Metal Guitar ?

[Ian]

Hi Guys,

I've never visited this part of the forum, so I'm in uncharted territory here...

Here's the question: My 17 year old boy is a guitarist in a "jazz fusion" band. To my ears this translates as making one heck of a horrible noise, sounds a bit like black sabbath with the record playing slow or something. Anyway at present his 2 guitars are an Epiphone (I think it's a crestwood, which I bought 2nd hand in 1982, has twin humbucking pickup's), and a MIJ Fender Jaguar from 1985. His complaint is that neither of these guitars are "metal" enough. ( I dont think he's talking resonators here either...). The guitar he plays of choice is his mates BC Rich warlock, which looks like a cross between a norsemans axe and an assault rifle. I'm thinking that he's wanting something pointy,and I know that Guild did make some like this.

Were there any metal bands using these types of guitars, any recommendations on which model to look out for ?

His amplifier is a Marshall (of course) VS265, if thats of any relevance.

Any help appreciated !!

Cheers, Ian

 

[dane]

If you’re looking or a Guild, I would suggest looking for something with an X prefix to the model number. I’m not sure if this is a complete list, but here are a few for you to look for. X-79, X-80, X-82, X-88, X, 92, X-100. If you would like to see them in wonderful condition, check the web page of our own Guild of Grot. You will see all of these in his wonderful collection. Hope this helps. Guilds of Grot
Peace,
Dane

 

[Ian]

Hi Dane,

Cheers for that mate, that was exactly what I was thinking of. Do you know if any well known "metal" guitarists used one ? Any preferences amongst that lot for his sort of music ?

Cheers, Ian

 

[GAD]

BC Rich guitars look cool, but the moderns one's I've played were all crap.

If he wants a pointy guitar for metal, he probably wants an Ibanez RG.

Personally I'd steer him towards a Jackson Dinky, but honestly I'd say set a budget and let him pick.

My "shredder" guitar is a Jackson Soloist. Even though it's made in Japan (the "good" ones are made in the us), it was $1000 new. I love it though.

Another option is the Schecter Hellraiser. Made in Korea IIRC, but a killer instrument for the price.

Ibanez RGs are insanely popular, and you should be able to find one used with ease. Be wary of the bridges though, as they use an Ibanez specific design. Still for the lower priced guitars, you're not going to get a real Floyd Rose.

FWIW, I spent the 80s playing Guns n' Roses on my Guild S300A-D. No trem, but I managed. They're in the $800+ range these days though.

 

[stclrob]

Step 1 - figure out which model warlock. The higher up warlocks have EMGs and floyd rose tremolo systems. If this is the set-up your son likes, then Guild is essentially out unless you want to customize it.

Step 2 - what is your budget? Of course there are tons of metal guitars to chose from and very different price ranges.

So if you are looking at EMG/floyd rose, then I agree with GAD, Schecter hellraisers are good. The V and Avenger models are good and pointy and the V can be bought with a floyd rose trem.

Pointy Ibanez series to look for are Xiphos and other X-series. They can be found with the EMG/floyd rose and are good for shredding.

ESP/LTD make very awesome guitars. In my opinion, these guys will give a lot of bang for the buck and there are plenty of pointy ones to chose from.

 

[Ian]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice, it's all good. Of course he doesn't actually have a budget as it's all coming from "The bank of dad"...

Cheers, Ian

 

[stclrob]

Which model is he playing? The bronze series is very cheap, but knowing the model will really help narrow the search - http://www.bcrich.com/warlock.asp

 

[NEONMOONY]

Metal? I'll show ya metal!

 

[GAD]

Metal? I'll show ya metal!

I always thought these looked like Transformers

 

[kostask]

Hi,

An alternative suggestion, and sort of Guild related would be to look for some Burnside (by Guild) guitars. Some were made in the US, some were made overseas. They had a variety of pointy bodied guitars, including an offset V (Lance), some that looked like Superstrats but with wild paint schemes, and some truly off the wall shapes, like the Crossbow. I can't really say with any certainty how one would go about differentiating the US made from the overseas ones, but I'm pretty sure that the set neck ones are all US made. I don't have any idea of how to differentiate the bolt neck US made ones from the overseas made bolt necks.

