New rig, upset with NGD...Need suggestions

[searching]

Upgraded to a JCA22H and got a new 2x12 cab and loaded her with Eminence Govs. Really nice; a big step up for me. Has some really usable gain for stock and seems to get along well with overdrive.

Also added a second axe to relieve my aging, el cheapo bolt-on kit guitar... A near mint SE245. And i hate to say i'm just not getting along with it. Even with fret wear and many years of abuse the old bolt-on slays the SE in just about every way...Sustain, ease of play, clarity etc. The SE just seems lifeless in comparison even though it has a perfect setup plus hotter pups and newer, fresher everything.

I always thought the 245 would be perfect for me. I play a lot of stretched stuff and i knew it wouldn't be a shredder above the 12th but figured it would be a good addition to have in an arsenal but to be honest i think i'm going to get part with her already. I just can't put my finger on what it is exactly. Fretboard radius? Wide fat neck? GRRRRR.

I guess i'm going to start looking at bolt-ons and was wondering if you guys had any favorites or suggestions?

 

[sytharnia1560]

I live my JCA 22h as well and have also never got along with SE (be it the allender, single cut trem etc) guitars for some reason that I can't put my finger on either

 

[Iron Dog]

Congrats on the new rig and sorry to hear about the new guitar. I've played several PRS's and never been able to gel with the necks. A local shop had a pretty nice used PRS Custom 24, a few dings, but nothing too bad. I tried it several times trying to like it and just couldn't get on with the neck. I'd love to pick up one of Paul Allender SE's or other Custom 24 style PRS, but every time I try a PRS it's meh.

 

[C1-ocaster]

Congrats on the new rig and sorry to hear about the new guitar. I've played several PRS's and never been able to gel with the necks. A local shop had a pretty nice used PRS Custom 24, a few dings, but nothing too bad. I tried it several times trying to like it and just couldn't get on with the neck. I'd love to pick up one of Paul Allender SE's or other Custom 24 style PRS, but every time I try a PRS it's meh.

I wasn't a fan of PRS years ago, don't remember why.
A couple of months ago I was in my buddies local music store and he had a Korean made PRS semi-hollow copy made by a maker named "Tradition". It looked cool with a subtle flame maple top and 24 frets so I thought I'd give it a shot.
I was shocked at how much I liked it, so much so that I bought it for like $300.
We did a set up on it at the shop and I took it home. I need a new bridge cause I need more intonation adjustment, but we got it really close, just need to get the low E and D more adjustment to get it perfect. I love it. The pup's sound very much like SD JB's and jazz.
This baby stays in tune beautifully, and I really like the neck.
It's pretty narrow with a slightly rounded back.

Because of this guitar I started checking out some PRS's. The one I really like is the PRS Tremonti model. I'm not a fan of signature products, but that guitar is really sweet if it fits your hands. The neck feels very much like the neck on my PRS copy, but it's spec list it as "wide flat". Odd cause it doesn't feel wide to me at all and I've short fingers. My hands are more like paws.

 

[university81]

maybe the 24.5 " scale length , 10inch radius is still fine for the stretchy stuff

but some guitars are like that tho, try as you might, just can't get on with it

i've got 2 PRS SE's i really like (a soapbar II which is amazing and an old standard), but had two EGs and try as i might (pickup changes...mods etc..) just never worked for me, despite pretty much identical specs to other SE's i got, they were sadly lifeless

might not necessarily be bolt on vs set neck , wood/pickups/playability etc etc

best to try out various guitars in a shop to have a get yourself a good idea

 

[searching]

Thanks guys. I know i should probably try out some different models but its extremely out of the way and its always hard to get to know a new axe in that environment with limited time, different gear and all other things considered.

I do prefer the snappiness bolt ons seem to exhibit. So no has any fav bolt ons or little uknown jems they really like? Anything other than fender?

 

[Halikus]

My favorite bolt on by far has to be the PRS CE's, I've had 2 22s' and a 24 over the years and have played numerous other CE's along with owning a few customs and i still have the first CE i bought over 12 years ago and its never leaving my side. Unfortunately they seem to be going through a bit of a boom at the mo, too many people got clued in to their greatness and the prices seem to be going up on evilbay. Some times i just cry seeing people paying £650 for an SE when another hundred or 2 will get a CE, utter madnes imo. If you do decide to investigate I found the older the better, the wood supply was just better back then.

 

[Elric]

Dunno about SEs but USA PRSs tend to be awesome.

 

[chunktone]

Dunno about SEs but USA PRSs tend to be awesome.

I wish this had been my experience, but it has not. I've tried to like PRS, and have tried many different models, but just don't like how they play. Some look great though.

 

[searching]

My favorite bolt on by far has to be the PRS CE's, I've had 2 22s' and a 24 over the years and have played numerous other CE's along with owning a few customs and i still have the first CE i bought over 12 years ago and its never leaving my side. Unfortunately they seem to be going through a bit of a boom at the mo, too many people got clued in to their greatness and the prices seem to be going up on evilbay. Some times i just cry seeing people paying £650 for an SE when another hundred or 2 will get a CE, utter madnes imo. If you do decide to investigate I found the older the better, the wood supply was just better back then.

Funny you should mention it. The CE was my first choice but it was just out of my budget unless i used every last bit. Everyone raves about them. I guess i'm going to give the SE some time and see how it turns out. Going to try a pickup and still be on the lookout for a good bolt on style guitar in the coming months.