Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

S

spleenharvester

New member
I'm spending £350-£400 on a new Orange Rocker 30 in the next few months.

But given I'm going to uni I probably will not have near enough for the RG550 I was hoping for. And from what I can gather the guitar doesn't matter a huge amount if the amp is a nice enough one anyway.

My Yamaha RGX121Z is horrid. Incredibly uncomfortable, sounds horrible (even with various Duncan pickups fitted), and detunes when you breathe on it.

I have an equally horrid Vox VT40+ at the moment, too - and I vaguely remember plugging some beaten up Squier owned by my college and being pretty blown away by the difference.

Tl;dr - I probably have about £100-£150 to spend on a low-end guitar. I find strats the most comfortable hence these are my choices. I play mostly Nirvana and Foo Fighters. What's the best used guitar I could find for that price? Doesn't have to be loaded with electronics, I can move over my existing hot rails/slash alnico ii pros depending on what the guitar can accommodate.

Thankyou all in advance!
 
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

Thankyou for the recommendations man! That Ibanez GSA60 looks friggin sweet. Reminds me of those Cort guitars I couldn't get hold of in my country.

Might end up seeing if I can grab a used Stratocaster within my budget, I'm kind of used to playing them haha.
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

Going off on a bit of a tangent here but: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cherry-Su...?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item20d4f2a948

Is that body likely to be any good? I'd have to push the boat out somewhat budget-wise but I really have a thing for flame maple stuff like that.

I remember nearly pulling the trigger on a similar one some years back but had second thoughts for the same reason - lack of any reliable information on them, this one from the same guy actually: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAND-MADE...al_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d1f56ee86 (edit found more information here http://www.rcguitars.com/product_p/cherry-burst-flame-maple-strat.htm)

If not does anyone know a reputable place that does decent sounding bodies at that price, or do they just not exist at that price? :p

Thanks again!
 
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Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

Do you need a Tremolo? Ibanez has some nice hardtail models in the RG2/RG3/RG4 series. RG2EX1/RG2EX2 are basswood, RG321MH are Mahogany, RG3EX1FM are basswood with flame maple tops.
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

I have several really nice guitars, but I still play a squier strat and an RG350 that I've had for years all the time. All most of the lower end models need is a little fret polishing, a thorough setup, and new pickups. The lower end models can be a little more hit and miss on quality control, so you can end up with one that is not too great if you don't play before you buy.

I agree that the VoxVT40+ is a turd. I bought one when they came out and sold my older AD30vt. I rebought the older model and keep the new one at school for the students to bang around on. I did buy one of the new Valvetronix pro amps, and it is light years ahead of the lower end versions. They had them on sale for less than 500 a while back.
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

I have some ibanez RG''s and Squire. And a MIM Strat
If you can and a used standard MIM Strat
Get that
I have the hard tail rg2ex1
With the JB/Jazz easily the lightest best sounding guitar I have
My rg4exfm1 is a Floyded version
Probably my best looking axe
Candy Apple Squire standard is Frkin nice too

The squire and the rg2 can got cheaply used
But will need more work
The Fender standard and rg4 are more expensive used but require less effort

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

That money should get you a RG550 easily, at least in the US.

The real deal cheap'n'good Strat like guitars are the old 1980s Ibanez Blazers (2nd gen mostly) and some Roadstar II models. The main disadvantage is that they don't look like Strats and that some pickup and trem sizes aren't Fender vintage. But great wood and great craftmanship. Some can be hard really cheap, $250.
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

Cheers for the advice guys, will look into them all.

uOpt said:
That money should get you a RG550 easily, at least in the US.
Click to expand...

HOW! :( They usually go for £350+ (600$+) over here. I occasionally see some in really horrible colour finishes going for ~£225, but aside from that.
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

I personally would take the lower end Fender Strat; however, if you have several to choose one then I would say play them and see which one you like best. Best of luck!
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

I´ll make a few points. Feel free to take them on board or ignore as you wish (apart from the first one of course).


1) If the yamaha is so horrid you decide to give it away, let me know and I´ll take it off your hands :-P

2) Sound and tuning issues can most likely be corrected with a good set-up and at worst a change of pickups. The comfort issue, probably not so much but that depends on what issues are causing the discomfort. I imagine the sound and tuning issues aren´t helping to endear you to the guitar.

3) Maybe your friend´s squier simply had a better set-up than your yamaha.

4) Potentially it may sound (way) better through the Orange when you get it, but I imagine you have probably already tried the orange with your own guitar. If not, at least wait until you do before giving up on it completely. You could use the time in between to get the yamaha better set-up before it arrives.

5) Probably a better set-up etc. on your existing guitar would be cheaper than buying another guitar, and almost certainly cheaper than building something. My guess is that a good nut, correct intonation and well adjusted pickup heights would dramatically improve both sound and tuning issues. Assuming you can get hold of an electric tuner and a few screwdrivers you can sort out 2 out of 3 yourself for free.

I´m making the assumption that the set-up isn´t ideal from your comments above.

Unless you build with really cheap parts it´s going to be difficult/impossible to build for less than you´d buy a budget squier etc.
If you can´t live with that I´d suggest checking out as many new/second-hand guitars as you can find locally that fit the budget and suit what you´re after to see if there is anything appropriate...squier, ibanez, aria, hondo, fender...whatever you can find.
Always better if you can physically get your hands on a guitar before you buy if possible. You can always look online if you still need to afterwards.

6) If you build / buy another guitar you´ll probably still need to set it up.

7)Postage from US to UK alone will kill your budget.
 
Re: Squier vs low-end Strat vs low-end Ibanez

Thanks for all the input everyone. :)

My dream of an RG550 is completely out the window haha. I've found this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RED-FENDE...al_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2ed35dbe69

Perfect colours that I'm after too. If I changed the pickups for an APH-2 in the neck and a hot rail in the middle, and put it through an Orange Rocker 30, how badly would it hold back my tone? Am I right in thinking pairing a good amp with an okayish guitar will still sound pretty awesome?

Unfortunately most Squiers on Ebay don't have any information attached regarding where they were made etc.
 
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