Are you looking for the Best Guitar For Rhythm? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Guitar For Rhythm can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Epiphone, Jackson, Yamaha, ESP. We have done a lot of research to find the top 20 Best Guitar For Rhythm available.
The average cost is $685.37. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $125.00 to a high of $2125.00.
Based on the research we did, we think Ibanez RGRT421 Electric Guitar (Weathered Black) is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Guitar For Rhythm (20 Sellers)
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Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Mahogany body.
- Wizard iii profile jatoba on maple/walnut neck-thru construction.
- Ibanez quantum humbuckers with 5-way switching.
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Sn: mx22064906
- Finish: silver
- Pau ferro fingerboard
$219.00
4.5
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Lacks durability . Weight
Features:
- Epiphone's les paul player pack has everything you need to start playing guitar right away.
- Epiphone also includes a clip-on headstock chromatic tuner, a guitar strap, medium picks, and an easy-to-carry gig bag.
- And best of all for new players, the les paul player pack comes with free downloadable guitar lessons from media.
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Lightweight . Well made . Durable
Features:
- Classic les paul styling meets modern appointments
- Weight-relieved mahogany body maintains sustain without weighing you down
- Probucker humbucking pickups create old-school paf tones
$1444.00
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Weight . Well made . Durability
Features:
- Accessories: please confirm the picture.
- Please note!
- Not all of the items you purchase from us are in our shibuya store in tokyo …
$2125.00
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durable . Heavy
Features:
- Body top : maple
- Body back : mahogany (9-hole weight relief)
- Neck : mahogany (slim taper)
$125.00
4.4
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Lightweight . Well made . Durability
Features:
- Poppy tree body
- Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Durability . Heavy . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Classic ibanez rg playability and looks
- Tight lows and fast highs thanks to an ash body
- Double-locking tremolo bridge lets you play expressively with exceptional tuning stability
$1499.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Durability . Sound quality . Weight . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Small scratch on bottom of guitar near tone knob, see photos.
- Ibanez gig bag included.
- Original strap buttons will be reinstalled.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Lightweight . Durability
Features:
- Black abs with white dot bridge pins
- Ivory and black abs body binding
- Oval soundhole
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Weight
Features:
- Like new condition.
- Angled switch control plate with the volume and tone controls moved back, for improved functionality.
- All us electrical components hand-wired.
$749.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Well made . Attractive . Durability . Lightweight
Features:
- Seymour duncan custom 5 tb-14 and ssl-1 pickups
- Alder body with maple neck and rosewood fingerboard
- H/s/s pickup configuration with 5-position selector, push-pull, coil-split switch for additional tonal options
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durability
Features:
- This item is in very good condition.
- This item has been tested and is 100% functional.
- Please message us with any questions.
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Lightweight . Durable
Features:
- Jatoba has a reddish brown color and produces a rich mid range with a crisp high end.
- Jumbo frets contribute to smooth playability, especially for single-note playing.
- The meranti body provides a scooped mid-range with a sweet tone.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Lightweight . Well made . Durability
Features:
- Les paul special ve has a poplar body with a sleek look thanks to the vintage worn finish and no binding on the neck or body.
- Has a comfortable and fast mahogany bolt-on neck with a 1960's slimtaper d profile.
- Rosewood fingerboard has traditional pearloid "dot" inlays, a 24.75” scale, a 14” radius, 22 medium jumbo frets.
$599.00
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Weight . Well made . Durable
Features:
- Purchased new from sweetwater earlier this year.
- Strait neck, low action.
- Mahogony body.
$1444.00
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Weight . Well made . Durability
Features:
- A stage and studio workhorse
- Ultra-modern weight-relieved body allows for longer sets and sessions
- Mahogany slimtaper neck plays like a 60s favorite
$419.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durable . Weight
Features:
- 100% designed by fender
- Inspired by 1950s-era stratocaster models
- Fender-designed alnico pickups
$349.99
4.9
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Well made . Attractive . Durable
Features:
- Chrome tuners!
- New strings!
- Electric tested!
Reviewers Noted:
Visual appeal . Weight
Features:
- Jackson high-output pickups for ultra-hot tone.
- Compound-radius fretboard delivers maximum playing comfort and performance.
- If looks could kill . . .
1. Ibanez Rgrt421 Electric Guitar (Weathered Black)
Product Details:
For years the rg series has been one of the most recognisable lines in the ibanez arsenal, delivering hard rockin' metal machines with precision, speed and power. the new ibanez rgrt421-wk is something pretty special from this highly regarded line. with a beautiful weathered black mahogany body, you not only get stunning looks but rich, tight, natural tone. the ergonomic body shape feels smooth, well balanced and poised for action. a 5 piece maple/walnut wizard iii neck features a jatoba fingerboard with white dot inlays. it's designed for speed and precision, perfect for today's metal players. with a rich history of crushing tones and sweeping solos to live up to, the rgrt421-wk is loaded with a duo of quantum pickups. in the traditional hh configuration, they combine to deliver an insane dynamic range and note definition. with unrivalled clarity and power, you can unleash crushing riffs and soaring solos, whatever you need, it can handle it! with its powerhouse specs and exotic aesthetics, the ibanez rgrt421-wk is one cool cat!
Specifications:
| Body shape | Double cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | Wizard III reverse headstock |
| Neck wood | Maple/walnut |
| Joint | Neck-through |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Yes |
| Radius | 15.75 in. |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width | 1.69 in. (43 mm) Not specified |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Quantum (H) |
| Bridge | Quantum (H) |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Series |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Special electronics | 5-way switch with coil splitting |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 5-way |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | 6-saddle string through body |
| Tailpiece | String thru body |
| Tuning machines | Not specified |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
Reviews:
Sound: The stock pickups sound great especially with high gain. Nice crunch and break up. Features: For me the reason that I bought this model is that it is the least expensive way to get a real Edge tremolo. I can do subtle things with the Edge that I can’t do on an Original Floyd Rose. The bar is easier to position and it stays where ever you put it. As long as the torsion bushings on the bar aren’t worn out, the pop in bar is neither too tight or too sloppy. Value: This guitar is worth every penny. Manufacturer Support: I did not use Ibanez customer service and I did order half a dozen sets of torsion bushings, but had to order them from different places. The Wow Factor: I love the color of this one, Desert Sun Yellow. Overall: In the last 2 months I’ve bought 5 different Ibanez guitars, both lower and higher price. I must say that this guitar is the most bang for the buck out of any of my 21 guitars that I own.Got more than 200 bucks off on mine as it was sold as a slight blemish. When the guitar arrived, I noticed it did have a hairline crack in the paint on the bass side at the neck pocket. That was the only flaw I could find and it probably would have happened anyway if I would have got a “new” one.This is the shreddiest guitar that I have. The only thing that I had to address is that the 6th fret was a little proud. Other than that the fret job was good. All the frets were shiny and smooth and no fret sprout.This is the guitar that is at the price point where if you spend more money, you aren’t going to get much better. And the fit and finish were top notch.Scott
Overall: This guitar was a total impulse buy and I’m so glad I bought it! It’s easily worth twice the price of it. Can’t get too many mid tier guitars that are neck thru with decent pickups and a 5-way switch that has a fast and slim neck at this price. I mostly play baritone 6 strings and 7 strings but I needed a 25.5” scale for drop C and this is perfect for it with 10-54 strings. I did upgrade the nut with a Graphtech tusq nut and Hipshot locking tuners with knurled tuner buttons and looks even more badass while staying in perfect tune! I have an Ibanez rgib6 Iron Label 28” baritone and this is up there with that as far as quality and playability. The stock pickups aren’t bad at all and definitely surprised me cuz that’s usually the first thing I’ll change in an inexpensive guitar. As you can see by the other reviews people say it’s a great guitar and they’re not lying so if you’re on the fence about getting it then go for it! You won’t be disappointed at all and if for some reason you are then zZounds has a return policy within like 30-45 days so you won’t be stuck with a guitar you don’t love.Josh
Overall: I have been playing the epiphone les paul std for two and half years now,and started looking at semi hollows around five months ago! I did some research looked at reviews and then bought the am93 ays almost four months ago,and just love it! The body is bigger and its lighter then the les paul ,it rests real nice on the lap no strap is neaded.Pickups and tunners excellent !! I would say the neck shape is a (c ) standard! Not thin like a jackson or wizard 3 neck! With the string action low feels and plays very nice!! Flawless machine ! No sharp frets,no freting out, all notes are clear, fret boards nice and dark no gaps around the block inlays ! All smooth sealed and even. Amazing finish. Thanks to everyone at zZounds ! With the payment plan i was able to get this! im very happy and very much enjoy it
2. Fender Player Stratocaster Hsh Silver
Product Details:
The fender player hsh is a perfect guitar for you to display your individuality and unique sound. this guitar is versatile enough for any genre or style of music and ready for you to experiment and create your own tone, sound and style. while giving you creative freedom, the player also holds the same authentic feel. fender's bright and crisp tone still shines through in your music. this fender guitar comes with a structure built for perfection. the neck is well-crafted from smooth maple wood and boasts a satin urethane finish, allowing you to slide between frets with unparalleled ease. this is a great touch for aspiring shredders. another great feature is the 2-point tremolo, which provides more freedom when creating your new sound. add pitch bends and vibratos to complete your solos. this is the ideal model for those who want to explore new styles.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Double cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Alder |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | C modern |
| Neck wood | Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Dual-action |
| Neck finish | Gloss |
| Radius | 9.5 in. |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Configuration | HSH |
| Neck | Player Series Stratocaster humbucker |
| Middle | Player Series Stratocaster single coil |
| Bridge | Player Series Stratocaster humbucker |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone 1, tone 2 |
| Pickup switch | 5-way |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Tremolo/Vibrato |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast sealed |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | Mexico |
Reviews:
This is the first Acoustic/electric that I have owned that I actually love playing. The action is great even with the large gauge acoustic strings on it. Comes with a very nice gig-bag/case. I love the way the neck and back of the guitar looks. I also love the Strat 5-way switch that selects the degree and type of acoustic sound. The only downside with this guitar is the cover that serves as a cover for the electronics and pick guard. It looks cheap, more like a decal than a cover. I think Fender can do better on this detail for the price of the guitar. However, if you can get past that then it is a fine playing and sounding guitar. I have owned several Acoustic and Acoustic/Electric guitars. The action on even high-priced acoustics was so terrible I just ended up selling them. I also do not like the large back ends of most acoustic and acoustic electric guitars, but this guitar is small and easy to play. I would give it an A-.Bill
The research I did on trying to learn more about this instrument via general internet, YouTube, assorted standard Music Company's like Sam Ash; Sweetwater; Guitar Center; Alamo; and other assorted Music Guitar critics provided a good array of opinions and product test results that produced a positive majority with impressive perspectives for the instrument I purchased. The Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster Acoustic-Electric Guitar Cocobolo I purchased from Sam Ash was not a disappointment. Aside from the 10 different options of Guitar unique sounds it provides from Acoustic and Electric mixes. The one-of-a-kind Cocobolo wood identifies a further fingerprint in supporting its own private one-of-a-kind signature sound with relationship to the Cocobolo wood unique to it alone. That just blows me away with how special the sound of specialty signature sound it produces with the ten different built in technical sounds the Fender Guitar company developed with this special edition. I feel overwhelmed in learning to continue how to play this guitar. It allows me so many more possibilities with playing soft country to hard rock a really strong guitar enjoyment experience.Guitar Enthusiast
Overall, I am very happy with this guitar. It exudes classic Fender looks and tone. The quality and craftsmanship are decent for the price point. I have a US Tele and, after putting some TLC into this player strat, it feels and plays almost as good as the Tele. I would give it five stars if it were not for fretwork that was needed. Body – The finish and surf pearl color are gorgeous. The wood grain is barely visible (raised) so I would not say the finish is flawless, but the grain is very subtle and adds character in my opinion. The routed cavities for the electronics (top) and the tremolo springs (back) are precisely cut and clean. The electronics cavity was even finished with black paint. Neck – The finish and appearance are great. However, all 22 frets had sprouted; some as much as 1/32". I can't say this is a craftsmanship issue as the frets were probably fine when it was assembled. It must have been a very high humidity environment, though. Nevertheless, after painstakingly filing and redressing all 44 fret ends it feels good. The frets themselves were well seated and leveled. The 3rd and 11th frets were a few thousands of an inch high, but not enough to cause any buzzing issues. The frets were well rounded and polished. Hardware – The tuners are just okay. One of them feels a little rough turning, and they seem to have a low turning ratio making it very touchy to dial in perfect pitch. The 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge seems like a better design than the traditional (six screw) bridges, but I did not test it. I prefer to block them for more stable tuning, which worked great with this bridge. I have upgraded electronics I had planned to install in this guitar, but the stock pickups aren't bad. They are very quiet and have good tone – there is no rush to replace them. Setup was a breeze. Truss rod adjustment was smooth, nut slots were to spec, and intonation was perfect. The action needed adjustment since I blocked the tremolo, but that was easy.Dave S.
