How good a guitar do I need?

[Heavy Metal]

Hi HM!
I see you have already made it.

Dave (aka ecc83)

Hi again Dave

[Heavy Metal]

Thanks Chet, CS70, blinddrew, shufflebeat, Dynamic Mike and anyone I might have missed

Very helpful

[Music Wolf]

Taking your budget into account I would suggest that you take a look at PRS (Paul Reed Sith) guitars.

The PRS line up is split into the entry level SE range (Student Edition), which are made in the Far East, then moves up through the S2 line to the Core (both of which are made in the USA). The CE range is in there just to confuse matters.

PRS have their detractors as they don't have the long heritage of Fender or Gibson and they can be seen as 'blingy' (also people refer to them as 'Dentists' guitars). The fact is that, at any price point, they are exceptionally well made.

The SE range start at just below £500 (I've got a couple along with an S2 and a Core) and I can thoroughly recommend them for any style of music.

[muzines]

(also people refer to them as 'Dentists' guitars).

[zenguitar]

(also people refer to them as 'Dentists' guitars).

I expect they have good bridges.

Andy

[SecretSam]

Taking your budget into account I would suggest that you take a look at PRS (Paul Reed Sith) guitars.

Particularly if you want to sound Dark.

[muzines]

Particularly if you want to sound Dark.

"Your power-chords are weak, old man..."

[Humble Bee]

For metal rhythm I would go for something like an Ibanez with a fixed bridge. I would go for the longer scale Length (25,5 inch) as it’s better when you want to tune it down a step or two. And as said before there are great bargains second hand if you look around.

[Heavy Metal]

Thanks all

[SecretSam]

Particularly if you want to sound Dark.

"Your power-chords are weak, old man..."

How did you know?

My altered dominants are still OK, but only if I take plenty of vitamin E.

[zenguitar]

And having completed the basic level guitar course, you can now move to the intermediate level guitar course...

How many guitars do I need?

Andy

[Music Wolf]

How many guitars do I need?

Which can expressed by the formula;

Number required = Number I already have + n

where n is +ve and ≠ 0

[ManFromGlass]

How many guitars do I need?

Which can expressed by the formula;

Number required = Number I already have + n

where n is +ve and ≠ 0

Need? Don’t even think that way - they are all needed!

[Moroccomoose]

If you are not afraid to get stuck in, a book or a bit of research on how to set up a guitar will take a cheap playable guitar to being a really nice instrument, enjoyable to play. I have a book 'Guitar Player Repair Guide' by Dan Erlewine and it walks through the steps of a setup. It made a night to day difference to my cheap guitars and not too difficult with some basic tools.

Stu.

[al_diablo]

I'm not sure I've seen any mention of Schecter or ESP (in particular their LTD line which is within budget). Both are quite targeted towards the metal market.

Also, what particular flavour of metal are you after? Any bands you are particularly fond of? Scale length, bridge and pickup choices, preferred tuning and string gauge will all play more or less of a part depending on the style you are after.

There are heavy bands playing strats and jazzmasters with single coil pickups after all

[al_diablo]

Oh I completely forgot the most important thing, it has to be black to be a proper metal guitar, obviously

[Sam Spoons]

How many guitars do I need?

Which can expressed by the formula;

Number required = Number I already have + n

where n is +ve and ≠ 0

Or, if married* D-1 where D = the minimum value of N that would result in divorce proceedings being initiated.

* Other types of long term relationship are available.

[Heavy Metal]

I'm not sure I've seen any mention of Schecter or ESP (in particular their LTD line which is within budget). Both are quite targeted towards the metal market.

Also, what particular flavour of metal are you after? Any bands you are particularly fond of? Scale length, bridge and pickup choices, preferred tuning and string gauge will all play more or less of a part depending on the style you are after.

There are heavy bands playing strats and jazzmasters with single coil pickups after all

Thanks al diablo

There's not really a band or sound I want to emulate. I'm coming round to the idea of just working with what I have and improving where necessary. I've just received my Focusrite so going to see what kind of sounds I can produce.

Thanks again

[Heavy Metal]

If you are not afraid to get stuck in, a book or a bit of research on how to set up a guitar will take a cheap playable guitar to being a really nice instrument, enjoyable to play. I have a book 'Guitar Player Repair Guide' by Dan Erlewine and it walks through the steps of a setup. It made a night to day difference to my cheap guitars and not too difficult with some basic tools.

Stu.

Thanks

[al_diablo]

I'm not sure I've seen any mention of Schecter or ESP (in particular their LTD line which is within budget). Both are quite targeted towards the metal market.

Also, what particular flavour of metal are you after? Any bands you are particularly fond of? Scale length, bridge and pickup choices, preferred tuning and string gauge will all play more or less of a part depending on the style you are after.

There are heavy bands playing strats and jazzmasters with single coil pickups after all

Thanks al diablo

There's not really a band or sound I want to emulate. I'm coming round to the idea of just working with what I have and improving where necessary. I've just received my Focusrite so going to see what kind of sounds I can produce.

Thanks again

Sounds like a good plan

I would echo the sentiment that learning to set the guitar up to suit your playing style and the music you want to play will make a huge difference, or getting a relatively inexpensive setup done by a pro.

One caveat is that you may want to think about high output humbuckers for high gain stuff, but you could save a load of money and just swap pickups or parts if you like the way your instrument plays.

After 20 years of guitar playing I've realised the thing that holds me back most is always my technique, the gear is definitely not the main issue

Alex

[Heavy Metal]

I'm not sure I've seen any mention of Schecter or ESP (in particular their LTD line which is within budget). Both are quite targeted towards the metal market.

Also, what particular flavour of metal are you after? Any bands you are particularly fond of? Scale length, bridge and pickup choices, preferred tuning and string gauge will all play more or less of a part depending on the style you are after.

There are heavy bands playing strats and jazzmasters with single coil pickups after all

Thanks al diablo

There's not really a band or sound I want to emulate. I'm coming round to the idea of just working with what I have and improving where necessary. I've just received my Focusrite so going to see what kind of sounds I can produce.

Thanks again

Sounds like a good plan

I would echo the sentiment that learning to set the guitar up to suit your playing style and the music you want to play will make a huge difference, or getting a relatively inexpensive setup done by a pro.

One caveat is that you may want to think about high output humbuckers for high gain stuff, but you could save a load of money and just swap pickups or parts if you like the way your instrument plays.

After 20 years of guitar playing I've realised the thing that holds me back most is always my technique, the gear is definitely not the main issue

Alex

Thanks for your help brother