6
611hfm
Guest
Build quality, specification, affordability and choice?
There has never been a better time to buy new?
There has never been a better time to buy new?
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
I agree. I think quality has never been better - in particular cheap or budget line guitars and amps. 20 years ago, a cheapo guitar was pretty crappy. These days, even the Squiers are pretty excellent out of the box.
As for higher end, you've got USA made guitars and other custom builders that are excellent. Hell, you can even order parts from places like Warmoth and USA Custom Guitars and assemble a custom guitar using premium woods and parts for a very affordable price.
Aftermarket parts are also better than they've ever been in terms of a broad selection of high quality manufacturers.
Yep, things are pretty good.
I agree. I think quality has never been better - in particular cheap or budget line guitars and amps. 20 years ago, a cheapo guitar was pretty crappy. These days, even the Squiers are pretty excellent out of the box.
As for higher end, you've got USA made guitars and other custom builders that are excellent. Hell, you can even order parts from places like Warmoth and USA Custom Guitars and assemble a custom guitar using premium woods and parts for a very affordable price.
Aftermarket parts are also better than they've ever been in terms of a broad selection of high quality manufacturers.
Yep, things are pretty good.
Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
No matter what though, you're still going to have people telling you you should be shelling out big bucks for the high end Gibson R9's, as if you'll never be happy with your tone unless you get one. That stuff gets to me a little. I feel like saying, "If you want me to have it, you pay for it then!"
No matter what though, you're still going to have people telling you you should be shelling out big bucks for the high end Gibson R9's, as if you'll never be happy with your tone unless you get one. That stuff gets to me a little. I feel like saying, "If you want me to have it, you pay for it then!"
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
Yeah, probably... Didn't we do this one not so long back?
Yeah, probably... Didn't we do this one not so long back?
ItsaBass
New member
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
Yes. Nearly any guitar of any level by any brand is at least playable. Though certain people will complain that Gibson is terrible at the moment, but they can just STFU because they are usually *****ing about something stupid, and if they think they are so terrible at the moment they can just buy something else or an older model.
Yes. Nearly any guitar of any level by any brand is at least playable. Though certain people will complain that Gibson is terrible at the moment, but they can just STFU because they are usually *****ing about something stupid, and if they think they are so terrible at the moment they can just buy something else or an older model.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
I think the term 'golden age' is problematic in itself, because it predicates the fact that any time beyond it is characterised automatically by inferiority.
In essence, things have probably never been better, on all sides of the guitar making spectrum - from high end luthierie to entry-level. You can buy a very good (and playable!) guitar nowadays for not much. Though the used market has changed and eBay is less of a place where deals can be found, it's still possible, as the world is flooded with guitars.
The aftermarket parts industry has also risen rapidly, so people can effectively make their own guitars, also at various price points - from GFS to Callaham etc.
In luthierie, things have really taken off too. There seems to be an unprecedented number of builders out there doing custom work, at various price points.
I suppose one of the main issues the industry has to confront is wood - decreasing in quantity of the desirable stuff, but much of that has to do with attitudes of what is desirable (not necessarily better from a tonal point of view), a case in point being black ebony vs. the streakier brown stuff, and other highly figured woods. There are lots of woods that haven't been tried in guitar making and some makers have shown that composite materials are also viable.
So, in short, I don't think we've had it better.
I think the term 'golden age' is problematic in itself, because it predicates the fact that any time beyond it is characterised automatically by inferiority.
In essence, things have probably never been better, on all sides of the guitar making spectrum - from high end luthierie to entry-level. You can buy a very good (and playable!) guitar nowadays for not much. Though the used market has changed and eBay is less of a place where deals can be found, it's still possible, as the world is flooded with guitars.
The aftermarket parts industry has also risen rapidly, so people can effectively make their own guitars, also at various price points - from GFS to Callaham etc.
In luthierie, things have really taken off too. There seems to be an unprecedented number of builders out there doing custom work, at various price points.
I suppose one of the main issues the industry has to confront is wood - decreasing in quantity of the desirable stuff, but much of that has to do with attitudes of what is desirable (not necessarily better from a tonal point of view), a case in point being black ebony vs. the streakier brown stuff, and other highly figured woods. There are lots of woods that haven't been tried in guitar making and some makers have shown that composite materials are also viable.
So, in short, I don't think we've had it better.
stringbender11
New member
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
I agree, we are in a golden age. Cheap guitars used to be awful, now even the cheapest ones are fairly playable. And lot's of inexpensive ones are quite good. The poster comparing a Yamaha pacifica to a 70's Fender or Gibson is missing the point, imo. A new Pacifica costs a fraction of what a new US made Fender or Gibby costs. So if you could go back in time and buy a new Strat for say $300 in the 70's, a Pacifica would probably cost $75 all things being equal.
