LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
Link?
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
As it is my money is on the Gretsch Electromatic series. Just awesome quality and finish. Not a bad fret or dead spot. If you don't have one yet, try one. Bet you like it.
Why can you go on ebay and buy a $999.99 12 string guitar for $650 with hardcase. or $620..? Just sell it for the $620.
So I did it. This deal was pretty tight. Brand new.
Runners up a Jem JR Ibanez at $399
a Casino gold G5220 electromatic $250
both with hardcase brand new.
..the IYV 300 at $176
Why can you go on ebay and buy a $999.99 12 string guitar for $650 with hardcase. or $620..? Just sell it for the $620.
So I did it. This deal was pretty tight. Brand new.
Runners up a Jem JR Ibanez at $399
a Casino gold G5220 electromatic $250
both with hardcase brand new.
..the IYV 300 at $176
FrankD77
Active member
If you want to mod those can be great starting points. Some squeirs are nice for that.
Personally i would skip those and look for 80-90s japanese Fernandes, charvel, or cort.
And as mentioned many off brand kopies.
80-90 Japanse guitars are still often very cheap but the right ones rival any modern high end guitar.
I bought my charvel dka-115 curved, quartersaw etc for 580,00 euros in Japan. Although i was unlucky with this one and had to spend another 400,00 to get it right. My luthier friend said it was one of the best guitars he worked on. Well worth the money.
Personally i would skip those and look for 80-90s japanese Fernandes, charvel, or cort.
And as mentioned many off brand kopies.
80-90 Japanse guitars are still often very cheap but the right ones rival any modern high end guitar.
I bought my charvel dka-115 curved, quartersaw etc for 580,00 euros in Japan. Although i was unlucky with this one and had to spend another 400,00 to get it right. My luthier friend said it was one of the best guitars he worked on. Well worth the money.
FrankD77
Active member
Another option would be builders.
For example i bought a headless latitude to travel with and was very surprised by the quality.
Also had one custom build in China.
Awesome materials and fully custom to my specs. It was so bad i didn't even try myself and brought it my luthier. He stated everything that could be wrong was. .. but it was all adjustments. So for 450+100,00 i now have a fully custom headless build. Sounds and plays great (now)
For example i bought a headless latitude to travel with and was very surprised by the quality.
Also had one custom build in China.
Awesome materials and fully custom to my specs. It was so bad i didn't even try myself and brought it my luthier. He stated everything that could be wrong was. .. but it was all adjustments. So for 450+100,00 i now have a fully custom headless build. Sounds and plays great (now)
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
Putting a few hundred into a $300 guitar doesn't sound right to me. I spend so much time on my instruments, that is where I spend a little. Because it is used. There is a quality difference, better materials to start with and so on.. $2000-$3000 is right where I want to be. That truly gets you the best of what's around.
FrankD77
Active member
That's the mistake i think.
It's not a 300,00 dollar guitar.
These 80-90 japanese guitars will probably go the same route as some vintage fenders and Les Paul's when they become too expensive.
When i pickup a jem junior it's a cheap guitar. And it will stay that way unless you do a lot of work and than the value is almost zero.
A 80-90s Japan superstrat from charvel is in a totally different league the moment you feel and hear it.
It has great fretwork, quartersaw neck etc. Not something you see on most mid priced guitars.
With all the upgrades and repairs i spend little under 1000,00 but it rivals my 90s jems and plays better than a 1570 prestige (Japan).
You just have to be lucky and know which ones to look for.
(And preferably i keep them fully original in this case it was in terrible condition.)
It's not a 300,00 dollar guitar.
These 80-90 japanese guitars will probably go the same route as some vintage fenders and Les Paul's when they become too expensive.
When i pickup a jem junior it's a cheap guitar. And it will stay that way unless you do a lot of work and than the value is almost zero.
A 80-90s Japan superstrat from charvel is in a totally different league the moment you feel and hear it.
It has great fretwork, quartersaw neck etc. Not something you see on most mid priced guitars.
With all the upgrades and repairs i spend little under 1000,00 but it rivals my 90s jems and plays better than a 1570 prestige (Japan).
You just have to be lucky and know which ones to look for.
(And preferably i keep them fully original in this case it was in terrible condition.)
Last edited:
Slouching Raymond
Well-known member
I bought one some time ago. Still new condition in its box.
I just got it out and had a quick blast.
I bought it because it looked cool. It is a pretty thing.
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
They look like 'wet' hard candy. As they should.
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
Not like a Roadstar. The Ibanez I like also cost a fortune.
The Charvel I'm thinking of is the San Dimas, another Floyd rose H+H. For that price point I'd go with the Ernie Axis. Another nice H+H Floyd.
Don't say Kramer strykers were any great thing. They had paint problems and neck problems.
FrankD77
Active member
In the end we buy what we like 
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
Those 90's Charvel's were Jacksons.
Ibanez guitars are dangerous. So pointy. I'd be out playing and accidently poke out somebody's eye.
Somebody is gonna get hurt. haha
Ibanez guitars are dangerous. So pointy. I'd be out playing and accidently poke out somebody's eye.
Somebody is gonna get hurt. haha
FrankD77
Active member
In the 1980s, they were essentially the same company, with Grover Jackson producing both. Later, Charvels were sometimes used as the "import" line for Japan-made Guitars.
Now they are both owned by Fender but still are different models, other neck profiles etc. But there is indeed a huge overlap with headstocks and hardware. My pickups are Jackson for example
If you're ever so lucky to play a Japanese jem that is correctly setup you'll be spoiled for life if you're into the superstrat kind of guitars. I have a nice collection by now but the jems are unique and head and shoulders above the rest. But those japanese jems are going up very fast.
Now they are both owned by Fender but still are different models, other neck profiles etc. But there is indeed a huge overlap with headstocks and hardware. My pickups are Jackson for example
If you're ever so lucky to play a Japanese jem that is correctly setup you'll be spoiled for life if you're into the superstrat kind of guitars. I have a nice collection by now but the jems are unique and head and shoulders above the rest. But those japanese jems are going up very fast.
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
Jems are gems to jam on.
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
The Jackson Surfcaster guitar has my attention. Is this the future?
Look at the sculpting on that heel. Welcome to the future
Look at the sculpting on that heel. Welcome to the future
