I'm a bit of a guitar numpty, but I like a nice looking guitar what sounds nice. I fancy, to go with my Fender Mex Strat (had some gold lace sensor pickups put in, so it's not completely vanilla), a guitar with them humbuckers in. I just fancy it

But I'd quite like something that isn't run of the mill. So the budget's 500 quid, maybe slightly over, maybe less.

Ideas please...

Cheers

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cheers, Rob

This would be my choice
http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-semi-acoustic /deuce-f-506206/review

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http://soundcloud.com/earwighoney

A Gordon Smith GS1 is under £500. Handmade in England, including the pickups and most of the hardware. If it had an American name on the headstock you'd pay three or four times as much for a comparable instrument.

being very shallow and going purely on looks for the moment, since apart from youtube it's all I have.. am really liking the look of the hagstroms in general. the super swede tremar looks a bit lovely esp in white (although the review was not as good as the deuce f's review). I've missed having a trem despite the old tuning issues they give you. ooooh them's cheeky. I did try a viking a few weeks ago when I started on this quest. not sure it was quite screaming "buy me" though, but seemed very nice.

I did try some of the pawnshop fenders today which was interesting, i was unaware of such things as the 72 and liked how it looked. again, not completely sold and it was more than i wanted to pay anyway at the moment.

more please!

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cheers, Rob

Been looking at Ibanez ??

http://www.andertons.co.uk/solid-body-electric-guitars/pid18070/cid671/iba nez-s570-in-black.asp

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Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)

Hi styling's a bit pointy for me - I like a more classic look .. (I'm sure it's lovely and thanks!)

my music's more clean sounds/shoegaze/indie kind of spectrum, if that helps narrow ideas down at all


thanks so far guys - more thoughts please!

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cheers, Rob

I'm interested to hear what folk think of the new Hagstroms, I've got a couple of original Swedish-made ones from the 60's and they rock. Always been slightly dubious about the new ones but it's pure preconceived prejudice, I've never brought myself to try one.

Since you like your jangly and drony stuff what about something like this:
http://www.soundsgreatmusic.com/products/6972/9885/fender-blacktop-jaguar- hh-black.aspx

there's a rather sexy sunburst Jazzmaster version with a trem as well, but it's got a single-coil at the neck. You could always go down the Wide Range 'bucker route a la Lee Ranaldo.

PRS SE range??


some nice machines.....

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_detail.asp?stock=1004261729 1631

i really like the blue

+1 on the PRS SE - played some recently and they were very nice.

Don't know if Carvin ever makes it to England but that be a good purchase.

Godin is a good guitar for the money.

Epiphone G-400 - played one and it was great
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EGG5AIGH

Did Reverend guitars ever make it to England?
http://reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars.html

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www.descentintomadness.com

I'd go looking for an early 90s Les Paul Studio or Special. You might need to try a few to find one that 'speaks'. Personally I'd avoid things which are basically a fender with humbuckers because they won't be the yin to your fenders yang that I think you're after.

J

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www.jackruston.com

If you want something a little different, you could try a Reverend. If you want to hear some go along to the proguitarshop page on YouTube.

Quote monkfish:

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I'm interested to hear what folk think of the new Hagstroms, I've got a couple of original Swedish-made ones from the 60's and they rock. Always been slightly dubious about the new ones but it's pure preconceived prejudice, I've never brought myself to try one.

Since you like your jangly and drony stuff what about something like this:
http://www.soundsgreatmusic.com/products/6972/9885/fender-blacktop-jaguar- hh-black.aspx

there's a rather sexy sunburst Jazzmaster version with a trem as well, but it's got a single-coil at the neck. You could always go down the Wide Range 'bucker route a la Lee Ranaldo.

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never thought of the jag.. duh... the one in black looks a bit loverly... if I'm honest I do like fender, can't help it. Proper LPs just don't excite me. The Hagstroms look different enough to overcome that weird dislike.

i was offered a good 2nd hand PRS SE, but it was all singles that one. I don't mind neck single coils if I really have to, just thought I'd go all out for humbuckers.

Really useful thoughts guys - I was looking for a wide range of off-the-cuff ideas nice one!

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cheers, Rob

Go second hand. You could get a really nice Gibson LP Studio or SG for that money.

if you like fenders, i'd suggest finding a G&L F100. it was the first guitar G&L (George and Leo) made and folks like alan holdsworth gigged it for years. two humbuckers, strat body, absolutely gorgeous. i bought one in 84 and still have it.

the best part is the market has totally overlooked them and they can be found used for $200 (that's dollars, not pounds!). probably the best bargain in used electrics going. i've actually had to stop myself from buying a second one when i've seen them used in my local gtr store ;-)

cheers,

d

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"Patsy had the drug tolerance of Keith Richards and the moral rectitude of Brian Jones." - Dr. Walter Bishop, "Fringe"

£500? Pacifica 611 I want one

I'd second the "go secondhand" comment - with your budget you ought to be able to get a Yamaha SG-700 or an SG-1000 at a push. My favorite twin humbucker guitars (well actully, that would be the SG-2000 or SG-3000, but they're probably outside your budget).

Agreed, go second-hand and you could get a really nice late 70s or early 80s Yamaha, Tokai or Ibanez for that money. For some reason the Yamahas often seem to be cheaper than some of the other makes, not quite sure why.

If you're a Fender guy take a nose at the Blacktop Stratocaster.

Full humbucker sounds (either/both) plus a couple of single coil options to round things out (neck single and neck/bridge single inside coils). Neck/Bridge single coil sound is fab, very Tele-ish, then flick to a full humbucker for power/solo's.

Humbuckers are quite hot so drive an amp nicely but very controllable with the volume pot.

I bought one a few weeks back, so have put my money where my mouth is! Heavier than a standard Strat but not by much (the extra weight actually helps change your mindset when you strap it on vs a stnd Strat).

Hewesy

Quote cjed:

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I'd second the "go secondhand" comment - with your budget you ought to be able to get a Yamaha SG-700 or an SG-1000 at a push. My favorite twin humbucker guitars (well actully, that would be the SG-2000 or SG-3000, but they're probably outside your budget).

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Hmm.. I found a (sold) Sg700 just searching now..
http://www.jvguitars.com/images/yamahaSG700EmeraldCFonTeakBkgRIGHT1400.jpg

that's rather lovely that



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cheers, Rob

How about a nice semi?

All the talk of the Yamaha SG's was fun, but reminded me of the SA's. And there are some real bargains to be had with Aria TA series semi's too.

Twin humbucker semi's are very versatile instruments indeed. Far too often ignored and overlooked, so there are real bargains to be had.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Agree with the 90's LP Studio, used to have a white one, very good, likewise with the PRS SE's, got a Korean Singlecut Soapbar with P90's (prefer the neck in the LP Studio, but prefer the sound of the PRS, but thats by the by) and also agree with the Yamaha SG route as well.

just to make the decision that teensy bit harder on the 2nd hand front, may I also throw in the Patrick Eggle Berlin (not known anyone have a bad experience with one of those) and also, if it takes your fancy, something that has been a very interesting purchase recently and that the guitarists who I work with have loved to bits and that is the Dean Boca 12 string semi - bit like their version of the Ricky 360, but with Seymour humbuckers at a fraction of the price of a real 360. That has proven to be an absolute steal second hand.

All depends on what type of tone and feel you want though. For the most part though, certainly including the second hand market, 500 notes will find you a seriously good guitar that chances are, you're not going to be disappointed with.

Bon fortune and enjoy auditioning the various options

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