Looking for a new guitar...

[Guitarmiester]

I have a feeling most of you guys are going to be biased toward Ibanez guitars, but I'll try anyway...

I've been upgrading all of my gear except for my guitars lately, and I feel it's time to buy a new guitar. I've gone through a few different amps before settling on a Vetta II, still need to order a longboard for it.

I currently have three Ibanez RG's, an Epiphone LP Standard Plus, and a Peavey EXP HP Signature. I really like my RG's, but I don't want to limit myself to Ibanez. I rarely play my LP because I can't stand the finished neck. It gets too sticky and I don't really like the feel of the neck, it's too small, yet bulky. The Peavey is very similar to the LP with a smaller scale neck, so I'll probably be selling that guitar since I rarely ever play it.

I've been thinking about buying a Jem for the past year or so. I really like the feel of the neck and how the guitar plays. I like Ibanez for their thin, flat necks. I played a JS1000 and was surprised to find out that I didn't like it at all. The guitar looks nice, but I didn't like the feel of the neck at all.

Any suggestions? I'm looking to spend $1000, maybe more if I find it to be worth it. I don't want to limit myself to Ibanez, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

[elcid]

USA Jacksons are my favorite superstrat style guitar.

[Guitarmiester]

I haven't followed Jackson guitars all that much, so I'm not sure which are USA and which aren't. I played a DK2M that I really liked a few months back, but I'm not so sure I want another guitar with a floating trem. A guy I used to work with had a Soloist that I tried out, which was very nice. Any Jackson's in particular I should look into?

[elcid]

I know they have a Soloist with the strings through the body and a tune-o-matic type bridge

[Acidhouse]

Have you thought about a good ol USA Strat? The new Am Std's are right under a grand with no tax and free shipping from the major guitar dealers. I love my Ibanez but I am a Strat player at heart so I am definitely biased. It seems like it would be a good one to round out your collection. The other great thing about Strats is that for a grand you can pick and choose so many different variations of styles and neck options. If you are leaning towards Super Strats still then I will concede a lack of knowledge to my fellow forum members as my nicest ones are Japanese Super Strats from the 80s.

[CityofBlindingLights]

I myself am a fan of Charvels

Though Fenders are my numero uno

[Steve V.]

Any of the ESP/LTD Deluxe series. Beautiful, easy-playing, high-quality guitars.

[kspeed]

If you're tempted to replace the Epiphone LP it may be worth trading it in toward a Vintage Mahogany LP (those can be had new for 799 or 899), which has a satin finish on the body and neck. No Sticky LP Neck Syndrome there, and it has the same Burstbucker pickups as in the Standard LP's.

You could also try a Standard Faded LP, which are discontinued but easy enough to find used for about a grand. These also have the satin finish and can be found with the slim taper 60's style neck. Hardware I believe is identical to the Standard LP, they just save a lot of labor by using a thinner nitro finish sort of like Fender does with the Highway One lineup.

[shogun]

ERNIE

[shogun]

BALL..

[shogun]

MUSIC

[shogun]

MAN!!!!!!!!

[DavyH]

EBMM? Tried a John Petrucci model on Saturday, didn't like it much. Pity, because I really wanted to, it's a lovely guitar.

So I bought another PRS instead. McSoapy this time.

Guitarmeister, how about one of the satin or unfinished PRSi or SEs with the wide-thin profile? It's a love 'em or hate 'em thing though.... They're as compact feeling as EBMM, but I just prefer the feel.