I Need a Soloist Guitar!

[TDevilG]

My problem is pretty straight forward; I ordered an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Standard, along with purchasing a Duncan Distortion and Jazz Model to be placed into it, on a website the day after Christmas. The website says that it's on backorder, and ever since that day, I've been questioning if I should have purchased the thing or not. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL, no doubt about it, but please keep in mind that I own as ESP LTD 151D (It's the one James Hetfield uses; kind of like a black explorer, except the edges are sharper), so I already HAVE a solid rhythm guitar packed with power.

My only problem? The ESP weighs a TON. It's GREAT for rhythm, but it's way too freaking heavy to perform solos on it. I thought that the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Standard was my solution, but apparently that, TOO, is extremely heavy, and thus most people only use it for rhythm.


I need your help! I'm looking for an incredibly powerful, heavy metal/hard rock Electric guitar in the 600-700 price range. Since I already bought the two pickups that I'll be using to replace the inevitably crappy stock pickups of the guitar, the stock pickups are thus not an issue. I need something good for soloing! Something light, but durable. I just need a guitar that I can gig with that'll get me through those clutch shredding metal solos without me being weighed down.


I haven't canceled my order with the les Paul yet; since it's only on backorder, I have yet to actually pay for it. If you believe I should just stick with the Les Paul and the pickups I plan on putting in it, Let me know!!


Thanks guys.

 

[7th Hell]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Sounds to me like you need one of those 80's super-strats from either ESP or Jackson. Try to find one with a mahogany/alder body. I don't know- Les Pauls are good enough for shredders like Slash and Zakk (Frehley too?)... It's all a matter of personal preferrence I s'pose.

 

[azzyazzborne]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

you can try schecter out? their guitars are reasonably priced, around 600-800 USD for the good ones... i own one and its great for soloing and everything... they have a new models that are stocked with emg hzs but i don't think its on their website yet...

 

[gianniboy]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

go for a ESP or a jackson

 

[gianniboy]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

If you need somthing for soloing, a les paul is great dont get me wrong, but it dosent have a super fast fret board, and the bottem frets are a little harder to hit (i'm my opinion).
Go for the esp ltd kh 602 or 202, or a jackson dinky or soloist, somthing with 24 frets

 

[TDevilG]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Alright, thanks for the help guys.


I took a gander at some beautiful Schecter guitars, and the Schecter Tempest Custom looks absolutely beautiful-A very Les Paul like look to it, but it looks to have its own personality to it as well.


Here are the specs:
CONSTRUCTION:
Set-Neck

BODY:
Mahogany w/ Maple

NECK:
3pc Mahogany

FINGERBOARD:
Rosewood

FRETS:
22 Jumbo

SCALE:
24 3/4"

INLAYS:
Split Crown

BRIDGE:
TonePros System

BINDING:
Multi-Ply

TUNERS:
Grover

HARDWARE:
*see finishes

PICKUPS:
Duncan Designed H-102 (I'm going to replace these with a Zakk Wylde Model)

ELECTRONICS:
Vol / Vol / Tone / 3-way

FINISHES:
Vintage White (WHT) w/ Chrome Hardware, Dark Vintage Sunburst (DVS) w/ Chrome Hardware, Gloss Black (BLK) w/ Gold Hardware
CASE:
SGR-1C
TECH:
Schematics
Control Layout

Now, the other one I've been looking at is also a Schecter: A C1 Classic. here are the specs:

Construction: Neck-Thru Body

Body: Mahogany/Quilt Maple

Neck: Maple

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Scale: 25-1/2 in.

Inlays: Vine of Life

Hardware: Gold Satin

Bridge: Tone Pros

Tuners: Grover

Binding: Natural [body], Creme [neck]

Frets: 24 Jumbo

Electronics: Seymore Duncan JB [bridge], Seymour Duncan '59 [neck]

Finishes: Vintage Natural Gloss, Antique Amber

Case: SGR-1C (not included)

Both are absolutely gorgeous but the Classic I probably wouldn't be able to use in at least a month or two because it's out of stock everywhere. Like I said, I love to play heavy metal, and would probably through in a ZW EMG set in there.

Between those two, which would you suggest?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

I like the C-1, except the lower cutaway isn't deep enough. I always bang my hand on it.

 

[CDBfan]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Nice!!!!! Perfect for what your playing.I worked at a guitar store that had Schecter and thay are very nice guitars.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Wrong forum, this DEFINITELY belongs in the Guitar Shop

That said: Jackson. Either an SLSMG, SL-3 or RR-5 (if on a budget), or a USA Soloist or Rhoads

Just say NO to Import Knockoffs (ESPee, IbeenHad...)

 

[JeffB]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Hmm..Les Pauls just a rhythm guitar? No smokin fast leads?

Two words..

John Sykes

Uhmm..Two more words

Gary Moore

 

[NT02]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Check out Carvin. Fast necks, great prices, beautiful guitars. My V220 is a shred machine.

 

[Gary Ladd]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Check out Carvin. Fast necks, great prices, beautiful guitars. My V220 is a shred machine.

Never found a Carvin over the years I stopped by their stores that ever stacked-up to a Gibson for tone...IMHO the PUPs are absolutely aweful! :smack:

BTW, my vote is on the ESP with Duncan PUPs

 

[NT02]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Gary,

I admit, I play my Les Paul lots more than the Carvin. But I still love to break it out every now and then. It's a blast to play.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Am I the only one scratching his head at the heavy guitar = rythym only presupposition of the original post?

Edit: And yeah, that Schecter is beautiful.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

i really never had to use a rhythm guitar and a lead guitar, nor do i think these exist. A les paul rips some insane lead tones, take it from clapton, page, hammett, john sykes, gary moore, slash,.......list never ends. If you can get a sweet tone and get used to the size go for it.

Maybe a JB in the bridge position would get you a better metal tone, but I dont play that genre so i really wouldnt know. Custom Custom would get a fatter thicker lead tone too.

 

[Brian110687]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

I would go for the ESP LTD MH-1000:

and if you want a floyd rose the M-1000:

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

I happen to like heavier guitars...more meat to hang on to when your playing. LPs(Explorers for that matter) have never been out of the picture as "lead" guitars IMO. Its just what sound you want. Anyway, if I had to pick the most "Lead-like" guitar I would say the Jackson/ESP Strat style guitars would probably be the best. The M-200 a good ESP Ive been looking at. Also if you want a more showy guitar the F-250 might suit you better. Jackson's Dinky guitars are nice too aswell as their Rhoades Vs.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Well i play a Jackson SLSMG, ive posted a couple pics of it on here before. Its the same as the Soloist except that it is an archtop and its very light (hence SLS-Super Light Soloist). Its mahogany with ebony board and 24 frets. I got mine for $700 back when they had them new in stock. Now you can only buy the satin black ones as far as i know.

 

[Grandor]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

I wouldnt mind getting a similar guitar like that too.
I was looking at the JACKSON DKMG FF. Those Fretboard flames are soooooo cool!
However the EMG HZ's are a turnoff. I'd definatly throw in an 81/85 set or a Jazz/CC set.
Also I'd like it with a FR.

BTW - les paul's kick ass for solo's too.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: I Need a Soloist Guitar!

Certainly, some guitars offer easier access to the upper registers of the fretboard, but I've never found any neck to be "faster" than another. Speed is in the hands of the player regardless of fretboard consistency.

If you're going to be tossing around your guitar live and doing showoff type tricks, a light guitar would be needed, but for most players who keep their guitars close by, a heavy one is usually better (tends to make the lower registers come through a bit better, that's why so many players like Les Pauls).