[Mr. Clean]

I’m thinking of trying a new brand. I’ve been pretty much Ibanez only for a loooooong time. I’ve had PRS, Gibson, Fender, a Schecter for about a week but thats about it. I’ve had a few Jems and currently have an rg550, J Custom, WG Prestige, USRG30. I was looking at an RG1121PB, but then thought, why not try something else?
Thoughts on ESP? Strandberg? Kiesel?
What are other people’s journey?

 

[FrankW86]

Just for reference, I've been playing electric guitar since 2015. Tried acoustic for a year around 2005 but it didn't stick.

I have owned only four guitars. The first was a Strat knockoff that came in one of those cheap starter kits. A friend of mine wanted to get rid of it. It wasn't as bad as I suspected. That it was free helped.

Guitar number two was a barely used Indo RG421 MOL. First owner already put in a Tone Zone/Air Norton set but decided he was a bass player. Still own it. It's refinished in burple candy and has a set of Titans in it. Although I'm thinking of replacing the bridge pup. Anyway, the RG is still my go to for the heavier stuff.

Number 3: a used PRS SE Custom 22. One of the earlier ones. Made in Korea with the half moon dots instead of birds. It was, at first glance, in terrible shape. Long story short: it's looking like new. Horrible active pickups, worn bridge posts and nut all replaced. Great playing and sounding guitar for less then €250.

Number 4: Strandberg Boden Prog 6. Again barely used, '18 model. Bought it last October. First owner was an older guy, guitar teacher. He bought it for the ergonomics but liked the Classic model better. He has been playing for forty years on regular guitars. He got used to the neck and fanned frets in a week or two.

It's light, 2.3kg. Balanced standing and sitting down. Sounds just as big as any of the other guitars. Pickups are a matter of taste but the Suhr's are very versatile.

Can't comment on the trem. It was already blocked off and I kept it that way.
But others report it's solid.

I bought this model because I wanted an HH 6 string Strandberg. This one was available close by, for a price I was willing to pay. If money wasn't an issue I would have gone with a hardtail Japanese Strandberg. Those are quite a step up from the regular Indonesian production models.

 

[metalhead52]

I just bought a 2020 Sterling MM MAJ200XFM and it is incredible. Mahogany body, veneer flame maple top, 3 piece mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, stainless steel frets and Dimarzio Crunch Lab/Liquifier pickups. Cool feature is a push/push volume knob with a 12db boost that runs on a 9V battery. It is a Petrucci sig and neck profile feels similar to my old JEM 7V. Very cool guitar.

 

[ibaraki_gaijin]

I've owned Fenders/squires, epiphones, played a few Gibsons and lots of Ibanez.

Currently have 1x Jem, 2x JS, 1x PGM & an Ibanez lawsuit Les Paul.

I'm tempted to get a strat again every now and then. Then I realise it's mostly marketing. I can get pretty damn close to any tone I want with the variety of coil taps and humbuckers/singles in my ibanez collection. Particularly if i use an EQ..

So if I was to get something non Ibanez I'd go for something really different. Like a semi hollow body. I remember playing a Gretsch that I really liked but didn't have the cash for at the time. Something like that...

 

[Jemerator]

So if I was to get something non Ibanez I'd go for something really different. Like a semi hollow body. I remember playing a Gretsch that I really liked but didn't have the cash for at the time. Something like that...

I have 13 Ibbies and really love them. But I just did what you mentioned and bought myself a Duesenberg Starplayer TV Custom Shop and it is really awesome. The guitar is so different (and good) that after a long time I am really hooked on playing, not only new and different stuff, but also just more. The semi hollow body vibrates incredibly good. It can do any style and came from the plek machine and perfectly set up. So yes, I can also recommend going for something really different. (Of course not without having any Ibanez left.)

 

[ibaraki_gaijin]

So if I was to get something non Ibanez I'd go for something really different. Like a semi hollow body. I remember playing a Gretsch that I really liked but didn't have the cash for at the time. Something like that...

I have 13 Ibbies and really love them. But I just did what you mentioned and bought myself a Duesenberg Starplayer TV Custom Shop and it is really awesome. The guitar is so different (and good) that after a long time I am really hooked on playing, not only new and different stuff, but also just more. The semi hollow body vibrates incredibly good. It can do any style and came from the plek machine and perfectly set up. So yes, I can also recommend going for something really different. (Of course not without having any Ibanez left.)

Sounds good! Duesenberg look interesting but I've never had the chance to play one in real life. Hope I do someday.

 

[Luke Duke]

Growing up in the 80s I was obsessed with Marty McFly. I was expecting my first guitar to be a Gibson ES-345, however it turned into a Gibson ES-330. Over the years I’ve had a long guitar journey, And I still have the traditionals in the arsenal. All that said, I still LOVE a hollow/semi-hollow.

In 2012 I picked up a 5120 and was hooked. It went to every show for the next 3yrs. Then in 2016 I picked up a Falcon and it became the go-to. Finally in 2018 I got my S5570 and that became the solid body go-to, and it shared the stage with my falcon the last Gig I had.

BUt...at the beginning of 2019 I picked up a Palermo Tommy Hendricksen model and it’s a killer rock guitar. It’s a 3 bucker 335 styke with backplate for electronics access. I swapped over to Trons and due to issue with their depth I went back to regular buckers and it rocks hard regardless what pickups are in it. No f-holes helps out on the feedback too.

Just a random thought or 10.

Luke

 

[MollyEskam]

I also have Sterling MM MAJ200XFM, it's dope.