Biggest Decision of my WHOLE LIFE!

[Tommy9]

I need to know weather i should buy a Squire stage master with a Floyd Rose. Or a 70's model fender strat.
I'm for sure getting a Gibson SG but i want a guitar with a whammy bar also.
I like to play alot of Metallica, The thing that should not be for example and i was wondering what would be best for my style. I use the bar alot when i have one.

[Branislav]

I'd suggest strat, but if you use bar much try Strat with Floyd Rose it costs more than usual one, or Squier Stagemaster

[Raskolnikov]

Of the two: The Stage Master. It has humbuckers and a Floyd Rose vibrato

[lalimacefolle]

I think that Fenders cost WAY to much, just like gibsons. Try alternative brands (Ibanez, or in your case, Grass Roots, who have made Metallica's guitar for some time). It used to be true that they were low quality copies, but they now have a personallity on their own...
PS: To anyone who will try to rip my heart out, I have never said that Fender and Gibsons were better or worse than other brands. I just said they cost too much...

[Raskolnikov]

A Squire though?

First off, I'm pretty sure the Stagemaster has a set neck, and second, Ibanez guitars lack body mass making their tone weak. Dollar for Dollar, the Atagemaster is a better guitar than an Ibanez (I think).

[lalimacefolle]

Originally posted by Raskolnikov
A Squire though?

First off, I'm pretty sure the Stagemaster has a set neck, and second, Ibanez guitars lack body mass making their tone weak. Dollar for Dollar, the Atagemaster is a better guitar than an Ibanez (I think).

Isn't the stagemaster the 7 string one??

[skee1]

I have to agree with Lalimacefolle somewhat!
The new fenders plus the Ibanezs cost to much.
My 3 guitars were all bought used .
You can alwasy hot-rod any cheap guitar to make,
it sound like the big buck guitars or better.
That is if you know how to change pickup's out ect.
I would go with a 24 fret guitar for what you play.
Plus try to find a good used Ibanez.
I'm getting ready to soup a cheap $299 Washburn up,
by adding a floyd rose plus some humbucker pickups,
to it and mabee fileing the frets down for faster,
neck action plus adding 1 droped D and 1 droped G ,
Tuneing key to it.
If your rich just buy the New fender plus an ibanez!
But if your not theres alot of good used guitars out
there waiting to be bought.
But if you buy used take a pro with you that can ,
tell if the used guitar has any thing wrong with it.
I don't know anything about the stage=master.
But since you guys mentioned it i'm going to check,
them out................................

Mark

[lalimacefolle]

It's true, I have never bought a new guitar!!! I actually own a LAG custom (french luthier, close to Vigier guitars) a Steinberger I have bought for practically nothing, and that I have midified with a used GK2A, an Epiphone Emperor I have bought for half its price...

I encourage anyone who knows some things about guitar buying to look around in pawn shops... It's full of gems (musicians sometimes need money, sad but true...)

[Benoit]

Like Lalimace, I never bought a full price guitar.

I own a Gibson SG 67. It's a lefty that I switch righty :)

I bought it for 250 CND$ in a small guitar shop. I've had that guitar for 9 years now.

I have trouble with buying full price. I mean if you have the money and are willing to spend that much money go head but look around for used guitars first.

My friend bought a Jackson Randy Road series. Cost him over 1000$ cnd and it's now sitting in the corner of MY house. He doesn't play anymore. I won't complain but he spent a lot of money for nothing.

[Led Zeppelin]

If your gonna be playin mostly metal forget about fenders and squiers straight away. Someone else suggested Ibanez or Grass Roots. get one of them or an Ibanez maybe.

[Raskolnikov]

The stagemaster is a slightly different guitar than I was originally thinking, but it is pretty much an Ibanez sort of thing only better.

Double Locking Floyd Rose system
Humbucker-single-humbucker pickup configuration
24 frets

$229.99 from Musician's Friend.

Ibanez does have pretty much the same thing for $162.99, but like I said- no body mass.

Besides, if you really want that Metallica sound, you're looking at ESPs equipped with EMG pickups. A whole other ballgame than either Ibanez or Fender.

[PonyOne]

The only real upper to the Stagemaster, IMHO, over an ESP or Ibanez, is that the top of the line model is neck-through body (more sustain, better tone).

SG's are killer, I love mine to death. I'd look at some ESP's, ESP's are great guitars at great prices. Look at the EX line (more stylized, pokey-looking Explorers) and F-series (one of the coolest-looking guitars ever). Stick w/a Floyd Rose if you do get something w/a trem... they stay in tune a helluva lot better.

Maybe you can find a used Jackson with a Kahler trem, those are nice, too.

[Tommy9]

Thanks alot i belive i'm going to get the Stagemaster HSH because after i get my SG and possibly a Marshal i dont belive i'll have much cash to burn so i'll probably get the Stagemaster for now.