I feel sheepish about it, but I've gone through probably 20+ guitars in 40yrs+ time, and my favorite of all of those has been a basic model Yamaha Pacifica. No matter what I try I keep going back to it. I think it's the feel of the neck along with sound.
@@TrainOfDarkness I hear you. I've had some guitars that are cool and do their own thing that I really like - I remember a vintage Univox Hi-Flier that was very vibey and did one thing really well, and an old Vantage (old Japanese brand) that had some of the coolest sounding pickups I'd ever heard, but in the end a guitar like a Pacifica that does most of the sounds (HSS) really works best for me and what I play. I keep trying other stuff, but after a while the others just just end up not getting played much and ended up getting sold when I needed to go minimilist before a move. I just bought my first new guitar in probably 10yrs a few months back (prs starla) and realize I'm just spending time setting it up and getting used to it and it's mainly taken my away from songwriting time. It's hard to learn to just be happy with what I have. For sure it's cool though to hear all the new sounds a different guitar can give.
Learning what you like and don't like is paramount. And chances are, whatever you started out on, or whatever guitar initially drew you in, is the style you'll prefer for the rest of your life.
I agree with you brother. I’ve spend 6k-8k on a few guitars some custom built and some custom shop, but in the end I feel my best on a relatively inexpensive bolt on hss strat of some kind with a quality neck that feels good in my hands. Anything between $800 to $1500 gets you the quality needed to play your best in most cases. Once you finally stop chasing gear and refocus on playing again things get much better. Information overload combined with the now endless choices we have make playing guitar more challenging in my opinion.
Great video and really tough topic. One thing I have learned, for me anyway, its all about feel. I'm a product of the 80's music. Everyone told me, go Ibanez. I have owned 4 different Ibanez axes, I have only one now because it is pretty. I own a PRS SE, it plays nice, and feels good. I've tried Charvel's, Washburn and Gibson's. For me though, I always go back to Jackson's. They feel the best in my hand and to my ear. I do want to try a Cort though. Again thanks
That's the smart attitude. Buy what suits your purpose, not what your ego or dream thinks you need. Example......i bought a used HD500X in 2015 for $500. Great piece of gear, but what I noticed is that I'm not a tone-tweaker, and I was using about 10% of it's capacity. I recently bought a NUX MG300 and was blown away by the improvement in modelling, especially the rectifier model. I paid $140 CDN for it. No, it isn't the same as the HD500X when you look at the materials used, the inputs and outputs, flexibility of fx, and general ruggedness, but for me in my apartment, it's the sh*t. Same thing with higher-end guitars...I picked up a used Yamaha RGX620DZ for $360 in near-mint shape, with a lever-lock nut, 1.5 mm action after I set it up, no fret buzz, amazing floating trem, and it plays like a $1000 Ibanez, and it is one of those 'pry it out of my cold, dead, hands, instruments.
@@TrainOfDarkness I also have an 'Aiersi' Tele copy that's mint. Picked it up used from a guy for $125!!! After I levelled the frets which he had obviously tried to do with something like a 'flat-bas**rd' file, set the action and intonation, restrung etc, I honestly have no issues picking it up and barely even have to tune it up after it's been sitting for a week unless my apartment has some major temperature change. Cheap guitars are a riot with a little knowledge and a couple of tools.
as long as the neck is thin and the action is set low, with functional pickups is all i need, i have the Jackson js22 7 string dinky, that cost me 229 pounds sterling (UK currency) i lowered the action, intonated it and sorted a few slightly high frets and it is perfect for me, i used to own a schecter diamond series omen 7 when was younger, and the jackson plays very similar now i have set it up, all it cost was my time so yeah, boutique guitars are not on my radar
I love metal so I choose my cort, harley benton, yamaha, ibanez and my affordable/under $ 300 guitars. my sweetspot is thin neck, humbucker, good looking, affordable guitars made in Indonesia.
I learned to do setups including nuts, fret level, crown and polish and that made everything clear to me. A great setup and some decent pickups is what’s required. The only reason I’d spend more than $500 is if the design I wanted wasn’t available for less. I’d like a Sterling Majesty, for instance. The better ones have stainless frets and nicer pickups so maybe I’ll spend more for that.
