I have a Hamer Standard right now which is very nice, but I'm thinking about getting a new guitar. I'd like something that doesn't go out of tune so much, mine doesn't have a tremolo at all. Anyway, I was thinking about getting maybe the ESP Kh 602, or the very similar in price m1000. How hard is it to retune or change strings with a locking floyd rose? Are these guitars good for soloing and rythm? I've also looked at some Jacksons, but I couldn't really find one I liked. Although, I don't really like the plain look of the kh guitars, I don't really care about appearance that much if it can make up for it with playability. My current guitar is explorer shaped, has a set neck, duncan designed pickups, and is actually quite nice and hard to find these days.

if you're into hotrodding your guitar, go here www.projectguitar.com , maybe you can turn your guitar into a string-thru (or add a floyd rose if that's what you want)

you can probably change your bridge into a better quality one, just by swapping out the parts
and then you'd change your tuners to better ones too.


and maybe the pickups too to better quality ones.

so try those options, you'll have a nice upgraded guitar that you're used to.


it isn't hard to retune or changes strings on a floyd, it just takes a longer time. alot longer time, 'cause you have to tune in stages.

those guitars are good for soloing and rhythm

before you cast off Jacksons, try em out, you might end up loving them.

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I don't know if I really want to mess with my current guitar. I mean it is very good looking with its transparent finish, with sort of a natural color with maybe a touch of honey.

Does string through body hold tune better than a normal bridge (Tune-o-matic bridge with stop tailpiece)?


Here's mine.
http://www.juniorsmusic.com/Hamer/standard.gif

Well I'm sure you can find a better sounding guitar then your current one, duncan designed pickups aren't that hip. I'de suggest getting something with EMG's, not the EMG-hz passive crap but a nice 81/85 set...

If the hamer's your only axe, and you want a floyd, keep a hardtail around as a backup... if your floyd-axe ever goes tits-up, it's gonna suck if you can't play because you don't have a backup.

And if you've never used a floyd before, setup's gonna take a while the first few times you have to do it.

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Is the Jackson Kelly Ke3 any good?

yeah Kelly's are nice. explorer type shape, floyd rose. It's a good guitar, but I'd put some EMG 81's in it for a bitchin sound.

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I've got a 1990 KE3 (missing the sharkfin inlays, and possibly other neck profile and pickups and stuff), and I think it's great. I put a pair of EMGs in it (81/85) a few months ago, and it sounds wonderful. The neck profile suits me great, and it hangs nicely where I want it. I'd definateyl recommend it, if you are like. But make sure you chekc it out, my taste doesn't have to be anything like yours.

And since this thing was made 1990 (13yrs old), and has been through *at least* 4 owners by now, and still is in GREAT shape, I'd say it's pretty nice quality.

The only thing is could possibly complain about is that the 24th fret is not as accesible as I'd like, but it's far worse on many other guitars I've seen.

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Do you think if I got the jackson kelly ke3 that it would be worth it to pay more for a better paint job, like the one with skulls? And, should I upgrade the pickups? How much does a emg- 81 cost?

If you buy emg-81, you will get the emg(metallica)sound... You may not want that...
A EMG-81 cost as much as a Boss Metalzone in Norway.
I think the Picups already in the guitar is good enough. You can always buy the EMG's later.

The skull finish? Nice, no doubt!
If you think that would look nice, and can aford it, it would be worth it. It won't make your guitar sound better, so it's impossible for ME to say if it's worth it for YOU. But I think it would look nice. But the guitar is also a beauty in black....

I want a Jacson Kelly to
My bass looks almost like it though

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