any ideas?

[13noon]

I've been looking to get a new guitar now for a while, but I can't find any that appeal to me. I considered building one, but I decided against that on account of inexperience (I'm a bit of a woodworker, but I want the guitar to be good). I considered getting one custom made, but I got an estimate of $5000 for my dream guitar. Before I get to work saving up five thousand dollars, does anyone have suggestions what I can do?

Thanks for the help,

~13noon

[ESP_Viper]

Try warmoth. www.warmoth.com I don't know a lot about it, but from my understanding you are able to choose the neck and body you want, the electronics, etc. It's also well under 5 grand! :)

[smfulla]

thats a pretty cool site. You can find some good information on woods etc.

[13noon]

I don't know... it does kind of cut down on the options, but I'll keep it in mind... I don't like the idea of buying it piecemeal, I don't know much about electronics.

~13noon

[ESP_Viper]

Well, if you know what kind of tone you want, I can help you with what to choose. I have a friend that has a few warmoth guitars, he absolutely loves them, and they sound extremely good!!!

[55'gibby]

you can also check Stewart MacDonald (www.stewmac.com) they carry the hard to make things and carry guitar kits as well. Look into that as well.

[Krieselman13]

I think I will make myself a guitar in a couple of years. Maybe about 3-5. It seems cool; making my own and all. Well, good luckm your gonna need it.

[13noon]

Sorry I haven't responded, finals week at school :(. I want my guitar to have a good metal tone, but also sound good clean. I don't know what kind of wood to get, I never really get when guitar wood guides say "punchy" or "bright," but I'll try to explain. I want a good low end that's not muddy, clear high end, and good sustain. I kinda wanted a neck-through, but you can't do that with Warmoth. I know that the guitar will definitely have a Floyd Rose, and probably two EMG81's. What I meant about the electronics was I want two tone, two volume controls with a three way switch, but have no idea how to wire that.

~13noon

[ESP_Viper]

Well, it sounds like you would like the Kirk Hammett LTD. I played one the other day, and it is sweet. It's neck through, has a floyd rose, and it's got pretty good tone for stock pickups. It's two volume, one tone, and a 3-way switch. So there's a little compromise on that one, but not a big deal. And I believe it's 700 bucks. Very nice guitar, I'd buy one for sure. The neck is smooth, and very easy to play. You can check them out on www.espguitars.com or musicians friend.

[13noon]

Actually I considered getting that one or the Jackson DKMG. My friend has the ESP KH-2 and it's pretty cool. I probably will get one of those two and hold off building my own for a couple years.
Thanks for the help.

~13noon

[ESP_Viper]

I love the ESP KH2, and the LTD KH502. They are very similar, just the 502 is the LTD version of it. So it has cheaper pickups, a licensed floyd rose, different inlays, and I am sure slightly different wood. Though what is odd is that the KH502 is neckthrough whereas the KH2 is bolt on. I don't know how the two compare with sustain... You might want to try comparing your friends KH2 to an LTD KH502 in the store or something. Weigh out the price/features and quality between the two.

[13noon]

I thought the KH-2 was a set neck... anyway, they are the same wood (alder with a maple neck) the LTD version has EMG-HZ instead of 81's, but if I really wanted to I could upgrade them later. They're both very good, though I'd get the LTD cause it's only $700 and the other's $1800. Besides, wouldn't want to seem like I'm copying :D .

~13noon