My $129 guitar sounds better than my $600 guitar

[UnderTheFlame83]

Crazy? Yeah, it really blows my mind to think about it.

I got a killer Kramer Focus VT-211S that retails for $129 and a Epiphone SG Custom which retails for $579. I know everyone perceives sound differently and we all have our personal opinions on everything, but I am happy to admit the $129 guitar is better in every way. The playability and tone. The neck profile I like better. The stock pickups. And it is MORE fun to pick up and play.

I have owned many cheap guitars but nothing on this level has moved me as much as this Kramer. Are they all made the same as this one and sound the same? Not at all. I am just surprised just how good this guitar is compared to much more expensive ones I have.

I think I am done buying expensive guitars from here on out...

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Oh, I forgot to mention I only payed $60 for the Kramer local.

 

[beaubrummels]

Sometimes it's like that.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Sometimes it's like that.

 

[ehdwuld]

Sell that dog Epiphone
cant charge more than the better guitar
Ill give ya $50

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Sell that dog Epiphone
cant charge more than the better guitar
Ill give ya $50

Hehe. Yeah I am considering selling it. Not that low though

 

[Clint 55]

I knew it. I was thinking in my head before I clicked on the thread: "Is the higher priced one a box?"

 

[dave74]

Well this isn't really cheap vs expensive, it's cheap vs lower mid-level.

I think it's also very common to experience this when it's upper mid-level vs high-end.

I had a girlfriend once buy a Squire Strat in an attempt to be like Mike, or in this case Dave lol,,,,,,,,,,and the damned thing ended up being quite nice playing and sounding, that is after I spent some time on the frets and setup.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Well this isn't really cheap vs expensive, it's cheap vs lower mid-level.

I think it's also very common to experience this when it's upper mid-level vs high-end.

I had a girlfriend once buy a Squire Strat in an attempt to be like Mike, or in this case Dave lol,,,,,,,,,,and the damned thing ended up being quite nice playing and sounding, that is after I spent some time on the frets and setup.

Still a big difference in price. Everything about the SG should be far superior to the Focus and overall a better quality guitar. Nope. Even unplugged it doesn't have good resonance. Good thing the resell value on the SG Custom is good. I do like the way it looks, though. I have another Epiphone SG as well. A G-400 Pro that sounds better than the Custom and both guitars are almost identical and setup the same.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I knew it. I was thinking in my head before I clicked on the thread: "Is the higher priced one a box?"

Not a box. But it will be back in a box before long

 

[Francois]

Well this isn't really cheap vs expensive, it's cheap vs lower mid-level.

Just what I was thinking !

I think it's also very common to experience this when it's upper mid-level vs high-end..

Good point !

 

[Aceman]

Good sound is where you find it.

 

[Mincer]

I think most guitarists have experienced something like this. The really great playing/sounding but really cheap are few and far between, so cherish them when you find them.

 

[alex1fly]

Great find OP. It's a journey! Play on!

 

[AlexR]

Somehow people still think that the very subjective issue of tone is somehow controlled by the very objective issue of price.
You can quite literally double the price of a guitar made with the very same slabs of wood by adding in fancy bindings and inlay. Does absolutely nothing to tone.
Many also find the really punchy high output pickups of cheaper models suit people's tastes, as well as hiding some of the 'blandness' that many cheapies can suffer from.

But an individual instance used as to justify a rule is as likely wrong as right. You should never use 1 example to dictate behaviour.

 

[weepingminotaur]

Not quite the same, but similar: of my guitars, the cheapest (the $400 Schecter Omen Extreme SII) has the smoothest neck and holds tune the best.

 

[Aceman]

I think most guitarists have experienced something like this. The really great playing/sounding but really cheap are few and far between, so cherish them when you find them.

There are a number of sound great, but only feel "ok" at best.
There are a lot fo feels great, and sounds good.

But feels good sounds good (or great) is what you want. Those are hard to find. As Dave said - when they are cheap...wow.

 

[JamesPaul]

I am reminded of this, from The Vault:

... Every instrument has something to offer... Believe me when I say that some of the most amazing music in history was made on equipment that's not as good as what you own right now...

 

[Mincer]

I am reminded of this, from The Vault:

Sure, I get that, but those instruments meant something to the player. They feel, play, & sound good enough to be picked to record. To me (and those players) that's all that matters.

 

[Demanic]

Some guitars play "like buttah". Some you have to fight. Some you take out to the desert for target practice, then bring home to fuel the night's bonfire.

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