My journey from finding "the one" guitar to amassing a collection (still on-going)

[LunatiqueRob]

I currently have more than a dozen guitars and basses, and I feel like I'm missing a really amazing do-it-all high-end 6-string that can be a "forever" guitar I will never sell. I have a few candidates picked out but maybe I'm missing some, so I'd like some suggestions.

I should briefly describe what I'm looking for and what my current collection is like so you know exactly what my criteria are.

First, here are all the guitars (basses) I currently own:

As you can see, I'm mainly a double-cut body superstrat type of player.

What are currently missing from my collection:

1) A high-quality 6-string with normal scales (I'm not the biggest fan of multiscale, but on Strandbergs they're not too drastic, but I'd still prefer just normal frets but Strandberg doesn't have that option).
2) I want a ton of tone switching options, because I like the idea of having one guitar that can do both humbucker and single coil tones at various positions. (My Strandberg Prog NX 7 and Aristides H/08 have Fishman pickups, which have a ton of tone options with the push/pull pots, and I'd love something similar in a 6-string with normal scale frets and neck)
3) I don't mind Strandberg's Endurneck, but I also don't love it either.
4) My existing 6-strings that are normal scale/necks aren't exactly great high-end guitars. The Eart W1 is cheap and can't hold tuning, and the Variax feels clunky to play (and I prefer 24 frets).

My ideal high-end 6-string "forever" guitar will be something with these features:

1) Capable of handling any genre--from jazz, fusion, prog, metal, funk, to pop.
2) Ample tone switching options. Neck single coil (for low-gain fusion leads) and neck humbucker (for jazzy stuff) in one guitar would be great (this requires push/pull tone switching via coil split/tap). Prefer humbucker at the bridge (for high-gain metal). The clean Strat 4th position tone is important too for funk-styled rhythm. (This one is critical because if it wasn't, I'd have a far bigger pool of selections to choose from.)
3) Normal scale (no multiscale), normal neck (I prefer necks on the thinner side as opposed to a baseball bat neck).
4) Tremolo that stays in tune very well.
5) Ideally 24 frets.
6) Light weight. Heavy guitars are just a bummer as they feel clunky.
7) No glossy necks--feels too tacky on my hands, and I don't even have sweaty hands.
8) Can be set up with low action and won't buzz.
9) Whatever I didn't mention means it's not as important to me. Although finishes can be important depending on the finish in question.

The candidates I have found so far are:

Ibanez AZ Prestige series (2204 models, but I like the 2204NW for the mint color)
Pros: These have the Dynamix tone switching system, which allows an HSS to do humbucking tone at the neck (maybe not 100% but close enough), and still have that neck single coil tone and 4th position funk machine tone I love. There are 9 tones available with the switching system.
Cons: Only 22 frets

Ibanez AZ Prestige 2402
Pros: 24 frets. Also has the Dynamix tone switching system with 10 tones.
Cons: The HH configuration with the Dynamix tone options still doesn't do the neck single coil tone or the Strat 4th position tone quite as convincingly as I'd like.

Ibanez AZ Premium MAR10 (CHON signature)
Pros: 24 frets. HSS configuration. Dynamix tone switching system.
Cons: I'm iffy on the metallic lavender finish, and the shark teeth inlays are a bit of an eyesore. (If it had a less annoying inlay shape and a slightly more subdued finish, I'd probably have bought it by now.)

Ibanez Tim Henson TOD10 signature (or the Scott LePage signature)
Pros: 24 frets, Tim's Fishman pickups with push/pull tone switching options (can do single coil and humbucker at the neck, and something similar to Strat 4th position).
Cons: Kinda iffy on that tree of death inlay (a bit too busy visually). Tim said more finishes are coming soon and I'd like to see what else they have. Scott's champagne gold finish is okay--maybe a bit glitzy for me personally.

Schecter California Classic
Pros: HSS, push/pull tone switching options (but I can't find any detailed information about the exact options for the tones).
Cons: 22 frets only.