I agree to a certain extent, however I recently picked up an Ibanez prestige Rg (i got a ridiculous deal on it used I probably wouldn't have bought it new) and the neck feels unreal compared to the Premium Rg that I have as well as a cheaper "entry level" Rga that I have. The prestige retails for about 1,600 usd which in my opinion is worth the playability/feel, not to mention it almost never goes out of tune compared to my other Ibanez models. Granted this is just one guy's opinion, but after owning a prestige it makes me never want to go back to anything other than a prestige
Great video and lesson to all of us who think with eyes over ears. Ive owned dozens of guitars over the past 10 years, and still couldnt figure out what I gel with the most… I will say the thin neck/radius is my go-to now, so always dreamed of a EBMM JP model. Made it happen and it is top notch. Never cared for Ibanez though, until recently getting a MIJ 7 string and now I understand the hype. Ibanez has very similar profiles to the JP line and finally ended the battle of throwing gear around. Stick with what you know!
I feel you on the neck thing! I always think I've found the favorite shape then I'll try something new and be like "well hellooo" I've stopped trying to find the perfect thing and take a more general approach. Comparison is the thief of joy as they say 😅
Your right. For me, I went through 30 different guitars over the past 3 years. Everytime, I ended back up to Gibson and finally Gibson Custom Shop. I don't own anything but Gibson Custom Shop now. It's just what fits me. I love the feel, the sound, all of it. On the other hand, I sold a PRS S2 McCarty 594 I loved for a PRS Core McCarty 594. I hated the Core and the S2 is only guitar that I regret selling.
@@TheDistortionPrinciple this one was special. I put 550k pots and PRS Core 57/08 pups. Beyond that it was the only PRS i ever played that did “the thing”
@@IndyRockStar nice! I have dimarzio super d and super 2 in mine. Do you know if the core locking tuners are a direct fit? I dont really like the ones on my S2
AJ -- When you record the video put the background music track in your ear and see how hard it is to talk (and hear yourself). If you find this annoying, imagine us, your listeners who are trying to receive what you are saying. Try it!
It’s just about prestige. Pretty much any guitar can be made to play as good as any other. And pickup design for the most part hasn’t changed in 50 odd years. There’s only so much you can improve upon to make a guitars worth go though the roof and it’s usually some gimmick with the finish or materials. You would expect a better attention to detail in a high end guitar. But competition is so fierce now that even the cheapest guitars have to reach a certain level to compete. Cnc machines have made it so much easier for big companies that their prices should be coming down. But of course that’s not how it works. The high end guitars are made on the same machines as the intro level guitars. They don’t make guitars by hand anymore. It’s mostly finishes, timber mojo and marketing that differentiate the models. Not playability or tone. Modern guitars are mostly complete clones. I think that guitarists should make their own equipment so that everyone is completely original in sound and look and the player has a deep connection with the instrument etc.
Super feel this! Didn't even think about making my own guitars lol feel like it'd be a lot of years before getting anything playable. I have thought about building a 1 string 2x4 type thing for fun
@@TrainOfDarkness yea. But if it was a thing. You would start making instruments as soon as you became interested as a child and by the time you were accomplished as a musician you would be one hell of a guitar maker too. Being a musician is also about being a consumer. In medieval times an archer was expected to make their own equipment. Modern man is pretty useless to be fair. And modern guitar makers don’t really make musical instruments either. They’re just machines really. Just my take on it. Originality is everything in music. Brian May had the right idea. Lol
Tbh, same thing here. I recently ordered a custom shop headless. And it wasn't that great. Somehow it got a twisted neck in the 3 months and now manufacturer repairs it. Overall, 500$ Ibanez does job just fine. Also I find the process of upgrading your guitar a good bonding experience with instrument. And that what makes it more yours than any custom order
I 100% agree. I have 6 guitars at the moment (currently selling my Kramer Pacer Classic) an Epiphone MKH Les Paul Custom, a Jackson DKY JS32, a Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct Bold Custom, the Kramer I mentioned earlier, a Donner Telecaster copy and an acoustic. Out of all them, I tend to gravitate towards the Michael Kelly($800)and Jackson($250 used) most days. I can’t see spending $3,000 on a Les Paul just because it has “Gibson” or “Fender” on it. If it doesn’t have the features I need, I don’t care. I’m going to build my own. That way, I’ll get everything I want and nothing I don’t need.
