Guitar Choice?

I need advise on guitar selections. I'm looking right now at epiphone les pauls and esp guitars but i havent played esp yet. I'm looking In the price range between $600-$700. Features i like on guitars are: tremolo, fast neck, and a really good CLEAN SOUND. A guitar im really interested in is the epiphone black beauty but ive also heard it's specialty is the 3rd pickup so what difference does that make? overall = good quality

In that price range I like Schecter.

For that price u can check out the fender highway 1 guitars.

[font=trebuchet ms]You can't go wrong with one of these.

And that isn't just my opinion![/font]

You guys have been helpful. Thanks. IT's still a hard decision because there's so much out there to consider.

Check out Carvin Guitars. best bang-for-the-buck out there. great necks.

The Epi Goldtop's get really good reviews at harmony central.

i was also looking at the fender showmaster and it looks pretty sweet and has alot of qualities, what are your thoughts?

Originally Posted by: Les is Morei was also looking at the fender showmaster and it looks pretty sweet and has alot of qualities, what are your thoughts?

If I were to get any Fender today, it would be one of the set-neck, flame top Teles. I've played several and ALL of them have made me giggle like a mad man as I went from country to metal to jazz to rock licks and the guitar sounded great for all styles.

In fact, when I saw your price range, that was my immediate suggestion.

I would suggest the set neck, flame top Strat (as it has a vibrato), but the one I played just didn't have the same "spark" as the set neck Teles. It's still worth checking out, I guess.


Also, I've never played one but I know loads and loads of people who are totally in love with Lordathestrings' suggestion, the Yamaha SGB 2000.

Originally Posted by: PonyOneI didn't really dig the vibrato version though.

Takes all of the attitude out of the tone, doesn't it?

It amazes me how good those guitars sound in spite of being so light.

Originally Posted by: PonyOneyeah, i have my one strat with a vibrato and i think it'll be the last guitar i have for awhile with one... i mean, they have their place, don't get me wrong, but i prefer string-through where possible, and would rather take a tune-o-matic/stop tailpiece. better tuning stability, better sound transfer to the body of the guitar. i also find the trem spring vibration i get on deeper chords annoying.

OK, so it's not just the bassist in me that feels this way.


As to the spring vibration: Have you tried putting a folded up cloth or maybe a thin piece of foam between the springs and the body of the guitar? Theoretically, that should cut that vibration down.

Originally Posted by: PonyOne i also find the trem spring vibration i get on deeper chords annoying.

Spring ring is augmented with modern high output pickups. Alder and basswood bodies tend to increase the translation too. Here's a little trick I use that doesn't seem to effect sustain (at least not much). I place a 3" long piece of 1/4" diameter nylon rope inside each spring. Be sure the diameter allows the rope to slide in easy but snug. Always melt the ends and pinch them down while hot (Ouch!). This keeps frayed nylon from getting caught up in the springs which could effect tremelo return height.