Best single humbucker guitar for $450 or less?

[youngthrasher9]

I've been wanting to build a single hum guitar, I just can't seem to put spec one together for under $400. So does anyone know of a good production guitar that has what I want?

Here are the main things I'm looking for:

Ebony or maple fingerboard
25.5" scale
22 Jumbo or bigger frets
Fixed bridge (the higher quality the better)
Wide neck, preferably somewhere around 1 11/16" with a 14" or compound radius
A body decent color (not standard black.)
Something other than a Squire
With $60 left over for the pickup.
Used or new, doesn't matter, as long as I don't have to spend a load of cash to get fretwork done.

I know, it's a long shot. I might be able to build it myself if I cut, route, and shape the body myself, but that's a bit ambitious for my first build as I have never routed for a neck pocket before. Thoughts appreciated.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Best single humbucker guitar for $450 or less?

You've almost perfectly spec'd out a G&L Tribute Rampage.

- single hum
- Fender scale
- ebony board
- 1-3/4" nut
- 14" radius
- excellent – though not "perfect" – factory fretwork (performed in the U.S.A.)
- G&L U.S.A. 14K Alnico V pickup (excellent!)
- nice G&L gig bag included if you get a pre-2012 model
- $300 to $350 used
- available in ebony or ivory finish

The only spec. that doesn't match is that it has a Kahler. However, they are easy enough to ignore, or the 4300 model that comes on the Rampage can be immobilized with a set screw.

Mine is the biggest bang for the buck guitar I've ever purchased ($330 shipped). It's arguably a match to U.S.A. Fender quality, and it has a unique and very appealing set of features.

Here is mine (2010 M.I.C. model):

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Best single humbucker guitar for $450 or less?

^^ Nice one.

Interesting question though, I find myself a hard-pressed to think of a big name that's doing single hum axes at the moment.

Another good one is this (if you can find it, that is): 1986 Ibanez RG410. Usually goes for $200-300, sometimes a bit more.

Not quite the spec you want but a nice guitar.

Basswood, rosewood/maple neck.
Medium jumbo frets.
16" radius (I think).
slimmish C shaped neck, kinda like a Strat, oil finish.
Neck specs: Nut – 41mm/21mm; 12th fret – 52mm/22.5mm.
Triple ceramic bucker, wound to about 12k, splitable via push-push pot. Has a serious midrange punch, I quite like it for what it is. Yeah, the slantedness is a bit of an EVH geek thing but it's all about the sound, no?
Edge bridge, which can easily be blocked.
Various finishes: white, red, black, pink, black with magenta burst edges.

Or you could ask Dominus nicely if he'd let you have one of his .

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Best single humbucker guitar for $450 or less?

heckuva deal! Ive been gassing for one since they came out.. Youngthrasher, if you werent anti floyd in your requirements, Id say a BC rich Gunslinger reissue. they are good players and can be had for cheap. block the floyd..??

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Best single humbucker guitar for $450 or less?

heckuva deal! Ive been gassing for one since they came out.. Youngthrasher, if you werent anti floyd in your requirements, Id say a BC rich Gunslinger reissue. they are good players and can be had for cheap. block the floyd..??

I've got a guitar with a blocked floyd, I'm wanting something a bit different.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Best single humbucker guitar for $450 or less?

You've almost perfectly spec'd out a G&L Tribute Rampage.

- single hum
- Fender scale
- ebony board
- 1-3/4" nut
- 14" radius
- excellent – though not "perfect" – factory fretwork (performed in the U.S.A.)
- G&L U.S.A. 14K Alnico V pickup (excellent!)
- nice G&L gig bag included if you get a pre-2012 model
- $300 to $350 used
- available in ebony or ivory finish

The only spec. that doesn't match is that it has a Kahler. However, they are easy enough to ignore, or the 4300 model that comes on the Rampage can be immobilized with a set screw.

Mine is the biggest bang for the buck guitar I've ever purchased ($330 shipped). It's arguably a match to U.S.A. Fender quality, and it has a unique and very appealing set of features.

Here is mine (2010 M.I.C. model):

I was actually planning on using that body shape if I did choose to build it myself. It's definitely one that interests me.