You have $2000 for guitar(s). Do you buy one $2000 guitar, or....

[Masta' C]

This is a tough question. There is a huge case of diminishing returns as you spend more on guitars. A $5K PRS or Gibson doesn't offer much over a $2K PRS or Gibson aside from woods, finishes, and/or "limited edition" status.

It also depends on where you're coming from...are you looking to fill a hole in your existing collection or starting from scratch?

If I was looking to keep things simple and I was starting out again, I'd probably invest the $2K into a single guitar that offered a really broad tonal palette and most of the features I want. Personally, I'd probably opt for something like a John Petrucci model from MusicMan with its excellent pickups, great hardware, active onboard boost and built-in piezo system. You could easily get away with that as your only guitar then focus on amps, etc.

For "normal" purposes, I'd probably aim to find 2 really nice upper-midrange guitars ($800-$1200) that allow me a little flexibility and the ability to switch up the playing feel for added inspiration. Maybe a PRS "S2" series combined with a nice Strat or Tele.

That said, I'm as happy with my $500 used Chapman Norseman as I was with my $3K limited edition "wood library" PRS Custom 24 Floyd with similar specs. And if I had $2K to drop today, I'd probably just put together something I wanted using a Warmoth neck, custom pickups, and a custom body from one of a million sources online, then have it finished and set up by a reputable luthier for maximum playability.

 

[Ascension]

This is a common misconception. This is a result of the buyer attaching more value to the buying power of money than it actually has. Buyers expect perfection because they are spending $3,000, but the guitar still needs work to be a 10/10.

Although it is true that a low end instrument has more room for improvement, a $3,000 guitar still needs work. Any buyer expecting a 10/10 for the sole reason that they are spending $3,000 is setting themself up for a disappointment and an embarrassing outburst with the seller.

My 2017 Kiesel is about as close to perfection as any guitar I have ever picked up. I did swap the M22 bridge pickup for a Hybrid but the AP11's are fantastic and fit finish fretwork ect was perfection. SS frets and I expect to be playing this one in 20 years without a fret dress.Was $1800 with these options.

 

[Top-L]

This is a tough question. There is a huge case of diminishing returns as you spend more on guitars. A $5K PRS or Gibson doesn't offer much over a $2K PRS or Gibson aside from woods, finishes, and/or "limited edition" status.

It also depends on where you're coming from...are you looking to fill a hole in your existing collection or starting from scratch?

If I was looking to keep things simple and I was starting out again, I'd probably invest the $2K into a single guitar that offered a really broad tonal palette and most of the features I want. Personally, I'd probably opt for something like a John Petrucci model from MusicMan with its excellent pickups, great hardware, active onboard boost and built-in piezo system. You could easily get away with that as your only guitar then focus on amps, etc.

For "normal" purposes, I'd probably aim to find 2 really nice upper-midrange guitars ($800-$1200) that allow me a little flexibility and the ability to switch up the playing feel for added inspiration. Maybe a PRS "S2" series combined with a nice Strat or Tele.

That said, I'm as happy with my $500 used Chapman Norseman as I was with my $3K limited edition "wood library" PRS Custom 24 Floyd with similar specs. And if I had $2K to drop today, I'd probably just put together something I wanted using a Warmoth neck, custom pickups, and a custom body from one of a million sources online, then have it finished and set up by a reputable luthier for maximum playability.

When I started playing, tuning stability was a rare thing. I got my first floyd guitar and never looked back! Consequently, all of my guitars except acoustics have a FR trem. So yeah, there are some really big holes in my collection. That said, I always keep buying similar guitars over and over. I don't own a strat or a LP, but my various FR guitars have different pickups with different switching options.

If I was "smart" I would take the remaining 1500, buy a Player Strat and find a good used LP. But I figure I would never play them unless I was trying to go for a vintage look.

That said, I have gas for a V. I've never owned one and I think it would suit me. They always look good.

 

[Masta' C]

That said, I have gas for a V. I've never owned one and I think it would suit me. They always look good.

Can't go wrong with a V!

 

[Top-L]

SS frets and I expect to be playing this one in 20 years without a fret dress.Was $1800 with these options.

Unless the neck has mythic stability, it will change over time and the fret profile will not be as perfect as it is now. I think you will still need to get it leveled every 3-5 years.

 

[ehdwuld]

Unless the neck has mythic stability, it will change over time and the fret profile will not be as perfect as it is now. I think you will still need to get it leveled every 3-5 years.

Not really
A roasted maple neck would be stable as heck

A Keisel roasted neck with graphite rods
would be next level stable
and it comes standard with SS frets

 

[solspirit]

If I could drop two grand right now I'd go warmoth or something similar.
But then again I have the problem that I just can't buy a guitar unless it sings to me. Which is the main reason I've never bought at warmoth

 

[Top-L]

Not really
A roasted maple neck would be stable as heck

A Keisel roasted neck with graphite rods
would be next level stable
and it comes standard with SS frets

Come back to me in 20 years. Those guitars haven't been out there that long.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Funny that some people associate expensive guitars with quality.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Unless the neck has mythic stability, it will change over time and the fret profile will not be as perfect as it is now. I think you will still need to get it leveled every 3-5 years.

