Good Electric Guitar For Hard Rock/Hair Metal Covers Band?

C

Charvel1975

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So I'm still searching for another electric guitar and after having to return the new Ibanez RG421HPFM and now a defective new Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HH 2PT - Chlorine Burst, I came across this PRS SE Custom 24 Electric Guitar - Faded Blue Burst but seen a lot of complaints on the pickups, etc. With recent changes at my job, I have to try and stay on a budget and will probably have to buy form an online music retailer like Sweetwater as I already have the Sweetwater credit card to stay on monthly payments. I'm in a 2 guitarist classic/hard rock cover band and we play 70's/80's classic rock/hard rock in standard E tuning.

You can see all the gear in my signature but my MIK Epiphone Les Paul Custom that's in my sig has been the main guitar I was using at shows and practices but I'm trying to keep the miles off it and I'm definitely looking for something lighter as my Epiphone weighs a ton and takes a toll on my back! I'm trying to stay on a budget below $1,000 if possible and I have a feeling I'm partial to Mahogany soundwise with maybe a maple cap for the brightness. I've also really got used the the Seymour Duncan hot rod pickup set that's in my Epiphone; JB in the bridge and Jazz in the neck. I would maybe like to have the option for coil splits as some of the stuff we cover almost requires a single coil kind of sound but I don't think that would be a deal breaker and I really don't care for having a single coil pickup in the middle as I find it gets in the way of my picking. The main things that are important to me is the guitar has to sound good, stay in tune, have 22 frets and be light.
 
You won't find one on Sweetwater but check out some 80's Ibanez Roadster IIs on eBay or Reverb. Great pickups, 24 frets (Some do), light, and awesome actions. You can find some great ones for $350 - $550 depending on configuration and condition.

Ibanez84RS1300_840092_19.jpg
 
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I can’t see signatures, must have disabled them or something, but maybe an Epiphone SG or double-cutaway Les Paul would be similar and lighter. LTD models with JB & 59 are available, but at about the edge of what you’re willing to spend; there was a Viper 401 at a lower price with those pickups, but I can’t see it on Sweetwater.
 
Hard Rock / Hair "covers" band? Well, honestly, there isn't anything playing-wise that any guitar can't / couldn't do. Obviously some of the songs would need a Floyd of some sort. But other than that 22 frets and a bridge humbucker is really all you need...

As for the "single" sounds - I don't know exactly what you are referring to. Please list the songs that need this. I play in an 80's Hair Metal Tribute and over a 60+ song list, I don't think anything has made us go "Wow - we really need single coils for that!" Maybe the intro guitar to Rock Me / Great White.

If you are looking for "period correct" pieces like Securb said, Craigslist is your friend. But honestly, I'd rather have a new Jackson/Charvel/Epiphone or whatever than an old Aria, Roadstar or who knows what.

But since you asked...here is what we play:
Me:
Dean Cadillacs - about 6 different ones. JB, Custom, Distortion, etc in the bridge usually
Jackson JS32's a King V and a Dinky that I have decorated. Pickups are stock.
A couple of Dean V's

The other guitar:
Assorted Ibanez RG's
Charvel Pro-Mod
A Les Paul of some sort - humbuckers, flat top.
He mostly has JB's in his stuff.

So I'm not entirely sure of exactly what you really need to know???? Pickups for the style should be JB's, Distortions, Customs, or SuperDistortions.
As always - amps and FX > Guitar. You are gonna need some serious delay settings (multiple), and a solid chorus.
 
I'd say any Strat-shaped HSS w/Floyd guitar would do. Budget for a JB, and have some noiseless singles (like the Classic Stack). Make sure it is in an 80s-approved color or has a graphic. We have some people here who are really knowledgeable about the guitars in that era.
 
Again - I paid $250 for each of these Jacksons. Get one of each. Decals extra. Pickups are Distortion-esque. If I bash one jumping around I won't be upset. They sound good and stay in tune:

EQ3OVQu.jpg


EQ3OVQu.jpg


But...if we are really thinking (meaning over-thinking) this; An LTD EC-1000 is exactly what you want. Lighter than a Les Paul, thin, comfortable, comes with JB/59. Get used, use the savings for a coil tap on the neck.
 