i only have 2 guitars, i have a 7 string sterling, and a 6 string ibanez ART-300. but i used to have a lot more. i had a schecter hellraiser and a 87 epiphone explorer, a fender tele, and more. and while i agree, you don't need to have one of everything, owning a guitar that had a different sound, or feel, or different features did inspire me to pick up my guitar and play it more just because there was a fun technique or sound i was chasing.
I have my Schecter Hellraiser for years now. Somtimes i look for new guitars just for fut but im not buying anything. Still tottaly happy with the Schechter.
My pinacle guitar is somewhre between an LTD EC1000 and an Ibanez Prestige. No more no less. I really find it hard spending more than 1500 $ on a guitar and if I do spend that much it has to be really something I want. I would never pay more.
@@TrainOfDarkness Yeah but even less expensive guitars are great. My last purchase was an Ibanez IC420. It's a guitar i will never sell because it's a jammer. Love it to bits. Thinking to get another one in a different finish.
I have two guitars that I enjoy playing a lot. One is a FGN Boundary Iliad GHH, a Made In Japan Tele style guitar, built by Fujigen (where all the Prestige Ibanez guitars are built). Was around 500 bucks and after I swapped the pickups for something a bit hotter it's a great plaiyng and sounding instrument. The other one is my beloved Dunable Cyclops DE. It has the most comfetable neck profile (a little bit like the Esp guitars used to have in the mid to late 2000s) and it fells and sounds pretty much perfect. I got the guitar because I walked into a guitar store, with no intention of getting a new guitar. I tried one of these Dunables out, because I've never seen one in the WU and immediatly fell in love. Was the best playing guitar in that store, only downside was that it was a black guitar, and I don't like black guitars. So I ordered a tobacco sunburst Cyclopse, had to wait 3 Months until it was shipped to my guitar store and since I picked it up, it's my main guitar. Highly recommend trying one out!
Fender player series strat MIM roasted maple with CS Fat 50's PUPs. Cost me 960$ from Fender website. Putting a TB11 and locking tuners/ I am good. USED MIM Hendrix strats are very good options too.
I'm just learning guitar atm(~2 years playing), and have prestige Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPB, Esp LTD H1001 QM and shecter banshee mach 6 fob and I like them all for different reasons. Prestige has the best neck for my small hands(and looks fantastic), LTD neck and fretboard is fantastic, playability is just great, and schecter I bought mostly because of the 700 euro discount brand new from the shop just as investment(even used I can sell it and make a profit 😅), but the sound of lungren m6's is the best out of 3 to my liking. I also have HB Fusion 3 HSS that's discontinued that I bought just to practice once I moved to a new country(left my previous guitars sadly at home), but don't play it as guitars with tremolo are not my type atm. I have limit for a guitar to 1500, and If I buy something for 2-2.5k that it's only for custom shop stuff(Kiesel/Balaguer)
If you in take care of those guitars, you should still have them 20 years from now, and if you stay playing, you'll need a refret or two on your favourite without a doubt.
I feel sheepish about it, but I've gone through probably 20+ guitars in 40yrs+ time, and my favorite of all of those has been a basic model Yamaha Pacifica. No matter what I try I keep going back to it. I think it's the feel of the neck along with sound.
I love that haha experimentation can be so fun but my $200 BC Rich is the one that sticks around. The right thing is the right thing 🙂
@@TrainOfDarkness I hear you. I've had some guitars that are cool and do their own thing that I really like - I remember a vintage Univox Hi-Flier that was very vibey and did one thing really well, and an old Vantage (old Japanese brand) that had some of the coolest sounding pickups I'd ever heard, but in the end a guitar like a Pacifica that does most of the sounds (HSS) really works best for me and what I play. I keep trying other stuff, but after a while the others just just end up not getting played much and ended up getting sold when I needed to go minimilist before a move. I just bought my first new guitar in probably 10yrs a few months back (prs starla) and realize I'm just spending time setting it up and getting used to it and it's mainly taken my away from songwriting time. It's hard to learn to just be happy with what I have. For sure it's cool though to hear all the new sounds a different guitar can give.
