Jethro_Dull
New member
Here's an insane looking thing that I could make unspeakable mods to:
Show us yours.
Show us yours.
Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
- Thread starter Jethro_Dull
- Start date
HKZSquared
New member
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
Traded a relatively cheap guitar case for both of them. Probably dropping an X2N in the RG and a Liquifire in the Jackson. Then probably sanding back the neck on the Jackson.
Traded a relatively cheap guitar case for both of them. Probably dropping an X2N in the RG and a Liquifire in the Jackson. Then probably sanding back the neck on the Jackson.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
Given my budget, that's mostly what I do. I have found that an inexpensive guitar can be worked with if it has acceptable wood and decent tolerances. Stuff like the bridge, pickups, electronic components, can be upgraded over time to make an ok guitar sound like a really good guitar, if not a great one.
Given my budget, that's mostly what I do. I have found that an inexpensive guitar can be worked with if it has acceptable wood and decent tolerances. Stuff like the bridge, pickups, electronic components, can be upgraded over time to make an ok guitar sound like a really good guitar, if not a great one.
Jocelyn
New member
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
Lots of Inexpensive guitars are well built. And this is what I love to do. I am thinking of a tele as my next one. This is what I did 2 years back. It originally had two super low output single coils. At some point I removed them and put a JB and then put these two Ibanez Pickups, and refinished it. I am still modding this. I want to change this to a Single pickup guitar. This one is super light weight, and resonates very very very well.
Lots of Inexpensive guitars are well built. And this is what I love to do. I am thinking of a tele as my next one. This is what I did 2 years back. It originally had two super low output single coils. At some point I removed them and put a JB and then put these two Ibanez Pickups, and refinished it. I am still modding this. I want to change this to a Single pickup guitar. This one is super light weight, and resonates very very very well.
Attachments
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
The problem is that from a distance it still looks like a cheap guitar. There's a point where you're better off selling 3 stepping stone guitars and buying one really nice one. But never ever give away your upgraded parts. Always restore the guitar to stock and keep your nice upgrades before selling.
I'm not saying this as a gear snob, nor is it a slam against anyone in this thread.
I'm saying it as a player who's done it both ways, and I still like upgrading inexpensive guitars. But, the best way is to buy mid/high end guitars used and cheap, and THEN put the upgrades on them.
Polishing a turd never works. You still have the dead sounding wood and tell tale signs of a budget guitar.
The problem is that from a distance it still looks like a cheap guitar. There's a point where you're better off selling 3 stepping stone guitars and buying one really nice one. But never ever give away your upgraded parts. Always restore the guitar to stock and keep your nice upgrades before selling.
I'm not saying this as a gear snob, nor is it a slam against anyone in this thread.
I'm saying it as a player who's done it both ways, and I still like upgrading inexpensive guitars. But, the best way is to buy mid/high end guitars used and cheap, and THEN put the upgrades on them.
Polishing a turd never works. You still have the dead sounding wood and tell tale signs of a budget guitar.
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kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
I hear squires play better than a lot of custom shop instruments.
Heres my 50 dollar charvel charveltte
Before
After
Im not finished with this it need a new neck..
I hear squires play better than a lot of custom shop instruments.
Heres my 50 dollar charvel charveltte
Before
After
Im not finished with this it need a new neck..
Oinkus
New member
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
I have upgraded a squire Standard tele $119 to a fantastic guitar that is as good as any Tele anywhere period. The epi 335 was mid levelish and it is also as good as a 335 gets. I will never agree with people that say the body wood changes the sound like this or the fretboard wood makes it bright etc. An electric guitar has strings that run from the machines to the bridge , being tensioned at the nut and saddles. The pickup placement and scale length determine the sound of the guitar , not the wood. You can change the sound with different pots and caps but those are tweaks.We think waaaay too much and apply value to things that do not have any effect quite often in the world of guitars. Feel free to not agree but remember you are using a very imperfect and limited thing to make your opinion , the human ear. To prove those things you would have to make blind recordings and change the pieces and parts on the same instrument because 2 similar instruments are NOT THE SAME GUITAR.
I have upgraded a squire Standard tele $119 to a fantastic guitar that is as good as any Tele anywhere period. The epi 335 was mid levelish and it is also as good as a 335 gets. I will never agree with people that say the body wood changes the sound like this or the fretboard wood makes it bright etc. An electric guitar has strings that run from the machines to the bridge , being tensioned at the nut and saddles. The pickup placement and scale length determine the sound of the guitar , not the wood. You can change the sound with different pots and caps but those are tweaks.We think waaaay too much and apply value to things that do not have any effect quite often in the world of guitars. Feel free to not agree but remember you are using a very imperfect and limited thing to make your opinion , the human ear. To prove those things you would have to make blind recordings and change the pieces and parts on the same instrument because 2 similar instruments are NOT THE SAME GUITAR.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
Dead sounding wood is not limited to budget guitars.
