Looking for an upgrade: budget around 600-1200

[gloomy void]

I've been playing for roughly half a year and I think now is the time to add a second guitar to my roster. The one I've been playing is the ibanez grx70qa, and it's served me wonderfully. I'm looking now for something with some better access, as the bolt on neck on the guitar makes it pretty difficult to reach the higher frets. I've also been considering looking at some active pickups, if that makes too much of a difference and I kinda just want to test them out too. If it helps, I mostly play metal and some genres close adjacent. And of course, it's gotta look good, as you all know, aesthetics are 50% of the tone, which is also half the reason I was looking at emgs since I'm not a huge fan of the way normal pickups look... anyway I'm just looking for something with good playability for the most part.

[burnt helm]

schecter hellraiser c1 maybe

[slow forum]

First off, what currency is that? I'm guessing it's not Japanese Yen.
As for the guitar... Schecter have some great choices. I personally have a C1-blackjack, which is one of my favourite guitars in the collection.

Ibanez S-Series are always great as well.

ESP have some nice ones with active pickups as well.
Though... I must say this... I don't think you really need active pickups unless you're recording, but they can be nice to have.

[burnt helm]

an eq pedal can do most of what active pickups do btw

[slow forum]

Yep. There's more drawbacks than positives for active pickups in most situations.

[gloomy void]

nah its actually wong

nah usd

and i do plan on recording in the future

[obsidian wedge]

Check out the Ibanez RG550. They’re $1100 and they’re made in Japan. Excellent craftsmanship.

[burnt helm]

If u are going to go the active route I’d say look at fishman fluence unless u know exactly what u want

The fluences can bypass the preamp w a push pull

Saying as an emg owner

[gloomy void]

alr

[gloomy void]

also was looking for something with a set neck or set through however its said

[burnt helm]

Set neck and neck through

Set neck is glued on neck through is the same piece of wood as the main block of the body

[gloomy void]

neck through yeah

[burnt helm]

I’ll also say check out the prs se mark Holcomb

[slow forum]

☝️

[gloomy void]

@slow forum https://www.schecterguitars.com/Damien-Platinum-6-FR?quantity=1&custitem_color_master_list=618 what about this?

[slow forum]

It’s a nice guitar.
Some people don’t like that Floyd Rose bridge, but I’ve used FL specials and haven’t had any major tuning stability problems if they’re set up well.

So the guitar is a decent choice for sure.

[burnt helm]

what odin said but definately try a fr b4 u buy one just bc it will limit ability to change tuning and what not

[gloomy void]

honestly dont change tunings too too much

ive been in drop d last like 2 or 3 months since sevenfold stuff is so fun to play

and then i can just transpose it although it wont be as good'

[burnt helm]

unless u get a down only floyd w a dtuna u cant even do that easily

[gloomy void]

are floyds worth it you think