Don't you just hate it when....

[Mont97]

There is a guitar that looks like it might be the perfect one for you, with all the specs you want... but there's one or two things that put you off? For instance, I like the Schecter SLS Solo 6... the satin neck, passive option, ebony board, and the fact that it's 24.75 scale length (unlike the ATX Solo 6).. but yet, there's the cheesy inlay, the maple neck, and the body shape is just off-putting to me (it looks like it's melting IMO)..

Recently, i've been digging Mark Morton's sound, so I checked out the Dominion. Neck through, mahogany neck and body, ebony board, the oiled neck (that's very nice!).. But then theres the fact that the shape is kinda strange (better than the Solo 6 IMO) and the fact that it's the building blocks for his sounds. Granted, i'll never sound like him, and although his sound is cool, there are a few things i'd change.. Plus the price of getting one where I am is also offputting....

It seems there isn't a guitar that suits me... Unless I want to go custom or get a $4000 LP Custom (Yeah, tha's the price they go for around my area....) and at the moment, and probably for the rest of my life, that isn't an option...

I'm guessing most of you have been through this.... Any stories of that magical moment when you find your holy grail?

Oh and if any of you know of a guitar with a mahogany neck through (or sculpted heel), mahogany body, ebony board, single-cut/not superstrat guitar with passive hums, at least two volume controls, and not gloss black finish, pretty please, post it? I seem to find faults with everything... Guess i'll have to just settle with something... But any ideas?

[Edgecrusher]

Worry less about the tool and more about what you do with it.

[DeathALT.]

Maybe an ESP or LTD Eclipse??? Most have EMG's, but there are a few with Duncans in them.

[Empty Pockets]

I was in this situation a few years ago.

My advice is to start saving for that Les Paul Custom. One year of disciplined savings and now I have my dream guitar. Totally worth all the ramen noodles and flipped mid-range guitars.

[NewWave]

Get a MIJ les paul copy there are lotsa distributors down under.. If you want to get a gibson I suggest buying it when you are having a trip to another country.. I heard in singapore gibsons price is the same as its in USA. I've got one tokai when I'm having a holiday in melbourne from syndal music if my memory serves me right.. nice bloke to deal with.

[MojoMonster]

Oh and if any of you know of a guitar with a mahogany neck through (or sculpted heel), mahogany body, ebony board, single-cut/not superstrat guitar with passive hums, at least two volume controls, and not gloss black finish, pretty please, post it? I seem to find faults with everything... Guess i'll have to just settle with something... But any ideas?

Carvin CS3?

If "your area" is outside the US, that *should* redirect to Carvins international site.

[gibson175]

no guitar is perfect just as no player is perfect.
Most guitars do their job much better than most players do their job tho.
There is so much more to a nice axe than specs too.
To the op: take your time, save up, play lots of axes and you will find one that really sings for you when you lay your hands on it.

[BloodRose]

I know the feeling. unless you can go custom build, it can be hard to find the perfect one. I have a couple of guitars that if I could meld them together would be perfect. But I dont have one that checks everyone of my boxes. So, I work with the closest things.

From what you describe, it sounds like you want an inexpensive les paul.. Look to some of the copies out there. I have a Burny Les Paul that has that and a cheaper option for you may be a michael Kelly patriot custom. (it has the ebony board)

[Frogman]

This is why I always say build your own.

Doesn't hafta be from scratch. Can be kits or something from Warmoth already finished.

I've built 2 from scratch and have done 3 "kits" (ie: Warmoth neck, KNE body, etc), and I'm happy with all....and happIER than I would have been with something from a factory.

You get to pick all your own sh*t. Takes longer, but is cheaper, and provides way more nostalgia & pride.


$0.02

[jacksontrader]

Close to what you're looking for is the BC Rich Mockingbird ST but with a Floyd.

[hydro]

This is my "holy grail": 74 Gibson SG Standard. I like these guitars so much I have two of them. Still relatively affordable. Cherry or walnut stain, mahogany, ebony fingerboard, tarback pickups, harmonica bridge and the fastest, most comfortable neck I've ever played on. Here's one in cherry for about $2K USD -

http://musicstorelive.com/electric-g...rd-cherry.html

[tubecrunch]

There's a couple deans that match your needs. I'm trying not to be a Gibson hater, I own three. But unless you get a killer deal, it's not worth it. Looove my dean deceiver.

[DrNewcenstein]

I would not pay $4000 for something I did not design myself, or that was not built to my exact specs. LPs are nice and all, but unless your dealers are buying from other dealers at full retail instead of distributors/the factory, that price is robbery.

What it sounds like to me is that you're too concerned about the superficial (yes, Schecter's inlays can get ugly, and the Morton has an odd shape) rather than focusing on tone and playability, which is all that matters in a guitar.

Don't waste time or money on LP copies from Epi, Tokai, ESPee, etc until you've owned a real USA Gibson LP. Just don't take it up the butt to buy one. They're good, but not that good. Jackson will make you a Custom Shop for a better price. They've also started a "semi-custom" setup where you can tweak production model specs without going full-on custom.

[XPAULPITT]

Edwards LP Custom. guitarjapan.com alot of people say they are better than Gibsons.

[Drunken Bowling]

The first time I saw the headstock of a PRS. And I own one lol.

[gman128]

Just get the Dominion - if the shape if the only thing stopping you, then I think it would be silly to pass it up. And I would not worry about it being a sig - it isn't obvious that it is a signature guitar.

[JeffB]

Tihere is no perfect guitar.

Find one that speaks to you..plays awesome,.sounds great...all that other piddly superficial stuff will be forgotten and replaced with big smiles everytime you pick it up.

Some of my absolute best guitars have been guitars that did not meet my technical criteria, or I thought were ugly, hated the color, or had the "wrong" wood, etc. When I picked them.up, they had mojo, and mojo trumps all.

[Zerberus]

The only way to get a "perfect" guitar is to have it built for you (or build it yourself), and even then there`s the issue of the Mojo Pixies possibly being on vacation during the build period

[hydro]

@tubecrunch - I played a Dean Z 35th anniversary in a shop recently and that thing was REALLY nice. Sounded good and played really well, nice neck. And the price is right and if you like metal looking guitars, it is a killer look.

http://www.samash.com/p/Dean_Z%2035t...Case_-49943802

[tubecrunch]

@tubecrunch - I played a Dean Z 35th anniversary in a shop recently and that thing was REALLY nice. Sounded good and played really well, nice neck. And the price is right and if you like metal looking guitars, it is a killer look.

http://www.samash.com/p/Dean_Z%2035t...Case_-49943802

Groovy. Forgot to mention Fernandez as well. Lots of cool options out there.