3. Epiphone Les Paul Special Ii Player Electric Guitar Package, Ebony
Product Details:
It features the popular special ii guitar and epiphone's studio 10 amplifier, with all the accessories you need to get started playing guitar. this is a powerful sounding guitar with the feel you only get from a les paul. the excellent special ii is built with an alder/mahogany body, two open coil humbucking pickups, a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard and chrome hardware. the studio 10 amp has a 3-band eq , gain controls and a handy built-in prop stand. includes: les paul special ii electric guitar, studio 10 amplifier, gig bag, pitchpipe, strap, picks, instrument cable, instructional dvd video.
Specifications:
| Manufacturer Part Number | EPI PPEGEGL1 EB |
| Product Model | EPI PPEGEGL1 EB |
| Bundle Main Item Type | Electric Guitar |
| Best Buy Main_Item | Les Paul Special II Player Pack Electric Guitar, Ebony |
| Best Buy Bundle_Item_2 | Strap |
| Best Buy Bundle_Item_3 | Picks |
| Best Buy Bundle_Item_4 | Digital Clip-on Tuner |
| Best Buy Bundle_Item_5 | Guitar Cable |
| Best Buy Feature_1 | Limited Lifetime |
| Best Buy Feature_2 | 44 |
| Best Buy Feature_3 | Color: Ebony |
| Best Buy Feature_4 | Country of Origin: China |
| Best Buy Feature_5 | Body Material: Solid Alder, Neck Material: Hard Maple, Bridge Pickup: 700T Humbucker; Open-coils, Neck Pickup: 650T Humbucker; Open-coils, Controls: Volume, Tone, Toggle, Output Jack: 1/4 inch, Hardware: Chrome, |
| Best Buy Feature_6 | Bridge: Tune-o-Matic, Tailpiece: Stopbar, Tuners: Covered; 14:1 ratio, Fingerboard: Rosewood |
| Package Contents | Les Paul Special II Player Pack Electric Guitar, Ebony. Strap. Picks. Digital Clip-on Tuner. Guitar Cable |
Reviews:
What a brilliant guitar and superb value package! I have owned ‘real’ Gibsons over the years and bought this outfit as a birthday gift for my granddaughter who is learning to play. She has had a fender acoustic for a couple of years and now wants her own electric guitar. I chose this outfit as having previously owned one in the past I like Epiphone guitars. Before giving it to her I thought it best to check it over and set it up but there was nothing to do really, after tuning this guitar was perfectly playable right out the box! The feel, balance and weight is very like my Gibson and the sound is superb. The amp is excellent and packs enough punch to put a smile on your face too. She’s delighted with the built in tuner as well as the other essentials included in the outfit. What’s not to like? I can’t find a better value package!W O.
My original review still stands, but I made cosmetic-only upgrades for less than an average couple's meal at a casual restaurant that makes this look much, much more expensive. No tuner, pickup or pot swaps. Replaced black plastic parts with cream, added cream pickguard, replaced chrome tuner knobs with Klausen-style ivory-look knobs. Installed chrome pickup covers. Replaced speed knobs with gold top-hats.Easily done to make this look like a proper Les Paul. I'm happy with the looks for the little extra money spent.Steve
As the song says: "I'm a Sucker for a Cheap Guitar". I own over 30 – some cheap, some not so cheap. This one arrived perfectly set up: low action, no buzzing, no sharp fret edges, easy to play – amazing for a guitar in this price range. Although not great, the pickups even sounded acceptable. It's heavy, which to me means good, though not as heavy as my Gibson. It's OK-looking, but needed something to enhance it – a pickguard. I added one and it looks much better – more expensive. Instead of cutting off part of the guard to accommodate the knob as I've seen some others do, I drilled a hole big enough for the nut on the body underneath the knob to fit through the guard (see photos). Since the guard isn't much thicker than the nut, it allowed the guard to fit flush with the body and the knob to turn without any restriction of motion, and the pickguard is not butchered. It's a very clean look – like it came that way – not modified. So, I am pleased with this instrument, and would recommend it to anyone for any purpose: especially beginners to play or someone like me who just collects cheap guitars to hang on the wall of their studiio.Steve
4. Epiphone Les Paul Modern Electric Guitar (Graphite Black)
Product Details:
New for 2020, the epiphone les paul modern, in graphite black, is part of the inspired by gibson collection, bringing a new and updated tone and aesthetic to the world's most popular electric guitar. the epiphone les paul modern features a weight-relieved mahogany body and maple cap, with a contoured heel, asymmetrical slimtaper mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets, nickel hardware, and probucker pickups, for maximum tone and playability. combine this with coil-splitting, phase switching, and a treble bleed circuit, and you get an incredibly versatile electric guitar, with tones perfect for anything from jazz to blues, rock, and heavy metal. the equipped probucker humbucking pickups are a faithful recreation of the late-50's, early-60s gibson pafs. with gibson-sized and shaped bobbins, sand-cast alnico ii magnets, 4-conductor leads and wire, wax potting, and 18% nickel silver bases and covers, the epiphone probuckers provide you with that real deal, crisp and transparent gibson kalamazoo tone.
Specifications:
| Grover Locking tuners with 18 | 1 ratio for precise tuning |
| Body Type | Single Cutaway Other |
| Top wood | Maple |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck shape | Asymmetric Slim |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Joint | Set-in |
| Scale length | 24.75" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Gloss |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fret size | Medium-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Trapezoid |
| Nut width/material | 1.69 in. (43 mm) GraphTech |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Bridge | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Control layout | Individual volume Individual tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-Way |
| Special electronics | Coil-split Treble Bleed Phase control |
| Bridge type | Fixed Bridge |
| Bridge design | Individual saddle |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | Locking |
| Number of strings | 6 String |
| Orientation | Right handed |
Reviews:
I am basically play for my own entertainment, and this LP Modern is rapidly becoming my favorite, even though I also really like my G&L Tele and Strat models. The shorter scale makes a difference and I find the neck fits my hand really nicely. The sound is great, as is the finish. Having said that, I would have given it 5 stars, but my guitar came with 5 areas of light scratches and scuffs, including under the protective plastic on the pick guard, but I was able to polish all of them out to where all but one area is completely gone. The worst spot was by the toggle switch, which is all but disappeared and probably with a little more polishing, would go away completely. I didn't want to take the chance of going thru the clear, but am happy with the results. Someone else who is uncomfortable with that process may find it unacceptable, but I doubt those issues are common on Epiphones and MF's return/exchange policy would certainly cover that as I was assured if I wished to do so. The Sparkling Burgandy finish is a real eye catcher and now it makes me want to pick up the guitar and play it, which is the whole point. The added weight relief makes it enjoyable hanging on your shoulder. This is a very nice guitar for the price and then some. And Devan Miller has been great during the whole process and follow up. Very knowledgeable, patient, and extremely helpful in answering all my questions. Highly recommend him as a rep.Steve R
Overall: The Epiphone Les Paul Modern sounds great and looks amazing. The new/old Kalamazoo headstock is a game changer for the overall look of the instrument. With push/pull coil split and phase switching there are a wide variety of useful sounds over and above the traditional Les Paul. Any differences between Epiphone and Les Paul pickups can be compensated for with EQ, especially while using overdrive. There is a bit of noise similar to single coils when using the coil split function.The guitar came with a great setup from the factory. Action and intonation are about the best I have seen of any of the dozen or so guitars I have owned. Tuning stability is exceptional. This is noteworthy for an Epiphone as there are often issues with tuning stability on Gibson LP's due to the angle of the headstock being greater than the Epiphones. The locking tuners are an excellent upgrade, and should be standard on most guitars these days. Regarding quality control, I identified three high frets that are causing some minor fret buzz, but not enough to send it back. Some minor fret work will resolve this, but you should take this into consideration if you are not inclined to spend extra money on a brand new guitar for fret leveling. I have read that this is a common issue with 2020-2021 Epiphones. Fret ends have some sharpness to them. The black pickguard has a gap around the neck pickup. Not very noticeable unless you are looking for it, but I am not sure why this is an issue. I have seen it on other guitars of this model. Though it is an Epiphone, this seems to be one area that would not be difficult to fix in design. Finally, there are minor quality control issues on the finish mostly around the binding with paint bleed or similar. Overall, at this price point, the guitar is a great purchase for the hobbyist, considering the Gibson version will cost about $3,000. However, with so many quality guitar choices in the $1,000 price range, I am not sure I would pay much more for an Epiphone, and am glad they kept the price point in this range.Shanon
Overall: The Good: took a chance to save some money on a "blemished" deal. Have had good luck with these in the past with zZounds, and as before, could not find any blemishes in regard to the finish. The setup, however, was abyssal. Once setup, the guitar is fantastic. Lighter weight than my other Epi, and.my.Gibson. The Probuckers are amazing. Great clarity and I see or hear no reason to replace them. Liking them better than my 57+ classics. Black guitars and me don't get along, as I have always sold them off. The graphite black and plain back on this guitar is gorgeous. Most likely a keeper. Neck feel is perfect. Coil split and tone controls really make a difference. Many sounds can be had. May soon become my #1 guitar. Plays effortlessly. The Bad: guitar setup was non existent. Tuners were crooked, nut slots too high, pickup height too low, pick guard installed incorrectly, uneven frets, action set for limbo, and scratchy pots. After cutting deeper nut slots, leveling and crowning the frets, lowering the action, adjusting truss rod, readjusting tuning pegs and pick guard, spraying the pots, and installing quality knobs, the guitar is now fantastic. I can understand why it was returned as it took a lot of work to get it playable. Luckily, I do that all myself so no extra $. Sadly, although great luck with zZounds in the past, this will be my last order until either:1) zZounds offers shipping options other than FedEx. Or2) Fedex gets their s**t together and figures out how to deliver packages to the correct address, with accurate tracking, and without damage.