Learning what you like and don't like is paramount. And chances are, whatever you started out on, or whatever guitar initially drew you in, is the style you'll prefer for the rest of your life.
NAMM 24, First Booth I visited “IBANEZ” 🤟😎
The Ibanez booth was indeed sick 😁
I agree with you brother. I’ve spend 6k-8k on a few guitars some custom built and some custom shop, but in the end I feel my best on a relatively inexpensive bolt on hss strat of some kind with a quality neck that feels good in my hands. Anything between $800 to $1500 gets you the quality needed to play your best in most cases. Once you finally stop chasing gear and refocus on playing again things get much better. Information overload combined with the now endless choices we have make playing guitar more challenging in my opinion.
Yeah the info overload is real it's so easy to get caught up in the spec marketing
Great video and really tough topic. One thing I have learned, for me anyway, its all about feel. I'm a product of the 80's music. Everyone told me, go Ibanez. I have owned 4 different Ibanez axes, I have only one now because it is pretty. I own a PRS SE, it plays nice, and feels good. I've tried Charvel's, Washburn and Gibson's. For me though, I always go back to Jackson's. They feel the best in my hand and to my ear. I do want to try a Cort though. Again thanks
Glad you liked the video! I also want to try a cort and haven't had the chance 😅
That's the smart attitude. Buy what suits your purpose, not what your ego or dream thinks you need.
Example......i bought a used HD500X in 2015 for $500. Great piece of gear, but what I noticed is that I'm not a tone-tweaker, and I was using about 10% of it's capacity. I recently bought a NUX MG300 and was blown away by the improvement in modelling, especially the rectifier model. I paid $140 CDN for it. No, it isn't the same as the HD500X when you look at the materials used, the inputs and outputs, flexibility of fx, and general ruggedness, but for me in my apartment, it's the sh*t.
Same thing with higher-end guitars...I picked up a used Yamaha RGX620DZ for $360 in near-mint shape, with a lever-lock nut, 1.5 mm action after I set it up, no fret buzz, amazing floating trem, and it plays like a $1000 Ibanez, and it is one of those 'pry it out of my cold, dead, hands, instruments.
Love that! I've always had fun with more affordable modelers because it really has you working within smaller parameters and it can be a lot of fun!
@@TrainOfDarkness I also have an 'Aiersi' Tele copy that's mint. Picked it up used from a guy for $125!!! After I levelled the frets which he had obviously tried to do with something like a 'flat-bas**rd' file, set the action and intonation, restrung etc, I honestly have no issues picking it up and barely even have to tune it up after it's been sitting for a week unless my apartment has some major temperature change.
Cheap guitars are a riot with a little knowledge and a couple of tools.
I love my Kiesel (Carvin Labeled) Jason Becker JB200C model. The quality and play ability is super awesome! Best guitar I've played so far.
as long as the neck is thin and the action is set low, with functional pickups is all i need, i have the Jackson js22 7 string dinky, that cost me 229 pounds sterling (UK currency) i lowered the action, intonated it and sorted a few slightly high frets and it is perfect for me, i used to own a schecter diamond series omen 7 when was younger, and the jackson plays very similar now i have set it up, all it cost was my time so yeah, boutique guitars are not on my radar
The JS22-7 is such a great guitar, every one Ive picked up has been awesome
I love metal so I choose my cort, harley benton, yamaha, ibanez and my affordable/under $ 300 guitars. my sweetspot is thin neck, humbucker, good looking, affordable guitars made in Indonesia.
Made 🇮🇩 Indonesia 🤟😎
I learned to do setups including nuts, fret level, crown and polish and that made everything clear to me. A great setup and some decent pickups is what’s required. The only reason I’d spend more than $500 is if the design I wanted wasn’t available for less. I’d like a Sterling Majesty, for instance. The better ones have stainless frets and nicer pickups so maybe I’ll spend more for that.
