The Cheap Guitars Thread

All things guitar, Les Pauls, Strats, Teles, Tokai, Ibanez etc. etc. etc.

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Lyle
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Lyle »

All the Sterling range of guitars & basses I've played have been great. I had an AX40D that fantastic even when compared to the full on EBMM Axis.

Most of the models can be picked up for under $500 second hand.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by jeremyb »

I'll post up pics of my 3 artist guitars once the modding has finished, the cheapest one at $289 is killer, I've replaced both the pickups with some Entwistle Darkstar ND's to deal better with the B std tuning I run on it, replaced the stock bridge with a spare gotoh one I had lying about, and have some hipshot locking tuners coming from the better looking Jeremy on here... still an under $500 guitar that punches well above its weight.
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Olderama »

G260 Swamp Ash Body with Hot Rails Pickups, 5-Way Switch, Coil Split roller nut
Snagged up from Cash Convertors for a score and is my goto
Nice and weighty and plays great
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by NippleWrestler »

Any of the Matsumoku brands outside of Aria Pro can be had for cheap. Matsumoku literally made the same guitars under different brands but the Aria versions will always go for hundreds more than their less prestigious counterparts like Westone, Vantage, Quest, and about 5 others I can't remember right now.

Prices are creeping up though as people are coming round to the sheer quality of these instruments.

The Westone Thunder 3 and Prestige 250 are things of beauty.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by jhyang549 »

I own an Apricus 6 from Artist Guitars. An HH Tele with an ergonomic body. Plays great. Pickups are fine, medium output and maybe a bit bland? I've set it up with 12-52 strings in C# Standard. It's my go to guitar for everything high gain.

I quite like their free trial policy. If you don't like the guitar, you can return it within 90 days of purchase. Awesome for an agoraphobe like myself who wants to be home all the time.

I just wish they offered guitars with stainless steel frets.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Terexgeek »

foal30 wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 12:53 pm 298A7946-C92D-41D2-A5F3-0CF91C592B0D.jpeg

I think I paid $300 plus freight and a couple of parts for this Gibson Nashville Tobias

Super cool instrument. A+ electronics Lightweight, good balance
The amount of DNA I am removing speaks to this being a good one, and owned by a sweaty gigging individual unaccustomed to wiping a guitar down after playing. Tuners and nut were loose but it will be nice when done!
Tin arse!!

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Terexgeek »

And ffs, cheap Japanese guitars have been my bag for a while, can you lot just head on back to usa made land, I don't want prices pushed any higher...nothing to see here...can we get this thread locked or something?
Tin arse!!

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by foal30 »

I’ve never played a shit Japanese Fender but more than a few MIA

Kev77 is a big fan of Japanese high quality and functionality
Genuine Old Frontier Gibberish

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by foal30 »

Terexgeek wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:16 pm
foal30 wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 12:53 pm 298A7946-C92D-41D2-A5F3-0CF91C592B0D.jpeg

I think I paid $300 plus freight and a couple of parts for this Gibson Nashville Tobias

Super cool instrument. A+ electronics Lightweight, good balance
The amount of DNA I am removing speaks to this being a good one, and owned by a sweaty gigging individual unaccustomed to wiping a guitar down after playing. Tuners and nut were loose but it will be nice when done!
I’m not thinking maintenance or modification is something I should ever be responsible for
Genuine Old Frontier Gibberish

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by jeremyb »

foal30 wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 6:29 pm
Terexgeek wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:16 pm
foal30 wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 12:53 pm 298A7946-C92D-41D2-A5F3-0CF91C592B0D.jpeg

I think I paid $300 plus freight and a couple of parts for this Gibson Nashville Tobias

Super cool instrument. A+ electronics Lightweight, good balance
The amount of DNA I am removing speaks to this being a good one, and owned by a sweaty gigging individual unaccustomed to wiping a guitar down after playing. Tuners and nut were loose but it will be nice when done!
I’m not thinking maintenance or modification is something I should ever be responsible for
Theres a lot to be said for staying in your lane, I applaud you my friend!
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by foal30 »

jeremyb wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 6:43 pm
foal30 wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 6:29 pm
Terexgeek wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:16 pm
The amount of DNA I am removing speaks to this being a good one, and owned by a sweaty gigging individual unaccustomed to wiping a guitar down after playing. Tuners and nut were loose but it will be nice when done!
I’m not thinking maintenance or modification is something I should ever be responsible for
Theres a lot to be said for staying in your lane, I applaud you my friend!
In this particular instance I know my limits
Genuine Old Frontier Gibberish

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by kdawg2a »

I got this in London 2004 for £50;
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Then, this GC in NZ gave me this one for free back in 2015;
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I've had lots of sub $200 pawn shop finds over the years but I mostly buy them to sell on and make a little money. These two will always stick around.
1935 Martin D-45, 1942 Gibson Southern Jumbo,1950 Fender Broadcaster, 1954 Fender Strat, 1958 Gibson Moderne prototype, 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
1958 Fender twin, 1965 Vox AC30, 1966 Marshall JTM 45, 1977 Dumble OD Special.
Big black garbage bag full of original Klon Centaurs and TS808s.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Hang on. I think we've lost the idea here, Molly will tell me if I'm wrong but shouldnt this be genuinely guitars that retailed cheap rather than expensive guitars you scored for a bargain?
Because if not we should just change the thread title to 'guitars'.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by olegmcnoleg »

Olderama wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 2:24 pm G260 Swamp Ash Body with Hot Rails Pickups, 5-Way Switch, Coil Split roller nut
Snagged up from Cash Convertors for a score and is my goto
Nice and weighty and plays great
Nice. I have a G290 and it is also really good. The hardware is top notch, and it is well made. It sounds right. Body is mahogany & maple, which gives the tone a bit more heft and sustain than a regular Strat. A great find.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by mule »

Molly wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 8:06 amI'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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One just popped up on TM, I hope you collect your influencer fee Brian :wink:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/3983758276

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