Are expensive guitars overrated?

[Buck62]

We had two guitar players, both with Gibson SG's.

My drummer friend says the thing he remembers the most, was the constant tuning on those SG's.

Pretty expensive guitar, to have to be tuning all the time?

I recently bought a Samick Ultramatic UM-4 (PRS copy) which has a Wilkinson tremolo and Grover tuners. This guitar cost me only $400 and you couldn't knock it out of tune if you tossed it off a cliff. The neck is better than a real PRS, too!
Once I change out the Duncan-designed pickups to real Duncans and get switchcraft parts for the input jack and pickup selector switch, my Samick will actually be better than a real PRS!
The cost of the upgrades (including labor) will be $250, which the wife is paying for as a Christmas present.
Anyway, for $650 I'll have a guitar that's at least as good (I think "better") than a $2,000 Paul Reed Smith.

Do I believe expensive guitars are overrated?

Hell, YEAH!!

 

[Freudian Slip]

I recently bought a Samick Ultramatic UM-4 (PRS copy) which has a Wilkinson tremolo and Grover tuners. This guitar cost me only $400 and you couldn't knock it out of tune if you tossed it off a cliff. The neck is better than a real PRS, too!
Once I change out the Duncan-designed pickups to real Duncans and get switchcraft parts for the input jack and pickup selector switch, my Samick will actually be better than a real PRS!
The cost of the upgrades (including labor) will be $250, which the wife is paying for as a Christmas present.
Anyway, for $650 I'll have a guitar that's at least as good (I think "better") than a $2,000 Paul Reed Smith.

Do I believe expensive guitars are overrated?

Hell, YEAH!!

I have an older prs I got for $1100.00 used and I have never heard anything poduce all the tones it can and do them all well. This is somthing that became more apperent with time, not while at the music store

But hey I've never played a samick electric?? Had one of their bass's though.

I have not played any of the newer prs's either though it does worry me to see a $600.00 prs in the MF catalog, But hopefully since the $600.00 guitar looks like crap,, that's where they cut costs?? maybe??

I guess it all comes down to personal taste.

My friend had a $400.00 BC rich.. The neck split right up the middle??? That was impressive

F.S.

 

[Freudian Slip]

Talking to a drummer friend of mine. We reminised on this little band we had awhile back.

We had two guitar players, both with Gibson SG's.

My drummer friend says the thing he remembers the most, was the constant tuning on those SG's.

Pretty expensive guitar, to have to be tuning all the time?

GT

I bet they have that chessy wammy on them. One of the guys in my band has a 74 sg62 custom (think Angus Young) and you will never see the wammy arm on the thing, for good reason.. On the other hand he has never had to have the truss rod adjusted in about 12 years.. It's a great playing guitar if you are used to always touching wood when you play. I used to be good with it but after getting used to more modern guitars it is hard to go back..


That is one issue that hasn't been touched on. If you like to touch wood / really low frets You can't really go out and buy anything stock off the shelf anymore that will suite your taste.
In that respect they really don't make them like they used to.
Your stuck buying a pretty spendy guitar or getting some physical mods done.

Later

F.S.

 

[bullyhill]

New PRS's are overrated.

And it urks me.

I own a 86 PRS and love it , it still plays and sounds great.
I will never buy a new one . Expensive, yes. I was looking for a new guitar three years back , played a new one and alomost ran home to make sure mine didn't sound that way.

I ended up getting a Wolfgang and love it also, but very different.

I think it may work out to find one of those mocks that have a similar shape & weight but a lot cheaper and drop some new pick ups in it. Never did it but may try it.