Best 80's Metal/Shred guitar that comes ready to rock for $1k?

[Foley]

Hi everyone,

I have a friend who used to play guitar that stopped for awhile but is now getting back into it. He's mainly interested in getting 80's metal type sounds from what he tells me. I told him I'd help him find a new guitar but I know nothing about this subject, I play Hamer Artists and Studios and I play blues and some classic rock.

So we're going to GC later this week to try some stuff out and I was just looking for suggestions on this subject. The stipulations for him are he wants it to be around $1k, he wants it to come ready to play, good setup with decent pickups and electronics that don't need to be replaced.

I've already thought of the obvious ones, Jackson, ESP, Ibanez. Any sleeper brands out there he should look for? (new or used is fine)

Also if you could mention any low wattage amp that would be good for this style too, he's also looking for one of those. I was thinking the Blackstar HT-5? Any suggestions on an amp would be much appreciated as well!

Thanks for reading!
Foley.

[Bobby D]

charvel pro-mod or so-cal :bow

[Mike9]

Used Dean Time Capsule V, ML, or Z - 'nuff said :dude

[gtrplayer23]

charvel pro-mod or so-cal :bow


this

[germs]

charvel is probably ideal for him.

also plenty of good stuff out there in the Ibanez world at that price.

Schecter at that price - more modern in design though.

really just a ton of options at that price...

[BlackStrat_Fan]

Yes, Charvel San Dimas. Also, the Mesa stuff looks really good to me. I did however go with a Marshall. I just felt like I should have a Marshall for the experience.

[RedTiger]

As been said, those SoCals and San Dimas are something you may have overlooked. Also, those newer B.C. Rich Gunslingers are definitely 80s.

Another one to look for is the Kramer Focus. Do your research to make sure you're getting an alder body: http://www.vintagekramer.com/focus.htm Those were made in Japan by ESP OEM for Kramer back in the day. I have an '86 that kicks ass. He'd have an actual 80s guitar if he bought one of those. :)

There are a few Prestige Ibanez RGs that around $1k, but the real deals are in the used market. If you hunt around, you can find a late 80s RG550 for around $500. Again, that'd be cool for him since that's a guitar of actual 80s vintage. :) A REALLY good deal can be had if you can track down an RG from the early '00s. Those things are MIJ at Fujigen, exceptional quality but are just completely overlooked and unwanted. I picked up one not long ago for $300! That's less than a new Indonesian RG.

[Foley]

charvel is probably ideal for him.

also plenty of good stuff out there in the Ibanez world at that price.

Schecter at that price - more modern in design though.

really just a ton of options at that price...


I agree, Charvel seems perfect for the criteria he has. You're right, there are so many options in this price range which is why I told him he should go to GC to try a bunch out. Thanks for your input.

Thanks to everyone else for the suggestions, Keep them coming if you have them! don't be shy in the amp department if you have a suggestion either!

Thanks again!
Foley.

[Flinto2002]

Charvels are good on paper(the $1000 san dimas ones), but in practice they are kinda crappy. I've owned one. The trem is a cheap asian floyd and the necks are difficult to adjust with the heel mounted truss rod access point. The neck heel is bulky.

Personally, for my money, an Ibanez prestige is a much better built guitar

[RedTiger]

Charvels are good on paper(the $1000 san dimas ones), but in practice they are kinda crappy. I've owned one. The trem is a cheap asian floyd and the necks are difficult to adjust with the heel mounted truss rod access point. The neck heel is bulky.

Personally, for my money, an Ibanez prestige is a much better built guitar

While I agree, I'd prefer an RG and also recommend one, the Floyd on those Charvels is a Ping, which is made in Korea. You hear bad things about those, but having played with one, I'm convinced it's just perception. Ping Floyds are becoming more and more common on production guitars. Hell, the Les Paul Axcess even has one. :D

What it really comes down to is whether he wants the whole thin neck, flat fretboard, jumbo fret shred bit or whether he just wants a super strat with a Floyd -- less Paul Gilbert and more Van Halen.

