Budget guitars.
- Thread starter sufferinrewind
- Start date
TheLizardKing
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
Yamaha all the way, I have the EG112 and its my battle axe, its got a single coil and humbucker and can get just about any range of sounds, it distorts awesome and has a fast neck with nice low action. Can't beat it, I paid 200$ for mine and it came with a 15w yamaha amp, sure it is my first guitar, but every long time guitar player i show it to can't believe how solid it is.
Yamaha all the way, I have the EG112 and its my battle axe, its got a single coil and humbucker and can get just about any range of sounds, it distorts awesome and has a fast neck with nice low action. Can't beat it, I paid 200$ for mine and it came with a 15w yamaha amp, sure it is my first guitar, but every long time guitar player i show it to can't believe how solid it is.
Lu_B
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
I'd steer clear of the modern squiers and go for a Japanese built one from the 80's they can be picked up reasonably cheaply - £150, I'm just about to change the pickups on mine to a set of Californian SSL1's.
I'm also a big fan of Tokai but the 80's Japanese ones seem to be fetching a premium in the UK around £350 but they are good.
If your after a semi Tokai are again another good bet but you will need to change the pup's if you go with a Korean model, I've got a set of Seths in my 335 - do a search for a guy called marinblues on the forum and listen to some of his sound clips, he's awesome and the sole reason I put Seths in my guitar.
I also have a soft spot for Yamahas and think Pacificas blow the socks off the modern squiers.
Well that's my two peneth worth - good luck with your search I know how difficult it can be so much eye candy and so little money!
I'd steer clear of the modern squiers and go for a Japanese built one from the 80's they can be picked up reasonably cheaply - £150, I'm just about to change the pickups on mine to a set of Californian SSL1's.
I'm also a big fan of Tokai but the 80's Japanese ones seem to be fetching a premium in the UK around £350 but they are good.
If your after a semi Tokai are again another good bet but you will need to change the pup's if you go with a Korean model, I've got a set of Seths in my 335 - do a search for a guy called marinblues on the forum and listen to some of his sound clips, he's awesome and the sole reason I put Seths in my guitar.
I also have a soft spot for Yamahas and think Pacificas blow the socks off the modern squiers.
Well that's my two peneth worth - good luck with your search I know how difficult it can be so much eye candy and so little money!
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Budget guitars.
Maybe we can work something out. I'll let her go, if you'll give me your ES!
Or maybe the Tele. It has a certain man's John Han**** on it that might be worth something to me.
Luke Duke said:
Maybe we can work something out. I'll let her go, if you'll give me your ES!
Or maybe the Tele. It has a certain man's John Han**** on it that might be worth something to me.
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Budget guitars.
I think I came a lot closer to creating my guitar than you did yours. Mine was basically two chunks of wood at one point, if you remember.
Wow, this has really gone
fftopic:
Luke Duke said:
I think I came a lot closer to creating my guitar than you did yours. Mine was basically two chunks of wood at one point, if you remember.
Wow, this has really gone
fftopic:theboatcandream
dreamonologist
Re: Budget guitars.
Agiles interest me because of the woods they use. Their bodies are either all mahogany with a maple veneer, a mahogany back with a maple cap and flame maple veneer, or a mahogany back with a flame maple cap. The necks are mahogany or maple. That's something you're going to have to take into close consideration.
If the model has both a maple neck and maple cap, it might be too bright and lifeless. That's the problem with my epiphone... maple neck, alder cap. There's new pups in it now, but it's twangy like a Fender style guitar unless I roll back the tone knob. I've played a few 70's Gibson les paul deluxes though, which had maple necks and bodies, and they didn't sound twangy. "Hard" is the best way I can describe it - very punchy, very good for metal, but at the same time plenty of mids giving it a great oldschool flavour. I don't know how much of that had to do with the maple.
If you "upgrade" to a mahogany neck, it will have less brightness and less snap, but it will be a more traditional Gibson sound. Warmer, and IMO much more desireable and recognizeable. With an all mahogany body, it's going to sound like a bassy SG.
