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

  • Thread starter Thread starter Enjolras56
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Enjolras56

Enjolras56

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Hey guys!

As some of you know, I underwent carpal tunnel surgery on my left (fretting) hand 10 days ago.
Things are going well so far. Very minimal, occasional ache- mostly dealing with swelling, weakness.

Anyways, I know my hand is gonna be super-weak when I start to pick up a guitar again in about 4-5 weeks. I'm mostly a Les Paul player and typically string all my electrics with 10's.
Already planning on switching to 9's to make things easier.

So I wanted to get some recommendations for the some of the super-easy playing guitars with the following criteria
-sub $1200 price range (new or used)
-preferably dual humbucker
-I've gravitated more to stop tailpiece guitars lately, but am open to Floyds, etc.

I know Mike Einziger of Incubus went thru the surgery and started playing EBMM Albert Lee models after cuz he felt like they were easy on his hands. Not really my body type.
I remember playing EBMM John Petrucci guits a while back which I remembered playing like butter, but again, not really my body type.
I'm prefer more to traditional body styles- LP, tele, maybe strat. I dig the EVH body.

Are the EVH variants (Wolfgang/Axis/HP special) as easy playing as the above mentioned guitars? Some Rig Talker I am, I know, but I've never actually spent time playing one. :lol: :LOL:
Are LTD Eclipses much easier playing than typical LP's?

Any other suggestions?
Thanks! :rock:
 
I've played an Axis supersport and it was buttery as can be! My only complaint was the width of the neck, as I have big paws and it felt a little cramped for chording. BUT that helped with my RA (Arthritis) because my fingers forced to curve. The satin necks are great and they have a mighty bite to them. I was particular to the supersport because it had a 5 way, volume AND tone knob with a vintage style flush mount trem VS the single volume and Floyd like the standard axis. The JPs are AWESOME players and incredibly versatile for the money. Once I had the chance to play a few, I got over my objections to the body shape very quickly. They hang well and are very balanced with the extended upper horn making it easy to smack the Piezo three way and the shorter treble side horn giving great access to the upper frets. Outside of those guits, you might want to try something short scale/gibson scale with a standard 10 gauge string on it to give you familiar string diameter with a looser and lighter tension feel to make the transition a little easier.
 
Enjolras56":2ppnjikc said:
Are LTD Eclipses much easier playing than typical LP's?

Any other suggestions?
Thanks! :rock:
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Sorry, missed that question. I've played quite a few of these and they feel great. Much smaller neck than most of the LP style guitars and would fit the description for a short scale guitar I mentioned.
 
Buttery and easy have allot to do with the frets. I would find something with large Jumbo frets for around 700-800 and send it to Philtone for a Plek and setup. I don't think you will do better than that with a stock guitar in that price range.
 
check out some carvins, they do a bunch of things that make them super easy to play, they recess their bridges into the body which makes for a very mellow break angle, also the head stock has only a very slight break angle , and they are 25" inch scale like a prs. Combine that with an ebony board and stainless frets and youll be slip sliding all over the place ! =) veryyy easy playing guitars, i prefer their neck thru stuff over their set neck though, and i reccomend going mahogany body and neck to warm up the tone a bit.

I own a dc127 and its one of my favorite guitars.
 
glip22":31xzkqad said:
Buttery and easy have allot to do with the frets. I would find something with large Jumbo frets for around 700-800 and send it to Philtone for a Plek and setup. I don't think you will do better than that with a stock guitar in that price range.
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Could not agree more. Phil currently has my tele for a SS refret with PLEK. He is the best. All my guitars that he touched play like butter.
 
If you can find an Axis with stainless steel frets i think that will be a pretty easy playing guitar.

The most playable guitar i own is my Vigier GV Wood. It has a 24.5" scale, stainless steel frets and has the lowest action of any guitar i have ever owned. Unfortunately it is out of your price range.

If you are patient, you might be able to find a Vigier Shawn Lane slightly above your price range. I have seen them go anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500. It has the shorter scale, 24 frets, a completely flat fretboard radius and i hear it may have the lowest action of any guitar. ever. I have never played one so i cannot give first hand experience regarding one.
 
