Danelectro" as well as Trev Wilkinsons personal range "Fret King". In general, I think that for the price you pay for most of the brands owned by John Hornby Skewes, you get a pretty decent guitar, for the money you pay, not sure about the metal guitars or PRS style models they make but wouldn't be my cup of tea anyway.

fuzzbrew

666irishguy wrote: »

http://www.adverts.ie/electric-guitars/2008-gibson-sg-with-upgrades/2270057
http://www.adverts.ie/electric-guitars/gibson-les-paul-studio-ebony/2702880

You can't go too far wrong with either a these if the budget could get up to the price. You could surely knock em down a bit on the asking to 700 for either.
That SG would be my weapon of choice for the kind of stuff you are into. Ham_n_mustard has a good suggestion too though. The Jackson's are hard to beat for play-ability. I have a dinky (not in black either) and it is hands down the easiest thing you could ever play and the build quality is decent all the way down their range of gear.

I nearly made a deal for an SG standard the other day but pulled out, for reasons I can't recall right now. I really should have mentioned in the original post that although i could stretch the budget to 700 euro, I would like to keep as low as possible, I would be more happy to spend about 400 quid but I am taking suggestions on things up to around the 700 in case some suggests something really special that i really like that look and sound of.

Ravelleman

An SG Standard would certainly be a good bet, although I´m not sure why your new Eastwood can´t do heavier tones, given that it has humbuckers.

fuzzbrew

Ravelleman wrote: »

An SG Standard would certainly be a good bet, although I´m not sure why your new Eastwood can´t do heavier tones, given that it has humbuckers.

It's actually only got the bridge humbucker, the other 2 pickups are single coils under humbucker covers. I don't really see the eastwood as a Heavy rock guitar, it doesn't even really feel like one in my hands, and the pickups are a bit more voiced toward classic rock tones.

fuzzbrew

Ravelleman wrote: »

An SG Standard would certainly be a good bet, although I´m not sure why your new Eastwood can´t do heavier tones, given that it has humbuckers.

Something that is a guitar for fast lead work as opposed to blues-y/rock/garage style stuff that the eastwood is built for.

zafo

Second hand Gibson SG faded and a good set up would get my vote. It should be doable for about €400/€500 including a decent setup.

fuzzbrew

zafo wrote: »

Second hand Gibson SG faded and a good set up would get my vote. It should be doable for about €400/€500 including a decent setup.

The SG is getting much love. I had an SG faded before, loved the neck. I wish more guitars had the wood/satin finish on the neck as opposed to gloss finish.

666irishguy

fuzzbrew wrote: »

I nearly made a deal for an SG standard the other day but pulled out, for reasons I can't recall right now. I really should have mentioned in the original post that although i could stretch the budget to 700 euro, I would like to keep as low as possible, I would be more happy to spend about 400 quid but I am taking suggestions on things up to around the 700 in case some suggests something really special that i really like that look and sound of.

http://www.thomann.de/ie/esp_ltd_viper_330fm_stbcsb.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/vintage_icon_v100mrpgm.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/epiphone_prophecy_lp_custom_plu_b_stock_3.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/gl_tribute_ascari_gts_tr_b_stock.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/vintage_vs6_cherry.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_sgj_ch.htm

The only thing I could say about justifying the extra cost of the SG in that add I linked to, is that they are versatile solid, go-to kind of guitars and you would get a lifetime playing it if you looked after it. That said there are some decent guitars on Thomann for around 400-500. The Gibson in the last link looks good but again it is moving upwards in price. I'd be tempted by the G&L also. The Epi prophecy LP's are pretty decent by all accounts and so are the Vintage ones. Not sure about the ESP viper. Have heard equal amounts of good and bad about ESP all my life. If you bought something around the 4 or 500 mark, you could always throw in different pickups at a later stage if you don't think you are there sound wise yet.

zafo

fuzzbrew wrote: »

The SG is getting much love. I had an SG faded before, loved the neck. I wish more guitars had the wood/satin finish on the neck as opposed to gloss finish.

0000 wire wool or super fine sandpaper is your friend here. All my necks are rubbed back to a satin finish.

Generic Dreadhead

fuzzbrew wrote: »

So i will open with when i say heavy rock, that is just what i mean. So no suggestions for pointy headstock, EMG loaded, 24 fret **** machines! The heaviest I am talking is Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath etc. So no guitars built for Djent, Death metal etc... I've got my vintage tones nailed with an Eastwood Airline Town & Country but now i need something that can handle a bit heavier sounds. I've been looking at Humbucker equipped strats such as the blacktop range by fender or G&L tribute models or some Les Paul copies but suggestions are welcome.

As far as price range goes, something in the 300-700 mark or maybe just a little more. I will go used or new, so let me hear your suggestions

I cannot advocate enough an American Strat with Humbuckers.
You can get single coiled sized humbuckers (thats what I use) so you can have 3 passive humbuckers in a regular start if you want. Makes it even more versatile and IDEAL for heavy rock, which is what I played for years on that guitar.

Generic Dreadhead

martinedwards wrote: »

One of Maiden's guitarists still lists a HB loaded squier strat in his rig.

IMHO, the pups do most of the work, so if you LIKE strats, get a decent one and load the pups of your choice.

^ someone get this man a drink ^

Ravelleman

martinedwards wrote: »

IMHO, the pups do most of the work, so if you LIKE strats, get a decent one and load the pups of your choice.

I'd largely agree with this, although the overall guitar playing experience is influenced by many other factors like feel and hardware, which tend to be worse on cheaper guitars. But a skilled craftsman like yourself will obviously already know this.

Generic Dreadhead

Check out the following Passive Humbuckers (single coil sized) no routing required
Jeff Beck JR (my Mid pickup), Hot Rails (my Bridge pup), Cool Rails (my Neck pup), Vintage Rails (i have never used these ones tbh).
My advice would be by the strat, maybe even a 2nd hand one.
And replace each pickup individually as you want starting with the one you use most (for me the order went Middle, Bridge, Neck)

fuzzbrew

Just found out i am emigrating for definite. So now i am looking to get an ES-335 style guitar, Epiphone probably as Gibson is out of my price range. I think it will do for all my needs. I know i just got the Eastwood Airline but i am going to move it on and get the 335 style guitar.

vamosmikey

Check out the SE line from PRS. They are excellent guitars. The old ones not so good but the newer ones are fantastic guitar for the money. And there's loads to choose from too. I've owned a shed load of guitars and for 500 to 700 these are the best I've played. And that's for a new guitar too. I own 2 se's and a USA prs and there's not much in it playability wise.

**Vai**

Heavy rock? Ibanez!

wild turkey

If your liking the Strat idea
You could get a classic vibe strat & mod it to your liking
it would work out around the same price as a mexican
& be as good as any USA

Edit; If your emigrating, depending in where your going to you might get a better selection at better prices
Might be worthwhile checking internet for local stores in your destination

seachto7

I played a MIM strat recently with stacked humbuckers, and it sounded GREAT. I quite like the thinner necks on strats. I am in the same scenario as yourself, and am into the same music. I was originally looking for an Ibanez Jet King, but alas, they are no more....

Ravelleman

wild turkey wrote: »

Edit; If your emigrating, depending in where your going to you might get a better selection at better prices
Might be worthwhile checking internet for local stores in your destination

This is definitely worth considering.

seachto7

G&L asat tribute
Schecter PT