need your opinions

[pes_laul]

ok its almost the end of summer and im shopping for a new guitar to replace my squire my three big choices are a ibanez RG a epiphone LP and a shecter (one under 500$) and a esp. now i can only spend about 500 dollars. what do you think is the better guitar for the money

[Tim]

I always love the jazzy tone of a semi-hollow, so I would go for the Epiphone LP. Go with what the heart feels.

[Hogfullofblues]

Hmm..., all fine choices, but "better" is usually in the eye (or fingers or ear) of the beholder. I have come to learn the hard way there is a lot to be learned by playing them first You are listing some guitars with some significant differences between them, so a few trips to GC or where ever might help.
The rest of my 2 cents:
That Floyd Rose can be a love it or hate it kind of thing.
The Epi LP quilt top is quite sweet.
At $500, Reverend and G&L have some offerings you might want to consider, I know I would.
Good Luck!

[Katastrophe]

pes-

You've narrowed the field down to some great choices. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your mentioned brands. I own an older RG, and it's great. I also own a ESP, and it's awesome.

My new #1, however, is a Fender Standard Strat with a humbucker in the bridge. It fits me and my playing style very well. It's not perfect, but for $399.00 it's an excellent value for the money.

The best advice I could give you is go down to your nearest mega-huge guitar store and play each one of the brands you're looking at. Buy whichever one fits you the best, and is within your budget.

Then, take lots of pics and post up on thefret, so we can "oooh and ahhh" over your choice.

Almost every name brand manufacturer puts out a guitar under $500.00 that will serve you well. I've even played some Squiers that felt like much more expensive instruments. You might even want to give their Vintage Modified Strats a shot.

Your guitar tastes and style will change over time. Don't feel like you need the bestest, most flashy guitar out there, when there's a value model that will do the same job.

Good Luck!

[pes_laul]

http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBARG350MDX this is what im leaning towards because im 13 im starting a band and while i like more laid back stuff the rest of the group likes system of a down mettelica slayer ect and i do stuf by the beatles lol

[pes_laul]

pes-

You've narrowed the field down to some great choices. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your mentioned brands. I own an older RG, and it's great. I also own a ESP, and it's awesome.

My new #1, however, is a Fender Standard Strat with a humbucker in the bridge. It fits me and my playing style very well. It's not perfect, but for $399.00 it's an excellent value for the money.

The best advice I could give you is go down to your nearest mega-huge guitar store and play each one of the brands you're looking at. Buy whichever one fits you the best, and is within your budget.

Then, take lots of pics and post up on thefret, so we can "oooh and ahhh" over your choice.

Almost every name brand manufacturer puts out a guitar under $500.00 that will serve you well. I've even played some Squiers that felt like much more expensive instruments. You might even want to give their Vintage Modified Strats a shot.

Your guitar tastes and style will change over time. Don't feel like you need the bestest, most flashy guitar out there, when there's a value model that will do the same job.

Good Luck!

good advice there yeah i went to GC today and i played a ibanez RG350MDX and i really liked it maple neck and a single coil in middle and neck

[marnold***]

http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBARG350MDX this is what im leaning towards because im 13 im starting a band and while i like more laid back stuff the rest of the group likes system of a down mettelica slayer ect and i do stuf by the beatles lol

I don't know what the pups are like, but I've liked the looks of that one since it came out. Maple with sharkies looks very slick.

[ibanez_freak36]

My simple reply to this post is easy. If you are loooking to choose a new axe for the cheapest money AND reliability and great sound, my choice would be the RG Ibanez. I am partial because I have 2 of them. You can get them with the Rose system and most of them come with a double humbucker at the neck and bridge and a single coil in the middle, with a 5 way switch.....totally versatile. The are lightweight and have the thinnest neck for fast fingering. The RG is the way to go and if you look carfully, brand new the are about 350-499, and if you get lucky you can pick 'em p off from EBAY for cheaper than that. Try the steelsoundmusic.com site it is based out of Seattle for a great selection

[TS808]

If you're looking in that price range and decide on the Les Paul, I would suggest taking a look at www.rondomusic.com and getting an Agile AL-3000 for $369. I own one and recently tried an Epi which I was thinking of buying. Hands down I like the Agile much better and am considering getting a second one. For $369, you'll have a little cash left over and they come with grover tuners and nickel hardware.

[Spudman***]

If you're looking in that price range and decide on the Les Paul, I would suggest taking a look at www.rondomusic.com and getting an Agile AL-3000 for $369. Hands down I like the Agile much better and am considering getting a second one. For $369, you'll have a little cash left over and they come with grover tuners and nickel hardware.

+1 for the Agile. I have one too and is just as nice as my Epi Les Paul...plus...changing the strings on the RG is a real pain compared to the Les Paul.

I have probably 10 guitars with locking tremolos and most of them are Ibanez. While they are bomb proof after you get the strings installed and locked you are still left without instant tuning options. Not so with the Les Paul. Want to drop the D string? Easy to do on a non locking tremolo guitar. Not so easy with the RG. It's a great guitar but bear in mind changing tunings or strings is going to be time consuming.

[pes_laul]

good point there spuds but i played one at instumental yesterday and the tuners on the bridge are actually pretty easy

[Spudman***]

good point there spuds but i played one at instumental yesterday and the tuners on the bridge are actually pretty easy

I agree the bridge tuners work pretty well. However, I don't think you'll ever have enough travel in the fine tuners to accurately change the guitar's tuning to anything other than what it is set up for. Once you change tension on any string after it is tuned and locked it will change the angle of the bridge and all the other strings will change their tuning as well. This is because of the tremolo tension springs in the back of the guitar. The RG's and other locking tremolos are basically a tension balancing act. You'll never have this problem with a Les Paul should you want to ever change your tuning.

I'm just trying to show the benifits of a non-locking system guitar versus a locking system guitar.

[Bloozcat]

I didn't see anything mentioned in your post about the type of music you play, or will be playing with this new guitar pes.

If it's classic/southern rock or bluesy rock and it's humbucker tone you're looking for, the Agile or the Epi LP would be great. For a slightly different tone and the added benefit of coil splitting, I really like the Schecters...they're just sweet playing guitars too. The Ibanez has the advantage of a single coil/humbucker mix.

And then there's the less analytical, and more emotional aspects of choosing the right guitar. How does it feel in your hands, how does it sound to your ears, and what does your gut tell you...

[pes_laul]

well.... so far i like the schecter and the ibanez the best because i play from the beatles to system of a down those guitars can get raging gain and a really soft clean tone but the bridges on the ibanezes are really nice

[pes_laul]

I agree the bridge tuners work pretty well. However, I don't think you'll ever have enough travel in the fine tuners to accurately change the guitar's tuning to anything other than what it is set up for. Once you change tension on any string after it is tuned and locked it will change the angle of the bridge and all the other strings will change their tuning as well. This is because of the tremolo tension springs in the back of the guitar. The RG's and other locking tremolos are basically a tension balancing act. You'll never have this problem with a Les Paul should you want to ever change your tuning.

I'm just trying to show the benifits of a non-locking system guitar versus a locking system guitar.

i know what you mean it is a real pain in the butt to have to unlock the nut with a alon wrench then tune it then fine tune it and i am a big fan of les pauls but ive hurt myy back playing them i wonder about a les paul ultra?