There is always the Guild X series, but they seem to be going for some major dollars, these days.

Kostas

P.S. The wildest looking pointy guitar of all time has to be the Ibanez XV-500. Extreme body shape, and wild paint as well (either pink to purple fade, or blue to turquoise fade (not bursts)).

 

[jte]

The Guild Flyer and Aviator series from the 80s were EXCELLENT guitars. Locking Kahler trems, good pickups, great necks, and just generally wonderful guitars for what you're describing.

Here's one from Jay at New Hope Guitar Traders.

jte

 

[Carol]

This might be totally off-subject... but my husband is working on a new "punk" CD -- and yes, he's using my Guild D35 on it!!! And it's amazing! I'm not into punk, but gosh darn it all -- with that Guild in there, some of it isn't half bad!!

He's heading off to Great Britain on a CD tour launch in December -- and MY GUILD will be featured. How is that for cool? I'm trying to talk him into letting me play a wee bit of fiddle on the CD. If that happens, I can die a happy woman!!! Wish me luck!

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

It's a good thing you didn't sell that guitar, after all.! :wink:

 

[jp]

Hey Ian,

If you wanna keep the family Guild, it seems like the X-82 is a good bet. Lotsa great suggestions above as well. I would also try looking at Dean guitars. They are definitely catering to the metalheads. BTW a lot of the indie rock hipsters love those old Crestwoods. In fact the similarly-bodied Wilshire was reissued. Very cool guitars! If it comes down to playability, I think the Ibanez super strats are tops, esp the RG-series as mentioned by GAD.

Hey Carol,
Long time no post! What's the name of your hubby's band?

 

[fronobulax]

This might be totally off-subject... but my husband is working on a new "punk" CD -- and yes, he's using my Guild D35 on it!!! And it's amazing! I'm not into punk, but gosh darn it all -- with that Guild in there, some of it isn't half bad!!

He's heading off to Great Britain on a CD tour launch in December -- and MY GUILD will be featured. How is that for cool? I'm trying to talk him into letting me play a wee bit of fiddle on the CD. If that happens, I can die a happy woman!!! Wish me luck!

Luck, and nice to read you posting again.

 

[Accept2]

The best Guild for jazz-fusion is the S284. Especially the ones with EMGs and the Kahler flatmount. Beyond that a Jackson Soloist is the essential shredder. The S284 can be had cheaper than a Soloist, but they are fairly hard to come by. The S284 doesnt look metal though, so that may be a deterant to getting a great match of player to guitar. I have a BC Rich Custom Beast which is even more pointy than a Warlock, but I would stay away from them. They have too many points and you could kill someone with them..............

 

[guildzilla]

If you are looking for something pointy/exotic in an older Guild electric, IMO this would be a good deal (assuming no undisclosed negative issues) from e-Bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

The XR7 pickups on this should be pretty hot. The X-79 guitars have ebony 24-fret fingerboards, jumbo frets, thin necks. Great feel. I've seen them go for considerably more money than this one at $485 shipped.

 

[Carol]

JP - he used to play with one of the original punk bands in the late 70s/early 80s -- Stiff Little Fingers. They were considered one of the top punk bands in the world along with the Sex Pistols and The Clash.

Now he's touring on his own... here's his site: www.henrycluney.com

 

[stclrob]

Anyone here ever play a Mockingbird ST? I've wanted to try one for a while. Coil tap and phase control, 24 frets, floyd rose (probably BC Rich one), grover imperial tuners. Price ain't bad either:

 

[Hammer]

Anyone here ever play a Mockingbird ST? I've wanted to try one for a while. Coil tap and phase control, 24 frets, floyd rose (probably BC Rich one), grover imperial tuners. Price ain't bad either:

I have and they are very nice. If I hadn't gotten such a bangin deal on my NJ Neck Thru Mock, I would have gone ST.