Budget Guitar equivalents that no one wants you to know about....

[Gasworker]

My guitars are only as good as my ears and my fingers. I am sure I could find something similar for less but I'm good with what I have.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by DukeX

Gibson J-15
Martin 15 series
Taylor 300 series
Larrivee 03 and 40 series

...all perform way above their price point.

To which I'll add:

• Anything from the Godin factory
• Martin 000-16RGT/-SRGT
• Guild D-1212
• Ibanez AC240

- and for the electric players:

• Gretsch MIK Electromatic 5400/5600 Series
• Squier Classic Vibe Series
• Gibson Les Paul Tribute T
• Gibson SG Special T
• Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin
• Godin CW II
• Eastman T486
• Hofner CT basses

[JohnW63]

Who ARE these people that don't want me to know about less costly guitars ? If you find them, and point them out, I will sit them down and give them a real strong talking to !

I I'm sure the builders and sellers of these budget guitars want you to know. Based on the plentitude of reviews of less costly guitars, HERE, I don't think the rank and file posters are trying to keep this info away.

The only thing I would say is there ARE people who think anything but what THEY like are poor guitars. So, THEY won't be chatting up budget guitars. That's easy to fix. Don't buy based on brand. Play it, listen to well done reviews, and play what you like. I really don't think you have to spend a couple thousand dollars or more to find a great guitar , anymore. Those that imply you must, can be shown by their disdain.

[nedray]

I guarantee someone wants us to know about 'em.

[Brucebubs]

I have a kit guitar I bought for $50.
Glued it together myself.





With some decent strings it can sometimes sound like a $55 guitar.

[TKT]

I have a beat up 1960s Favilla C-8 Solo nylon "classical". One piece solid mahogany back, spruce top. Looks like cheap crap. I keep trying to sell it, but it keeps sticking to my fingers because every time I pick it up to noodle on it, it sounds so sweet. It was a gimme off the 'Bay.

[Denny B]

Gotta remember to play nice...

[Don Lampson]

Originally Posted by TBman

Shhh.. $350 guitar played below (not me playing, I wish, lol - in my signature is me playing a $425 guitar {used})

Not everyone has $2,500 to plop on a guitar. Nothing wrong with discussing lower price point guitars. Do you want me to start complaining in every thread that starts with "What strings should I use?" I've only seen that 100,000 times....



Next time I will submit to you a permission slip before I post a new thread....

#1 There is no such thing as a guitar that nobody wants you to know about. There is no conspiracy to keep anyone from knowing anything about any guitar. Every guitar company tries to promote their brand to the best of their advertising budget.... There are no "secret" guitars....

#2 Trying to convince others (or yourself) that your sub $500 box, is just as good as their sub $5,000 models, only insults their choice, sacrifice, and the commitment they made to own an expensive instrument.

Of course, those expensive guitar owners may just simply figure that YOU cannot tell the difference between the two, which will considerably lower their opinion of your knowledge about anything musical?

Don

[lodi_55]

I own guitars that are not cheap. Sorta expensive? I don't know and I don't really care. Broadcasting the value of my guitars is not my thing.

But I certainly don't take it personally when someone claims a cheaper guitar is almost as good (or as good) as my guitar? Why should I? Why should anybody? It certainly doesn't make my guitar any less special.

And who's to say, in some cases, it's not an accurate assessment?

[MRFITZ]

If nobody wants me to know about,it's gotta be the worst kept secret out there.
I've spent hours watching youtube guitar factory tours from Godin to Martin and everything in between.There are guitars that range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
The common thread I continually noticed was despite the large price discrepancy,they all had a huge inventory of the same woods and for the most part employed the same mass production techniques.
It kind of validated that whole "name on the headstock" saying.

Kris.

[bobster7]

For me there are a few that excel given their cost:

Freshman - 400, 500 and 600 series guitars - Great quality woods and incredible tone.
Faith - Their higher end models are lovely.
Sigma - Their all solid and limited edition guitars are very good.
Eastman - Great value through the range.
Larrivee - 02 and 03 series.
Other brands that can sometimes impress:
Chinese Guilds, Farida and Blueridge.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Don Lampson

#1 There is no such thing as a guitar that nobody wants you to know about. There is no conspiracy to keep anyone from knowing anything about any guitar. Every guitar company tries to promote their brand to the best of their advertising budget.... There are no "secret" guitars....

#2 Trying to convince others (or yourself) that your sub $500 box, is just as good as their sub $5,000 models, only insults their choice, sacrifice, and the commitment they made to own an expensive instrument.

Of course, those expensive guitar owners may just simply figure that YOU cannot tell the difference between the two, which will considerably lower their opinion of your knowledge about anything musical?

Don

It's kind of like a light hearted thread Don. I'm not about to trade in my J-45 for an Epiphone.

[Nyghthawk]

Originally Posted by Don Lampson

#2 Trying to convince others (or yourself) that your sub $500 box, is just as good as their sub $5,000 models, only insults their choice, sacrifice, and the commitment they made to own an expensive instrument.

If someone is insulted by a post on inexpensive guitars, their skin is WAY too thin. Just sayin'. Could be too much ego wrapped up in their possessions.

[wrathfuldeity]

Originally Posted by grinningbanjo53

Yup! +10000

Just picked up a harmony h1203 sovereign. Luthier had a new sinker redwood top put on it, neck reset, frets redone, new tuners, new bridge, boned out. French polish all around.

Kept original ladder bracing.

$250

This guitar would blow away any taylor. I'm talking any.

The tone of this guitar would run circles around the best.

Very Nice! Found my H165 for the same $ with the following work already done. It had a oversized steel truss rod epoxied in, complete refret, neck reset, newer tuners, oversized bone saddle, bone nut, kept the ladder bracing and had been a gigged player for many years. This gal will run circles around the equivalent martin, waterloo and any other hog I've tried.

[jaymarsch]

I think that it is more about me and my ears and beliefs than the guitars or the price.

I played so many guitars over the years and more often than not the tone and feel that I am looking for is found with higher end instruments. I have on occasion been both surprised by a lower end guitar and disappointed in a higher end one.

Better bang for the buck is just so subjective. I enjoy playing older used guitars and finding a gem.

Best,
Jayne