• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: Best quality versus price guitars

Still today I don't know the answer on these questions.
Some people go for Gibson, others for Fender, PRS....others go for epiphone, MIM Fenders (Made In Mexico)..
A very good and skilled player can play with great results on cheap guitars.
THE PLAYER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A GUITAR.
CONCLUSION:
MY SUGGESTIONS =  VISIT A FEW ON LINE MUSIC STORES. Like:
www.zzounds.com + www.musiciansfriend.com + www.music123.com
For the same guitars but in EUROPE visit www.musikstore.de or www.thomann.de ( In €). A 500€ guitar here will cost today 680$ A very interesting fact because of the high EURO.
For a 7000$ guitar an European will pay 5000$. For that difference you can go to the USA = a nice holiday + a guitar.
1) What is your budget? A lot of people buy the "so called" cheaper brands with a price tag from 150$ --> 600$. and you will have some possibilities.
- compare for example some epiphones.
- REAF THE USER COMMENTS, the most interesting part for me. If you read comments on a guitar, the better the comment, the better guitar.
2) If you really have found that particular guitar you like: my advise is: go to youtube which provides you already some more information based on some more options, like hearing the sound.
3) This is the "more difficult part": you want to have in your hands and play on it. Following the instructions I wrote, and you having a idea about a few brands, you will be able to "test" the guitar for real. You don't have to buy it in that store and buy it later on EBAY.
I did some great business on ebay, 100% perfect concerning transport and pay them .
About acoustics: 75% was perfect, but the remaining 25%....? Bad shape and most caused by the tension of the strings. Having a fantastic luthier (but slower then a snail) he fixes everything
A LIST WILL FOLLOW.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Best quality versus price guitars

Your comment about having your hands on it is best.  The sound is critically important to a guitar bringing you pleasure, but so is the shape and feel and ease of playing.  Those are things you just can't tell without having hands on.

A couple weeks ago we had a jamm session at a friend's house.  I played on a buddy's $500 Ibanez AE.  I loved it.  It sounded good plugged in and unplugged.  There was a built in tuner, the set up was terrific, I really liked the width and shape of the neck.  Just picking up that guitar, my fingerpicking speed and accuracy improved about 30% over my own guitar. 

A few days later, another buddy let me play on his custom koa wood Taylor A/E.  It was also a delight.  He picked his up at a bargain price of just under $2,000. 

Between the two, there is no question but that the Taylor was a better guitar.  But was it four times better?  Now, that's the question.  Would it bring four times as much pleasure?  Hard to say.  Perhaps so.  (It really was sweet!) 

These are questions you just can't answer over the internet is my opinion.  You've got to put your hands on them. 

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Best quality versus price guitars

Good equipment helps more than some people think, but the talent still lies within the player.  Sometimes, however, the talent isn't unlocked until the player moves up to better equipment.

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: Best quality versus price guitars

There are some fine sub 500.00 guitars on the market. Owning a Martin or Taylor is not nearly as important as owning a great playing guitar that fits you.

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Best quality versus price guitars

Personally I can play well on just about any guitar but I would LOVE to own a Martin Dreadnaught or a Gibson Hummingbird (who wouldn't) smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Louisiana
  • Registered: 2008-11-06
  • Posts: 863

Re: Best quality versus price guitars

I think I could play just as bad on any of them but I am supposed to pick up a used Epiphone today. My wife doesn't understand why, when the Yamaha she bought me years ago is fine and you can't play but one at a time! I led her to her closet and opened the door and asked; How many pairs of shoes do you see, and how many pairs of feet do you  have? I won! (For now)

When the Power of Love overcomes The Love of Power the world will be a better place.

deadstring's Website

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Best quality versus price guitars

Russell_Harding wrote:

Personally I can play well on just about any guitar

Second that.   

LONG LIVE THE MUTANTS!!!


- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: Best quality versus price guitars

deadstring wrote:

I think I could play just as bad on any of them but I am supposed to pick up a used Epiphone today. My wife doesn't understand why, when the Yamaha she bought me years ago is fine and you can't play but one at a time! I led her to her closet and opened the door and asked; How many pairs of shoes do you see, and how many pairs of feet do you  have? I won! (For now)

Congrats on your victory. If your wife is anything lile mine, your celebration will be short lived

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello