Looking for a new guitar (PRS, Gibson, etc)

[RocknRory]

Hey fellas. I'm graduating High School in mid June and my dad offered to split the price on a brand new guitar as a present, which is pretty rad of him.

Anyway, the price point would probably be around $3000 max, which is PLENTY to work with, I already have my money saved up from my summer job so I might be able to go a bit higher, but I'd rather not. I play a variety of styles so versatility is key. I love to play stuff like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Tool, Muse, etc. Mainly funk/blues/rock some metal and very soon I want to get into learning some Jazz. I've been looking mainly at Gibson Les Pauls and PRS Single-cuts, McCartys, and Custom 22s.

I've been to a few Guitar Centers and an awesome local music store called Chuck Levins out in Wheaton, Maryland. I got to compare a Custom 22 side by side to a les paul standard and I couldn't really tell which one I liked more. I do know that I loved the extra cutaway on the PRS and the tremolo was a cool extra thing I could mess around with if I wanted, but it's not really necessary. Neither guitar felt like "the one".

I'm heading up to NYC in 2 weeks to check out all the big music stores and begin the search. I have a ESP LTD EC-1000 which is basically their take on a les paul, and I love it, especially since changing the pickups to bareknuckle nailbombs from the generic EMGs. As awesome as Gibson LP's are, everyone and their uncle has one so I'm leaning more on the PRS side, or perhaps another high end kind of guitar. I'm basically losing interest of a Gibson LP but the PRS Singlecuts look good, as I said earlier, I've checked one out and it played pretty well, but it wasnt the one.

I'm not buying a guitar until I find one that I don't want to put down. Each guitar, even of the same exact model, sound different so I'm looking for the perfect tone and feel, although I'll probably end up putting some bareknuckle pups in it because I love them so much.

Any suggestions and help would rock. I'm moving from Washington DC to Los Angeles after graduation for college so I don't mind if I don't find anything in NYC because LA is a hotbed for gear/music too. Thanks if you read ALL that.


I'm gonna be running it through my Mark V and Mills Acoustics Mach 212B cab by the way.

 

[BigAl]

You've gotta try out all of the guitars in your prospects and see which one speaks to you the most. For that kind of money... You could get a nice used custom shop LP (which have much better build quality than USA Gibsons. PRS are making great guitars these days, I just wish I was a fan of their necks because I love their looks and quality are great. In conclusion, just find the guitar that speaks to you the most, you'll know when you find the "one."

 

[RocknRory]

You've gotta try out all of the guitars in your prospects and see which one speaks to you the most. For that kind of money... You could get a nice used custom shop LP (which have much better build quality than USA Gibsons. PRS are making great guitars these days, I just wish I was a fan of their necks because I love their looks and quality are great. In conclusion, just find the guitar that speaks to you the most, you'll know when you find the "one."

Thanks, but I thought Custom Shop Gibsons are far more expensive than $3000 or less?? I just want to try before I buy you know? I dislike blind ordering for a guitar. :wink:

 

[espboogie123]

I would definitely look into getting a tremonti 10 top or custom 22. I love PRS singlecuts. Look at Willcutt Guitar Shop website. They have one of the biggest PRS inventories. Thats where I got my PRS guitars.

 

[srf399]

If you can...try a Carvin

 

[BigAl]

Well, if you buy a used Custom Shop LP, do it locally so at least you can try your guitar before buying it, ya know? Other suggestions here are good too, but with a carvin
,unless you buy used, you won't really be able to try before buying. You can definitley find used les Paul customs and r8's for that price. R9's... You'd be lucky to find one for Thwt NIH but if you do,'jump on it! (in case you aren't famiar with that terminology, an r8 and r9 are the custom shop historic reissues of lps from 58 (r8) and 59 (r9).

 

[RocknRory]

Well, if you buy a used Custom Shop LP, do it locally so at least you can try your guitar before buying it, ya know? Other suggestions here are good too, but with a carvin
,unless you buy used, you won't really be able to try before buying. You can definitley find used les Paul customs and r8's for that price. R9's... You'd be lucky to find one for Thwt NIH but if you do,'jump on it! (in case you aren't famiar with that terminology, an r8 and r9 are the custom shop historic reissues of lps from 58 (r8) and 59 (r9).

Thank you! Yeah my older friend whos in his mid twenties has a Gibson Historic LP and loves it to death. I heard the Carvin HQ is in San Diego, so I can always drive down there for a day and check them out. I definitely want to try before I buy though. I don't want to order something I can't try.