[dspellman]

Carvin's a pretty obvious one -- you have a choice of body styles for their neck-through 24-fret 25" scale guitars, as well as a choice of HH, HSS, SSS, HSH pickup setups. Standard with ebony f/b, Sperzel lockers. Wood choices abound for body, neck. Choice of 10, 12, 14 and 20" radius fretboards (though you need to specifically ask for the Holdsworth 20" radius on a neck-through; it won't show on the online "builder." OFRs, Wilkinson and Bigsby trems available. Several sizes of fret available (Med.Jumbo stock, jumbo available, SS frets available). Carvin necks are very fast, action generally comes pretty dang low, no buzzing frets.

www.carvinguitars.com

[mikem]

What about a second-hand Hamer USA Diablo- probably my favourite shredder of all time- SD JB and 59 and Schaller Floyd. Can be had for a song if you find one.

Mike

[Brain2Me2]

Charvel SoCal, can't beat the neck on those...

[monwobobbo]

What about a second-hand Hamer USA Diablo- probably my favourite shredder of all time- SD JB and 59 and Schaller Floyd. Can be had for a song if you find one.

Mike

totally agree. i found one at Guitar Center and ended up getting it for $300. great guitar for shred and metal.

[PVH5150]

Something produced today, but still retains the look & feel of an 80s shred machine....the ESP LTD M1000.

Going for roughly $799 nowadays brand new.

http://carlinoguitars.com/images/MH-1000_STBLK2.jpg

[fuzz_factor]

Find a used Ibanez RG-550 and you'll have enough money left over for a killer setup and possibly money towards a decent amp or a couple of pedals.

[EADGBE]

Those Charvels look good.

[Dirk Diggler]

Jackson DKMG. Less than 1000 bucks.

http://www.guitarthai.com/picpost/gtpicpost/Q242526.jpg

[Jazzpilfer]

Check out used. Hamer USA super strats can be found, older used ESP, MIJ Charvels, 80's Guilds, MIJ Jacksons, Godin early 90's, 80's Schecters, 80's Chandlers, and many more. There are so many choices in the used market for this style of guitar. If he is willing to spend a little more he could find a used Suhr Pro Series Modern, which to me is the pinnacle of this style of guitar.

[jcj]

Used Washburn N4; great guitar, and easily found used for a grand or less.

[Ascension]

Used Washburn N4; great guitar, and easily found used for a grand or less.
Good choice but I prefer the 90's Grover Jackson era USA built Chicago Custom MG series to the N's and they sell for almost nothing most times on ebay!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/rutledri/DSC00551.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/rutledri/DSC00343.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/rutledri/DSC00245.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/rutledri/DSCF0360.jpg
Super fast necks flat 20 radius boards with workmanship and materials on par with guitars that would cost 10X as much!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/rutledri/GroverWashburnadd.jpg

[daddyo]

Used Ibanez jem.

[RedTiger]

Find a used Ibanez RG-550 and you'll have enough money left over for a killer setup and possibly money towards a decent amp or a couple of pedals.

I know I've said this previously in the thread, but THIS...again! A used Ibanez RG 5XX or 7XX would be well under $1000 and you're sacrificing absolutely nothing. While certainly not the flagships of the brand, these were not considered budget models in their day.

If you buy one of these used, you are sacrificing absolutely nothing. These do not have inferior hardware compared to some "real" Ibanez model...these ARE the real deal. In fact, when it comes to the tremolo, they probably have superior hardware compared to a current Prestige.

If in good condition, these are an absolutely outstanding guitars that are probably completely out of the general GASing public's eye. :)

[Guitar Asylum]

I don't know what the consensus is on B.C. Rich around here, but we recently picked the line back up this year because their instruments are absolutely great for the money. I just picked up one of these:

http://www.bcrich.com/images/GHNGN_lg.jpg

And it totally smokes - the neck is super comfy (a little thicker than an Ibanez Wizard), and it has an OFR. For $599 new it just screams 80s goodness. I ended up putting a red BKP Holydiver in mine, but I think next week it's getting a Suhr Aldrich

[DaBlizzardofOz]

Good choice but I prefer the 90's Grover Jackson era USA built Chicago Custom MG series to the N's and they sell for almost nothing most times on ebay!



Super fast necks flat 20 radius boards with workmanship and materials on par with guitars that would cost 10X as much!


+1

The USA made Washburns are terrific guitars.

[Deathmonkey]

Some excellent suggestions. If you're looking used, I'd also throw Yamaha out there - they've made a few shredders series guitars, including some Ty Tabor models. The RGZ and RGX models are pretty shredderiffic, IIRC, and can be found for a song.

