Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
But cheap guitars are just ****ing cheap.
Workin at a guitar shop every day is awesome because of the incredible, real-deal guitars (the ones that are at least $600 and usually retail around a grand). Custom shop pieces, like 70% of the production Gibsons and USA Fenders, and even some mid-range ESP LTD's can be really incredible guitars.
Some guitars are just CRAP though. And I, as a salesman who works on commission, and who's commission on a piece is TAKEN AWAY if that piece is returned, am more than happy to tell you which pieces are crap and which aren't.
Look, man, there aren't any BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED NEW guitars that are worth a **** for less than $200. I'm really sorry but that's a fact. You WILL NOT be satisfied with a Squier Bullet or an Epiphone Special II. Those things suck. Sometimes you can get something used that's technically a good deal (like the used Dean ML-X at my shop that came with a hardshell case for $150...a case for an ML would cost $150 new so i say it's a hardshell case that comes with a cheap guitar)
Sometimes, every now and then, you can get an awesome deal for $300-400. Usually this is an obscure used guitar that isn't very popular, or something that's been in the shop for 2 years and is on super-ultra closeout special tagged 20% below cost. These are scores and as a salesman who only makes money off of satisfied customers, i'll show you these first. Of course, as a customer, you probably noticed me steering you away from $100 stuff and towards the more expensive stuff so that I can make more money.
WRONG. I'm trying to do YOU a favor. If you leave my shop with a brand new $150 guitar, you're gonna come back and spend $50 to get the neck straight. You'll start breaking strings and after two or three $20 string changes, you'll find out it's because the bridge on your POS has a bur that needs to be filed down. A few weeks after a $45 tech fee (plus $5 for new strings) your electronics will stop working and you'll spend another $45 bench fee plus $20 in parts putting new switches and pots in there. Then you're gonna learn about pickups.
So you've now spent $400 making your ****ty guitar somewhat managable, but it's still just a polished turd and has absolutely no resale value. Great job.
All I'm saying is, guys, don't be surprised when you buy cheap crap and get what you payed for. Just like you shouldn't be surprised when you actually save up the money required to get something awesome, and find out how awesome that thing is. In this industry, a lot of the time, you get what you paid for.
Epiphones, Squiers, most mexi Fenders and budget Ibz's and LTD's are intentionally crappy. The companies build the sub-$300 guitars so that you'll think you're saving money and end up spending more. Why would you care if your cheap crap is worth a **** when what you're really trying to sell is in the $1500+ region?
I think the bare minimum amount to spend on a decent, giggable, playable guitar is $500...and that's if you come in during the right sale, lookin for a clearance piece. The used market is totally different but if you want anything that sounds good and is gonna stay in tune, you wanna be at least halfway to a grand, and preferably closer.
Workin at a guitar shop every day is awesome because of the incredible, real-deal guitars (the ones that are at least $600 and usually retail around a grand). Custom shop pieces, like 70% of the production Gibsons and USA Fenders, and even some mid-range ESP LTD's can be really incredible guitars.
Some guitars are just CRAP though. And I, as a salesman who works on commission, and who's commission on a piece is TAKEN AWAY if that piece is returned, am more than happy to tell you which pieces are crap and which aren't.
Look, man, there aren't any BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED NEW guitars that are worth a **** for less than $200. I'm really sorry but that's a fact. You WILL NOT be satisfied with a Squier Bullet or an Epiphone Special II. Those things suck. Sometimes you can get something used that's technically a good deal (like the used Dean ML-X at my shop that came with a hardshell case for $150...a case for an ML would cost $150 new so i say it's a hardshell case that comes with a cheap guitar)
Sometimes, every now and then, you can get an awesome deal for $300-400. Usually this is an obscure used guitar that isn't very popular, or something that's been in the shop for 2 years and is on super-ultra closeout special tagged 20% below cost. These are scores and as a salesman who only makes money off of satisfied customers, i'll show you these first. Of course, as a customer, you probably noticed me steering you away from $100 stuff and towards the more expensive stuff so that I can make more money.
WRONG. I'm trying to do YOU a favor. If you leave my shop with a brand new $150 guitar, you're gonna come back and spend $50 to get the neck straight. You'll start breaking strings and after two or three $20 string changes, you'll find out it's because the bridge on your POS has a bur that needs to be filed down. A few weeks after a $45 tech fee (plus $5 for new strings) your electronics will stop working and you'll spend another $45 bench fee plus $20 in parts putting new switches and pots in there. Then you're gonna learn about pickups.
So you've now spent $400 making your ****ty guitar somewhat managable, but it's still just a polished turd and has absolutely no resale value. Great job.
All I'm saying is, guys, don't be surprised when you buy cheap crap and get what you payed for. Just like you shouldn't be surprised when you actually save up the money required to get something awesome, and find out how awesome that thing is. In this industry, a lot of the time, you get what you paid for.
Epiphones, Squiers, most mexi Fenders and budget Ibz's and LTD's are intentionally crappy. The companies build the sub-$300 guitars so that you'll think you're saving money and end up spending more. Why would you care if your cheap crap is worth a **** when what you're really trying to sell is in the $1500+ region?
I think the bare minimum amount to spend on a decent, giggable, playable guitar is $500...and that's if you come in during the right sale, lookin for a clearance piece. The used market is totally different but if you want anything that sounds good and is gonna stay in tune, you wanna be at least halfway to a grand, and preferably closer.
Last edited:
