Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

[jalguitarman]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

Do you assume it will also sound better if the wood is private stock?

Perhaps not better but different as I would be able to have exotic woods like Brazillian Rosewood or Madagasscar Ebony. Plus I could have a fretboard inlayed with Something that celebrates my love of the ocean. I dunno it might sound a little better, though likely not much. Most likely just as good as my other PRS instrument but more ornate and a bit of tonal variation because of some different woods. What's your opinion on that?
As Les said when you start going up the ladder it's hard to go back down.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

I have an Xaviere XV-620 and it simply KILLS! I have a bunch of other sub $1000 mid priced guitars and the Xaviere gets more time than any of them.

It has a poplar semi hollow body (chambered on both sides) which manufacturers seldom use because it is a softer hardwood and isn't anywhere as sturdy as alder, ash and mahogany. Poplar is also prone to green mineral streaks and rots fairly quickly.

But the key to poplar is that it DRIES very quickly and thoroughly compared to other hardwoods.

To me... dry wood is the key. The more moisture, the less resonance... simple as that.

poplar gets so damn dry so fast that there isn't a lick of moisture left by the time the guitar is cut assembled and finished... leading to...

MASSIVE sustain and resonance. The sound and voice of this guitar is staggering.

The double chambers lend a low end that is often missing from poplar and the semi hollowbody design gives the poplar a low midrange richness that is sublime.

The stock GFS 10K Alnico bridge pup makes my EVH riffs sound perfect and has become my go to guitar for practicing and noodling.

I seriously can't put it down and it was $150 with an ABS molded case shipped to my door.

You must remove preconceptions when judging cheap guitars, but like I said, this guitar is unique with the dual chambers and poplar wood.

The GFS tone knob fell off a while ago and the jack is going to need to be replaced.

The F hole had a little paint schmutz that was easily sanded off with a nifty sanding stick (I plan on binding it whenever I get the chance).

The bad thing about poplar is that screw holes can get messed up pretty quick swapping parts... not a great test guitar.

Cheap Asian bolt ons are getting really good and the set-neck counterparts are getting a lot better too.

It's funny... I won't touch a MIM or Squire Fender, but I have no problem with Xaviere and Agile. The GFS pickups really make this guitar too. Looking to replace the neck pup with one of their fancy professional models since it comes with a nickel-silver cover instead of the tone sucking chrome plated brass one that's on there now.

I'm going to do my next EVH youtube video with the Xaviere playing "Girl Gone Bad"... I'll try and upload it here somewheres so y'all can see and hear what I am talking about.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

I have an Xaviere XV-620 and it simply KILLS! I have a bunch of other sub $1000 mid priced guitars and the Xaviere gets more time than any of them.

It has a poplar semi hollow body (chambered on both sides) which manufacturers seldom use because it is a softer hardwood and isn't anywhere as sturdy as alder, ash and mahogany. Poplar is also prone to green mineral streaks and rots fairly quickly.

But the key to poplar is that it DRIES very quickly and thoroughly compared to other hardwoods.

To me... dry wood is the key. The more moisture, the less resonance... simple as that.

poplar gets so damn dry so fast that there isn't a lick of moisture left by the time the guitar is cut assembled and finished... leading to...

MASSIVE sustain and resonance. The sound and voice of this guitar is staggering.

The double chambers lend a low end that is often missing from poplar and the semi hollowbody design gives the poplar a low midrange richness that is sublime.

The stock GFS 10K Alnico bridge pup makes my EVH riffs sound perfect and has become my go to guitar for practicing and noodling.

I seriously can't put it down and it was $150 with an ABS molded case shipped to my door.

You must remove preconceptions when judging cheap guitars, but like I said, this guitar is unique with the dual chambers and poplar wood.

The GFS tone knob fell off a while ago and the jack is going to need to be replaced.

The F hole had a little paint schmutz that was easily sanded off with a nifty sanding stick (I plan on binding it whenever I get the chance).

The bad thing about poplar is that screw holes can get messed up pretty quick swapping parts... not a great test guitar.

Cheap Asian bolt ons are getting really good and the set-neck counterparts are getting a lot better too.

It's funny... I won't touch a MIM or Squire Fender, but I have no problem with Xaviere and Agile. The GFS pickups really make this guitar too. Looking to replace the neck pup with one of their fancy professional models since it comes with a nickel-silver cover instead of the tone sucking chrome plated brass one that's on there now.

I'm going to do my next EVH youtube video with the Xaviere playing "Girl Gone Bad"... I'll try and upload it here somewheres so y'all can see and hear what I am talking about.

You can find gems in the "cheap guitar" range but, you have to do more digging to find them. That and typically you will end up repalcing something on them. I think your right when it comes to dry wood. Paul Smith thinks so as well. He descibes it lilke a wet sponge when there is too much mosture in the wood. Thats why they dry the heck out of thier wood. The idea being to also crystalize the resins in the wood.

 

[Super Dave]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

Have you heard of using Occult Sciences and Principles to make a guitar. Someone did and its $40,000. Obviously it works because Jimmy Page was into the Occult. http://www.ebay.com/itm/181125967121?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[DonnellBW]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

I have a high end 1994 Rickenbacker all maple 12 string with modern "hot" Toasters and a (used) $200.00 Laguna 400, the blue one from GC. The RIC is a superb piece of handcrafted "furniture" that stays in tune all the way to the 24th fret. The build is impeccable and the narrow fret board is very playable as the string pairs are close to each other.
The only reason I bought the Laguna (despite being timid about the Floyd Rose, was that the trem arm has a screw down collar that KEEPS the arm exactly where you want it like a Bigsby. Also it came with locking tuners, a teflon graphite nut, coil taps that really work like they are supposed to, AND this thing stays in time for weeks at a time with regular trem dips and flutters.
Which is "better"? Like a Ferrari vs. an Austin Healey bug eyed Sprite, they each fulfill their purposes regardless of price. The RIC is 12 string perfection. I never wanted a "shredder" guitar like the Laguna, but the light weight, wide rock maple neck, features,and especially the "stay put" trem arm, allow everything from Eluveitie folk/metal to nice Stratty cowboy chords...always in tune. The RIC came untried on EBAY, the Laguna hands on in the store. Don't ever buy to "look good". Buy to enjoy and get better. Rory Gallagher used a $100.00(?) pawn shop old Gretsch Corvette for slide on "Bullfrog Blues" (YOUTUBE). You get the idea.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

Well I have played the $150 Ibanez GIO RGs
And the $500 RGs
After $500 the differences are much smaller

But for the point
The cheap Ibby had a less comfortable neck
The edges weren't rolled and the finish was a bit stickier
The pickups didn't sound good, kinda muddy

Granted all this can be addressed
But it wasnt

Around $500, to me, is the sweet spot

Unless you are actually buying direct from China

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

Expensive guitars have walnut shells for control knobs.

 

[justFred]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

expensive guitars are the ones owned by Dr.s and Lawyers....if I'm not mistaken Dr. Seuss owned several '59 Les Pauls...

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

Expensive guitars have guest bathrooms with subway tile and a soaking tub.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

Well I have played the $150 Ibanez GIO RGs
And the $500 RGs
After $500 the differences are much smaller

But for the point
The cheap Ibby had a less comfortable neck
The edges weren't rolled and the finish was a bit stickier
The pickups didn't sound good, kinda muddy

Granted all this can be addressed
But it wasnt

Around $500, to me, is the sweet spot

Unless you are actually buying direct from China

$500 spent smartly on the used market can get you thd absolute pinnacle of the RGs... or a couple hundred bucks more if you're in a hurry