What $500 guitar should I buy? - Page 2

Magpel · 12th March 2008

The Daisy Rock Retro-H with mini-humbuckers is an awfully lively guitar for 150 bucks.

I can't play it all night--neck's too small--but it's a great flavor. I adore mine, and would at any price.

paulscape · 13th March 2008

A couple of guitars come to mind:
- Ritchie Sambora made in Mexico strat. Look in Ebay, they come up now and then. You get floyd trem and dimarzio HB.
- Peavey Wolfgang Special made in Korea. Great allround guitar.
- Epiphone Les Paul Special. These are the thinner bodies LP's that have a body more like a SG (flat) so they are lightweight. You can use the spare cash to upgrade the pickups.
- OLP MM1. Use the spare cash to upgrade pickups to real dimarzio tonezone's and upgrade the electronics.

Hazer · 19th March 2008

I'm surprised noone has suggested Godin. IMO the best value out there in mid-level guitars. I own an Exit 22 and a Freeway Bass.

Godin Guitars

barryjohns · 23rd March 2008

I "Hate" ESP guitars. They play like a baseball bat, and feel cheap. I'd pickup a used Carvin, you might spend a tad more, but you'll get much more. I bought my son one of the Schecters, they are a very good intermediate guitar. Not a fan of the pickups thought. His neck was straight as an arrow.

I recently bought an Ephiphone Les Paul for grins. You have to play a lot of them, but when you find one, they are pretty darn good for the price. I was so impressed with the Custom that I bought, I bought a Standard too. The pickups are garbage, should be thrown away. However, put new pups in there and they can almost, actually get very close to my Gibson Les Paul Standard. I put Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates in the Custom and Gibson Burstbucker Pro's in the Standard and WOW, both of those guitars scream. Stay in tune perfectly and the action is very good. One heck of a deal for the price.

Take some time, and pick the right one, replace the pickups and you're golden.

gregl · 23rd March 2008

Some of the <$500 Hamers are excellent. A second for the Epiphone Casinos.
If you can handle the aesthetics, some of the Burns re-issues are awesome.

allencollins · 23rd March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krank

Doesn't do it for me. I think it's the neo-metal brand image.

Sorry I just though anyone with only $500 to spend
would be 15 years old and play metal.

snang a squire strat for $100 at gc for $75 more you can get the starter pack
with the amp the strap and some picks............

Krank · 25th March 2008

I ended up borrowing money and have bought a handful of second-hand US and Japanese made guitars. I may keep one or two and sell of the others.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

theGeek · 25th March 2008

You could also consider making one with parts. You can get a nice strat/tele body for a good price online and a neck for about $100 - $250. Throw in some nice Kent Armstrong PUPs and you're ready to play.

Granted you'd need to know how to do your own setups.. but every guitar player should know how to do that anyway.

heyman · 28th December 2011

Guys, I just picked up a used G&L S-500 tribute (strat style) tabacco sunburst with rosewood fingerboard guitar yesterday.
It was siting on the used rack at Guitar center for a few months. I got the guitar for 400.00 out the door.

I wanted to upgrade my Mexican strat. This G&L plays and sounds better than other strats costing 2-3 times as much. The hardware, tuning pegs and pickups are top notch and the guitar sounds beautiful unplugged, let alone plugged in.

Gonna be a great studio/live guitar.

Go check one out.

stetyrrell · 28th December 2011

Sadly, sustain and a locking nut/floyd rose don't go together at all.

Your best bet would be something with locking tuners, possibly a modded fender blacktop.

trippy · 31st December 2011

the PRS SE series guitars I've tried have been incredible for the money

sanrico · 2nd January 2012

Brian Moore i2 or i2p. This is not a budget guitar. New, they cost as much as a Les Paul. However, they didn't catch on wildly and were discontinued. They have flown under the radar and you can often get them on ebay for about $400.

Arthur Stone · 2nd January 2012

The Fender FMT HH is a really sweet-sounding guitar; a used one might be in your price range. It sounds good as is and IME many people comment positively on it's sound - live and recorded.

philoking · 3rd January 2012

The first one you get your hands on that feels right, sounds right and inspires you with it's appearance. What other people think doesn't matter much. You also didn't mention a musical style.

gollumsluvslave · 4th January 2012

I recently bought a new Hagstrom Deuce-F, and it's a corker:-
Deuce - F

Don't know what the price would be in US dollars, might be a bit over budget, but I picked mine up for 450 GBP - amazing neck, great guitar (mine's in white though)

Can't recommend it enough!

