Guitar from 1983?

Fuengi

You have to go for a Master Series Fender. They are exclusive to 83-85. 

http://www.masterseriesguitars.com/

Funkfingers

The 1983 Fender American Standard Telecaster never did Jeff Buckley's career any harm.

Jetfire said:

Ibanez Roadstar 2

Hell, yeah. 

https://i.imgur.com/D2BFx7d.jpg?1

SteveRobinson

springhead said:

 I’ve got an ‘84 335 which is fab. 

I sold my '84 natural ES-335. I'd buy it back in a heartbeat. 

Adamski

My birth year is 1982 and that’s slim pickings too. My favourite guitar is a Strat though and the Japanese Squiers debuted in ‘82 so I have been low key gassing for one for a while. I just don’t want to pay the £700 people occasionally ask for them! 

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

I'm a 1982 baby and have often thought of doing the same. From what I've seen and read, to be honest I think it'll depend entirely on the condition of the guitar and how well it's been looked after. For example from the recent thread on here about best years for Les Pauls it seems that even when Gibson weren't exactly consistent with their QC, it doesn't mean you'll necessarily end up with a duffer. 

If/when I ever decide to look into it seriously it'd be a case of trying out as many as I could and seeing what I clicked with. My local shop has a 1982 Les Paul Custom in at the minute which I definitely click with, but unfortunately my bank balance doesn't quite click with at the moment! 

SteveF

It wasn’t from 83 (also my year of birth) but I had a 78 Tokai Les Paul Reborn and it was the best guitar I had ever owned. I loved the fact it was older than I was.  It’s my biggest regret in terms of selling guitars. I’ve played early 80s Tokai guitars too. Definitely a recommendation for Tokai if you’re looking into getting something from that era. 

victorludorum

Fender Elite Series. The presursor to the Plus series I believe...

guitars4you

SteveRobinson said:

If you have the budget, one of the early Gibson ES-335 dot reissues would be a great guitar.

good call on that Steve and plenty of credibility about them

spark240

Yamaha SG ?

richardhomer

With the exception of @SteveRobinson’s suggestion of an early dot neck 335 reissue, the ‘big two’ American brands weren’t producing great guitars in 1983. Fender’s Standard Tele & Strat we’re essentially cost-cutting exercises (top-loading bridges, the loss of a tone control on the Strat to allow the output jack to be mounted on the scratch plate, etc) - the upmarket ‘Elites’ were innovative - but heavy.

As others have said - Japanese is almost certainly the way to go - JV Squires (don’t pay ‘silly’ money though) and Tokai in particular.

KDS

I have a JV strat and tele, both are 83. After recent additions I might be tempted to shift either of them.

lovestrat74

Most things Japanese. I've got an Epiphone Riviera and I can't put it down - and I'm a fender guy!

guitars4you

Looking at the above suggestions so far and 1983 is no where near as bad as some years

All below are Made in Japan ref far eastern options

Yamaha SG2000 or original SG1000
Yamaha SA2000 or similar
Yamaha SF models
Aria PE1000 and a Gerry Cott PE1000
Ibanez  Artist Solid body or semi acoustic
Ibanez LR10 Lee Ritenour - not sure if available in 1983 but certainly early 80's
Early Jap Tokai - 335, LP Strat or Tele style
Squier JV

USA then a Fender Tele Elite not so bad and probably the best of the bunch IMO

Bit more rocky - USA Hamer or Kramer models
USA Guild S300
Ricky 330/360 etc
Gibson 335 - probably best option IMO if funds allow

Something quirky then a Tokai Talbo

A few to choose from

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Here's a 1983 Tokai Strat for MiM Fender money...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/83-Tokai-Silver-Star-Stratocaster-Guitar-Japan-Relic-st38/232931585474?hash=item363bcdedc2:g:-V4AAOSwgq9beqsZ