If you were just starting what sub $1,000 guitar?

[calling card]

I bought a 74 swamp ash Strat USA hardtail $700 back in 1986, second hand hanging on the shop wall. Just think I could have fairly easily bought what most thought a POS 60's Strat then.

[Molly]

Ibanez something. That's where most of my early, decent guitar money went.

[StratMatt]

Ibanez Prestige with a floating bridge and then laugh when you tried to change the strings.

[jeremyb]

I had a Hondo strat and then a Vester crackle finish, pointy headstock job for my first 2 guitars.
Both shite.
I then got a Fender Mustang for $300. That was a good 'first' guitar. Mind you, back in the early 90's $300 got you 200 big macs, a year long pass for the zepplin and at least 50 matinee screenings of pathe news of the world.

Brother! I had a Hondo strat and then a vester stage series in metallic red!

[jeremyb]

so... plus $1000?

Could easily do it for a thou!

show me trademe etc happy to eat my words

Mine cost more but I could have gone cheaper if I waited around and not only concentrated on local to me.... teles were cheap as a couple of years ago!! I paid $850 for a mint 2 piece body sunburst one in a bidding war, should have been less

Went all out on secondhand fender custom shop pickups on eBay for $230nz delivered.. didn't bother with new tuners but locking ones will be on the go in the future of I get back into playing more.

Anyway, so am I out of touch with secondhand prices now as there seems to be a lot of squiers for what was MIM money a couple of years ago!!

[robnobcorncob]

PRS SE
Squier Classic Vibe
G&L ASAT

[sizzlingbadger]

PRS SE
Squier Classic Vibe
G&L ASAT

Exactly what I was going to suggest, all available for about $500-$600 2nd hand too.

[Bg]

yeah, my first guitar was a Kay and it cost the princely sum of 10 english pounds. I upgraded later to an Anatoria for 40 pounds. Third guitar was one of the the much sought after JV Squiers bought brand new from Guitarzan's in South Bank, Middlesbrough. I don't remember how much it cost but I had to buy it on tick..... and it was awesome

and a picture of the shop in its former glory

[rickenbackerkid]

I’d go for a squire I think - they seem to be making really good guitars these days.

[jimi]

2nd hand Radian

Which would be a massive step up from the Epiphone SG and Squier Strat that I had when I 1st moved from bass to guitar and played some gigs. Nothing wrong with either of those guitars either.

[hamo]

My number one guitar cost me a grand, thanks to Matt. Dreamy Charvel was a bargain.

[Jay]

yeah, my first guitar was a Kay and it cost the princely sum of 10 english pounds. I upgraded later to an Anatoria for 40 pounds. Third guitar was one of the the much sought after JV Squiers bought brand new from Guitarzan's in South Bank, Middlesbrough. I don't remember how much it cost but I had to buy it on tick..... and it was awesome

and a picture of the shop in its former glory

Caption: is that you pushing the trolley?

[Delayman]

I'd get a Mexican strat with humbucker - cover all bases without being to restrictive.

[The Scarecrow]

if you're doing second hand then a PRS SE would murder all!

This for me. If you're lucky you can pick up a Tremonti or Custom 24 for anywhere from $500-700 and for good all rounders, they're hard to beat.

[Delayman]

I bought a 74 swamp ash Strat USA hardtail $700 back in 1986, second hand hanging on the shop wall. Just think I could have fairly easily bought what most thought a POS 60's Strat then.

That's one of my dream guitars - I was born in 1974. And I've really liked the swamp ash guitars I've played - a PRS and I think a les paul.

They're not thought of that well, but the birth year thing would be cool.