Real Beauties Dirt Cheap

[LazerBeakShiek]

amazon's wants like $1000 for a mkII.

I have to wait 24hrs and think about this..Famous last words but whatever.

 

[R D Smith]

I have a rule, don't buy anything while I'm drinking. Your mileage may vary...

 

[LazerBeakShiek]

#11 Dammit. ..I said I passed. I passed. nope dummie

why? At $350 with case, why not.

 

[FrankD77]

https://music.frankdoorhof.com/2026/09/23/the-japanse-connection/

Just wrote a blogpost about cheap Japanse guitars.

Also added a software section with some handy apps. Of course all free

 

[Old Music Guy]

#11 Dammit. ..I said I passed. I passed. nope dummie
View attachment 153416
why? At $350 with case, why not.

That's a beauty!!! Touches all the bases. I love the "Ricky" style f-holes. I'm a big Gretsch fan. I had three, now down to two. The master volume control is a God send. Really nice. For $350? That's a real steal. You done good, man.

 

[LazerBeakShiek]

That's a beauty!!! I'm a big Gretsch fan.

Yeah, me too.

This one was a steal at $620 with hardcase, 12 string. This is my cheap China guitar. Made in China.

Went with clear pickguards from ebay. $17.99.

This guitar has that neck line though. That line that starts at the headstock. Where the head always breaks off, from whatever. Figures, cheap china..

can't hide from the light!

 

[Slouching Raymond]

Just wrote a blogpost about cheap Japanse guitars.

My first Strat was a janapese copy. Loved it for years.

 

[FrankD77]

There are a lot of great deals to get.
The Custom in the article was only 150,00 euros and feels like a strat and plays like a strat that's in the 1000,00 range.
Just because there is a different name on the headstock (not a bad thing now a days )

 

[LazerBeakShiek]

to each his own. Not a fan of copies. Fender makes the Stratocaster, that is the proper one to get.

 

[FrankD77]

I think a lot of people would disagree especially now a days

There are many brands making strats that are better in quality and rival custom shops for a lower to much lower price.

Think about older charvel/jacksons, prs silver sky and "de"fender.
Even Ibanez started as a copy brand.

Don't get me wrong i have 3 original fenders including a sonic blue first generation malmsteen. But i play them much less than the "copies".

It does depend what you buy. There are more crap versions than better

The name on the headstock can be a "thing" that's 100% true. Who doesn't have that

 

[TalismanRich]

This guitar has that neck line though. That line that starts at the headstock. Where the head always breaks off, from whatever. Figures, cheap china..
View attachment 153419
can't hide from the light!

A scarf joint on the headstock isn't just a "cheap China" thing. There are US guitars that use scarf joints as it's a more efficient use of the wood. Done properly, they are also stronger than a single piece neck, especially on headstocks that tilt back such as Gibson's. Taylor uses them on their guitars. PRS uses it on some of their guitars. Godin uses them on certain series. They are quite common.

Flat headstock, like on Fenders, don't have the same weak spot, so scarf joints aren't used there.

 

[LazerBeakShiek]

Those nasty scarf joints.