I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

[Nagash]

Since I like to play Black Metal, I was thinking of getting myself an extra guitar for it. Here are my needs :

-Thin, flat neck
-6 strings
-No tremolo, preferably a stoptail, but I could go with string-through
-Dual humbuckers, preferably passives
-Preferably a bolt-on
-Preferably 24 frets
-Preferably a superstrat

Because of the flat neck thing, I've been looking for Ibanez, Jacksons and ESPs, I'll list the models I found that seemed interesting. Tell me what you think of these and which other models come to your mind ! Especially Ibanez RGs with a fixed bridge because they are the flattest ones AFAIK. Overall semi-pro level guitars, let's say $500-1500.

I found :
Jackson DK2T
Ibanez RG1451, RGA72QM, ICT700
...

 

[Varg]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

I remember reading an interview with Fenriz saying he thinks Nocturno Culto used whatever he had lying around to record a lot of Darkthrone's stuff.
Here's something similar he said in Guitar World :

"What was the main guitar and amp you used when writing these songs?
At gunpoint, I couldn't tell you. Ted uses some kind of custom-made old-school crafty effect pedal, though. It has almost no knobs on it. "

In other words, black metal is all about lo-fi, so pretty much ANYTHING will work with some gain and a crappy amp. Varg Vikernes has always used some kind of Peavey (guitars and amps), if you look on the Burzum site you'll find something there.
The Jacksons and IBanez's you mentioned will work fine I'm sure. Just pick the one that plays nicest and speaks to you most.

Unless you meant stuff like Cradle of Filth which is another thing entirely, someone else will have to answer that, not my thing.

 

[Nagash]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Nope, I'm into old raw stuff. But I KNOW I can't tremolo pick effing chords for ten minutes on a Les Paul's huge neck, that's why I insisted on FLAT.

I play a lot of Dissection, Emperor, Burzum, Immortal etc when it comes to BM.

 

[Varg]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Nope, I'm into old raw stuff. But I KNOW I can't tremolo pick effing chords for ten minutes on a Les Paul's huge neck, that's why I insisted on FLAT.

I play a lot of Dissection, Emperor, Burzum, Immortal etc when it comes to BM.

Oh pardon me.

I do know Jon Notveidt used Les Pauls constantly though.

 

[Nagash]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

I know that too. I don't care for it's sound (we're talking black metal, right ? Plus there's the amp, the effects, the pickups that can be changed etc)

I want a guitar that plays very easily when tremolo picking chords

 

[Morior]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Ihsahn from Emperor would use Ibanez RG series guitars. I figure one of the hardtail RG's could cater to your needs.

The Ibanez RGA72QM sure looks the part, but as you probably already know, it has got actives. I guess those could be changed for passives, though.

Personally, I used to play on a very heavily modified Stratocaster back in my black metal days, and after a while I got a PRS Custom 22 with a Duncan JB in the bridge position. Both guitars were run into a Marshall DSL100 with a very meticulously dialed setting. This worked perfectly for the tone we were going for at the time, but may not work for you. (It was a really gritty yet not ear-piercing sound, with a lot of mids, some power tube breakup and fairly little preamp gain.)

The other guitarist used a Jackson RR into a Marshall Jackhammer pedal, usually going into a silverface Fender Super Reverb.

 

[Varg]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Ihsahn from Emperor would use Ibanez RG series guitars. I figure one of the hardtail RG's could cater to your needs.

I saw a fairly recent photo of him with the Ibanez, it still had the stock "Ibz/DiMarzio" pups in it.

 

[Nagash]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Yeah the RGA72QM sure looks nice, and as you said I can just change the pickups. Any advice on passive Duncans ?

 

[Varg]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Yeah the RGA72QM sure looks nice, and as you said I can just change the pickups. Any advice on passive Duncans ?

Why not just wait and see how you like the stock ones? Like I say, Ihsahn seems to use the stock ones and it works for him.

If you really want to change the pups though, the Distortion or Custom are likely best bet.

 

[Nagash]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

I have a liitle something against actives because they use ****in batteries, that's all. I still have dual EMG81s in my ESP SV Standard ^^. But I won't change pickups if I get a good sound, even if they're active

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

this is the black version of what I have
RG2EX1
it has the EMG designed Vseries pickups
(similar to the EMG H4 passives )

this one is used at MF
RGA32 with active pickups

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

I think Ibanez would be the way to go here. Very thin, very flat necks. The Prestige line has consistently great build quality.

In their current lineup they have the RG1451 and the RG1451F that would be a good fit for you. I own the first generation of the RGA121, which would also suit your needs nicely.

 

[SamusChief]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

How about the ESP V-300?

Specs:
* Set-Thru Construction
* 25.5” Scale
* Mahogany Body
* Maple Neck
* Rosewood Fingerboard
* 42mm Standard Nut
* Thin U Neck Contour
* 24 XJ Frets
* Black Nickel Hardware
* ESP Tuners
* TOM Bridge
* EMG 81 (B & N) Active p.u.
* Finish: BLK

 

[Nagash]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

@EHG : The black one looks grate ^^. Dunno if I wouldn't prefer an Iceman though . And for the used one at MF, I'm in Europe -__-'.

@Samus : It's a V, and I hate Vs. Rhoads-shaped yes, Vs no. The reason I said superstrat it quite simple. When I play tremolo picked chords, I tend to have my picking hand higher than when I play "normal stuff". And big/weird shapes look odd and are uncomfortable when hanging higher, that's why I prefer a superstrat.

Anyway thanks for the input, I'd still like some more info/debate ^^.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

I would go with a single pickup guitar and put a Livewire Metal in the bridge. I would want a thick, hot and fuzzy sound and I don't think that a neck pickup is needed.

 

[dominus]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Thin neck, super strat, black metal?

Ibanez with a fixed bridge or string through.

I've seen Ihsahn playing on one with the stock V7/V8 pickups.

If you had to change pickups, it depends on which Ibanez you got.. if you got a mahogany one, I'd say Duncan Custom bridge/59 neck, Full Shred set, or Dimarzio D-Activator set. If basswood, I'd say Dimarzio Evolution set, Mo' Joe bridge/Paf Joe neck, or Andy Timmons bridge/Air Classic neck.

 

[Nagash]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

It's true I don't absolutely need a neck pickup but I'd prefer one, in case I want to use the guitar for something else than just BM.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

Yup, you'll find want you want with Ibanez.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

For chords wouldn't a radius a bit more round than flat help more? Maybe 12'' like this one.

Jim Root signature.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: I need advice for a Black Metal guitar

i can help you; but only if your countrymen teach my countrymen how to riot effectively.