I would definitely look into getting a tremonti 10 top or custom 22. I love PRS singlecuts. Look at Willcutt Guitar Shop website. They have one of the biggest PRS inventories. Thats where I got my PRS guitars.

Yeah I'm leaning at a Custom 22 or Single-cut or McCarty if I go PRS. Did you visit the store and try them out before you bought them? I'm actually driving my car across the country from Washington DC to Los Angeles in a month and a half so I might be able to stop in Kentucky and try some stuff out.

 

[espboogie123]

Yeah I'm leaning at a Custom 22 or Single-cut or McCarty if I go PRS. Did you visit the store and try them out before you bought them? I'm actually driving my car across the country from Washington DC to Los Angeles in a month and a half so I might be able to stop in Kentucky and try some stuff out.

No, I saw on their online inventory and ordered over the phone. They have one of the greatest reputations and guitars are setup pretty nicely.

 

[RocknRory]

So I went up to Chuck Levins today and tried out a numerous amount of guitars. Mostly PRS's. I went through most of them, looking at mainly Custom 22's and Singlecuts. All the ones on the shelf sounded either not so good, had broken electronics, or sounded alright. I didn't feel like any of them could be the one. I talked to a guy who was helping me out, Paul, and he went into the warehouse and got me two guitars, both limited.

The first was a PRS 1958/2008 or something along those lines. Quilted top, Custom 22 body, 58/08 pickups. It sounded pretty good, the pickups are beautiful, but I still wanted more. Then he brought out the Custom 22 Limited Edition.

This bad boy.

http://www.chucklevins.com/prsgtr.asp?wg=10162767

Now at first, I was like... f-hole...uhhhh. But I gave it a chance because it is a beautiful looking guitar. I plugged in right into the Diezel VH4 and went through clean jazzy tones, barely overdriven blues, hard rock/progressive stuff, right into metal.

This guitar sounded F*@!ing amazing. The single F-hole gave it this depth that none of the other solid bodies had. The cleans were perfect, and so were the mid-gain rock tones, so I thought it must be not that great at metal compared to the solid body because it was partially semi-hollow.

I was wrong. It sounded even better than the solid bodies at hard rock and metal stuff. I'm definitely strongly considering this guitar, but I plan to wait until I try some stuff in NYC and see how it compares. I want to find the same kind of guitar but without the F-hole in order to hear the difference. I also might prefer a flame top, but I really don't care that much. It's mainly about tone and feel.

Perhaps I'll just wait until I get to Los Angeles and try stuff there before I decide to buy it (if I dont find a better guitar). That's also if they still have the guitar in stock.

What do you guys think? At first I didn't like the single f-hole, but its grown on me, in tone and looks. I want a guitar that's decently unique, which is the reason why I don't want a Les Paul. I'm stoked!

 

[JOEY B.]

http://www.andersonguitars.com/product_information/models/bulldog_family/bulldog_over.cfm

 

[RocknRory]

I just got back from NYC today. I went to a few guitar stores, including Guitar Center, Rudy's Music in Time Square, and Rudy's in SoHo, along with one other I forgot the name of. Anyway, I tried mainly PRS's but didn't find anything that was as awesome as the 22 with the F-hole I tried in Maryland previous to the trip. The best ones I tried were two Custom 24's, but I want 22 frets!

I have a question, say I find an awesome PRS guitar, but it has the rotary switch, which I do not like; can I have it switched to the McCarty wiring with the 3 way selector and two push/pull pots for coilsplitting or parallel operation? Would it be expensive or relatively easy/cheap?

 

[espboogie123]

Yes it can be modified. You could wire a original 3 knob to something like my Singlecut Trem. It is a volume and tone(Push/Pull) and 3 way switch. I'm about to modify my Tremonti to push/pull because those split coil tones are good for some cleans/acoustic sounds. Very convenient when playing different cover songs. As long as the pickups are split capable, then anything can be done.

 

[YellowJacket]

I have a question, say I find an awesome PRS guitar, but it has the rotary switch, which I do not like; can I have it switched to the McCarty wiring with the 3 way selector and two push/pull pots for coilsplitting or parallel operation? Would it be expensive or relatively easy/cheap?

If you know how to solder you can manage the electronics swap. I'd suggest getting CTS pots and Paper in Oil caps of some flavour, as these will open up the sound immensely. I also <3 Bare Knuckle Pickups! Do you like the Mills MACH212B. I copied that cab this summer and the build project (fake) sounds incredible!

