80s Metal Axe Acquisition Dilemma - Need Some Guidance

SIx String Chef

SIx String Chef

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Good morning / afternoon / evening, Everybody!

I need your expert advice to solve a conundrum I'm faced with: I've been on the lookout for a good period-and-tone-appropriate hair metal-friendly guitar to add to my family for some time now. The local vintage guitar store that I usually buy from has a few 80s-metal-friendly (heavy, hard, hair, call it what you will) guitars for sale. All are used, a couple of them with at least one repair each (claimed to be "minor" according to their website). The third one is not really period-accurate but I like it and doesn't mention any repair or damage. The guitars in question are:

1. A MIJ 80s Aria Pro II RS Hellcat (HSS), Floyd Rose, made at the Matsumoku plant, unspecified "minor bridge repair". Going for $399 CAD (about $330 USD at current forex rate) before taxes.

AP2 RS Hellcat.jpg

2. A MIJ Jackson KVX-10 (HH), locking trem, visible headstock "repaired" crack damage (see closeup picture). They're asking $499 CAD (about $410 USD).

PB Jackson KVX-10.jpg

PB Jackson headstock crack repair.jpg

3. A Fernandes Retro Rocket (I would say "Elite" model) not sure about country of manufacture, (HHH, 3 dual rail strat config NO sustainer), standard trem bridge, no damage / repairs visible or mentioned. Listed at $549 CAD (about $450 USD)

Fernandes Retro Rocket.jpg

I'm tempted by these three puppies (there's a few more, but out of my price range), but since the store is still operating with online-only sales and not being able to test-drive them, I'm a bit wary about possible problems that may surface, that I'd much rather not deal with if I can avoid it. I'm willing to and capable of tweaking, modding and repairing any of 'em to the best of my ability with the equipment and parts I have on hand. If and when I get one, the only way I would be willing to spend any new money on them would be to upgrade them to something quite a few notches up, which I'm not sure how much it would be worth doing. I'm emailing them right now asking for further details but their feedback would not be immediate.

My question is: Which one of the three (if any) would you go for and why? And a second question: why not the others? I'd really appreciate your guidance and expertise on this one, Ladies and Gents!
 
If you're comfortable with a V, that Jackson all the way.
Headstock booboo is a non issue for me.
However, if you want the best bang for the buck quality shredder, a Japanese or Korean Ibanez S series should be on your radar.
 
Ive owened many Aria PRo -- QUALITY BUILT Japanese made guitars Matsumoku plant Mfct. and currently have a Stray Cat RSb Bass...............

HANDS DOWN THE ARIA PRO
the 80s they were at their ZENITH (IMHO) in quality production

the cracked headstock is a no go on the Jackson unless its 150.00 ----then get a new neck and rock on
 
Hackmaster said:
If you're comfortable with a V, that Jackson all the way.
Headstock booboo is a non issue for me.
However, if you want the best bang for the buck quality shredder, a Japanese or Korean Ibanez S series should be on your radar.
Click to expand...
I love that Jackson, too... although that kind of crack going straight to (and possibly, through) the tuner peg hole really makes me nervous. Thinking about all possible things that can go wrong with tuning, particularly because of the increased tension from the 6th string... And yeah, im definitely leaning towards the Aria.
 
SIx String Chef said:
I love that Jackson, too... although that kind of crack going straight to (and possibly, through) the tuner peg hole really makes me nervous. Thinking about all possible things that can go wrong with tuning, particularly because of the increased tension from the 6th string... And yeah, im definitely leaning towards the Aria.
Click to expand...
Send it to @Hackmaster he will go barabim baraboom and you have cool ass guitar, make sure you pay him with cheap beer, he loves cheap beer. :)
 
SIx String Chef said:
C'mon, Ramo... a job like that deserves at least some mexican Indio beer or a nice Creemore Lager! Right, fellow canucks? ;)
Click to expand...
Ok send him Corona serveza, its trendy now everybody is talking about Corona these days...

With all seriousness, hack will fix it up for you and it will be tele radio proof...

Can you see what Norm is doing in garden over the fence if he is planting new rele radios?
 
SIx String Chef said:
I love that Jackson, too... although that kind of crack going straight to (and possibly, through) the tuner peg hole really makes me nervous. Thinking about all possible things that can go wrong with tuning, particularly because of the increased tension from the 6th string... And yeah, im definitely leaning towards the Aria.
Click to expand...
Once the nut is locked down, the tuner is out of the equation. ;)
I'd really like to see closeups of both sides of the headstock by that low E peg, but that crack wouldn't keep me from it.
Even if it was a chunk that got knocked off & reglued.
 
It is a pity about that headstock damage to that MIJ Jackson as they are good guitars. I can't comment on the Aria Pro or Fernandes as I haven't played either type. I do agree with @Kerry Brown above on if you want a pointy shredder get a pointy shredder. I'd advise keep looking until you find the guitar you want. Don't discount the Indonesian made Jackson's either. I have a 2017 Pro Soloist SL2Q that I bought after trying in a store. Great guitar thats needed nothing done to since buying (aside from shimming the bridge saddles). If you can find something like that in your price range it should fit the bill nicely. Cheers
 
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