Low budget, high value

fandango

Reading this thread is like letting loose with those foam aerosols you get from DIY stores.

Now just waiting for the Gibson fanbois to roll up and claim an R8 as the best value guitar under £5,000.

kt66

Revelation, the Danelectro DC 59, and Cort, especially their acoustics. 

Jalapeno

57Deluxe said:

Grumpyrocker said: and

uncledick said:

Early PRS SEs can be had for £150 now.  Really well made and properly capable of coping with a pickup/pot upgrade when you feel like it.

I've got one I bought used in 2009. CU22, moons, fairly chunky neck. Changed the pickups for some Iron Gear. Fabulous guitar, as well made as any guitar I've played at any price. Very nice gig bag too.

Best gig bags you will ever hope to find at any price.

Another SE vote. I sanded a few mm off the Fat Wide neck - (PRS isn't THAT Fat or Wide anyway tbh)

Also Pacifica gets my vote

Nikc

My local shop has a Chinese Tokai Love Rock just over 300 and it is one of the better LP's I've played it almost makes me want one. 

duotone

stimpsonslostson said:

Squier Jazzmaster Deluxe. 

It's basically the incredibly popular Mascis signature model (as used by Tame Impala, Smith Street Band & J himself) , but in red... I bought mine new for under £300 & it's GREAT! 

https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--4F05JCSr--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1487966695/uwqhtuseoginrokmxzys.jpg

The Mascis is £150 more expensive. 

Nice to see a better photo which shows te colours.  Every other photo I’ve seen looks completely different...even the Fender website. https://www.dawsons.co.uk/squier-2017-deluxe-jazzmaster-electric-guitar-with-tremolo-candy-apple-red?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4P3EstXr3wIVRLDtCh0FPgy6EAQYAiABEgKN7_D_BwE

longjaw

Telecaster from Alan George Guitars on Facebook. £88 delivered.

Lovely, chunky neck, perfectly dressed frets and light body - couple of minor flaws in the finish but nothing serious. The pick ups weren't bad but I swapped them out for Wilkinsons.

Gigged with it a few times and well impressed with it.

TTBZ

I'm all for the cheaper underdog guitar. My main guitar for years was an Epiphone LP Custom, loved it and should have kept it!

Full disclosure I do own a Gibson SG but i really like the PRS SE guitars and would have no issue taking one over a Gibson based on the ones I've played, especially the Bernies. JHS Vintage are nice too and I'd definitely have an LTD Eclipse too. Most of the time they just need a pickup swap to get the best out of them.

I just don't think expensive guitars are worth the money - or at least I can't feel enough of a difference to justify the expense.

Funkfingers

Everything that has been posted about Cort guitars also applies to the Made In Indonesia Hamer XT range from before production ceased. (Less keen on the Korean ones. Haven’t tried the recent ones.) Find a nice one. Lavish it with TLC. Upgrade the pickup(s). Plug in to overdriven valve amplification. Grin.

Grumpyrocker

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

stickyfiddle

Not quite sub-300, but broke-necked Gibson SGs. If you get a good one it's certainly under 400 and they're about as good as guitars get.

soma1975

Grumpyrocker said:

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

I did this many moons ago and it really brought the guitar to life. Do it do it do it

gilby

soma1975 said:

Grumpyrocker said:

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

I did this many moons ago and it really brought the guitar to life. Do it do it do it

I've never had a chance play one. How do the necks live up to the "thin U" description in comparision to the epi "slim taper" ?

Grumpyrocker

soma1975 said:

Grumpyrocker said:

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

I did this many moons ago and it really brought the guitar to life. Do it do it do it

Spent quite some time last week adjusting the pickups and the pole-pieces and I've got it sounding pretty great now. So I may leave off the upgrade, for a while.

soma1975

gilby said:

soma1975 said:

Grumpyrocker said:

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

I did this many moons ago and it really brought the guitar to life. Do it do it do it

I've never had a chance play one. How do the necks live up to the "thin U" description in comparision to the epi "slim taper" ?

Been a few years since I owned it but played very much like a fast modern guitar without quite being an Ibanez Wizard neck. 

gilby

so4ma1975 said:

gilby said:

soma1975 said:

Grumpyrocker said:

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

I did this many moons ago and it really brought the guitar to life. Do it do it do it

I've never had a chance play one. How do the necks live up to the "thin U" description in comparision to the epi "slim taper" ?

Been a few years since I owned it but played very much like a fast modern guitar without quite being an Ibanez Wizard neck. 

Ta for that. May have venture further out to try one.

Th4fonz

If I had £300 budget I'd go used.  I'd go for a classic vibe hunt one down for £200 buy some customshop pickups for £100 to put In it.  I'd prob sand the neck down and get it all set up to my acquired taste

skullfunkerry

Grumpyrocker said:

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

As I've mentioned many times on here, my main gigging guitar for years was an LTD EC1000... not exactly budget, but I'd take it over a Les Paul any day. My friend has an EC400 and that feels virtually identical, so I can't imagine the 256 being much different. Cracking guitars!

Arjailer

LuttiS said:

Cort guitars.. most of the sub £300pack a punch. If you break your rules a but more, there is the Cort /Manson Telecasters.. which are Manson spec, Cort made. Hell of a guitar for £380ish.

In fact, thomann has them for sub £300 at the moment. So that one .Yeah

Tried one of the Cort/Manson tele's over the christmas break (was looking for something different from my usual twinbucker rockers) - was very impressed - a great guitar for £400

Noticed last night they were only £220 on Thomann - ordered almost immediately     

Grumpyrocker

skullfunkerry said:

Grumpyrocker said:

I've got an inexpensive LTD Eclipse - an EC-256. It's really well made with no construction issues at all. The pickups are a bit pish so I think I might stick some Iron Gear ones in there soon. But otherwise it's a great guitar.

As I've mentioned many times on here, my main gigging guitar for years was an LTD EC1000... not exactly budget, but I'd take it over a Les Paul any day. My friend has an EC400 and that feels virtually identical, so I can't imagine the 256 being much different. Cracking guitars!

Yep can't really think of a thing wrong with it. Excellent guitars for the price.

rossi

i fancy that Silvertone 1423.Looks great and usuable value for 249 .Liked by many  it seems and I may well get one .