Guitars - You Only Get What You Pay For.

[Greeny]

I've learned not to care where a guitar is made. The only thing that matters, ultimately, is how it sounds when I play it. And I also know that what works for me, may not work for someone elses playing style. I have a Chinese-made Hofner, and a Japanese Telecaster, and both are great-sounding, very playable guitars. I'm sure there are plenty of duff far east knock-offs out there, but if you always try before you buy, I can't see that there's a huge risk involved.

That said, I do want to own a USA Telecaster oneday, just for the prestige,  heritage and the feeling it will give me. It won't make me a better player though.

I've always bought guitars to suit my level of playing - i.e. I think I'm a £500 player at the moment: not a £200 beginner, but not a £1,500 semi-pro either. If I think I'm worth a £1,000 guitar, I'll take the next step up. But I feel  comfortable as I am. I'd feel like a fool if I bought a top-end PRS or a custom shop Fender, as I really couldn't do it justice.

Funny thing with those Road Worns is that all the magazine reviews never got into the argument about the pros and cons of the faked finish, everyone just praised their great set-up and really good sound / tones.

[SdC]

....
Funny thing with those Road Worns is that all the magazine reviews never got into the argument about the pros and cons of the faked finish, everyone just praised their great set-up and really good sound / tones.

Remember how people like Madonna started the whole pre-ripped jeans rage in the 80's? Parents hated it, the marketeers loved it. Same thing. Young wannabe's want to look like this


When I was 17, I bought my "blackie" strat mostly because I was a big Clapton fan at the time, so I can't plead not guilty....

[Vanncad]

I bought 2 Japanese-made guitars for about $1000 CDN a couple years ago and I love them.

I have a Japanese Fender Strat ('68 Re-issue) and an Epiphone "Elite" Les Paul (made in Japan). I also have an Epiphone Les Paul Custom (made in China). My acoustic is an "Applause (Ovation copy - made in Korea), and it is a piece of shite - 'nuff said.

I have played old strats, and I can say that while the re-issue is a damn good guitar, it certainly doesn't compare to the "vintage" fenders. It doesn't even compare to an "American Deluxe". I replaced the pup selector and pots with American-made parts and there is a huge difference in quality. The Strat's body is made from 3 pieces of wood though so I think that and the cheaper electronics where the price difference lies. Although I do think the guy paid well over $1000 to get the guitar shipped from a Japanese dealer.

There is a definite weight difference betwen the Chinese and Japanese Les Pauls, but they both ironically have a faulty pup selector. I can't comment on the pups, because the original owner of the "Elite" swapped the pups out for original Gibsons. I feel I basically got a Gibson Les Paul for just over $500. The thing plays great and sustains forever. It's the guitar I used on "Missin My CD - https://songcrafters.org/community/br-600-b66/missin'-my-cd-(mountain-parody)/0/" if you want to hear it.

As with most of you guys, I believe the difference is not in the guitar, but in the player. Stevie Ray Vaughn used to play a Japanese Strat and I see a lot of young bands with Epiphone Les Pauls. With all of the amps and effects out there now, you can make any sound you want with a budget guitar.

Greeny said it best. Right now I feel I am a $700 - $1000 guitar player. If it ever becomes my occupation, I will upgrade my tools accordingly (if I find something that plays and sounds better than what I already have).

The only reason I would like to have some vintage instruments, would be to hand them down to my kids as a future investment.

[guitarron]

Then there's the whole "vintage" guitar hype. I think it's just ridiculous, except if it's the actual intrument that one of the God's played on. Even more ridiculous that people dare ask more for an 80's instrument than for a brand new equivalent. That market is completely out of whack.
Here's an article that I got a lot of enjoyment out of (you want the truth? you can't handle the truth! -type of thing):

http://www.edroman.com/rants/vintageguitarno.htm

Along this line, I HATE the new "road worn" strat series. I don't mind road worn guitars, but it strikes me as strange that someone would buy a factory "road worn" guitar when part of the charm of road worn is the memories YOU have playing it on the road. Every nick, etc. Which I noticed is mentioned in the article too.

the only "vintage" guitars I am always looking for, are ones that are NOT made anymore. Like I would love to get a hold of an ESP Custom. Their strat rip off which has a great neck. But, I would be just as happy if they just started making them again.


Of all the guitars I can buy, I tend to stay around the $500-$800 range. $500 is where it seems the lines start using better parts, but of course that depend on the manufacturer. For the longest time I always wanted an Ibanez JEM. Steve Vai's signature guitar. At least I did until I played one. It felt just like my $600 Ibanez! I spend another $200 on getting the Dimarzio Evolution pups that are in the JEM and put them in mine, I'd essentially have a JEM, it just won't look like it.

The was only one time that ever came across a great WANT for a more expensive guitar. Not too long ago, I was looking at PRS. Trying 'em out, I didn't see, or rather feel, why everyone I know seemed to be so high on them. My wife was comfortable in the knowledge that I don't usually bother with the "high-end' guitars. Until I tried ot a PRS CE 24. I didn't want to put it back! Everything about it was badass! All for 2 grand!! My wife about had a heart attack. So, I am saving for it. Oh well... 

(damn... sorry for the length of the post.)

i agree with you about the road wear stuff-just seems stupid to me
that was a good article-btw

[Davo]

....
Funny thing with those Road Worns is that all the magazine reviews never got into the argument about the pros and cons of the faked finish, everyone just praised their great set-up and really good sound / tones.

Remember how people like Madonna started the whole pre-ripped jeans rage in the 80's? Parents hated it, the marketeers loved it. Same thing. Young wannabe's want to look like this


When I was 17, I bought my "blackie" strat mostly because I was a big Clapton fan at the time, so I can't plead not guilty....

I STILL wouldnt mind looking like that, but hey.
Seems most of us here are pretty utilitarian when it comes to musical devices of all sorts, and thats a cool place to be.   If it sounds good, plays well, and stays in tune thats good enough.
The Beatles used to play cheapie Epiphone copies of "real" guitars, and they seemed to do ok.
Its the Indian not the arrow.

[SdC]

Getting a bit off-topic now, but I found this fascinating movie by Johnnie Depp which actually shows John Frusciante's "road worn" treatment in progress:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAJFgSz5TXY

[Ted]

Getting a bit off-topic now, but I found this fascinating movie by Johnnie Depp which actually shows John Frusciante's "road worn" treatment in progress:

That would be an excellent film to accompany a request for proposal for house cleaning.

[guitarron]

well thats 10 minutes i'll never get back-pretty sad

this film aint no pirates of the caribbean

[SdC]

well thats 10 minutes i'll never get back-pretty sad

this film aint no pirates of the caribbean

It is sad, but in this individual case with a very happy ending. John is still with us, drawing strength and inspiration from Life instead of Drugs now.
BTW I later found out that the house in the movie completely burnt out including the guitars. They have since been replaced by real <'62 instruments.

[Saijinn Maas]

Kinda related to the overall conversation...

I just purchased a "vintage" Mako Les Paul. Mako was a company that made guitars from 84-89 that appear to be considered "clones" rather than copies due to how good they were built. This, of course, was back in a time when a lot of the made in japan stuff was actually better than the american made stuff (depending on who you talk too). Well, I was able to get one for a lot less than they usually sell for. But before I can record with it, I need to change the pups. So I just purchased a DiMarzio Breed for the bridge and a DiMarzio PAF Pro for the neck that are going into my Ibanez. Then I am taking the Seymour Duncan Jazz Neck/JB Bridge and putting them into the LP.

So far I love how the guitar feels. I'll post some picks as soon as I got everything installed and ready to record.