of course this is all relative and could mean everything or nothing.

new there are many options. gibson les pauls.. prob better suited to metal because of the stock emgs are the esp ltd guits... ec1000 is similar to gibson and specced well.

if you want a trem.. theres ibanez prestige models.. jackson soloists and dinkys.. ltd and esp.. these however are no longer gibson like but rather superstrats. the exception being the hardtail models in each brand like the ltd viper etc.

so decide on spec.. what pups youd like etc.. then see what meets those requirements best..

but by sounds of things id say check out the ec1000.
this based loosely on "gibson like"

good luck dude

bliksem wrote: Hey guys

I'm new around here and thought i would ask for some sage-like advise.There are quite a few guys on here that seem to know their stuff so here goes.In a few months I will be in the market for a really decent guitar.Trouble is I won't have an opportunity to test drive the higher end models as the stores in my area doesn't really stock these.My price range will be around 10k.Any suggestions will be welcome.I play an Ibanez Sz320 and epi g400 at the moment so any Gibson style electric will do.I play mainly hard rock and metal and I'm looking for something that I won't need to change or upgrade again.

Well good luck on that last point. I can tell you now what will happen. You will get the new axe and declare it the best thing since the big bang. Within a year (at the outside) you will be wanting the neck pickup to have more highs or the bridge pickup to have more balls or you just can't get that sound that <fill in the blank> does and you will be at the least contemplating a modification to the instrument, or upgrading again, or ? getting ANOTHER guitar.

Remember where you read it first ?

Consider good condition 2nd hand instruments. You can get more bang per buck that way.

If you're wanting something along Gibson lines then 10k should get you a decent Tokai - though I think not a top of the line model. A Carparelli would also be within your reach, but really, and I understand that it's difficult in your case BUT playing the guitars yourself will tell you more about them than any of us could.

Also consider buying something that saves you cash up front and that you can upgrade with replacement bridge, PUPs etc.

X-rated Bob wrote: If you're wanting something along Gibson lines then 10k should get you a decent Tokai - though I think not a top of the line model.

+1. Plus they are set up perfectly out of the box (bar maybe a truss rod tweak once the guitar has acclimatized).

Thanks for the info guys! ?
I was actually looking at the EC1000 online and they look pretty good.The Tokais also look excellent but I'm not sure about pricing,the stuff on their website is priced in Yen I think.Dropped Lance an Email enquiry,still waiting for reply.Maybe I'll just forge ahead and get a Gibson Sg ?


Thanks again
Cheers!

+1 on what X-rated said. Or rather, at lot more +. Do get a second hand at 8k and leave yourself some budget to spend over a year or so. One of the best investments will be the involved setup to go with the upgrade you had in mind - trust us on this one.

bliksem wrote: Hey guys

I'm new around here and thought i would ask for some sage-like advise.There are quite a few guys on here that seem to know their stuff so here goes.In a few months I will be in the market for a really decent guitar.Trouble is I won't have an opportunity to test drive the higher end models as the stores in my area doesn't really stock these.My price range will be around 10k.Any suggestions will be welcome.I play an Ibanez Sz320 and epi g400 at the moment so any Gibson style electric will do.I play mainly hard rock and metal and I'm looking for something that I won't need to change or upgrade again.

Thanks

Funny that you would mention this cause I'm also looking for a guitar in this, round about, price range and the same genres.
This is what I've looked at (however not thoroughly researched):

- Jackson SLS3 Soloist ($1,149.99)
- ESP LTD EC-401VF ($629.00)
- ESP LTD Deluxe EC-1000 ($769.00 - $849.00)
- ESP LTD Deluxe VIPER-1000 ($649.00)
- ESP LTD MH-1000NT ($699.00)
- Schecter C-1 Artist III ($599.00)
- Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy GX ($799.00)
- Epiphone SG Prophecy Custom GX ($649.00)

A Tokai can also work, would be interesting to know how they compare with the Esp Ltd's, in the 10K Price range.

I recieved a reply from Lance at TokaiSA and the prices hover around 11k for most models.The ones I asked about are :LS105Q
LS98 , Sg88 , FV95, and the LC98 which is the Tokai take on the Les Paul custom from Gibson.
You would save around 15k at least if you bought this in stead of the Gibson.Excellent! ?
The ESP LTD ec1000 you can get at Mercury Music for 11k and Guitartone have Sg's and Les Paul studios for roughly 13k.
Those are the ones I have narrowed it down to,but I will propably go with the Tokai if I can find one.

I'm not really looking at the superstrat stuff because I like a nice chunky neck(big ham fists).The epiphones are out too as I don't want to upgrade again(I know the story of the guitar bug too well,but seriously,my wife will kill me ?)
As for the secondhand stuff, I just don't like buying secondhand, the risks involved are too big.I will propably upgrade the SZ320 anyway as it's a really nice guitar.Maybe try these tonerider pups you guys are raving about.

Thanks for the advice and good luck Charlie(This is not as easy as it looks)