Killer budget guitars...

oilpit · 01-01-2009, 04:21 AM

Okay this has probably been done a billion times before,
but it's 2:12 AM January 1st 2009 and I'm waiting for "Fight Club" to load.

Anyway...

I (and I'm sure most of you) have heard people talk about cheapish guitars that play, sound and feel just as good if not better than american Fenders/Gibsons. And I wonder if they just say that because they are sad they can't afford a Les Paul, or because there really are great budget guitars...
Thoughts?

Sky · 01-01-2009, 04:38 AM

Well Agile guitars have been said to be better than all Epiphones up to Elitests.
Hell of a lot cheaper too..
I don't have any experience with Agile, but the specs are better than Epiphones...

Jody · 01-01-2009, 04:39 AM

hello kitty, thats the sh#t

Jake 2112 · 01-01-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodymauk

hello kitty, thats the sh#t

+1

gibiphone · 01-01-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilpit

Okay this has probably been done a billion times before,
but it's 2:12 AM January 1st 2009 and I'm waiting for "Fight Club" to load.

Anyway...

I (and I'm sure most of you) have heard people talk about cheapish guitars that play, sound and feel just as good if not better than american Fenders/Gibsons. And I wonder if they just say that because they are sad they can't afford a Les Paul, or because there really are great budget guitars...
Thoughts?

Hawkeye: There doesn't appear to be any reason. I've seen you somewhere before. I don't know your name, stranger, but your face is familiar. Have you always had that mustache?
[Trapper John smirks and shakes his head.]

jonesy · 01-01-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodymauk

hello kitty, thats the sh#t

Yes, I think you should buy one jody and mod that Hello Kitty into a screamer.

Next in line to the hello Kitty would be the $99 Squire Bullet Strat

Or also for $99

dennistruckdriver · 01-01-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilpit

Okay this has probably been done a billion times before.....

At least....

Jake 2112 · 01-01-2009, 04:58 PM

[QUOTE=jonesy;494666]Yes, I think you should buy one jody and mod that Hello Kitty into a screamer.

Put an EMG in it

hbucker · 01-01-2009, 05:18 PM

Xavier from Guitarfetish.com are rock solid for the money.

I think you need to lower your expectations about what you find being "better than USA Fender/Gibson." Not because it isn't possible in some cases. But because it's a vague goal that in most cases, isn't realistic. But for the $$$ Xavier guitars are very good, with impressive pickups and probably worth at lest 2-3x's what you pay for them.

Good luck.

Jake 2112 · 01-01-2009, 05:22 PM

Some great Xavieres here

Looks like I'll be buying ANOTHER Xaviere!

I haven't played one but I've heard nothing but good stuff about them

klohiq · 01-01-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilpit

Okay this has probably been done a billion times before,
but it's 2:12 AM January 1st 2009 and I'm waiting for "Fight Club" to load.

Anyway...

I (and I'm sure most of you) have heard people talk about cheapish guitars that play, sound and feel just as good if not better than american Fenders/Gibsons. And I wonder if they just say that because they are sad they can't afford a Les Paul, or because there really are great budget guitars...
Thoughts?

my $180 epiphone lp studio is one of cheapest guitars ive ever owned/played extensively and its my favorite. i have a hard time believing a guitar could get much better - since then ive added another $200+ worth of upgrades (sh55 neck, jb bridge, gibson tuning machines)...

it wasnt new when i got it, but it appeared to have never been played (0 pick scratches and absolutely no buckle rash/fret wear...much less wear than most new guitars at any guitar store).

dwagar · 01-01-2009, 08:32 PM

there are lots of good guitars out there for reasonable $. And some really good ones. Just don't pretend they are something they aren't, but be happy with what they are.

Skynyrdpicker · 01-01-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilpit

Okay this has probably been done a billion times before,
but it's 2:12 AM January 1st 2009 and I'm waiting for "Fight Club" to load.

Anyway...

I (and I'm sure most of you) have heard people talk about cheapish guitars that play, sound and feel just as good if not better than american Fenders/Gibsons. And I wonder if they just say that because they are sad they can't afford a Les Paul, or because there really are great budget guitars...
Thoughts?

I find it stupid when people say "my $300 guitar is as good or better than the real thing that's 5X the price", and, I do think, a lot of the time, it has to do with not being able to afford more expensive instruments.

However,

Being on a tight budget myself, I find myself looking for deals that stack up with much more expensive guitars. I've found quite a few guitars that are comfortable to me, and sound very close to what they're attempting to imitate. My Les Paul copy, the standard mahogany & maple set neck guitar sounds in the same ballpark as a Gibson Les Paul, within reason, and my Tele Copy has all the twang I could ask for for $200! Obviously, nothing compares to the originals, and, a cheap guitar means cheaper materials, and poorer craftsmanship, but there are still plenty of guitars out there that rock, without breaking the bank! A perfect example would be the Xavieres; I've got two of them, and, I'd put them against MUCH more expensive instruments, but I'm not pretending they're something they're not, obviously!

dennistruckdriver · 01-02-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klohiq

my $180 epiphone lp studio is one of cheapest guitars ive ever owned/played extensively and its my favorite. i have a hard time believing a guitar could get much better - since then ive added another $200+ worth of upgrades (sh55 neck, jb bridge, gibson tuning machines)...

it wasnt new when i got it, but it appeared to have never been played (0 pick scratches and absolutely no buckle rash/fret wear...much less wear than most new guitars at any guitar store).

