The Cheap Guitars Thread
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The Cheap Guitars Thread
Cheap definitely doesn't have to mean rubbish these days. Show off those cheap guitars and say what it is, besides price, that you love about them.
I'll kick off with this Chinese Gretsch Electromatic. I can't find anything wrong with the build quality. Nothing feels cheap (actually, ok, the control cavity covers are a bit flimsy). It's been professionally set up and plays as well as anything. Came with a good gig bag for $600NZ (used).
Lee Anderton gets excited about one here - though I appreciate he sells them... https://youtu.be/GRPTy21FDvU
I'll kick off with this Chinese Gretsch Electromatic. I can't find anything wrong with the build quality. Nothing feels cheap (actually, ok, the control cavity covers are a bit flimsy). It's been professionally set up and plays as well as anything. Came with a good gig bag for $600NZ (used).
Lee Anderton gets excited about one here - though I appreciate he sells them... https://youtu.be/GRPTy21FDvU
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
I have had 2 cheap-ish guitars recently that have been really good. The Sire Tele (Andertons B-Stock $750 landed) was excellent, nothing needed to be changed or upgraded and it has a wonderful neck, better than many expensive guitars I've owned in the past. I only sold it to fund an expensive guitar. I have a Gretsch (Rock Shop $1200), which I still own, again this guitar is built extremely well and sounds fantastic. I changed pickup's because I wanted Filtertrons (which only came with the Bigsby models) and I also replace the bridge as I can't stand that little piece of wire that holds the saddles in, so really just my OCD interfering. It has a bound body and neck, block inlays and the body is made from a piece of Mahogany that a Gibson LP would be proud of. oh and that colour
Tube amp and guitar tones straight from 1958… amazing how believable the sounds were back then, even without the modellers...
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
If you can't make it yourself for that price, it's cheap
When faced with quality, I recognise it every time.
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
Don't want to put a dollar price on it. Just whatever folk consider cheap.
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
Westone Thunder 1A.
Amazing Japanese craftsmanship, sounds like a Gibson but does the Fender things too. Brass hardware throughout. Onboard active circuitry. Criminally undervalued.
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
Those Gretsch guitars look stunning, especially considering their price point
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
I concur, never owned or played one, but they have a certain look I likeMikeincarnate326 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 10:48 am Those Gretsch guitars look stunning, especially considering their price point
No one ever died of hard work.. but why take the risk..
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
I think because in the UK these were sold in Woolworth stores, caused many people to overlook them entirely.NippleWrestler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:59 am
Westone Thunder 1A.
Amazing Japanese craftsmanship, sounds like a Gibson but does the Fender things too. Brass hardware throughout. Onboard active circuitry. Criminally undervalued.
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench - a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
That Westone looks great.NippleWrestler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:59 am
Westone Thunder 1A.
Amazing Japanese craftsmanship, sounds like a Gibson but does the Fender things too. Brass hardware throughout. Onboard active circuitry. Criminally undervalued.
I've been exploring some of the earlier Japanese guitars recently. I'm not always a fan of the styling, but the craftmanship is usually excellent. Solid tonewood guitars, with good hardware and pickups, and decent fretting. What's not to like? I think there are many bargains to be found. And some of these Japanese guitars are getting the recognition that they deserve now--with prices to back it up.
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
The Wool was pulled over their eyes no less.Dharmajester wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 11:51 amI think because in the UK these were sold in Woolworth stores, caused many people to overlook them entirely.NippleWrestler wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:59 am
Westone Thunder 1A.
Amazing Japanese craftsmanship, sounds like a Gibson but does the Fender things too. Brass hardware throughout. Onboard active circuitry. Criminally undervalued.
Genuine Old Frontier Gibberish
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
Super cool instrument. A+ electronics Lightweight, good balance
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
Late 90’s Michael Tobias Design Grendel V
Paid $650 ish
This is a $2500 Bass. It’s probably the instrument on highest rotation. Can practice on it, gig it, record with it. It’s strung with my last set of Sadowsky Black Flats with a Daddario Chrome B string
I’ve played this so much the neck pick up casing has sort of melted.
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread
My pick would be instruments made by FujiGen for department stores and big brands in Japan (History guitars for Shimamura etc.). Beautifully made MIJ instruments that you can typically find for $500 - $1000.
I bought this History ZMS from Oleg (who bought it off TM for the same money) - $750-800 if memory serves me right. A Gibson CS-336 copy with a hollowed-out solid mahogany body (not laminate), rosewood fingerboard (possibly Indian), fantastic paint finish, and a unique fretting system.
MIJ Strat for under $500 + shipping: https://reverb.com/item/52275272-histor ... 2003-sz-1s
I bought this History ZMS from Oleg (who bought it off TM for the same money) - $750-800 if memory serves me right. A Gibson CS-336 copy with a hollowed-out solid mahogany body (not laminate), rosewood fingerboard (possibly Indian), fantastic paint finish, and a unique fretting system.
MIJ Strat for under $500 + shipping: https://reverb.com/item/52275272-histor ... 2003-sz-1s
"Have tone issues with all the options available today? practice more...." -John Suhr