I reckon you have played electric guitar a lot longer than I do to come up with that conclusion. You learn something new every day...lol.

 

[stevie_bees]

I have always been about getting the most from my money, so I would normally veer towards getting 4 $500 guitars for my money. That being said, I bought my McCarty as a gift to myself when I left the RAF. At £1100, it was by far the most I had ever spent on a guitar, however it's worth every penny. I'd still look for value, but if the guitar I really wanted cost $2000 then I would be ok buying it.

 

[chadd]

My question is what do you need? Do you need to cover strat/tele/Les Paul type tones for recording or gigs? Do you just need a solid number one and a reliable backup for gigs? I'm in a downsizing mode and only keeping the best of the guitars that I own. I'm also in three bands right now and each one has different needs, that's making it a little more difficult.

 

[devastone]

I've been looking at new and used Andersons lately and trying to decide if it is worth it to me to buy one, and then new or used. But, if I buy a new Anderson (or Suhr, ESP USA, PRS, etc...) that does not play like I expect it to (barring minor adjustments to suit the way I play vs the way the way the person that set it up plays), it will go back. I've been playing for longer than most of you have been alive, and I have made friends with many tech/luthiers (which is why I can do most of my setups myself, and the answer is NO, you should not expect to spend another $500 on setup work on a $3000 guitar, that is ridiculous. That level of instrument should be right from the manufacturer, again, barring minor adjustment, and if it is new, the store selling it should be more than willing to work with you to get it right.

And yes, things do change over time, that is part of maintenance, whether you do it yourself or pay someone else, but I'm not talking about that.

 

[Snake Aces]

I've been looking at new and used Andersons lately and trying to decide if it is worth it to me to buy one, and then new or used. But, if I buy a new Anderson (or Suhr, ESP USA, PRS, etc...) that does not play like I expect it to (barring minor adjustments to suit the way I play vs the way the way the person that set it up plays), it will go back. I've been playing for longer than most of you have been alive, and I have made friends with many tech/luthiers (which is why I can do most of my setups myself, and the answer is NO, you should not expect to spend another $500 on setup work on a $3000 guitar, that is ridiculous. That level of instrument should be right from the manufacturer, again, barring minor adjustment, and if it is new, the store selling it should be more than willing to work with you to get it right.

And yes, things do change over time, that is part of maintenance, whether you do it yourself or pay someone else, but I'm not talking about that.

Lol. I am sorry to say, but times and the buying power of money have changed. Hoffman is one of the best luthiers in my state, and his shop charges close to $500 to get a $2000 to $3000 guitar with stainless steel frets to the point where it is dressed and ready to go. Sorry... but it is just they way it is now. I just called to get quotes for 3 guitars on Friday. The direct quotes were 150 to 300 for non-SS frets and close to 450 to 500 for SS frets.

Dude, it is 2020. Don't hate the player, hate the game...

 

[Snake Aces]

Funny that some people associate expensive guitars with quality.

Funny that some people ignore the price when it comes to quality...

 

[Mr. 80's]

Funny that some people ignore the price when it comes to quality...

Same thing in both accounts. Some people think big money automatically means quality and some people ignore the price thinking it equals either lower or higher quality in said price. Lots of people will completely wright off everything under a certain price point when there are some real diamonds out there in the price tier they associate with lesser quality. This day and age there are tons of quality guitars under a grand that will easily last a lifetime. You're only smug if you think otherwise.

 

[Snake Aces]

Same thing in both accounts. Some people think big money automatically means quality and some people ignore the price thinking it equals either lower or higher quality in said price. Lots of people will completely wright off everything under a certain price point when there are some real diamonds out there in the price tier they associate with lesser quality. This day and age there are tons of quality guitars under a grand that will easily last a lifetime. You're only smug if you think otherwise.

I agree. Completely. It swings both ways, but sometimes in life you actually get what you pay for...

 

[Mr. 80's]

I agree. Completely. It swings both ways, but sometimes in life you actually get what you pay for...

That is true I've spent lots of money getting nice quality things in all facts of life myself but I've also wasted a lot of money as well doing that. I'm just an educated buyer at this point.

 

[Snake Aces]

That is true I've spent lots of money getting nice quality things in all facts of life myself but I've also wasted a lot of money as well doing that. I'm just an educated buyer at this point.

Same here. I have learned that less expensive detours can sometimes save me money, but on certain things that route winds up costing more in the end.

Now I try to make it a point to make my mind up before buying. If there is something expensive that I really want, nothing else in the world will come close to scratching that itch. Patience and savings are wise actions when chasing premium quality experiences.

On the other hand, if it is an item that you are not married to, it is wise to shop around until you know you found what you are looking for. That is the life of an educated consumer.

 

[esandes]

https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-...w-rosewood-fingerboard-pfd-astcb-hnb-cr-snt-1