Guitar Choice Dilemma

coldethyl · #1 December 12th, 2006

I find myself in an exciting, but equally puzzling dilemma because I have the means to buy a new guitar and I have two options, but for the life of me I'm not sure which one to go with.

I really want to get myself the Ibanez JS1000 (Joe Satriani signature series) guitar which will set me back 3000 dollars.
OR, I can buy myself an American Series Fender Stratocaster which would set me back only $1800.

Now the thing is I have 3000 dollars total spending for the guitar, but that would restrict me to just getting the JS1000 and nothing else.
But, if I get the Fender Strat, I'll have 1200 dollars spare to buy either some pedals or maybe even another amp.

In my estimation, the JS1000 would be the better all round quality guitar. Of course, I'm not knocking the American Series Strat since that is quite a good guitar too.
I just don't know what to do!

So does anyone have any ideas as to which option I should go for?

737blues · #2 December 12th, 2006

Not wishing to confuse the issue Neil but if you're willing to spend that much money, have you thought about a Variax 700? IMHO, (and I know this will cause some debate) American built Strats are over-rated in comparison to standard Fender's or even the new Highway model. Paying a lot for that made in USA status. Don't know anything about the JS1000, except that in general Ibanez make a nice guitar. Don't you have an Artcore too?

coldethyl · #3 December 12th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 737blues

Not wishing to confuse the issue Neil but if you're willing to spend that much money, have you thought about a Variax 700? IMHO, (and I know this will cause some debate) American built Strats are over-rated in comparison to standard Fender's or even the new Highway model. Paying a lot for that made in USA status. Don't know anything about the JS1000, except that in general Ibanez make a nice guitar. Don't you have an Artcore too?

Yeah actually I do have an Artcore acoustic. I never really thought about the Variax 700. I basically want a guitar that I can play blues, rock, jazz, or just about anything on and I know that the Ibanez JS 1000 covers those requirements quite capably, and I also know the Strats are a good all round guitar.

I checked out the Ibanez JS1000 reviews on Harmony Central and nearly every review for it was around the 9 and 10 mark, so it definitely is a quality guitar. The American Series Strat didn't quite fare as well as the JS1000, but the reviews for it were overall pretty good.

I'm also thinking of resale value as well. Not that I will be selling the guitar, but it would be nice to know that whatever guitar I get will hold it's value in years to come.

si16 · #4 December 12th, 2006

Hi Neil, I've never played either of these guitars but I get the feeling that you'd really like the JS1000 so I'd say go for that one. Extra pedals can always be added over time but you may only get one chance at this guitar.

coldethyl · #5 December 12th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by si16

Hi Neil, I've never played either of these guitars but I get the feeling that you'd really like the JS1000 so I'd say go for that one. Extra pedals can always be added over time but you may only get one chance at this guitar.

Yeah, I am definitely leaning towards the JS1000 and you're right, I think this is going to be my best opportunity for a while to get it, so I reckon that's what I'll do.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

allthumbs · #6 December 12th, 2006

Make sure you go to a shop and play them both. Keep in mind that your paying extra for the satch sig guitar because of the name. Compare other Ibanez guitars to see if there is a difference in quality or hardware compared to it. You may be able to get virtually the same guitar for less unless the sig is important to you.

coldethyl · #7 December 12th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Make sure you go to a shop and play them both. Keep in mind that your paying extra for the satch sig guitar because of the name. Compare other Ibanez guitars to see if there is a difference in quality or hardware compared to it. You may be able to get virtually the same guitar for less unless the sig is important to you.

I'll certainly be trying out whatever guitar I'm interested in buying.

Actually the signature part of the JS1000 doesn't have the attraction for me. I'm more drawn to the fact that it's a great all-round guitar.

I would loved to have been in a position to get a Les Paul, but that was a little out of my price range.

But I most definitely will not walk out of the shop without being absolutely confident that whatever guitar I have selected will be the one I'm most happy with.

Do you think that the JS1000 would hold it's value equal to American Fender Strats or Gibson Les Pauls, SG's etc? I'm not up on re-sale value on guitars etc.

eXperiment63 · #8 December 12th, 2006

Well, for less than the Sig series, you can get a good custom shop usa strat guitar that's value will retain rather well.

Rockerbob · #9 December 12th, 2006

In that price range I would look into Tom Anderson guitars. My Anderson Hollow DropTop is a super strat type guitar that gives me good strat type sounds as well as hot humbucker sounds. The neck, fit & finish are fabulous!

allthumbs · #10 December 12th, 2006

Here is a used one on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2001-Ibanez-JOE-SATRIANI-JS1000-JS-1000-Series_W0QQitemZ110066909797QQihZ001QQcategoryZ330 43QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Tom Anderson makes excelent guitars. I imagine now that he has shut down his company and is going to be just building a handful a year by himself, the value will more than hold if not go up.

Rockerbob · #11 December 12th, 2006

I just read the thing about Tom Anderson. I guess I will have to hang onto the one I have.

scotty_b · #12 December 12th, 2006

I have never seen a Tom Anderson in this part of the world, so that may not be a viable option.
Owning two Ibanez guitars and one American strat, I would say in general the Ibanez guitars are much better quality. I have a top of the range strat which is excellent quality, but in my experiences most of the US fenders are really not that great, and live on the name. Get up around $4000 AUSD and you will get a great instrument - which is out of your current price range.

Ballard · #13 December 14th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldethyl

I would loved to have been in a position to get a Les Paul, but that was a little out of my price range.

Are you sure? The Les Paul Custom is only $3300. I'm sure give or take a few hundred doesn't matter in your price range.

coldethyl · #14 December 15th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballard

Are you sure? The Les Paul Custom is only $3300. I'm sure give or take a few hundred doesn't matter in your price range.

I've already made a choice thanks, and bought the guitar I most enjoyed playing and really loved the tone......a Fender American Series Stratocaster.

I posted a thread with a photo of what my new axe looks like.