Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

[kherman]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

In regards to the Ravelle Deluxe vs Elite.
Only difference is the Elite has the sustainer in the neck position.
The Deluxe has the Duncan Jazz.
Basically you have to figure out how much you would actually use the sustainer system.
Would you use it all the time as an integeral part of your playing.
Or would it just be a novalty item once in a while .
If just novalty, I suggest the Deluxe with the Duncan Jazz.
The Jazz/JB combo in the Ravelle is an excellent combo.

Kent

 

[BoomBoomChild]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

Before you decide, I'd check out Carvin. With them you can easily get away with all the little switches and little custom features like abalone dot inlays, standard ebony fret boards, set necks on some and neck-through or bolt-on for most, other little things like reverse headstock, locking tuners, Wilkinson tremolos (or original Floyds if you like this type of bridge), many colors and woods to chose from and mix and match neck wood and body wood - pretty much everything you want and more than you probably need and with a case and shipping for about a grand or less. The only thing is you can't get Duncans with the Carvins, but their pickups really aren’t that bad and you can always swap them out. Takes a couple of weeks to get a Carvin, as they have to build to suit, unless you find something acceptable among the guitars they have in current stock. Carvin.com

Actually, my first recommendation would be Warmoth as well, but unless you could assemble the guitar parts and do all the fretwork and electrical work yourself, it’s gonna be more than a grand – but ultimately what you would have is a guitar that is perfectly dialed in for you.

Yamaha used to have some really cool guitars, like the Pacificas (the higher end models) and the Weddingtons. Yamaha is a good company for guitars and basses.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

If possible, always buy American. I relate it to cars....if you want one of the best cars in the world, you buy German. Mercedes & BMW to be specific. If you want one of the best guitars in the world...people are always talking about guitars made in the USA.

Also not on you list, and I can't remember if someone mentioned it....Les Paul Studio. You'de have to buy used, but you can get one in your price range.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

Well, I went to the shops yesterday and looked at some Schecters and Ibanez SZ guitars (and some hollowbody ones form Ibanez that look like a pRS hollowbody?)

All nice guitars for the dough, but the Schecters I saw yesterday had all the same probs as anyone else, which surprised me as most I've seen have been really nice???...nuts cut/installed a little funny, sharp fret ends,globs of finish around the neck joint etc. The Ibanez' were actually a bit nicer for QC. That said, I'm not a stickler for perfection in cosmetics if the tone is there especially on a $600 guitar. I thought the sustain was kinda poor on all of them considering the body mass..pups prolly will help there.

Nicest guitars I saw yesterday for the $ were an Epi Elite SG (japanese), Korean PRS, and a black Firebird Studio. I think they have some special guy who works on the FB studios, cos every one I've ever picked up has been a KILLER axe for the $ :laugh2:

 

[telestratman]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

As the posts show, there are a ton og quality guitars in the 500 - 1000 range! What about a good ole American Strat or Tele.......

 

[JeffB]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

As the posts show, there are a ton og quality guitars in the 500 - 1000 range! What about a good ole American Strat or Tele.......

I believe the original poster said he was looking for set/glue in neck mahogany bodied guitar. But you are right...Hwy1s and standard MIA strats/teles are nice axes for the $.

 

[smauk43]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

The Ibanez SZ 320 I have won out over even higher dollar Schechters. Nothing against Schechters, they were nice, but the Ibanez just played better IMO. It is not the shredders JEM or RG's however, so depends on what you want to play. I found nothing wrong with the LTD's either. The 400 level LTD you are talking about, I have played, a lot. Don't let the LTD fool you, I found the 50-200 level LTD"s a bit lacking, but the 3-400 series are about as good for the money as I found. one I played easily beat out a Studio Les Paul in workmanship. Yeah that's only one vs. one, but you get the picture. I think the LTD's and Schechters are built side by side in the same plant?

 

[schecterplayer]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

you just described a schechter man

So true, This is the complete description of the Schecter Blackjack series. I would reccomend 006 BlackJack as that is what I own but the others in the series are sweet also. Solid Mahogany w/set neck, TonePros Bridge, grover tuners, Duncan JB/59 and a 5 way switch with parallel settings for single coil tone. Great guitars, great quality. Also you can get them for a good deal less than your $1000 cap, I got mine for $680 with a hardcase from a local shop.

 

[Tom M]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

<-- Schecter!

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

If you don't mind international shipping you could look for an Edwards, I have an LP and it is a stunning guitar (I almost feel guilty about owning it!) You can get them for about $800 new with the shipping from Japan.

I got one shipped to the UK with no issues at all, and it a really good LP, very vintage vibe and really well built. Also comes stock with Duncans, most are JB/59 but it does vary on a coupel of models I think.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

Before you decide, I'd check out Carvin. With them you can easily get away with all the little switches and little custom features like abalone dot inlays, standard ebony fret boards, set necks on some and neck-through or bolt-on for most, other little things like reverse headstock, locking tuners, Wilkinson tremolos (or original Floyds if you like this type of bridge), many colors and woods to chose from and mix and match neck wood and body wood - pretty much everything you want and more than you probably need and with a case and shipping for about a grand or less. The only thing is you can't get Duncans with the Carvins, but their pickups really aren’t that bad and you can always swap them out. Takes a couple of weeks to get a Carvin, as they have to build to suit, unless you find something acceptable among the guitars they have in current stock. Carvin.com

If you live in (or will be traveling to) the So Cal area, you can walk in and buy one at one of their factory outlets down here.

Otherwise, they really will make you just about anything you want on order over the net.

As far as pickups, I'm very curious about their C-22B, a 14.1k wind with a double-thick Alnico 5 magnet (1/4" thick rather than 1/8"). Wonder what that'll sound like. I might buy one just to get the big magnet...

Also, the 11 pole-piece design gives you the ideal compromise between adjustable poles and rails -- screw adjustability with string coverage (no drop-off when bending the string between poles).

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

How about EB Music Man?

One of my friends picked up a new Stingray base in California for $900 or so. You may be able to talk down a Silhouette or Sil Special for that.

Also, some of the G&L gats going second hand would sit nicely in that range.

 

[eggman]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

Dino,

Rickenbacker has a thru-neck solidbody called the Dakota, I believe. It's got humbuckers and is within your pric range. Visit thier website!

Eggman

 

[greendy123]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

How about tokai lp from here? http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/guitar/tokai/index.htm It costs around $800 for one shipped with a hard case. Heres a recent review from one of our forum members about them.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

I am so in love with my Dean Hardtail Select. Its recently had a fret dress and an A2P installed in the neck and i am in love. My hand immediately took to the neck when i played it in the shop, now after a fret dress its easily one of the most playable guitars ive played ever! Serious. Sometime im gonna replace the bridge pup with something to accompany the A2Pn. As Jeff H said, don't make a decision without checking these guitars out. I fully second this.

Jeff

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

what ab0out building ur own from like warmoth or something?

 

[greendy123]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

I'm pretty sure costs would be over $1000 if you built a guitar from warmoth parts.

 

[Guest]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

Since I just bought my Love Rock from Ishibashi I of course have to rave around and also recommend it! A really great guitar for the bduget of 500-1000$.

Here's some pics I shot of mine if you didn't see them already:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=56406&page=1

And greendy123 posted the link to their site above...

 

[Pecan]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

Godin freeway series for around $700-800, they are a very good quality guitar.

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Best quality guitar in the 500-1000$ range

I'm pretty sure costs would be over $1000 if you built a guitar from warmoth parts.

it could be as low as like 800, depending on the shape, and woods you use.