Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

R

rguser

New member
I really like the tone of mahogany back with a real maple archtop. There are several models in the high end range, such as PRS custom 24, Suhr modern carve top etc. Is there a good mid-range alternative? (too bad PRS SE custom 24 has a thin flat maple top ;(
all advice is welcome.
ps,
I really don't get why Suhr modern carve tops are on average one grand higher than PRS custom 24's, with bolt neck and dot inlays...
I have played PRS's before, but never a Suhr. I can't imagine the craftsmanship to be significantly better than a custom 24 which is basically flawless.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

rguser said:
I have played PRS before but never a Suhr. I can't imagine the craftsmanship to be significantly better than a custom 24 which is basically flawless.
Click to expand...

Am I the only one who can spot the deliberate mistake?

IMO, thinking of a US-made PRS Custom 24 as a Superstrat is an error. (I have owned one for fifteen years!)
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

In my opinion, a Custom 24 is nothing if not a superstrat.

It is the superest of superstrats.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

rguser said:
I really like the tone of mahogany back with a real maple archtop. There are several models in the high end range, such as PRS custom 24, Suhr modern carve top etc. Is there a good mid-range alternative? (too bad PRS SE custom 24 has a thin flat maple top ;(
all advice is welcome.
ps,
I really don't get why Suhr modern carve tops are on average one grand higher than PRS custom 24's, with bolt neck and dot inlays...
I have played PRS's before, but never a Suhr. I can't imagine the craftsmanship to be significantly better than a custom 24 which is basically flawless.
Click to expand...

I think Cort is your best bet. The KX custom with JB and 59 installed as stock. About 500 plus dollars, including all the bells and whistles even Sperzel locking tuners.

kxcustom_bbb_hz.png


CONSTRUCTION: Set-in
BODY: Mahogany w/ Flamed Maple Top
NECK: 3pc Canadian Maple
BINDING: Wood
FRETBOARD: Rosewood, 12" Radius(305mm)
FRETS: 24 / Large (2.7mm)
SCALE: 25 1/2" (648mm)
INLAY: "V" shape grey pearl
TUNERS: Locking
BRIDGE: TonePros Lic. bridge w/string through body
PICKUPS: Seymour Duncan SH1('59) & SH4(JB) (H-H)
ELECTRONICS: 1 volume, 1 tone (w/push pull), 3way toggle
HARDWARE: BN (Black Nickel)
STRINGS: D'addario EXL110(046-010)
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

The Ibanez RGA121!

Hard to beat in its price range.

Seen em around for $500-$600 used. Worth every penny.

DV020_Jpg_Jumbo_514211.049_natural.jpg
 
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Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

id go with the ibby if you absolutely love mega jumbo frets. I got turned off by the fat RG frets on a prestige model.

Bolt on's are amazing instruments, there's really nothing to hate or price range hate. Suhrs are great.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

verbotenco said:
I think Cort is your best bet. The KX custom with JB and 59 installed as stock. About 500 plus dollars, including all the bells and whistles even Sperzel locking tuners.

kxcustom_bbb_hz.png
Click to expand...
thanks! I didn't know about this model. The video on their product page shows a nice and thick maple top being cut by CNC. RGA121 is nice, too. Too bad it's discontinued. Does anyone know if the current models have real maple tops?
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

rguser said:
Does anyone know if the current models have real maple tops?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you consider a 'real' maple top (ie. maple carve vs. maple veneer), but the RGA72xxx (various models) are the midrange alternatives of the current range and the last few years.

This is the the RGA72QME: Mahogany/Quilt Maple, set Maple neck, EMG 81/85.
RGA72QMEBBS.gif

(a version with Ibanez Floyd is also available)
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

How about Ibanez SZ series? It looks similar to Cort and has a maple top.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

ESP Horizon? I don't know how thick the tops are, maybe just laminates.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

Brian Moore's import line is an excellent value.

You can probably find a good used USA Moore for a nice price if you do some looking
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

PRS CE 22s can go at midrange prices. Good guitars.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

TheLivingDead said:
The Ibanez RGA121!

Hard to beat in its price range.

Seen em around for $500-$600 used. Worth every penny.
Click to expand...

I own one, bought it used, and it slays. The maple top is thick (at least 1cm at it's thickest) , it resonates so well due to the barely there finish; played unplugeed it is loud and when plugged in it roars. This is after you take out those $hitty v8/v7 pickups and replace them with something better. I chose duncan blackouts, now my RGA is my best sounding guitar for rhythm.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

AdamBrad said:
I'm not sure what you consider a 'real' maple top (ie. maple carve vs. maple veneer), but the RGA72xxx (various models) are the midrange alternatives of the current range and the last few years.

This is the the RGA72QME: Mahogany/Quilt Maple, set Maple neck, EMG 81/85.
RGA72QMEBBS.gif

(a version with Ibanez Floyd is also available)
Click to expand...
RGA's are nice, especially the discontinued prestige models. The only current prestige model goes for more than 2k. I just sent a question to ibanez from their website asking if the non-prestige RGA72QME has a thick maple carved top or just a maple veneer on mahogany body. I suspect it's the later for ~$700 with real EMG's.
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

rguser said:
I really like the tone of mahogany back with a real maple archtop. There are several models in the high end range, such as PRS custom 24, Suhr modern carve top etc. Is there a good mid-range alternative? (too bad PRS SE custom 24 has a thin flat maple top ;(
all advice is welcome.
ps,
I really don't get why Suhr modern carve tops are on average one grand higher than PRS custom 24's, with bolt neck and dot inlays...
I have played PRS's before, but never a Suhr. I can't imagine the craftsmanship to be significantly better than a custom 24 which is basically flawless.
Click to expand...

What's the maximum amount of money you will spend?
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

gman128 said:
I own one, bought it used, and it slays. The maple top is thick (at least 1cm at it's thickest) , it resonates so well due to the barely there finish; played unplugeed it is loud and when plugged in it roars. This is after you take out those $hitty v8/v7 pickups and replace them with something better. I chose duncan blackouts, now my RGA is my best sounding guitar for rhythm.
Click to expand...

I believe it! Every time I've played one I fell in love. They look great, sound great and feel great!
 
Re: Recommend a super-strat w/ real archtop MIDRANGE!

I lusted after an RGA with a trem for a while last year....


RGA72TQMETGB.gif


....****ing sweet!
 
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