Shredder search update: Hamer Centaura score

[Case]

OK, so I love the Suhr Modern.

I feel like it was the most versatile "shredder" guitar I've ever played. It could do a lot more than shred.

Which for me, was perfect. I don't really shred, but I love the quick playabiltiy, super resonant Alder body, neck shape and Gotoh floyd trem for subtle stuff.

Unfortunately, can't quite swing the cost at this time for a pro, let alone a custom.

I've been looking for a Rasmus Modern, but apparently, they don't make them anymore, and NO ONE is selling.

I'm looking for suggestions for other 24 fret shred-ish type guitars I should consider, with the Suhr Modern as the comparison. For under $1k. Any Hamers fit the bill?

Thanks,

Case

[atquinn]

Hmm, I was going to suggest a Suhr Modern when I saw your thread title so...

Anyway, if you like 24-fret, alder body guitars with Floyds, then I think you're looking for a Hamer Diablo and those can be found all day long for well under $1K.

-

Austin

[JohnnyB]

Yeah, I was thinking Diablo or Centaura HB. Another alternative is a G&L USA Invader (scroll down to see them), available as H-S-S, H-S-H, or HH pickup configurations. Actually, the single-coil-sized pickups are dual-blade humbuckers and sound great!

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Yamaha RGX 6xx

[tbonesullivan]

do you need the 24 frets and tremolo? Bolt on or neck through? there is a lot out there. Used Charvel San Dimas guitars are a pretty good deal.

[BillW]

"I'm looking for suggestions for other 24 fret shred-ish type guitars I should consider, with the Suhr Modern as the comparison. For under $1k. Any Hamers fit the bill?"

so.... there's the:

Centaura

Diablo (I & II)

Chaparral

Californian (although it has 27 frets)

if you're looking for a bolt-on any of the above (depending on year) would work. If you're looking for set neck you're looking at mostly earlier Chaps and some Calis.

As for how close to a Suhr Modern - I couldn't answer that

[Tres Aardvarks]

All I have is shredder guitars, and I sure don't shred! The neck profiles seem to vary, but my Chapparals have thicker necks (slightly) than my Californians.

[Case]

Thanks folks.

Nathan, I actually have a Yamaha RGX620s. It's super cool, but it lacks the refined quality of a Modern that I've had a hard time finding in any other shredder-type guitars.

I may have to give the Diablo another shot -- I had one years ago, before I knew what I had -- that I ended up selling in favor of an Anderson Drop Top.

Chap could be cool too. I've never played one. Are they mostly alder?

Or I may just have to pony up for a Modern

Thanks again,

Case

[Bennyboy-UK]

How about an SS of some sort? I can't play that fast but have ended up with 3 of these, 2 Calis, a centaura plus others

[zorrow]

Hire Malmsteen! He'll do all the shred for you.

Oh, wait... What were you talking about?

[jisham]

What are the Suhr neck shapes like?

[diablo175]

You can't go wrong with a Diablo

Seriously though, for that price point, Diablos are your answer- alder body, maple neck, rosewood board, 24 frets, Schaller Floyd, 2 H direct mounted, 3 way blade selector (swapped mine out for a toggle) and if you want even more tonal possibilities, you can probably coil tap your bridge p'up and make the tone knob into a push/push or push/pull.

[zenmindbeginner]

I'm a non shredder and get along just fine with a Centaura... or Diablo.

[polara]

Diablos are nice. I'm not a shredder but I enjoyed mine: light, versatile, comfy neck.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Thanks folks.

Nathan, I actually have a Yamaha RGX620s. It's super cool, but it lacks the refined quality of a Modern that I've had a hard time finding in any other shredder-type guitars.

I know. I was yankin' yer chain.

But in a more serious answer, depending on what you mean by "refined", Jon Kammerer might be the answer for you.

The reason I say "depending on what you mean by 'refined'" is because for many people, the headstock is a deal-killer.

Blind tangs, direct-mount pickups, no-charge customization of finish, hardware color, fretboard wood, inlay material...proprietary neck joint that is tight and solid (aircraft aluminum set bolts). Extremely low action. Your choice of pickups (the Stew-Mac Golden Age pickups are surprisingly good!)

With a Floyd Rose, figured top, and SD pickups, you'd be closer to $1500 than $1000...but it would be new and custom.