Also, maybe a Jackson Adrian Smith SDX, Squier and Fender Floyd Rose Strat, an EVH Wolfgang, or a Kramer Pacer for Floyd-equipped guitars. The Pacer comes with a JB & 59 with series/ parallel switching on both pickups. It’s a shame you had a bad experience with Charvel, I liked the Pro-Mod San Dimas I tried in a store, which also came with JB & 59.
The recent Squier contemporary FR Strat comes in pink, perfect for hair metal! HH with a 5-way switch, if you’re handy with a soldering iron.
 
Hair metal - gotta go Kramer :D. Pacer if you need a neck pu.

For older/used stuff, some of the Japanese Fernandes models which are Jacksonish might also be fun, they can be had for a good deal.

Securb said:
You won't find one on Sweetwater but check out some 80's Ibanez Roadster IIs on eBay or Reverb. Great pickups, 24 frets (Some do), light, and awesome actions. You can find some great ones for $350 - $550 depending on configuration and condition.

Ibanez84RS1300_840092_19.jpg
Click to expand...

Yes, plus Fenderish necks with flatter fingerboard radii - no skinny Wizard stuff here. Though I wouldn't necessarily look on the major selling platforms, where they've gone up in price in recent years. While it's possible to find them for $300-400, more often they're $400-1000. Local classifieds might be a better bet. Gone are the halcyon days when you could find them for 1-3 bills :17:. In general, the prices on many old Ibanezes across the board seem to have gone up.

If I were looking to get a Roadstar, I'd try to find one from 1986, as that was the first year of the Edge trem. The trems on the earlier ones are a bit squonky, if you plan to use it of course, if not, then go for it.
 
Been playing Carvin Kiesel guitars on stages since the late 1980's. Owned just about anything you can name over the years keep coming back to the Carvin Kiesels. Company is older than Fender (1946) and is still owned by the founding family. Most reliable guitars bar none night after night on the road I have ever owned by far. If you build a basic guitar and don't get crazy on the options they are also great values. New all are custom builds.
 
Few of my Carvin Kiesels.
 

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Let's make a distinction here;

Are you a COVER band playing 80's hair?

Or are you a TRIBUTE band to 80's hair?

If a cover band, who cares what guitar as long as it works

If a tribute band, superstars, single bridge pickups, graphics etc. And spandex and hair and the rest....
 
Well I wound up getting a PRS SE Custom 24 in faded blue burst. String height was way too high and pickups have way too.much bottom end and a blanket over the speakers sound. Debating on if pickup pole pieces and pickup height should be adjusted or should I just do some of the popular mods that others have done on them?
 
For 80s hard rock/hair metal with good splits, normally I'd say JB or Super Distprtion.

But since you already have both of those covered in your other guitars, I suggest the standard Duncan Custom.
It leans a little more towards classic rock. Sometimes described as PAF-on-steroids. Nice bright voice with good split tone.
SH-5 can rage, but rolled back it can be polite & dynamic, even delicate.

Jazz neck is always a great option. I know you already have one but it'll be even brighter in this guitar.
For a warmer and a more vintagey option at the neck, I think the 59N could also be a good choice for a PRS.
No worries about it being boomy in a 24 fret guitar.


For something with more heft & muscle, the Duncan Distortion bridge might be your ticket.
Big bottom, yet tight: massive chunk, plenty of punch and no flab. Searing highs balance out the low end nicely
Not a dark sounding pickup - definitely no blanket-over-the-speakers sound. Nice split tone too.

If it's too huge sounding, you can lower it - the DD is powerful enough to set low and still produce plenty of juice.

Distortion neck has a fairly quick response, good definition for rhythm & chord parts, and it cleans up nicely.
Sustainy singing voice for leads, with a strong, present pick attack - was originally a bridge pickup.
It also offers stronger split tone than lower output pickups like the Jazz or 59.
 
Charvel1975 said:
Well I wound up getting a PRS SE Custom 24 in faded blue burst. String height was way too high and pickups have way too.much bottom end and a blanket over the speakers sound. Debating on if pickup pole pieces and pickup height should be adjusted or should I just do some of the popular mods that others have done on them?
Click to expand...

Adjust poles and pickup height to get tje best sound you can out of them. If that doesn't get you there, make sure all the wiring and pots are up to spec. If so, then look at pickups. Depending on the sound you want, you can look at the Screamin Demon, Duncan Distortion, Full Shred, or Custom, depending on the flavor of 80's hair you want.

As far as neck pickups, I'm partial to the Pearly Gates in shorter scale, mahogany guitars.
 
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