Coolbeano
Level 13.5 BF2S Ninja Penguin Sensei
+378|7190

I went to my local shop just last weekend to buy another pair of sticks (yamaha xpress hicks ftw) and saw a guitar that caught my eye.

MAC-50V/7

Alder body, rosewood fingerboard and maple neck.

24 Frets, 2 OH Humbuckers with coiltaps and 3 configurations

And with a locking tremolo/whammy bar.

Technical aspects are great, it just looks a bit like a bass. A lot like a bass. And the paintjob at the shop was a wood stain, making look more like a bass. Afaik, alder is for basses as well.

I gave it a spin, played nicely, good tension on the strings, the bending ratio wasnt very even through all the strings but it was still a very good feeling guitar. Pickups worked well, the neck was straight and even, good set up.

And only $326, compared to $579 on the website.

The one thing that really got me though was the brand. Aria. Never heard of them, they have no wiki article, no reputation for anything. Can I trust it?

I'm going to look for some other guitars this weekend, but there aren't many available in this darnded country. If i could, I'd go for a JEM Universe (I love Vai).

Opinions/Thoughts/Suggestions?

Last edited by Coolbeano (2006-10-31 00:38:19)

Ty
Mass Media Casualty
+2,398|7201|Noizyland

The best guitars are sometimes the ones when you have no idea about the brand. Not always of course, but if you played it and liked it and you reckon it sounded good then it's obviously a good guitar.

Not my kind of Gat really. Too death-metal-ish. Looks just like a rounded Strat. You generaly get a lot of those. Still, I can't really tell you much more unless I play it, and I havn't played it.

I'm not one to complain, I found my first electric guitar in a dumpster, (and did it up of course,) and bought my Sister's guitar off her, (and did it up.) For an Accoustic I use my Dad's, (which is a fucking wonderful steel-string "Framus" - the kind of guitar that Cat Stevens uses apparently.)
Currently saving for a good nylon string accoustic. Playing Lindsay Buckingham's 'Big Love" is way too hard on the Framus. My fingers bleed.

Any guitar is good. If you find one that fits you and your playing style then it's a good guitar no matter what brand it is. "Just because Eric Clapton uses a Fender Strat dosn't mean everone who plays a Fender Strat is going to sound like him."
Heh. Quoting myself.
[Blinking eyes thing]
Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/tzyon
SkoobyDu
'CLICK JOIN NOW'... OK lets go... BOOM!!!! =FFS=
+120|6988|Cheshire, UK
Sorry I'm more of gibson les paul kind of guy... The sound that guitar makes is just awesome.
Drax
Paddles/Plane Whore
+28|6987|Australia, NSW
I have an electric fender squire and a $700 acoustic ibanez

the acoustic sounds great
DonFck
Hibernator
+3,227|7058|Finland

Aria, eh..

I'd say Aria goes to the Epiphone-Squire section. Sure, it looks nice, but the sound isn't just what you wanted. Put it this way, Jackson vs Aria in guitars = VisualSound vs. Behringer in pedals. IMHO.

So my advice is, spend an extra buck on your axe, or buy an even cheaper one, and modify it until you're happy. I myself did the latter part. Started from just a fucked up LP-body and worked my way to a guitar I love to play. YAY! Still a work in progress..

https://img256.imageshack.us/img256/7346/lespaulbodydn3.jpg

Last edited by DonFck (2006-10-31 01:24:26)

I need around tree fiddy.
Slayer
---hates you
+1,137|7183|Hell, p.o box 666

Well, havent played Aria guitars at all (not that I know). The price is not bad, but I dont think this guitar will, even not with those features, sound like one of Ibanez, ESP.

It must fit your requirements, thats the main factor. Nothing else.

My two cents, or three or four:

For 7 strings I personally use Ibanez RG´s and Univers (althought the Univers is way to expensive).

I´ve just ordered a Schecter C7 Hellraiser for 819 €. Played this guitar last saturday, and it sounds just awesome. It has a mahagoni body and a set maple/bubinga neck with 24 jumbofrets. Also included EMG 707 humbuckers, for metal, the best 7 string humbucker with the dimarzio/ibanez pickups.

I suggest you should not go for a 7string with FloydRose tremolo. The suistain sucks ass, really. A fixed briged is ftw, set neck or neckthru yay!!!

Anyways, if you like those Ibanez things, go for a RG 7620 (if this series is still aviable). I own two of them and they are good working well sounding instruments for a average price.

Have also tried a ESP MII 7 NT. Not a bad guitar, with tons of tone and good features. But the prices are way to high. Maybe try a LTD version.

B.C.Rich also offers some average priced 7strings. I personally like those body shapes because Im a metalfreak. Not everybodies taste though If you could find a good Platinum series, try it. Those sound good, but remember, you cant play stairway to heaven with a B.C. Rich Warlock

All in all, I say: 7String Ibanez got my vote. Schecter´s damn I was overwhelmed by those. ESP hmmmpf, prices suck. LTD worth a try. B. C. Rich fine with good prices but only for metal.
Coolbeano
Level 13.5 BF2S Ninja Penguin Sensei
+378|7190

mm yeah forgot to mention it's kinda heavy too. Didn't get a weight down though, i played it sitting down.

