Best guitar brand

[aiwass]

What is the best brand of guitars you know of?

No Fender, PRS, Gibson, Ibanez, and it has to be made in the US (maybe Europe).

I pesonally think that Carvin is waaaaaay up there when it comes to workmanship, options and price.

Maybe Parker if money wasn't an option, but I dunno.

[James8831]

I've never played one but Gordon Smith (handmade UK:) coil tapped humbuckers:)<@£600/$900 :D) are supposed to be nice. and have great reputation.I'd just bought a G*bson when a music store emailed me with Gordon Smith details better spec'd guitars at cheaper prices.. OH well a Gibby will do !!:0.

check http://www.ravenwest.com for some neat looking gtrs, (about $3-400) supposed to play excellently,as well but no stores in the uk, so I cant check 'em out .. :(

Depends what you want really, and what music you like Ie do you want a spiky rock machine-ESP,Maverick

-Stratty thing,Tele,Les Paul...etc

Tanglewood do good Tele and PRS copies, Dillion and Samick do quite good LPs.

In the shop where i bought the Gibbo was a Tokai "Love Rocks" sweeeet looking machine -with a "better than Gibson" rep,generally.. I may have tested that,if I hadn't been so tired from driving so far,but they are DAMN heavy.

What style you play and what you can afford are the two main considerations generally, but DONT go by what it says on the headstock, especially when dealing with used axes, but if it plays well and sounds good- especially "unplugged "- then it is usually fantastic when plugged in.

There is no one real best brand as such.

[Incidents Happen]

its a matter of preference.

some people like BC Rich guitars, i dont.

Some people like Yamaha guitars, i have never played one, but seems fishy to me.

Personally i like my Guild i have right now.

[lalimacefolle]

French made LAGs http://www.lag.fr
and Vigiers http://www.vigier.fr

Those are two small luthiers factories, they are the two well known brands in France for Top intruments...

[Lordathestrings]

Originally posted by James8831
What style you play and what you can afford are the two main considerations generally, but DONT go by what it says on the headstock, especially when dealing with used axes, but if it plays well and sounds good- especially "unplugged "- then it is usually fantastic when plugged in.

There is no one real best brand as such. ~word~

[Branislav]

Vigier are very good, I guess.
But still Fenders and Gibsons are the best

If you are looking for the worst ones try Kremona (from Bulgaria), I never saw worse than theese :D

[lalimacefolle]

The only problem about american made guitars is that we pay them twice their list price in the us... People say that vigier makes guitars better than fender, for half the price. I do'nt own one, but I believe them. As for my lag, I know it isn't better than a Les Paul, but it's wat more versatile for a fraction of the price I would have paid for one here. And it's hand made!!

[aiwass]

Any of you have an opinion on Carvin guitars? They are certainly not overpriced, and the craftsmanship is state-of-the-art.

[lalimacefolle]

Allan HOLDSWORTH plays them, which to me means a lot... But I've never tried one.

[Branislav]

Carvin must be very quality guitars, but I personaly don't like the shape of most models.

[aiwass]

What makes them über-cool, is the fact that you can decide EVERYTHING about them practically, except for body shape(that's what different models are for, since they all have almost identical options), and the pickup brand (very few serious guitarists play stock pickups, anyway).

A walnut, tung-oiled, hardtail DC727 (possibly retro-fitted with EMG 707s) is definitely my dream axe ffor the moment. It costs LESS than a grand! And I DON'T play nu-metal, by the way; more strings = more music!