Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

[BluesGuyJ]

Hey guys. I'm really looking into getting a guitar for shred/lead work. I'm a humbucker guy too. I'm really into blues, rock, some jazz, and prog.

I know a lot of shreders use Ibanez guitars, but can you guys think of any other brands or models that I should look into/ How about LP's? I know those aren't really well known for shred but does anyone here use an LP for a lot of shred?

Thanks

 

[Panzer]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

Jackson soloist, Hamer Californian, Ibanez RG series.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

How about LP's? I know those aren't really well known for shred but does anyone here use an LP for a lot of shred?

There's a reason you don't see many (any?) shredders with a Les Paul. The neck on mine is much to slow for that type of work. Both my Strat's have much faster necks, and my 80's HM Strat has a blazing fast neck.

Ibanez has those thin little Wizard necks. Fast as hell in my opinion.

V's of various makes seem popular with that crowd, and Kirk Hammet has those super Strat style ESPs.

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

a flying V
ibanez RG
jackson soloist
jackson dinky
esp m series

a bunch of stuff, zakk wylde uses a les paul and does he not shred
just depends on what you like

 

[fusion101]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

the jackson soloist is the absolute best for shredding, but if u wanna go cheaper u should look into ibanez or ltd's/esps. screamingdaisy is absolutely right in his statement about lp's having to slow of neck.

and by the way, zakk wylde does use a les paul but it has a special unfininshed raw maple neck thats completly diffrent feeling then the painted mahogany neck that is the norm of les pauls

 

[ledzepp29]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

get this, it might not be shred but its cool as hell
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33009&item=3745809889&rd=1
its like metal meets severe psychedelia

 

[theodie]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

I Love Jackson soloists for shreding!!!! I really like the ibanez RG line also. I just aquired an Ibanez RG 320 QS and I like it alot. I have a jackson soloist though, So I am thinking about selling the Ibanez if you are interested.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

Jackson is the company with regard to shredding guitars, with the soloist being the original. Cheaper jacksons (dinkys too) have a large bolt-plate fender-style, and ESP bolts are smaller, so maybe you'd like them better. I dunno, not a huge difference. Personally, that new DXMGT at Guitar Center for $400 looks awesome. Non-trem bridge and awesomeness for cheap, lol.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

The one guitar many shredders overlook, but is the absolute best for the dollar is the G&L Invader. I was slightly skeptical when I bought mine off Ebay, and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite guitars. The neck is NO LESS than any Suhr or Tom Anderson out there, yet they cost half as much.
Here's mine with a flame maple laminate over Honduras Mahogany and birdseye neck.

One on Ebay with Ash body. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3745985636&rd=1

 

[theodie]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

The one guitar many shredders overlook, but is the absolute best for the dollar is the G&L Invader. I was slightly skeptical when I bought mine off Ebay, and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite guitars. The neck is NO LESS than any Suhr or Tom Anderson out there, yet they cost half as much.
Here's mine with a flame maple laminate over Honduras Mahogany and birdseye neck.

One on Ebay with Ash body. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3745985636&rd=1

Looks great, I am going to have to check one out for myself!!! I thought G and L just made Fender like guitars. Gearjoneser, you have just fed my Gas!!! I am having some major gas pains.

 

[Sprinter]

G&l

G&l

Another vote for G&L here. If you're wanting a new guitar the modern G&L, Invader is the way to go. Other G&L options include the Climax, Rampage, Interceptor, and Superhawk. The Climax, Rampage, Interceptor, Superhawk, and first style Invader are all currently out of production.

Sprinter

 

[guitarshredder]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

Jacksons/Charvels ruled the 80's shred-metal scene (I hope nobody is offended by this)!!! Anyways, I say Jackson/Charvel :cool3: , Ibanez, and Carvin are the best "shred" guitar companies, In My Opinion!!! :burnout:

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

Guitarshredder,

I'm certainly not offended, but having been around in the 80s, I must point out that your post is innaccurate.

Jackson/Charvel was definitely a major 80s brand, but Kramer outsold Jackson/Charvel throughout the mid-late 80s. Much of the reason for this was a certain high-profile endorsement. Edward van something-or-other. Another was the deal they had with Floyd Rose. All but the Korean models had a genuine floyd.

Another reason Jackson/Charvel was not as big a player on the 80s scene was the nature of the company at the time. During the 80s, it was basically a custom shop making one-offs to order. This only changed when Grover Jackson marketed the Japanese made, Jackson lookalike Charvel range.

As for a recommendation, an 80s-era USA kramer with stock duncans and floyd is a good start.

But the best shredder guitar I've ever come across is the Ernie Ball musicman EVH/Axis guitar. Quite a different setup to an ibanez, jackson or kramer, but utterly playable and great sounding. Superb quality, too.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

Check out one of the American made Peavey Wolfgang Specials.

Ryan

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

Jackson Soloist or USA Dinky :headbang:

Guitarshredder,

I'm certainly not offended, but having been around in the 80s, I must point out that your post is innaccurate.

As is yours in one point

Another reason Jackson/Charvel was not as big a player on the 80s scene was the nature of the company at the time. During the 80s, it was basically a custom shop making one-offs to order. This only changed when Grover Jackson marketed the Japanese made, Jackson lookalike Charvel range.

Here´s the real deal: Charvel started making "production" guitars in ´79 with serialized neckplates. Up until´about ´84 these were around, then the Charvel name was dropped in favor of Jackson. In ´86 Jackson started the Charvel name up again fot the Japanese Model series (BTW, Custom Shop axes were ALWAYS available with a Charvel logo). These actually damaged Jackson´s reputation more than anything else, as they were 100% on Par with the USA axes of the time with the exception of the rosewood fretboards.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

i'd say a wolfgang

but if you're looking for something more les paulish, i'd go for a fender toronado, IMO fender necks are a lot faster than gibbo necks, and the stock pickups are pretty much the same, then alder instead of mahogany

esp viper would be good if you don't have small hands, the neck is really really round, so, well, you can pretty much guess the advantages & disadvantages, and its a viper so those upper frets are easily hit. Not my cup 'o tea but it may be yours

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

I will defer to your expert knowledge on such matters, Zerb. So the original San Dimas charvels were a production guitar? -I've been under the impression they were custom orders.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

boils down to taste & familiarity. i couldn't shred a fender when i was playing ibanez but having owned 3 fenders already, pretty much everything is shread-able...

 

[moog1000]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

Washburn N4

 

[The Don]

Re: Searching for a shred/lead guitar, wanna help?

I'm having the same kinda dillemma right now, I'm saving up for a shred-ish type axe but I don't know what to get. I don't like the usual Ibanez/Jackson/etc etc guitars because while they may play fast and be right for the job, it's at the sacrifice of a good chunky rhythm tone! How can I get a Les Paul-like crushing rhythm sound with a good shred sound? I'd certainly use my Les Paul if the frets were bigger and the neck wasn't painted. And I'd certainly use my Strat if it didn't sound so thin (even with a Dimarzio Breed) compared to my Les Paul / 7 String Guitar.

Bah.