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I was going to buy an Epiphone, but many others came up. Let's make this clear, I'm looking something for Pop Punk/Hard Rock/Possibly Blues. I currently have a fat strat with an invader. That supplies me with enough power, but I want something more. My tone is pretty warm and clean and distortion that's used nowadays by mainly SoCal bands(Blink, Greenday, etc). Here's my choices and plans to do with them in case I do get one:

Epiphone Dot Studio:
Yes, this guitar is a very peculiar. I plan to add an Invader in the bridge and something like a 59/Jazz/Custom in the neck. Thus creating something very good for distortion and bell chime-like cleans.

Ibanez SZ520QMBB:

Maybe a different model of it, but still very tempting. I might replace the pickups with a JB in the bridge and a Custom in the Neck.

PRS Satana SE:

I've personally always loved PRS guitars, and I hear that even their cheapest model sounds good. If bought, a JB will go in the bridge and a Custom in the neck. Creating something that allows me to do guitar solos.

Any guitar that costs less than $550 is welcomed to be considered.

I would say the sz. The stock pickups are pretty good IMHO. The way the switch is wired makes it pretty virsitle (see pic).

sz pickup switch configuration.
and about changing pickups..........JB bridge, gotcha!......custom neck, WTF???
I'm not so sure about that working........................

I'm still thinking of something for the neck. I want something to solo with, and can provide rhythm nicely(for pop punk). For the bridge, I'm thinking of trying out the famous JB pickup. Any other suggestions/comments guys?

A lot of pop/punk bands use the JB. Some will go all out and use a Distortion or an Invader, which are both great pups, but not in an Epiphone Dot. If you were going for the Dot, P90's do a good job of punk style music, so Phat Cats might be the go. In any of the solid bodies id say, a JB and a '59

G'day mate, Getting a new guitar is always a great experience and something that always takes a long time to figure out. I personally havent had anything to do with PRS although heard they're good. The sound that you get out of your axe is more to do with what wood you've got in it rather than what the brand is. Have you trialled these guitars and if so, try to distinguish between the sounds and the woods, you'll probably find yourself wanting to spend a lot more than $550 and if you do, you probably wouldn't need to change the pickups. By the way, I've never heard of a Custom/JB Comb. It might be your style but I'd be thoroughly trialling the Custom in the neck position and comparing to others. Personally I wouldn't use the comb because they are so similar, I'd go for a Jazz or something close for versatility. Hope I could help.

I think a 59 / jazz / PG would be better neck pup choices. While I love PRS for what you are describing the Ibanez may be a bette choice.

well i play punk and metal...no quite pop punk more of a heavier metal based punk but i can say that the ibanez SZ is a great guitar for the cash and great for what you want to play so that gets my vote for sure!! the other guitarist in my band usues one as his main guitar and i have played it a bunch and it's just a good all around guitar. the perfect pickup combo for what you want in my eyes would be a JB bridge and Jazz neck...this is what i have in my scecter C-1 XXX which is simalar to the SZ and it sounds perfect for punk and metal and has no problem doing rock, classic rock and blues either.

-Mike

i'd say go with the ibanez, i played one of those and while back and just loved the neck on it. and definately stick a JB in the bridge, great, versitile pickup. dunno about a custom in the neck though...

If you're gonna go for the dot, don't put an invader in it. Tom Delonge in Blink did, but that's cos he's a tool. A semi like that is made for low-medium output, so a JB in the bridge would suit that nicely. Actually a dot with a JB in the bridge would complement a high-output strat pretty nicely, especially for clean stuff.


Originally Posted by JimbojsrIf you're gonna go for the dot, don't put an invader in it. Tom Delonge in Blink did, but that's cos he's a tool. A semi like that is made for low-medium output, so a JB in the bridge would suit that nicely. Actually a dot with a JB in the bridge would complement a high-output strat pretty nicely, especially for clean stuff.

A JB is a very high output pickup.

I was looking at a white epiphone dot studio at GC the other day. I tried it out and it wasn't too bad. I hate they fact that they still put those wimpy tiny frets on them. I just have a thing for white guitars though.


Originally Posted by JimbojsrIf you're gonna go for the dot, don't put an invader in it. Tom Delonge in Blink did, but that's cos he's a tool. A semi like that is made for low-medium output, so a JB in the bridge would suit that nicely. Actually a dot with a JB in the bridge would complement a high-output strat pretty nicely, especially for clean stuff.

Where I agree with you about not putting really hot pups in a semi hollow...

JB = Low/medium??? Doubt it :/

JB is pretty hot as well.