Find a short-scale (Gibson) guitar that has a neck shape you're comfortable with. SG maybe? Then budget for a good setup, fret level and polish. 9's tuned a half-step down.

That'd be my plan...
 
One of the Charvels, not too pricey, a body style your comfortable with, play like butta ;)
See chubtone immidiately...,
 
I would look into Ibanez, the models with the wizard necks. They are thin and flat. Some prestige models like the RGT may have a fatter neck (I know because I had one) which maybe to uncomfortable for you. The other RG models and J-customs should feel like butter IMHO. Also Charvel from the 80's/90's had these nice necks. I don't know about the modern ones.
 
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.

Or maybe something with a compound radius?
 
I would think one of the new evh guitars, or older Parker nitefly, or if you can find one used a us masters. They all have a few features in common, stainless steel frets, and conical radius fret boards.

The conical radius is a big thing because you can get really low action without fretting out when playing above he 12 fret. Also the smaller radius puts a lot less stress on the wrist while playing open position chords.

The theory behind it is that the fretboard widens as you go towards the bridge so does a cone. That means that all the strings will be the same distance from the fretboard right from the first fret to the last.
 
Mike Einziger of Incubus has carpal tunnel real bad from all the years of using heavy strings. He's currently playing Music Man - Albert Lee guitars exclusively. Not sure on the price, but it's pretty much all he's using these days.
 
yeah, I'm thinking the setup on the guitar is more important than the guitar itself. I'd find something with neck dimemsions your most comfortable with and then get a good setup.
 
Enjolras56":f3ajhzh1 said:
Anyways, I know my hand is gonna be super-weak when I start to pick up a guitar again in about 4-5 weeks. I'm mostly a Les Paul player and typically string all my electrics with 10's.
Already planning on switching to 9's to make things easier.

So I wanted to get some recommendations for the some of the super-easy playing guitars with the following criteria
-sub $1200 price range (new or used)
-preferably dual humbucker
-I've gravitated more to stop tailpiece guitars lately, but am open to Floyds, etc.
Click to expand...
I'd go for a Gibson faded model. An SG can be had for about $425 used and an LP mahogany for about $550. I play mine with 9s in Eb and it's one of the easiest guitars to play that I ever have. Not to mention the tone is killer; though different, it's absolutely no worse than my R9.

Good luck with your recovery!
 
First thing that came to mind was EBMM! I would say Luke or Axis. Both fantastic, fast and easy to play!
 
Without a doubt......+1 on the Carvin recommendation. I've owned 3 all mahogany, neck through SC90's and they played better than any guitar I have ever picked up. With the minimal neck break and low action you can fly all over the frets in your sleep. Super easy to play and the tuning/intonation is perfect from the factory. They do have their own sound......even after pickup swaps......but I highly doubt there is a better guitar that fits the terms in your thread title. I've owned several high end PRS, Gibson, Charvel, and CS Fenders and its really not even close. Another cool thing is that Carvins sustain forever and are EXTREMELY resonant. They almost have an acoustic quality played unplugged. All that being said, they will never have the girth of a LP no matter what changes you make, but man do they play easy.
 
Great suggestions guys... thanks! Keep 'em coming.

EOT":1zydweqx said:
The first thing that came to mind is an EBMM Axis. I have one strung with 7s right now.
Click to expand...

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.

Laurens":1zydweqx said:
I would look into Ibanez, the models with the wizard necks. They are thin and flat. Some prestige models like the RGT may have a fatter neck (I know because I had one) which maybe to uncomfortable for you. The other RG models and J-customs should feel like butter IMHO. Also Charvel from the 80's/90's had these nice necks. I don't know about the modern ones.
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Definitely not an Ibanez guy, but thanks for the suggestion. I own an 80's Japanese Charvel Model 5 which I'm sure plays easy, but just not my style of guitar anymore or at least for my current band situation.
 
Most of the Carvins!!! Great guitars for the price!!
 
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