• From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Topic: Are Big Names Worth The Money?

What do you get from a Fender Stratocaster that you don't get from a Yamaha Pacifica (we'll assume models from equivalent points on the maker's price scale)?


OK so a top Gibson or G&L strat are finely made instruments but is alot of their sub-ranges reliant on name and collectability? I'm thinking of all the Retro, Reissue, American, Classic type tags. Surely a better value for money instrument come from a maker who isn't paying for a body-shape and a name license?


I'm thinking of concentrating my search away from brands and onto sound and comfortable play position.

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: Are Big Names Worth The Money?

read the thread starter guitars versus better guitars.


Bootleger.

Bootlegger guitars.

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Are Big Names Worth The Money?

Thanks for that bootlegger. Good news is my quest is getting closer, this lunchtime I played 2 Brawley guitars. Huge, warm sound and great neck and body shaping. I gather these aren't made anymore but the shop had two - a S/S/H trem and H/H hardtail. If I don't hear any better instruments over the weekend I'll be playing the two off against each other on Monday.   <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 533

Re: Are Big Names Worth The Money?

I think a lot of it depends on whether you are a player or collector. Name brands usually hold a better value and have established a track record of sound and reliablity...but then again some of the worst, and best, guitars that I have seen had Fender or Gibson on the headstock. Some of the smaller companies like PRS and G&L consistantly produce a very high quality instrument...  If you find a brand X that has the sound and qualities that work for you then that's the guitar for you!

Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.
  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: Are Big Names Worth The Money?

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>cytania wrote on Fri, 02 February 2007 16&#58;22</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Thanks for that bootlegger. Good news is my quest is getting closer, this lunchtime I played 2 Brawley guitars. Huge, warm sound and great neck and body shaping. I gather these aren't made anymore but the shop had two - a S/S/H trem and H/H hardtail. If I don't hear any better instruments over the weekend I'll be playing the two off against each other on Monday.   <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">
</td></tr></table>


Cytania:


Brawleys were designed by Ken Brawley and imported from Korea. Ken is now the head buyer for the Guitar center retail stores.  I had a chance to play his serial number 1 guitar at the Fret House (Covina, Cal.) It played well he put on black & chrome tuners (black, chorome, black yoiu get the picture). It justed needed the frets to be milled and crowned for my taste. Otherwise it was a good instrument if you buy one you'll be happy with it.  I got the idea to sink all my strap locks from the Brawley guitars. (Jim Dunlap strap locks sunken and level with the body).


Good luck.

Bootleger <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">

Bootleger guitars.

  • Registered: 2007-02-12
  • Posts: 52

Re: Are Big Names Worth The Money?

When you are dealing with intruments that are designed like a fender but aren't, like the pacifica, you are dealing with mass produced instruments.  There is nothing wrong or bad about them, they are inexpensive, and they could be easy or hard to play.  The thing is you have to play a lot of them to find one that is really quality.  I have a Fernandez strat copy that sounds just as good if not better than many official fender strats, but I picked it out of 15 or so different guitars.  My rule of thumb is this; if you want to buy a strat copy, play through as many as possible before you decide which one you will like.  They might all be the same price, but they never have homogenous quality.  for collectors, this isn't the way to go, but if you are a player and want to get a great deal, you have to work it and be extra prudent.

  • Registered: 2007-02-13
  • Posts: 9

Re: Are Big Names Worth The Money?

Big names guitars.  My opinion on big name guitars is listen to the sound and sustain playing the guitar while its unplugged away from the hacks in the guitar shop to find the right guitar. I think all guitars sound the same once the tuning, brigde, neck are adjusted correctly.

The mass produced guitars in 2007 are better than fenders made in America in the 1970s. I sold my les paul speical and bought ibanez with no tremolo bar because I wanted something that easier to fix if problems went arwy. 

Paying 2000 dollars for a guitar doesnt matter if you dont know how to play the guitar in the first place. I look at the guitar neck quality, and the playbility versus price. I perfer something that plays nice, and price is irrelavent 50 dollar guitars at garabage sales can do better job at times than the 3000 les paul standard. Probadly gonna need to play dozen or so guitars to find the right one, and the right feel for it.  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">