japetus
Moderator
What are some underrated 80's "shredder" guitars out there that you guys like? I have played some Westone and Alvarez guitars that were pretty damn impressive and could be had for cheap. What say you?
romanianreaper
Well-known member
I had an Aria Pro II "The Cat" that was made in Japan and go for pretty cheap now. That was my first guitar and was a pretty good guitar. I traded Robert Keeley for his Ibanez Roadstar II. Now that thing was awesome! I forget what pickup he had put in but I had that guitar for years and was a great shredder guitar.
skullfxr
Well-known member
Peavey made a few nice USA models. I had one I snagged for $40. No trem but it was a beast. Sold it on reverb for just shy of $500 a month later. I had single bucker Peavey that I bought for $60, sold the neck for $150 and the body for $30 kept the early 80's PAF PRO, and the hardware. That pickup is in a Gibson LP of mine now.
Aria had a nice one that was kahler mij and had a decent pickup in the bridge. About $50. Kept the kahler (will sell one of these days and an old Bill Lawrence in the bridge. I have all of it, but I turned it into a piece of decor for my parents bar in their house.
Aria had a nice one that was kahler mij and had a decent pickup in the bridge. About $50. Kept the kahler (will sell one of these days and an old Bill Lawrence in the bridge. I have all of it, but I turned it into a piece of decor for my parents bar in their house.
panhead
Well-known member
ESP 400 series although they go for money now. Vintage? 80`s I think not unless you are 10 years old.
skullfxr
Well-known member
The LTD 400's are great, but imo far from vintage.
Over a decade ago I had an EC400, EC401, and an EC1000. The 400 and 1000 quality was equal. Yeah the 1000 are a bit more dressed up, but equally nice. The 401 may as well have been firewood.
Over a decade ago I had an EC400, EC401, and an EC1000. The 400 and 1000 quality was equal. Yeah the 1000 are a bit more dressed up, but equally nice. The 401 may as well have been firewood.
R
Racerxrated
Well-known member
Kramer Focus? Until very recently you could grab one for 200 or less, and they came with an OFR. But in the last 6 months I've seen stupid prices on these...like 5-700 on eBay. Gimme a break.
B
blackie13
Well-known member
Robin guitars...
Made by esp I think...
Made by esp I think...
V
Valtyr
Member
Westone Pantera
T
Thunkful
Banned
Member
80's axes are slowly becoming the new vintage.Racerxrated":3u4ofmlr said:
romanianreaper
Well-known member
blackie13":322bbpk5 said:
I thought Robin Guitars was an American company but could be wrong
Dave L
Well-known member
Robin was made in the USA, but ESP provided parts for much of the production. Much like Kramer, I suppose.
And I definitely think the 80s stuff is becoming vintage, since vintage almost per definition has to be a moving target. I doubt anyone would have argued that a ´59 LP wasn't vintage in 1995, or a random 60s Strat in 2000, and that's the same age a Kramer from 1984 is now. Time flies!
Also, the ESP 400 (and 800) stuff from the 80s is not to be confused with the very recent LTD400 lines.
And I definitely think the 80s stuff is becoming vintage, since vintage almost per definition has to be a moving target. I doubt anyone would have argued that a ´59 LP wasn't vintage in 1995, or a random 60s Strat in 2000, and that's the same age a Kramer from 1984 is now. Time flies!
Also, the ESP 400 (and 800) stuff from the 80s is not to be confused with the very recent LTD400 lines.
rstites
Well-known member
More on Robin Guitars:
They were an American company, who had guitars made to their specs in Japan. The original guitars were built by Tokai for the first year or two. After that, production switched to ESP for the remainder of the 80's. I've owned both Tokai and ESP produced Robins. Both were excellent.
They started production in the US in the 1990's (1991?) where they were in production up into the 2000's. I've also owned one of these and it was also excellent. It had some modern features/refinements that made it a better guitar than the 80's ones, but I wouldn't say it was constructed better.
In the early days of ebay you could score Robin's for very little $. However, now the prices seem to be pretty high on them. I wouldn't pay what they tend to go for now. There are several similar companies that weren't well known that used to be total bargains, but have gone up in price to non-bargain levels in recent years.
Yes, 80's is now vintage. Hell, 1960 was only 20 years before 1980, while we're 30 years away from 1989. I think people always lose track of how old things are that came out during their lifetime as opposed to things that came before or in their youth.
They were an American company, who had guitars made to their specs in Japan. The original guitars were built by Tokai for the first year or two. After that, production switched to ESP for the remainder of the 80's. I've owned both Tokai and ESP produced Robins. Both were excellent.
They started production in the US in the 1990's (1991?) where they were in production up into the 2000's. I've also owned one of these and it was also excellent. It had some modern features/refinements that made it a better guitar than the 80's ones, but I wouldn't say it was constructed better.
In the early days of ebay you could score Robin's for very little $. However, now the prices seem to be pretty high on them. I wouldn't pay what they tend to go for now. There are several similar companies that weren't well known that used to be total bargains, but have gone up in price to non-bargain levels in recent years.
Yes, 80's is now vintage. Hell, 1960 was only 20 years before 1980, while we're 30 years away from 1989. I think people always lose track of how old things are that came out during their lifetime as opposed to things that came before or in their youth.
Zado
Well-known member
Everything Yamaha.
sytharnia1560
Well-known member
Thunkful":j7jswqag said:
yeah and it bloody sucks..I remember when the import model charvels came out, they were considered "cheap" guitars so were looked down upon...now they revered and go for stupid money
and I really want one 
IndyWS6
Well-known member
Mailman1971
Moderator
Dude..... that fire crackle is sweet!!
My first ‘real’ guitar. A first edition Peavey Vandenberg
Think 88?
My first ‘real’ guitar. A first edition Peavey Vandenberg
Think 88?
IndyWS6
Well-known member
ThanksMailman1971":lygme6gr said:
Other than a chip on the outside of the upper horn, and some swirly's that will polish out, it's just about perfect. 29 frets, ebony fret board, Stephen's Extended cutaway, EMG's with an active boost system (9V battery) and Washburn 600T Trem. It's stored in the original Washburn "flight" case and hasn't seen the light of day in years. I need to break it out...
I always wanted a Vandenberg back in the day but didn't have the disposable income at the time to get one...
shredhead7
Active member
IndyWS6":w2ijcamm said:1988 Washburn EC-29. My first "shredder". Bought it new. I still have it...
That's awesome! I looked for one of those about 10 years ago when I was on a huge Uli Roth kick. I never found one. It would be cool to have the 36 fret version as well.
japetus
Moderator
IndyWS6":g3n44fnz said:1988 Washburn EC-29. My first "shredder". Bought it new. I still have it...
That guitar is badass!!!!
7 Stringer
Well-known member
My Aria Pro II U 60T Urchin series!!!!!! That thing plays so damn good. Still have it. But it has been in its case for the past 20 years, no bridge pup installed. I need to revitalize that thing, miss playing Die by the sword on it!!!!! Loll. Learned every Metallica and Slayer song i know today on that thing!!!!