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Who has the best "Affordable" line?


craigny

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I don't think Gibson can be beat these days. I track my guitars costs in a spreadsheet and I'm marveling that I'm paying no more now for an entry level Gibson than I was paying 10 years ago and the tone of them has been getting better than I got from my earliest 3 Gibson purchases.

I just purchased another "entry level" Gibson today for $607. I didn't have a LP Jr Spc with HBs, and now I will. Plus the baked maple fretboard on that guitar is actually a plus for me since I find LP Specials to normally be a bit on the darker side anyway.

But I don't have a lot of experience with the LTDs. I just have this one.


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It doesn't sound quite as lively or vibey as I like from a guitar, but it's a pretty good rock machine. Oddly enough, the only problem I had with it was that the Earvana nut had slots that were cut too high. But after I got that fixed (first F'd up filing down the nut and had to start over with a new one) it now plays great. But it seems to mostly shine with plenty of gain. I was drawn to it by it's Duncan Jazz/Custom V compliment.

For ESP, I do have a MIJ The Eclipse and it's not quite what I expected. It more "metal" than the "versatile" as described by Guitar Shop magazine.

I think I've been happiest with this ESP

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But for an Asian made guitar that mimic Les Pauls, I've had pretty good luck with Schecters. Still not as resonant as a cheapie Gibson, but nice versatile instruments in their own right.

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Fender of course also delivers good bang for the buck. But some of their MIMs have gotten pretty darned expensive.

I just think it's hard to beat some of these deals that can be had from Gibson these days from 5 to 7 bills.

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LTD. I have an EC 400, PB 500, and EC 1000. I have had others with the faux Floyd bridges. All have been, at the least, great for the money. The ones I still have are fantastic. They came stock with Duncan pickups, and the 400 and 500 came with Earvana nuts. The 1000 is light and sounds awesome.

I have gigged each of these guitars multiple times, never with a problem. Build quality is top notch, finish is excellent.

PB 500

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EC 1000

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Lots of good stuff out there at affordable prices these days! Myself I don't think the stuff being put out by the Godin guitar company can be beat for what you get for what you pay! A guitar like the Session can be bought new here for about 500 bucks and I could walk out of the store with it take it to a gig plug it in and know I have a reliable guitar that I can count on. They also make incredible acoustic guitars like Seagull, Norman, Simon and Patrick and Arts Luther that are great bang for the bucks guitars.

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Yeah, Godins are good values, especially at the "deals" they can occasionally be had for.

I got this one off of Amazon for $310 and I'd say it would still be a good value at twice that. Feels great, looks great and not one dud pickup selection (1 through 5 plus the HB split options) on this guitar. Very smooth sounding guitar, like it's got a lot of depth to its tone.

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There is no "best" it's all personal preference. Which neck feels better which pick-ups suit the playing style ect.
I played the Ibaneze Artcore and Epiphone Dot before taking a chance on an Xaveire semi-hollow and have no regrets.
For me it is the right one so that makes it the best

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