Used LP or New Burns Brian May Red Special?

[bbZ]

Already have a hot SG. Have $800. What do you think? Used LP? New Burns? Maybe those new Jacksons???

 

[Scottgman]

If you are looking for Les Paul tone, check out the Ibanez Artists. The good ones were made in the late 70s and early 80s. Talk about a quality guitar! I know people tend to bash Jap guitars, but I've yet to play a Les Paul that was obviously "higher-quality" than my two Artists (I have an 1981 and 1982). Binding, nice hardware, shielding, nice wood, nice finishes-- everything you would expect in high-quality guitar. In fact, the extensive shielding alone speaks to the quality of these axes.

But, of course, the tone is what matters. They sound and feel just like a Les Paul. I've played many LPs in my time and none of them has felt or sounded superior to my Artists. Plus, they have the symmetrical double-cutaway which I think looks way cool.

The best part is you can get a really nice Artist for $500 or less on Ebay. I got one with a beautiful sunburst finish and tiger stripes for $350 on Ebay (practically stole it from the guy). So you could have LP tone and still have money left over for a new mic or two.

I would be a little wary of the new "reissue" Artists they started making a few years ago. I checked one out and I'm not convinced the quality is as good as the old models. One major thing I noticed was the new Artists feel much lighter (lesser quality mohagany? I dunno).

Check this one out for an example (sweet guitar):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3704139007&category=33043

 

[Major Tom]

Scottgman - I looked at a couple Artists on Ebay - one seller with a '77 and a '78 described them as having a 3 piece maple set neck - is that correct, or is it mahogany?

 

[donkeystyle]

hey bbz i thought you already went for the burns?

 

[Scottgman]

Scottgman - I looked at a couple Artists on Ebay - one seller with a '77 and a '78 described them as having a 3 piece maple set neck - is that correct, or is it mahogany?

Ground Control to Major Tom:

My sunburst appears to be a three piece set neck but I don't know if it's maple. There is a small paint chip in the neck on my other one and the wood underneath it looks fairly dark... not like maple. But I can't really tell if it's dark from dirt, oil, etc. The body is definitely mahogany! These things weigh 20lbs!

I have seen neck thru models also. They had several different lines of Artists and some transitional models like this Musician/Artist :

 

[Major Tom]

Thanks, I would like to have one of those Artist models, I had the GAS for them pretty bad when they were new (yeah, I'm old). $350 is a steal for a guitar of that caliber. I also kinda like the Yamaha double cuts of the same era...