Super Strat Suggestions ~ $1000

[shredhead7]

I have/had many of the guitars that you are asking about. The Ibanez 550 has a wizard neck, which is super thin. It's great to fly on, but maybe not what you are after. Every floating trem is a pain in the ass at string change time. The only way around it is to use the same gauge everytime and block the trem (I use magazines under the tail of the bridge). You still have to tune it, a lot, but it's not as bad as not having it blocked.

I love the Charvels. I picked up my first a few years ago. It was a USA with the lawsuit headstock (mid 90's-00's maybe?), but the neck is amazing! Tall frets, sanded back, maple board, that fits like a glove. I love it! I also have an original Kramer, my second guitar, from 88 that has lower frets and the neck is a tad thicker, but still a nice player. The model that I have is actually a Japanese model, which were rebranded ESPs.

Personally, I would look for a late 80's early 90's USA or Japanese guitar that meets your needs, be it Jackson, Kramer, Charvel, Hamer, Ibanez.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Hey TGPers

TGPers????

Lol. Ummm, yeah. Tired copy n paste.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Blackbird]

They're not really available yet, but with a store discount you could get pretty close to $1000 for a new Ibanez AZ Premium.

 

[the rossness]

If you want a floyd that's not a pain to set up, you want a non-recessed, tremolo, mounted flat on the top of the body.
If you don't want a super thin or skinny neck, avoid Ibanez and Kramer. The Sun Valley Shredder felt thinner towards the nut.
However, the Ibanez Satriani neck isn't super skinny, so some JS guitar might work.
A Charvel would be a good choice if you block the trem for dive only. a Michael Wilton LTD or Lynch LTD would work too and again, block the trem for dive only.
An Akira Takisaki Star or Killer KG might be up your alley too.
You might want to check out a Wolfgang Special. The MIJ models were the best ones, offering a maple top before they switched to arched basswood only.
If you can find a GJ2 Glendora, go play one. They sell for under list price.
The Jackson Adrian Smith SDX is an exceptional value. Swap out the PU's maybe the trem and you'll have a killer guitar.
Don't overlook Godin. They're under the radar and make great stuff with lots of mojo.
the Sterling Lukather is worth a look. vintage trem, but stays in tune super-well
any Suhr/ Anderson/ Tyler ect will be out of your price range.
An EBMM Axis (used) is an AMAZING guitar. Go play one. Best neck shape EVER!!!!!!!
You can get deals on G&L Invaders from time to time, Look into them. Great build quality.
If you work with the right dealer, there are deals to be had on the Dean Vinnie Moore USA.
$1600-ish will get you a custom made GMW

 

[Detroit1973]

USA Hamer Steve Stevens HSS with Floyd? Not exact Strat shape but, looks killer to me and I bet it plays like butter.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1986-H ... SwytJaLEUX

I HAD this exact guitar when I was a Kid, My mom bought for my Birthday & like a dumbass I traded it a year later.

 

[Rick Lee]

I had totally forgotten about those Hamers and I really don't need any more guitars. I need to unsubscribe from this thread.

 

[maddnotez]

I've seen some really nice USA G&L Invaders under $1000 from time to time.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-2005-G-L-I ... Sw7z1aNY6P

I bet these are really nice.

I recently played the cheap Superhawk and was blown away. The neck and board was not idea for me (although not bad) but the sound was ridiculous. I really cannot believe how good it sounded into my rig.

 

[LPMojoGL]

That G&L looks pretty sweet.
I liked the quality of G&L Legacies I had. Wasn't crazy about the electronics or the trem, and a guitar tech really screwed up the nut on the last one I had.
That yellow SS Hamer reminds me of the Ernie Ball Luke 1. Speaking of, is $1000 a good price for a Luke 1? They seem rare and highly regarded, hard to find their notmal used value.

There are a couple of used Suhr Modern Satins about for around $1600. Might be worth selling the LP Classic, some pedals and tapping the tax return. Suhr Modern Satin vs ESP Horizon for $200 less?

I’ve tried the MIM Charvel Jacksons at GC. They all seem to have trem issues and not sound so great compared to other guitars around them. I want to like them because the price is right.
I played a used GJ2 at GC. Great price, sweet looking guitar. Wouldn’t stay in tune, mediocre action and sound. I expected more, was disappointed. Hopefully that was just a bad example.

I was able to get my hands on a Schecter Sun Valley. The neck is small. Not just thin, but small. Meh.

 

[nnajar]

This is the one you want. 1982 beak, all original other than the brass block I put on the OFR.

Ha I have that same guitar mine is 1983 and cream colored. Best strat neck profile too.... I love that guitar.

 

[Rick Lee]

This is the one you want. 1982 beak, all original other than the brass block I put on the OFR.

Ha I have that same guitar mine is 1983 and cream colored. Best strat neck profile too.... I love that guitar.

Got one of those too. Love it, but I find it hard to see the fret markers in low light with it.

 

[jski59]

I've seen Modern Satins used in the $1400-$1500 range...I really like mine. Super light and resonant.

510 bridge stays in tune great, I'm done with Floyds.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Tell me more about the Chubtone.
I'm liking what I see on the website.

 

[Bronco]

Tell me more about the Chubtone.
I'm liking what I see on the website.

As good as any Custom Shop Charvel for half the price and you'll get it in ~2 months instead of ~2 years. They are even contracting Dan Lawrence to do some of their custom graphics. Call up Squid Music and ask for Curt!

 

[LPMojoGL]

Tell me more about the Chubtone.
I'm liking what I see on the website.

As good as any Custom Shop Charvel for half the price and you'll get it in ~2 months instead of ~2 years. They are even contracting Dan Lawrence to do some of their custom graphics. Call up Squid Music and ask for Curt!

Thanks man. Preciate it!

 

[paulyc]

My Chub is my favorite guitar ever, but the current wait is 6 months... still, they’re cheap and top quality. Attention to detail is second to none.

 

[thiswaythatway]

That G&L looks pretty sweet.
I liked the quality of G&L Legacies I had. Wasn't crazy about the electronics or the trem, and a guitar tech really screwed up the nut on the last one I had.
That yellow SS Hamer reminds me of the Ernie Ball Luke 1. Speaking of, is $1000 a good price for a Luke 1? They seem rare and highly regarded, hard to find their notmal used value.

There are a couple of used Suhr Modern Satins about for around $1600. Might be worth selling the LP Classic, some pedals and tapping the tax return. Suhr Modern Satin vs ESP Horizon for $200 less?

I’ve tried the MIM Charvel Jacksons at GC. They all seem to have trem issues and not sound so great compared to other guitars around them. I want to like them because the price is right.
I played a used GJ2 at GC. Great price, sweet looking guitar. Wouldn’t stay in tune, mediocre action and sound. I expected more, was disappointed. Hopefully that was just a bad example.

I was able to get my hands on a Schecter Sun Valley. The neck is small. Not just thin, but small. Meh.

I played some Suhr Modern Satin's recently and they have pretty small necks. If you don't like small necks you should play before you pay. But played great, very shreddy, nice big frets.

 

[LPMojoGL]

My Chub is my favorite guitar ever, but the current wait is 6 months... still, they’re cheap and top quality. Attention to detail is second to none.

Good to know. I played a satin PRS CE24 and a Fender Pro Shawbucker HSS today.
The PRS was nice, sounds very close to my LP Classic. Action was good, not great, stayed in tune, great fit n finish. No hard case. I’m not sold on it.

The Fender, I really liked it. It needs a setup, but the sounds were fantastic. $400 less, and has that chimey strat thing going on. Blues to 80s metal Dig it.

I wonder how a HSS Floyded Chubtone would compare in feel and sound.

 

[paulyc]

Better on both counts. Think of what you always thought Charvel would be like when you were a kid looking at EVH or Di Martini and the rest of the LA horde... THAT’S what a Chubtone feels like. Outstanding neck profile, fretwork, fit and finish, your choice of anything (hardware, pickups, finish- either nitro or urethane I think, etc...). Perfect playability, spec the woods you want... everything.

 

[Exo-metal]

Better on both counts. Think of what you always thought Charvel would be like when you were a kid looking at EVH or Di Martini and the rest of the LA horde... THAT’S what a Chubtone feels like. Outstanding neck profile, fretwork, fit and finish, your choice of anything (hardware, pickups, finish- either nitro or urethane I think, etc...). Perfect playability, spec the woods you want... everything.

Interesting

 

[Bronco]

Better on both counts. Think of what you always thought Charvel would be like when you were a kid looking at EVH or Di Martini and the rest of the LA horde... THAT’S what a Chubtone feels like. Outstanding neck profile, fretwork, fit and finish, your choice of anything (hardware, pickups, finish- either nitro or urethane I think, etc...). Perfect playability, spec the woods you want... everything.

Yeah a couple years ago I was out in Anaheim and I stopped in to Squid. Curt had four of the prototypes he let me play. And it was instant gratification, just like you said.