80's guitar

[Dommak89]

I definitely feel that if you're going to go with an explicitly 80s guitar it should be obnoxious. Crackle, neon, etc. Nostalgia is permissible in this context, so the absurd is legendary.

I do feel the same, yet I haven't found a guitar yet. I've seen a few models, but most of them had something, that I didn't like.

Point me in a direction

 

[Clydefrog]

Find yourself a classic Kramer Baretta. Growing up, my dad had a black 1984 Kramer Baretta and a pink Baretta from a year I'm not sure (some 80s model I'm sure). OFRs, amazing necks... wish I had one.

 

[feraledge]

Someone on this forum picked this up years ago. It wins on all fronts. (Note: I hate graphic guitars, but if it's going to have a graphic it should be 80s ridiculous IMO.)

But you won't go wrong with most 80s Ibanez, Jacksons, or ESPs barring how well they've been treated.
Some finish porn:

Any bright color...

 

[BucketheadRules]

You'd be mad not to check out the original run of the Ibanez RG550 and 570.

 

[Force]

Does the guitar have to come from the 80's or just look like it? The Jackson Professional, Performer & Concept series are 90's models. You could always get it re-finished.

Here's a couple of mine for ideas........................

 

[MikeyLawless]

For kramers, the focus series sounds about in your range. Japanese made. Vester were nice as well but short lived

 

[donsimon]

Washburn ec29 or ec36

 

[Zado]

incoming 80's schecters

 

[Chris O]

Some of my past favorites here:

 

[12enoB]

For kramers, the focus series sounds about in your range. Japanese made. Vester were nice as well but short lived

Agreed.

There's a pink f-1000 on ebay for $300.

What's the point in having an 80s guitar if its not some outrageous color?

 

[BucketheadRules]

Washburn ec29 or ec36

As awesome as these probably are, they're rarer than rocking-horse shit and will thus be pretty expensive when they do show up (which is almost never).

 

[7deadlysins666]

Does the guitar have to come from the 80's or just look like it? The Jackson Professional, Performer & Concept series are 90's models. You could always get it re-finished.

Here's a couple of mine for ideas........................

That warlock is tits!

 

[Jason2112]

Pretty much any MIJ Charvel is a winner, except for the CX series and the ones with the side-by-side staggered single coils (Charvel 275 I think?). I also highly recommend Jackson "Professional" guitars, especially the Dinky and Soloist models. Be careful of the Fusion guitars, they're 24 fret but have a 24.75" scale so if you tune Eb or below you'll have some floppy strings.

I have owned many Ibanez RG's and the original run of RG550's from '87 to '91 are awesome IF you find one with a straight neck. Newer RG2550/RG3550 Prestige have the same vibe as the older ones but are built much better.

I don't have as much knowledge with BC Rich or Kramer, but as a general rule, be careful with anything made after, say, 1992 and you should be fine. American Kramers from that time period look like stellar instruments.

 

[Dommak89]

Wow thanks for the input. There are a lot of fine guitars in this thread. I agree to the color being freaky, but it's not my main concern. It would be a nice addition though.

Might be a dumb question, but what should I be typing when looking for these Jacksons Professionals? Whenever I look for Jackson Professional Dinky, Google always shows me the newer models.

Pretty much any MIJ Charvel is a winner, except for the CX series and the ones with the side-by-side staggered single coils (Charvel 275 I think?). I also highly recommend Jackson "Professional" guitars, especially the Dinky and Soloist models. Be careful of the Fusion guitars, they're 24 fret but have a 24.75" scale so if you tune Eb or below you'll have some floppy strings.

What is wrong with the CX and the 275? Are you sure about the 275, do you mean this one for example?

 

[Dommak89]

What models are those Charvels and Jacksons? I was never a fan of BC Rich, but I would love to own the first and red one. Do you know its model?

 

[Zado]

ok this topic is really gassin me for spandex and long hair

 

[Jason2112]

Might be a dumb question, but what should I be typing when looking for these Jacksons Professionals? Whenever I look for Jackson Professional Dinky, Google always shows me the newer models.

Here is everything you would ever want to know about Jackson "Professional" guitars:
Guide to the Japanese Jackson Pro series guitars from 1990 - 1995

Essentially if it has the word "Professional" on the headstock there's a good chance it's a great guitar.

What is wrong with the CX and the 275? Are you sure about the 275, do you mean this one for example?

That one looks pretty well modified. I'm sure it started life as this:

You see that bridge pickup? The only way to replace it is to carve out the opening to fit a slanted humbucker like your pic. Eh, it's a decent guitar either way. Jackson/Charvel lost their mind on the CX series. New headstock shape, crappy components, not worth the hassle.

 

[Dommak89]

Here is everything you would ever want to know about Jackson "Professional" guitars:
Guide to the Japanese Jackson Pro series guitars from 1990 - 1995

Essentially if it has the word "Professional" on the headstock there's a good chance it's a great guitar.

Thanks man I appreciate it.

Jackson/Charvel lost their mind on the CX series. New headstock shape, crappy components, not worth the hassle.

Well that's good to know. And that's actually why I started whole thread, because I have no idea when and on which models the quality of those guitars went downhill.


Right now my search focuses more and more on the HSS or HS guitars, mainly the Kramer Pacer Custom and the Pacer Deluxe as well as the Baretta III, Charvels models 4 and 6 and the Jackson Professional Dinky or Soloist w/ this configuration.

 

[s4tch]

... Be careful of the Fusion guitars, they're 24 fret but have a 24.75" scale so if you tune Eb or below you'll have some floppy strings.

You won't, you just need some thicker strings. You can easily tune a Les Paul to C, and there are some 7-strings with this scale, too, which will intonate just fine at standard B or a half step down.

 

[FrancescoFiligoi]

This thread is awesome. Keep 'em comin!