how (not what) would you decide

tone4days

tone4days

Heel Whacker
ok, so i have GAS for a LP style guitar (H-H, short scale, single cut, probably cherry sunburst over plain or flame, but not quilt) ... likely would not be able to play any of them before i buy

here are the things i am considering

1) edwards lts98 import would be in the $800 to $900 range, new

2) hamer monaco elite would be in the $1400-$1600 range, used

3) PRS 245 would be in the $2400 range new or maybe the $1800-ish range used if i could find one (doubtful)

4) other?

how would you go about deciding from these options ... i am honestly torn and know that i am being swayed by having played a 245 and loved it ('cept the color)

i *know* i would love the PRS but still cant seem to shake the idea that this is just too much cash to spend on a guitar .. would it REALLY be 3X as happenin as an edwards? ... the last time i spent $$$ on a PRS, i just couldnt get over the price and never really bonded with it despite it being gloriously beautiful and pretty darn toneful

if i am going to buy something unplayed, i figure that i might as well go for the less expensive one and hope for the (much honored) edwards quality to end up putting a sweet axe in my hands with the saved cash going for pedals, a set of seths or ants, etc

or is the hamer the right answer cus it is in the middle (price waise) and known for happenin quality/tone, etc

again, i am not asking 'what should i do' ... i am asking for new ways of thinking about it

thanks
t4d
 
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Re: how (not what) would you decide

hamer builds amazing guitars. good woods, craftsmanship, hardware etc...
they dont cut corners.

a used usa hamer is a great thing as they can usually be had at a good price and the guitar you get will go toe to toe with almost anything out there. take your time and find one that suits you, dont compromise, and youll have a guitar for life.
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

I wouldn't factor price into the equation, to a certain extent.

You say you likely won't be able to play them before you buy, which can be a risky proposition depending on the manufacturer. Because you won't be able to play before you buy, I'd look at the consistency of all the manufacturers. I personally don't know how consistent any of the mentioned guitars are with exception to PRS.

Personally, I think your best course of action would be to play a few examples of each guitar you're looking at by going to different music stores. This will give you a base line average of what you can expect for these different models you're looking at. This will be a problem with Edwards, however, I'm sure there are probably some Hamer and PRS dealers around you.

Also consider resale value if you don't like it.

I know that probably doesn't help much, but they are some things to think about.
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

if money wasnt a factor, which one would you chose? if you are looking to pick up a serious guitar for life, then pick the one you want when you arent considering money. imo, that will be the one you bond with becuase you have already sort of bonded with it in your head.

if you are considering the re-sale value, then think about which ones you would have to buy new, or which one you can pick up used. if you buy it new, then it depreciates the second it arrives at your house. if you buy used and decide you dont like it, then you can prob flip it again for the same as you paid for it
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

I vote Hamer or the PRS, in that order.

Hamer first, becuz I hear they're great guitars especially for the money. In terms of quality and value, I'd choose the Hamer.

PRS second, if you have the money to spend.
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

A used heritage? H150 (LP standard type)?

They are quite good guitars, no weight relief holes, and some of them have Duncans. Check out Wolfe Guitars. They go for like 2100 new, and like 1300-500 used. Quite good guitars.

Check this out:

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=1751988

Very cool man! 1450 is a very good price no? It is giving me ideas, but my wife would sure kill me.

B :cool2:
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

I know it's not quite as good as the American PRS, but I have found the build quality of the PRS SE Singlecut to be very good considering the low price. The pickups/tuners/bridge aren't the best, however, but with what you'd save they'd be easy enough to change.

Just my suggestion though, you don't have to take it.
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

USA Hamer has always had a reputation for being a company who it's safe to buy guitars without playing them first. They're probably still a safe bet.

I'd love to try an Edwards, but if I was looking for a keeper, I'd go with Hamer before events start changing them. Edwards is more in my budget these days though, but I might be able to afford a good used Hamer.
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

thanks guys

i will let you all know how it works out / when it works out

have a good weekend
t4d
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

PRSSC245014.jpg

look what is probably gonna come live at my house
:D

more details as i get them
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

Is that a 245? It's very nice looking. Anymore, I can't imagine dropping that kind of money on a guitar, though. It seems that beyond $1000 is the point of diminishing returns, for me anyway.
 
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Re: how (not what) would you decide

yeah it is a 245
guy is offering it at a price not much more than a used hamer
now he is tellin me that he has a local potential buyer 'kinda sorta' interested .. i hope that falls thru
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

That is nice Bill but, it is hard to beat an Edwards for the dollar! Very hard to beat.
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

i hear ya, dave .. if this one falls thru, i think i am gonna go with an edwards
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

tone4days said:
yeah it is a 245
guy is offering it at a price not much more than a used hamer
now he is tellin me that he has a local potential buyer 'kinda sorta' interested .. i hope that falls thru
Click to expand...

Don't HOPE anything falls through. That guitar is the one. Pull out the money, and grab it quickly.

My first instinct is to always go for a 90's-2000's Les Paul Standard on the used market, then dial in the action and change the pickups.

However, the PRS Singlecut on the used market is also a very viable choice.
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

Gearjoneser said:
Don't HOPE anything falls through. That guitar is the one. Pull out the money, and grab it quickly.
Click to expand...

No kidding. If it's not much more than a used Hamer, that means it's WAY the hell less than a new PRS....

Go buy that thing. Now :)
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

yeah, he has my offer to pay his full asking price and split shipping and pay pal fees

but he says that a local guy talked about bringing cash right to his office ... he hasnt heard back from the guy though ... i am hoping to hear the final answer either way tomorrow

i havent seen a new one less than about $2400 ...

we'll see
t4d
 
Re: how (not what) would you decide

the other guy pulled out
i paypal'd the money just now
should be hear later this week
in time for my gig saturday night
very stoked

in the end, my thought process came down to being able to get the 1st choice guitar at a price closer to the mid choice's and at a price that i know i can get if i don't bond with it and need to resell


cheers
t4d
PRSSC2452005.jpg
 
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