Okay...
So I have been contemplating about this for while now
As much as my beloved Yamaha Pacifica is my first guitar
The truth is..
It can't do the stuff I want it to do )=
If you guys know me..
I actually love guitar because of certain influences
Influences like Avenged Sevenfold, Sum41,
They make us of distortion, harmonic pinches
Heavy metals stuff, shredding, solo-ing
Melodic Lead, such as Neil Zaza, Slash(okay he is pretty heavy), Jerry C, Funtwo
Yeah those are the type of music (that guitars can make) that I like
I don't mind the occasional Blues, and Jazz as well

And finally, I have made my decision
I'm going to take shredding, solo classes
(after my exams of course.. oh that glorious-exam-free-moment)
And knowing that my current Pacifica can't actually handle that type of sound
I decided to ask around and make some inquiries

It all started when I saw this post on LYN
K so from that post, I got to his blogshop
And I saw this post
Well this deadeyes guy don't post his prices online
Perhaps maybe to give a better offer?
I don't know.. That is his business lol

So anyhow..
I got pretty interested with the Ibanez GRX70DXj Jumpstart Kit
It comes with everything you need to start playing!
I dropped him an email asking for the price
Well actually I sorta gave up already
I thought the price would somehow exceed RM1k (beyond my budget)
At that time I was thinking of second hand guitars (of course quality ones la)
Being an Ibanez I know it's quality wont go much wrong
I dropped him an email stating that I was interested
And that I have a budget,
And (Possibly the turning point) told him what sort of music style I was into

He replied me stating the price for the Jump start kit was actually only
GUESS!
.
.
.
.
.
RM 8xx (I x-ed out the figure because I'm not sure if he wants everybody to know the price)
*boy I was excited at the figure
Even if it was just a jumpstart kit ( Ibanez guitars won't go wrong )

If you want one.. go to that link and drop him a comment
Don't bring out my name please (=
Not only that, he told me to give him my budget
He would try to find a good shredding/heavy jam type guitar which suits that budget range
I mean wow...
I thought uh okay.. heck pretty good..
I'll just give him my budget (which was between RM700-RM800)

That and he replied with this 2 models
An Ibanez GRG170DX,
And
An Epiphone Les Paul Special II
Needless to say I googled those models immediately
He told me the Ibanez would be good for shredding
The Les Paul would better for heavy stuff/and shredding to a certain extent
Needless to say the Les Paul was more expensive (=
By RM50..
(and that gap has since closed.. to how much I won't tell)
(lets just say I'm pretty happy with the figure)
-Still within the RM700 range tho-

The Ibanez grg170dx
(actually looks better IMO.. more rockish)
Very Strat-like
Too bad he has no black or white
(the color influenced me a little too)


The Epiphone Les Paul Special II
Doesn't look too bad actually
Very solid (according to reviews)




White Out Of Stock FML .________.




Long story short
Reviews Reviews and more Reviews
*lotsa good reviews for the LP..for that price range.. unbeatable
so they say
Seeking opinions from two friends
(I know I should have asked some one more pro =p but meh)
In the end I opt to go with the Les Paul
(Although I do hope the Special II GT was more affordable )

And I have since bank in the RM100 deposit
(yes only RM100!)
This is my first time doing this online
Pretty nervous
I shall tell you if this turns out good
If not.. its an expensive lesson
But at the moment.. everything seems good
Legit? Yes

Again, if I have the option,
I'd recommend for you to go to the shop personally
Test out the guitar for yourself
(not that I'm not going to but I mean.. its safer sorta)
C.O.D will be this Saturday
I can pay the balance once I'm happy with the guitar and all
*I'll let you know if he is a good seller or not when I get my guitar (=

Will write a review on the Les Paul another day
As for now..

List of things to do!

1) The Guitar
2) Finish the bloody Exam
3) Enroll into a short term shredding/solo class
4) Get a DS-7 or something similar Pedal
5) Mod the guitar a little (lower bridge/strings etc)

Next: Review of the Epiphone Les Paul Special II

*I bet my parents will personally strangle me after reading this
** I hope not to the point of death .__________.

p.s- If you're wondering why I don't just go for that jump start kit?
That's because
1) It is a beginners guitar (sucky pickup etc)
2) Won't handle much more rock stuff than my Pacifista (also a starters guitar)
*well it would handle it better than the Pacifista of course
*so if you guys are new to this, and interested, I'd say go for this package
3) Reviews put the Ibanez grg170dx and the Epiphone LP SP II to be more of a advanced/starter player..
(1st leap into serious jamming crap)

More or less that (=
Love the Les Paul reviews btw
Everything I saw, read, heard even sounds solid and good
Maybe won't be that when it's in my hands
But hey I'm learning =D

Labels: Guitars, Parents, Reviews, Wishlist