Abasi Concepts Emi-6
Pros: The most ergonomic body shape of them all--up there with Strandberg in terms of seated playing position with guitar carve sitting on the right thigh. Fishman pickups with push/pull tone options.
Cons: Currently only has SSS model and the tone switching doesn't seem to do humbucker tone at the neck or at the bridge. Extremely expensive. (It would be great if they would release an HH version of the 6-string with the Abasi Fishman pickups that can do single coil tones are various positions.)

Notice I didn't list any Jacksons or Kramers, and it's because I can't stand their headstocks. That really angled and sharp headstock just looks off-balance to me. The main feature I want that disqualifies many choices on the market is the variety of tone-switching that can do both single coil and humbucker are various positions and sound authentic.

If you have suggestions not on my list, I'd love to see them (but make sure you have read my post and understand exactly what I want first). Or, if you have thoughts on what's currently on my list, I'd love to know too. Thanks!

 

[Wiltonauer]

I have an HSS guitar with a five-way Superswitch. The neck and middle pickups are SD Hot Rails, which as you may know are single-coil sized side-by-side four-conductor humbuckers. The bridge is a JB, but it could be anything.

The switch is set up so that I get:
1.) Bridge series humbucking.
2.) Middle series humbucking.
3.) Inner coils of neck and middle, in parallel. (Or maybe it’s outer coils. Either way, it’s hum canceling and sounds something like a 4 position on a Strat, but a little darker because the Hot Rails are like that. You could probably get more convincing Strat tones - and more variety in humbucking tones — from Cool Rails, or one of the dozen-plus dual-rail and Strat-sized four-conductor hunbucker models that DiMarzio makes.)
4.) Neck parallel humbucking.
5.) Neck series humbucking.

That’s the most versatile guitar I’ve ever owned, and I can do just about anything I know how to do on a guitar, with that one. One volume, one tone, 24 frets, neck-through, floating Floyd Rose Original. Still, no Sustainiac, no Peter Green tone, no Telecaster bark.

Seymour Duncan has this crazy Hyperswitch thing now where you put a $149 knife switch in your guitar and set it up with a Bluetooth app. Maybe that’s something to look at.

 

[Randy]

My "do it all" forever guitar is the Parker Fly Deluxe because of the piezo, coil tapping and the floating/locking trem for versatility, and the carbon fiber+stainless frets for stability. I've also got it outfitted with a D-Thing for drop tuning. That's besides the actual playability, between the neck thickness (thinness?), pickup combo, weight and non-existent heel.

Made in USA and forever holds its value.

 

[FitRocker33]

Tom Anderson Angel with the switcheroo wiring option and HSH pickup config.

Done.

 

[Thesius]

You nailed it with the Ibanez AZ Prestige option. Just make sure you buy a used one for better toan

 

[Grindspine]

Get a used Ibanez RG Prestige.

/thread

 

[MetalDaze]

I predict a 2nd forever guitar purchase within 6 months. Or maybe that’s just my story

 

[AltecGreen]

G-Life DSG Life Ash

HSH configuration
Bridge and neck pickups can be split, off, or humbucking
middle single coil can be normal, off, or true coil tap losing about 30% of the winding to lower output.
Each pickup is controlled by a switch and can be independently controlled.

You can get a lot of tonal options with the various combinations.


There is a direct switch which takes everything out except bridge humbucker and volume control.


These are typically 7 lbs and very light. 24 frets, 25.5" scale with a Floyd (Schaller Lock Meister). They come in a variety of colors.

G-Life Guitars / DSG Life-Ash / Explosion Red Moon

 

[groverj3]

Charvel Guthrie Govan or DK.

 

[Nightside]

Black machine

 

[Kyle Jordan]

My "do it all" forever guitar is the Parker Fly Deluxe because of the piezo, coil tapping and the floating/locking trem for versatility, and the carbon fiber+stainless frets for stability. I've also got it outfitted with a D-Thing for drop tuning. That's besides the actual playability, between the neck thickness (thinness?), pickup combo, weight and non-existent heel.

Made in USA and forever holds its value.

Tom Anderson Angel with the switcheroo wiring option and HSH pickup config.

Done.

These two are great suggestions and I’d add a Parker Nitefly. The neck finishes aren’t sticky like many painted necks, but some quick sanding can take care of that.

