I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

[ksmith63]

Title pretty much says it. Any recommendations?

..or if you feel like reading more:
I had a really nice custom shop schecter that was stolen a few years ago and I will soon be in a position to replace it. My band is writing a prog/metal album so I need whatever guitar I purchase to fit the bill. My other two guitars both have tremelos so it would be nice if this didn't (hence looking at some big G products).


I look at guitars as "tools" so don't recommend something because it is flashy/expensive/whatever. I am looking for tone and features.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

what kind of tone are you looking for? When you say progressive death do you mean Opeth or Daylight Dies type of stuff.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

what kind of tone are you looking for? When you say progressive death do you mean Opeth or Daylight Dies type of stuff.

I'm all about a raw thick nasty tone. Maybe I am looking for a mix between some Black Sabbath and Opeth but THICK. I usually prefer to use both pickups the whole time. My amp is a Budda Superdrive which is like a fatter really ballsy marshall.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

you could describe what i play as slow prog metal (except it's more like slow bluesy punk with solos and screaming) and nothing sounded "right" until I got a Les Paul.

go spend some time at local shops and plug in every slab of mahogany with a couple of humbuckers in it. I think a Les Paul with PAF-style pickups would do the job perfectly well but who knows what might speak to you?

All I know for sure is when your amp's dimed and you smack an open Em chord on a Les Paul, the roar and growl is enough to make everything else sound weak and neutered.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

I would go with a LP or an SG.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

Listen to the album "Amplifier Worship" by BORIS...that's a Les Paul and an Orange stack and a double-neck SG into a Sunn stack.

it's also the thickest, meanest tone i've ever heard in my entire life.

i ****ing love the japanese.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

I'd say Les Paul or Explorer. When it comes to Pauls, you mention using it like a tool so consider playing some studios if standards and traditionals don't fit the budget. Whatever you choose, do what X to the F said and play a bunch. Especially if you go to a place with some used inventory, neck shapes, weights, tone, sustain, etc. will all vary. And I also subscribe to the "unplugged" theory, if it sounds good unplugged you can change pickups to meld the sound into the one you hear. If something is missing acoustically you can fight it by changing pickups but you may never find the tone you're after....

 

[John_L]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

The perfect guitar for the type of music you suggest is the PRS Custom 22 or 24.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

you could describe what i play as slow prog metal (except it's more like slow bluesy punk with solos and screaming) and nothing sounded "right" until I got a Les Paul.

:scratchch

There are a crapload of Les Pauls. Are there any models in particular that I should check out?


Do you find the weight or upper fret access to be a problem with Les Pauls? Those are two things that have me slightly worried and also had me toying with the idea of an SG. I really need to get out and play some.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

The perfect guitar for the type of music you suggest is the PRS Custom 22 or 24.

I know very little about PRS guitars. Whats the difference between the 'custom' line and the 'standard' line? Also why are you specifically recommending these?

 

[astrozombie]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

 

[ksmith63]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

Is the flying V better or really much different than the explorer? I do like the balance of the explorer and the ability to sit down and play it.


Has anyone played or messed around with the Dark Fire?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

I would skip the Dark Fire unless you get a sweet deal on one. They have a bunch of cool digital preset tones and a bunch of alternate tunings available at the touch of a button but they're just refinished BFG's.

You could definitely make one work but I wouldn't limit my search to JUST them y'know? Especially when normal BFG's are like half the price.

If you want something stripped-down and "tool"-like, play some used Studios and Studio Fadeds...your price range will be like $550-$900 and you'll find some great guitars.

If you're used to Ibanez and Music Man then a full-weight Les Paul very well could kick your ass. Try some SG's...my first Gibson was an SG...they're great guitars.

Les Pauls just have more of what i like about SG's :smokin:

V's and Explorers are different but not much so.

Yeah, you need to go try a bunch of 'em.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

I know very little about PRS guitars. Whats the difference between the 'custom' line and the 'standard' line? Also why are you specifically recommending these?

The PRS Custom has a maple cap. The PRS Standard has a mahogany cap over a mahogany back. The pickups vary according to the number of frets.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

you need to go try a bunch of 'em.

That's really the best advice.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

I really don't think a PRS is what you want--paper thin bodies aren't gonna give you the thick tones you're lookin for

I'd go with a LP traditional, or a korina explorer if you want a little more clarity. Yep, that's what I'd do.

 

[whatshisname]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

I'd go for an SG.

 

[Hellion]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

You can play any type of music with any type of suitable equipment. I'm partial to SGs & Les Pauls if you're talking Gibsons, but Vs & Explorers are quite nice as well.

 

[phil_104]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

I really don't think a PRS is what you want--paper thin bodies aren't gonna give you the thick tones you're lookin for

I'd go with a LP traditional, or a korina explorer if you want a little more clarity. Yep, that's what I'd do.

My traditional, with it's weight relieved body as opposed to the standard's chambered construction, works very very well for the genre you are describing. Get one in black, and you're set.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: I need a guitar for slow prog/metal. Talk to me about Gibsons!

You could always try one of the Parker singlecutaway models, they are light, usually Mahogony on Mahogony, and sound fantastic.