Suggestion on axe: string through body/neck through body?

[ericbrowning]

Hey guys, I am looking for another electric, preferrably an Ibanez (im familiar with their setups, parts, etc) but any brand will be taken into consideration. *Here are my specs:
22 or 24 frets
Fixed bridge: string through body
Neck through body design, mahogony or ash body
That's about it really. *I'm not picky about PU's, but I would prefer humbuckers. *I have a decent budget for it, but please no Custom only, or single luthier masterpieces, serious suggestions please. *

[Jimi D]

Well, the USRG10 has the string-thru-body bridge, and there are some older Musician models and the later US Master series guitars with neck through construction, but I can't think of one Ibanez guitar with both...

There was a setneck Ghostrider model with a tele-style string-thru-body bridge (GH320?), but it was only built for one year and there aren't many around. Lots of other setnecks with the tune-o-matic style bridge and tailpiece though...

The USRG10 might be worth your consideration since the unique PBC neck gives it tremendous sustain - much like a neck-through...

good luck

[ericbrowning]

Thanks man, yeah I never thought those were such strict requirements, but as I look through stores and catalogs, its tough to find one that has both of those. *

[slug]

Hey, Eric--

I know a few fellas who play Carvin guitars, and they offer several models with very similar if not exact specifications that you desire. *I think their website is www.carvin.com, but am not sure. *Their "factory direct" buying system seems to work well for my friends. *As far as quality goes, I can't really give any information on them. *They sure seem to play and sound decent, but I've never owned one to see how they stand the test of time.

Good luck,
mg

[Doink]

Very good Jimi. Not very many people know about the GR 320. I had one, and it didn't have any more sustain than my RG's. That's probly due to the discount wood they used (Korean model). It was also a very neck heavy guitar. Unless you had a leather strap that gripped to your shirt, it would lean over. VERY annoying.
The other Ghostriders (220 and 520) are probly much better guitars. All the GR's had 24.75 scales.

Carvin is always a good bang for the buck.

As far as pickups go, we could list all our personnal fave's, but you should go to a store and play a bunch of guitars (similar to the one you're getting) with different pickups, and pick your faves. DiMarzio has a 30 day exchange policy, feel free to try as many as it takes to get it right.