I after a metal guitar!

[Maccy]

Budget - £350 max, I don't want to spend this much if possible though.
I'd like a 24 fretter as well, as I've been doing a lot of high bending (Petrucci style!).
Have looked at the Ibanez RG series and they seem to fit the bill but are there other models I should be looking at? Not necessarily Ibanez, I've looked at a few ESPs too.

I'd prefer one with a thinner rounded off body a bit like the Ibanez S series but this isn't essential

 

[Andelusion]

Your absolute BEST choice for value for money is to buy a second hand Ibaneez RG550/S540 (or similar), your budget and requirements are probably one of the most common on a lot of guitar forums specialising in Petrucci/Vai/Satriani etc etc type of music, and I can tell you now that this is your best option.

 

[just Scott]

I sold Justin my Schecter C1 Hellraiser. Try and find another one - there aren't many guitars that are better value than the Hellraiser's. Most guitar around that price use cheap "designed" pickups, were the Hellraiser has real EMG 81/89s (2008 version - 2007 and earlier have 81/85s).

I think some Washburn guitars around the same price have real EMGs too.

 

[Maccy]

Thanks guys, trying to find a retailer online that sells Schecters isn't easy!
Are there any other good second hand places apart from the bay? There just isn't enough choice on there.

 

[Nitefly]

Thanks guys, trying to find a retailer online that sells Schecters isn't easy!
Are there any other good second hand places apart from the bay? There just isn't enough choice on there.

Gustov is currently trying to sell his, I suggest you drop him an email

 

[Maccy]

Thanks will drop him a line

D'oh, he doesn't have trust configured yet so I can't contact him

 

[scoobyrichuk]

ESP mh250nt looks nice, doesn't come with active EMG's but looks like a very nice guitar and I've seen it for £350 online. I have the mh400nt and if you could find one for £350 second hand I would say buy it (probably looking at £650+ new)!! The build quality is excellent, they are really nice to play and the tone they produce is superb for metal. As for Schecters, the other guitarist in my band has one and considering it only cost £275 new it sounds excellent!! (not sure of the exact model though sorry)

 

[Gustov]

I'm sorry but i sold my hellraiser for £353 to some guy from Portugal

 

[Nitefly]

Nicely done

 

[Maccy]

Dammit, my hunt continues...

 

[Ascendancy]

I'd recommend looking at www.Thomann.de German site but they're cheap and they ship to the UK.

 

[Maccy]

Wow that's an expensive site!

 

[Johno please?]

Wow that's an expensive site!

Not sure what price it is now but I bought my ESP LTD M400 for £450 from thomann.

Find it anywhere else cheaper than that, and I will eat a shoe.

Edit: holy **** its now £593.

 

[Maccy]

Yup expensive!
Think I'm settling for an Ibanez RG320, not sure which one though - maybe the DXFM.
Or if I can afford it, an RG370.

 

[just Scott]

It's probably so expensive because of the exchange rate between the pound and euro at the minute

 

[mrthingyx]

Not sure if cheap Ibanez guitars have changed over the past ten years, but I'd avoid them like the plague. Last one I played was ****. In fact, anything new with a floating trem under £750 should not be touched with your annoying neighbour's barge pole...

Just my opinion, of course.

Get a second-hand RG550 and you'll be away. Lovely guitars for the job. However, I've had mine for eight years and now want a thru-neck mahogany job.

 

[Cybermyk]

Yamaha RGX520FZ

Review

I have one, it is a 22 fretter but its definitely worth a look.

 

[Mullet]

How about this

 

[Maccy]

Had a look at Washburns but don't know much about them, how do they compare to the likes of Ibanez and ESP etc?

 

[Mullet]

They are pretty good, budget considered. To get a set of active EMGs in an axe priced at £380 is is pretty impressive. You'll not be able to get hold of a full on ESP for that kind of money, not even via the second-hand market (unless the axe is a dog).