"Extreme Metal" or "Vintage" - which is the cooler style?

[kill your scene]

It seems most guitar and bass enthusiasts lean either towards "vintage style" instruments or "metal style" instruments. Obviously, there are exceptions to any rule, but most of the time, it seems to be one or the other.

So which do you prefer? Strats, Les Pauls, Jaguars, Ibanez Jet Kings.... anything that might be played by a classic rock, blues or retro throw-back band would fit into the "vintage" category. Jacksons, ESPs, B.C. Rich, or anything that has the potential to gouge an eye out would fit into the "metal" category.

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

I prefer Jackson's, Schecter's, ESP's, and the like, but nothing too crazy. Usually just a soloist style.

[bvc310]

vintage styled guitars namely teles. But I use them for anything from blues to metal influenced punk.

[some_dude]

My favorite's are Strats and Les Pauls. I also want a Jagstang, because it looks so surfy, and an ESP Explorer, because it's just so freakin' cool.

I play mostly punk and metal though (all older stuff). I like the throwback styles for punk (for which I like the thinner sound of a Fender), and extreme styles for metal (for that thick, wall of gain sound). Although it's fun to mix and match.

[frigginalex]

I like anything that's classy and contemporary so the SG, Les Paul, Strat, and Tele all work in my book because they're so classic.

Even though ESP and Ibanez guitars may look cool playing metal or rock, it'd be hard to imagine someone playing an ESP F or Ibanez RG for jazz or country. That's why Gibson and Fenders will always win that battle IMO.

Parker and the Gibby/Fender copies are the only other companies I can think of that have classic-enough designs to work for all genres.

[danglybanger]

depends on what I'm playing. I've always thought the Jaguar was the most beautiful looking guitar ever since I started playing (fell in love with it when I heard one played clean), but stylewise I'm not a big fan of other vintage instruments (strats, teles, lps etc.) though I like SGs. I prefer superstrat designs typically.

But I like different kinds of music, and I like to pick a guitar that fits. It wouldn't look right to play surf on a guitar like the Schecter (thankfully it would sound better on the Jag anyway) and I can't imagine a heavy metal player looking good shredding or doing high gain work on the Jag (Or sounding good either- SQUUUEEEEEEEEL!!!!).
Dan

[fusion101]

from rickenbackers to parkers i'll play but abstact metal guitars and graphics on guitars just arent atractive to me what so ever. And friggenalex i use the ibanez RG for jazz all the time man.

[Jeff5]

I mostly play metal/hard rock. I've always favored more classic looking guitars. That being said I also usually change the pups to something moderate/high output.

[Nightburst]

I prefer the classic design of guitars that have been made more confortable and stylish. (ie: the backrouted 2 hum telecaster or the PRS singlecut)
Most of the time 'vintage' guitars look rather crude to me. I'm not into the relic thing either.

[Mincer]

Most vintage stuff isn't exact enough for me- I like locking tuners, Wilkenson bridges, SD pickups, slightly larger than vintage frets, synth pickups.

I don't like metal guitars either. I am more of a 'heavily updated vintage' kinda guy.

[TwilightOdyssey]

I like it all ... I have a '79 hardtail 'burst Strat as well as Lynch and DeMartini guitars.

[texasguitarslinger]

Classic guitar designs ... Les Pauls, Strats, SGs and Teles.

[nuntius]

Slightly modded classic designs (addition of Humbuckers to a strat or tele)

[y2stevo]

Anything, A Strat or Rickenbacker to a Crazy custom Conklin Its All Good!!!

[nuntius]

oh yeah i'd have an 8 string conklin

[Quencho092]

classic style guitars...they just have that magic feel, theres nothing like playing a well set up strat through a twin.