I would have put any of my GFS Paulownia bodied guitars up against a USA BC Rich I had a few years ago.
Dead sounding wood is not limited to budget guitars.
I would have put any of my GFS Paulownia bodied guitars up against a USA BC Rich I had a few years ago.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
I picked up 4 Squier Bullet H-S Telecasters a month ago. Same model, all of them orange metallic. One weighed over a pound more than the others. It was tonally dead. The other three sounded pretty close to each other and took pickup swaps well. The dead one, I got an acceptable sound out of it using an active pickup with a treble boost.
I picked up 4 Squier Bullet H-S Telecasters a month ago. Same model, all of them orange metallic. One weighed over a pound more than the others. It was tonally dead. The other three sounded pretty close to each other and took pickup swaps well. The dead one, I got an acceptable sound out of it using an active pickup with a treble boost.
Brian Griffin
New member
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
I think it's more the level of satisfaction. Even if you have sunk 1000 bucks into modifying a Squier, it IS still a Squier, which is a cheapo brand. Not the same level of satisfaction from a factory-standard real Strat.
I think it's more the level of satisfaction. Even if you have sunk 1000 bucks into modifying a Squier, it IS still a Squier, which is a cheapo brand. Not the same level of satisfaction from a factory-standard real Strat.
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
I'm working with a guy who is importing some less expensive guitars directly from China. When he gets them in, I do all the set up and fret work before they get sold. They are decent guitars at a great price, and would make great modding guitars. They are all solid wood and come in some pretty cool models. On the "gibson-esque" guitars, the headstock actually looks good, too!
If anyone is interested in purchasing one of these, PM me and I can give you the details and links to the appropriate websites. I'm sure we could sell some without all the fret and set up work for a lower price for those that want to do this themselves. He has a bunch of "blem" models, too, which are pretty inexpensive.
When I ponder the value of dressing up cheap electrics vs. putting money toward a more expensive instrument, I remember back to the day a GC employee handed me some multi-thousand dollar PRS with a solid rosewood neck and super-flamed maple top for me try an amplifier out with. This guy beamed as he handed me this "masterpiece". Well, somehow, this guitar was poorly set up, as the action was a mile off the board. I just couldn't get over it...it sucked to play! Tonally, I could not tell that this guitar was any better than any other guitar. In fact, it was a little "dull" sounding to me. I was thoroughly unimpressed.
I get much greater satisfaction from a guitar that I've put some "sweat equity" into, regardless of its pedigree. Of course, I like to start out with something that is at least decent, meaning the neck is straight and the wood is "good". Anyway, to each his own...
I'm working with a guy who is importing some less expensive guitars directly from China. When he gets them in, I do all the set up and fret work before they get sold. They are decent guitars at a great price, and would make great modding guitars. They are all solid wood and come in some pretty cool models. On the "gibson-esque" guitars, the headstock actually looks good, too!
If anyone is interested in purchasing one of these, PM me and I can give you the details and links to the appropriate websites. I'm sure we could sell some without all the fret and set up work for a lower price for those that want to do this themselves. He has a bunch of "blem" models, too, which are pretty inexpensive.
When I ponder the value of dressing up cheap electrics vs. putting money toward a more expensive instrument, I remember back to the day a GC employee handed me some multi-thousand dollar PRS with a solid rosewood neck and super-flamed maple top for me try an amplifier out with. This guy beamed as he handed me this "masterpiece". Well, somehow, this guitar was poorly set up, as the action was a mile off the board. I just couldn't get over it...it sucked to play! Tonally, I could not tell that this guitar was any better than any other guitar. In fact, it was a little "dull" sounding to me. I was thoroughly unimpressed.
I get much greater satisfaction from a guitar that I've put some "sweat equity" into, regardless of its pedigree. Of course, I like to start out with something that is at least decent, meaning the neck is straight and the wood is "good". Anyway, to each his own...
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
Are you saying you'd rather have a better name on the headstock than a better playing and sounding guitar?
Are you saying you'd rather have a better name on the headstock than a better playing and sounding guitar?
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
Maybe $250 if you're including the original price of the guitar.
Maybe $250 if you're including the original price of the guitar.
allbutromeo
New member
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
That's one of the best parts of this, if your hot rodded squire gets f'ed and is no longer playable you just go buy another one for dirt cheap and swap all of the custom parts from the old one
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Any fans of buying low enders & souping them up?
Upgrading mid-priced guitars is day-to-day life on the forum, and I bet a good percentage of aftermarket PU's are bought for that reason. The average owner of a high-end American-made guitar will keep it stock. When you have a guitar that cost several hundred dollars, there's a lot more temptation to mod it.
Upgrading mid-priced guitars is day-to-day life on the forum, and I bet a good percentage of aftermarket PU's are bought for that reason. The average owner of a high-end American-made guitar will keep it stock. When you have a guitar that cost several hundred dollars, there's a lot more temptation to mod it.
L
