Best bang-for-the-buck hardtail 6 string?

[TheGuitarPit]

I'm looking to get a no-frills hardtail 6 string to get back into playing some metal rhythm. It's been a while since I bought a cheaper guitar, but it looks like the Korean models have upped their game a fair bit. 10 years ago, it'd be a complete waste to buy a $400-800 Korean model. Now, that might not be the case...

Personally, I want a thin fast neck, pickups I won't have to swap out immediately, and not a ton of fit/finish problems. 25.5" scale would be ideal.

What is the consensus on bang for buck these days? PRS SE Holcomb seems popular. As does some of the Ibanez Iron Label (RGAIX6FM or SIX6FDFM)?

Are these guitars going to feel like cheap garbage compared to a basic Kiesel Aries or an old Ibanez Prestige on eBay? An Aries is going to be about $300~400 more than the above-mentioned guitars and require waiting for the build. Still worth it compared to a Korean model?

 

[scrub]

I've had good luck with Schecters

 

[Bearitone]

I've had bad luck even with higher-end Schecters. I would stay away from them unless you can try them in person.

Out of the ones you suggested I would say go for the RGAIX6FM.

 

[TheGuitarPit]

I've had good luck with Schecters

Schecter is exactly what comes to mind when I mentioned "terrible korean guitars from 2004." Easily the worst guitar I've ever owned. As I understand it, most of them are made in that World Music place in Korea so they're probably similar to the other options?

I've had bad luck even with higher-end Schecters. I would stay away from them unless you can try them in person.

Out of the ones you suggested I would say go for the RGAIX6FM.

Can you speak to how the RGA Iron Series feels compared to something higher quality? Does it lack playability/tone? Or is that a thing of the past?

 

[Mathemagician]

The Schecter KM6 sounds ideal spec-wise. Any hardtail banshee would also be a nice fit. The Kiesel should be great at that price point as well honestly. Personally not a fan of the ibanez necks.

 

[Thrashman]

LTD's and Schecters, hell, even PRS SE's offer amazing quality guitars for little money.

 

[TheGuitarPit]

The Schecter KM6 sounds ideal spec-wise. Any hardtail banshee would also be a nice fit. The Kiesel should be great at that price point as well honestly. Personally not a fan of the ibanez necks.

Yeah, that actually looks spot on. Exact specs I'm looking for, so thanks for the recommendation. Seems awfully pricey for a Korean-made instrument though. $1200 is well into the nice-used-USA-guitar range, or whatever else you want.

The RGAIX6U looks great too, but I felt similar about it. $1200 is pretty steep.

 

[robski92]

I've had good luck with all my Schecters. Maybe the older ones had some issues, but I own a Banshee Elite 8 and it's one of the best playing guitars that I own. Super low action and I got it for a steal used at GC. Think I payed a little over $500 for it. The banshee elite models have stainless steel frets too so I think it's worth taking a look into those. I've also owned one of the new black jack atx 8 strings that played great and a black jack sls 7 that was great. My oldest one I own is a hellraiser 6 string that I've had for probably around 6 years. I've modded the hell out of it but it still one of my workhorse guitars that has played great.

As far as the RGA, I'd look for a used RGA121. You can get them for around the same price as a new RGA iron label but it will be a prestige. I haven't liked the iron label series RGA's so far.

 

[oracles]

Pick up a used MIJ Ibanez/Jackson. They're all over the place, cheap, and reliable instruments.

 

[Lorcan Ward]

Try find a second hand Ibanez RG652, you should be able to get one for around $1k no problem in the states.

 

[Triple-J]

You can't go wrong with the older Schecter Banshee models as the hardware (bridge & tuners) is Hipshot the neck is incredibly slim and playable (w/compound radius) and it comes with EMG's or Duncans I picked up a used one last year (w/EMG's) and I almost felt like I'd ripped the guy off as I can't fault it in any department.

As a second choice I'd recommend the Charvel hardtail strats as some of them go for very good prices used plus they come with Seymour Duncans as standard and rather like the Banshee they're a solid no frills strat style guitar.

 

[HotKarl]

As a second choice I'd recommend the Charvel hardtail strats as some of them go for very good prices used plus they come with Seymour Duncans as standard and rather like the Banshee they're a solid no frills strat style guitar.

This! Can find them used for a good price. I dig mine. Saved about $300 over new.

 

[TheGuitarPit]

This! Can find them used for a good price. I dig mine. Saved about $300 over new.

Yeah that's killer. Looks like you can get one for about $500. Pretty hard to beat, but I'm not sure those pickups are what I'm looking for. I'll have to see if I can find one at a local shop to feel the neck.

 

[Chri]

Pick up a used MIJ Ibanez/Jackson. They're all over the place, cheap, and reliable instruments.

This. All day every day. $400-600 and they'll easily outplay guitars that retail for twice a size much

 

[InCasinoOut]

Saw an Iron Label RGA out in the wild for the first time yesterday, and I couldnt believe the price! I bought both my used RGA121s AND new Dimarzios for less!

 

[Cloudy]

Pick up a used MIJ Ibanez/Jackson. They're all over the place, cheap, and reliable instruments.

Yup,

As others have said used japanese ibanez are probably your best bet. You can get some really killer deals on guitars that will blow most MIA stuff out of the water.

 

[Jeffbro]

652 period, they go for like 600 used with a nice ass case and fits your requirements perfectly. Best neck on the market, versatile pickups, nice finish and hardware. Nothing will touch it at that price point. Maybe rga121s but they are usually more beat, worse pickups, thicker neck.

Banshee/KM necks are nice, but thicker, worse fretwork, doesn't have the super slick satin prestige neck finish.

Kiesels are way more expensive even if used. Same with higher end jackson/esp stuff.

 

[vilk]

Everyone is saying MIJ Ibanez and MIJ Jackson, but let me remind you: most of that stuff has a floating bridge. And OP wants a hardtail specifically

If you can find a MIJ Ibby or a MIJ Jackson with a hardtail, you better jump on it. Honestly, the only MIJ either of them that I can think of with a hardtail is a Jackson SLSMG.

Rather, I should say, obviously MIJ Ibbies with hardtail bridges are still being made today, since Ibby has production in Japan. I just meant that the older Japanese Ibanez stuff you see on a used market is practically never hardtail

My advice is Agile or LTD. Or, since the other thread reminded me, you can find Godin guitars for a STEAL.

 

[TheGuitarPit]

Yeah, I was looking around for an RGA321 but only found a couple for sale...all $900+. The RG 652 looks like it can be found much cheaper, so maybe that's a good route. Even changing the pickups on a used one looks like it'll be way under $900 of the other options. Thanks! Great replies, I didn't expect all the helpful info.

 

[cip 123]

Used ibby prestige, or schecter gets my vote.

I would run miles from any ibby less than prestige never ever played a good one.