For a few dollars more, you could have a real USA Gibson.....

http://www.music123.com/Gibson-Melod...72576.Music123

brettk7 · 01-02-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

For a few dollars more, you could have a real USA Gibson.....

http://www.music123.com/Gibson-Melod...72576.Music123

+1 those Melody Makers are straight up BAD ASS!!!!

The_Sentry · 01-02-2009, 05:51 PM

I still gotta go with Agile for sheer availability.....I didn't see any left handed Xavieres...(although Vintage V-100 makes a nice lookin' leftie in a TS...)

tintin · 01-02-2009, 05:52 PM

I have not played one, but owners of Reverend guitars seem to love 'em. My MIM Strat is pretty sweet for a low budget axe.

Iceman0124 · 01-02-2009, 10:31 PM

Where can you find the vintage gits in the US? Anyhere? The lemon drop looks real promising to me. Though I really would like to pick one up before I commit to anything.

jomo · 01-02-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klohiq

my $180 epiphone lp studio is one of cheapest guitars ive ever owned/played extensively and its my favorite. i have a hard time believing a guitar could get much better

Kate033 · 01-03-2009, 08:47 PM

One super cheap guitar that I've always loved is the Danelectro. Doesn't suit everyone's taste of course, but it has that unique vintage Dano tone that no other guitar can get. Not trying to compare it to a strat or a tele or anything similar. But it's a great guitar for such little money.

Dino · 01-04-2009, 12:38 PM

One of the best bargains I've come across was an OLP.
With just a little tweaking, these guitars can be made to play really well.
Here's one I modded with a pair of Wolfgang pickups, a Floyd Rose, neck ferruls, and an EvH paintjob.

circusboy28 · 01-04-2009, 08:01 PM

I've got no pictures to post but Brian Moore guitars - made in Korea - are a really good strat with humbuckers type of axe.

byedan · 01-04-2009, 08:37 PM

older aria's any jap jackson is a good guitar i do not like epiphone for the money. i hope xaviere is as good as i think it is. ltd guitar are very good

Vernet · 01-05-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino

One of the best bargains I've come across was an OLP.
With just a little tweaking, these guitars can be made to play really well.
Here's one I modded with a pair of Wolfgang pickups, a Floyd Rose, neck ferruls, and an EvH paintjob.

WOW!
That's a real looker. How did you get that killer paintjob? Even with Eddie sig and all?

Very nice

Jody · 01-05-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesy

Yes, I think you should buy one jody and mod that Hello Kitty into a screamer.

Next in line to the hello Kitty would be the $99 Squire Bullet Strat

Or also for $99

Im thinking pretty strongly about it

but Id put a super distortion in it.Id also need a floyd rose in it cuz I know it would go out of tune. to router it for the floyd ,and to buy a floyd would cost more than the guitar

but I would like to and post some vids here to keep the gibson/epiphone community in harmony

that way thay could just flame "the dude rockin' the kitty thread"

Dino · 01-05-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vernet

WOW!
That's a real looker. How did you get that killer paintjob? Even with Eddie sig and all?

Very nice

Thanks!
I refinished the guitar using acrylic urethane and a few reference pics of the original EvH guitar as seen on the "Runaround" video.
It was a fun project and the guitar turned out to be a real player too!

type0 · 01-05-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesy

Yes, I think you should buy one jody and mod that Hello Kitty into a screamer.

Next in line to the hello Kitty would be the $99 Squire Bullet Strat

Or also for $99

Imagine slipknot playing them on a concert:P

drewk86 · 01-05-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino

One of the best bargains I've come across was an OLP.
With just a little tweaking, these guitars can be made to play really well.
Here's one I modded with a pair of Wolfgang pickups, a Floyd Rose, neck ferruls, and an EvH paintjob.

Very Nice!!!

Love the EVH!!!

smk506 · 01-05-2009, 05:46 PM

My house mate has an OLP and I realy like it. A good setup and its ready to go. Dinos looks nicer though.

Ibanez makes some great guitars under $400 including their Artcore line. These play and sound good for the money and are pretty easy on the eyes as well.

Brian Krashpad · 01-11-2009, 07:06 AM

I have lots and lots of killer cheap guitars. Anyone saying they're as good or better than my Gibsons, USA Fenders, or USA Hamer would be guilty of hyperbole. I don't say they are.

But that doesn't mean that they're not very playable, and yes, giggable dead stock, guitars. Anyone who brings the "all imports are crap" line is about 20 or 30 years out of touch.

I have a mix of USA and imports and gig them all (with the exception of one older USA Fender Duo-Sonic that needs some work).