 

[RocknRory]

I have a question, say I find an awesome PRS guitar, but it has the rotary switch, which I do not like; can I have it switched to the McCarty wiring with the 3 way selector and two push/pull pots for coilsplitting or parallel operation? Would it be expensive or relatively easy/cheap?

If you know how to solder you can manage the electronics swap. I'd suggest getting CTS pots and Paper in Oil caps of some flavour, as these will open up the sound immensely. I also <3 Bare Knuckle Pickups! Do you like the Mills MACH212B. I copied that cab this summer and the build project (fake) sounds incredible!

I know how to solder but not very well. I'd probably take it to a tech and get a decently priced one. What are Paper in Oil caps? I love BKP too man, my set of nailbombs always sound killer. I love the PRS 57/08 pickups too, they sound amazing. The Mills Mach212B is an amazing cap and I am completely satisfied with it. In a few years, when I can afford it, I'd like a Mills slanted 412 because the 212 is so awesome. It projects the sound wonderfully like they claim, even more than my friends Mesa 412 and Marshall 412.

 

[YellowJacket]

I know how to solder but not very well. I'd probably take it to a tech and get a decently priced one. What are Paper in Oil caps? I love BKP too man, my set of nailbombs always sound killer. I love the PRS 57/08 pickups too, they sound amazing. The Mills Mach212B is an amazing cap and I am completely satisfied with it. In a few years, when I can afford it, I'd like a Mills slanted 412 because the 212 is so awesome. It projects the sound wonderfully like they claim, even more than my friends Mesa 412 and Marshall 412.

-paper in oil capacitors. Basically a type of capacitor, classified by the materials with which is constructed. Capacitors always draw current, even when your volume and tone pots are set to 10. Because they draw current, they shape tone. Audiophiles swear that paper in oil caps have a different 'sound' than the ceramic disc capacitors commonly found in modern electrics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_capacitor

What guitar did you put nailbombs into?

I don't want to move a 4 x 12, and I believe you that the Mills 2 x 12 cuts better than a stock Marshall or Mesa 4 x 12. The fact that the internal ported baffle cuts resonance frequencies (mud) means that the tone will have more clarity so the notes you play will be more defined, regardless of projection. What amps are the other guys running? I bet your Mark V cuts like a razor!

 

[RocknRory]

Ahh thanks for the info on the capacitors. I upgraded my ESP LTD EC-1000s double EMG 81's to a set of Nailbombs and it did a world of difference. So many tasty harmonics. The other guitarist in my band is using a Single Recto through his Mesa 4x12 with Black Shadows I think. It's half open back. Anyway, I have tons of mids, even with the graphic EQ scooping out some of them, so my tone is usually always more dominant and clear and defined. The Mark V and the recto sound good together though.

 

[Dersu Uzala]

Sorry, this was meant for you:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=53928

 

[RocknRory]

Whoa, what kind of guitar is that? Looks very expensive and beautiful.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

You've gotta try out all of the guitars in your prospects and see which one speaks to you the most. For that kind of money... You could get a nice used custom shop LP (which have much better build quality than USA Gibsons. PRS are making great guitars these days, I just wish I was a fan of their necks because I love their looks and quality are great. In conclusion, just find the guitar that speaks to you the most, you'll know when you find the "one."

Thanks, but I thought Custom Shop Gibsons are far more expensive than $3000 or less?? I just want to try before I buy you know? I dislike blind ordering for a guitar. :wink:

Custom Shop Gibson's (R6s, R7s, R8s) can be had new for 3k or under from super dealers. I'd recommend joining the MY LES PAUL Forum and contact Brett from Eddie's Guitars as I understand he has some of the better pricing not to mention he seems to have a hell of a reputation for satisfying the customers he serves. While I'll admit I have never done business with Brett he seems to stand out alot on the forum and I wouldn't hesitate to give him a call if I were ever in the market for another Historic. I ended up having to purchase my 2010 R8 sight unseen as there is a shortage of Gibson Dealers in my area. Having said that, If you buy from reputable dealers you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I would be hesitant to buy used unless it was from a reputable dealer as I'd be worried someone would purposefully sell me a dog guitar.

 

[dbone]

Well if your moving to LA what's the rush?
Guitar row is on W sunset in Hollywood down the street from Capitol records building.
There's a bunch of factory stores and super guitar center sam ash Carvin Mesa boogie.
As well as some smaller gear stores mixed in.
It's been a long time since I've been there but it's definetly worth checking out.
There's also a ton of great used gear around and it's a buyers market.