Brands For Guitars

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240v

240v

Super Perfectionist
I think it's time that I get a new guitar (I have a Squier). I'm basically after another Strat, but one that will be a better than what I have. I'm a teenager so I won't be able to get a real expensive one. My budget is around $500 ish.

There's a store near where I live, and they have their own brand called 'Gilmore'. I was talking to the owner of the shop and he was saying how you get a lot of value for money with this brand. He was also talking about how they had Tesla pickups.

As a general rule, should I go for the big brands like Fender or do you think these guitars are ok as well? I'll give the guitar a spin sometime soon, but what would you guys do? Cheers :guitar:
 
$500 can get you a lot of guitar!
You just gotta know where to look.
Personally, I don't care much for brand names anymore, but I've been there and I know the need to get big brands. And I own the "big boys", so I got that out of my system. After that happens you do feel more relaxed towards your future purchases.

When I was 16 with $500, I bought a few guitars from Rondo music. But in hindsight I wish I would've got a Standard Strat or Tele. They were $50 cheaper then, and I would've got the brand lust out of my system quicker.
 
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With Fenders, you can get a lot of guitar for your money. I got a used American Strat at a pawn shop for $500. And my 71 Tele ofr $275.
New in that price range, I like the Sammicks. I have a couple that I got in the $400 range and they're both EXCELLENT guitars and that compared to any guitar I've owned or played. With experience and a shrp eye, you can find some damn fine guitars for not a lot of cash. Just don't get in a hurry (not easy when gear lust sets in) and do a lot of looking around.
 
Check your local stores and craigslist for a used MIM (Made in Mexico) Strat - you should be able to get one for under $300 and it will be a big step up, sound-wise, from a Squier.
 
Although not a guitar answer, my local equipment store, Studiospares, make a number of their own gear. I bought a set of their monitors 30 months ago. I love them to bits. And my bass is a Wesley which was made by some guy for a university project or something. And I made my own pop shield !!
 
Personally, I'd go to a bunch of guitar stores stores and play a bunch of guitars both new and used in my price range and then buy the one that seems to suit me the best in terms of feel and playability. It's worked well for me so far
 
doesn't matter in the least what brand a guitar is ...

the only thing that does is how it plays in your hands,if you like it then its the best damned guitar on the planet and **** what anyone else says ...

if you put some time (and it could be a lot of time) into researching Gilmore you might find that they come from the same factory as other "branded" instruments ... then again they might come from "that" factory that knocks out the cheap sh*t .. if that's the case then there overpriced rubbish ;) (i haven't researched gilmore,but quite a few other /ahem "brands" ;) )
 
If you're at least somewhat handy with some tools, you could go a Carvin kit.
CarvinWorld.com International - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio

I've had a Carvin DC400 custom (not the kit tho) for years and still one of my smoothest guitars. Carvin quality is da sheeit.

Another thought would be to find a cheap guitar that you like the neck and feel of....and just swap the electronics and tuners.

I snagged a cheapo Rogue strat for $75, slapped some Sperzel heads (also $75) and a Carvin loaded pick guard for $130.
Awesome neck, sounds great, cheap like me.
:D
 
I went from a Squire to a Mexican strat (for around $300) and was pretty happy with the upgrade. Ended up putting in a set of used fender noiseless pickups and like it even better now. I expect a used American strat would be even better. If you can stand the wait, play a few different guitars first and get the one that inspires you to play.
 
Ive been playing for 34 years very serioualy and have played so many guitars. Until recently my main guitar was an 85 MIJ strat just recently replaced as my no. 1 by a new custom Crook Tele. Its not that there is anything wrong with the strat (I still love it especially after some mods), but when you buy custom there are zero compromises that need to be made. Enough about the Crook though. The MIJ Fenders had fantastic necks and in the 80's the quality control was vastly better in Japan than the US. In fact, Fender hurt their US made instrument sales as the wise quickly gravitated to the Japanes made less expenaive better instruments. This is not only my opinion but that of Phil Jacoby, master luthier (used to work at Paul Reed Smith, now working privately). I had him refret my beloved strat about 6 years ago, and he raved about the neck on my strat amd all of the Japanes models. This has alsobeen reiterates by many others. And the guitar only cost me $285 when I bought it new. Of course I did need to replace a fairly cheap bridge and pickups, but I got a top notch guitar all around with minimal investment. The moral of the story, play a lot of guitars. Figure out what you like then find the beat instrument that meets your needs for the best price. If you're unsure, take along a friend who has logged more fret time than you to give opinions about guitar quality (not guitar specs as you will likely have different likes and dislikes). If still confused find yourself a used MIJ strat thats in great functional shape and enjoy a great axe.
 
Yeah if you really want a Fender, you could probably nab a used one for $500ish after some digging. I got a nice Tele used for $650 2 years ago.
 
I JUST got a pair of 1993 Duo-Sonic Reissues for $549.25 :eek:

Saw tons of strats and teles on the bay definitely within your price range ;)
The American mades started at around 600 on there.
 
I'm not a guitar player per se. But I picked up a Peavey of all things 20 years ago, (solid body/humbucking pickups) that apparenlty is now worth about your budget. But has a nice generic solid body sound, and decent action for a non-guitar player like myself. My point is, like others above, go with what feels and sounds the best to you within your price range.

The pawn shop scene isn't exactly what it used to be in the pre internet days,* but I'd still recommend looking there, places like "Al's Guitarville" or "Briz Loan" (actual places) and consider what kind of sound you are after, and audition the instruments. Seems you're after the solid body sound, so go to a place that has a few hanging on the wall and try them out. Pawn shops especially seem to be better about letting you hang out for a while, (and can be quieter....) but you also have to be prepared to negotiate. Bring your own picks.

*A buddy of mine picked up an EKO bass, I've never seen the likes of before or since for something like $125.00. Mostly bought because of price for sure, but also because of the oddest looks and a very light action. Turned out to have a nice twangy sound.

+1 to dogbreath as well, you can always mod, and you may have local shops that can help with that as well.
 
You can def get some name brand stuff used. I would suggest a well known brand. I got my fender jazz bass for 300 and its great, minus the crummy electronics. Also if you cant find what you need still get a job! Not trying to sound like a hard ass or anything I'm a teenager too. Unlike most of the guys on here, the majority of our income is disposable! :D
 
A used Fender will hold its value better than any off-brand. MIM Strats around here are always available for under $300. Depends on how big of a used market you have to look around in but I would hold out for a deal on a used MIA Strat if you are set on tht model. But, personnaly, I'd keep the Squier and get something different if I was your age. Maybe a MIM Tele or used LP Studio.
 
Dogbreath said:
If you're at least somewhat handy with some tools, you could go a Carvin kit.
CarvinWorld.com International - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio

I've had a Carvin DC400 custom (not the kit tho) for years and still one of my smoothest guitars. Carvin quality is da sheeit.

Another thought would be to find a cheap guitar that you like the neck and feel of....and just swap the electronics and tuners.

I snagged a cheapo Rogue strat for $75, slapped some Sperzel heads (also $75) and a Carvin loaded pick guard for $130.
Awesome neck, sounds great, cheap like me.
:D
Click to expand...

Hey, this sounds like an interesting way to do this! How hard is it though, like do I have to be super good at tools and stuff?
 
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