Here are few examples of what he does:

abalone inlay, acrylic fretboard:

Maple chambered/f-holed body (not semi-hollow, because it is only the top 3rd), acrylic fretboard, MoP inlays:

Not many people like the looks of this guitar. Walnut, but a parabolic hollowbody that eliminates the need for internal bracing, but ends up looking like a bean or peanut. Abalone inlay, rosewood fretboard:

Maple body, maple fretboard, abalone inlay:

Walnut figured top, acrylic fingerboard (feels/sounds like ebony, but shiny...):

[tbonesullivan]

Yeah... diablos

Mine have needed a bit of love to get back into playing shape but they are definitely fun guitars. Mine are definitely road worn, so I don't have to worry about taking them with me to strange places.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Cherrywood figured top, abalone inlay, ebony fretboard:

[Toadroller]

I don't know a shredder from a Tele, but would any of the incarnations of Eddie's vision fit the bill? USA Peavey Wolfgangs can be found with Floyd and D-tuna at good prices.

When I feel like cranking the distortion, I pull mine out. Great necks.

[sonny o'hoolighan]

I was just going to mention that a Wolfgang with a Floyd will likely be my next purchase.

[sonny o'hoolighan]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Peavey-Wolfgang-Dark-Cherry-/321326788586?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ad091afea

Check out the description on this Wolfgang, for example:

"The guitar is sweet...so let me tell you a little about it. The action is a mile high, so you will have to tune all the strings about major third low, so when you finally get your hand to the fret board it's kind of in tune. but that only works for bar chords, chords with open strings require a re-tune. so you will probably have to re-tune between chord changes, during a song, but if your good you should be able to pull it off I think. for about ten years I did a little experiment with it, and subjected it to extreme temperature changes, to see if I could crack the finish. I think in the range of -30 to 250 in about 1 minute was the standard, I set for the experiment. That's why the pics, are not that clear, so I can hide the cracked wood, scratches, and dis-bonded trim. For the last 14 years it has been in a room, that fluctuates between 0% humidity, to a 100% 3 times a day. the frets are dressed so, when you slide up or down the fret board, it tends to slice your fingers, right after your first knuckles. but I just keep super glue on the mic stand. the frets are starting to pop out, and now kind of rock back and forth as you play, so if you play any sort of triad, on the GBE strings, you can't really have low opens ringing out at the same time. sometimes a fret will completely pop out, but when that happens, I just quick pick it up and improvise a slide solo with it, and the crowd seems to like it too. I should have never brought it to one of the best luthiers in the country, to have such a crappy fret job done. Also the tone sucks bad! who ever built this, didn't know anything about good tone that's for sure. if you touch the whammy, it completely goes out of tune. Oh by the why, I can not be trusted! I have no scruples, and I rip people off all the time. actually I'm surprised, no one has shot me by now! I'm supported by the government, so if you buy this, you have actually paid for it about 53.46 time before....technically. My time in the military, in special ops units and regular units, is all a lie....I'm to selfish to put my life on the line for my country. I'm just a scum bag really.....thanks for looking at my guitar...sucker!"

Sounds like your shredder!

[Case]

Hadn't considered a Wolfgang. Hmmm. Well, I guess I have a lot to consider - which is a good thing. Nathan, those look pretty cool. I'll check them out.

[Toadroller]

Hadn't considered a Wolfgang. Hmmm. Well, I guess I have a lot to consider - which is a good thing. Nathan, those look pretty cool. I'll check them out.

Just want to point out that Nathan, while calling attention to the headstock as a potential deal-breaker, never actually showed one.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Hadn't considered a Wolfgang. Hmmm. Well, I guess I have a lot to consider - which is a good thing. Nathan, those look pretty cool. I'll check them out.

Just want to point out that Nathan, while calling attention to the headstock as a potential deal-breaker, never actually showed one.

Hah! I didn't notice that. Will rectify tomorrow.

[tbonesullivan]

only thing about the wolfgange and other EVH guitars is that they are "only" 22 frets. If 24 frets is a must, they are out.

[DaveL]

I'm not a shredder (stones, AC-DC and the like) but I did take a liking to charvel san dimas stuff

the 2004/2005 reissue stuff (after the fender acquisition) is very cool, the pointy's are custom

shop quality IMHO, but sell in the same range as the pro mod stuff. that said, I do like the

MIJ pro mod stuff with the nicely rolled fret ends...

they also make em with vintage style brass trems. more kickass guitars I no longer own !!!