Best Guitar for $700?

[reverymike]

A friend is upgrading from a cheapo Ibanez, and is looking for a non-strat style electric guitar. He'd like something similar to a Les Paul. Budget is $700 bucks.

What would you do?

 

[Joeytpg]

What does he play? Schecters are very nice, so are LTDs

 

[university81]

look on the used market =0 , Joey's suggestions are good

schechter
ESP LTD
PRS SE - great value imo
Tokai

 

[Vrad]

Used Edwards?

 

[reverymike]

An ESP Eclipse LTD might be a good idea.

He mainly plays rock/metal, but he dabbles in pretty much everything.

Keep 'em coming!

 

[stratotone]

used Hamer USA special w/humbuckers. Would smoke anything else mentioned in this thread quality and tonewise.

 

[Stramm8]

2011 PRS SE Santana. I played one yesterday since it was the closest guitar to the Egnater Tweaker I wanted check out and it was pretty nice. Set up was perfect, played like butter and sounded great. So great, that I plan to pick one up next week to fill my LP jones. It's not a LP but close enough for me. $709 at GC.

 

[Tone Zone]

PRS SE

 

[jessebondrocks]

+1 for the prs se. Also... Used sg's can be found in that range.

 

[JackBootedThug]

epiphone.

 

[ConcreteVampire]

+1 for the prs se. Also... Used sg's can be found in that range.

Huge +1!
Had my NGD yesterday, used SG standard in ebony.
From a Guitar Center in Mass. $729. Minus $100 coupon, $629!

 

[Lord Toneking]

San Dimas Charvel (style 2). I sold mine 'mint' with a floydupgrades big block for $575

 

[LP Freak]

Used Peavey HP Special. These guitars are very over looked and under rated.

 

[JackTripper]

San Dimas Charvel (style 2). I sold mine 'mint' with a floydupgrades big block for $575

+1

 

[The Hoff]

San Dimas Charvel (style 2). I sold mine 'mint' with a floydupgrades big block for $575

That's what I was coming in here to recommend.

Maybe an ibanez rg series or something similar.

 

[steve@russo]

gibson raw powers

 

[glpg80]

Since Ibanez's are thin necks, id tell him to get a stop-tail LP style Edwards.

 

[Mudder]

Ibanez AR700. Mine is a LP killer, near perfectly finished, great player.

 

[Guitar Joe]

I scooped a Michael Kelly Patriot Premium from Musician Friend like 2 years ago. Plays really Nice.. Emg81 and Emg85. Was like $695.00. One of my favs. Everyone that plays it loves it. Great bang for the buck.

 

[mightywarlock]

a Used Ibanez SZ720FM. older model, used to sell for like $700, but now can be found for $350-450.
Best PRS/Gibson wannabee ever, and amazingly good tone. especially for the heavier stuff and duncan distortion in the bridge. absolutely crushing.

or a used Ibanez SZ2020FM if found. also an amazing guitar. stock!

if he's used to Ibanez cheapo, he may not like Schecter necks.

used Gibson Explorer?
Used SG?

Used ESP Eclipse?