Selling my Epi LP... what to get next?

Have a look at a used Ibanez SZ520. I got one for $350. I upgraded the pickups (Duncan Designed Distortion bridge and 59 neck) because I wanted something different.
Plays better than my LP and plays/looks as good as the PRS McCarty S2 that I tried.
 
Have a look at a used Ibanez SZ520. I got one for $350. I upgraded the pickups (Duncan Designed Distortion bridge and 59 neck) because I wanted something different.
Plays better than my LP and plays/looks as good as the PRS McCarty S2 that I tried.
I used to have an SZ320 at one time. I loved it for what it was, but it didn't sound amazing. Played alright, but could've used a fret level. I think I'd prefer the 320 over the 520. Some 520's look great, but most of them have underwhelming tops. At least from the ones I've seen here locally. I'll keep an eye out, though!
 
I used to have an SZ320 at one time. I loved it for what it was, but it didn't sound amazing. Played alright, but could've used a fret level. I think I'd prefer the 320 over the 520. Some 520's look great, but most of them have underwhelming tops. At least from the ones I've seen here locally. I'll keep an eye out, though!
I tried a Screaming Demon in the bridge, with A5, with A8, and with filter screws. It was not making it.
So I installed a set of EMG Retro Active Fat 55 and now my SZ520 sounds very good.
 
I tried a Screaming Demon in the bridge, with A5, with A8, and with filter screws. It was not making it.
So I installed a set of EMG Retro Active Fat 55 and now my SZ520 sounds very good.
Mine had EMG's back in the day. I just meant that mine was acoustically kinda dead-sounding. Not very fat as I would've thought with the fat neck and body.

The neck profile was REALLY nice, though. Kinda fat-ish, but slightly Ibanez-ish as well. Loved the bridge as well aesthetically and functionally.

Mine came stock with the no-name pickups before they put Duncan Designed Distortions/Demons in them. I did try a bunch of EMG's in the bridge, though. 81, 81X, 85, 81TW. I had a Super Distortion in it before. It was my first pickup swap.

I would love to find another one, though. I guess it's kind of a gamble any guitar, expensive or not, but many pros were palying the 320's back in the day.
 
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Mine is very lively acoustically. And such a joy to play.
EMG Retro Active are very different from other EMG pickups. Fat 55 are more like hot vintage passive pickups, in sound and feel. I have a set of 60/S/S and they sound like they're made from a different company
 
Mine is very lively acoustically. And such a joy to play.
EMG Retro Active are very different from other EMG pickups. Fat 55 are more like hot vintage passive pickups, in sound and feel. I have a set of 60/S/S and they sound like they're made from a different company
Yeah, I don't doubt it. Never had the Retroactives, but I had the Jim Roots which are based off the Retroactive platform, and those sounded and performed just like really hot passives.
 
I like the neck binding. I don't need the neck binding. But I like the neck binding. I just don't like the burst finishes on the Standards, nor do I need the flamed maple top. I like the flamed maple top, but I think solid finishes are elegant as well. That's why I really want a Classic. It's got the body thickness of a Standard, but it's stramlined like a Studio.

But I also want a wine red Studio. Or a white Studio with the gold hardware, but I don't think those are being currently made?

I never said anything bad about neck binding. In fact on almost all of my custom guitars I put binding on the neck.

It's just the stupid Gibson way of doing neck binding that I don't like...nibs.
 
I never said anything bad about neck binding. In fact on almost all of my custom guitars I put binding on the neck.

It's just the stupid Gibson way of doing neck binding that I don't like...nibs.
Oh, I don't mind it, personally.

For me, part of playing the Gibson Les Paul is dealing with the discomfort from it being a dated design as far as playability. I mean, it's not the worst, but it's certainly no ESP either. The tone is worth it, IMO.

But for me, it's not the fret nibs that get in the way. For me, it's usually the damned 50's neck, the tiny frets, or the blocky heel.
 
If I have ergonomic issues with a guitar, I won't play it, no matter what it sounds like. So, I get not digging those things about LPs.
 
If I have ergonomic issues with a guitar, I won't play it, no matter what it sounds like. So, I get not digging those things about LPs.
I don't mind it, personally.

For me, it's three big things about a guitar. Tied in number one is looks and tone. I'm vain like that. If I don't feel inspired by the looks of a guitar, I just don't feel like playing it.

Playabilty is right after those two, but I know I can get used to playing almost anything. I mean, I used to jump from playing a 35" scale 5-string bass with 50-gauge steel strings to an Ibanez RG570 with the thinnest neck ever. I know I can get by, LOL.
 
Univox Hi-Flier

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: SG Tribute in red, although the local store only has a couple which have got a horribly sickly pale fretboard, a PRS S2, although I'm not crazy about it having a trem, or a Mexican Tele, which I'm not sure I love it having a 9.5" fretboard radius.

Opinions?

Thanks!
Have you though about a Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster, FMT HH? Mexican Telecaster but with set neck like an LP, 2 humbuckers like an LP, flame maple top like an LP and red like an SG . I played one in the store (L&McQ Montreal) last year and it was pretty nice, and one of the lightest guitar I ever played.

Godin is also making a nice LP style guitar.
 
Personally, if I wanted a trad style guitar with modern appointments, I'd get a LTD Eclipse. One with a Floyd if possible.
 
It's just the stupid Gibson way of doing neck binding that I don't like...nibs.

Do they still put them on the majority of their guitars? I mean WTF!? If you refret, how do you fit the fret inside the nibs?

A guitar with nibs is like a car with a crank start.
 
I got offered a Road Worn Player Strat. Looks pretty cool! I accepted it. I'm making the thread on Wednesday. I'll report back!

I'll give the Pearly Gates Plus a try, but I think I might have to drop a Black Winter in there just for good measure, LOL.
 
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