I just do not understand this forum's obsession with cheap guitars....

[Cliff Fiscal]

I had a Jay Turser JT-133 a while back, and it was wonderful.

I played a Gibson 335 recently and it was even more wonderful.

[jrockbridge]

I think many people on this forum have on obsession with collecting gear....guitars in particular. At the very least, most people seem to have a small collection of axes. Cheap prices allow you to own a larger collection of guitars on a smaller budget.

Some people don't have the disposable income to afford a collection of high end guitars. Other people may be able to afford the more expensive guitars, but choose NOT to spend that kind of money on gear.

Personally, I've gotten more particular about the quality of my guitars. Still, I can't really afford to pay $3000 for a guitar. So, I am careful to watch out for sales on new stuff or buy bargains used.

[Cliff Fiscal]

I think many people on this forum have on obsession with collecting gear....guitars in particular. At the very least, most people seem to have a small collection of axes. Cheap prices allow you to own a larger collection of guitars on a smaller budget. Some people don't have the disposable income to afford a collection of high end guitars. Other people may be able to afford the more expensive guitars, but choose NOT to spend that kind of money on gear. Personally, I've gotten more particular about the quality of my guitars. Still, I can't really afford to pay $3000 for a guitar. So, I am careful to watch out for sales on new stuff or buy bargains used.

[soundcreation]

That's a valid point. However my experience has been different. I've got two SX teles with amazing necks. One of them is bone stock, and it FEELS great! So IF you can find a cheapy that feels good (and IMO it's about the neck), then you have find a diamond in the rough!

 

 

I agree about the neck thing. That's where I feel the difference. That's awesome you found a cheaper guitar with an amazing neck. I just have never had that. I personally believe the reason for it is CNC machines. It's nearly impossible for them to create a great feeling neck because they are TOO uniform. And then probably only get a quick sand from someone. Higher end stuff gets more time with a really person who sands the neck to a perfect feel.

 

It's interesting cause in my first post I wasn't being completely truthful. I do have one cheap guitar..an 1979 aria pro II strat clone...that has a neck that easily rivals custom shop level guitars I've tried. But then let's take a look at that guitar. Built in 79 by the matsumoku factory which was building and sanding their guitars and necks basically by hand. So there again, even on the low level of early Japanese guitars they were still "by hand". Not the same today and it's because of CNC, in my opinion.

[jrockbridge]

[IBDBB]

Build quality on cheap guitars has improved in leaps and bounds in the last few years. Whereas, before you would have to spend a lot of cash to buy a decent guitar, now, Guitarfetish, Rondo, Squier an others offer good solid pieces that are quite serviceable. Plus spending less means you can afford to have a wider variety of styles and types in your stable.

 

 

This is exactly my reasoning for buying mostly cheaper guitars.

I have a few gibbos, a martin, and a USA fender, but I still think the cheapos play just as good.

[axegrinder]

1. Not all people who play expensive guitars look down on guys who play cheapies.

2. Not all people who play cheap guitars look down on guys who play expensive ones.

3. People in this thread seem hell bent on criticising the 'other side'.

I don't care how much you spend on your gear (unless I am interested in a deal on said gear). Why should anybody care? This {censored} is {censored}ing old.

And you SERIOUSLY are asking about Gibson vs. Agile Vs. Epiphone? You're either stupid or full of {censored}.

[Cliff Fiscal]

most likely stupid, I assume.

[wagdog]

I agree about the neck thing. That's where I feel the difference. That's awesome you found a cheaper guitar with an amazing neck. I just have never had that.

FWIW, here's a pic of the fingerboard from one of my sx's:



Hard to tell from a pic, but the fretwork is incredible on this ax, the fingerboard is flamed maple. This neck is incredible. The neck is maple, but you can tell by looking at it that it's not top end material - it's finished nicely though.

Here's a shot of the guitar:



Bought it used for under $100 delivered to my door.

As for your reasoning why the cheapies don't usually have as nice a neck, I think you're on the right track. A more expensive ax IS going to have a lot more human hands involved in the building process and that is going to drive up costs. I also think they pay a lot more attention to the quality of the materials that go into them, and that definitely drives up costs.

[jrockbridge]

1. Not all people who play expensive guitars look down on guys who play cheapies. 2. Not all people who play cheap guitars look down on guys who play expensive ones. 3. People in this thread seem hell bent on criticising the 'other side'. I don't care how much you spend on your gear (unless I am interested in a deal on said gear). Why should anybody care? This {censored} is {censored}ing old..............

 

 

I agree. I look down on people who look down on people.

[axegrinder]

Dude - WIN! Tell us more.

Absofugginlutely. That is the only redeeming thing from this thread. Inquiring minds wanna know.

[whyflipoverthefrog]

I started off buying expensive so I could get a feel for good taste.

 

But nowadays I buy my guitars nowadays like I buy my hookers. Gets the job done, and you don't feel guilty beating the {censored} out of them in the process.

[Rose Pickups]

Dude - WIN! Tell us more.

 

 

Cool man.. Thanks. This was an SX Tele, 109 bucks. I routed off the top and added a 3/4" cap of Zebrawood from a local woodcraft store. It was a lot of work, that gave me a new appreciation for overseas guitars. Here is a clip of it with some Rose Westerland prototype pickups, and another clip after it was modded with Rose Royal Sunsets.

 

all stock body with new pickups:

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]

 

With Zebrawood and humbuckers:

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]

[steve_man]

I personally prefer guitars that a little more "high end" (which is still cheap to many). However, I've played some mid-grade guitars that are great! Never played a "cheapie" that I just fell in love with, though.

[fretmonster]

I'm absolutely certain that this will fall on deaf ears, but I'll take a shot nonetheless. The dogmatists, and there are plenty on boards like this, judge a guitar by its headstock. They assume that said guitar, because of its pedigree and price, is better than anything else out there. My experience has been that the headstock companies can turn out the holy grail as well as crappola on a stick, and all within the same class and model. Wood it seems is a very fickle substance, particularly when used as a vibration medium for musical application. There are other companies, not so well known, with American representation, that also run the same gambit - some wonderful instruments others not. But the headstock dogmatists will never recognize these because of their inferior (perceived) pedigree.

 

As well as some American made Hamers and Washburn, some quality MIM Fenders, and a 64 Harmony H-19, I also have a couple imports that ain't worth {censored} on the open market (ebay). That's OK by me cause I didn't pay {censored} for em either and moreover have no desire to sell. My Brawley has the wrong headstock (all pointy and {censored}) but it is a wonderful guitar with a swamp ash body and an awesome playing neck, big pots that attenuate all the way and the best jangle I've heard this side of a Rickenbacher. My import Washburn P290 is made out of the same resonant mahogany as my custom shop P4. It is, believe it or not, a nitro finish, big wonderful pots and features some no name P90s that can roar like Lesley West or do the best early Beatles tone I've seen west of a real (vintage) Casino. I have a Telestar that was a Dano style guitar started by a former Gibson exec in the far east. I got it cause I have a CD by Johnny Yard Dog Jones with this guitar and his endorsement of it. It's great for what it does which is mostly blues and surf in my case, with that smarmy legato vintage Dano vibe.

 

I love my cheapies, they round out my collection. There value to me is in no way related to their cash value on the open market. Music and instruments were never meant to be measured in this way IMO.

[stingxnj]

Cheap guitars simply suck and every time a tree is cut down to make one the baby jesus cries

[Rose Pickups]

I'm absolutely certain that this will fall on deaf ears, but I'll take a shot nonetheless. The dogmatists, and there are plenty on boards like this, judge a guitar by its headstock. They assume that said guitar, because of its pedigree and price, is better than anything else out there. My experience has been that the headstock companies can turn out the holy grail as well as crappola on a stick, and all within the same class and model. Wood it seems is a very fickle substance, particularly when used as a vibration medium for musical application. There are other companies, not so well known, with American representation, that also run the same gambit - some wonderful instruments others not. But the headstock dogmatists will never recognize these because of their inferior (perceived) pedigree. As well as some American made Hamers and Washburn, some quality MIM Fenders, and a 64 Harmony H-19, I also have a couple imports that ain't worth {censored} on the open market (ebay). That's OK by me cause I didn't pay {censored} for em either and moreover have no desire to sell. My Brawley has the wrong headstock (all pointy and {censored}) but it is a wonderful guitar with a swamp ash body and an awesome playing neck, big pots that attenuate all the way and the best jangle I've heard this side of a Rickenbacher. My import Washburn P290 is made out of the same resonant mahogany as my custom shop P4. It is, believe it or not, a nitro finish and features some no name P90s that can roar like Lesley West or do the best early Beatles tone I've seen west of a real (vintage) Casino. I have a Telestar that was a Dano style guitar started by a former Gibson exec in the far east. I got it cause I have a CD by Johnny Yard Dog Jones with this guitar and his endorsement of it. It's great for what it does which is mostly blues and surf in my case, with that smarmy legato vintage Dano vibe. I love my cheapies, they round out my collection. There value to me is in no way related to their cash value on the open market. Music and instruments were never meant to be measured in this way IMO.

 

 

I agree. The headstock and history definitely have an impact on what is bought. I think all companies can turn out gems, and crap. I have a Michael Kelly that isn't worth anything, but it is so perfect in every way, i haven't changed a thing on it. It plays effortlessly and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I also have a 1929 Martin acoustic, but you know it sits in its case.. Like a hot rod trailer queen, because I am afraid to damage it.

[WildWill]

Buy what you can within your means. If you want a Agile, so be it. Great guitars, even better when you mod them. If you can buy an Epiphone G-400, great! It's a great playing guitar, sounds great, and is definitably giggable. If you want to treat yourself to a real Gibson, then even better if you can afford it!

Agreed. As long as you have the time and patience to look around until you find one you like well enough to buy.

:poke:

[Darkstorm]

There does seem to be a lot whose main hobby is buying as many lower grade guitars as cheaply as possible. Agrees with those who think one great guitar be it inexpensive or not, is far better then a half dozen bleh but playable and maybe upgradeable down the road ones. At the same time there also seems to be a fair amount of people who swear allegaince to brands they themself admit have enough clunkers each batch to require examing several before finding one good one out of the bunch. Why they dont switch their allegiance to a brand thats consistently good is beyond me.

But yes todays soceity in america does seem to often go around with the attitude of buy whatever as cheaply as possible, find lowest price version and get it instead of a better product. Qauntity over qaulity is popular in this country.

[Chippy]

I agree. I look down on people who look down on people.

 

 

That, sir, creates an infinite loop of down-looking. I prefer to look down on a cute girl while we're both hot & sweaty.

[bvr775]

ive said it before before a guitar is only as valuable as what you get out of it. if you spend 10 bux on a guitar and it plays like a 10,000 guitar then the guitar is priceless. If your only concerned about how much guitar costs and base its value on how much you payed then your more than likely going the type to end up buying a high dollar pos and wondering why they shut your lights off this month.

[KidEh]

I dont know guys, its an interesting subject.

 

I honestly dont enjoy playing 90% of guitars that I play at a store, and those guitars have ranged from Squires and Danelectros to Gibsons and PRS.

 

That being said the guitars I enjoyed playing are all over the place. My Mexican tele (which I overpaid for by the way, I'm embarassed to tell you how much) probably has the most comfortable neck on any guitar Ive ever played. That being said when I brought it home, I wasnt 100% satisfied with everything on the guitar. Sometimes that piece of mind is found on more expensive gear.

 

Right now I dont know what kind of guitar I'm going to get next. Should I pick up a Dano reissue and an Artcore, or should I just wait a bit longer and get a Rickenbacker 620 Ive been jonsing for?

 

Who knows, but its apples and oranges really.

[Rex Machete]

For real?! Seems like this board (and, soon enough, this thread), will be overrun with people who only own less expensive guitars, bitching and saying everyone who owns a Gibson (the brand that always gets singled out), PRS, or any other expensive, high-end guitar are cork-sniffing snobs that don't really care about the music or what they play, and get their guitars just so they can be arrogant, uppity assholes who feel better than everybody else. (I'm sure some forum douche will single me out for playing a Gibson anyway, no matter how much I might have his back in the "brand wars".)

Do you think you could exaggerate your situation just a little more? Just a while back you made a thread talking about how you are persecuted for not modding your guitar. You need to be a little less sensitive.

[tp4mybunghol]

But nowadays I buy my guitars nowadays like I buy my hookers. Gets the job done, and you don't feel guilty beating the {censored} out of them in the process.

[tp4mybunghol]

I swear I've read this exact same thread before





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