The "Unofficial" Mac-Forums Guitar Thread!

[BrianLachoreVPI]

Put me down for some Hair Metal... I've actually been picking my guitar up periodically for the past few months - after a 5 year layoff...been working up Bark at the Moon again...along with some others...Carry on Wayward son...etc. Just blowing the dust off an old set list for fun - especially since I have all this alone time in the boonies. Primarily I lean towards rock - but did work up a couple of relatively simple Jazz Christmas arrangements for this past season's family sing along. I don't know anything about jazz - I just found a few YouTube versions and copied those. As I get older - I have more patience for the blues - but I really seem to suck at it.

 

[robduckyworth]

What, no Motley Crue?

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

What, no Motley Crue?

I can still go for a few of theirs from time to time... I am getting kind of old though....

 

[dtravis7]

I can still go for a few of theirs from time to time... I am getting kind of old though....

You old? No way!

I am older than you for sure and still like the same music I did when I was younger!

Glad you are playing Guitar again also!

 

[Chuckoir]

Hello again, fellow axe players! Hope you're all well!

I've got a bit of a dilemma...

I'm looking to retire the trusty old Squier as my "learning" guitar, with something new! Yay!

The trouble is, I can't decide what to get. Boo! Don't worry, I'm going to go to the shop to try out a few models beforehand, but I would like some opinions/advice regarding a couple of brands because I can't afford another Gibson, and I don't want another Squier.

First option, is this Ibanez SA160FM-TGB Trans Gray Burst.

Anyone here have much dealing with Ibanez? How would build quality compare with the Squier?

Or the other option is this, ESP LTD M-103FM

Same opinions required of ESP, if I may. I'm aware that the ESP has a Floyd Rose bridge, and I've read that these can be quite troublesome. Any opinions on these, as I've never experienced such a bridge before.

Cheers, chaps! Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Rock on!

 

[Sprool]

both will be a big step up in terms of quality, hardware, componeents and build. Necks are generally very nice even on cheaper ibanez guitars. Squiers are hit and miss, good value if you get a good one but there are some real planks out there as well. floyd rose trems are generally pretty stable but u have to learn how to balance them, worth the effort though. Does the LTD have active ESP pickups? Is that the sound you are going for? (metal/shred, high gain). If so then go for the esp. If not, I'd take the ibanez. I'm sure you'd be delighted with either.

 

[dtravis7]

I have heard of ESP guitars but never myself messed with any of them. Ibanez though are quite good overall. Some outstanding depending on how much you pay.

I personally love the Floyd Rose even though it's been ages since I owned a Axe with one on it!

Rob here on the forums plays an ibanez and loves it. Maybe he can chime in also!

 

[Chuckoir]

Thank you for your words, mentlegen.

Sprool - They are passive I would have thought, because the guitar is sub £300. I did some Googling and I that makes me lean towards the passive as well. I do like playing metal, and I've got a cheapish VOX modelling amp, which I find I can get almost any sound out of. I could always chuck some actives in at a later date I guess. It's something I can find out when I'm in the shop.

I do like the look of the Ibanez more, despite them looking quite similar! Well, I'm off to the shop in a couple days, so I'll let you know how I got on, and hopefully have some pics of a new guitar for y'all!

I'm under no illusions that either would be a step up from the Squier, but I'm really just after something to noodle/practice on, because as weird as this sounds, the SG is a cruel mistress sometimes and I find the neck extremely narrow and the action is set incredibly low, tried to get it fixed but not really worked.... So I prefer to have something a bit more forgiving if I just want to hammer out a new riff or I get frustrated!

...And the top E keeps getting caught on the 5th fret on the Squier, so time to retire that one!

Thanks again, I'll report back in a few days!

(I would appreciate Rob's input on the Ibanez!)

 

[dtravis7]

I repaired a squire where around say the 8th or 9th fret I was having that same issue. There was a groove in the fret and the string was going into that hole and getting stuck! I did a Fret Redress on it and got it a lot better. The electronics were all falling apart. Went to a local music store and got all good quality pots and jack and caps and rewired it. Was a different guitar after that!

 

[Chuckoir]

Haha, that's exactly what mine does!

