Alright guys I really need your help and brilliant opinions

[Given to Fly]

I know you get topics like this all the time ( a couple from me) but your opinions and inout would be greatly appriciated. I have a list here of guitars that is looking to be my last one for a long time. I hate buying new guitars, I just want to find *one and be happy. However I need other people's help to get pointed in the right direction. The music I play on the electric guitar is Vai type rock but also classical and at the moment jazz but I don't really like it very much. I am in a Jazz Band at school bit I don't think I will be doing it next year. I currently have an RG 570 and I like it but the neck is a little too thin and I believe it is living out the rest of it's life, so that will be my back up. Here is my list:
Ibanez:
UNIVERSE: Awesome look, the 7th string would really help me be creative and the neck is thicker. Just want to make sure that the inlays are not problem for some reason seeing as they are paper. But that doesn't matter as long as they don't fall out or something.
JS 1000: Like the Strat neck, simple guitar, coil tap
ONE OF THE NEW J-CUSTOMS: Beautiful guitars, neck thru body,awesome playablitiy, however I don't think I would be using the MIDI system too much.
PARKER CLASSIC: Light weight, play well, great tremelo system
HAMER STUDIO AND ARTIST ULTIMATE: Heard they are the top notch quality guitar, beautiful, and play well.
JACKSON SLH2: Crazy graphic finish, play amazing, sound great neck thru
* * * The only guitars I have played are the J-Customs, Jackson, and Parker Classic. The pther ones my local guitar has never had in stock so I was never able to play them. *I know it is my decison on which guitar to buy but I really need help on which way to go. Again my criteria is, versitilaty,smooth playablity,light weight,and I don't want to pay to much just because it has someone's name on it. Please feel free to give your opinion. Thank You

[carlos seo]

In my opinion, the only way to buy THE guitar you want is picking one that sounds good through YOUR OWN RIG. I mean, you must avoid "trial and error" when buying gear, otherwise you are just another G.A.S. lost case.
I think you should play all the guitars that look good for you and then choose the one that sounds goods through your equipment. When buying a guitar I always think that it isn't just a guitar I'm buying; it's my whole sound I'm modifying.
Our opinions may help but the final judgement should be from your ears.

Now... answering you question...:biggrin: , I would pick the Universe. It's an awsome guitar and it does worth the price. Or get the money you would spend in an UV and get a custom guitar instead. There are lots of very good luthiers that craft some great instruments out there.

[bduersch]

I'd like to help you out, but I don't know where to start... all those guitars you mentioned are pretty drastically different. I have first-hand expereince with most of them (excluding the Hamer and the new J-customs).

My likes & dislikes (yeah, this is one of those ice cream discussions...)

The UV is sweet, all the way around. It's probably my fav of all the guitars you mentioned. There's really no point in getting it, though, if you're not interested in the 7th string. It does open up a lot of options, but if you don't have the need/desire to experiment, it'll probably get in your way more often than not.

The JS is a nice guitar, but I've never like the feel of the necks. (I'm acutally selling a JS90 now because of that.) The tone is great, but it feels too much like a strat for me.

J-Customs in general are pretty nice guitars (I've had an RG-ART, an 1880, and a CST, and they've all been killer). However, if you're not going to use the MIDI capabilities, you can probably save a buck or two by looking at other J-Custom/Prestige models. Have you tried a 3120? It's not neck-through, but it is a heck of a lot of guitar for the money.

Hamers--I know nothing about.

As for the Parker, I had one for a while. Two complaints... the upper horn poked me in the gut, which wasn't a really pleasant feeling. Also, the guitar didn't have quite enough mass for my taste. I think that affected the sustain of the guitar. It just didn't cut through the mix for me well enough. The neck is great, and the piezos are pretty cool, too.

And finally, as for the Jackson, the SL2's are killer. Personally, I don't like finished necks or the tone of alder-bodied guitars, but I'd still consider buying an SL2 despite those setbacks. The finishes (esp. their transparent flame tops) are amazing. Very nice guitars for the money.

Again, not to sound like a broken record, but if you haven't already you should check out a 3120. It's got a sweet neck, good pickups, and a mahogany body. I'd take one over any Jem or JPM any day of the week, and it's less expensive than most.

Just want to make sure that the inlays are not problem for some reason seeing as they are paper. But that doesn't matter as long as they don't fall out or something.

If the inlays are paper on the UV, they are covered with a piece of plastic. They're held in quite securely, just like the inlays on any other guitar. They're not going anywhere!!

Hope this helps!

--B

[jeffrey]

The inlays on the UV are not paper.

[bduersch]

Yes, but it depends on which UV we're talking about.

--B

[Kevan]

CLICK HERE for the final word on JEM and UV inlays.

Reminder: *90% of all inlays on ALL makes of guitars are plastic. *
Yes- even Gibs*n and Fend*r.

[jay ratkowski]

Those guitars are so dramatically different... it all depends on what feel and features you expect in a guitar.

[Carlo]

Quote: from bduersch on 11:36 pm on Oct. 13, 2001


Again, not to sound like a broken record, but if you haven't already you should check out a 3120. It's got a sweet neck, good pickups, and a mahogany body. I'd take one over any Jem or JPM any day of the week, and it's less expensive than most.

--B

I second that

[ScottM]

I third it!