Eh Schecter seems like a Heavy Metal style company in my opinion

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I do agree that they have a stronger focus on guitars for metal players, but guitars like the Tempest Custom Shredd posted earlier in this thread have average output SD pickups and are great all around guitars. I think you'll be pretty happy with the Epiphone though, and after looking at the Trad. Pro online...I think they're nice. The other Epi that caught my eye was the Les Paul Royale...it looks nice! http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... 8000001000

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Look on ebay and get an Epi Firebird VII. Their pickups have a better tone than the versions that have been put in the Gibson USA Firebird V's for years now. The neck setting can sound like a 335 (a little less output than a LP), and the bridge can do a convincing Tele sound (think Twang with some ice pick thrown in). Just as a warning though, the case is about 5 feet long. Huge. It looks more like something a bass would come in than a guitar.

You're not kidding. The new Tempest is more rocker than anything else. Schecter is doing what Gibson SHOULD be doing. I do have a Les Paul Studio, and it's built very good. I know some people like to rag on Gibson for turning out a crappy product, but I don't think my LP Studio is lacking in craftsmanship. But if you were to find a Gibson with the specs of a Tempest Custom or Solo 6 Custom, the price of it would be through the roof and it's just plain ridiculous to me that Gibson does that. Especially considering that my Schecter is built with the same, if not better, craftsmanship.

The number 1 rule of buying a guitar.. Get what you want. If you have your heart set on an Epiphone, then that's really what you should do. I don't have a problem with Epiphone at all. I actually have a newly acquired Special II that I bought for $50. And to be honest, I really like it. Of course, it took 2-days to pimp it out and I'm still not done. I want a new tune-o-matic, and new tuners. Then I'll be 100% happy with it.

Good luck man.

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Indeed bro...the fit and finish and overall sturdiness is the first thing that attracted me to Schecter guitars. My buddy comes over to jam from time to time with his LP Studio. 9 times out of 10 he wants to play my Hellraiser instead, and the LP sits in the case. And I'm not saying anything negative about that LP, cause it plays great IMO.

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Right now, you can get blacktops with hardshell cases.

I dunno, I might've taken advantage of that if I could. It's a good idea. Ya just gotta have a hardshell case...

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