Recommendations for "Easiest/Butteriest" guitar sub-$1200

[killertone]

The first thing that came to mind is an EBMM Axis. I have one strung with 7s right now. One of the easiest playing guitars I've ever had.

 

[scriptphase]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... xtra-light

 

[EOT]

The first thing that came to mind is an EBMM Axis. I have one strung with 7s right now.

7's?!!! I didn't even know those existed!

Will for sure have to try out an Axis now. Are the new EVH Wolfgangs just as easy/well made? I saw in the stickies that Brad has them on special right now and they're right in my price range.

The 7s are Billy Gibbons' sig strings. I got em' almost as a joke to play around on and ended up liking em' quite a bit. I bought the Axis under the same circumstances. I saw it on the wall at a store and thought it looked kinda goofy. But I tried it out and immediately decided I had to have it. It just feels awesome in my hand.

I checked out a Peavey EVH guitar one time and didn't like it nearly as much. But it might have been the special model or something. I ended up taking home a PRS that day.

 

[EOT]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/dunlop-reverend-willys-electric-guitar-string-set--extra-light

There they are! They're pretty fun to play on.

 

[ConcreteVampire]

I wouldn't approach it from a "Particular Model" angle...

You want to play as un-stressfully as possible.

At least until your clear...

Gotta play sitting down. Angle on the wrist is bad. So, guitar with nice contours, good neck angle sitting.

String tension. NUMBER ONE, I think... 24 Scale. Sorry, Fender style=tension stress...

On top of that! down tune, just flat.
Now for a suggestion...

IMO...


A Gibson SG tuned e Flat, is easy to sit with for hours, low tension, all access, Slim taper neck....

Cheaper than $1200 too! lol...

$500?! get one of those Tribute models, or a Faded... Super cheap, swap pickups, enjoy E flat for 6 months, and you'll either keep it as a beater, or your new favorite guitar. If ya sell it, no loss...

 

[the rossness]

Carvin- make sure you opt for Jumbo SS frets

 

[Tone Zone]

Most of the Carvins!!! Great guitars for the price!!

This is actually what came to mind myself, when considering the OP's description....most notably, the Carvin CT Series. The CT3 I owned back in the day was one of the most effortlessly playing guits I had ever owned. Something about it, in conjunction with it's low action and 25" neck scale....it just played like butter. And, it's a set neck that resembles a PRS/Gibson more than a super strat. It was without question, the most comfortable set neck guitar I have ever played/owned and very affordable as well. I'm pretty sure you can still get a brand new CT3 for less than $1200. It's probably one of the few guitars that I actually have some regrets about selling.

Here's a pic of the CT3 I owned at one time: