My Guitar Collection
I have never been good at any rhythm based music video games. My sister kept going on about how fun Guitar Hero was, but I couldn't see myself doing well with that game either. During our big family vacation though she brought Guitar Hero and Rock Band and once I realized I could play along with Rock You Like a Hurricane I decided to finally give it a try. It was so much fun! I very quickly came to the decision, however, that if I was going to spend time strumming an instrument it might as well be a real one.
All my neighbors are in a band and they graciously allowed me to borrow a guitar, an amp, and a Dummies book on how to play the guitar. I found it very rewarding and after a few weeks of playing Roy's "Green Monster" guitar I decided I was ready to buy my own.
Purchase Date:
Epiphone Goth SG-400
Purchase Date: 8/14/2008
My first guitar was an Epiphone Goth SG-400. It was apparently a clearance item at Musician's Friend and the price had been reduced from $499 to $299. I really like the look of the guitar and since I'm a big Batman fan the shape of the guitar with the twin horns really appealed to me.
Here are a few pictures of a Goth SG. This isn't my actual guitar, but it's the same model.
NOTE: I just ordered some Zakk Wylde EMG 81/85 pickups and will be installing them in this guitar. It should sound as great as it looks when I'm through.
UPDATE: The pickups are installed and they sound great!!! Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
My first guitar was an Epiphone Goth SG-400. It was apparently a clearance item at Musician's Friend and the price had been reduced from $499 to $299. I really like the look of the guitar and since I'm a big Batman fan the shape of the guitar with the twin horns really appealed to me.
Here are a few pictures of a Goth SG. This isn't my actual guitar, but it's the same model.
NOTE: I just ordered some Zakk Wylde EMG 81/85 pickups and will be installing them in this guitar. It should sound as great as it looks when I'm through.
UPDATE: The pickups are installed and they sound great!!! Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
1993 Fender Stratocaster - Squier Series
Purchase Date: 10/2/2008 Sold: 1/1/2012
2006 Epiphone Les Paul Classic Plus
Purchase Date: 11/24/2008 Sold: 7/9/2010
Schecter Damien B-2
Purchase Date: 1/15/2009 Sold: 5/29/2009
Epiphone Korina Explorer
Purchase Date: 5/29/2009 Sold: 2/27/2011
Gretsch G5120
Purchase Date: 6/18/2009
Epiphone EJ-200
Purchase Date: 10/27/2010 Sold: 10/13/2012
Epiphone Dove
Purchase Date: 10/27/2010
Epiphone 58 Korina Flying V
Purchase Date: 11/10/2009 Sold: 2/27/2011
Schecter Hellraiser V-1
Purchase Date: 1/15/2010
ESP LTD V-350
Purchase Date: 4/12/2010
Schecter Blackjack V-1
Purchase Date: 7/9/2010
G&L S-500
Purchase Date: 9/1/2010
Schecter Raiden Elite-4 Black Cherry
Purchase Date: 12/17/2010
Dean Michael Angelo Batio MAB2 Aviator
Purchase Date: 12/30/2010
Gibson SG Standard
Purchase Date: 2/27/2011
Jackson RR5FR
Purchase Date: 5/1/2011
Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT Rust In Peace
Purchase Date: 8/18/2011 Sold: 4/29/2012
Dean Dave Mustaine Zero
Purchase Date: 10/13/2011
Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster
Purchase Date: 12/2/2011 Sold: 8/3/2013
Schecter Damien Special
Purchase Date: 12/29/2011 Sold: 8/3/2013
Schecter Raiden Elite-4 Tobacco Sunburst
Purchase Date: 6/10/2012 Sold: 8/27/2013
Jackson Soloist Elite
Purchase Date: 7/4/2012
Gibson Flying V
Purchase Date: 9/26/2012
2009 Fender 2009 Special Edition American Standard Telecaster
Purchase Date: 10/13/2012
Schecter Blackjack ATX Solo-6
Purchase Date: 12/13/2012 Sold: 3/23/2015
2006 Taylor GS6
Purchase Date: 3/11/2013
2013 Gibson Rudolf Schenker Flying V
Purchase Date: 7/18/2013
Let's see. I love The Scorpions and I love Flying V guitars. This was therefore a no brainer. Also, unlike the stock Flying V I bought last year this one has great tuners and my favorite Gibson pickups already installed. I didn't think I'd need to change a thing, but honestly when I first got this I didn't like playing it that much. I ended up just putting a fresh set of strings on it and now it handles like a dream.
More info at Gibson
Let's see. I love The Scorpions and I love Flying V guitars. This was therefore a no brainer. Also, unlike the stock Flying V I bought last year this one has great tuners and my favorite Gibson pickups already installed. I didn't think I'd need to change a thing, but honestly when I first got this I didn't like playing it that much. I ended up just putting a fresh set of strings on it and now it handles like a dream.
More info at Gibson
Gibson Flying V Bass
Purchase Date: 7/25/2013
I've really been enjoying my Schecter bass, but thought it would be nice to have a short scale bass too. This was apparently a limited edition that Gibson came out with a few years ago and no one bought it so all the online retailers dropped the price on it quite a bit. Then add in credit card points, birthday money, and the sale of my orange Schecter bass and this became very affordable. This has the same pickups that come stock on a Thunderbird and they sound fantastic. The neck is nice and skinny and just a joy to play.
More info at Gibson
I've really been enjoying my Schecter bass, but thought it would be nice to have a short scale bass too. This was apparently a limited edition that Gibson came out with a few years ago and no one bought it so all the online retailers dropped the price on it quite a bit. Then add in credit card points, birthday money, and the sale of my orange Schecter bass and this became very affordable. This has the same pickups that come stock on a Thunderbird and they sound fantastic. The neck is nice and skinny and just a joy to play.
More info at Gibson
Gibson SG Standard Natural Burst
Purchase Date: 11/26/2013
Year end Gibson blow out price reduction along with lots of Amazon points is how I ended up with this beauty. It also came stock with '57 Classic pickups which I love. Pictures don't do it justice, but the natural wood grain and rich orange color are just beautiful. I am very pleased with this guitar.
Year end Gibson blow out price reduction along with lots of Amazon points is how I ended up with this beauty. It also came stock with '57 Classic pickups which I love. Pictures don't do it justice, but the natural wood grain and rich orange color are just beautiful. I am very pleased with this guitar.
ESP LTD Elite ST-1
Purchase Date: 4/10/2014
My one and only guitar purchase in 2014. ;-) ESP makes some really nice guitars, and for years their premiere line was manufactured in Japan. For whatever reason ESP decided to rebrand their line and the exact same guitar made in the exact same factory is now called a ESP E-II ST-1QM, and the ESP logo was removed from the headstock. The year before the same guitar was known as the LTD Elite ST-1. That's actually the model I purchased because since it was so "old" I found one on ebay for about half of what the new ESP goes for. Again, it's the same guitar with the only difference being the decal on the headstock.This is a beautiful superstrat with a HSS pickup configuration and a Floyd Rose tremolo. It has an alder body, quilt maple top, and a maple neck and fretboard.For a Guitar World video review click here.
My one and only guitar purchase in 2014. ;-) ESP makes some really nice guitars, and for years their premiere line was manufactured in Japan. For whatever reason ESP decided to rebrand their line and the exact same guitar made in the exact same factory is now called a ESP E-II ST-1QM, and the ESP logo was removed from the headstock. The year before the same guitar was known as the LTD Elite ST-1. That's actually the model I purchased because since it was so "old" I found one on ebay for about half of what the new ESP goes for. Again, it's the same guitar with the only difference being the decal on the headstock.This is a beautiful superstrat with a HSS pickup configuration and a Floyd Rose tremolo. It has an alder body, quilt maple top, and a maple neck and fretboard.For a Guitar World video review click here.
1997 Gibson SG Special
Purchase Date: 1/6/2015
I'm starting 2015 off right! LOL I am clearly a Flying V guy, but SGs are a close second. I prefer an ebony fretboard and that is a rare option for Gibson. I found this beauty at Chris Guitars and love that it comes in a bright red color. I'll leave it as is for now, but I already have several mods in store for it.
1997 Gibson SG Special - Cardinal Red with Ebony Fretboard and EMG's, (front), (headstock), (back), (ebony board), (case). Bang for the buck winner in the SG line. The SG Special provides the classic SG tone, but without the cosmetic features of a Standard, it's a better bargain. It features an un-bound neck, dot inlays, screened logo, and uncovered pickups, but is otherwise the same guitar. Its all mahogany construction with unmistakable beveled edges gives it that classic silhouette and warm SG tone that has helped define the sound of rock, most notably with Angus Young. This guitar is part of Gibson's "All-American" series, which Gibson promoted in the late 90's and is identifiable by the USA flag on the back of the headstock. One of the nice features of this guitar is the ebony fretboard, usually reserved for higher end guitars such as the Les Paul Custom. Ebony was hit or miss on SG's during this timeframe and from my experience, more were made with rosewood. The lightweight, thin body, and deep cutaways make it one of the most comfortable guitars to play. Pickups have been upgraded to a new set of EMG81's (link), which is EMG's highest output pickup. Other features include 22-fret neck, dot inlays, 1-11/16" nut width, 24-3/4" scale, ABR-1 bridge, stop bar tailpiece, 5-ply pickguard, vintage-style Gibson Deluxe tuners. The neck is well rounded and more chunky than the '60 thin taper, but not as chunky as a 50's style. There are some cosmetic flaws but nothing horrible and no cracks or repairs. Overall it's seen very little playing time as it has perfect frets and no wear in the usual areas. The only other mods are cosmetic, including amber knobs and a cream pickup selector ring. For more info click here for Gibson's site. Don't confuse this with the faded series - this gloss finish model lists for $1665, $500 more than the Faded SG, plus neither comes in a gloss red finish, which was discontinued years ago. If you're looking for a real SG and not worried about a few minor cosmetic flaws, you can save big time on this great playing used one. $650 includes Roadrunner featherlight case which provides excellent protection, without the weight of a standard hardshell. (Note: I have another of these in Black, also with EMG's, on my Gibson page).
I'm starting 2015 off right! LOL I am clearly a Flying V guy, but SGs are a close second. I prefer an ebony fretboard and that is a rare option for Gibson. I found this beauty at Chris Guitars and love that it comes in a bright red color. I'll leave it as is for now, but I already have several mods in store for it.
1997 Gibson SG Special - Cardinal Red with Ebony Fretboard and EMG's, (front), (headstock), (back), (ebony board), (case). Bang for the buck winner in the SG line. The SG Special provides the classic SG tone, but without the cosmetic features of a Standard, it's a better bargain. It features an un-bound neck, dot inlays, screened logo, and uncovered pickups, but is otherwise the same guitar. Its all mahogany construction with unmistakable beveled edges gives it that classic silhouette and warm SG tone that has helped define the sound of rock, most notably with Angus Young. This guitar is part of Gibson's "All-American" series, which Gibson promoted in the late 90's and is identifiable by the USA flag on the back of the headstock. One of the nice features of this guitar is the ebony fretboard, usually reserved for higher end guitars such as the Les Paul Custom. Ebony was hit or miss on SG's during this timeframe and from my experience, more were made with rosewood. The lightweight, thin body, and deep cutaways make it one of the most comfortable guitars to play. Pickups have been upgraded to a new set of EMG81's (link), which is EMG's highest output pickup. Other features include 22-fret neck, dot inlays, 1-11/16" nut width, 24-3/4" scale, ABR-1 bridge, stop bar tailpiece, 5-ply pickguard, vintage-style Gibson Deluxe tuners. The neck is well rounded and more chunky than the '60 thin taper, but not as chunky as a 50's style. There are some cosmetic flaws but nothing horrible and no cracks or repairs. Overall it's seen very little playing time as it has perfect frets and no wear in the usual areas. The only other mods are cosmetic, including amber knobs and a cream pickup selector ring. For more info click here for Gibson's site. Don't confuse this with the faded series - this gloss finish model lists for $1665, $500 more than the Faded SG, plus neither comes in a gloss red finish, which was discontinued years ago. If you're looking for a real SG and not worried about a few minor cosmetic flaws, you can save big time on this great playing used one. $650 includes Roadrunner featherlight case which provides excellent protection, without the weight of a standard hardshell. (Note: I have another of these in Black, also with EMG's, on my Gibson page).
ESP Horizon HRF NT-II
Purchase Date: 3/19/2015
Quite some time ago I had a dream about finding a bright red guitar with an ebony fretboard at a guitar shop and I've been searching for something like it ever since. I thought the red SG above would have scratched that itch, but finding this gorgeous ESP used at Chris Guitars was just too good of a deal to pass up. I sold the Schecter ATX Solo-6 to help pay for this. I don't miss that Schecter at all now that I have this beauty.
2011 ESP Standard Series Horizon HRF NT-II, (front), (back), (headstock back), (case case2). High end Standard Series from ESP and one of the best looking rock guitars you'll find. With multi-ply body and headstock binding, bound neck with notched block inlays, ebony fretboard, and incredible quilted maple top, it's definitely a head-tuner. Best of all, it plays as well as it looks and with a pair of active Seymour Duncan Blackout humbuckers, it's an excellent choice for rock or other types of music where you want clarity and high output from your guitar. Using the classic formula of a mahogany body topped by a maple cap, it's delivers the perfect blend of warmth and crispness. Other features include smoked hardware with Gotoh tuners and Gotoh TOM bridge/tailpiece, 24 extra jumbo frets, thin U neck shape, 25.5" scale, and strings-thru-body. These sell online for $1799, but it's hard to find them with the Standard ESP inlaid logo like this one; most have the newer E-II logo which doesn't even identify it as an ESP. Strange move ESP. Offered in flawless condition -- could be sold as new -- and a smoking deal on one of the nicer quilt top Horizons you'll see.
Quite some time ago I had a dream about finding a bright red guitar with an ebony fretboard at a guitar shop and I've been searching for something like it ever since. I thought the red SG above would have scratched that itch, but finding this gorgeous ESP used at Chris Guitars was just too good of a deal to pass up. I sold the Schecter ATX Solo-6 to help pay for this. I don't miss that Schecter at all now that I have this beauty.
2011 ESP Standard Series Horizon HRF NT-II, (front), (back), (headstock back), (case case2). High end Standard Series from ESP and one of the best looking rock guitars you'll find. With multi-ply body and headstock binding, bound neck with notched block inlays, ebony fretboard, and incredible quilted maple top, it's definitely a head-tuner. Best of all, it plays as well as it looks and with a pair of active Seymour Duncan Blackout humbuckers, it's an excellent choice for rock or other types of music where you want clarity and high output from your guitar. Using the classic formula of a mahogany body topped by a maple cap, it's delivers the perfect blend of warmth and crispness. Other features include smoked hardware with Gotoh tuners and Gotoh TOM bridge/tailpiece, 24 extra jumbo frets, thin U neck shape, 25.5" scale, and strings-thru-body. These sell online for $1799, but it's hard to find them with the Standard ESP inlaid logo like this one; most have the newer E-II logo which doesn't even identify it as an ESP. Strange move ESP. Offered in flawless condition -- could be sold as new -- and a smoking deal on one of the nicer quilt top Horizons you'll see.
199? Peavey Predator
Purchase Date: 9/17/2015
This is definitely a case of "play the guitar that speaks to you and ignore the price and the logo on the headstock". My buddy Mark bought this and every time I'd go over it would end up in my hands and I could never seem to put it down. Mark needed to downsize to finance a beautiful Telecaster so I gladly took it off his hands. My brain says it's a beater and I should leave it alone, but my heart wants to make all kinds of mods to it to truly make it my own.
This is definitely a case of "play the guitar that speaks to you and ignore the price and the logo on the headstock". My buddy Mark bought this and every time I'd go over it would end up in my hands and I could never seem to put it down. Mark needed to downsize to finance a beautiful Telecaster so I gladly took it off his hands. My brain says it's a beater and I should leave it alone, but my heart wants to make all kinds of mods to it to truly make it my own.