Yeah a good setup and nice pups will do the heavy lifting 💪
I agree to a certain extent, however I recently picked up an Ibanez prestige Rg (i got a ridiculous deal on it used I probably wouldn't have bought it new) and the neck feels unreal compared to the Premium Rg that I have as well as a cheaper "entry level" Rga that I have. The prestige retails for about 1,600 usd which in my opinion is worth the playability/feel, not to mention it almost never goes out of tune compared to my other Ibanez models. Granted this is just one guy's opinion, but after owning a prestige it makes me never want to go back to anything other than a prestige
Great video and lesson to all of us who think with eyes over ears. Ive owned dozens of guitars over the past 10 years, and still couldnt figure out what I gel with the most… I will say the thin neck/radius is my go-to now, so always dreamed of a EBMM JP model. Made it happen and it is top notch. Never cared for Ibanez though, until recently getting a MIJ 7 string and now I understand the hype. Ibanez has very similar profiles to the JP line and finally ended the battle of throwing gear around. Stick with what you know!
I feel you on the neck thing! I always think I've found the favorite shape then I'll try something new and be like "well hellooo"
I've stopped trying to find the perfect thing and take a more general approach. Comparison is the thief of joy as they say 😅
Get a custom guitar you can grow with. Maybe one backup or two if in a band. And that’s it. You’ll be so much happier and can save $$
Your right. For me, I went through 30 different guitars over the past 3 years. Everytime, I ended back up to Gibson and finally Gibson Custom Shop. I don't own anything but Gibson Custom Shop now. It's just what fits me. I love the feel, the sound, all of it. On the other hand, I sold a PRS S2 McCarty 594 I loved for a PRS Core McCarty 594. I hated the Core and the S2 is only guitar that I regret selling.
Glad you found your guitar home 🏡🏡
@@TrainOfDarknessSell ya my S2 lol
@@TheDistortionPrinciple this one was special. I put 550k pots and PRS Core 57/08 pups. Beyond that it was the only PRS i ever played that did “the thing”
@@IndyRockStar nice! I have dimarzio super d and super 2 in mine. Do you know if the core locking tuners are a direct fit? I dont really like the ones on my S2
AJ -- When you record the video put the background music track in your ear and see how hard it is to talk (and hear yourself). If you find this annoying, imagine us, your listeners who are trying to receive what you are saying. Try it!
It’s just about prestige. Pretty much any guitar can be made to play as good as any other. And pickup design for the most part hasn’t changed in 50 odd years. There’s only so much you can improve upon to make a guitars worth go though the roof and it’s usually some gimmick with the finish or materials. You would expect a better attention to detail in a high end guitar. But competition is so fierce now that even the cheapest guitars have to reach a certain level to compete. Cnc machines have made it so much easier for big companies that their prices should be coming down. But of course that’s not how it works. The high end guitars are made on the same machines as the intro level guitars. They don’t make guitars by hand anymore. It’s mostly finishes, timber mojo and marketing that differentiate the models. Not playability or tone. Modern guitars are mostly complete clones. I think that guitarists should make their own equipment so that everyone is completely original in sound and look and the player has a deep connection with the instrument etc.
Super feel this! Didn't even think about making my own guitars lol feel like it'd be a lot of years before getting anything playable. I have thought about building a 1 string 2x4 type thing for fun
@@TrainOfDarkness yea. But if it was a thing. You would start making instruments as soon as you became interested as a child and by the time you were accomplished as a musician you would be one hell of a guitar maker too. Being a musician is also about being a consumer. In medieval times an archer was expected to make their own equipment. Modern man is pretty useless to be fair. And modern guitar makers don’t really make musical instruments either. They’re just machines really. Just my take on it. Originality is everything in music. Brian May had the right idea. Lol
I like your guitar, i clicked on video because of it. :)
It's definitely the most visually stunning one I've got 🙌
Tbh, same thing here. I recently ordered a custom shop headless. And it wasn't that great. Somehow it got a twisted neck in the 3 months and now manufacturer repairs it. Overall, 500$ Ibanez does job just fine. Also I find the process of upgrading your guitar a good bonding experience with instrument. And that what makes it more yours than any custom order
I 100% agree. I have 6 guitars at the moment (currently selling my Kramer Pacer Classic) an Epiphone MKH Les Paul Custom, a Jackson DKY JS32, a Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct Bold Custom, the Kramer I mentioned earlier, a Donner Telecaster copy and an acoustic. Out of all them, I tend to gravitate towards the Michael Kelly($800)and Jackson($250 used) most days. I can’t see spending $3,000 on a Les Paul just because it has “Gibson” or “Fender” on it. If it doesn’t have the features I need, I don’t care. I’m going to build my own. That way, I’ll get everything I want and nothing I don’t need.