You sure do notice when it's stuck in there, I'm not great by any means but I'm sure I'm not playing that note!

On a side note (no pun intended), I went back for a refresher lesson last week - to brush up on the theory side more than anything - and I "discovered" seventh chords... I don't know how something so simple had eluded me for so long, but I think they're cool. Really allow me to mix up my repertoire of covers! . Best £25/60 minutes I've spent in a while, haha!

 

[robduckyworth]

ESPs and Ibanez guitars are beautiful to play on. I'd lean more towards Ibanez myself, but then my opinion is biased on the fact that I love mine.

Great for playing metal on, yet versatile enough to get some lovely clean sounds with the right setup. Put it this way - Ive only ever had two guitars - the first was a crappy Argos Strat copy that makes a Squier seem like an Vintage Les Paul - and then I upgraded to this "low end" Ibanez. i love it so much that I pretty much don't plan on getting a new guitar til it breaks.

Avoid Floyd Rose tremolos like the plague though, unless you like spending 40 mins+ restringing, i hear they are a real pain in the rear to do. Tremolo's are a novelty more than anything to me though.

 

[Chuckoir]

That's sound (geddit?!) advice, thanks, Rob!

Out of interest, what model is your Ibanez? I would look back through the thread, but I just get overwhelmed with all the pretties!

Looks like I'll get the Ibanez then, I'll still have a fart around with both, but you've confirmed my hesitations about the Floyd Rose even thought I can't restring, I've heard they're a pain for staying in tune unless you get some locking tuners.

If I get the Ibanez I'll probably just take the arm out anyway, as I'm not into dive-bombing.

Thanks again! Great help!

 

[robduckyworth]

That's sound (geddit?!) advice, thanks, Rob!

Out of interest, what model is your Ibanez? I would look back through the thread, but I just get overwhelmed with all the pretties!

Ern, its a "Gio" Ibanez - im guessing its kinda like a "Squier", but for Ibanez's. Plays alot better than a Squier though

Nah - dive bombs aren't for me either

Just another thing - I notice you said you "cant afford a Gibson" - i would recommend using one for a few weeks prior to buying to see if you actually like it or not. After using a strat shape for so long, I find that the bridges on Gibson guitars are a bit too high up for my tastes.

 

[Chuckoir]

I actually said:

I can't afford another Gibson

Check out the SG, I posted on pages 1 & 3... I can play it, I just don't like playing it all that much as it usually turns round and bites me in the bum!

This one...

Well I went to the store today, and they had the Ibanez I'm after, but it was a lefty! UGH! So I've got them to order one in and I'll have a play with it! I did see a Gio there too, nice looking guitar!

 

[Sur3Mac]

I have a cheap $100 acoustic guitar, for when Im on the couch.
And the left (bottom picture) is an Ibanez RG750 which has been transformed into a cheap Jem imitation ;P.
And on the right also an Ibanez GRG121EX, which I hardly play on anymore since owning the RG.

And the amp is a Roland Cube, which almost all players know I guess
But I play most of my music via the MBP using Guitar Rig 5 (awesome app)

SM

 

[Guitar John]

Cordoba C9
Cordoba Solista
Lakewood nylon-string
Taylor 555 12-string

I was primarily a 12-string guy (tuned to DADGAD) for years. Then, I caught the classical bug, and haven't looked back. I kept my old 555 because it was a gift from my wife, and everyone who has ever played it says it sounds exceptional. I agree.

Judging from all of the electric guitars, I appear to be somewhat in the minority.

 

[dtravis7]

Guitar John, I also have a Nylon String Acoustic I bought at Guitar Center, so I do have an acoustic. Have my old off brand Nylon also and a Gibson Maestro Travel Guitar that looks like a Mini Flying V.

Those are nice looking Acoustics you have there!

 

[dtravis7]

Here is my $100 or so Nylon String I got from Guitar Center.

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

Here is that Gibson Masetro travel guitar. Sounds very good for heavy playing and it's so small. Very short scale. Made by a division of Gibson. Picked it up used because of its' small size as it's easy to wear when repairing guitar amps. Very light also.

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch