Need help choosing a new, more metal suited guitar. - General

I currently use a Squire strat ("By Fender"). However I mainly play metal, which the strat isnt really suited for. Im looking to get a new one because I would like one with a more 'metaly' sound, with 24 frets and I would like one that is actually mine (The strat is my dads). Im on a fairly low budget so performance is a bigger priority, cant afford a really fancy looking one. I dont know a huge amount about the technical side of guitars, but I have spoken to some friends who know a bit more than me. Currently, Im considering 2 different ones, both made by Ibanez. 1. [url]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page11.php?area_id=3&data_id=186&color=CL01&year=2011&cat_id=1&series_id=477[/url] 2. [url]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page11.php?area_id=3&data_id=183&color=CL01&year=2011&cat_id=1&series_id=477[/url] I was set on number 1, until I saw in that many reviews said that people had problems with the bridge/tremelo, that it was going out of tune and had problems with alternate tunings, some friends also told me to stay away from floating tremelos, and if I dont need a tremelo, just get a fixed bridge. So now I am more set on number 2. It has a fixed bridge, which is just fine for me, I never use the whammy bar so it doesn't really bother me. It also has active pickups (I think?), which I believe give a more metaly sound. So, any opinions on either of these, or completely different suggestions (around £200). Or any information at all really. Thanks (Also, I swear there used to be a quick questions thread, but I was unable to find it, so I apologise if there is)

-If you are a budget, I would recommend saving up for a higher quality guitar with good specs, and not worry too much about looks. -Active pickups are good, but if you play metal, the guitar will sound muddy or unclear if they are bottom quality. I bought a used Ibanez RG350DX, and it sounded worse then the one I was replacing. I haven't tried them out, but EMGs and Seymour Duncans seem to be common in neo-Classical metal, metalcore, and other sub-genres. -Do not buy a floating bridge. I'm sure they are good, but they are the bane of my existence. That used Ibanez worked fine for a while, but once I tried to adjust it even a little bit, the entire thing went to hell. Now I have 200 dollars worth of shit I gotta fix laying in the corner.

If you're on a tight budget and you want to change your sound, change your amp/look into some pedals rather than buying a new guitar And I agree that you should keep saving and buy something really nice if you do have to get a new guit. Those two don't look very good at all, in any sense.

Now that you mention it, a good amp or some pedals would probably be a much smarter buy.

Thanks for the suggestions. Also, I now notice that there seems to be 2 versions of the second one. I was looking at the GRG[b]R[/b]121EX, and yesterday I went into a music shop to look at it and today I realise that was actually the GRG121EX. Looking at their specs, the only real difference appears to be the pickups on the first one are "PSND3" and on the second is "Covered STD-H1". Could anyone shed any light on this? Is it just a newer version?

The GRG170DX was my second guitar. It was a good newbie guitar and I had it for 2 years I think. It did have some some major tuning problems because of the tremolo, so I'd probably go for the GRGR121. The GRG[B]R[/B] are only reversed headstocks and maybe slight changes in hardware, I believe.

Oh, thanks for pointing that out. I could have sworn the one I used DID have the reversed headstock, but it was definately labeled as just GRG121EX. Maybe they just didnt notice the difference either.

I have an GRG170dx its my third guitar, its maybe the best guitar for the money. But if you like to use tremolo then i would suggest another guitar coz 170dx goes out of tune quick...

Jackson Dinky JS22R, somewhere around $300 [img]http://media.fmicdirect.com/jackson/images/products/guitars/2910020328_frt_wmd_001.png[/img] dual humbuckers gives more beef and there's a vintage trem, much like a Fender one, so it shouldn't have tuning problems like a Floyd Rose. Kramer Striker 211, again, around $300 [img]http://images.kramerguitars.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Products/Doublecut/Striker-211/Gallery-Images/KS211FBBH1-Finish-Shot.jpg[/img] Kramer are kickass. good value for money, best around in my opinion. this one's good, humbucker in the bridge for some power in rhythm playing and a single coil in the neck for good clarity. fixed bridge in this one as well, cheaper than with a floyd. Kramer Assault 220, similar in price to the Striker [img]http://images.kramerguitars.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Products/Singlecut/Assault-2200/Gallery-Images/KA22RBBH1-Finish-Shot.jpg[/img] I'd say I like this the most. you've got classic looks with some modernized parts, like coil tapping, so you can still get a single coil sound if you wanted. good deal for it. these might be a bit more than what you have to spend, but save your money and put it into a quality product, rather than something cheap.

[QUOTE=dcalde78;33705591]save your money and put it into a quality product, rather than something cheap.[/QUOTE] Listen to this man.

^I 2nd the above post. If you try to find a bargain or a "good-ish" guitar you will definitely regret it in the long run.

that's why I suggest looking at Kramers. they are cheap for what they're made of and have in them (most, if not all are mahogany with flamed maple, or just mahogany, and getting coil tapping, good floyd roses and whatnot is great for the price). my example is my Kramer D-1 bass. mahogany body, EMG pickup and preamp, ebony fretboard and grover-like tuners. all for £230. it's easily worth double that.

I can't stress this enough.. People's opinions differ on guitars too much to get a good recommendation, the more people that say you should get x guitar cause of y features, the more confused you are. Go to your local store and try out guitars in your budget, see what you like tone and feel wise. That way you are satisfied with what you are getting.