"Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

[Mallowpuff]

Yeah, what are some "high quality for the price" guitars that have a flat enough surface to veneer?

I know, "Play it and see how it feels." I just want a nice suggestion of some cheap, like sub 150$ used, guitars that are fun to mod and I'll look for them at the local shop/GC and try them out. I'll be completely re-surfacing and re finishing so I don't need it new. Actually kinda looking for something that's kinda beat up.

If anyone wants to give opinions, I think I'll be doing some kind of British flag design kinda thing on it. I know that's pretty vague. Not sure if I'll be using veneer and staining or just straight out painting it.

I was looking at some Squier strats, but for what I'm doing, I kinda think the pickguard really takes away from it...



Thanks!!

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

Epiphone LP100

Ibanez RG 120

numerous off brands

you can order a Saga kit off Amazon for about $100

they ship unfinished
here

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

Epiphone LP100

Ibanez RG 120

numerous off brands

you can order a Saga kit off Amazon for about $100

they ship unfinished
here

Thanks!

I've seen some of those LP 100's go for ~99$! How are they? I'll be getting new pickups, probably some kind of GFS to cut down on costs. I absolutely love my SD'd Epi LP Studio deluxe, how are the 100's really different?

Also, if GC has a used guitar at a different store, will they ship it here?

 

[HALENisking]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

Also, if GC has a used guitar at a different store, will they ship it here?

Yep.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

GC used will ship to your house

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

Yep.

Thanks!

GC used will ship to your house

Is it costly? And is it less if they're shipping it to the local GC?

Also, how is their "testing" they do? Like being sure you're not getting a guitar with terribly warped neck or something for 100$+.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

most of the salesmen when you call and talk to someone at the store are fairly honest

if it arrives horked up take it back to the local GC and get your money back
usually you might loose shipping if you just dont like it and there is nothing wrong with it
sometimes, if its arrives broken, they try to keep shipping charges
but you should be able to berate them into giving that back too

for some reason, if you find an item in NJ they will ship for free or at outrageously low shipping rates

other places want almost the price again for shipping

you'll have to ask, then decide
don't be afraid to bail on the deal and start again some where else

don't give them a card number before finding the shipping price
they sometimes want the card number before they give a final price
this feels like a scam to me, so I bail at that

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

most of the salesmen when you call and talk to someone at the store are fairly honest

if it arrives horked up take it back to the local GC and get your money back
usually you might loose shipping if you just dont like it and there is nothing wrong with it
sometimes, if its arrives broken, they try to keep shipping charges
but you should be able to berate them into giving that back too

for some reason, if you find an item in NJ they will ship for free or at outrageously low shipping rates

other places want almost the price again for shipping

you'll have to ask, then decide
don't be afraid to bail on the deal and start again some where else

don't give them a card number before finding the shipping price
they sometimes want the card number before they give a final price
this feels like a scam to me, so I bail at that

Thanks!!

 

[dominus]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

Epiphone LP100

Ibanez RG 120

The Epiphone LP 100 will be solid wood, but it has a carved top, so you're looking at a bit more work. The LP Specials are flat but sometimes they're plywood. Usually the red satin and TV yellow satin ones are solid wood.

If you go the Ibanez route, you can usually get an RG220 for a few bucks more than the RG120 and you'll get a better bridge. Or, better yet, look for one of the RG2EX/RG3EX models or RG321. Those are hardtails. Much easier to deal with. The RGs are fairly flat on top, just the arm rest area is contoured.

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

The Epiphone LP 100 will be solid wood, but it has a carved top, so you're looking at a bit more work. The LP Specials are flat but sometimes they're plywood. Usually the red satin and TV yellow satin ones are solid wood.

If you go the Ibanez route, you can usually get an RG220 for a few bucks more than the RG120 and you'll get a better bridge. Or, better yet, look for one of the RG2EX/RG3EX models or RG321. Those are hardtails. Much easier to deal with. The RGs are fairly flat on top, just the arm rest area is contoured.

Hey, thanks!!

I'm actually thinking they have an Ibanez RG series(Not sure which one) at the local GC. I'll check the price on it when I can. Although, I'm thinking it had a Floyd Special..

Yeah, my father says he can easily veneer the contoured section that's on most RGs.

 

[dominus]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

Hey, thanks!!

I'm actually thinking they have an Ibanez RG series(Not sure which one) at the local GC. I'll check the price on it when I can. Although, I'm thinking it had a Floyd Special..

Yeah, my father says he can easily veneer the contoured section that's on most RGs.

The Floyd Special is an okay bridge. Ibanez never used that bridge, so it was probably a replacement for an Edge III.

Browsing the Birmingham, AL GC I'm seeing an RG350EX for $239 (that has a pickguard) and an RG4EX1 for $259 and those prices are too high. (They should be $159-$179.) They do have a Bandit for $100 though.

Might have found something for you, sending you a PM.

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

The Floyd Special is an okay bridge. Ibanez never used that bridge, so it was probably a replacement for an Edge III.

Browsing the Birmingham, AL GC I'm seeing an RG350EX for $239 (that has a pickguard) and an RG4EX1 for $259 and those prices are too high. (They should be $159-$179.) They do have a Bandit for $100 though.

I saw the bandit in store.. And I want it.. ;( Not the best condition, but there's no holes in the screen or anything.. And if I wasn't set on getting another guitar first, I'd have it..

And they have a Roland Cube 20XL for 99.99 when we just got a 20X for 110$.. Although rough condition vs literally still new condition(all the stickers are still on it) made it worth it to me.


As soon as I get can get my father to drag me along(I should have a permit by now but the road is to scary for me...), I'll stop in GC and report back here.

What do you think of the Union jack-like paint job I'm thinking about doing?

And lastly, would the FR Special be worth having? Like over what came stock?

 

[dominus]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

What do you think of the Union jack-like paint job I'm thinking about doing?

And lastly, would the FR Special be worth having? Like over what came stock?

I'm more into solid colors than graphics, so I wouldn't be the person to ask.

The FR Special is going to be about the same as the Edge III. It's a decent tremolo but that's about it. I would not pay those prices for the ones they have there. Get the one I PMd you about.

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: "Best" cheap veener-able guitar for modding.

I'm more into solid colors than graphics, so I wouldn't be the person to ask.

The FR Special is going to be about the same as the Edge III. It's a decent tremolo but that's about it. I would not pay those prices for the ones they have there. Get the one I PMd you about.

Honestly, normally I'm more into solid colors but after seeing Def Leppard I just need a Union jack guitar..

Yeah, I posted that before the PM.