Guitar woes.

[ForHerDeadEyes]

I'll be recording in a couple of weeks and now I'm having second thoughts about the guitar I'll be using..

I've used an old, beat-up DeArmond M-65 for a long time, then I wanted to get something better and got a Schecter Demon 6 (no FR)..
I was planning on using the Schecter for recording, the pickups are:
"Duncan Designed Active HB-105 -The Duncan Designed version of the super-popular Seymour Duncan Blackouts active humbucker."
I slapped some 0.12 strings on it, but I'm not so sure I like the sound..

The ole' DeArmond has 0.11 strings, the neck is thinner, and the pickups:
An older JB 59 in the neck, and a sort of home-cooked singlecoil at the bridge.. I might be favouring the passive sound..

The options I've considered are:
A) Put the passive mics in the Schecter, sinde the body sound isn't bad.
And slap some 0.11 strings on it, (also, think I have another JB 59)
Don't know how good it'll resonate with the Schecters body..

B) Since I prefer the playability of the DeArmond, probably because of the neck and somewhat thinner body, I could get a new guitar:
http://www.thomann.de/se/ibanez_gart60_bkn.htm
http://www.thomann.de/se/esp_ltd_ec50_black_satin.htm
http://www.thomann.de/se/epiphone_gothic_lespaul_studio.htm

Or why not a:
http://www.thomann.de/se/harley_benton_electric_guitar_kit_lpstyle.htm
Since I'm planning on doing it someday, and tweaking it myself.

Not sure what to do..
I know I could find something used, maybe that'll be better..

 

[Lazzari]

Personally I would go with the Epiphone, I tried one a while back and it wasn't that bad at all, but you should change the pickups when you get the chance

 

[Skaldir]

Just wanna throw in Agile guitars
http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss5.html
I got one and I'm pretty happy with it. They have very cool finishes also.
But you need to buy a case with it, pay shipping and pay customs when you live in Europe.

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

Just wanna throw in Agile guitars
http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss5.html
I got one and I'm pretty happy with it. They have very cool finishes also.
But you need to buy a case with it, pay shipping and pay customs when you live in Europe.

Once I bought 3 t-shirts from thinkgeek.com..
The Price was about 30$, and shipping 30$.. fast as fuck think I got it within 1 or 2 days here to Sweden, but then the guy delivering them showed up with an extra bill for customs and taxes, all in all it ended at 100$.. :/
A guitar would probably cost me a kidney or two..

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

Personally I would go with the Epiphone, I tried one a while back and it wasn't that bad at all, but you should change the pickups when you get the chance

The ones I mentioned were only suggestions, maybe the Epiphone is the best of those..

 

[Lazzari]

The ones I mentioned were only suggestions, maybe the Epiphone is the best of those..

Well the Epi was not bad really, just change the pups as soon as possible and you're set

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

Recommendations so far:
* Agile guitars - Which I can't get.
* The Epiphone - http://www.thomann.de/se/epiphone_gothic_lespaul_studio.htm

I know it's hard to make a judgment call on something you've never played on, and a lot of people have more expensive guitars
(I've heard that you can find a good guitar for around 600€, and after 1200€ it's basically just preference)
The most expensive guitar I have is the Schecter for 440€ (Used to have a 7-string Squier for 500&#8364
Still, you have to deal with what you got..
My preferences are thin neck, minimum switches/knobs and no FR.. don't care about the looks really..
If I add a couple of € I can get this http://www.thomann.de/se/ibanez_art90_tkf.htm
Better than the earlier options?
I'm making the assumption that the cheaper ones, that have minimimum crap, of the same brand are going to be a bit shittier..
Don't forget, I'm switching out the pickups for better ones..!
I'll put in an order in 2 weeks..

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

I mentioned the Ibanez in the post above.
Now I'm not so sure, don't want to have to deal with a set-in neck if I fuck it up (though I never have).

Looked into SG-models:
http://www.thomann.de/se/espltd_viper_100fm_stblk.htm
(Agathis body)

http://www.thomann.de/se/esp_ltd_viper_330_ttm.htm
(Mahogany body + the option to use active pickups, still planning on going with passive pickups)

I appreciate the input, guys..
So I don't end up with ultimate crap..

 

[superfreak]

You can find a lot better than what you picked out for your budget.

I recently bought the Charvel Desolation DC-2 and it has been an absolute dream. I suggest you look into the Charvel Desolation series:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/charvel_ds3_st_bk.htm

The other guitar I really liked is the Cort KX5. It plays really well and comes stock with Mighty Mite Motherbucker pickups:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_kx5_bk.htm

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

You can find a lot better than what you picked out for your budget.

I recently bought the Charvel Desolation DC-2 and it has been an absolute dream. I suggest you look into the Charvel Desolation series:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/charvel_ds3_st_bk.htm

The other guitar I really liked is the Cort KX5. It plays really well and comes stock with Mighty Mite Motherbucker pickups:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_kx5_bk.htm

Thanks for the suggestions!
They're friendlier on my wallet as well..
Though I am a bit worried about the necks..
The DeArmond I've used is fine, but the Schecter, and an old Squier I had, has a wider thicker neck that isn't really suited for my hands..

 

[katatonic.]

+1 on the Cort KX5. I have a Cort 7 string laying around and it plays just as good if not better than my 300 series LTDs. The motherbuckers sound great too for what they are.

 

[superfreak]

The necks are neither wide nor thick on the Charvels. They are similar to Ibanez neck profiles and extremely comfortable to play.

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

Guess I'm going with the Cort KX5 (though I found out they treat their factory workers like shit), have to wait 2 - 3 months for a new one, but the store got a b-stock (sent back for unknown reason).. I'll be trying that one..
If I don't get that one, it's either the Charvel or a Cort M200..

 

[ForHerDeadEyes]

Got the Cort, just plugged it in and played on it..
Way better for me than the Schecter..

The neck feels good and I really prefer the passive sound, I haven't installed the JB 59 and the other mic I have..
The guitar was basically in tune and nicely intonated..
The biggest problem is the nut being too low, can't fit a 0.60mm pick/plektrum between the first fret and the strings..
Second fret is better but I can't fit the pick under, until the third fret..
I have no idea what it would cost to get a new nut/get it fixed, I've raised a couple of nuts on my other guitars.. and it seemed to sound good, to my ears.. :S
I'm assuming it's 0.010 strings on it, it's pretty cold weather, but I doubt it'll settle when it gets to room temperature..