Sure you can spend a ton of money on a guitar these days but.. you dont have to. You can buy something very nice for very little money. Amps fall into that golden age as well.
I agree, we are in a golden age. Cheap guitars used to be awful, now even the cheapest ones are fairly playable. And lot's of inexpensive ones are quite good. The poster comparing a Yamaha pacifica to a 70's Fender or Gibson is missing the point, imo. A new Pacifica costs a fraction of what a new US made Fender or Gibby costs. So if you could go back in time and buy a new Strat for say $300 in the 70's, a Pacifica would probably cost $75 all things being equal.
Sure you can spend a ton of money on a guitar these days but.. you dont have to. You can buy something very nice for very little money. Amps fall into that golden age as well.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
Yes, we are indeed in a golden age (maybe not 'thee' golden age), where affordable guitars are good quality. This is driven by technology, intense competition, and a lame worldwide economy. Good time to be playing.
Yes, we are indeed in a golden age (maybe not 'thee' golden age), where affordable guitars are good quality. This is driven by technology, intense competition, and a lame worldwide economy. Good time to be playing.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
Is it a great time...yes it is, and then some!
I am blown away that you can buy a guitar today for $99 that is playable, will intonate and doesn't sound like pure crap
However...golden age...not even close IMHO.
Is it a great time...yes it is, and then some!
I am blown away that you can buy a guitar today for $99 that is playable, will intonate and doesn't sound like pure crap
However...golden age...not even close IMHO.
DankStar
Her Little Mojo Minion
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
I guess I don't agree that cheap guitars used to be awful. I have a 60s Holiday that probably sold in a Montgomery wards catalog for $75-90. I'd choose it over a lot of current things. My friends had some corts, charvettes, arias, etc in the past - they were all playable. But there are a lot of options today I agree.
Amps I agree even more - amazing stuff now for cheap by a lot of different companies.
I guess I don't agree that cheap guitars used to be awful. I have a 60s Holiday that probably sold in a Montgomery wards catalog for $75-90. I'd choose it over a lot of current things. My friends had some corts, charvettes, arias, etc in the past - they were all playable. But there are a lot of options today I agree.
Amps I agree even more - amazing stuff now for cheap by a lot of different companies.
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L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
For me, personally, I was a beginning player during that period about twenty years ago when I started to get out and play different gear in stores and such. Little wonder that I thought everything sucked. But now, I see a lot of that stuff in used stores, and I still think most of it sucks.
For me, personally, I was a beginning player during that period about twenty years ago when I started to get out and play different gear in stores and such. Little wonder that I thought everything sucked. But now, I see a lot of that stuff in used stores, and I still think most of it sucks.
ex-250
Riffologist Extraordinaire
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
Sorry but what in the wild blue hell is going on in that video?
Its a front-angled video recording of a dude playing with a separate back-angled recording going and being simultaneously displayed on his ipad?
He just broke every wall ever. As well as my mind.
Sorry but what in the wild blue hell is going on in that video?
Its a front-angled video recording of a dude playing with a separate back-angled recording going and being simultaneously displayed on his ipad?
He just broke every wall ever. As well as my mind.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
Good quality tonewoods are still expensive.
Good quality tonewoods are still expensive.
Kramer Guy
New member
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
I would say so. Today's manufacturers are concerned about keeping the majority of their product available for consumers who are on a low budget which is great.
I would say so. Today's manufacturers are concerned about keeping the majority of their product available for consumers who are on a low budget which is great.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
I bought a Squire for my neice last month and was shocked at how good it was. Still had to break out the files and dress some sharp frets but it really sounds good. We have so many options today. We can buy a cheap guitar and have a good guitar. You can build your own guitar if you can with high quality and/or custom wood recipes. We can buy high dollor custom shop guitars and Maryland PRSs if we want. Suhr, Anderson....We have really great pickups and hardware for not a lot of money from a variety of sources. We have traditional companies forced to step up their game. Its all good.
I bought a Squire for my neice last month and was shocked at how good it was. Still had to break out the files and dress some sharp frets but it really sounds good. We have so many options today. We can buy a cheap guitar and have a good guitar. You can build your own guitar if you can with high quality and/or custom wood recipes. We can buy high dollor custom shop guitars and Maryland PRSs if we want. Suhr, Anderson....We have really great pickups and hardware for not a lot of money from a variety of sources. We have traditional companies forced to step up their game. Its all good.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Are we in a Golden Era of guitar making?
Should have read your post more carefully before hand and just posted a +1. Sorry about that.
Should have read your post more carefully before hand and just posted a +1. Sorry about that.
