Hardtail guitar suggestions

[Ruben Bernard]

I currently play a Custom Tremonti SE which I am very happy with. However, I go to University this august, and I dont wanna take the tremonti with me because it has extreme sentimental value and I cant risk it being damaged by careless University people. I wanted to try and get something a little different, that feels similar. I was thinking of something with a double cut, and a hardtail. However, something still comfortable to play in heavier guitar riffs and solos. I was thinking about the s2 McCarty 594, since it also has the same knob configuration as what I'm used to (I've always Les Paul types). However, I've also heard some good things about the CE guitars. I'm looking at something preferably below £1500 but if I work extra time this summer I can bump it up to
£2000

Any suggestions?

 

[Malloc]

SE Zach Meyers or SE Tremonti

 

[Aahzz]

SE Tremonti would seem the obvious choice to sub for your Tremonti. That said, the S2 594s I've played have been great, and it's most likely what I'd choose in that situation if I had the cash available.

 

[Larsguitars]

another vote for S2 594

 

[Ruben Bernard]

SE Zach Meyers or SE Tremonti

I did actually try out a Zach Myers. My issue with it was the neck, which was super fat. It was actually really comfortable to play chords, and other stuff, because it reminded me of the neck feel of my dads 60s Les Paul, but it just didn't feel great for faster soloing.

 

[Ruben Bernard]

SE Tremonti would seem the obvious choice to sub for your Tremonti. That said, the S2 594s I've played have been great, and it's most likely what I'd choose in that situation if I had the cash available.

I've not tried the S2 McCarty... yet, though I'm going to have to since its the top of my list. My biggest thing about my tremonti is that I love the way the neck feels. The wide, thin just feels perfect. I'm not an amazing guitarist, since ive not been playing long, but I started improving so much faster. I'm kinda hoping for a double cut with a similar neck feel but a hardtail. Which I get is super super specific for PRS but... yeah

 

[DISTORT6]

Double cut, WT shape, stoptail? Used OG MIRA.

 

[SinSir]

594 or a Vela. A good option would be a semi-hollow Vela. I grab that guitar all the time when chillin on the couch..

 

[Ruben Bernard]

594 or a Vela. A good option would be a semi-hollow Vela. I grab that guitar all the time when chillin on the couch..

Undoubtedly prs have the most beautiful guitars ever. there's been 3 times where ive been close to crying, just holding a few select ones. But I dont know what it is, but I cannot enjoy the look of pro's with a pickguard, no matter how hard I try :/. I guess im just fussy T-T... although, if prs had a guitar with a Les Paul style pickguard... oohoohoohoohhohohoho hehe that would be sexyyyyyyyyyyyyy

 

[letterk]

594 or Vela is a good suggestion.

 

[ViperDoc]

594 ONE HUNDRED PERCENT.

 

[Mystic38]

SE Pauls guitar.. isnt that DC and a stoptail?..

or an Epiphone DC pro

if you are concerned about damage to a guitar you want cheaper, but playable for college.. not more expensive than your current tremonti.. lol, or just get another tremonti se

 

[MarcWink]

The S2 594 is a great starting point guitar, but it definitely could use a few tweaks to make it live up to its potential. On mine, I upgraded the tuners to Phase III locking vintage tuners; I switched the 58/15 S pickups out for 58/15 LT pickups; all of the electronics were upgraded to Core electronics; and the nut was upgraded to a Core 594 bone nut. With all that said and done, I wound up with an S2 that's close to sniffing the price of a non-10 top non-Wood Library Core 594.

That said, if you don't mind laying out some more cash to upgrade the guitar, go for the S2 594. If you would prefer a grab and go type of instrument, I'd recommend going with an SE Paul's Guitar or an SE Zach Myers. Even if you wind up swapping out some of the electronics, you'll be way under the price of the S2 594.

 

[Ruben Bernard]

The S2 594 is a great starting point guitar, but it definitely could use a few tweaks to make it live up to its potential. On mine, I upgraded the tuners to Phase III locking vintage tuners; I switched the 58/15 S pickups out for 58/15 LT pickups; all of the electronics were upgraded to Core electronics; and the nut was upgraded to a Core 594 bone nut. With all that said and done, I wound up with an S2 that's close to sniffing the price of a non-10 top non-Wood Library Core 594.

That said, if you don't mind laying out some more cash to upgrade the guitar, go for the S2 594. If you would prefer a grab and go type of instrument, I'd recommend going with an SE Paul's Guitar or an SE Zach Myers. Even if you wind up swapping out some of the electronics, you'll be way under the price of the S2 594.

I mean, thats my rough plan. Locking tuners, Tremonti Pickups and rewiring the electronics are a definite. I've heard about the the plastic Nut *shakes fist angrily* and I'd probably get push push pots because I hate pulling on the slant lampshade knobs. I'm not massive on something grab and go, because its a PRS, even if its not quite up to the exact specifications of what I want, at the end of the day, its a PRS and its gonna be a whole lot of guitar to start with right from the start. I'm more looking for something that can grow with me as a player, and stay with me for a while, but a little more knock around. At the moment I own my Tremonti SE Custom, which I got for my 18th and was technically my first guitar. Everything else ive ever played has been my dads that he lets me use. My only other guitar is a Gibson Les Paul previously owned by Chad Fuggin Kroeger himself (Yes flex, Ive wanted to tell people for sooooo long) so definitely can't let that get damaged. Just need a great guitar that isn't emotionally special in a way so if it gets a nick or two by stumbling drunks in my dorm room, I don't feel tooooo much guilt.
Sounds like with a bit of upgrading the 594 sounds awesome. And you sound like someone who knows what they're talking about. I think this settles it for me, thanks

Also... do Phase III tuners fit on an S2?

 

[MarcWink]

I mean, thats my rough plan. Locking tuners, Tremonti Pickups and rewiring the electronics are a definite. I've heard about the the plastic Nut *shakes fist angrily* and I'd probably get push push pots because I hate pulling on the slant lampshade knobs. I'm not massive on something grab and go, because its a PRS, even if its not quite up to the exact specifications of what I want, at the end of the day, its a PRS and its gonna be a whole lot of guitar to start with right from the start. I'm more looking for something that can grow with me as a player, and stay with me for a while, but a little more knock around. At the moment I own my Tremonti SE Custom, which I got for my 18th and was technically my first guitar. Everything else ive ever played has been my dads that he lets me use. My only other guitar is a Gibson Les Paul previously owned by Chad Fuggin Kroeger himself (Yes flex, Ive wanted to tell people for sooooo long) so definitely can't let that get damaged. Just need a great guitar that isn't emotionally special in a way so if it gets a nick or two by stumbling drunks in my dorm room, I don't feel tooooo much guilt.
Sounds like with a bit of upgrading the 594 sounds awesome. And you sound like someone who knows what they're talking about. I think this settles it for me, thanks

Also... do Phase III tuners fit on an S2?

The S2 guitars are a lot of guitar. The standard Phase III locking tuners and the Phase III vintage locking tuners are a direct fit replacement for the S2 594. Having said that, if you get the standard Phase III lockers instead of the vintage style, you'll be able to faintly see the footprint of the vintage non-lockers.

Another option for you in the S2 line might be the Custom 24-08 which will still allow for independent splitting of the pickups, has a neck profile similar to the SE Tremonti, and its stock pickups are going to be a little better suited to heavier tones. The biggest downside to the S2 Custom 24-08 for your criteria is that it's not a hard tail bridge.