The ultimate ‘80s rock guitar available today?

[metropolis_4]

Realizing I’m definitely going to need a Floyd Rose for Rock of Ages, the Gotoh 510 isn’t cutting it. And I’m going to be on stage in costume as a hair metal guitarist.

So I want to get the most ‘80s guitar I can find. Must have a FR and at least 22 frets.

What would you get?

 

[la szum]

Might as well go full on Steel Panther, Met!

 

[State of Epicicity]

I think either of these should do fine:

Oh wait, you wanted something in production haha! Maybe an Ibanez RG Genesis would be okay, but I think I'd go more outrageous, like the Traveler Guitar Vaibrant Deluxe V88X in Hot Pink:

I mean, if you want to be noticed and to look unimpeachably awesome, I don't think you can get much better than that thing.

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

Just go with a JEM

 

[HomespunEffects]

Behold!

 

[State of Epicicity]

And another option, the Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS in Neon Green. Kind of makes my eyes hurt:

 

[metropolis_4]

Yes! I love all of these so far!

It doesn’t necessarily have to be brand new as long as I can find one.

Behold!
View attachment 29255

I love this! What model is that?

 

[Achilles]

If Luke can live on one you know if covers any tone you'd ever need for 80s rock.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Yes! I love all of these so far!

It doesn’t necessarily have to be brand new as long as I can find one.



I love this! What model is that?

Model 1

 

[duzie]

Behold!
View attachment 29255

Or

 

[metropolis_4]

I want a Nagel in the worst way, but I doubt I’ll find one in my price range

 

[Achilles]

Looks like you're talking looks. Never mind the Luke.

How about OG - Ibanez RG
Prestige version

 

[metropolis_4]

Looks like you're talking looks. Never mind the Luke.

How about OG - Ibanez RG
Prestige version


View attachment 29261

Yeah, looks are important here. It’s got to have a FR and it’s got to have the look

 

[DrewJD82]

While there's a ton of new stuff reviving the 80's colors/models lately, I'd absolutely be hitting up Reverb for 90's MIJ Ibanez RG's while you can still get them for $500-$800. Outside of PRS SE's, I haven't played anything new off a shelf in years around that price point that'll deliver as much as the 90's RG's.

No point in getting a Floyd if it's going to be a cheaper Floyd and you just can't beat a LoPro or Edge, nor is anything under a grand going to have anything better/equal to one.

 

[Will Onyx]

Charvel So Cal. It just works for 80s in so many different ways.

 

[metropolis_4]

While there's a ton of new stuff reviving the 80's colors/models lately, I'd absolutely be hitting up Reverb for 90's MIJ Ibanez RG's while you can still get them for $500-$800. Outside of PRS SE's, I haven't played anything new off a shelf in years around that price point that'll deliver as much as the 90's RG's.

No point in getting a Floyd if it's going to be a cheaper Floyd and you just can't beat a LoPro or Edge, nor is anything under a grand going to have anything better/equal to one.

I’ve been looking at some RGs, I get lost in all the models though. Beyond 470,550,560,570 I’m lost.

Any recommendations on ones to look for?

 

[DrewJD82]

I’ve been looking at some RGs, I get lost in all the models though. Beyond 470,550,560,570 I’m lost.

Any recommendations on ones to look for?

Anything RG5__ and above and you're good to go, until you get into models made after 2002, I believe, when they started using the Edge Pro

RG4__ and below will have the Lo-TRS and at that point you're better off getting a new Charvel that looks the part more. Though you can put a Gotoh 1996t into a Lo-TRS cavity without routing anything, but it's kinda silly if you can get an RG5__ for the same amount you'd end up spending. I can't even keep track of all the different model designations, they're mostly different combinations of pickguard/no pickguard and maple/rosewood neck, the 770's might be just because the sharkfin inlay? I can't quite remember anymore.

Regardless, anything from '87-'02, RG5__ and above will have either an Edge or a Lo-Pro, so you can just sort out the fingerboard/aesthetic choices within those models.

 

[LeftyLoungeLizard]

Did someone say 80's? I time-traveled here from the 80's.

GET A CHARVEL.

So-Cal or similar, then mod it.

Charvel Guitars

Charvel Guitars are the very embodiment of high-performance since 1974.

www.charvel.com

 

[Eagle]

Jackson Soloists SL1

Ibanez RG 550

Charvel

Or even an old Kramer;

 

[Eagle]

Anything RG5__ and above and you're good to go, until you get into models made after 2002, I believe, when they started using the Edge Pro

RG4__ and below will have the Lo-TRS and at that point you're better off getting a new Charvel that looks the part more. Though you can put a Gotoh 1996t into a Lo-TRS cavity without routing anything, but it's kinda silly if you can get an RG5__ for the same amount you'd end up spending. I can't even keep track of all the different model designations, they're mostly different combinations of pickguard/no pickguard and maple/rosewood neck, the 770's might be just because the sharkfin inlay? I can't quite remember anymore.

Regardless, anything from '87-'02, RG5__ and above will have either an Edge or a Lo-Pro, so you can just sort out the fingerboard/aesthetic choices within those models.

Genesis models are better than the original ones.
RG 550 but budget for new pickups .