swood413

hey guys,
im a new member and looking to get my first legit guitar. previously i havent gone over 500 bucks. i got a mexo strat that does the trick just fine, and a schecter flametop series with a seymour-duncan humbucker for heavier stuff. theyre good noodling guitars but im looking for something a bit more serious. maybe SG or les paul? i have a marshall TSL100 and its amazing, but im looking for the best fit. are the 'marshall+gibson=legend' rumors true? i know its not the guitar that makes the player, but theres a large world of axes out there and alot of you really know your stuff, so im looking for some help. any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks!
cheers.
oh, preferably 1-3 grand range regarding price. and i play basically everything but am looking more for the modern rock/crunch/high gain sound.

Adwex

The Marshall + Gibson = Legend is true...depending on the Marshall and the Gibson. If you're looking for a Gibson for high gain type metal, I suggest a Les Paul Classic. They have the thinner neck and high output pickups, and cost less than $2000.

The best bang for the Gibson buck is the '57 Historic Reissue Goldtop Les Paul (that's why I got one). It's made in the Gibson Custom Shop (not the USA production shop), so it's generally higher quality. It's got a fat neck, something you may or may not like. If you don't like the PAF style pickups, you can always swap them out for something beefier.

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swood413

thanx man. im checking those babys out and they look real nice. the 57 reissue is a bit pricey, but looks amazing. what about the Gibson Less Paul Studio model? its less expensive, does that make it less quality? how do the 490R and 498T alnico magnet humbuckers compare to the Classic's 496R ceramic humbucker in the front and a 500T at the bridge?
are there any other guitars i should check out out there?
thanx again for the help.

Adwex

The "Studio" is still a good guitar, made in the USA production shop (not the Custom Shop). The lack of binding helps to reduce the price. I don't have any experience with the 490 and 498 pups, but I tried a Classic with the 500T once, and it is a very hot pickup. I didn't care for it, but it would work for heavy metal.

If your budget is 1-3 grand, you can easily afford a better guitar, go for a Historic.

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swood413

the historic is getting up there price wise, but i definatley see your point. So i guess at this point im trying to decide b/t the classic and standard. ive heard that the new 2007 models can have some issues, but all guitars do. and im also definately going to mess around in guitar shops and play before i buy, but im still looking for the do's and donts of LP shopping.
cheers.

coldsteal2

490 and 498T are great pickups, real close to
original PAF's but a little hotter and more mids on the
bridge pu.
My new studio is the first guitar in 20 years i havent
changed out the pickups on, and i got a box full of Duncan
pu's to choose from

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swood413

cool. so i guess im looking for the final vote. in terms of the hottest pickups for modern/heavy rock along with the tsl 100, should i go for the classic, standard, or studio??

601 Blues

Gezz! guy!! go for what fits you best!!how can anyone tell you what kind of guitar ta GIT!! its like askin me ta try on yer undershorts!! if an axe feels good ta ya and it fits you you will know it

swood413

haha. touche. but thanks guys for the info.

601 Blues

I did'n mean that commint in a bad way, I just over the years, of playin, found that a guitar is a very personal instrument,and what style or brand really makes no difference when it comes to fiting with your personal style, yeah basic knowledege others can supply, but the bottom line is does it work for you!! Look at the old Blues men they made history on cigar box home made guitars, ANYway I hope you find your soul mate

swood413

haha, i didnt take it a bad way. youre totally right. im headin down to guitar center this weekend to check out some new stuff. should be fun.

601 Blues

GREAT!! GOOD LUCK!! when I see a guitar that catches my eye, I try it out ta see how it sounds, I don't pay much attention to the brand name, Cause once I put my hands on it I can feel if its what Iam looking for then when I play it, I can hear if its the tones I want, Then if I think about buyin it, I ask about the return policy and warrenty,and I let them Know That I want to take it and play it where Iam comfortable like at home or the studio,cause you really can't tell much in a music store,there is so much going on around you, I make sure I speak with some one that is in control,and ask them if they would have a problem if I returned this guitar with in 24 hrs,returning my full cost,one time I returned one and they would only give me an instore credit,cause as far as they was concerned the guitar had no visable problems!!MY 2 cents!!I have found that in todays market, The cost of a guitar does not reflect the quailty!!at all there is some fine quailty and playing guitars out there for less than a grand! so its not what you pay, that counts ,its how it plays,

steelhorse

Gibson + Marshall is awesome. Check out the new standard 2008's and standard +. They're running around 2600 give or take. Also if you like a good but faster neck the classics are awesome and there are many new and used on ebay for decent prices.

I got mine from Guitar Center fwiw. I ordered mine about a month ago when it was almost 400 cheaper but I understand prices have jumped since for the new 2008's but imo they're well worth it.

I also recently got a TSL100. The goldtop is the 2008 standard leaning against my DSL100. The flametop is a classic from 92.

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poeman33

I wouldn't quite rule out Fender yet either...try a Deluxe Strat HSS. With the Humbucker in the bridge, SCN pickups for the middle and neck, and S-1 switching, you'll have a much wider array of tones than you have now, and if you like Strats...you will love a deluxe. Of course if you want something completely different, a LP is the way to go.

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