The Cheap Guitars Thread

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The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Molly »

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

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Starfire »

Define 'cheap'.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by sizzlingbadger »

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 :thumbup:

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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

Post by Jay »

Starfire wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 8:16 am Define 'cheap'.
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

Post by Molly »

Starfire wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 8:16 am Define 'cheap'.
Don't want to put a dollar price on it. Just whatever folk consider cheap.

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by NippleWrestler »

Image

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

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Starfire wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 8:16 am Define 'cheap'.
Yeh this needs a benchmark

Under $300?

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Mikeincarnate326 »

Those Gretsch guitars look stunning, especially considering their price point

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by chur »

Mikeincarnate326 wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 10:48 am Those Gretsch guitars look stunning, especially considering their price point
I concur, never owned or played one, but they have a certain look I like
No one ever died of hard work.. but why take the risk..

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Dharmajester »

NippleWrestler wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:59 am Image

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 think because in the UK these were sold in Woolworth stores, caused many people to overlook them entirely.
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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by olegmcnoleg »

NippleWrestler wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:59 am Image

Westone Thunder 1A.

Amazing Japanese craftsmanship, sounds like a Gibson but does the Fender things too. Brass hardware throughout. Onboard active circuitry. Criminally undervalued.
That Westone looks great.

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

Post by foal30 »

Dharmajester wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 11:51 am
NippleWrestler wrote: Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:59 am Image

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 think because in the UK these were sold in Woolworth stores, caused many people to overlook them entirely.
The Wool was pulled over their eyes no less.
Genuine Old Frontier Gibberish

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by foal30 »

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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
Genuine Old Frontier Gibberish

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by foal30 »

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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.
Genuine Old Frontier Gibberish

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Re: The Cheap Guitars Thread

Post by Bigdaddy »

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.
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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

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