buying a new guitar

What's a moderate amount of money for you? Wild guess: under $500: you really get what you pay for most of the time. I've got two Mexican-made Stratocasters, a Japanese Tele and an American Strat. The difference is audible and the feel is substantial with the American Strat. Besides owning several cheap guitars (yes, two Squiers too), I personally find Washburns and Yamaha acceptable at relatively low prices. Another one of my near future guitars is the G&L Bluesboy Tribute for $599, but that's a Tele-style guitar. You can see that I'm not a Gibson fan, mainly because they are too pricey for me and what I've played always had a little annoying quality issue. If I have to shell out $1500 for a guitar, I want to hear quality and expect the maker to give it their best workmanship, careful design. Unfortunately many instruments below $500 are mass-produced and quality control seems to be a foreign concept when it comes to building guitars. Check out the G&L Tribute series...

thanks for the info . what does everybody think ofthe jackson electric  v guitars i like the look but how  do they sound 
dewey

Hi, I got a MIM (made in Mexico) Strat last year,I wanted something good to learn on and i haven't regretted it at all, its ALOT of guitar for the money, I paid £320 for the HSS or Fat Strat as its also known, it has 2 single coils and a Humbucker in the bridge to give you that fatter tone. Beautifully made, and the sound is not far off the American version so I understand. Many of the parts are shipped across the border to Mexico and assembled there cheaper, I'm not sure what the exact differences are, I think the bridge is slightly different, and the pickups are probably not as good as the American version,but you can change the pups, there are so many different types on the market. If anyone else knows the exact differences i'd love to know. I would definitely give it a look, the Strat does everything, good all rounder, I love it, mine is Arctic white, maple neck and rosewood fretboard. All the best Andy.

Sounds like that Squire is a single coil strat copy. For heavier sounds dual humbucker axes will deliver. I was going to suggest a pickup upgrade to the Squire but adding humbuckers may require re-routing and all sorts of electrical hassle, so a new guitar isn't a bad idea. Checkout Vintage's Les Paul copy or maybe their Zip. Keep an eye on the sales you may see PRS SE Tremonti's reduced.

Your description of the Squier really indicates that it's time you get a guitar that's serviceable -fretbuzz, warp and thin sound will kill any enthusiasm for guitar playing. Here's something I want to throw into the discussion: Your ability to maintain your instrument. I've bought guitars (for example a Mexican 70s Reissue Strat) that were obviously set up by a blind person -no offense intended. If you learn how to adjust the neck, file frets, maybe replace a nut and a pickup, you can make even a low-end guitar into a very decent player.

In the process you might get more attached to the guitar, or at least get an understanding of how these things work. After years of buying and fixing up cheapos and rejects, I've made it my hobby to build guitars from scratch... It's by no means cheaper to build than to buy new ones, but I eventually learned to prefer a beat up, serviceable player over a fancy looking bullsh#$* guitar.  I like the fact that Fenders (and others as well) have interchangeable parts that you can salvage, or buy as you have the money. Bottomline: maybe a book about guitar maintenance is a better investment than the first good-looking guitar you see in a store. Have fun on your journey, and PLAY ON!

Michael Kelly Guitars, Will order mine this weekend (after the California guitar show) (went to buy one last week but did not have the color I wanted). Check out the website www.michaelkellyguitars.com and read the guitar player magazine review on them. I am picking up a patriot $499.00 list (american) very well made good craftmanship. I played a Patriot limited 2 weeks ago, Before I order I am going to play a Epi LP standard, Gibson LP classic & standard and a Patriot to compare all three will Review when I'm done. The patriot limited I played was a good guitar and is a good guitar to hot rod with up grades or play as is. Will let you know after I pull the trigger.

Bootlegger.

Hi folks, I can't help but chime in here. I always get excited about a good looking, good sounding guitar, but none can do it all. Single-coils and humbuckers, hollow, semi-hollow and solid body...My taste in playing has changed so many times that I ended up with about 15 different ones -and they all sound a little different. WARNING: guitars are addictive. I'm waiting for the day when my health-insurance covers this syndrome, called GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome). Play on.