5. Gibson Les Paul Studio – Wine Red
Product Details:
The gibson les paul studio, finished in wine red, is perfect for the stage and the studio, with all the quintessential les paul components, plus a host of modern upgrades which enhance playability and sonic versatility. a mahogany body with a maple cap, set up the basis for classic les paul tone. ultra-modern weight relief maintains this tone, while reducing the weight of the guitar, thanks to its high-tech design which offsets relief chambers around the body perimeter, and maintains a solid core through the centre. a slim taper mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets, provide super fast playability and comfort. a 490r neck, and 498t bridge humbucker pump out tight, crunchy high-output tone, while two push-pull pots and a three-way pickup selector switch add a huge range of sonic versatility.
Specifications:
| Neck Profile | Slim Taper |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Depth at 1st (in) | .817 |
| Depth at 12th (in) | .923 |
| Nut Width (in) | 1.691 |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech |
| Scale | 24.75 In |
| Fingerboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius | 12 |
| Fret Count | 22 |
| Finish Type | Gloss Nitro |
| Tuners | Grovers |
| Bridge | Nashville TOM |
| Neck Pickup | Burstbucker 61R |
| Bridge Pickup | Burstbucker 61T |
| Controls | 2 Volumes, 2 Tones, & Toggle Switch |
| Strings | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Finish | BBQ Burst |
| Made In | United States |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 12" |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Nut Width | 1.69" |
| Offset Body | No |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Top Material | Maple |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
Reviews:
Looks great, sounds great, plays great. One of the nicest gig bags I've ever seen. Came out of the box at the store set up and tuned! Fit and finish were perfect and the wine red just pops under stage lighting…unlike the one that was on display…and this is why I don't buy guitars online! Got it home, changed the strings to the gauge I prefer, lowered the string height a smidge, and checked the intonation which was spot on. Took it to a pro jam out in the valley where it got lots of compliments from the other players for it's sound and looks…it's as nice a Les Paul as I've ever played. If you get one like mine you won't regret it! But go to the GC and pick yours out and save yourself some possible grief. You won't regret that either!Stephen
I bought my first Les Paul in 1974. I was a little concerened about the new "lightend and improved" version but it turned out to be great. Pickups are better. Feels great, plays great and all around great guitar at a good price. Required minimal set up to play really good. I liked it so much, I bought another one 3 weeks later. I love my Strats but right out of the box, they require a lot of work to make them play and stay in tune. Got my first Strat in 72. If I was a kid (I'm in my 60's), I would choose this Les Paul Studio first. Because it is easier to set up and play right out of the box. I love my Strats, but this is a really good guitar.Stephen C
Still a novice player, but decided that I had stuck with it long enough to justify spending a bit more than I had spent on my used Squier Strat. After reading a ton of reviews and watching a bunch of YouTube videos, I chose the LP Studio in Smokehouse Burst. Wow! What an incredible difference. I find it easier to play with a wider fretboard and the sound is just amazing. I'm not sure if I just got a good one or if Gibson has stepped up their QA game as mine does not display the defects described by other reviews here. I have not found any cosmetic or fit/finish flaws. The color also closely resembles the photos with just a slightly darker shade on the burst. It is an absolutely gorgeous instrument and I couldn't be more satisfied with it. I know that Gibson switched over to the soft case rather than the hard one to save costs, but quite frankly, I don't see that they could have saved too much. The soft case is very high quality and with the exception of shipping or air travel, I feel that my guitar is well protected when put away. Although, I doubt that I'll ever be traveling to perform in this lifetime. Thanks Gibson. Great job on a beautiful instrument.ArmchairAstro
6. Gibson Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar (Honeyburst)
Product Details:
The gibson les paul classic combines the early 60's style les paul model with some functional and time-tested modifications. as expected, the lp classic is crafted with a mahogany back and maple top coupled with a slim taper mahogany neck and bound, rosewood fingerboard. burstbucker 61r & 61t zebra, open-coil pickups provide classic gibson tones from the era with a bit of extra punch thanks to the open coils. the control assembly features 4 push-pull pots which provide choices of coil tapping, phase switching and pure bypassing for functional and versatile sonic variety. mint condition (slight marks on pick guard) all original, except strings (.10's installed and setup) played only in music room for study of music. plays and sounds great. made with 9-hole weight relief, weighs 10 lbs. includes original hard shell case and paperwork.
Specifications:
| Neck Profile | Slim Taper |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Depth at 1st (in) | .841 |
| Depth at 12th (in) | .904 |
| Nut Width (in) | 1.695 |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech |
| Scale | 24.75 In |
| Fingerboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius | 12 |
| Fret Count | 22 |
| Finish Type | Gloss Nitro |
| Tuners | Gibson Deluxe |
| Bridge | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic |
| Neck Pickup | 490R |
| Bridge Pickup | 498T |
| Controls | 2 Volumes, 2 Tones, & Toggle Switch |
| Strings | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Year | 2020 |
| Finish | Honey Burst |
| Made In | United States |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 12" |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | No |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Top Material | Maple |
| Nut Width | 1.695" |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
Reviews:
Overall: I purchased this guitar from zZounds about 2 years ago. Black and amazing: Before I made the move I played over 100 Gibson Les Paul and other brands, every time I came back to this exact model as the "Standard" to compare, after 6 months or so I pulled the trigger and received this Les Paul. The only thing I have a problem with is I wish I had all colors as this guitar will be a collector in time. The neck, profile, binging, hardware, pickups and electronics are perfect, not a single issue. The tone pull knows are extremely functional and the lower right tone when its "pulled up" is all on gain, treble tone and right into lead solo's without playing pickup selector and tones adjustment. Brilliant.This is players guitar, not a case queen. So glad Gibson came back from the dead.I've owned original 1969 Les Paul's and some 60 Stratocasters all of which have been narrowed down to 4 amazing Stratocasters, and a few other gems for live, scoring to film and all go to instruments.BUY THIS GUITAR and YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED.I am not endorsed by any companies!!!!Michael S. SmithMichael
When you want a Les Paul you’ll want a real Les Paul so that’s a Gibson and not a single cut guitar by any onther manufacturer that has its looks changed because it may not look like a Gibson Les Paul. Furthermore: the Gibson Les Paul since its inception in the ‘50’s has always been and will be THE benchmark. Period. This Gibson Les Paul Classic is a gorgeous, great guitar and very competetively priced too. For your tone you really do not need an AAA flame top; many of the best sounding ‘vintage’ Les Pauls are plaintops. And when you do not want one of the ‘burst’ versions that just do not quite meet the looks of the old ones, this Translucent Red is the way to go.. you’ll be buying a guitar that reminisces of George Harrison’s ‘Lucy’ and Dicky Betts’s ‘Redtop’ without having to fork out Custom Shop money. You’ll also get 4 push-pull pots that effectively give you all the inspiring tonal options (including the ‘Peter Green’ out of phase tone) you’d find in a Custom Shop Jimmy Page # 2 (read the spec sheets) but again without having to pay the Custom Shop Price. Between 1990 and 2008 there was also a ‘Les Paul Classic’ too but the ‘Classic’ version on sale these days has little to do with that previous ‘Classic 1960’. The Burstbucker pick ups are supposed to adhere to the specifications Seth Lover intended and that Gibson was applying to the 1961 P.A.F. / Patent Number Pickups. And indeed the Burstbuckers are clear, brilliant, a bit ‘bright’ and not ‘woolly’ or ‘fatty’. More a bit like the P90 ‘without hum’ it was designed to be but then a little more powerful, without the screaming harshness of some ceramic pickups Gibson used in the past. The Grover tuners – although I prefer the looks of the Kluson keystones – are also ‘60’s-modifications’ and I must say they have a wonderfull ‘solid’ mechanically feeling action. The crown inlays in the fretboard are a perfect fit (unlike some others where gaps were obvioulsy filled up with glue or something) and the fret bindings have been finished properly (in the past I’ve seen that done less scrupulously..). The Classic also sports the ‘modern’ larger strap holders so it is not imperative to fit straplock systems right away… Any drawbacks? Some people might scare back at the weight: it comes in at 4.25 kilo’s and the Slim Taper neck profile (also a ‘60’s’ characteristic) has to be your thing. Minor detail: upon arrival the fretboard was very dry but all it needed was some luscious application of Axe Wax and now the fretboard has the same nice even chocolate brown hue as my Gibson 2019 Firebird. When you are on the search for ‘a’ Les Paul, at least try the Les Paul Classic as well. I have sold two M.I.J. Tokai LoveRocks (a 2002 and a 2003) to fund the purchase of the Gibson Les Paul Classic; that was a gamble but I was right in doing so; the Les Paul Classic really pleases me a lot more. And a note I must add: mine came perfectly set up by one of the guitar techs of Music Store; thank you! Even the intonation was spot on !
I've been playing guitar for almost 4o years and have always wanted a Gibson Les Paul because my favorite players use them. As a teenager, I couldn't afford one and saved up for a Washburn WP-80 (licensed les paul custom copy) and loved it. Ever since it has been my #1 and I've always regarded Gibson to be all about the name and not really worth the money. Well, I heard about the new Gibson line up a few years ago, decided to check them out, and discovered the Les Paul Classic model. It checked all of the boxes for my dream guitar. Plain top subtle burst, bound body and neck, coil splitting buckers, and weight relief. I saved up and ordered it through MF and it arrived 3 days later (on my birthday, no less!). Man, I don't know why I waited so long to own a Gibson. It is the sweetest playing/sounding/smelling guitar I have ever held. I was concerned about the wood grain when ordering sight unseen, but was relieved when I finally opened the case (see pics). Set up was good right out of the box. Pickups sound amazing, clear, open, and woody. The only disappointment was that the "9-hole" weight relief really isn't that noticeable. It's still a hefty Paul. Which is fine now, because I'm getting older and usually play sitting down. Also, there is a "freckle" on the fretboard. I know some would take issue with that, but to me tiny little imperfections like that just make the guitar special and unique, and It doesn't affect playing at all. Overall, I LOVE this guitar and am very satisfied!Ryan
7. Epiphone Les Paul Sl Electric Guitar (Vintage Sunburst)
Product Details:
Lightly used, in original box. these are also called les paul melody makers. the plastic is still on pickguard.the les paul melody maker was awarded the guitar player magazine editor's pick and is based on the iconic gibson les paul ! the body is made with solid alder for the body and a comfortable hard maple neck. the granadillo fingerboard has classic pearloid dot inlays and standard medium jumbo frets. tuning is fast and accurate with epiphone machine heads with a 14:1 tuning ratio along with epiphone s adjustable, intonated wrap-around stop bar combo bridge. the les paul melody maker is powered by epiphone's open coil 650scr single-coil pickup in the neck position and a 700scr single-coil pickup in the rhythm or bridge position. the les paul melody maker's master volume and master tone knobs control both pickups.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Single cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | '60s slimTaper D |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 24.75 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Gloss |
| Radius | 12 in. |
| Fret size | Medium |
| Number of frets | 20 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width | 1.68 in. (42.67 mm) |
| Configuration | SS |
| Neck | 650SCR Ceramic single-coil |
| Bridge | 700SCT Ceramic single-coil |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Series |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Volume 1, volume 2, tone 1, tone 2 |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | China |
Reviews:
I've been dabbling with learning how to play the guitar for several years, I've even took a guitar class at the local community college but have gotten frustrated easily to where I quit. I'll say that I have had a "on again, off again" relationship with guitars for the last 15 years. I am not an expert in guitars and am steadily learning the process – how they are built, the electronic parts, etc. I decided to give it a go again with this inexpensive guitar that is a great little learning tool for the novice player like myself. One thing I did do when I got this is change the strings. I watched several review videos on this model and one the the first things people recommended was to change the strings. So I bought a box of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's (10-46) and re-strung the guitar immediately after I got it out of the box. I am pleased with my progress so far. Could be the fact that I found a great website that gives excellent beginner lessons and helps me to understand the fundamentals of guitar playing. Things that the college instructor didn't teach very well. Of course, it helps that I can play the videos over and over! I'm upgrading to a Fender Mustang LT 25 amp, which will give me a huge range of different tones that I can get out of this guitar. As my skills develop and I get better (hopefully), I will look at upgrading to a higher price point guitar. I would love to get an SG! If you are looking to get started in the guitar community, I would recommend this model to get started. I've watched many videos of experienced guitar players jam some pretty cool riff's with this thing!Jason
Bought for my 15 year old daughter who has been learning on an acoustic guitar and wants to step up to an electric guitar. She did some research and settled on the Epiphone Les Paul SL Vintage Sunburst. DV247.com had the best price and also stock this in other finishes. The guitar arrived in perfect condition and looks great. My daughter played a few chords she has been learning and it sounds good. I'm no expert so can't comment more than that.