The TT:
http://www.guitar.com.au/guitars/electric/yamaha/RGXTT_files/RGXTT.gif

Also, don't sleep on various Peaveys, especially the Vanderbergs.
http://www.guitar-joe.de/gitarren/peavey-v-d.jpg

[theroan]

If I had to buy a metal guitar on a budget it would be a PRS SE Torero.
Specs:
Floyd Rose
EMGs
Neck through
Maple top
Mahogany body
Ebony board
Neck through
slimmer neck than a standard PRS

http://cdn.mos.musicradar.com/images/Product%20News/Guitar/jan10/prs-namm-850-100.jpg

Also:
Charvel San Dimas
Ibanez Sabre

Amp: Krankenstein Jr.

[lildisturbed1]

LTD EC-1000.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f309/heavymetalstaind/ESPBlemLTDDeluxeEC-1000.jpg

Great guitar, great action. Amazing price.

[custom53]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z135/custom53_photos/Automobles/My%20Autos/Guitars/My%20Guitars/DSCF0048.jpg

[scolfax]

I know I've said this previously in the thread, but THIS...again! A used Ibanez RG 5XX or 7XX would be well under $1000 and you're sacrificing absolutely nothing. While certainly not the flagships of the brand, these were not considered budget models in their day.

If you buy one of these used, you are sacrificing absolutely nothing. These do not have inferior hardware compared to some "real" Ibanez model...these ARE the real deal. In fact, when it comes to the tremolo, they probably have superior hardware compared to a current Prestige.

If in good condition, these are an absolutely outstanding guitars that are probably completely out of the general GASing public's eye. :)

+1. I have a very early 90's RG760 that I probably couldn't sell for more than $400 (and that would be to an Ibanez fan), but I've played brand-new JS's and Charvel's and it can still totally keep up with them in terms of rock-solid setup and flawless trem.

[NHDave]

what I like better than the Charvel Pro mods... are the Charvel
San Dimas reissues from 04-05.... you can find a pointy single
hum for about $700 if you look hard... if you go up a little you
can find a retro bullseye or some similarly hideous (or cool)
depending on your taste, for under a grand...

I also like Hamer Stevie Steven's for $450-ish a little beat up...

[stoob0t]

Charvel San Dimas. Fantastic guitars! Could look for a used late 1980's Les Paul Custom Lite, a lot of them were fitted with locking trems.

[christhered]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs834.snc4/69471_987522629628_5701475_52447596_197379_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs205.ash2/46822_960043837348_5701475_51704640_3364096_n.jpg

i like shred guitars... used is a good place to start looking. i only have 400 invested in both together, including a refret on the ibanez.

[Mattmc]

I fit in the same box as your friend. I have been out for a long time and got back into playing regularly about 2 years ago. I wanted an 80s metal guitar but I do not have allot of money these days. So I got something I always wanted for under $200.00. I got off of e-bay a 87 Model Series Charvel. Love it!!
But it I had a "G" to drop on a guitar. I would get a new Charvel San Dimas Strat or maybe even the Tele.
I would not mind the Charvel San Dimas Tele myself. Never had a Tele and I am a BIG Slipknot fan these days and think that Jim Root is one of today's most underrated guitar players.

[theruley]

charvel has some nice super-strats.

they come with a floyd rose, hot pickups, and single volume knob...what more do you need?:Devil

[fracs]

I just sold my ESP MII for $600, That was a great guitar for metal. I seen one go on Craigslist recently go for $550

[Hendog]

My favorites are probably the Ibanez RG's.

[Cyg_1963]

Charvel Model series are great bang for the buck.

[Deathmonkey]

I'll add the Godin Red Line series. Great bang for the buck.

[scolfax]

Ibanez has a ton of stuff in that price range. Saw an amazing S model for $700 at GC today.

[diagrammatiks]

those new charvels are cheap and great.

[erikarthur]

the Floyd on those Charvels is a Ping, which is made in Korea. You hear bad things about those, but having played with one, I'm convinced it's just perception. Ping Floyds are becoming more and more common on production guitars. Hell, the Les Paul Axcess even has one.

I have a San Dimas and a SoCal. Love both guitars but the floyds are really crappy. I have a Ping on my Peavey HP Special and it's worlds better than the trem on either of my Charvels.

