Introduction: Confessions From 40 Years of Guitar Obsession

In the world of guitars, there’s a wild variety of styles, brands, and types. After nearly 40 years of playing, you form strong opinions—some rooted in experience, some in comfort, and some, well, in complete irrationality. Some people call it maturity. Others call it being a grumpy old man. I call it knowing what works for me.

So in this article, I’m laying it all out: the guitars I love, the ones I like less, and yes, the one I absolutely, passionately hate. Don’t take it personally—this is 100% subjective. But hey, you’ve been warned. Let’s dig in.

Fender vs. Gibson: The Holy War I Don’t Fight Anymore

It’s the age-old debate: Fender or Gibson? Like PC vs. Mac, Canon vs. Nikon, Ferrari vs. Lamborghini. My answer? Neither.

I know—sacrilege. But hear me out.

The Case Against Gibson

I’ve tried falling in love with the Les Paul, really. I respect its history, its tone, its place in music. But every time I pick one up, I find myself wondering what the fuss is all about. It’s heavy—too heavy. The neck feels awkward. The tone? Okay, but not inspiring. And let’s not even get started on the price. For over $2,500, I expect magic, not “meh.”

The Case Against Fender

Ah, the Stratocaster—probably the most beautiful guitar design ever made. I still remember the first time I held one: it just fit. Balanced, comfortable, visually perfect. The contours, the proportions… it’s pure design genius.

But then I plug it in, and something always feels missing. The tone is there, but it’s thin. The tremolo system? Meh. The 60-cycle hum? Ugh. I’ve owned several—Mexican, American, even a Stevie Ray Vaughan signature. None ever became my go-to. The shape is perfect. The brand, not so much.

Fancy Shapes: A Total No for Me

Let me put this bluntly: I hate “exotic” shapes. Flying V, Explorer, Warlock, Randy Rhoads… no thanks. They look cool, but they feel wrong. Bad balance, awkward angles, and usually uncomfortable to play sitting or standing. They’re more sculpture than instrument.

I bought a Randy Rhoads Jackson for my son. Today, it’s wall art. That tells you everything.

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Now for the Good Stuff: The Guitars I Actually Love

Charvel: Vintage Vibe, Modern Feel

Charvel necks are dreams. Comfortable, fast, reliable. Most models rock Strat-style bodies or sleeker Dinky shapes. I love the Seymour Duncan pickups, tone-bleed circuits, coil-splits, top-tier hardware (original Floyd Rose or Gotohs), and locking tuners.

Only complaint? Reaching the 22nd fret on vintage-style models is rough. But otherwise? Kiss-worthy.

Jackson: Precision and Power

Born from Charvel, Jackson guitars bring many of the same strengths but with their own twist. Sure, their entry-level models don’t thrill me, but mid-to-high-end Jacksons are amazing.

My Jackson Pro Soloist SLA3W? It nails everything: 24 frets, sleek design, HSS Seymour Duncans, Floyd Rose, and a set-neck build. Versatile, comfortable, killer looks. It’s everything I wanted Fender to be—but better.

Ibanez: The Stratocaster on Steroids

If the Strat is a 1950s Formula 1 car, the Ibanez RG is a 2025 rocket on wheels. My JEM JR is my main squeeze: great sound, bold looks, comfy neck, and flawless price-to-performance ratio. Ibanez nailed it by refining the classic formula into a modern machine.

PRS: My Long-Time Dream Come True

Back in 1987, flipping through borrowed guitar magazines, I drooled over PRS guitars. One day, I finally bought a 2000 PRS Custom 22 Core model—and wow. The sustain, tone, feel, and build quality were jaw-dropping. Locking tuners, perfect tremolo, real figured maple top over solid mahogany—pure excellence.

Years later, I explored the PRS SE line. The Santana SE? A gem. The SE Custom 24? Incredible bang for the buck. The SE DGT? A vintage-flavored beast. But the one that shook me the most was the SE NF3. Strat-style with unique PRS NF pickups that delivered something different. Balanced, reliable, bold. A modern classic.

And yes, I’m even thinking of picking up the cheapest PRS SE CE model just because… why not?

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The One Guitar I Truly Despise: Sorry, Not Sorry

Brace yourself.

The guitar I hate the most—with a burning passion—is the Gibson SG.

I know, I know. It’s the axe of Angus Young. The tool of Tony Iommi. It’s iconic. Historic. And I still hate it. Not because of tone or performance—but because of how it looks. The double-pointy horns make me physically cringe. It’s irrational. It’s emotional. But it’s real. I would rather quit guitar than be stuck with an SG on a desert island. That’s how deep my dislike runs.

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Honorable Mentions

• Gretsch – Retro charm and big tones. Love them.
• EVH – Great hardware, unique look, but tone not quite my style.
• Yamaha – Solid across the board. The Revstar is an underrated gem.

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Conclusion: Beauty, Bias, and the Guitars That Speak to You

Guitar love is personal. You can’t reason with it—and you shouldn’t have to. After decades of playing, I’ve figured out what works for me. I love Strat shapes, but not necessarily Fender. I admire Gibson’s legacy, but rarely love their instruments. I adore Charvel, Jackson, Ibanez, and PRS, and I’ll keep playing them as long as I can hold a pick.

As for the SG… we’ll never get along. But that’s okay. What about you? What’s your go-to guitar, your surprise favorite—or your irrational hate?

Let me know. And see you in the next one.