What guitar surprised you?

[mystixboi]

What guitar surprised you?

Do you have a guitar, or have you played a guitar that just completely blew you away because you weren’t expecting how good it played, how good it sounded or how great the quality would be at the price point? If so, list it here… pics are appreciated too!!!

Here’s my submission… an Ibanez AZ232BC. I played one of the prestige models at NAMM last Jan and was didn’t like the feel of the neck. I thought it was too clunky…. I immediately dismissed it. Big mistake.

This came up for sale on FB so I took a chance and I’m glad I did. I now find the neck to be perfect… first of all, roasted maple and stainless steel frets are always a plus, but the shape is just great. It’s slightly chunkier(but not baseball bat huge) at the nut and gets thinner as you go up the neck.

The pickups sound great too… really versatile with the 10 position switching. It also has mojo and is really friggin light too. I’m really happy with this.

How about you?

 

[maddnotez]

G&L Cantrell, the budget model.

My buddy (bassist for old band) brought one over to practice. Ran it through the JP2C, Mesa OS and Buxom Boost. It was absolutely the best in the mix tone I have ever heard in my life. Was unbelievable.

The only problem was the neck on that thing was extremely large for my liking. A lot of others would easily get along with it but I prefer Charvel necks or the very largest being ESP.

 

[hirah5150]

USA made Peavey LTDs surprised the hell out of me. They have become my #1s.

 

[atrox]

My Shuriken SR250 (25.5" scale version).

It's a Yamaha built guitar and it plays amazingly. The modeling aspect is way better than i expected as well.

I wish it wasn't so damn ugly, but it's a utility guitar for me.

 

[thiswaythatway]

A lot of guitars Made In Korea these days are pretty solid. I played a PRS SE Tremonti for $700 that was better than anything Gibson had out up to $1500. I think PRS SE, Schecter, LTD are all made in the same plant.

 

[ke2]

G&L Cantrell, the budget model.

My buddy (bassist for old band) brought one over to practice. Ran it through the JP2C, Mesa OS and Buxom Boost. It was absolutely the best in the mix tone I have ever heard in my life. Was unbelievable.

The only problem was the neck on that thing was extremely large for my liking. A lot of others would easily get along with it but I prefer Charvel necks or the very largest being ESP.

Was it the blue two-hum version, or the white, with one humbucker?

 

[Kevin11]

1996 or so, went to my local music hangout to try an amp and walked out with a USA Peavey Wolfgang Special. Wasn't in the market, didn't know anything about them, but couldn't live without it after I tried it. I have other guitars that are better players, but that thing is one of the best sounding guitars I've ever had. Went on a Wolf spree after that and nothing else came close. Cheap slab of basswood with a way-too-thick coat of gloss...I'm still baffled, but I got really lucky with that one.

 

[maddnotez]

A lot of guitars Made In Korea these days are pretty solid. I played a PRS SE Tremonti for $700 that was better than anything Gibson had out up to $1500. I think PRS SE, Schecter, LTD are all made in the same plant.

WMI. I think 90% of all imports are made there lol. That is why I get weary and laugh when I see a guitar from that plant being sold for $500 more than another with similar specs.

Edit: I assume that is based on volume and the bigger companies like LTD get to charge less but as a consumer that is not my problem. Better have something extra and unique IMO.

G&L Cantrell, the budget model.

My buddy (bassist for old band) brought one over to practice. Ran it through the JP2C, Mesa OS and Buxom Boost. It was absolutely the best in the mix tone I have ever heard in my life. Was unbelievable.

The only problem was the neck on that thing was extremely large for my liking. A lot of others would easily get along with it but I prefer Charvel necks or the very largest being ESP.

Was it the blue two-hum version, or the white, with one humbucker?

Was the white.

 

[billboogie]

Dean ML ‘79 Series’ Brazilian Burst Hardtail.
Korean Made.
Good stock pups. Excellent playability. Sits comfy.

BC Rich ‘Classic Series’ Mockingbird Hardtail.
Korean Made
Pups weren’t for me but comfy to play. Never a tuning issue.

Fender Starcaster I paid $25 for.
Nice chunky dark neck. Someone at the factory had a really good day as the frets are level and edges are smooth. The neck is now on an American Strat.
Go figure lol

I also have a 1st year Sigma Martin acoustic Korean Made that hasn’t needed a neck adjustment in 25yrs. It’s a solid well made instrument.

 

[japetus]

The first runs of the Ibanez SZ guitars, the ones released around 2001 or so. Not the ones with the "flaming vagina" inlay. Those guitars RIP. My friend owns one, and everytime I play it it just feels like butter.

 

[stratjacket]

Had a few that fit the bill, but most recently is the new Charvel 2Pt Caramelized. $950shipped, can't beat it. It plays and feels like something costing way more. The roasted maple neck feels and looks amazing in person. It also has a ting of maple syrup smell to it.

Camera pic below, but full review coming. The pic doesn't do it justice.

 

[atrox]

Had a few that fit the bill, but most recently is the new Charvel 2Pt Caramelized. $950shipped, can't beat it. It plays and feels like something costing way more. The roasted maple neck feels and looks amazing in person. It also has a ting of maple syrup smell to it.

Camera pic below, but full review coming. The pic doesn't do it justice.

I love all my Charvels. I have 2 older MIA and one recent MIM and they all rule. they are my "go-to's"

 

[Rex Rocker]

A lot of guitars Made In Korea these days are pretty solid. I played a PRS SE Tremonti for $700 that was better than anything Gibson had out up to $1500. I think PRS SE, Schecter, LTD are all made in the same plant.

My PRS SE sounds better, and I could set the action lower out of the box than my Ibanez Prestige. It's a fantastic guitar, not just for the money. If only it didn't have the baseball bat neck with the round fretboard, lol.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

Had a few that fit the bill, but most recently is the new Charvel 2Pt Caramelized. $950shipped, can't beat it. It plays and feels like something costing way more. The roasted maple neck feels and looks amazing in person. It also has a ting of maple syrup smell to it.

Camera pic below, but full review coming. The pic doesn't do it justice.

I love all my Charvels. I have 2 older MIA and one recent MIM and they all rule. they are my "go-to's"

I really want a Charvel San Dimas! By the way, are you Greek dude?

 

[atrox]

Had a few that fit the bill, but most recently is the new Charvel 2Pt Caramelized. $950shipped, can't beat it. It plays and feels like something costing way more. The roasted maple neck feels and looks amazing in person. It also has a ting of maple syrup smell to it.

Camera pic below, but full review coming. The pic doesn't do it justice.

I love all my Charvels. I have 2 older MIA and one recent MIM and they all rule. they are my "go-to's"

I really want a Charvel San Dimas! By the way, are you Greek dude?

I am not, but the other guitar player in one of my bands is from Greece and my drummer from that project lives in Athens

 

[Tone Monster]

I’ll say my Ken Lawrence. I knew and expected it to be good and it still exceeded my expectations. Amazing wood quality and craftsmanship. Makes my Custom ESP feel cheap.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I’ll say my Ken Lawrence. I knew and expected it to be good and it still exceeded my expectations. Amazing wood quality and craftsmanship. Makes my Custom ESP feel cheap.

No shit, wow!

 

[alan67]

Gotta say I love my MIM Pro-Mod

I also picked up a LTD Kami IV and wow, for the price its equally killer do plan on switching the pickups though

 

[Markedman]

GR4 Steinberger by John Bazzano, on Flickr
GR4 by John Bazzano, on Flickr

I'm back to also playing a Les Paul and a Jackson RR, but for about two years it was these Steinbergers that were all I used. The cream colored Steinberger is still my #1, beats the RR and LP by a mile. The Steinberger is so well built, it is solid like a piano and has every tone imaginable in it with the coil split option and Tom Anderson H3+ for the bridge pick-up.

 

[JimmyBlind]

My Custom 24 surprised me negatively. A heavy, expensive guitar with crap electronics that didn't really have any unique tonal characteristics at all. I'd consider a DGT but otherwise I won't be buying another PRS again. They look nice though.