What do you think about strandberg guitar necks?
I've only played a few but I think they're cool! I wouldn't say it's my favorite over a standard thin C but once you get used to it it's comfortable.
i only have 2 guitars, i have a 7 string sterling, and a 6 string ibanez ART-300. but i used to have a lot more. i had a schecter hellraiser and a 87 epiphone explorer, a fender tele, and more. and while i agree, you don't need to have one of everything, owning a guitar that had a different sound, or feel, or different features did inspire me to pick up my guitar and play it more just because there was a fun technique or sound i was chasing.
Totally valid! Some guitars just have a special thing. Definitely have some of those myself too 🙂
I have my Schecter Hellraiser for years now. Somtimes i look for new guitars just for fut but im not buying anything. Still tottaly happy with the Schechter.
Love to hear that! I'm a huge schecter fanboy 😂
I do agree with you, I have a bunch of Guitars but tend to pick up two or three of them over and over. I do like collecting them though
My pinacle guitar is somewhre between an LTD EC1000 and an Ibanez Prestige. No more no less. I really find it hard spending more than 1500 $ on a guitar and if I do spend that much it has to be really something I want. I would never pay more.
Makes total sense! I honestly struggle to spend more than $1000 most of the time, but someday I'll pony up for my pinnacle guitars 🙂
@@TrainOfDarkness Yeah but even less expensive guitars are great. My last purchase was an Ibanez IC420. It's a guitar i will never sell because it's a jammer. Love it to bits. Thinking to get another one in a different finish.
I have two guitars that I enjoy playing a lot.
One is a FGN Boundary Iliad GHH, a Made In Japan Tele style guitar, built by Fujigen (where all the Prestige Ibanez guitars are built). Was around 500 bucks and after I swapped the pickups for something a bit hotter it's a great plaiyng and sounding instrument.
The other one is my beloved Dunable Cyclops DE. It has the most comfetable neck profile (a little bit like the Esp guitars used to have in the mid to late 2000s) and it fells and sounds pretty much perfect. I got the guitar because I walked into a guitar store, with no intention of getting a new guitar. I tried one of these Dunables out, because I've never seen one in the WU and immediatly fell in love. Was the best playing guitar in that store, only downside was that it was a black guitar, and I don't like black guitars. So I ordered a tobacco sunburst Cyclopse, had to wait 3 Months until it was shipped to my guitar store and since I picked it up, it's my main guitar. Highly recommend trying one out!
Fender player series strat MIM roasted maple with CS Fat 50's PUPs. Cost me 960$ from Fender website. Putting a TB11 and locking tuners/ I am good. USED MIM Hendrix strats are very good options too.
Currently 1200 € is the sweet spot, because i want a seven string ibanez quest so bad xD
I'm just learning guitar atm(~2 years playing), and have prestige Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPB, Esp LTD H1001 QM and shecter banshee mach 6 fob and I like them all for different reasons. Prestige has the best neck for my small hands(and looks fantastic), LTD neck and fretboard is fantastic, playability is just great, and schecter I bought mostly because of the 700 euro discount brand new from the shop just as investment(even used I can sell it and make a profit 😅), but the sound of lungren m6's is the best out of 3 to my liking. I also have HB Fusion 3 HSS that's discontinued that I bought just to practice once I moved to a new country(left my previous guitars sadly at home), but don't play it as guitars with tremolo are not my type atm. I have limit for a guitar to 1500, and If I buy something for 2-2.5k that it's only for custom shop stuff(Kiesel/Balaguer)
If you in take care of those guitars, you should still have them 20 years from now, and if you stay playing, you'll need a refret or two on your favourite without a doubt.