Spend my money on a 6 string

5577 Views 56 Replies 16 Participants Last post by TayloraNdrade, 11 d ago

Iron1

Discussion Starter · Jan 14, 2021

So, I'm going to sell my S540LTD (got an offer on it I couldn't refuse), which means I need another 6 string to replace it.

While I've sort of narrowed it down to another 2017-ish Jackson Pro SL2 (had a feeling I shouldn't have sold the one I had), I'm not in love with any of the finishes Jackson offers on them - and unfortunately, SirToastALot finally sold his Jackson Stars beauty, so that's not an option.

Here's what I'm looking for:
* Strat body
* pointy headstock
* H-H pickup configuration (or even 1 hum/1 knob)
* quality Floyd Rose
* beautiful body finish.

This one ticked all the boxes, but alas, timing really is everything in music...

In digging through the existing Jacksons I can find online, I do like the Winterstorm finish, but don't like that it's just a veneer. I'm open to other brands, not just Jackson, but not so open to changing the criteria listed above.

And, I'm cheap, so I don't want to spend over $1000... more like in the $5-750 range. Mike recommended I look at some of the Jackson X series, so that's on the table, too.

And.... GO!

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SirToastaLot

· #2 · Jan 14, 2021

2

Haha, funny how that the timing of supply and demand never seems to work.

Sad to see the classic Ibanez moving on.

If you're feeling brave with shipping and import fees, then some interesting Jacksons are available in Japan:

This one hasn't sold for two or three weeks, not too dissimilar from my long departed Blue Soloist, a Chushin MIJ build:
https://www.jauce.com/auction/b529502946

A nice example of a NASL-160 is also up for sale, it's been "upgraded" with some Dimarzio Titan pickups:
https://www.jauce.com/auction/x738029372

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lespauled

· #3 · Jan 14, 2021

I would also consider an old Charvel Model guitar. I have a Model 3 and a Model 4, and they are absolutely incredible guitars. I move on to other guitars, but when I pick them up again, I wonder why I ever moved on to another guitar.

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Iron1

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 15, 2021

SirToastaLot said:
Haha, funny how that the timing of supply and demand never seems to work.

Sad to see the classic Ibanez moving on.

If you're feeling brave with shipping and import fees, then some interesting Jacksons are available in Japan:

This one hasn't sold for two or three weeks, not too dissimilar from my long departed Blue Soloist, a Chushin MIJ build:
https://www.jauce.com/auction/b529502946

Yeah, it's the story of my life - see something I desperately want when I'm broke (like your Jackson), then when I have cash >crickets< and I end up buying something I settled for... the brown one is pretty sweet, but by the time I add $500 to ship it to the US it's twice what I want to pay.

lespauled said:
I would also consider an old Charvel Model guitar. I have a Model 3 and a Model 4, and they are absolutely incredible guitars. I move on to other guitars, but when I pick them up again, I wonder why I ever moved on to another guitar.

I'd definitely be open to a Charvel, but finding an old one that's not wore out might be tricky.

bigdave

· #5 · Jan 15, 2021

Iron1 said:
I'd definitely be open to a Charvel, but finding an old one that's not wore out might be tricky.

I looked around Jackson, Jack/Stars, Charvel. 500-750 limits it on neck throughs and most have something like the wrong trem or need pups etc. Bolt on Charvels open up options at that price point a bit, depending on how you feel about opening options. Honestly Id stack a bit more cash then the options are pretty crazy and you more likley to score something worth waiting for.

1

· #6 · Jan 15, 2021

I'd keep the Ibanez over anythign else mentioned in this thread so far, those things are fuckin' awesome.

If you're patient you can score an M-II for around a grand sometimes. I paid ~1200 or so for mine and it slays.

bigdave

· #7 · Jan 15, 2021

2

and one of these to keep them off your back...

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jacksonplayer

· #8 · Jan 15, 2021

Iron1 said:
I'd definitely be open to a Charvel, but finding an old one that's not wore out might be tricky.

Not to mention that they have the sucky Jackson JT-6 licensed Floyd and a Kahler-style string lock rather than a locknut. Once you get a better Floyd and have the neck modded for a locknut, they're not such a great deal anymore.

I'm not sure what you consider a "beautiful body finish", so that makes it tough to recommend anything.