This is an incredible guitar for the money. Only thing that needed serious help was the action at the nut. Using the stock nut and a set of nut files, I set it up to my preferred specs of 1/64th of an inch a two the first fret. This ensured comfortable playing as well as tuning stability. After cutting the nut slots to the right height, looks like the file made sure the strings wouldn't catch and now the guitar stays in tune much much better. I would replace the pickups with p90s if I could. Some modification to the pickguard might make this a possibility. Sometimes, I forget I'm playing an Epiphone. With the nut corrected it really is possible to get it feeling pretty good. Here are my personal specs: .005" neck relief measured at the 8th fret. 1/64ths action at the first fret across all strings. 1/16ths of an inch action at the 15th fret. It does not play as well as my Gibsons do: the explorer feels much lower and faster with the same specs and my les Paul traditional does reel in some "big time" tone. In spite of this, the Epiphone SL really does hit the mark. It's capable of all the same specs after adjusting the nut, making for a very playable guitar. I also don't believe the tuning issues are due to the economy tuners since after I adjusted the nut the guitar stays in tune much better. I bought a replacement black tusq nut but have not installed it. I wonder if there's even really a need to do so. This action at the nut is very low but the guitar pulls it off very well. I'm sure that with better pots (remember this is an economy guitar) andLeón
8. Ibanez Rg470ahm Rg Electric Guitar – Blue Moon Burst
Product Details:
This item was returned in mint condition. it is free of any performance issues, and has no scratches, blemishes, or other cosmetic flaws. if ibanez holds the most iconic name in metal, then the rg is certainly the guitar that built this reputation. every inch of this classic screams speed, fury, and expression. the rg470ahm features an ash body sparkling highs and beefy lows, and it’s complemented by the distinction of a maple fretboard, which, as tone aficionados know well, yields a shade more “bite” to the guitar’s voice. as the originators of the thin, fast neck, the wizard iii is yet another achievement in player comfort—comfort that translates into maximizing player performance. proprietary quantum pickups for a focused, vintage meets modern, vibe and you’ve got a guitar that’s every inch a pure metal machine. case sold separately.
Specifications:
| Neck type | Wizard III maple neck |
| Top/back/body | Ash body |
| Fretboard | Maple fretboard and black dot inlay |
| Fret | Jumbo frets |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Bridge | Double Locking tremolo bridge |
| String space | 10.5mm |
| Neck pickup | Quantum (H) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| Middle pickup | Quantum (S) middle pickup (Passive/Alnico) |
| Bridge pickup | Quantum (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| Factory tuning | 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E |
| Strings | D'Addario EXL120 |
| String gauge | .009/.011/.016/.024/.032/.042 |
| Nut | Locking nut |
| Hardware color | Cosmo black |
| Scale | 648mm (25.5 inch) |
| a. Width | 43mm at NUT |
| b. Width | 58mm at 24F |
| c. Thickness | 19mm at 1F |
| d. Thickness | 21mm at 12F |
| Radius | 400mmR |
| Recommended case | M300C |
Reviews:
I've been playing this guitar the RG470AHM for about 6 months now. I'm very impressed by the blue moon burst it looks like a prestige level guitar. the ash body gives it very decent sustain. I see people complain that the rg370ahm got the edge zero 2 and we got the standard DL tremelo But I can't complain because if set up correctly it holds tune great and does it job well. The block on the tremelo appears to be steel which is nice from I hear. I haven't deemed fit to change anything yet due to it being set up perfect for my needs and working well. The quantom pickups do very well and give both decent cleans and take well to distortion. I had to dial them in to my preference due to the sounding a little foggy. That being said this guitar can be easily upgraded. By upgrading the pickups for Seymour or Duncan's. Also you can upgrade the tremolo itself or jus replace the whole thing with a tremelo that fits the guitars route. Also by upgrading the block to brass and the tremolo claw for a locking tremolo claw. May also put inlays in the neck to give it the more prestige look. In my opinion this guitar gives you premium product for a great price . Nice wood work on mine great finish and easily upgradeableyugi-JD
Absolutely gorgeous guitar with a great sound! Pictures don't do it justice. Metallic look is far more beautiful than the photo shows. Sound is full and not the least bit "tinny" as some guitars of this value can sometimes be. Affordable, beautiful and great to play. Couldn't ask for more. The payment plan is soooo helpful when you're living hand to mouth. Thank you AMS and Ibanez for a fantastic product and a very happy gifting experience.Amelia
Overall: Took me 2-1/2 years but I finally ordered this through zZounds on a blemished deal. Don't know if it matters or not but I waited 24 hours before opening. Well packaged. All accessories, tools, owners manual. Maple fretboard perfect. Small Crack in clear coat on body at neck joint. No worries. Paint missing where neck bolts to body. As I said blemished I understand. Time to tune. Ouch!!! Play 10 minutes retune, play 10 yeah you get the idea. Pick ups and bridge are not any where close to specs. Finally get days off from work. Now I'm no guitar smith but when I have time I can figure it out. New strings 9-42 NY/XL. Bridge alignment, tonation, adjust pickup height, slight neck adjustment, adjust tremolo springs. Totally amazing!!! Night to day. My old RG450 has the INF pickups and these quantums sound so much fuller. Sounds amazing through a Orange crush 20 and a Boss Mk100. Country, rock, metal, hair metal this thing is amazing!!!Donnie
9. Ibanez Thbb10 Tim Henson Signature Black Electric Guitar
Product Details:
Contemporary guitar virtuoso tim henson needed a guitar to match polyphia's outrageous musical style. the thbb10 certainly does the trick. it's a real head-turner thanks to its classy black finish and gold hardware. ibanez guitars are usually sleek and edgy, but the thbb10 takes it to a new level. it's built of a sturdy basswood body with a roasted maple neck and fingerboard. these are darker in colour than your standard maple as they undergo a torrefaction process. embedded are striking abalone inlays and 24 jumbo frets, making movement across the fingerboard effortless. the thbb10 is a truly unique sounding guitar. it houses three tim henson signature dimarzio notorious pickups, two of which are single coil in the neck and middle positions. the mini humbucker in the bridge is hot, but not excessively high output. this provides a balance and clarity when playing leads and produces punchy mids performing rhythm. tim's single coil tones are gritty and break up like a vintage guitar, especially with both the middle and neck pickups active. they can also clean up nicely and ring through chords spectacularly true.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Double cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Basswood |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | C oval |
| Neck wood | Roasted Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Dual-action |
| Neck finish | Gloss |
| Radius | 12 in. |
| Fret size | Jumbo Stainless Steel |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Block |
| Configuration | HSS |
| Neck | THBB Original |
| Middle | THBB Original |
| Bridge | THBB Original |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 5-way |
| Coil tap or split | Coil split |
| Bridge type | Tremolo/Vibrato |
| Bridge design | 2-point Fulcrum tremolo |
| Tuning machines | Gotoh locking |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
Reviews:
Tim Henson nailed it with this one. The looks, tone and feel of this guitar is simply awsome !!! I've been a les paul player for years so I decided to try Ibanez. I'm happy I did. This instrument plays like a dream. I will be purchasing another ibanez real soon. I'd like to give a special shout out to ams salesman Zach. You're an awsome salesman Zach, thank you for assisting me with my purchase.Les Paul Lady
Beautiful neck,great feel,tone in all positions fantastic. Superb all round guitarReviewed by Andertons Music Co.
10. Yamaha Apx600 Acoustic Electric Guitar (Black)
Product Details:
The yamaha apx 600 acoustic electric guitar boasts features and looks that you would normally find on a guitar 3 times its price. high quality tonewoods are crafted into a comfortable thinline cutaway body style, giving you a big sound without overwhelming size. the sound of the apx 600 begins with a spruce top accompanied by nato back and sides, with non-scalloped x-type bracing ensuring a powerful yet controlled tone. yamaha has also added a a distinct oval abalone rosette. with an exclusive thinline body shape, the apx 600 guitar boasts a single cutaway that allows for extended range in your lead playing for when you need to access those upper register notes. the slim taper nato neck with a rosewood fingerboard and traditional dot inlays will feel comfortable in your fretting hand. when its time to plug in, the apx 600s lush acoustic tone is amplified by yamahas system 65 piezo and preamp system, featuring a unique under-saddle piezo pickup. the yamaha proprietary srt transducer delivers a natural tone and the feedback rejection and mix-friendly sound guitarists crave. case not included.
Specifications:
| Length | 43.11 in |
| Height | 4.88 in |
| Width | 19.65 in |
Reviews:
Having relatively recently started learning guitar on an electric stratocaster-style guitar this was a great transition to the acoustic segment. The thinner body makes it much more comfortable to play than say a dreadnought and the neck is comfortable to transition too, yet the guitar doesn't seem to sacrifice as much sound as you'd expect from a thinner guitar. The finish of the guitar is that of a more expensive guitar for example the rosewood finger board. On arrival I actually thought the guitar looked better than the pictures on the website suggest but do note that because of the finish it is prone to showing finger marks which would need cleaning time to time. I would highly recommend this guitar.Richard P.
After suffering a permanent back injury I could no longer play my elictric guitar as it was too heavy or my acoustic electric guitar because it felt like it was twice it's normal size because I could no longer find a comfortable position for myself to play it. I bought a keyboard thinking that I could still play music. Afterv two weeks of playing around with the keyboard I gave up pllaying. Then I saw on the internet one night an advertisement for a 3/4 size Yamaha acoustic electric guitar guitar with a slimline bosy which looked like a nice guitar so I checked out males and females playing it and sounded very nice so I bought one. Man am I'm so glad I did. I got the sunburst like this one on sale. I was excited as l took it out of the box and went straight to my mancave and started playing it. It was perfecty in tune and for a guitar of this size it's got such a beautiful tone playing ACOUSTIC. So I plugged it in and it's as good as it sounded on YouTube. As an 67 yesr old man who started playing guitar when I was 16 years old, this is a beauty. I recommend this guitar to beginners, anyone with small hands and even people who want a good guitar to take with them without taking up much space in your car. Yep, it's a beaty.Deano
The only thing I'm not entirely happy with is the action. It's just a little too high. Other than that, I love it. It's a very nice looking acoustic for the money. It stays in tune extremely well and I was shocked at how full the sound was even with such a thin body. Sounds even better plugged in. The thinner body is super comfortable to handle and hold. It makes the transition from electric to acoustic very easy. The built in tuner is one of my favorite features. It works great and seems to be as accurate as any other tuner I've ever used. Overall, I would recommend this acoustic to anyone on a budget looking for a great sounding and feeling acoustic who doesn't mind the action a little on the higher side. (Side Note – I might be too critical on the action since I'm used to my electrics set up for such low action.)
11. Fender Player Telecaster , Pau Ferro Fingerboard, Polar White
Product Details:
Real deal sound bold, innovative and rugged, the player telecaster is pure fender, through and through. the feel, the style and, most importantly, the soundtheyre all there, waiting for you to make them whisper or wail for your music. versatile enough to handle almost anything you can create and durable enough to survive any gig, this workhorse is a trusty sidekick for your musical vision. player series pickups designed for authentic fender tonewith a bit of an edgethe player series pickups keep a foot in the past while looking to the future. block-steel bridge saddles this string-through-body telecaster bridge features block-steel saddles to add a bit of zing to your tone. modern c neck profile this neck is designed for comfort and performance, with a modern c-shaped profile and a smooth back finishideal for almost any playing style. 22 frets adding another fret lets you bend the highest d up to an e, giving you access to four octaves of musical possibilities. more traditional body radii the player telecaster body is hand-shaped to original specifications. f-stamped neck plate each player telecaster includes an f-stamped neck plate, leaving no doubt as to the instruments pedigree.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Single cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Alder |
| Body finish | Gloss Polyester |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | C modern |
| Neck wood | Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin Urethane |
| Radius | 9.5" |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width | 1.65" (42 mm) |
| Configuration | SS |
| Neck | Alnico single-coil |
| Bridge | Alnico single-coil |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Series |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone 1, tone 2 |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | Coil split |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | 6-block steel saddle Tele |
| Tailpiece | String thru body |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast sealed |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | Mexico |
Reviews:
I got this guitar on September 14th, 2021, and have had some minor issues with it. When I receive this guitar, it was perfect. Not a single case of fret buzz, the nut was perfect, and it was an all around great guitar. However, after about a month. I realized the tuners were a bit out of wack. I would be a bit flat, and turn the tuning peg over and over and over, only to not tighten the string at all. Then when I finally did one last turn, I'd be sharp by a whole note! Whatever, just replace the tuners. I had been putting that off. The next issue was a bit weird. I play really hard, and over time, the bridge pins were starting to get loose, and eventually a whole screw came out, and I had to take the guitar to a tech. I know this is probably user error, but still. I eventually just decided to turn it into a Jonny Greenwood tele, with lace sensors, a kill switch, and all. And let me tell you, this guitar is perfect now. The neck is (and always was) exactly what I was looking for. It's a bit thinner that my Squier Affinity Strat, but I like a thinner neck. Bottom line, I would recommend this guitar if your okay with getting new tuners. No one else I know has had problem with the bridge, so consider that. (P.S. I forgot to say that the stock pickups are amazing! I almost just kept them, they sound really good)Cory
As attested to by all the reviews on the Capri Orange MX Player Tele, it is a great playing guitar in its original factory form. However, I chose this guitar as the platform for Sweetwater to custom mod. In collusion with friend and Sales Engineer Jeff Jent, we determined the component upgrades of choice for the project. The oem wiring harness was replaced with the Emerson 4way switch Tele wiring harness. The additional switch position allows for the pups to play in series. The oem pups were replaced with Fender Custom Shop Twisted Tele pups. All this modification under the hood was covered up by a Fender black pearloid moto pickguard. The oem string guide was replaced with the Fender American Standard string guide. The oem control plate and knobs were kept as was the oem bridge with box saddles. I prefer the 6 box saddles bridge to the 3 saddles bridge – just a personal choice. Upon receipt of the Tele, from my personal parts box I installed Fender all short post locking tuners and Fender locking strap buttons. Since the MX Player Tele doesn't come with either a case or gig bag, I had the guitar shipped in a new Fender Elite hard case. I provided Jeff with my preferred set-up specs by the numbers and he forwarded those to the guitar technician for the final modified product set-up. Guitar technician Brandon Harper did exemplary work in putting the mod guitar together and tech supervisor Marty Flaley verified the completed modifications "nailed" by Brandon. If you desire modifications on a new guitar, don't be hesitant to turn the Sweetwater guitar technicians loose on your vision project. The techs know their trade. But in full disclosure, modified guitars are non returnable so be sure of the modifications you desire. The standard Sweetwater warranty is in place though. All of these details can be gone over with your Sales Engineer to be certain, just in case I have misspoken the rules of engagement. Thanks to Brandon for his tech expertise and Marty for the oversight (prior to his promotion, Marty was my tech of choice for set-ups on new guitar purchases). Can't say enough about my excellent relationship with my Sales Engineer Jeff Jent. He knows his gear! If you don't have an assigned Sales Engineer, call Sweetwater and ask for Jeff. If you are ever on the Sweetwater campus, ask to personally meet your Sales Engineer and guitar tech. I've had that pleasure and glad to call them friends. OH, and what about the orange Tele? It feels, handles and plays great. It is on par with my Elite and Ultra Teles (except slightly less expensive) as a fine crafted guitar. If you have ever wanted to do a mod guitar, pick any platform and turn the guitar techs loose. My new Tele is a Sweetwater Custom Mod!
This is a really great deal. Unless you get lucky on Reverb or whatever you won't find a deal like this anywhere else. And let's face it–you need a Telecaster! It's as basic as a Stratocaster. Even more so. It's so versatile and has a bright (but not too bright) sound. It's HIGHLY customizable. The shape of the neck is very comfortable for both rhythm and lead play. I'd even go so far as to tell you to make this your kids' (or YOUR) first guitar. For one thing, it's a Fender. The build quality is rock solid. It's really designed to be a lifetime instrument. Cons–really just the shade of the neck itself. It's a little pale. But that's just me. Not only that, but later on you can purchase another Fender neck and just replace it. (It's easy.) Don't let this absolute steal for a real Fender Tele get away from you. You'll thank me.
12. Yamaha Pac612viix Pacifica Electric Guitar – Yellow Natural Satin
Product Details:
Wonderful solidbody electric from yamaha with the yamaha pac612viifmx pacifica, you're getting an amazing instrument with stellar tone, feel, and appointments. this no-nonsense solidbody electric guitar has a lightweight alder body with a laminated flamed maple top, finished in gorgeous gloss polyurethane. three seymour duncan pickups provide a wide array of tones, from warm and rocking to clear and singing. the beautifully smooth maple neck with rosewood fingerboard is immediately playable and comfortable whether you're playing lead or rhythm. built for tone the yamaha pac612viifmx pacifica features a seymour duncan custom tb-14 humbucker in the bridge position, letting you dial in killer humbucking tone. seymour duncan ssl-1 pickups in the middle and neck positions provide wonderfully crisp and clear single-coil tones.
Specifications:
| Construction | Bolt-On |
| Scale Length | 25-1/2" (648 mm) |
| Body Materials | Alder |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Materials | Maple |
| Neck Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Fingerboard Materials | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius | 13-3/4" (350 mm) |
| Fret Wire | Medium |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Nut Materials | Graph Tech TUSQ |
| Neck Width @ 0 Fret / 12th Fret | 41/51.4 mm |
| Thickness @1st Fret / 12th Fret | 20.9/22.9 mm |
| Bridge Pickup | Seymour Duncan TB-14 |
| Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone (Push-Pull Coil Split) |
| Pickup Switch | 5-Position Lever Switch |
| Tremolo Arm | 5.2(Slot-in) |
| String Spacing | 10.5 mm |
| Tuning Machines | Grover Locking Tuners |
Reviews:
I have bought several guitars in the 100 to 300 range. I was surprised on the quality of this guitar and felt it was superior to many other brands in this range. From neck joint to fret polish & leveling and finish this guitar is quality except the tuners, however the guitar stays in tune and rarely goes out. The neck is not a Fender Strat or Tele neck so don't expect it to play like one, Its its own thing. It is not wide at the nut so if you need a wide neck at the nut it may not be for you. I find it fine and would not consider it narrow. The neck is slightly fatter than a Squire neck but it is still a C shape and a bit thicker as you go up the neck to higher frets. It plays great. Its set up well for Rock and Blues playing, neck adjusted with a light bow and strings set low (but not to low to buzz). Bridge saddles are stainless steel and this make the strings ring out bright and loud even when not plugged in. Intonation was spot on. Frets are tall enough to allow for string bending (there not super low). As regards pickups this is a personal thing. Pickups are very basic and do okay, one may want to upgrade them to ones own liking other wise there fine.pchapm
I was hesitant when ordering the guitar, but after I received it worry washed away from a single glance. I'm not good at instruments, I never played anything than doing ukulele club when I was a kid so I didn't expect myself to buy a guitar. It's delicate and beautiful, feels great to hold and sounds just as good. I do not regret buying this guitar at all, in fact I'm greatful that I'm able to own it. I strive to become great at playing it, little by little . Thank you!Nazma B.
It's a beautiful guitar and really well made. I bought it for my 9 year old daughter and she loves it. I don't know anything about guitars as I'm a pianist myself, but her guitar teacher was absolutely delighted with it. It's definitely worth paying the extra for the upgrades. I can definitely see it lasting her as it feels really solid, and the knobs and twiddly bits etc feel really solid. I genuinely can't get over how nice it is. Makes me want to learn the guitar myself!Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.
13. Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster (Natural)
Product Details:
Throwing it back to one of the most notable decades in music history, this classic vibe '70s stratocaster has a lot to offer. featuring a solid squier construction, vintage '70s style, and authentic fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups, this model is for any guitarist who wants a great vintage strat. solid squier construction the strat has been a staple of the guitar world decade after decade. this particular model harks back to the style of the 1970s, while still maintaining the timeless strat build under the hood. the oversized 1970s headstock showcases period-inspired markings and vintage style tuners. the tuners, like the rest of the hardware, are nickel-plated. there's also a 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, a famous vintage strat feature. even the neck has a vintage tinted gloss finish for more of that boisterous '70s vibe. with five-way switching, you can find the best pickup combination for your style.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Double cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | C |
| Neck wood | Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Tinted |
| Radius | 9.5 in. |
| Fret size | Narrow tall |
| Number of frets | 21 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width | 1.65 in. (42 mm) Bone |
| Configuration | SSS |
| Neck | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil |
| Middle | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil |
| Bridge | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone 1, tone 2 |
| Pickup switch | 5-way |
| Bridge type | Tremolo/Vibrato |
| Bridge design | 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo |
| Tuning machines | Vintage-style |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
Reviews:
The Fender designed alnico pickups are packed with authentic Stratocaster tone! The nickel hardware looks as good as it feels. The vintage tuners are much better than I expected. The bone nut is another great feature. I was a little unsure about the Indian laurel fretboard until I played it. WOW! This guitar is jam-packed with special features that will make any level of player super happy. I have only had it a few days, but I have not played any of my other guitars since it arrived. I am more than satisfied with all aspects of this guitar. The fit and finish are superb. it was set up really well right out of the box. If I HAD to pick something I was not happy with, it would be the sharp fret ends which took me less than 10 minutes to correct. This guitar plays even better than it looks! Squier knocked it out of the park with this model. If you are considering buying one of these… YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
I was initially a little disappointed, the neck seemed really “dry” and not pleasant to use, the frets were really rough and scratchy and there was an audible “ping” every time I bent the the 1st and second strings. I oiled the neck, polished the frets and eventually replaced the nut (after much filing). Now it plays really nicely but before that was not great. For an experienced player it is no problem to have to do a bit of work to get a guitar playing well but for a beginner it could have been off putting and demotivated them from playing this instrument.Phil C.
I bought the Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster Electric Guitar Natural. The fretboard is rough and extremely dry. Frets seem too tall, or something?? — my fingers seem to be pushing to hard, doesn't feel good. Strings were rusty. I've spent a couple hundred at luthier trying to get it right, and it's still not quite there. I had pickup switch replaced. I've been using Fender Super 250 10s. I'll try 9's. NOT impressed with fretboard at all. The trim where neck goes into body was loose and dangling. OTHER THAN THAT — It's a beautiful guitar. Sounds nice. I'll figure it out eventually. The quality control people were asleep on this one.Michael
14. Ibanez Standard Rg421ex Electric Guitar – Transparent Crimson Fade Matte
Product Details:
Three decades of metal have forged the rg421ex electric guitar into a high-performance machine, honing it for both speed and strength. a hardtail (fixed) bridge, the rg is a precision instrument. the rg is the most recognizable and distinctive guitar in the ibanez line. wizard iii maple neck ibanez's thin, flat and fast wizard neck is strong and sturdy and offers unlimited playability and features a two-octave 24-fret fretboard for a wide tonal range. jatoba fretboard jatoba has a reddish brown color and produces a rich mid range with a crisp high end. jumbo frets jumbo frets contribute to smooth playability, especially for single-note playing. meranti body the meranti body provides a scooped mid-range with a sweet tone. quantum h-h pickups the quantum pickups provide accelerated bass response for exceptionally fast tracking of high-speed staccato riffing with crushing mid range and precise high-end articulation. f106 bridge the f106 bridge enriches sustain. string height adjustment can be done easily and independently.
Specifications:
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Hardware Color | Black |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Neck | Wizard III / Maple neck |
| Top/Back/Body | Meranti body |
| Fretboard | Bound Jatoba fretboard / White dot inlay |
| Fret | Jumbo frets |
| Numbers Of Fret | 24 |
| Bridge | F106 bridge |
| Neck Pickup | Quantum (H) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| Bridge Pickup | Quantum (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| String Gauge | .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046 |
| String Space | 0.41" (10.5mm) |
| Body finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck finish | Satin Polyurethane |
| Neck Scale | 25.5" (648mm) |
| Neck Width | 43mm at NUT 58mm at 24F |
| Neck Thickness | 19mm at 1F 21mm at 12F |
| Neck Radius | 400mmR |
Reviews:
. Now let me set the scene… I am a guitar lover (I can even play a little too) and a quality professional so My expectations are somewhat higher than most looking at this product. An absolutely beautiful instrument, this is my second SA360 and although they are no longer. Made in Japan, be assured they have not lost any of the build quality or attention to detail. The guitar was really well set up, is great to play, feels good in the hand and sounds the bee’s knee’s. If you are looking to start out in guitar playing get yourself an Ibanez Gio to start as a first upgrade from that, then the SA series is where you want to be at.Timbo
Overall: For 100 bucks less than a Japanese made RG550 I'll say the quality of this Indonesian assembled guitar is sub-par albeit correctable. All hardware was loose. Blase switch wast rubbing against finish. Tone and volume pots were pushed down into contact with body. Gold playing on bridge pick-up shows nickel plating already. Action was set so low that it was unplayable. Some frets are razor sharp at the edge of the fretboard. Neck and fretboard are dry as a bone, and need to be sanded and sealed. The grain was raised when I unboxed. Which basically tells me that there was very little if any polyurethane applied to the neck or fretboard. As with all Indonesian guitars ai take this as an opportunity to fix these little things on my own, but you are better off getting an RG550 Genesis. The quality is far superior. Also the paint is awful, and the plating on all gold plated surfaces are sure to deteriorate quickly. One note: Sounds has nothing to do with these inadequacies or defects. Ibanez should just seize operations in Indonesia, as should all other guitar manufactures. Indonesian guitars are ok enough to correct, but even at the 800 dollar mark you should get a 100% gigable axe. This is not at that level.
I've owned this guitar for a year. I own more than a few Ibanez, with about half of them being Prestige and the others being 80's/90's Fujigen Ibby's, 2010's Iron Labels and Premium. I love this RGA and it's remarkably well spec'ed for most anything a diverse player will want. What it isn't: it isn't a prestige and it doesn't feel like it. That's not a bad thing; the roasted maple neck is amazing, feels comfortable, but the fingerboard does feel a little different (given the wood type). The only real negative I find is that the finish (the actual finish) feels like it's very delicate. I can see this finish cracking easily with an everyday bump. I hang my guitars and pull them just to record, so not a n issue for me, but it definitely feels very delicate. The only other reasonable complaint is that for the pricepoint, it should include at least a gig bag. This is basically a 1,000 dollar guitar.
15. Epiphone Les Paul Special Ve Electric Guitar (Vintage Sunburst)
Product Details:
The epiphone matt heafy les paul custom fuses the most recognisable guitar in the world with the precision and power needed for one of today's most brutal metal players. with a mahogany body and plain maple veneer top, finished in a slick ebony, this guitar has the same comfortable shape and well balanced design as a standard les paul. the mahogany neck has an ebony fingerboard with mother of pearloid block inlays, classically styled they look killer. the 1960's slimtaper d profile is comfortable and features 22 medium jumbo frets and a 12"radius, built for speed and precision, this is a monster neck. loaded with a pair of emg 85 and 81 pickups, you get super metal tones. the same pickups as favoured by ozzy sideman zakk wylde, these emgs cut right through, for huge riffs or sweeping legato licks these are the best. the neck tone control features a killpot for some really cool stuttering riffs; this is a real mean guitar! with a fully adjustable locktone bridge, the epiphone matt heafy les paul custom delivers incredible tuning stability and intonation.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Single cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Body finish | Satin |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | '60s SlimTaper D |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 24.75 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | 14 in. |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width | 1.687 in. (42.8 mm) |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | 650R |
| Bridge | 700T |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Series |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | China |
Reviews:
The setup out of the box was actually pretty good,no sharp frets, action was pretty good, I changed out the strings and tuned it, and the string height was still perfect so that was awesome. I actually had really low expectations given the price point, and I had previously loved my old Ibanez so I figured this wouldn't compare, but it was close enough to the model that I had my eye on, that I would go for this one since it was available and the other one was back ordered. Honestly, I got lucky that I went for this one instead. I almost didn't. This guitar is so comfortable to play, it's LP style, but super light. I love the maple finish, and the satin finish on the neck makes it super comfortable moving around on the neck. The guitar sounds great, it requires tuning pretty often but thats great for learning, and someday I'll get locking tuners. I had low expectations but I couldn't be happier with this purchase.Shibbylbby
A while ago, I started coming across videos and posts about this guitar and the finish of the guitar really caught my eye. I have a couple of Les Paul guitars already, but none of them have a flat finish where you can see the wood grain like this. And for the price, I didn't think it sounded bad either. So I decided to get one and I am SO happy that I did! The only changes I've made are a change of strings (which I do on every guitar anyway) and tuners. The tuners it came with were fine, they didn't HAVE to be changed, it's just a personal preference thing. I have played guitar for nearly 25 years and have guitars much more expensive than this, but this really has become one of my favorites to play. There's just something about it that I love and, in most cases, is the one I pick up when I want to play. I've been very, very happy with it and I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you're a beginner, it's a great, lightweight, easy guitar to play. And if you're experienced, it's still fun to piddle around on. I don't know if they're all like this or I just got lucky, but I am very pleased and even considering buying a second one in another color. Five stars!Luke
First off I want to get the fact out of the way that AMS is the only place I buy musical instruments anymore. There are many reasons but best of all they are good people who put the customer at the front of what they do. So if I was asked I will tell you to buy from AMS. Now to the guitar. This Epiphone Les Paul I purchased for my 11 year old grandson and he loves it. He is a beginner just took his 4th lesson this week and he can already chord it to play a song he likes. It is built solid and the humbuckers are ceramic 8 magnets so they have that heavy feel for great chorus and can also put out the bite for clean leads. He told me the neck feels good and his small hands can manage the instrument pretty well. I took a good look at the guitar when he got it and the only thing I did was tune it for him and as I played it I felt comfortable with the feel and the sound and knew I made a good buy. The only thing I am going to do is put a set of nickel plated Super Slinkys on for him 9-42. I think it will even make the feel better for him as well. Overall I am happy with this purchase because this guitar will serve my grandson well over his guitar journey. Just as a caveat to this review. I am an Epiphone loyalist. I have been buying Epiphone products for over 50 years and nothing against other makers of who I have purchased a few, I keep going back to Epiphone for the quality and price you can't beat the deal. So when I found myself looking to buy a guitar for my grandson, the manufacturer choice was already made. I just had to find a model that would suit his purpose.Laurence W.