I'd also highly recommend to the Tokai LS48 Les Paul copies as well, really great budget guitars.

FFTT · 8th January 2012

I would recommend continuing to save as you continue to look at
every guitar that might fit the bill.

Eventually the right guitar will speak to you and then through a strong deposit
and layaway, you'll take it home eventually.

This is what I did with my beloved '93 Strat Plus.

The store was happy to stash it away for me with 1/3 down and
90 days to pay off the balance, with easy terms to extend that time limit
as long as I kept lowering the balance due.

In the long run, it's better than allowing that $500.00 to burn a hole
in your pocket for an inferior instrument.

CassidyGT · 9th January 2012

As previously mentioned. Epi Les Paul is a great guitar if you can play a few and find a good one. Replace pups with your choice. I put '57s in mine and that thing just smokes. Beautiful finish too.

kennybro · 9th January 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by trippy

the PRS SE series guitars I've tried have been incredible for the money

Yes. These are amazingly nice guitars for the money. Better than many at twice the price.

FFTT · 10th January 2012

The PRS Soapbar SE's go for around $400.00 used over here, but
I've now played three of them and they are light, reasonably well balanced,
not noticing any neck drop, and the necks are easy, though more shredder
flat across the fingerboard.

I haven't noticed any irregular bridge mis-allignment, but it's always
something you want to watch for in affordable guitars.

I did like the single cut the best with P-90's
a great sounding, easy playing guitar.
I hear no reason to upgrade the stock P-90's but
there's nothing stopping you from dropping in a set of Fralins.

My old friend plays the Single Cut he just picked up through his also new
Allan Amps Chihuahua.

Just threw this together for a rough idea.
I wanted him to open it up more, but my old friend can't handle the volume.

23rd March 2008	#35
gregl Gear addict Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 376	Some of the <$500 Hamers are excellent. A second for the Epiphone Casinos. If you can handle the aesthetics, some of the Burns re-issues are awesome. __________________ Greg

25th March 2008	#38
theGeek Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 809	You could also consider making one with parts. You can get a nice strat/tele body for a good price online and a neck for about $100 - $250. Throw in some nice Kent Armstrong PUPs and you're ready to play. Granted you'd need to know how to do your own setups.. but every guitar player should know how to do that anyway. __________________ theGeek Springload - Juice Rock Tremor Christ Pearl Jam Tribute Shouldn't you be practicing?

28th December 2011	#39
heyman Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 2,769	Guys, I just picked up a used G&L S-500 tribute (strat style) tabacco sunburst with rosewood fingerboard guitar yesterday. It was siting on the used rack at Guitar center for a few months. I got the guitar for 400.00 out the door. I wanted to upgrade my Mexican strat. This G&L plays and sounds better than other strats costing 2-3 times as much. The hardware, tuning pegs and pickups are top notch and the guitar sounds beautiful unplugged, let alone plugged in. Gonna be a great studio/live guitar. Go check one out. __________________ Best quote ever....! Posted by Infernal Device.. "Guitar Center.... Even the good news is in the moan zone."

2nd January 2012	#42
sanrico Gear interested Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 7	Brian Moore i2 or i2p. This is not a budget guitar. New, they cost as much as a Les Paul. However, they didn't catch on wildly and were discontinued. They have flown under the radar and you can often get them on ebay for about $400. __________________ ___________________________________ ...a gaggle of guitars, a troop of tube amps and buttload of pedals...

2nd January 2012	#43
Arthur Stone Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Wales Posts: 1,287 28 Reviews written	The Fender FMT HH is a really sweet-sounding guitar; a used one might be in your price range. It sounds good as is and IME many people comment positively on it's sound - live and recorded. __________________ http://soundcloud.com/arthurstone/fl...d-arthur-stone

12th March 2008	#31
Magpel Gear addict Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 356 33 Reviews written	The Daisy Rock Retro-H with mini-humbuckers is an awfully lively guitar for 150 bucks. I can't play it all night--neck's too small--but it's a great flavor. I adore mine, and would at any price.

13th March 2008	#32
paulscape Gear Head Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 51	A couple of guitars come to mind: - Ritchie Sambora made in Mexico strat. Look in Ebay, they come up now and then. You get floyd trem and dimarzio HB. - Peavey Wolfgang Special made in Korea. Great allround guitar. - Epiphone Les Paul Special. These are the thinner bodies LP's that have a body more like a SG (flat) so they are lightweight. You can use the spare cash to upgrade the pickups. - OLP MM1. Use the spare cash to upgrade pickups to real dimarzio tonezone's and upgrade the electronics.

