Help Me Choose My Next Guitar !!!!!!

**jemaholic** · #1 05-20-2007, 07:49 AM

I'm torn.

I'm ready to buy another guitar and I CAN'T make up my mind which one to get. I'm in a Classic Rock band and I'm the lead guitar player. I play through 2 Marshall heads and four 4-12" Marshall cabinets every gig.
I have to pick just one guitar- HELP!!!

777SK?

YJM Strat?

My 550DY is my current "#1", and I can't decide whether a Jem777SK with pyramids or a brand new shiney -updated Yngwie Strat with deeper scallops and machine screws would be a better choice.

Here's the logic:

Upsides:
SK-keeps the Ibanez 'vibe' going with loud colors. Looks cool on stage. locking trem. It's a Jem and they are probably the best hot-rod you can get.

YJM- adds another sonic texture to the band. Scallops great for 'tricks'.
It's a Strat- another GREAT guitar.(IMHO)

Downsides:
SK- more of the same sound. Older instrument that will need maintenance(frets, etc).
YJM- no locking trem. Lower pickup output means changing amp levels when changing guitars.

I love having a DY and SK together on stage.....here's my last lineup-

I also am blown away with the YJM and have been dying to get the new one.
I had a Sonic Blue one w/rosewood board and it was a GREAT guitar. I'm just concerned with no locking trem. I had this strat neck custom scalloped and played this guitar for years as my #1 -

So, what would you guys do?

(((*grabs popcorn and waits for responses*)))

Wolfram · #2 05-20-2007, 07:57 AM

Get a PRS....

**jemaholic** · #3 05-20-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfram

Get a PRS....

I hate PRS guitars. They look and play good but don't cut through the band- unless you're a smooth jazz or wedding band.

Wolfram · #4 05-20-2007, 08:22 AM

"Smooth jazz or a wedding band". so thats what Mark Tremonti plays? Or Carlos Santana....I could go on. I think they would be fine to 'cut through the mix'.

Wolfram

**GilkyBear** · #5 05-20-2007, 08:42 AM

Jeff, I would (and I probably will) go with a new VBK. Those breeds are unreal, and the neck is just perfect. It's like a DNA without the swirl. Give it a try.

funkdubious · #6 05-20-2007, 08:53 AM

For a classic rock band I'd get a Gibson Les Paul,and if you want it to scream load it with EMGs.I love Jems but just dont think they look good on stage for anyone except Steve

timi_h · #7 05-20-2007, 08:54 AM

that pic of the strats neck is AMAZING!!!
maybe do a warmoth project so you get something different to what most people have?

Andelusion · #8 05-20-2007, 09:25 AM

Get a Suhr or Anderson etc, makes sense if you've had high end Ibanez guitars for a while imo.

Dee · #9 05-20-2007, 09:40 AM

Put a Floyd on the YJM.

**jemaholic** · #10 05-20-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

Put a Floyd on the YJM.

Thanks for all the responses!

Yup, a Floyd on a YJM would be my Holy Grail.

BTW- both Tremonti and Santana have TERRIBLE tone IMHO. YUCK. They sound like a swarm of bees in a paper cup. UHHHHGGGGGGGGGGG.

I put on the Denver G3 DVD through the home theater and compared Yng's tone with both Satch and Steve- it's an interesting comparison on the Hendrix stuff between the rigs.
As much as I love Vai and Satch, Yngwie blew them away on that DVD.
Absolutely buried them- and both Satch and Steve knew it too. I believe that tour was directly responsible for Yngwie's resurgence and rekindled his popularity.

**GilkyBear** · #11 05-20-2007, 10:50 AM

The only thing Yngwie buried were a few donuts down his pie hole.

j/k, I do like the YJM strats and Yngwie's tone, but it is definitely a matter of taste. It would be sweet to get one with a Floyd

dragsternj · #12 05-20-2007, 10:54 AM

If you look for a versatile guitar which is probably the ultimate gigging guitar i would suggest you give a Parker Fly Mojo a chance.

I know in some peoples eyes they don't look good, but you get two seymours, coil splittable, piezo's, the best trem in the world, 4.5 pounds and a neck which is resistant to changes in temperature. Forget about the other goodies like stainless steel frets.

Besides that i would probably take a look at the MM Petrucci.

musicman10_1 · #13 05-20-2007, 11:00 AM

I have an 07 YJM and it is very nice. The scallops are great and I love the tone of the p/u's.

my .02

NEWYEARKID · #14 05-20-2007, 11:04 AM

I had similar problems with a G & Legacy strat output wise-try Di Marzio fast track 1s in the neck and middle and a chopper or tone zone S in the bridge-wire the volume pot as a push/pull switch(splits all the pickups to single coil). The blade pickups will sound way more even and have twice the output of the Yjms' and Hs 3's. Yngwie sounds great but remember he always plugged into a Dod 250 preamp/Boss ns-2 combo before reaching the amp. Hs3s have great tone but very little output. Wow you have some awesome guitars. What do you miss more the higher output of the Ibanezes or the locking trem system? I love strat guitars but am way too used to 12'radius 24 fret necks to ever go back.
An inexpensive solution to your YJM strats output would be an Mxr micro amp or any overdrive pedal: set the output control of the pedal where you want it and turn the gain/distortion knob down and use it as a boost. The Hs3s are fully humbucking so it should'nt be too noisy and since the pedals on the floor you won't have to change any amp settings.

**jemaholic** · #15 05-20-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilkyBear

The only thing Yngwie buried were a few donuts down his pie hole.

j/k, I do like the YJM strats and Yngwie's tone, but it is definitely a matter of taste. It would be sweet to get one with a Floyd

Hey Kev.
Not responding to pm's these days, huh? :^)
Yng's actually in pretty good shape - personal trainer, lost a ton of weight - playing tennis again....

But yeah - the more I think about it - a Floyded YJM is the ticket for me.