Help me find a studio guitar!

[Ermz]

Cool, thanks everyone, I had a feeling I'd have to go custom. That seems to be the case these days in order to get both usable guitars and basses.

Regarding production models: on paper it seems like the ESP Horizon would be best, but I was just having a discussion with a guitarist I was tracking yesterday about how much he hated the ESP Horizon he bought, and how much more he prefers the Mayones he custom-ordered. I didn't get specifics, but his hatred seemed quite pronounced, and I've not ever been much an ESP guy, so it did have a striking effect. Gibson, also, is not an option. I've used way too many high-end 'flops' across their range, that I have no confidence whatsoever in the QC of that company.

Part of the reason I'm entertaining the thought of a 7-stringer is just because they're the only axes on the market that'd have 26.5" scale. So even for a band tuned to standard, Drop C, or whatever we could just unwind the low B, and let them use it like a 6-string. The only hurdle would be getting used to the neck.

 

[decoy205]

For Gibsons you'd have to play a bunch of them before you can find "the one" and I doubt you will have that many baritones to play locally. My custom shop R8 is a great guitar but it has a short scale.

I think you will be most happy with a custom build. Any local builders near you?

 

[decoy205]

Awww shit that Explorer is awesome!

I haven't had a chance to play one yet but I'd like to. I never played a baritone Gibson.

 

[Skyweaver]

Gibson Traditional

 

[Keregioz]

The closest you can get to those specs as far as I know is schecter. This for example.
But yeah, it seems a custom guitar may be the best choice.

Btw, as far as the thickness of the finish on schecter guitars and the effect it has on the tone here's a comparison I did.

 

[Ermz]

Thanks for that thread, Keregioz. I read your conclusion and was really relieved that the cheap Korean models would be back in the running, but after listening to the DIs I was amazed to hear that the 'After' clip sounded both brighter AND more articulate. I was under the impression that heavy lacquer and paint brightened a guitar, so I was expecting flipped-around results. The difference in clarity across the mid-bass/low-mid frequencies is humongous!

Seems natural finish is the go! Thanks man.

EDIT: Just read that the strings were a few hours old in your first clip. Damn, that invalidates the test! I normally find after 4-6 hours the strings get nearly useless for recording.

 

[AD Chaos]

What about a custom ESP? Better-known brand could be incentive to your clients.

Plenty of choices, too > http://www.espguitars.com/ESP-CustomOrder.pdf

 

[Keregioz]

Seems natural finish is the go! Thanks man.

EDIT: Just read that the strings were a few hours old in your first clip. Damn, that invalidates the test! I normally find after 4-6 hours the strings get nearly useless for recording.

Yes, unfortunately that was the fairest way I could do that test at the time. For what is worth I believe it was more like 2-3 hours.

 

[Ermz]

What about a custom ESP? Better-known brand could be incentive to your clients.

Plenty of choices, too > http://www.espguitars.com/ESP-CustomOrder.pdf

Thanks mate. If anything, that's at least a structured form to help consolidate all the specs I'd want on the guitar.

I'd probably chat to a fair few clients and guitar techs I know before committing on anything.

Having a chat to the guy who really disliked his Horizon (same model linked in this thread) right now - finding out the reasons. Apparently it was always muddy and indistinct sounding, even after 3 pickup changes.

EDIT: As a side point, does anyone know which neck selections on the ESP Custom Order form would correspond most closely to the feel of USA Series Jacksons... in particular something like the SLS3.

 

[plague_rider]

Caparison?


or Edwards ESP...

 

[Fabrice]

They are different model of horizon, with floyd rose or not, with mahogany, alder or ash body...

 

[Derykus]

Yes, unfortunately that was the fairest way I could do that test at the time. For what is worth I believe it was more like 2-3 hours.

Still have the guitar? Just record a clip with 3 hour old strings!

 

[aortizjr]

I did some looking around since you got me curious and Carvins are all 25.5 inch scales. It is hard to find mahogany necks and stainless steel frets on factory guitars, especially at that scale length. But maple necks to me are fine. Pickups are swappable and nickel frets can be swapped when they wear out. An unbound neck will make it easier.

http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar-ss13.html

Surprised Rondo had decent offerings....27" scale, set necks and their finishes are thin. Blackouts stock but easy to change.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/prs-se-mike-mushok-baritone-electric-guitar

That one has a long scale, ebony fretboard and set neck. 22 frets is weird at that scale. Pickups will need to be swapped.

At least those are a couple I found that were less expensive. I might grab one for the super low tuning guys as well.

 

[Derpsicle]

Baritone Gibson Explorer
Only... It's rosewood..

 

[Fifth_Horseman]

EDIT: As a side point, does anyone know which neck selections on the ESP Custom Order form would correspond most closely to the feel of USA Series Jacksons... in particular something like the SLS3.

The SLS3 was made in Japan, so the neck profile will probably differ from USA Jacksons.
Old japanese SLSMG models had very thin necks, but apparently they got beefier after 2003. I did not have the opportunity to try an actual SLS3 though.

Also speaking of USA Jacksons there's a difference between the normal neckshape and the speed neck profile usually found on KV2s. Speed neck feels close to japanese neckshapes, the normal profile is a beefier C-shape with pronounced shoulders. This can be a problem for some people who play with their thumb over the neck (blues-style) all the time.

From the neck selection on the ESP order form your safest bet should be the Thin U or Extra-thin U profiles.
I played a Horizon NT-II once, which according to the ESP website has a Thin U neck. It felt pretty comfortable to me as a dedicated Jackson owner.
Ask Lasse on this one, he owns both Jacksons and ESPs.

Thin Flat I guess would indicate a D shape with flat spot on the back (think Ibanez). Not sure on this one.
U profile might be to beefy.
Stay the fuck away from any kind of V shape.
I do not know the specifics of the Lynch profile or the Bass profile.

Hope this helps!

 

[LeSedna]

The horizon nt II was actually my next purchase, as an alternative to my ESP with its complicated floyd rose, and EMGs. I fell in love with its neck and the overall playability when I tried it 2 months ago.

OT : i would be happy if I could use strings for 6 hours ! I hate how fast the perfection from new strings disappear, in like an hour or so. After 2 hours I don't even think about recording something with rich chords, cause I don't like the un-harmonious dissonant sound they produce then.

 

[Ermz]

Here are those SLS3 neck specs:

Scale length: 25-1/2"
Compound radius: 12" to 16"
Nut width: 1-11/16
Neck dimensions: 3rd fret: .735", 12th fret: .810"

 

[StefTD]

Not sure if I just didn't see it or whatever, but why don't you just get yourself a Jackson SLS3?

I would try to get a custom guitar, not sure about luthiers in Australia, but there are many awesome
guys out there building great guitars that don't cost you an arm and a leg.

 

[MarcusGHedwig]

A couple of years ago I spotted this fucking perfect Schecter, and it's now been discontinued

26.5" scale, blade toggle, knobs far enough away from the bridge/pickups, dot inlays, all-mahogany = perfection! (except for the finish, maybe I'll pull a Kimon ) And before they discontinued it, they updated it to a far lamer version with 3 knobs (one under the bridge pickup ) and a Gibson toggle, as well as a super-lame playing card ("Blackjack" durr hurr) 12th fret inlay

 

[Wohma]

The other guitarist in my band might has the same one, although I'm not sure about the scale. But it's a blackjack and looks exactly the same And it sustains like a motherfucker. Not even my Schecter C-1 Classic (also the neck-thru design) did not have such a sustain. Might be a good choice! On the other hand, some guitarists might be very unhapy about the scale, it takes some time to get used to it.