This one has a headstock repair and bumps up against your spending limit with overseas shipping, but it'll blow any current Pro Series Jackson or LTD out of the water.

https://www.ishibashi-music.jp/category/select/pid/11986

1

· #9 · Jan 15, 2021

After the absolutely asskicking quality of the Edwards I just got, I'd be all in on something like this too. I bet this guitar smokes:

https://reverb.com/item/37907651-edwards-e-cy-115d-1227

Or this:

https://reverb.com/item/38182872-edwards-artist-series-es-85hr-i-0110

Mike

· #10 · Jan 15, 2021

This?

https://actionguitar.com/product/charvel-pro-mod-so-cal-style-1-hh-2019/

playstopause

· #11 · Jan 15, 2021

I'd definitely grab a Pro Series over an X Series, any day. When you find a good Pro Series, they're freakin' good guitars for the money, IMO. I can't believe there's not a single finish you like. There's so many!

Iron1

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 15, 2021

3

jacksonplayer said:
I'm not sure what you consider a "beautiful body finish", so that makes it tough to recommend anything.

This one has a headstock repair and bumps up against your spending limit with overseas shipping, but it'll blow any current Pro Series Jackson or LTD out of the water.

https://www.ishibashi-music.jp/category/select/pid/11986

"beautiful body finish" = A quilt or such (like the Stars linked in the first post - such a stunning guitar), not just a flat paint color - unless its like the Corvette Blue I have on the Ibanez.

Not a fan of the crackle/swirl, etc. that's popular with Jackson right now. It was cool in the 80s, but...

I don't mind white, in fact I kinda dig this one: Jackson SLX DX.

Those pickups would have to go, but it's just another excuse to buy more Elysians from Adam. :fever:

That headstock repair makes me nervous for something I can't see/play before plunking down cash - especially having it shipped from halfway around the world. But, I bet it's awesome, just not sure I'm willing to roll those dice.

Not Mr. Test said:
After the absolutely asskicking quality of the Edwards I just got, I'd be all in on something like this too. I bet this guitar smokes:

https://reverb.com/item/37907651-edwards-e-cy-115d-1227

Or this:

https://reverb.com/item/38182872-edwards-artist-series-es-85hr-i-0110

Those do look sweet, but neither is an H-H, although an H-S *might* be worth a tire kick. The only reason I'm willing to part with the S540 is the single coil in the middle - it drives me crazy 'cause I'm too lazy to fix my bad habit of digging too deep at times which has the tip of the pick hitting it. I lowered the pup all the way down, then took it out altogether and just used the cover, but I still hit it about 10% of the time, which leads to me just not playing it anymore. Have the same issue with my wife's JEM...

I want a guitar that makes me want to play it, not just hang it on the wall and stare at it cause it's gorgeous.

Mike said:
This?

https://actionguitar.com/product/charvel-pro-mod-so-cal-style-1-hh-2019/

Those pictures are so tiny it's hard to tell. I'm not a pick guard guy, though. I toyed with the idea of an RG550, but, pickguard...

playstopause said:
I'd definitely grab a Pro Series over an X Series, any day. When you find a good Pro Series, they're freakin' good guitars for the money, IMO. I can't believe there's not a single finish you like. There's so many!

The Pro SL2 I had was amazing. Really struggled with selling it, and now wish I hadn't. Wasn't in love with the color, but it was so much fun to play.

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mpexus

· #13 · Jan 15, 2021

Iron1 said:
So, I'm going to sell my S540LTD

Stop reading after that

146

· #14 · Jan 15, 2021

2

I've always though the Ibanez JS1000BTB looks absolutely fantastic. I've seen them used in that price range:

Ibanez S540 HH - they're sometimes available in the most beautiful finish, i.e. DESERT YELLOW:

There's also the 540R-HH

https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/540RHH

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Iron1

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 15, 2021

mpexus said:
Stop reading after that

:lol: /Thread

Iron1

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 15, 2021

Markus said:
I've always though the Ibanez JS1000BTB looks absolutely fantastic. I've seen them used in that price range:

That's Purdy. Is it just me or does the camera work makes the trem look insanely dirty. :lol:

146

· #17 · Jan 15, 2021

You can also look for a RG3120. :yum:

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playstopause

· #18 · Jan 15, 2021

Iron1 said:
The Pro SL2 I had was amazing. Really struggled with selling it, and now wish I hadn't. Wasn't in love with the color, but it was so much fun to play.

I'm sure you can find another one.

1

· #19 · Jan 15, 2021

Markus said:
You can also look for a RG3120. :yum:

I think Drew has one of these. Not sure you'll find one for under a grand though.

Iron1

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 15, 2021

Markus said:
You can also look for a RG3120. :yum:

Definitely sweet. But I think my 30 years of Ibanez has me wanting something different.

playstopause said:
I'm sure you can find another one.

Yeah, been watching this one:

Don't love the color (it's the same grey as the one I had), but the racing stripe is neat...

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