I owned Jackson USA customs and Charvels, nice but not my favorites. ESP George Lynch Models (not limiteds) Nice but not my favorites, Ibanez are too cheap feeling (i even had a custom model that felt like I could bust it in half just playing it.) BC Rich just sucks, Hamer Californian 27 fret very nice but my favorites are my Washburn N4 and my Washburn USA 7 string. The most sturdy feeling and trouble free guitars I have ever owned. You could beat a herd of raging emo kids to death with them and still do a gig, in tune, right afterwards!!! Caparisons feel very sturdy as well and look really sharp.