Best of the best of the best with honours, Sir

**jono** · #1 02-14-2007, 02:38 PM

OK guys, the "Are JEMs overrated" thread has got me thinking, I think the JEM is overpriced (in the UK anyway) but certainly not over rated, in fact I can't think of anything that's actually a better all round rock guitar.

So...

What do you think is the best all round rock guitar that money can buy?

Here's the thing though, I'm talking about "off the shelf" new guitars, so whilst the PRS modern eagle would count, a bespoke private stock wouldn't.

so I'll say it again, if money is no object what do you think is the best all round production rock guitar that money can buy? Oh, and why?

Ranz 777 · #2 02-14-2007, 03:05 PM

Just to throw my own 2 cents in here.............
Im firm on Ibanez. The over all shape, sound, playablity......and looks........
its perfect. The RG's, the Jems, the Universes............perfect. Now.....I understand that many will and have said that custom is the way to go. And in fact, Patrick at Sims Customs is building my 7 string Jem. But........look how many of these customs are spec'd of the original Ibanez's. For myself.....and thats all that matters to me, Ill never buy anything else. Not only will my custom look identical to a Jem (but with 7 strings) but it will also have Ibanez componets in/on it. Anyway..................there! Theres my opinion

Jaden · #3 02-14-2007, 03:19 PM

that does not mean they they are not over-priced, just that they suit you very well (me too in fact, I also agree with everything you said)

I would buy a JEM if they were:
a: not so boring nowadays
b: not so crazily overpriced

for a great all round rock guitar I would buy an old RG550 (or just use my 450) and change the pups... (oh, I already did that....)

et voila, the ultimate rock guitar.

taracatac · #4 02-14-2007, 03:25 PM

I agree with you. The Wizard necks are the best for me. I actually purchased a new LTD EC-1000 last year. I sold it within 6 months. I just couldn't get used to the neck and the feel of the fixed bridge. I rarely use the whammy anymore, but I have played edge equipped guitars for 20 years, so I am stuck!

Brosa · #5 02-14-2007, 04:18 PM

I just love my 7VWH and UVMC. Both of them are just fantastic and worth every penny i payed for them.

The financial situation here in the Netherlands is almost as bad as in the UK. And for import you need to pay 21% custom tax plus the fee they charge to handle...

Dee · #6 02-14-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jono

OK guys, the "Are JEMs overrated" thread has got me thinking, I think the JEM is overpriced (in the UK anyway) but certainly not over rated, in fact I can't think of anything that's actually a better all round rock guitar.

So...

What do you think is the best all round rock guitar that money can buy?

Here's the thing though, I'm talking about "off the shelf" new guitars, so whilst the PRS modern eagle would count, a bespoke private stock wouldn't.

so I'll say it again, if money is no object what do you think is the best all round production rock guitar that money can buy? Oh, and why?

My first thought was the RG. (EDIT: and I said this without reading the other posts). I think this is the most versatile, great playing, good looking, and well-priced guitar ever built, hands down. If I have to pick one particular RG, I'd go with the 550.

brothersnowgone · #7 02-14-2007, 04:50 PM

+1, but I prefer the 570 hehe

**jono** · #8 02-14-2007, 04:58 PM

Just to clarify, I'm saying at ANY price, even the £5K for a PRS etc...

RCB · #9 02-14-2007, 04:59 PM

Its tied up between a J Custom 8670 or a PRS Modern Eagle. Jems are a step below IMHO.

Zoot · #10 02-14-2007, 05:04 PM

That is a very good question . Firstly , Ibanez are disgustingly overpriced in England , so much so that as much as I love it , I refuse to buy the 20th .
As for off the shelf and all round guitars there aint a lot to choose from in my neck of the woods.I see the same old stock month after month , year after year.

So I rely on my varied Ibanez , Gibsons ,Fenders and others that I have customised for whatever sound I need.

AL.

pete · #11 02-14-2007, 05:26 PM

I have a 69' SG, 79' Les Paul Custom, Gretsch Malcolm Young Edition, and a 7dbk....I find myself playing the jem way more than any other guitar. The neck's a little on the thin side for me but that's why I bought a 7bsb (waiting arrival).

**jim777** · #12 02-14-2007, 05:35 PM

I love the Jems, though the volume drop on the middle pickup is pretty annoying to me. With a change of pickup, the Jem would win out over everything else off the top of my head. The ebony boarded 7VWH, specifically. I was thinking maybe the 2120X, but I personally don't find the piezos terribly useful now that I've had a few guitars with them. I'm over that!

The JC-RG-8670 I just flat out didn't get along with. Nothing wrong with it, but I sold mine soon after getting it because I didn't care for the neck shape/size. I haven't really loved any of the J Cuastoms I've played or owned, actually.
I think very highly of the Gibson ES-355 as an all around guitar, especially the TS-SV version (stereo vibrato with Vibrola). The only current 355s are custom shop, so I'm talking about the used ones that were made from '59 to '82. Awesome all round rock/fusion instruments.
Carvin's 727 is my favorite 7 string, and my other 7's (including the 2027) sit in their cases. A 727 ordered with the right options (stainless frets, mahogany neck, and mahogany body) is a simply outstanding instrument.

So, I guess the ebony boarded 7VWH would be my first choice. Since I don't play live anymore, I'd buy the 355 though

and use my trusty 550 for the Jem bits!

jim

Gurj · #13 02-14-2007, 05:38 PM

For me, the best guitars I've owned are the jem7vwh and the rg8670. The jem maybe expensive, but to me it's been worth every penny I've paid for it. Also got to give a mention to the Jackson soloists, love them, and they've been going for fairly reasonable prices on evilbay

Rocker1 · #14 02-14-2007, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

I love the Jems, though the volume drop on the middle pickup is pretty annoying to me. With a change of pickup, the Jem would win out over everything else off the top of my head. The ebony boarded 7VWH, specifically. I was thinking maybe the 2120X, but I personally don't find the piezos terribly useful now that I've had a few guitars with them. I'm over that!

The JC-RG-8670 I just flat out didn't get along with. Nothing wrong with it, but I sold mine soon after getting it because I didn't care for the neck shape/size. I haven't really loved any of the J Cuastoms I've played or owned, actually.
I think very highly of the Gibson ES-355 as an all around guitar, especially the TS-SV version (stereo vibrato with Vibrola). The only current 355s are custom shop, so I'm talking about the used ones that were made from '59 to '82. Awesome all round rock/fusion instruments.
Carvin's 727 is my favorite 7 string, and my other 7's (including the 2027) sit in their cases. A 727 ordered with the right options (stainless frets, mahogany neck, and mahogany body) is a simply outstanding instrument.

So, I guess the ebony boarded 7VWH would be my first choice. Since I don't play live anymore, I'd buy the 355 though

and use my trusty 550 for the Jem bits!

jim

Someone in my band has an ES335- It sounds awsome, he also has a LP

I think the RG2550 would look good with an ebony neck

Zoot · #15 02-14-2007, 06:18 PM

Got to agree . the ES 335 is a must have , I cant believe I forgot to mention -like the rest of you did the VWH , the sexiest guitar on earth ,with a few tweeks of course.