Ibanez & Classic Shredder Guitars

[Blackmore]

I may regret this, but thinking about leaving Les Paul land. And it gets worse, I'm thinking about buying a "shredder" or "modern" guitar. I'm planning to buy used, and would like something that's a bit collectible or niche-cool.

Found an early 1990s Ibanez Jem (white) in pristine condition for about $1500. Funny enough, didn't get a chance to play it through an amp, but liked how it felt and, surprisingly, how it looked. I like Steve Vai as well, but the whole sig thing bothers me somewhat. Now if I could find an 80s Jem in the day-glo colors for a reasonable amount, I would buy that in a heartbeat.

The Charvel San Dimas/So Cals that I've played have felt cheap. Really sharp fret edges, and that's even on the MIA or MIJ models. Not a fan of the pointy Charvel/Jackson headstocks, so those are out for me as well.

I wanted an EVH/Axis while growing up, and they are pretty reasonable used. That said, EVH is so dislikable nowadays and I'm not sure this guitar does anything better than anything else.

MusicMan's look generally cool, but the only one I'd realistically get is the Petrucci. Sorry *A* Petrucci since there's like a billion different JP models. Big ding against since every year, there appears to be a new model. I'll let the DT fanboys go down that rabbit hole. Plus, that EB/MM forum is sorta creepy.

ESP? Nope.

PRS? Ok, gotta admit, I'm conflicted. Never really liked the tone, but haven't spent more than 30 minutes with them in total. They are pretty popular and used through a wide range of styles - I mean if John McLaughlin and Al DiMeola use the same guitar as Tremonti or Limp Bizkit, that's pretty versatile... Also, I like that they look like "proper" guitars and can play some jazzy stuff without really feeling or looking out of place (ahem, unlike the Jem). What I don't like is the fact there are about a million different models or editions or packages and now the brand is being watered down by their "studios" (the S2) and foreign makes (the SE). Also, not sure that it's quite as playable as a Jem.

Finally, have a Strat Plus that I love. It needs a complete refret and I wouldn't mind going to a H/H or S/S/H setup. Am I just better off getting another Strat Plus and modding it? In a moment of lunacy even thought about the Yngwie....

All over the place, but leaning towards the Jem. Thoughts appreciated, especially if its about how awesome the Jem is!

 

[Blackmore]

What about Suhr?

Fine guitars, but Suhrs and Andersons just don't work for me. Just felt very rigid/stiff.

 

[sytharnia1560]

I think looking at what you have said in the OP that an ibanez is the right choice. The ones I have owned/own just seem to have the little bit extra when it comes to that style of playing.....love my charvels and strats but when I feel the need, the need for speed I grab the Ibanez every time

 

[stanbog]

If you dislike the sig thing - why not get some Ibanez RG? Also, have you tried Carvin? I would also suggest checking Schecter CET, but I guess you would dislike them just like Suhr/Anderson. Some more boutique stuff: Tyler, Vigier?

On the sig thing: I like Petrucci and I have a JP7. I couldn't care less that his name is on the headstock - bought it because it's a killer guitar that feels "right" in my hands.

 

[neilli]

Yeah, sounds like you're answering your own question - Ibanez would be the obvious choice. Why not try a used (i.e. cheap) RG550 and see how you get on?

 

[Blackmore]

Yeah, sounds like you're answering your own question - Ibanez would be the obvious choice. Why not try a used (i.e. cheap) RG550 and see how you get on?

I actually have a RG550DY heading my way, so we'll see how it goes. Just wanted to make sure these aren't relics and still viable against modern production guitars.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[Steinmetzify]

I'm a Les Paul guy, but own an EVH and a couple ESPs....the EVHs are seriously fantastic guitars, as are the Axis models....and we all know what's up with ESP. Any reason you're discounting those models?

I really like the nut width on the EVH as compared to my LPs.....smaller, easier to manhandle and the neck is awesome, as are the Wolfgang pickups...little lower output than I usually use but really defined and clear; can do anything from blues to drop C metal.

 

[Tone Zone]

I actually have a RG550DY heading my way, so we'll see how it goes. Just wanted to make sure these aren't relics and still viable against modern production guitars.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

Strat Strat Strat

Don't you cats get sick of Strat Shapes?

 

[Blackmore]

I'm a Les Paul guy, but own an EVH and a couple ESPs....the EVHs are seriously fantastic guitars, as are the Axis models....and we all know what's up with ESP. Any reason you're discounting those models?

I really like the nut width on the EVH as compared to my LPs.....smaller, easier to manhandle and the neck is awesome, as are the Wolfgang pickups...little lower output than I usually use but really defined and clear; can do anything from blues to drop C metal.

Thanks for your thoughts - which EVH, btw?

 

[Blackmore]

I actually have a RG550DY heading my way, so we'll see how it goes. Just wanted to make sure these aren't relics and still viable against modern production guitars.

LOL - of all my post/comments, that's the one that has you confused? I found a NOS 550DY 20th and ordered it unplayed. I see them selling for over $1250, so this was a no brainer at the price I paid (under $500).

 

[BigBellyRocker]

If you want a shredder guitar then go with a USA or custom shop Charvel guitar. The guitar necks on these guitars are super fast and are made for shredding. There is a reason people will wait 2 years for a custom shop build. I practically played all the shredder type strat out there and nothing can compare to Charvel guitars for this type of guitar playing. I gave my brother an Ibeenhad JEM7V and never look back. I recently talked to a veteran luthier regarding guitar setup and tuning stability and he mentioned that the thin Ibeenhad Prestige neck will sometime need to be re-setup if the guitar was originally setup for standard E tuning and you wanted to re-tune the guitar to E flat.

 

[Steinmetzify]

I'm a Les Paul guy, but own an EVH and a couple ESPs....the EVHs are seriously fantastic guitars, as are the Axis models....and we all know what's up with ESP. Any reason you're discounting those models?

I really like the nut width on the EVH as compared to my LPs.....smaller, easier to manhandle and the neck is awesome, as are the Wolfgang pickups...little lower output than I usually use but really defined and clear; can do anything from blues to drop C metal.

Thanks for your thoughts - which EVH, btw?

The MIJ Stealth.....SS frets, locking nut and fine tuners on the tailpiece, ebony board, compound radius.....just a really fun guitar to play. Between that and an M8M 8 string copy I picked up, I haven't really played my LPs at all lately.

 

[Dingleberries]

If you gel with the Ri Dy550, it might be worth your while to check out some 95'-2003 era Rg570's. They come with all access heel joints, original edge trems, and 3-piece super wizard necks which are 56mm at the heel vs the 58mm heels of modern Ibanez. Most people change the pups out, but I just swap the ceramic neck magnet with the alnico5 in the bridge.

 

[RevDrucifer]

Going from an LP neck to an RG neck is going to be quite the change, so get ready for that.

My JEM7V has been my main guitar for the last 18 years, it's beat to shit but I'll never get rid of that thing. I've been thinking of swapping the pick-ups out for something a bit warmer and not as brash, but they've worked for me for so long that I'm a bit nervous to do so.

The thing I dig about the JEM line over the RG line is the necks. JEM necks, especially the older ones, are quite a bit thicker than Wizard necks. I'm a bigger fan of the neck and the way my JEM plays than I am the sounds that come out of it at times. It just feels so damn good.

That said, I absolutely LOVED every EBMM EVH model I ever played specifically because of the necks. Totally different thing, but I felt like I could play so much easier on them.