As for Ibanez, I'm not sure they deal in Thailand but I'm gonna check out  a few other stores. The Aria just caught my eye because it had what i wanted; 7 string tremolo with humbuckers...
Slayer
---hates you
+1,137|7183|Hell, p.o box 666

Ibanez Thailand For sure...
spawnofthemist
Banned
+1,128|7068|Burmecia, Land of the Rain
https://myspace-344.vo.llnwd.net/00798/44/39/798069344_l.jpg

from left to right:
  • Black 1990's Fender Strat with self customised scratchplate.
  • Cherry red custom Gibson SG (unvarnished - the wood is treated differently to normal guitars)
  • Fire orange 1969 Fender Strat (my uncles that he gave me for my 19th birthday)
  • Metallic Orange Ibanez S-Series (i love it. it's what Herman Li from DragonForce plays)
i also have:
  • 2 Gibson Les Pauls. One white, one black, both have gold hardware.
  • a Squier Strat that i'm remodelling and giving a 24 fret neck + locking trem.
  • my black Rickenbacker 4003 bass which i fucking love to bits

Last edited by spawnofthemist (2006-10-31 04:24:38)

Slayer
---hates you
+1,137|7183|Hell, p.o box 666

hm, is your Ibanez a S470? This is the one Li uses, but not in orange afaik, it´s more natural with this sunburst tone. Anyways, Dragonforce´s betcha cant play is ridiculous, they cant play it neither

Show your Paula´s Spawnomat!
spawnofthemist
Banned
+1,128|7068|Burmecia, Land of the Rain
when i get home i'll take some pictures..

it is indeed a S470

and you're correct on the colouring of his guitar too

i can play the rhythm as fast. but fuck the solos.

i'm working on it though
Slayer
---hates you
+1,137|7183|Hell, p.o box 666

Well, I´m not listening to Dragonforce at all, only seen some videos and heard some songs. As far as I have figured it, those solos arent too hard, expect the sweepings. The tapping is a joke, even if it´s reversed. The sweeping thingys, well, nothing but practice
spawnofthemist
Banned
+1,128|7068|Burmecia, Land of the Rain
it's mainly the speed they're played at.
if you slow them down to a normal speed, they still sound good, they just sound more impressive played at 250BPM
Slayer
---hates you
+1,137|7183|Hell, p.o box 666

All I know is this, and I think it´s funny how Li f*cks up the sweeping in uptempo, the tapping sequence of Sam Totman is just, gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Come on, I bet I can play it /braggin, dot!

E7IX3R
is drunk and crazy
+216|7114|UK
Lol yeah that video is awful.

But they are two amazing guitarists.

anyway

my lovely https://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/prod_images/guitars/2910100522_md.gif
Slayer
---hates you
+1,137|7183|Hell, p.o box 666

Hm Jackson Dinky Reverse anybody? US or korean? I like the EMGs on it, and also the inlays are decent. Yeah, it would fit my requirements to, but actually Im getting tired of those Floyd Rose and bolt on necks. Anyways, fine guitar.

Here are some of my precious guitars

https://www.edromanguitars.com/guitar/bcrich/images/kksigned_x_500h_black.jpg https://www.ibanez.com/forum/uploads/OneTrack/2006-05-21_115220_RG7620rb.JPG

B.C. RICH US Custom Kerry King Wartribe                                                           Ibanez RG7620
not mine, internet pic ftw                                                                          mine

https://www.bcrich.com/gallery/images/CSG1060.jpg
B.C. RICH US Custom Kerry King V
mine

there are tons more, why? Why not! But I dont have pics yet, will maybe post them later...
Coolbeano
Level 13.5 BF2S Ninja Penguin Sensei
+378|7190

mmm nice and all but I'm looking for a 7-stringer... coiltappable humbuckers preferably, and a tremolo bridge.

Apparantely it's a 2-hourish drive to the only Ibanez store in Thailand.... i might go check it out next weekend if I have time.

Or maybe i'll go steal yngwie's and use it instead haha.
RTG_ILLUSION
Like I fucking care
+29|6954
Hey this might be against rules here but I have a 3 month old epi Les Paul black an cream with hard case and marshall valvestate vs15 amp cord picks tuner all for 425.  Let me know what you think.
DonFck
Hibernator
+3,227|7058|Finland

I think I'm a bit more "vintage" than Mr. Sl4y3r..

https://img444.imageshack.us/img444/5884/babiesdm3.jpg
I need around tree fiddy.
spawnofthemist
Banned
+1,128|7068|Burmecia, Land of the Rain
give me that telecaster, right now.
DirtyMexican
I knife Generals
+278|6963|Search Whore killing fields
Bass FTW

I play a little drums too
DonFck
Hibernator
+3,227|7058|Finland

spawnofthemist wrote:

give me that telecaster, right now.
You like ze greenburst?
You don't want it, it plays like shit. The neck is as thick as an erect elephant dick.
I just can't give it away because it looks so good! I plan to make a neck-change operation on it someday.. Or go crazy with sandpaper!
I need around tree fiddy.
DirtyMexican
I knife Generals
+278|6963|Search Whore killing fields

DonFck wrote:

spawnofthemist wrote:

give me that telecaster, right now.
You like ze greenburst?
You don't want it, it plays like shit. The neck is as thick as an erect elephant dick.
I just can't give it away because it looks so good! I plan to make a neck-change operation on it someday.. Or go crazy with sandpaper!
Thats what I had to do with my Iby, neck got warped
spawnofthemist
Banned
+1,128|7068|Burmecia, Land of the Rain
i've modded an ibanez neck to go on a strat.
it would be nicer on a telecaster though.
FrankieSpankie3388
Hockey Nut
+243|6957|Boston, MA
I have an Ibanez Jem, I love that thing. I got it really cheap off a guy at work, $450. Here's a pic:

https://myspace-320.vo.llnwd.net/01023/02/38/1023548320_l.jpg

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