16. Esp Ltd Ec-256fm Cobalt Blue Electric Guitar
Product Details:
The ec-256 is a no-nonsense rock & roll workhorse with a traditional vibe. this classic single cutaway design features an all-mahogany body with a stunning flame maple top. the electronics boasts a pair of esp lh-150 humbuckers. the ec-256 will deliver old-school tone with power to spare. just plug in and turn it up. the simplified controls include a master volume for each pickup, and a single master tone control. the ltd ec-256fm eclipse is a serious axe that would be a perfect fit any rock & roll arsenal. the set-in mahogany 24-3/4"-scale neck has been carved into an ultra-fast thin profile and topped with 22 extra jumbo frets on a roasted jatoba fingerboard for extremely fast playability and effortless string-bending. finally, the hardware includes a tune-o-matic bridge that will stabilize tuning and withstand anything you can dish out. the esp ltd ec-256fm electric guitar is built to rock. case not included.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Single cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Top wood | Flamed Maple |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck shape | Not specified |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Joint | Set-in |
| Scale length | 24.75 in. |
| Neck finish | Gloss |
| Radius | Not specified |
| Fret size | Extra-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Acrylic block |
| Nut width | 1.653 in. (42 mm) |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Humbucker |
| Bridge | Humbucker |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Special electronics | Master tone w/push-pull coil tap |
| Control layout | Volume 1, volume 2, master tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | Coil tap |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | ESP locking |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
Reviews:
Overall: In a YouTube review of this guitar, there was one guy that said he didn't understand why any experienced and knowledgable guitar player would want THIS guitar over something more high-end (i.e., a "real" Eclipse), because of the differing body design features. I, myself, am not anything of a virtuoso player, nor do I have the fattest wallet at the moment, which is why I settled on something more in the midrange for my first relatively decent guitar. I've been playing for years, writing songs on "piece of crap" guitars, and it didn't matter to me that my instrument was nothing to show off when that's all that I was using it for (i.e., to write songs). Before I am an instrumentalist, I am a vocalist and songwriter… but I digress. Anyhow, coming from someone that has a limited span of what truly "decent" is in this department, I, personally, found this guitar to be worth the price. I am not the most knowledgable about guitars, no, but I know what feels right to me as a player. This one is pretty nice. The body is lightweight and thin without feeling or looking cheap or flimsy, and the playability is fantastic. There is little strain on your fingering hand due to how easy it is to press the strings down, unlike on cheaper guitars. Had I learned to play on this one, I would have been totally spoiled! Maybe like that guy with the YouTube review. Haha. The sound is nice and crisp… and the color is beautiful. I went with the Cobalt Blue, because it matches with my room. I have no complaints about it, under the circumstances. It is everything that I needed it to be. The available payment plan was the cherry on top. Just two more payments! Thanks, zZounds!Note: I was required to rate "Manufacturer Support" when I submitted this review, even though I never made any direct contact with the manufacturer. I couldn't give it less than 5 stars when there was never a problem with it. *shrug*Emha
IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT! It was on backorder. It took round-a-bout 5 months to get it in my eager hands. I bought the Purple Burst version. What their online photos do not properly convey is that the back and the neck are purple as well (how purple depends on each guitar-having seen two in person). The 1st appeared almost black in most lighting. The 2nd is defiantly purple but when photographed there is a color mismatch between the back and front that is NOT noticeable in person (see photos) This is my first Les Paul body style and my first guitar with split coil capability. The jumbo frets are awesome. I haven't been playing long (2-ish years). They cut down on my mis-fretting. The ease & sound of bending the strings + the sound of the pick-ups are more than I was expecting. The neck is super slim. I have size S/M woman hands. I love the size. There is not a lot of stretching to reach around for the low end strings. The neck also has a lovely coating that allows me to slide up and down easy without sticking- if you have played a matte coated neck, you know what I mean. The fret board and the inlays are leveled out very well but the fret board was a bit thirsty when I got it. A fret board oil & cloth buff were all it needed. The frets are very well placed & filed (no snags or fret spouts). The "Set-Up" was really good straight out of the box. The string height was set really well. Low enough (esp. at the nut) that It was not a finger killer to fret but there was no fret buzz at any frets when playing. The intonation was pretty spot on as well. Took slight adjustment when it got new strings (mostly at the Low E and A). The top pick-up was a touch high for my taste but if that is the worst I can say… The neck was straight and ready to play. The tuners work well and I love the keystone buttons on them that match the headstock style. It is heavier than I expected 7.5lbs- 8.4lbs. To sum things up, I cannot believe I got this beauty for this price point.Elaine, K
Sound: I haven't even got far enough to plug it in the action is so buzzy that is why i do not recommend this guitar. If it was set up to playable i would probably like it. You can feel a feel a few fret edges, but nothing horrible. That i would expect for a guitar in this price range, but for it to show up completely unplayable is unacceptable. Value: The way it arrived no. Overall: I have always liked ESP products, but today i am disappointed. This guitar arrived today and is unplayable. The neck has got a back bow and all the strings buzz horribly. The strings are hitting on the back of the bridge after the saddle because the tail piece was screwed all the way down to the body. If ESP did this they should be ashamed, if zZounds did this they should be ashamed. Not sure who set this guitar up? I'm going to try to fix it tomorrow wish me luck. If i can get to stop buzzing and to play decent i may keep it, if not it's going back. It is a pretty guitar and aside from the atrocious setup seems to be of decent quality.Shawn
17. Gibson Les Paul Studio – Smokehouse Burst
Product Details:
I am selling my late 2020 gibson les paul studio finished in smokehouse burst. it is a fantastic guitar and it has been set up perfectly from the factory. it has a few hairline scratches on the body but they re barely noticeable. it has an impression in the back, and some dings on the bottom of the side (photographed). it also has a little bit of hazing in the laquer on the top since its been played. it does come off with products for nitro finishes. it comes with the gibson soft case as well as all the goodies that it comes with from the factory. it also comes with the original box from the factory. the serial number for this guitar is 231600199. it s honestly the best guitar i ve owned so far and it s a great guitar to get if you want to get yourself into an inexpensive gibson.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Single cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Top wood | Maple |
| Body wood | Weight relieved Mahogany |
| Body finish | Satin |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | SlimTaper |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Joint | Set-in |
| Scale length | 24.75 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Gloss |
| Radius | 12 in. |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Trapezoid |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | 490R |
| Bridge | 498T |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Special electronics | Push/pull coil taps |
| Control layout | Volume 1, volume 2, tone 1, tone 2 |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | Coil tap |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | Deluxe sealed |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | United States |
Reviews:
Looks great, sounds great, plays great. One of the nicest gig bags I've ever seen. Came out of the box at the store set up and tuned! Fit and finish were perfect and the wine red just pops under stage lighting…unlike the one that was on display…and this is why I don't buy guitars online! Got it home, changed the strings to the gauge I prefer, lowered the string height a smidge, and checked the intonation which was spot on. Took it to a pro jam out in the valley where it got lots of compliments from the other players for it's sound and looks…it's as nice a Les Paul as I've ever played. If you get one like mine you won't regret it! But go to the GC and pick yours out and save yourself some possible grief. You won't regret that either!Stephen
Not much to say about a GLP – its an amazing guitar as you'd expect and anyone can carry it and comparably price instruments. However, it's the Sweetwater service that makes the difference. Grant is great and super responsive to my questions and issues. You can tell that the people who work here play and love music. I completely trust Sweetwater with my musical instruments. I just purchased my second guitar with them yesterday and the process was fantastic. At this point, I'm only going to buy here. Even if I found an instrument at a cheaper price through one of their competitors, it wouldn't be worth the care and service you get at Sweetwater. 5-Stars guys! Customer 4-Life!
So it arrived today! it came in a very nice branded MusicStore box with a short checklist of things done before packing. This is nice as makes me confident the purchase was made with premium supplier. The standard Gibson outfit package is really cool. There's a branded soft gig bag with nice fluffy interior, a bag strap, a cloth, few marketing leaflets, and, a photo of the guitar that was made in the factory. Very cool. Value wise, its fantastic. The guitar out of the box looks great. it feels and looks premium, although it is a distant and poor relative when standing next to LP's Reissues or some other top-shelf models. Visually, its a different line. The guitar was pretty much setup to play from the box (thanks musicstore team), which was a nice surprise too. Unplugged, there is more than enough sustain, vibe and articulation details. This instrument sounds very much like pricier Les Pauls, even with no power. The neck is nice and fast with medium jumbos, allowing to play pretty much everything you want. Once plugged in to 90s JCM 800 set, it did deliver pretty much everything the more expensive Gibsons' do. There's sustain, articulation, the 'gurl' of Gibson. Studio workhorse, worth every penny. Which was a bit of surprise as the Studios' are slightly lighter in body construction. Some complain about finish quality, but i have not observed anything limiting playability yet. As mentioned before: if you place it next to a top-shelf Les Paul, you WILL see a difference. You will see dozens of differences in finish and quality as these instrumets are different. But, to me, its a great guitar, and I would reccomend that to anyone looking for Gibson sounding instrument for relatively moderate price. LP Studio is probably the cheapest and easiest way to get real Gibson sound for "OK" money. I have one comment to MusicStore team regarding the purchase process: It would be nice to allow customer to change payment option in case of problems with the one initially chosen.
18. Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster , Maple Fingerboard, Black
Product Details:
Fender fsr guitars are limited edition runs with unique specs, features and finishes. get your hands on one before they're all gone! want the definitive classic stratocaster without busting the bank? enter the '50s classic vibe, a faithful recreation of the earliest strat models on the market. squire have equipped the classic vibe ‘50s strat with all the mojo you’d expect. for the body, they’ve opted for poplar. it’s lightweight and durable, ensuring comfy playability and long-lasting resonance for the neck, it’s the classic maple construction with a "c" shape and 9.5” radius. this echoes the early strat models in terms of looks, feel and sound while retaining some contemporary comforts – ticking all the boxes. expect incredible tone courtesy of a trio of fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups. alnico magnets provide classic twang, perfectly complemented by the treble-friendly maple neck.
Specifications:
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Body Shape | Stratocaster |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Finish | Tinted Gloss Urethane |
| Neck Shape | "C" Shape |
| Scale Length | 25.5" (64.77cm) |
| Fingerboard | Maple |
| Fingerboard Radius | 9.5" (24.13cm) |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| String Nut | Bone |
| Nut Width | 1.65" (4.19cm) |
| Position Inlays | Black Dot |
| Truss Rods | Head Adjust |
| Bridge Pickup | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil |
| Middle Pickup | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil |
| Neck Pickup | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil |
| Pickup Configuration | SSS |
| Bridge | 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo |
| Hardware Finish | Nickel |
| Tuning Machines | Vintage-Style |
| Pickguard | 1-Ply White |
| Control Knobs | Aged White Plastic |
| Dimensions | 4 x 15 x 44.5" (10.16 x 38.10 x 113.03cm) |
Reviews:
This is truly the best current production strat by fmic you can get outside of the custom shop. And not just for the money, like overall. I've tried/owned Strats from the player, vintera, performer, pro, american OG, ultra, custom shop. Outside of the custom shop this is the crown jewel of the line. The Cort factory knows what they're doing and does it better than american line guitars at 3-4 times the price. It has the same narrow tall frets they're putting on the american pros, which make bends go off like butter. It's an extremely fast feeling neck without being too skinny (I have large hands and generally prefer a bigger neck, but I love this neck. It's like a medium c with the slightest hint of a v, not a baseball bat but not a toothpick). The back of the neck is lacquered but it never gets sticky when sweating. The fretwork is immaculate, better than all the fender Mexican guitars. The frets are polished to a mirror finish, the fretboard edges are rolled. The tuners are smooth turning vintage style. Bone nut, steel saddles, perfect semi-light weight… it literally ticks every single box a vintage strat enthusiast could want. Oh and the pickups? Don't worry about having to swap them out for some expensive after market pups. They are PERFECTLY voiced for this instrument. Plenty of low end but not overwound, striking clarity and glassiness, middle positions quack properly, and the bridge pup is even wired to the tone control stock! I'd wager to bet this will become your #1 strat…JT
This is my first Strat and I can say I am not in the slightest disappointed by this purchase. I mainly compared this to the CV 70s model and after a great review I found, the sound and performance of the 50s convinced me of making this purchase. Music Store took great care in inspecting and testing the guitar and the set up was near perfect to my playing style. The guitar has a great sound and the playability is so easy that I believe a newbie like myself can really play this guitar without becoming frustrated. I can go on and on, but it is ultimately your choice if this guitar suits you. So, here's my take: Pros- 1. Design is very much like the original model 2. Ease of playing 3. Quality and craftmanship 4. Color options 5. Not heavy 6. Playability 7. Easy to adjust for the perfect set up Cons- 1. Pots are a little bit too smooth and are easily knocked out of position. 2. Very sensitive adjustments on the pots. 3. Plastic nut.
I created a self-build Fiesta Red Strat over 15 years ago based on an MIM body with a custom Fender neck and gold hardware. I built it with Hank Marvin Kinman pickups and wiring, and it has served me well in my Hank Tribute performances. Unfortunately, the body recently developed a serious crack at the neck joint which made it unplayable. I needed a replacement but did not want to pay many hundreds of £s, when I heard of the Squier 50s Classic Vibe. Much investigation and review fishing tempted me to purchase one from dv247. When it arrived I was very impressed with the finish and quality. The only changes I made involved changing the pickups and wiring to my Kinman set, and a good setup to my requirements, including bending the trem arm more and swapping the springs for a fully floating bridge. I put a set of 10-52 gauge strings on it at it sounded perfect. The stock pickups were great, but I needed the familiar sound I was used to. I gigged it three days later, and received many compliments with the look and sound. I normally swap to my other guitar on stage when finishing playing my Shadows instrumentals, but ended up playing this Squier most of the night. Perfection. Many thanks to Squier and dv247.
19. Yamaha Fgx800c Acoustic Electric Guitar – Natural
Product Details:
When it was introduced in 1966, the fg proved that a great acoustic guitar doesn't have to cost a fortune. with a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original fg180 became a classic. now, 50 years since the introduction of fg acoustics, its tone is better than ever, so no matter where you are on your musical journey, it all starts here! fgx800c guitar. derived from the fg800, which has a solid spruce top and nato/okoume back and sides, the fgx800c has a cutaway body and an electric system. the yamaha proprietary undersaddle piezo pickup and system66 analog preamp ensure solid, plugged-in performance. scalloped bracing. the fg/fgx series has louder and stronger sound in the low-to-mid ranges thanks to cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology developed by the yamaha r&d division. yamaha engineers have achieved this sound by utilizing analysis and simulation to arrive at the best bracing design without depending on tradition or guesswork. this analysis led to the development of the scalloped bracing pattern, an ideal acoustic structure that maintains the durability of the top board while bringing out the most sound.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Traditional Western Cutaway |
| Scale length | 650 mm (25 9/16 inch) |
| Bdy length | 505 mm (19 7/8 inch) |
| Total length | 1038 mm (40 7/8 inch) |
| Body width | 412 mm (16 1/4 inch) |
| Body depth | 100-118 mm (3 15/16 inch- 4 5/8 inch) |
| Nut width | 43 mm (1 11/16 inch) |
| String spacing | 11 mm |
| Top material | Solid Spruce |
| Back material | Nato/Okoume |
| Side material | Nato/Okoume |
| Neck material | Nato |
| Fingerboard material | Walnut |
| Fingerboard radius | R400 mm (15 3/4 inch) |
| Bridge material | Walnut |
| Nut material | Urea |
| Saddle material | Urea |
| Bridge pins | Black ABS with White Dot |
| Tuners | Die-Cast Chrome (TM29T) |
| Body binding | Black |
| Sound hole inlay | Black + White |
| Pickguard | Tortoise Pattern (Black for BL color variation) |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck finish | Matte |
| Controls | Vol/3-Band EQ/Tuner/Mid FQ |
| Connections | LINE OUT |
| Strings | Yamaha FS50BT or D'Addario EXP11 |
Reviews:
I went into the local music store expecting to buy a Taylor 114 or Taylor 214 also. I picked up the 214 and it just wasn't the guitar for me. I picked up a fender 140 c e and it had no Bass to it at all hardly. Didn't like some of the other readers here I stumbled across another guitar thinking it was a fender and it sounded beautiful. To my surprise it was a Yamaha fgx800c. Never considered buying a Yamaha but it sounded as deep and Rich as I could have wanted. Just goes to show you when you listen with your ears and not with the name brand and price tag you get the same response many of the reviewers here got. You will need to add another strap button to the neck because it only comes with one. For the money this is Bar None the best guitar I think that is made. I went out of my way to write this review so somebody out there searching for a good acoustic guitar who leads worship at church as I do and in youth groups would not miss out on this deal!AndrewSGI
Bought a Fender guitar to practice with an acoustic guitar (I own 5 guitars total classical, electric, and travel guitars). The bottom bridge came unglued after ten days of taking it home, so I wanted something different and better built. I wanted to stay in the $800 or less budget, so I headed to Guitar Center; I played with over 30 guitars for over two hours (including Taylors and the mini travel Martin's). I stumbled on this Yamaha which had the most clear rich sound! I was very impressed with the quality of the electronics; particularly the tuner! I took it home and plugged it up to my amp, and once again, I was very impressed with the guitar's capabilities! I highly recommend this guitar even when it never crossed my mind to own a Yamaha.Tavo
I'm backing up a woman who writes, plays a Taylor, and sings like an angel. We play at some venues that are crowded with lots of other musicians running around on and back stage. I had been playing a $3600 Martin HD-18V and was somewhat nervous about it getting damaged or stepped on. So I set out to find reasonably priced guitar with good sound. I hit all the local music stores in the Atlanta area and played just about everything on the market for under $1000. NOTHING came close to the Yamaha FSX800 and FGX800 series as far as consistency, quality, playability, or PRICE. To get a Martin or Taylor that sounded and played this good, one would have to spend at least 700, and more like $1000 to get a comparable guitar. One that that really stood out to me as I spent 2 days of test driving acoustics all over Atlanta was the incredible consistency in the Yamaha guitars. Even in their models that were under $200. So with the intention of having a nice sounding a playable "insurance policy" substitute for my Martin, I ended up with a great sounding guitar that I really enjoy. And, if it were to be stolen or demolished, I now know that I could get a replacement for it that would be as good. While it's not quite the guitar that my expensive Martin is, it really lacks nothing. It's sounds good and plays good. It's fun to play and is incredibly loud. The electronics (when plugged in) actually sounds as good or better than my music partners $2K Taylor. Strongly recommend anyone looking for a good quality acoustic guitar to check out Yamaha. These guys have really nailed it.Very Yahama-pleased
20. Jackson Js Series Rhoads Mah Js32 Electric Guitar – Natural
Product Details:
Swift, deadly and affordable, jackson js series guitars take an epic leap forward, making it easier than ever to get classic jackson tone, looks and playability without breaking the bank. the js series rhoads mah js32 features an offset angular mahogany body and a bolt-on maple speed neck with graphite-reinforcement rods for added stability against warping and scarf joint for reduced playing fatigue. hosting 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, the 12”-16” compound radius bound amaranth fingerboard creates the ideal playing surface for fat riffs and easy chording near the nut while gradually flattening in the upper registers for lightning-quick solos and wide bends without fear of fretting out. other features include dual jackson high-output humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets for volcanic tone, three-way pickup toggle switch, single volume and tone controls and a jackson-branded floyd rose double-locking tremolo bridge system for dynamic response and reliable tuning stability. this sleek, angular axe is available in a new natural finish with gold pickguard, black pointy headstock and gold hardware.
Specifications:
| Body Finish | Satin |
| Body Shape | Rhoads |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Finish | Satin |
| Scale Length | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Amaranth |
| Fingerboard Radius | 12"-16" Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm) |
| Number of Frets | 24 |
| Frets Size | Jumbo |
| String Nut | Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson |
| Nut Width | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) |
| Position Inlays | Pearloid Sharkfin |
| Truss Rods | Dual-Action |
| Truss Rod Wrench | Yes |
| Bridge Pickup | Jackson High-Output Humbucking |
| Neck Pickup | Jackson High-Output Humbucking |
| Controls | Volume, Tone |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-Locking Tremolo |
| Hardware Finish | Gold |
| Tuning Machines | Jackson Sealed Die-Cast |
| Pickguard | 1-Ply Gold |
| Control Knobs | Dome-Style |
| Strings | Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges) |
| Dimensions | 5.50×22.75×51.25 IN |
Reviews:
Overall: Seriously……..I'm baffled, and highly impressed with this limited run that Fender/Jackson is offering, and the quality that is immediately obvious with these guitars. As well, do not be deceived by the price…rather, consider this to be an opportunity. So literally, just a few weeks ago, I purchased the stop tailpiece Fender Special Run variant (which I am upgrading w/EMG 57/66, brushed gold, Tonepros bridge, gold, Earvana compensated nut, Gotoh Magnum SG381 locking tuner, gold, EMG Satin Gold knobs) of this guitar, so therefore, as I am thoroughly impressed, I was compelled to await the arrival of this version (tremolo) through zZounds, yet it became available via Amazon, and I made my purchase just 10 days ago. Okay, so in no particular order, I'm going to start with the Amaranth (of the Purpleheart family/species……yes, that beautiful purple wood seen on many high end guitars)….these are the first two guitars that I now own with this species of wood utilized for the fretboards, and I absolutely love it. At first glance, your eye tends to see it as Ebony, as the wood has quite the dark appearance, which I totally dig (and quite fitting as the guitar is in nat mahogany finish), and it sounds bright, snappy, percussive, and present. As well, I dig the feel, as it has a nice, tight grain pattern.The fretwire- …..ummm, well, ….all level, and comfortable frets. I've not found any dead/high spots, and if so, it's so minimal that it's within a tolerance that allows you to keep low, low action, if you prefer (and the fretwire is just the right jumbo size to allow for the feel of the wire, along with the wood).The tuning machines- ….as I normally upgrade all of my tuning machines to Gotoh SG 381 Magnum locking, I must say, I like these tuners so much, that I'm torn and considering not upgrading, as they are visually stunning, and work quite well. The body of the tuners (where the mechanisms/gears are located) are not thin, and are actually quite robust in size, which provides confidence they'll maintain.The graphite reinforced neck- 5 stars +. Period. You immediately feel it, as soon as you grasp the neck..but also when playing, you can sense a bit more resonance and volume from the notes.The natural mahogany finish- Just…beautiful. Period. (and the feel is quite satisfying, indeed).The Jackson-branded Floyd- …..okay, ……I'm impressed…once again. This is a genuine Floyd Rose licensed unit, as the tremolo block is a genuine Floyd Rose 32mm/nickel-plated block. Look, the gold Fender/Jackson has chosen for these units, is absolutely beautiful….it's a dense, kinda lustrous gold that has a bit more depth than, for instance, an Original Floyd….it's really beautiful (as the colors match via the tuners, locking nut, and tremolo unit). Key feature…..the matching/gold-colored fine tuners via the baseplate. however, my only complaint w/this/these units, is that the very bottoms of the fine tuning screws do not have a flat surface (at the bottom/point of contact) for the string lock screws to make contact with/move smoothly up and down when tuning…rather, it causes the string lock screws/tuning to "skip", and kinda clank, as you feel the bottom of the fine tuning screws jumping/skipping as you fine tune….so you may jump a half-step during turning due to this. It's not a difficult fix, however, as the bottoms of the tuning screws simply need filed/sanded a bit….no biggie (however, if one prefers not to do so, the Original Floyd brass fine tuning screws are an optimal substitute, as they are easy to remove/change. The action of the tremolo is smooth, no noise, and the bar fits snug without those weird unpredictable …"hmmm, i wonder if the bar that comes with the unit will actually fit as it should?" kinda anomalies/moments. (key note- the locking nut is an actual Floyd Rose Special R3, and the neck nut shelf is filed/seated at the proper height…therefore preventing an unplayable kinda high string-to-fret height when fretting….once again, the attention to detail will have you asking…."really?, just $400??"…..it's that good.)The pickups- …not bad. ..not bad at all. I dig 'em. Although, I'm full-on EMG, and I'm goin' with the Het Set, or 57/66 in brushed gold (or, possibly the 81X, 85X in brushed gold). As I am hearing the characteristics of these wood combinations on this guitar, my immediate choices are any of the 3 EMG options listed above, but the Jackson pickups sound great…they really do. Well-balanced and fitting.The 3-way switch- ….nice, solid, and "tight" feeling. The gold-mirrored pickguard- ……..just …sick. The knobs- Very, very nice (and, once again, all the gold selected for this instrument….are an exact match across all components……..impressive).Overall- As I tend to often make purchases based off of my instincts, and relying on them, I'm so pleased I own both the stop tail and tremolo versions of this guitar. Do not hesitate, as you will, once a
Looks and feels great, sounds nice out of the box but the stock pickups are not stellar. However, they will do everything upto 85% of high end pickups. These are actually pretty good. Unless you're very finicky, I don't recommend changing them. Can't say anything bad about it. I modified mine because my cover shield was cracked out of the box and I have not heard anything back about a replacement. I got some unique Lace Humbucker and slapped them on with some mad wiring that splits and parallels the hums. It sounds a lot better than stock. I also added a chrome cover shield.arcticwynd