01-01-2009, 04:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
oilpit Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 946 Thanks: 22 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Killer budget guitars... Okay this has probably been done a billion times before, but it's 2:12 AM January 1st 2009 and I'm waiting for "Fight Club" to load. Anyway... I (and I'm sure most of you) have heard people talk about cheapish guitars that play, sound and feel just as good if not better than american Fenders/Gibsons. And I wonder if they just say that because they are sad they can't afford a Les Paul, or because there really are great budget guitars... Thoughts?

01-01-2009, 04:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sky Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4,979 Thanks: 6 Thanked 44 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... Well Agile guitars have been said to be better than all Epiphones up to Elitests. Hell of a lot cheaper too.. I don't have any experience with Agile, but the specs are better than Epiphones...

01-01-2009, 04:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jody Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Over The Mountain Posts: 7,018 Thanks: 213 Thanked 110 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... hello kitty, thats the sh#t __________________

01-01-2009, 04:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jake 2112 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 621 Thanks: 45 Thanked 18 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... [QUOTE=jonesy;494666]Yes, I think you should buy one jody and mod that Hello Kitty into a screamer. Put an EMG in it

01-01-2009, 05:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
hbucker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,472 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... Xavier from Guitarfetish.com are rock solid for the money. I think you need to lower your expectations about what you find being "better than USA Fender/Gibson." Not because it isn't possible in some cases. But because it's a vague goal that in most cases, isn't realistic. But for the $$$ Xavier guitars are very good, with impressive pickups and probably worth at lest 2-3x's what you pay for them. Good luck. __________________

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Les Paul Forums

01-01-2009, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jake 2112 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 621 Thanks: 45 Thanked 18 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... Some great Xavieres here Looks like I'll be buying ANOTHER Xaviere! I haven't played one but I've heard nothing but good stuff about them

01-02-2009, 05:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
The_Sentry The Devil's Advocate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Neverwhere, CA Posts: 25,947 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 1,451 Times in 308 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... I still gotta go with Agile for sheer availability.....I didn't see any left handed Xavieres...(although Vintage V-100 makes a nice lookin' leftie in a TS...) __________________ Musical Ventures: Love Knuckle on Reverb Nation! Random Recordings and Videos of Stuff!

01-02-2009, 05:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
tintin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 513 Thanks: 88 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... I have not played one, but owners of Reverend guitars seem to love 'em. My MIM Strat is pretty sweet for a low budget axe. __________________ 08 Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II Tiger's Eye Faded Cherry 02 Black and White Mexican Fender Standard Stratocaster with SD Hot Rails Seafoam/Surf Logan Custom 62 Vintage Tele Swart Space Tone Reverb-Tweed Carbon Acoustics X

01-02-2009, 10:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
Iceman0124 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 4,385 Thanks: 116 Thanked 28 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... Where can you find the vintage gits in the US? Anyhere? The lemon drop looks real promising to me. Though I really would like to pick one up before I commit to anything.

01-03-2009, 08:47 PM	#20 (permalink)
Kate033 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 46 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Killer budget guitars... One super cheap guitar that I've always loved is the Danelectro. Doesn't suit everyone's taste of course, but it has that unique vintage Dano tone that no other guitar can get. Not trying to compare it to a strat or a tele or anything similar. But it's a great guitar for such little money.

01-04-2009, 12:38 PM	#21 (permalink)
Dino Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,145 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Killer budget guitars... One of the best bargains I've come across was an OLP. With just a little tweaking, these guitars can be made to play really well. Here's one I modded with a pair of Wolfgang pickups, a Floyd Rose, neck ferruls, and an EvH paintjob.

01-04-2009, 08:01 PM	#22 (permalink)
circusboy28 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Petersham in sunny Sydney Posts: 5,388 Thanks: 185 Thanked 27 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... I've got no pictures to post but Brian Moore guitars - made in Korea - are a really good strat with humbuckers type of axe.

01-04-2009, 08:37 PM	#23 (permalink)
byedan Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 41 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... older aria's any jap jackson is a good guitar i do not like epiphone for the money. i hope xaviere is as good as i think it is. ltd guitar are very good

01-05-2009, 05:46 PM	#29 (permalink)
smk506 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Granada Hills Ca Posts: 340 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Killer budget guitars... My house mate has an OLP and I realy like it. A good setup and its ready to go. Dinos looks nicer though. Ibanez makes some great guitars under $400 including their Artcore line. These play and sound good for the money and are pretty easy on the eyes as well.

01-11-2009, 07:06 AM	#30 (permalink)
Brian Krashpad Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: GVL FLA USA Posts: 400 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Killer budget guitars... I have lots and lots of killer cheap guitars. Anyone saying they're as good or better than my Gibsons, USA Fenders, or USA Hamer would be guilty of hyperbole. I don't say they are. But that doesn't mean that they're not very playable, and yes, giggable dead stock, guitars. Anyone who brings the "all imports are crap" line is about 20 or 30 years out of touch. I have a mix of USA and imports and gig them all (with the exception of one older USA Fender Duo-Sonic that needs some work).

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode