What'll it be...

Martel

Right, basically it looks like I'll have a chance to get a guitar from the US soon and I've been weighing up my options.

Rules are:
-Must have a humbucker in the bridge and neck positions.
-Must not have a Floyd Rose or similiar bridge.
-Must be under $1500 including a hard case.

Other stuff that isn't vital but can be factored in:
-It'll be primarily for playing prog/hard/alternative rock and maybe a few bluesier numbers.
-Not big into retro stuff; not into Tele-types, ES335-types, Bigsby trems etc.
-Like figured tops and blackburst edges except for...
-...sunburst finishes, not a fan of them.
-Set or thru necks are preferable to bolt ons.
-Wanna avoid uber metal axes, so EMGs and lots of points are not what I'm after, I have that base covered already.
-Rather not spend $1500, so if something good for well under that price is available I'll consider it.

Here are some guitars I've been looking at already:

Ibanez RGA321F:


Carvin CT6:


ESP Eclipse-II VTB (the SD equiped version):


Gibson Les Paul Studio:


Parker NiteFly M:


Godin LGX-SA:


I've also considered getting something a bit cheaper, perhaps a Fernandes Ravelle or a Schecter and then modding it a little.

Anyway, I'm open to suggestions so lets hear them people.

feylya

Ibanez SZ720.

Doctor J

If you can cope with the looks, get the Parker.

Martel

Fair enough point, nice guitar and I have looked into getting one before. As good as they are though, they are under half the price of some of the aforementioned guitars, and give away alot in terms of spec to something like say the Godin (SDs, piezo, synth output etc). The RGA is posted hasn't a much better spec, but I can vouch for the greatness of Prestige Nezs.
I could take the SZ on as a project though, new pups, nice setup, new tuners etc and it'd be a little beaut.

Keep the thoughts coming folks .

bombidol

schecter diamand series C1

jcoote

you have more or less eliminated fenders... i've never heard such blasphemy

ok so what about a gibson sg special platnium

Doctor J

This?

Martel

jcoote wrote:

you have more or less eliminated fenders... i've never heard such blasphemy

I'm modding my Squier Standard at the mo, that'll have to do for now .

Doctor J wrote:

*Parker P40 linky*

Ahh, the P40. I'm well acquainted with the one that's always sitting on its stand in Musicmaker.
I kinda wanna go for something in the States, as I'd get a new guitar for alot less there then even a second hand one here. For the 800 euro that Parker would cost I could get a custom guitar from Carvin. If you mean get that model in the US, that'll be rather difficult, as it's discontinued. Besides, the Nitefly is a blatantly superior guitar and is also well within the budget, if I was inclined toward the P40 I'd get a Nitefly instead.

Just to clarify what bases are already covered, my other two guitars are an Ibanez RG1527 (which I may sell) and an Ltd F400FM.

bombidol

Johnny Storm

Doctor J wrote:

If you can cope with the looks, get the Parker.

Excellent advice as always from the Doctor
Personally I think Parkers look great.
Here's a link that explains why they may really be great: http://www.tonequest.com/pdf_pubs/samples/TQRParker.pdf