It's funny.. I've heard plenty of guitars played in similar environments, and the handmade guitars don't sound 100 times better, as one would expect. However, there's not only a better foundation to support your playing ability, comfort and overall tone, but it goes farther. To me it's like a knight who doesn't want 'just a sword' anymore. The guy who sells his hot rod to get a real race car for Sundays.. They're for people who want to hold an extension of their individuality.

I've owned and parted with a few axes in my day. I take them to heart, and consider them to be something like.. a kid. You communicate with them, learn about yourself, and deal with your days through them. This sounds pretty cheezy, but I think ppl here can relate.

I used to play in a successful metal band. After years of self sacrifice and frustration, I chose to quit. It was a necessary but uncomfortable time in my life. The guitar I used during the majority of our stint was a good one, but after I left all that, I just didn't look forward to playing that guitar anymore. I sold it. Matter of fact, it wasn't a great guitar. It was just a workhorse.

Years later, I live a completely different life now. While I still jam at home on my first and only decent axe, I really want to get a special guitar. A handmade one that amounts to the level I'm at now. I want a beautiful guitar that has extreme tolerances, rare woods and an amazing build quality. I don't want a cookie-cutter guitar. I want one that someone really busted his ass to make, and took their time and pride making it so it could come to life. I know when I aquire something like that, I will feel like a new chapter has opened and I can really shine musically. I don't expect people to understand that, but I believe this is the mindset of someone who lives 'through' their guitar.

I think that well built instruments inspire the player. Same the other way, if the guitar sucks, whole feeling of playing sucks.

I think that some hi-end guitars are pieces of art themselves.

I think that what you are experiencing is something that every real bass player (meaning, NOT frustrated guitarist, guys who just prefer bass) experiences very early on. The crop of commercial bass have very little personality, both sonically and visually. That is one of the reason you see a lot of wood and lacquer-less finish basses too, everyone is unique, none of them have the same wood grain. Once you play a good bass you can't believe how good and round the sound is. Having a custom bass made for you is just dream in itself. I would never buy an ESP, Jackson or Ibanez bass because they are, quite frankly, shit.

Whay do you think people flip over Carl Thompson's? No two are alike and nothing plays like a CT.

I think it's a bit harsh to say some of that stuff like 'these guitars are terrible' because, yes, they are in comparison to custom made, beautifully crafted instruments. However, there are plenty of cheap instruments out there, that can do the job required of them for the money available. The point is not everyone is lucky enough to be able to get a real quality instrument (myself included,I reckon I'll be able to afford my bass in about 10/12 years time, lol) but if you take some of these instruments for what they are and compare them to what else is availavle for the price, then they're not that bad. In other words, a blanket statement o f'they're s**t' really doesn't take into consideration every factor, and that at budget prices, sacrifices have to made, so some are still batter than others.

Steinberger - for the greatest bridge/tuning system ever

Though I also love Ibanez Wizard II necks!!...and basically, I just love guitars, lol

Does that automatic tuning shifter really work that accurately?

Chris

but if you take some of these instruments for what they are and compare them to what else is availavle for the price, then they're not that bad. In other words, a blanket statement o f'they're s**t' really doesn't take into consideration every factor, and that at budget prices, sacrifices have to made, so some are still batter than others.

I bought an 800$ bass, not exactly in the range that you are referring to. I would prefer to have a custom made but I don't have the money to spend on that. However, I stand by my assertion that ESPs, Jackson's, Ibanez's are crap because every single one I played was, even those twice the price of mine. It is not because it has a nice design, nice features and good electronics that means it is going to sound any good, especially with a bass. Slapping EMGs on a slab of nondescript wood is a very bad idea, wood tones are very important to the personality and sound of a bass.

Difference between ESP and Gibson Explorer? Is there any?

Chris

I bought an 800$ bass, not exactly in the range that you are referring to. I would prefer to have a custom made but I don't have the money to spend on that. However, I stand by my assertion that ESPs, Jackson's, Ibanez's are crap because every single one I played was, even those twice the price of mine. It is not because it has a nice design, nice features and good electronics that means it is going to sound any good, especially with a bass. Slapping EMGs on a slab of nondescript wood is a very bad idea, wood tones are very important to the personality and sound of a bass.

I do understand that, all I'm saying is that I really don't think that a blanket statment like that really covers everything it should.

I do understand that, all I'm saying is that I really don't think that a blanket statment like that really covers everything it should.

Note that I have no idea how they fare in the guitar world, and honestly, I don't care. But fact remains that I have not played a decent bass from the three manufacturer mentionned above. Perhaps my statement doesn't cover as much as you'd like but this is my opinion on the matter, you are entitled to yours and apparently have not much to say to disprove what I say.

lol, like you said these are opinions, I see no need for anyone to prove anything, please don't take this personally, I'm just expressing an opinion the same way you are, no-one is right or wrong, jsut alwyas interesting to talk abut this stuff

might I recommend a Polish company by the name of Ran Guitars?

Vader and Decapitated (or at least Hiro) play RAN

Does anyone else own an Ibanez Jem 7vw? Or a Zakk Wylde epiphone? I have questions for you!

Chris

Difference between ESP and Gibson Explorer? Is there any?

Chris

Apples and Oranges . Shape is nearly the same. Just about everything else about 'em is different.

I gave Gibson a chance, but they just don't deliver for me. I don't like 'em.

SYL, I can tell that you're hungry to learn all you can about gear and all the science that comes with it. That's great. But keep one thing in mind with guitars.. You really get what you pay for on the cheap end. Epiphone is OKAY. But if you're offered a half-ass version of anything that already has a grand added to it because of a name, the light should go off. Stay away.. The more expensive an axe gets, the more features and output(amount of guitars made) matter. Gibsons are overpriced. Period. I will never stand behind one because they don't wear their name on their sleeve. For 2-3 grand, they better.

Ibanez's Jems are very good guitars for the money, depending on the age and features. However, if you want something built like a brick shithouse, SAVE. Do it. It sucks, but you'll be happier later. If you're in love with Gibsons, get a used one on ebay or in the local paper or something. People are fearful of getting guitars on ebay, but I'd trust a guitar on ebay more so than an amp. There's less to be wrong with an axe, given there's testimony and pics prove so.

I believe I already posted something on this matter..maybe not. I cannot stress enough, don't be a victim. If you live in Austrailia I can understand your frustration in not being able to try things out on a whim.
Just make sure whatever you buy has the specs you are looking for, then go for build quality and care. Remember, the faster a company can crank anything out of it's 'shop', the less they care about you.

Go to warmoth.com. I won't stand behind all their work, but with enough time going through the site you'll quickly become familiar with how much can go into a guitar. Hope this helps.

Go to warmoth.com. I won't stand behind all their work, but with enough time going through the site you'll quickly become familiar with how much can go into a guitar. Hope this helps.

Actually from a friend that has dealt with both manufacturers he would recommend USA Custom Guitar ahead of Warmoth, Warmoth are notorious at sending you what you didn't order or in bad shape. There are tons of bad reviews online with Warmoth. If anything, don't buy anything else than the neck and body there to make sure not get screwed.

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/