I came across this Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster that seems to be killer and under $500. It sounds great and stays in tune, which is rather important. It has an inexpensive pine instead of the typical ash top found on most Fender's, which initially turned me off, but then I heard this fellow burn these classic Keith Richards riffs. If someone is thinking about a Tele on the cheap that doesn't sacrifice anything in sound or playability, this one might just fit the bill. I now know where to start to look when I have a pocket of cash and I want to incorporate this profile and tone.

 

I saw one of these at a local GC, they go for about $200, I have a EBMM Silhouette there are a few differences, number of frets, the pickups are not as nice, the wood isn't the same and it is not one piece but as far as feel, that EBMM neck and play ability there isn't at $2000 difference. They are a lot closer then one would imagine. If you've ever wanted a starter EBMM guitar to mess around with, its a good introduction.

 

IMO ~450e guitar is not cheap. But cheapness of course is very relative.

I currently own 11 guitars (including acoustics and basses). I have 3 "superstrats" but otherwise they are all quite different. You could buy all of them brand new with the price of a new Les Paul Standard.

There are a lot of OE(M) manufacturers particularly in china making good quality cheap guitars these days. In fact it is difficult to find actual shitty guitars if you don't insist on getting the absolutely cheapest one's (I'm talking about guitars you can batch order for like 40e or less per piece).

If you're on a budget and live in Europe, Thomann's Harley Benton guitars are a very good deal. For example if you like traditional models then for 450e you can get a A good vintage strat copy AND a good vintage tele copy AND A good PRS copy. I feel cheap guitars get a bad rap because they are often played by inexperienced players who don't know how to set them up properly. And of course because most guitar players don't actually know shit about guitars and are super insecure about their gear so they think price tag = quality.

 

 

Last edited: May 15, 2018

Its Amazing the quality of cheaper guitars today... when i was in my first years of learning guitar a piece of sh_t guitar would set you back 500 USD lol ... If its built right an set up with a good fret dress a cheaper guitar can get you by for sure now... like you @superliquidsunshine i have a small collection of good guitars old an new ;) Remember when the Chibsons hit the scene ??? i own 4 Gibson Les Paul Models and i got curious about the China made Gibson les paul knockoffs and ordered one lol... First i wana say some of them are really shitty but>>> I got a reliable source and called and had one made just like Gibson makes theirs... i mean every detail solid mahogany back and neck >>>even the ears on the head stock... i had them leave off the hardware and i put my own hardware on it... the Guitar cost me 300 USD>>> all Mahogany and Real carved flame maple cap top not veneer...its not a 5 star flame but still looks awsome>>>i put about 700 in wiring, pups, tuners, and all hardware on it just like a real les paul ... so i have 900 USD in a guitar that would have cost me 5,000 USD or better... My point being that this guitar is stellar for what i got in it and sounds as good as any Gibson i own... Theirs alot of really good Quality cheaper instrument coming into the US these days and for a struggling musician its alot better days than when i was a kid trying to learn lol... I just Purchased 3 used Bugera tube heads made by Behringer to add to my amp collection in my studio... all three cost me 1,000 USD... i got the 1990 marshall 900 copy,the Tri Rec Mesa Rec copy, and 6262 Peavey 6505 copy, they are insane sounding for the $ ... ive herd good and bad reviews about them but personally i think they kick ass ! I gave 2,500 for one of my Mesa Dual Recs ??? to good times we live in \m/

 

Last edited: May 16, 2018

great thread! from what I understand (dont know much about guitars) i have just started doing some research and a nice studio guitar can be much cheaper than a public performance one. the ones for stage use are built to take much more beating and cost therefor more money.

ive been thinking in getting a simple one just to have in the studio and make some basic riffs

 

Hagstrom Viking. Reliable as a Tele', with a bit more versatility. Lots of bang for your buck.

 

what would you define as "bang for the buck" when it comes to electric guitars Midge? could you just name a few details? cheers

 

ibanez has some sets of low price guitars which are great.

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...assic-vibe-telecaster-50s-butterscotch-blonde





https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratCV50SB--squier-classic-vibe-stratocaster-50s-2-tone-sunburst\
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/seagull-entourage-mini-jumbo-acoustic-guitar/j00263
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/seagull-the-original-s6-acoustic-guitar
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ET33NANH--epiphone-es-339-pro-natural
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EGGPCHNH--epiphone-g-400-pro-sg-cherry
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RG421BBS--ibanez-rg-series-rg421-blackberry-sunburst
http://www.rondomusic.com/al2500mnocean.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/al2500natspalted1.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/Agile_Epic_GR.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/Agile-AL-3010SE_Rootbeer_Flame_P90.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/product9352.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/ppg625ambq.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/pendpro102528ebcpnatmahog.html

Just some other great ones, besides the great one you already know about!

I just posted links of the ones i have experience with knowing they great quality.
ones i have had while or band members or friends that i know and have had used and they lasted years.

these all fantastic for the price.

 

Last edited: May 16, 2018

Nice post! I've been eyeing this epiphone for a minute..- have you played it? if so, your thoughts?

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 16, 2018

oh yes a special one that is. get it.
never look back.
it is lovely and durable
everything you want a $500 to be and more
you will feel like it is worth a grand .

 

Last year I purchased a Yamaha fs 800 acoustic guitar for $200...it has a real spruce top and scalloped bracing sounds and plays good...even compared to my Martin and Taylor it is recording worthy even for low end guitar ;)

 

Last edited: May 16, 2018

Regarding the Classic Vibe Squier Tele, I've never played one but Chappers and the Captain did a blindfold test of Tele guitars, both Fender and non-Fender, and FWIW Chapman rated it just a smidge higher than the Mexican made Tele

The thing he did mention is was it has a gloss neck, not itself a problem, but some can find it bit sticky and/or slow and prefer a matte finish but nothing that a bit of fine steel wool couldn't fix.
The other recommendation I would make for those starting out or wanting a studio guitar - avoid a guitar with a tremolo system - especially on a cheaper guitar, as it's going to cause more heartache and will be more likely to put you off than a guitar without. I say this from experience. I too wanted to be like Hendrix but IMO trying to learn those kind of whammy bar antics before you've mastered the basics is putting the cart before the horse, and more likely you'll end up with a guitar that frustrates you more than inspires you. If you really must have a strat or something similar, block off the trem until you get a hang on the instrument.
Also don't rule out a 2nd hand guitar - you could probably find a Mexican Tele or something even better for close to the cost of one of those new Classic Vibe squiers. A few years ago I was looking for a new guitar, either a tele style or epiphone semi-hollow dot, and managed to score one of these in very good condition for US$600 second hand, which looking on Reverb, sell for over US$1500

Sounds fantastic and inspires me to play every time I pick it up - it I'll never sell it as long as I'm alive.

 

My advice Epiphone are making some great guitars at the moment for the money and also Squire by Fender. Since your just learning you really dont need to spend 500 to 1500 bucks. max 200 . so next you need to ask yourself what kinda sound do you wanna play maybe look at artist that are doing the kinda music you wanna play and see what type of guitar their band is using . and start there . but keep in your mind the notion that there might come a day you wanna make a different noise but here is the key Im a Guitar tech and with. the right set uo you can make a 399 buck guitar play and sound just like a 1000 buck guitar. set up is key, you will have alot more fun learning and playing on a guitar that is properly set up, maybe after 3 months. you find you want the strings higher or lower or you want more bite from the pick ups. all these things are obtainable just in the set up alone. the first set up should be free from the place you buy it
hope this helps
Have fun
im happy to answer any other questions you might have as well and maybe point u in the right direction to the right guitar for the sound you want to make.

 

Have a Schecter S-1 Elite I paid $600 for new. Great guitar. Set neck, good pups, excellent playabillity, stays in tune (even at drop c!!), looks amazing. I got the "antique amber" finish. Wonderful guitar.

 

Greetings all,
The Parker PDF series are great players with ebony necks and great sounding pickups ($400). Epiphone "Bully" from 2000 and 2001 are solid SGs ($150). Music Yo Kramer Baretta is a cheap, solid build to tweak ($200). Deans (below $500) can be modified easily as well as the earlier mentioned Ibanez guitars. Almost any guitar will sound great with EMGs or Duncan Blackouts if it feel goods in your hands and stays in tune with a proper setup.

 

Yamaha makes some very nice sub-$1000 classical guitars.

 

The latest Chinese made Squier guitars are a well known secret in the guitar world, but you may also like to consider the used market for 80's & 90's Japanese Squier guitars, which are also very good.

 

The "best bang for the buck" - "cheap" - guitars I own are my "shred" guitars. Or better both are considered "more shred", but they are very versitile Guitars. Unbelivable good build quality for their price. If you mod theese guitars and invest bucks (make a fret/setup) they can compete with their "original" counter parts. But thats not even necessary they play and sound stunning.
Both <500 bucks. Insane deal ...

Jackson SDX


JemJR

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 16, 2018