That said, if you like your H/08, a 060 or T/0 would be high on my list. Pascal also mentioned on the most recent Facebook livestream that they have a “Strat type” coming up in the wings. Still could be a ways off, but the S/0 or whatever they call it could fit your bill if you’re willing to wait.

 

[jl-austin]

seems like you like the Strandberg. What about (I can't believe I'm saying this)... a headless Kiesel? Of course, you would probably want to swap out the pickups to Fishman if you like that route.

 

[kmanick]

my RG2770QZA-WPB would likely fit the bill. Great neck , and tons of tonal options.
I may even mod mine with a push pull pot to split both Humbuckers to give you some additional options.
Unfortunate you don't like the Jackson headstock, my USA SL-1, is set up with a push pull to split the bridge
and that gives me a great tonal palette. I took down the gloss finish on the back of the neck on mine as well, that is probably my favorite "do it all" guitar that I own.

 

[penguin_316]

Unpopular opinion, there is no such thing. Also, considering the items you’ve already had, it’s probably more an issue of knowing how to setup the instruments and swap components than anything else.

You don’t like fishmans? Change them, it’s more involved than swapping passive to passive but it isn’t that involved. Setup isn’t suited to you, change it to suit you, etc.

 

[budda]

Your tastes will change over time, so this is futile.

Enjoy the ride.

 

[floridagoblue]

Easy solution to your problem. Get an ESP

 

[littlebadboy]

Line 6 Shuriken Variax?

 

[Randy]

Prices are getting up there but a Steiny GM would be another candidate. I recently got another ZT3 (running behind on my NGDs) which offers similar features.

HH or HSS with coil tapping, pretty versatile sound. Bridges full floating or locking hard tail. TransTrem offers 5 different tunings on hand. Headless, so you get your compact Strandberg type footprint. Graphite neck or the graphite u channel on the ZT3 are ultra stable.

ZT3 is tough because there's less parts out there, but the GM has some replacement parts out there including a company making drop in replacements now. The Stein trem stuff gets a worse wrap than it deserves though. My ZT3 came to me a 20 year old basket case the previous owner since abandoned trem and locked it, in an hour of just cleaning and setting it up, it was back to 100% functionality no new parts needed.

GM MIA, fetch a pretty penny and will also continue to hold their value. ZT3 seems to have stabilized. They're selling for same as I was paying/selling for 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[Bloody_Inferno]

Your tastes will change over time, so this is futile.

Enjoy the ride.

My main 'forever do it all' instrument is a black RG I've had since I was 18.

Personally I think the OP already has a few versatile instruments covered. Most of the Strandbergs in his collection are strong candidates, hell even the standard Strat. Sure there's a few nuanced specs but sounds like they're not big dealbreakers.

Still if you've got money to burn, here's some other suggestions to throw in the pile.

Ibanez AZ2407F

It's the new HSH models, essentially an AZ take on an RG. Sure you don't have a true neck single coil option, but a coil tap system is a small mod away.

Charvel Guthrie Govan Sig

Already mentioned but seconding this. Largely because Guthrie does practically everything with the same guitar and mostly gets away with it. HSH, 24 frets, single coil simulator switch...

Any G-Life Guitar

See AltecGreen's post. I'll need to get one as a retirement gift to myself one day.

Ibanez AZ2204

Yeah it's only 22 frets. But let's be honest, how often do we really play those 2 extra notes? Most of the time you can just bend up to the high E. Everything else ticks all the OP's preferences. I say this as a strong recommendation as I've got one that's being used as my current favorite "do it all" instrument, which means I have multiple "do it alls".

An ES335 of some sort.

Throwing a massive curveball. Sure it's almost the antithesis of every option and opinion in this thread but considering how versatile 335s are and how often they've been used in countless albums in every genre. A good Gibson or Heritage is worth checking out, even just for curiosity's sake.

 

[Emperor Guillotine]

Tom Anderson Angel with the switcheroo wiring option and HSH pickup config.

Done.

I literally just came into this thread to say: “Buy an Anderson. Done. End.”

Glad that someone else beat me to it.