Guitar buying decisions: Got it down to 3

[Goo Fighters]

I'm going from an Ibanez JS 1200 Satriani model that I've owned since 2005 to a new, more toneful and warmer guitar. I've got it pared down to 3:

Used 2008 Gibson Les Paul Standard (sunburst? looks like Jimmy Page's Les Paul)

New Suhr Pro series S?...It's 'Mercedes Blue' with a rosewood fretboard.

Used Eric Johnson Stratocaster, haven't decided on the colour I want yet.


I know I know..play them and pick the one I like best, but I'd like to get some preliminary opinions before I do. I tried the Les Paul today and was pleasantly surprised. The other Les Pauls I've tried in the past I've put back on the wall after a couple minutes. This one, however, was actually really light in comparison, and just as comfortable as the Ibanez to play. Had a very balanced, resonant tone acoustically. That's the acid test for me...If it doesn't sound good unplugged, they won't sound good plugged in IMO. I have owned an SRV Strat before, so I'm fine with the large neck size as it and the EJ Strat both have a 12" radius I believe. Suhr is the only brand Im totally unfamiliar with, but for under 2 grand for a Suhr Pro, it seems like a hell of a deal based on all the good things I've heard about them. Anyways, I need something pretty diverse that can cover a lot of styles excluding country, metal, nu metal crap, emo etc.

 

[benjammin420]

whats the price on the les paul? are you going to keep the ibanez or replace?

 

[Goo Fighters]

whats the price on the les paul? are you going to keep the ibanez or replace?

Well, right now the Les Paul I tried is about $2200 CAD. They may be discounting it more with their March Madness sale, but they are bringing in a boatload of scratch n' dent and B-stock guitars for the sale with massive discounts, so if the particular one I tried isn't cheaper, there's a good chance there could be a significantly cheaper B-stock or s&d LP Standard that I could afford if and when I sell my JS. I have a couple prospective buyers in the US right now who are fine with the $1350 USD price (It's upgraded and signed etc...), so that should give me roughly $1700 CAD to spend on a new axe.

 

[benjammin420]

thats a hard pick between the strat and the lp, the ibanez is somewhere in the middle. EJs are nice playing and sounding guitars, but not as dark and sharp as a LP. Strats are more tonally diverse than gibson, and less money.

 

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Nothing screams out rock and roll better than a Gibson Les Paul!! :BEER

I only owned one guitar for the first 12 years of playing and it was a Les Paul Custom! Great guitar.