Best Guitar

[matt_barlow]

What is the best guitar you have ever played on for under 500$

 

[philboyd studge]

My '52 Martin 00-18....paid $200 for it in '87.

 

[Bighand]

My '85 Strat+ tobacco burst, $200, bought used in 1991

But, seriously.

My other thread refers to Dillion guitars. Excellent Korean made.
I like the PRS Santana SE, nice feel, also Korean made.

Couple others to try:

Raven
Schecter

Buy used if possible.

 

[Meshuggah]

My glued-together-after-accident Charvel. Why? EMG S-81, The ultimate pickup.

 

[LI Slim]

Are we talkin' acoustic or electric.

I think the best acoustic under $500 is the Seagull. Well crafted solid top guitars, made in Canada.

 

[matt_barlow]

either acoustic or electric. Does not matter

 

[Lopp]

ESP MIII used from Music Go Round. $450.

Dropped an EMG-81 in it. Great with my Boogie. Too hot for my SansAmp.

(Now if yer talkin over $500, my ESP Custom retailed for about $2400).

 

[Lopp]

For acoustic, I went to seven different shops in two different states and finally decided on a Yamaha acoustic for around $400.

 

[LI Slim]

Yamahas are pretty good, but I'm tellin' ya', find a Seagull dealer if you can. Blows the Yamahas away.

 

[Lopp]

Only tried to play a Seagull once. I hated it. It squawked too much and then flew away.

 

[charger]

I bought a '62 reissue Strat with a glorious 3-tone sunburst for 500 straight up used. I've also played some Carvins that were under 500 at the shop in West Covina, dollar for dollar I think they are the best guitar value around.

 

[amiableOne]

My MIM Nashville Power Tele -- new was less than $500 not too long ago. I have it setup for slide. Nice variety of sounds.

 

[tdukex]

For acoustics, I haven't seen anything that beats the Larrivee 01 series--not even the Seagulls. I don't see them on the Larrivee website (they are new), but I've seen them at GC and other places for $499. here's a "D" model and an "L" model at Buffalo Brothers:

http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/larrivee.htm

 

[trebles]

My Fernandes Lawsuite model which no fool was smart enough to buy when it was placed on ebay anyway it has staggered poles and plays just as good as any jap or us reissued F####r

http://www.boomspeed.com/buttmonkey/pic033.jpg

 

[overseas]

Acoustics: I second the guy who mentioned Seagull. That's an awesome company that puts out a greqt product.

Electrics: Hard to say, but the first quality one I had was a Gibson "The Paul" black walnut affair w/"Dirty Fingers" humbuckers. Like a fool, I sold it. I've regretted that move ever since. Haven't found another guitar that plays or sounds quite like that one.

Years ago, I also had one of those black-to-red sparkle sunburst Silvertone (Danelectro) 1457 amp-in-the-case guitars w/lipstick pickups. THAT played and sounded pretty darn good for what it was. I bought it for $25, too.


Bruce in Korea

 

[gbondo9]

Accoustic - Ive got an amazing accoustic with a brand name of Art & Luthier. I did some research and its another hand made Canadian guitar, solid top - un laminated, smooth rosewood fretboard and low action. Sounds great, thick and clear, bought it for $200 new(sale). A guy told me that the company was a sister co. to Seagull, but I havnt done the research, so thats unconfirmed.
Electric - I love my G&L ASAT Classic (Telecaster). Much better than my PRS and my Strat. It plays amazing and sounds better than than most fender stuff Ive ever picked up, especially in the last 10 years (thats my opinion). I got the guitar for $500 about 6 years ago when they were still on sale like mad, but Ive seen dozens of them on ebay for pretty cheap considering the quality. Id definatly check em out if you see one in a store. Quite a history too.

Thats my 2 cents