I really think it's worth the extra money to buy the cheepest model they offer which has a mahogany neck and a mahogany body with a maple cap. You can change the pickups, but you can't change the woods.
Agiles interest me because of the woods they use. Their bodies are either all mahogany with a maple veneer, a mahogany back with a maple cap and flame maple veneer, or a mahogany back with a flame maple cap. The necks are mahogany or maple. That's something you're going to have to take into close consideration.
If the model has both a maple neck and maple cap, it might be too bright and lifeless. That's the problem with my epiphone... maple neck, alder cap. There's new pups in it now, but it's twangy like a Fender style guitar unless I roll back the tone knob. I've played a few 70's Gibson les paul deluxes though, which had maple necks and bodies, and they didn't sound twangy. "Hard" is the best way I can describe it - very punchy, very good for metal, but at the same time plenty of mids giving it a great oldschool flavour. I don't know how much of that had to do with the maple.
If you "upgrade" to a mahogany neck, it will have less brightness and less snap, but it will be a more traditional Gibson sound. Warmer, and IMO much more desireable and recognizeable. With an all mahogany body, it's going to sound like a bassy SG.
I really think it's worth the extra money to buy the cheepest model they offer which has a mahogany neck and a mahogany body with a maple cap. You can change the pickups, but you can't change the woods.
theboatcandream
dreamonologist
Re: Budget guitars.
I own three solid body epiphones. I love them, but they suck! :-D
Ok, to explain that... they were each very overpriced, but they look nice and are good instruments with the mods I've given them. Just not for the money.
The first is a 7 string Les Paul I bought for $450 Canadian new because of a scratch on the back. The normal price was $850. The stock pickups were horrible, but the tuners are very nice. In 2002, Epiphone made major improvements to the pickups they use. The new pickups still sound boring compared to high end pickups, but they're much much better than the original ones.
The les paul has a maple neck, alder cap, and mahogany body. Mahogany necks are supposed to be more common since 2002, but I've also seen an increase in alder bodies.
#2 was a late 90's "korina" Explorer with a maple neck and a mahogany body. After stripping the finish down to the sealer and giving it a pro setup, this guitar was the best playing guitar I've ever held in my hands. Again, good tuners but needed new pickups. I eventually sold this guitar, but it was a great player. I bought it used for $425 Canadian.
#3 is a 2004 "Special". It's a les paul juniour deal with one pickup. Maple bolt on neck. The body appears to be four pieces, half alder and half mahogany. It's very bright sounding with a decent bass end, but has that kind of boring quality I give the new pickups. I'm going to do a complete refinish on it and do a new one with tung oil. The neck also needs to be setup, including filing the frets which are sharp off the side of the neck. I bought it new for $145 Canadian. A phat cat should arrive this week for the bridge, as well as an aluminum tunomatic-style wraparound tailpiece.
If I was going to buy another Epiphone, I'd get an Agile!
YJM_Rocks said:
I own three solid body epiphones. I love them, but they suck! :-D
Ok, to explain that... they were each very overpriced, but they look nice and are good instruments with the mods I've given them. Just not for the money.
The first is a 7 string Les Paul I bought for $450 Canadian new because of a scratch on the back. The normal price was $850. The stock pickups were horrible, but the tuners are very nice. In 2002, Epiphone made major improvements to the pickups they use. The new pickups still sound boring compared to high end pickups, but they're much much better than the original ones.
The les paul has a maple neck, alder cap, and mahogany body. Mahogany necks are supposed to be more common since 2002, but I've also seen an increase in alder bodies.
#2 was a late 90's "korina" Explorer with a maple neck and a mahogany body. After stripping the finish down to the sealer and giving it a pro setup, this guitar was the best playing guitar I've ever held in my hands. Again, good tuners but needed new pickups. I eventually sold this guitar, but it was a great player. I bought it used for $425 Canadian.
#3 is a 2004 "Special". It's a les paul juniour deal with one pickup. Maple bolt on neck. The body appears to be four pieces, half alder and half mahogany. It's very bright sounding with a decent bass end, but has that kind of boring quality I give the new pickups. I'm going to do a complete refinish on it and do a new one with tung oil. The neck also needs to be setup, including filing the frets which are sharp off the side of the neck. I bought it new for $145 Canadian. A phat cat should arrive this week for the bridge, as well as an aluminum tunomatic-style wraparound tailpiece.
If I was going to buy another Epiphone, I'd get an Agile!
frankencat
Member
Re: Budget guitars.
My Agile AL-2500 is not twangy, it sounds just like a good LP should. Here's a clip of the guitar straight out of the box....
http://www.frankencat.com/mp3/Clips/AL2500_Clip_Short.mp3
My Agile AL-2500 is not twangy, it sounds just like a good LP should. Here's a clip of the guitar straight out of the box....
http://www.frankencat.com/mp3/Clips/AL2500_Clip_Short.mp3
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: Budget guitars.
I am freaking out at how inexpensive the new Epi Studio Dot is. I have seen them new for $249-259 and they are fantastic, I will be picking up a black one in the near future. Drop a set of Duncans in there once you break it in and you have killer axe for peanuts.
I am freaking out at how inexpensive the new Epi Studio Dot is. I have seen them new for $249-259 and they are fantastic, I will be picking up a black one in the near future. Drop a set of Duncans in there once you break it in and you have killer axe for peanuts.
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
Wow, that sounds very nice. You sure that thing is all stock?
frankencat said:
Wow, that sounds very nice. You sure that thing is all stock?
JimiHWannaBe
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
I have to agree with agiles being the best budget guitars out there right now
I have to agree with agiles being the best budget guitars out there right now
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
Ya, I think I'll have to agree, especially after hearing that clip that Frankencat posted. I was pretty skeptical, but he said he recorded it with the guitar straight out of the box, everything stock, and required no setup.
Sounds pretty damn phenominal, considering.
JimiHWannaBe said:
Ya, I think I'll have to agree, especially after hearing that clip that Frankencat posted. I was pretty skeptical, but he said he recorded it with the guitar straight out of the box, everything stock, and required no setup.
Sounds pretty damn phenominal, considering.
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
I've been having my eye on the Schecter 006 Deluxe with the satin finish.
I know it's a bit out of my range at the moment, but I was wondering if it would be a good investment in the future, or would it be a better idea to just stick to Agile?
EDIT: Actually, it's not out of my range, it's only $300. I was thinking it was $400.
Basically, I was wondering, is it worth the money to pay for it with everything stock and be satisfied with it until I can make upgrades, or would I be better off sticking to Agile, which I know are quality.
I've been having my eye on the Schecter 006 Deluxe with the satin finish.
I know it's a bit out of my range at the moment, but I was wondering if it would be a good investment in the future, or would it be a better idea to just stick to Agile?
EDIT: Actually, it's not out of my range, it's only $300. I was thinking it was $400.
Basically, I was wondering, is it worth the money to pay for it with everything stock and be satisfied with it until I can make upgrades, or would I be better off sticking to Agile, which I know are quality.
Last edited:
NecroPolo
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
Guys here mentioned Yamaha axes and Rondomusic axes. IMO both mean a solution for a killer budget guitar.
A friend of mine works in a Yamaha discount store here in Hungary, they also sell Chinese-made SX or eSseX guitars (Rondo's cheapest yet adequate line) and some Agiles and I had the opportunity to make a serious test ride of almost all available Yamaha models and some Rondos and considering price/quality ratio IMO you won't find a better new-made guitar for such low price.
The guy gave me a black SX guitar as a gift. It is a Les Paul copy and he selected it from the 50 pieces' shipment for me. In many aspects, it is "oversized", many of the componenets seem to be rugged, reminds me a lot of Russian AK47 guns: they are rough but work pretty well.
For sound and feel it is 80% close to an original Gibson Les Paul Studio. Of course, after Seymourization. I don't know anything about its stock p-ups
In short, after some necessary adjustment and change of electronics it is a real kick-ass guitar, for the price of a pickup. Dmn, even the tuners are decent...
Guys here mentioned Yamaha axes and Rondomusic axes. IMO both mean a solution for a killer budget guitar.
A friend of mine works in a Yamaha discount store here in Hungary, they also sell Chinese-made SX or eSseX guitars (Rondo's cheapest yet adequate line) and some Agiles and I had the opportunity to make a serious test ride of almost all available Yamaha models and some Rondos and considering price/quality ratio IMO you won't find a better new-made guitar for such low price.
The guy gave me a black SX guitar as a gift. It is a Les Paul copy and he selected it from the 50 pieces' shipment for me. In many aspects, it is "oversized", many of the componenets seem to be rugged, reminds me a lot of Russian AK47 guns: they are rough but work pretty well.
For sound and feel it is 80% close to an original Gibson Les Paul Studio. Of course, after Seymourization. I don't know anything about its stock p-ups
In short, after some necessary adjustment and change of electronics it is a real kick-ass guitar, for the price of a pickup. Dmn, even the tuners are decent...
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
Here's a clip Frankencat posted of his Agile AL-2500 model, all stock straight out of the box, according to what he said: http://www.frankencat.com/mp3/Clips/AL2500_Clip_Short.mp3
I don't know about SX, but those seem pretty nice, and I'm sure they'd be damn good after Seymourization. I saw an SX GG1 JR with P-90s that looked nice. Seems like a copy of the Gibson Blueshawk, as far as I can tell: same woods, same shape, set neck (for 130 bucks!), and even the P-90 pickups (which probably doesn't sound quite as good as Gibson, but I know it's definately competition, given it's price). It comes in natural Mahogany or black finishes, which is great as far as looks go. Not sure about how their stock P-90s sound, but considering the quality for what they are, I doubt they could really sound all that awful. But, I don't really know for sure.
NecroPolo said:Guys here mentioned Yamaha axes and Rondomusic axes. IMO both mean a solution for a killer budget guitar.
A friend of mine works in a Yamaha discount store here in Hungary, they also sell Chinese-made SX or eSseX guitars (Rondo's cheapest yet adequate line) and some Agiles and I had the opportunity to make a serious test ride of almost all available Yamaha models and some Rondos and considering price/quality ratio IMO you won't find a better new-made guitar for such low price.
The guy gave me a black SX guitar as a gift. It is a Les Paul copy and he selected it from the 50 pieces' shipment for me. In many aspects, it is "oversized", many of the componenets seem to be rugged, reminds me a lot of Russian AK47 guns: they are rough but work pretty well.
For sound and feel it is 80% close to an original Gibson Les Paul Studio. Of course, after Seymourization. I don't know anything about its stock p-ups
Here's a clip Frankencat posted of his Agile AL-2500 model, all stock straight out of the box, according to what he said: http://www.frankencat.com/mp3/Clips/AL2500_Clip_Short.mp3
I don't know about SX, but those seem pretty nice, and I'm sure they'd be damn good after Seymourization. I saw an SX GG1 JR with P-90s that looked nice. Seems like a copy of the Gibson Blueshawk, as far as I can tell: same woods, same shape, set neck (for 130 bucks!), and even the P-90 pickups (which probably doesn't sound quite as good as Gibson, but I know it's definately competition, given it's price). It comes in natural Mahogany or black finishes, which is great as far as looks go. Not sure about how their stock P-90s sound, but considering the quality for what they are, I doubt they could really sound all that awful. But, I don't really know for sure.
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
I like Seymour's P-90s, too. I might go with a set of some of his Mini Humbuckers, though. It all depends on what I feel like doing. They all sound great, it's really hard to choose.
NecroPolo said:
I like Seymour's P-90s, too. I might go with a set of some of his Mini Humbuckers, though. It all depends on what I feel like doing. They all sound great, it's really hard to choose.
NecroPolo
New member
Re: Budget guitars.
It's all depends on your music. With them p-ups you can 100% finetune your axe for your style
sufferinrewind said:I like Seymour's P-90s, too. I might go with a set of some of his Mini Humbuckers, though. It all depends on what I feel like doing. They all sound great, it's really hard to choose.
It's all depends on your music. With them p-ups you can 100% finetune your axe for your style
