What's cheap about a cheap guitar?

[PilotC150]

Is it the pickups, the neck, the body, what is it?

Cuz I'm thinkin, I just wanna get an electric guitar to just mess around with when I'm not playing my acoustic, but I don't wanna spend a lot. I also don't want a REALLY crappy guitar. So what if I bought a cheap guitar, like the fender affinity strat (beginner) and just bought new pickups to put in it. Pickups aren't overly expensive, but might really improve the sound of the guitar.

Or is there something else about the guitar that would make it crappy?

[Dancing Ants]

with non-american strats, (and low end fenders in general, believe me when I say that I know what I'm talking about *glares at fender acoustic*) you usually get a poorer make and such..the strings aren't great, etc...I too am thinking about getting a slightly middle priced Les Paul, though. I don't know, but don't get a cheap fender anything, it's "low quality" and that's a nice way of putting it.

[PilotC150]

anybody else?

[jigger_3]

I think there was a good article in one of the last Musician's Friend catalogues about fenders and squires

[scoot_14]

Originally posted by PilotC150
anybody else?

I have a mexican fender strat. It cost about $300 and has served it's purpose for me.

When you buy a cheaper guitar the biggest set back is the quality of the parts and the construction. If you buy a cheap guitar thinking you can upgrade it you may be causing yourself more hassle and expense than if you just bought a quality guitar.

For example...my strat plays well, has good action, but the sound isn't very good and it could use a new bridge. I've looked into buying new pickups for a few years now but have never had the extra $150-$200 it costs to get the next level up pick-ups. I'm not sure how much a new bridge would cost, but I'm sure the parts and labor would be somewhat substancial. After making these modifications I would have sunk almost twice what I paid for the whole guitar originally. I could have just bought an American Strat on sale for $750 instead.

[PilotC150]

I guess I should actually just save up $500 and get a decent guitar that will last, even if I'm not playing it everyday.

[jigger_3]

I did that and bought an epiphone dot

[Mathers420]

I'm too looking into gettin an electric, I don't wanna spend too much what kinds should I look into?

[Dancing Ants]

i'm going to either get a Chinese Strat or a mid-priced Les Paul..I'm not sure which, yet, though.

[scoot_14]

Originally posted by Mathers420
I'm too looking into gettin an electric, I don't wanna spend too much what kinds should I look into?

Depends on what you consider too much and what style you like. There are basically two paths to go with electrics...fenders(stratocaster, telecaster, etc) and Les Paul style guitars (whether you get a gibson, epiphone, or other brand with similar style).

[conradwoo]

I, for one, hate Squier (cheaper quality fender)....thats why I got me a Yamaha pacifica 112 to start off with. A little more expensive than the squier...but so worth it!

[Recently36]

I'm going to have to disagree with some of the other replies. I bought a mexi fender strat and I am very pleased with it. Despite what people say, the construction of it is not bad, the wood is nice and it has a nice finish, I like the action and overall it sounds pretty good. The main advantage in my opnion of the American isthe pickups, but you can get even better pickups then the ones that factory installed for a combined price that is $200 cheaper. Lastly from reading your posts it seems like this is not going to be your main axe and this is just to play around with once and a while. The bottom line is the mexi is not a crap guitar and it will serve you will. Go to a store and play it and then make a decision

my 2 cents,
ben

[Mark]

holy crap this thread is old

[AdamCU81]

holy crap this thread is old


I guess it's good to know that the search button still works. :)

[Mark]

true :lol

[PilotC150]

And I still haven't found the extra cash to buy an electric, haha.

[sacdeez]

does anyone have any experience with the epiphone les pauls? theres a used one going for $375 at a music store here, is it worth that?