[Mangy71]

My vote goes to the Charvel So-Cal or San Dimas. I loved the neck on the one I had. The big frets were great, and the floyd seemed to stay in tune fine for me. I think they are a great bang for the buck, and perfect for 80's metal.

[wholetone]

charvel is probably ideal for him.

also plenty of good stuff out there in the Ibanez world at that price.

Schecter at that price - more modern in design though.

really just a ton of options at that price...

I don't get the Schecter lust... I've played several and they don't speak to me as well as a much cheaper Ibanez does...

[tsar nicholas]

I'll add the Godin Red Line series. Great bang for the buck.

+1 on the Redline series. I like the new one with the Floyd and 25.5" scale -- the rest are inexplicably made in Les Paul scale length (but are still sweet-playing planks)

[harry65]

hamer californian , incredible shredders.............;)

[Killcrop]

Charvels are good on paper(the $1000 san dimas ones), but in practice they are kinda crappy. I've owned one. The trem is a cheap asian floyd and the necks are difficult to adjust with the heel mounted truss rod access point. The neck heel is bulky.

Personally, for my money, an Ibanez prestige is a much better built guitar

I agree. I wanted one until I played one in the store. Cheap POS IMO. Bad setup, bad trem, bad fretwork, and felt cheap.

[straycat113]

So many great ones but I would go with the guitar from the main man of that era and would go used and get either an EB Axis or a Peavey Wolfgang in which he could grab a US Special Deluxe for a little under a grand or a Standard with a carve top depending on condition for a little over a grand to a mint model in the mid teens. At least with a guitar like this it will keep its value and only go up if he decides to sell. If he just wants a solid shred machine you cant go wrong with the new Charvels.

[sixesandsevens]

hamer californian , incredible shredders.............;)

The new XT series ones? I think there was an older (now discontinued?) 27-fret USA model too.

[Bobby D]

Suhr Rasmus with a floyd rose is looking pretty good -- i gotta try one of those...

[tbonesullivan]

Hamer Californian, Hamer Centaura, Kramer USA 1984 reissues, Charvel recent reissues, and a bunch of others. BCR MUsic has a used centaura and a recent charvel. both floyded, both with SSH pickups. The Charvel has a 22 fret maple fretboard neck, while the Centaura has a 24 fret rosewood neck.

There's a lot out there, you just need to know where to look. There are a lot of those recent charvel bolt-ons around, in different shapes and configurations. Only downside for some is that they have 22 fret necks.

[silvertone1481]

I'd go with a Flying V....just sayin'.....used, with decent pickups. With the right amp/pickups/maybe pedals, it'll scream.

[HoboMan]

Charvels are good on paper(the $1000 san dimas ones), but in practice they are kinda crappy. I've owned one. The trem is a cheap asian floyd and the necks are difficult to adjust with the heel mounted truss rod access point. The neck heel is bulky.

Personally, for my money, an Ibanez prestige is a much better built guitar

I agree. I wanted one until I played one in the store. Cheap POS IMO. Bad setup, bad trem, bad fretwork, and felt cheap.

I so wanted to like these. I've tried a bunch over a period of time and have yet to try one that I like.
The truss rod adjustment is a joke.

[ef_in_fla]

I wouldn't look at anything new. That kind of dough will buy a really nice 80's period piece....Ibanez, Charvel, Jackson, etc. Go for that retro charm.

[james...]

Charvel so cal or Ibanez prestige.

Quality for price is outrageous.

[toneboy]

kramer pacer imperial re-issue,all usa made.
real FR trem.
one of the best guitars i own.

[Sidmore]

I know I've said this previously in the thread, but THIS...again! A used Ibanez RG 5XX or 7XX would be well under $1000 and you're sacrificing absolutely nothing. While certainly not the flagships of the brand, these were not considered budget models in their day.

If you buy one of these used, you are sacrificing absolutely nothing. These do not have inferior hardware compared to some "real" Ibanez model...these ARE the real deal. In fact, when it comes to the tremolo, they probably have superior hardware compared to a current Prestige.

If in good condition, these are an absolutely outstanding guitars that are probably completely out of the general GASing public's eye. :)

:agree I still have my stock '89 Desert Yellow RG550 that I bought in '91 - fantastic guitar, wish I'd bought two and stashed one...