19th March 2008	#33
Hazer Gear Head Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 62	I'm surprised noone has suggested Godin. IMO the best value out there in mid-level guitars. I own an Exit 22 and a Freeway Bass. Godin Guitars

23rd March 2008	#34
barryjohns Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,054	I "Hate" ESP guitars. They play like a baseball bat, and feel cheap. I'd pickup a used Carvin, you might spend a tad more, but you'll get much more. I bought my son one of the Schecters, they are a very good intermediate guitar. Not a fan of the pickups thought. His neck was straight as an arrow. I recently bought an Ephiphone Les Paul for grins. You have to play a lot of them, but when you find one, they are pretty darn good for the price. I was so impressed with the Custom that I bought, I bought a Standard too. The pickups are garbage, should be thrown away. However, put new pups in there and they can almost, actually get very close to my Gibson Les Paul Standard. I put Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates in the Custom and Gibson Burstbucker Pro's in the Standard and WOW, both of those guitars scream. Stay in tune perfectly and the action is very good. One heck of a deal for the price. Take some time, and pick the right one, replace the pickups and you're golden.

25th March 2008	#37
Krank Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 234 Thread Starter	I ended up borrowing money and have bought a handful of second-hand US and Japanese made guitars. I may keep one or two and sell of the others. Thanks for the advice everyone.

28th December 2011	#40
stetyrrell Gear Head Joined: May 2011 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 46	Sadly, sustain and a locking nut/floyd rose don't go together at all. Your best bet would be something with locking tuners, possibly a modded fender blacktop.

31st December 2011	#41
trippy Gear maniac Joined: May 2006 Posts: 299	the PRS SE series guitars I've tried have been incredible for the money

3rd January 2012	#44
philoking Gear Head Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 67	Which $500 Guitar? The first one you get your hands on that feels right, sounds right and inspires you with it's appearance. What other people think doesn't matter much. You also didn't mention a musical style.

4th January 2012	#45
gollumsluvslave Gear addict Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 495	I recently bought a new Hagstrom Deuce-F, and it's a corker:- Deuce - F Don't know what the price would be in US dollars, might be a bit over budget, but I picked mine up for 450 GBP - amazing neck, great guitar (mine's in white though) Can't recommend it enough! I'd also highly recommend to the Tokai LS48 Les Paul copies as well, really great budget guitars. __________________ Brittle Head Girl http://brittleheadgirl.bandcamp.com http://www.myspace.com/brittleheadgirl http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bri...46609975396595 My studio build:- http://www.gearslutz.com/board/photo-diaries-recording-studio-construction-projects/398027-simple-project-studio-construction.html

8th January 2012	#46
FFTT Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,763	I would recommend continuing to save as you continue to look at every guitar that might fit the bill. Eventually the right guitar will speak to you and then through a strong deposit and layaway, you'll take it home eventually. This is what I did with my beloved '93 Strat Plus. The store was happy to stash it away for me with 1/3 down and 90 days to pay off the balance, with easy terms to extend that time limit as long as I kept lowering the balance due. In the long run, it's better than allowing that $500.00 to burn a hole in your pocket for an inferior instrument. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice Put music in your heart and heart in your music

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9th January 2012	#47
CassidyGT Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: South Central PA Posts: 744	As previously mentioned. Epi Les Paul is a great guitar if you can play a few and find a good one. Replace pups with your choice. I put '57s in mine and that thing just smokes. Beautiful finish too. __________________ I did all the extensive and complicated work arounds that tech support suggested - like gathering mushrooms at midnight under a full moon, do a full reboot, power on the unit, rub dog feces on you left buttock while dancing a little jig on one foot, open regedit, rub your nose three times, go to currentcontrolset, and whck off to a picture of a unicorn! IT DOESN'T F'ING WORK!!! Unnamed Post on MOTU Tech Support

10th January 2012	#49
FFTT Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,763	The PRS Soapbar SE's go for around $400.00 used over here, but I've now played three of them and they are light, reasonably well balanced, not noticing any neck drop, and the necks are easy, though more shredder flat across the fingerboard. I haven't noticed any irregular bridge mis-allignment, but it's always something you want to watch for in affordable guitars. I did like the single cut the best with P-90's a great sounding, easy playing guitar. I hear no reason to upgrade the stock P-90's but there's nothing stopping you from dropping in a set of Fralins. My old friend plays the Single Cut he just picked up through his also new Allan Amps Chihuahua. Just threw this together for a rough idea. I wanted him to open it up more, but my old friend can't handle the volume.