Beater/player guitar for cheap? Choice choice..

[Pierre]

I'd rather not order online (my parents would never allow me to use THEIR credit card for a second guitar even though they give me the money haha! )
Basically I've always been VERY interested in being a guitar tech or at least have the skills. I want a decent guitar that could be modded easily and that'd have some mods to be done to it.
I was hesitating between a Fender standard Telecaster (for which I'd have to shell out more, but it's a Tele) or a Squier '51 (I heard great things about it, but if the frets are already going to be non sharp, I may as well pass my way )
I also could be going for an LTD M50.
The main beef I have with those guitars is, if I change the bridge pickup:
If I get a regular Tele it wouldn't fit with my Charvel later on
If I get a Tele with a humbucker in the bridge it wouldn't be spaced for a trem. I'd get a trembucker anyway, but I'd rather it sounds good even with the Squier.
Also I don't know where I could find a pickguard for a '51, they seem quite special? Has anyone got any ideas?
And I don't want a strat hehe...
What I had planned with the '51 would be find one that I like, then gradually upgrade it... new saddles, tuners, maybe pots, a new pickup, maybe new pickguard. Something I can waste my money on and then maybe take off when I get a more serious guitar.

If you guys can think of any better suited guitars for the job, suggest away. It HAS to be a bolt on though, that'd definitely be best. Thanks for the help

 

[jayK]

Re: Beater/player guitar for cheap? Choice choice..

Personally, I love the '51, for the money you just can't find a better sounding & cooler looking guitar. Its got that unmistakable fender "sonic fingerprint", but it's not quite glassy like the strat or have the nasty streak of a tele.
What is does have is a real unique & tasty tone, very bright & incredibly powerful with a real tasty "crunchiness". I have heard people also describe it as somewhat "jangly", which with the humbucker on coil split mode could be a pretty good description.

Anyway, I can see the '51 as a great mod platform, and there are places that you can get custom pickguards for. I have seen them & they go for between 30 to 60 american dollars, depending on the style. The "tortoise shell" style go for the bigger bucks. I'll go find a link for you and put in in here in a minute.

Good luck with your project, let us know how it goes!

Here is the pickguard link http://stores.ebay.com/Jeannie-Pickguards-and-Guitar-Parts

 

[Pierre]

Re: Beater/player guitar for cheap? Choice choice..

It'd be very hard for me to constantly have to order stuff from the US unfortunately, living in Europe and that.
Though the '51 is the best choice, it's cheaper here than a Standard series Strats/Tele and has a humbucker in the bridge which, if I replace it, could go in my Charvel too (trembucker, humbucker... ah well I guess if I put a trembucker there it won't make THAT much a difference would it?)
One of my local shops has a blonde one, I'll give it a try. I think it's indeed my best bet so far. Thanks!
Edit: Hahaha a US flag pickguard! People buy those? :laugh2:
Also, what's the word on the Squier Cyclone? It's cheap enough, looks great and has everything I could want too