[WillingWell]

Well I'm trying to plan my next guitar purchase in the future and I'm not sure what to go for. I got the EBMM JP7 the week after Christmas and it kicks ass completely (and I still haven't taken pics.. ) but I don't need a 7 for all of my band's songs, most of them use a 6. Due to several factors, I'm better off using a 7 when I need it than all the time so I'm leaning towards another 6 rather than a 7.

I want a UV very dearly, but I feel they're sort of overpriced and while I could buy one, it'd take some saving and such. I was considering an EBMM JP6 as well, since I freaking love the JP7, but that'd take another 6 months probably until it got here, like my 7.

So for my other choices, I was considering a Gibson Explorer. I sold my old one that was in crappy condition to buy my OLP. I was looking at some others but I haven't made any solid choices yet.

Essentially, we're a semi-heavy prog rock band, along the lines of some more modern bands in that genre today. Thus, I don't really want an all-out shred guitar like older Ibanez style and I'd like to stay away for the more metal shapes. As much of a bedroom heavy metal player as I am, our band is more rock/alternative than metal oriented, so the image wouldn't fit too well

So please, give me your suggestions because I am incredibly indecisive. I'll consider most brands, and price isn't a huge issue, but keep in mind I'm not buying something in a custom-grade price range. I also have a Jackson SL3 that I could trade/sell, so price shouldn't dictate the matter. Halp me, ss.org.

[FortePenance]

Whats your budget?

[WillingWell]

Like I said, it's not really an issue to decide on but if there has to be one, just under 1500. If I were to get one over 1250 I'd just get another EBMM or UV.

[TemjinStrife]

Are you looking for 22 or 24 frets, two humbuckers or HSS or SSS pickup configuration, trem or no trem...?

I'm personally a huge Explorer shape fan, but my favorite Explorer that I've ever played was actually a Dean Black Gold Z. It was slimmer and lighter than a Gibson, with a great neck, nice action, and a killer black-flame maple top with gold hardware and multi-ply binding. Beautiful, light, comfortable; only problem is it was a bit neck-heavy. $650 US new.

Also, take a look at the EBMM Steve Morse signature. It's got perhaps the most comfortable neck in existence (to me) and can come in either hardtail or Floyd configurations. Has literally any Fender or Gibson traditional sound you could want from a guitar. Beautiful finishes, too. I think they're around $1300.

However, and I know it's towards the top of your stated budget, but with $1500 for a guitar, I'd go for a Parker Fly. Incredibly lightweight and well-balanced, durable, resonant, and versatile. Plus, they come with piezos, and the trem can be locked, set for dive-only, or made free-floating. The Nightfly SA and Nightfly M are both wonderful guitars, although they don't have the epoxy-back construction of a full Fly... but those run in the $2000 range. The Nitefly M is around $1500 but very much worth it.

Godin's LG Signature is stellar and versatile as well... I could go on.

My top choice would be the Parker though: Buy Parker NiteFly M Electric Guitar online at Musician's Friend

[WillingWell]

I prefer 24 frets, and I prefer trems as well. HH is my favorite configuration.

I'm trying to be open, but I'd really like to avoid 22 fret guitars.

[shadowgenesis]

I can't imagine going from an EBMM to a Gibson. The feel is so different.
Honestly if you like the JP7 (and you're not giving us a ton of other info), and you can afford a JP6, just get one of those. You can't go wrong w/ that guitar.

[ShawnFjellstad]

Carvin Guitars

[budda]

yeeah get a carvin singlecut or CT6

[ibznorange]

ESP LTD EC1000.
or for that price you can even get an eclipse II new. those fucking ROCK!
I like the neck profile on the ec1000 a bit better, but they're both insanely high quality for production guitars. Worth every freakin cent. its like a thinner lp shape neck, so its meaty enough to get heavy mod riffing in, and still thin feeling. its freakin awesome. Just, no trem.
but for that cost, you could get an ec1000 and have an ofr installed. the quality on those is totally up to par with the esp's actually

[zimbloth]

Well, this is the easiest question ever to answer for me: PARKER FLY GUITARS! You can get the Nitefly M ro Mojo model for around $1500 or less. I see used Fly Deluxes ($2400 guitars) go for around $1000 all the time. Those are the finest production model 6'ers in the world IMO. Nothing plays better, they sound amazing too. Great for metal, rock, jazz, anything.