What current guitar would you buy for £1000 +/- £100

Dave_Mc

Problem is the few I'd probably consider I haven't actually tried, so none of these are recommendations!

Fame PRS-alike (made in Czech Republic, I think, they start around ~£850)
PRS S2 (sometimes you can get them around £1000 if you're easy on model and colour)
Eastman 335-alike (the 386 can be got for just under £1000)
Ibanez Genesis RG 550 or 565
FGN/Fujigen (various models)
I've seen a few MIJ Arias under or around that price too
Fender Vintera Jazzmaster

Probably something really obvious I'm forgetting

menamestom

Devil#20 said:

menamestom said:

Probably another partscaster, not sure what, but the following parts:-

Guitarbuild, Hosco or Allparts body. Lightweight, nitro finish
Musikraft Neck - the last one I got was great, lovely dark rosewood and SS frets.  Nice full C profile, oil finished.
Mojo pickups, or similar.
Gotoh hardware, or similar.

Last one I made came in around £700, although pickups may be upgraded.

Strat Partscaster Build - Making & Modding Discussions on theFretBoard

I meant new, readily available shop bought guitars.

However, having looked at your post above you aren't that target market. Superb work on both guitars. You can build a much better spec'd guitar and still be under budget. Where did you pick the skills up from? I'd love to have a go myself but wouldn't know where to start. I'm OK on the electronics side of things but spraying a body that well I think is beyond my skillset. 

Spraying the body is not that hard, at least not to the level I have on these guitars.  The prep is hard, but it's just a process.
The spraying is fairly easy becuase you don't have to get a 'finish', like some paints.  Each coat of nitro blends into the last one then once hardened you buff up.  But in the case of the blue strat I cheated and used a satin finish which doesn't require any further finishing.

The setup has the most skill, but unless it lands just right, I get somebody else to do that.  I do make sure neck edges and fret ends are smooth with plenty of fettling.

As to what shop guitar I'd get, I'd possibly try a PRS SE DGT, or just above budget, an Eastman thinline or something.

RaymondLin

On paper, for a brand new guitar without trying, probably PRS SE DGT.

Or Fender Strat Road Worn.

If it is used, then it would be a PRS S2.

KrisGee

Second hand PRS CE 24. Few nice bargains out there around that price tag. Can't beat a full fat American PRS for that kind of money. 

Matt_McG

* PRS S2 of some kind. Vela would be more to my taste than some of the others.

* Rivolta of some kind. I've played a few and liked them all.

 * new Yamaha Pacifica Standards

* Vintera II Jazzmaster or Strat

Supportact

Thinking about it I've never actually bought a brand new electric guitar, only second hand. So it's probably not going to come up, but I'd probably get the best telecaster I could get with the money. Maybe one of the Mexican Vintera ones if they're still available. 

bertie

EDIT

ah,  you said new...................................  goes looks again......................

watch this space

Paul_C

A Strat*

*Telecaster.

Sporky

Ah, Telecasters...

One's too many, ten's not enough. 

Grampa

Used PRS S2 594

Sporky

Grampa said:

Used PRS S2 594

That doesn't quite fit the "new" requirement... 

grungebob

Even though I returned it, I’d still have to say the standard Yamaha Revstar for £670 just can’t be beat for quality and price. I’d factor in the rest to gut its electrics and install new pickups and pots. 

The Revstar sounds f**king awesome under gain but very very shit when things clean up. 

The 5 way in between sounds are pointless and the focus switch is useless. 

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Based on my most recent purchase I would look for a used Harmony guitar. I've got a Silhouette (with Bigsby) for less than £900 and it's outstanding. Made in the US, nteresting and 'different' designs, good spec and really nice in-house pickups. Their whole range is pretty cool IMO. 

Blueingreen

My last but one purchase was a used Fender American Pro 2 Telecaster for £1080.  I really love it and it's displaced more expensive guitars as my current number 1. In fact it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's radically altered my perception of what I want from a guitar.  Much of this is purely subjective - the neck just seems right for me personally.  But it's what I'd buy again.

ditchboy

Fender pro strat 2 in Olympic white with rw fretboard. The neck. 

bertie

Sporky said:

Grampa said:

Used PRS S2 594

That doesn't quite fit the "new" requirement... 

indeed, hence I had to change my post............................... 

ditchboy said:

Fender pro strat 2 in Olympic white with rw fretboard. The neck. 

that's a bit more than + £100 

nacnudnai

Probably one of those new Strandberg Boden Essentials. My Boden Prog gets more playtime than any of my other guitars these days, and I could live without the fanned frets and trem if I had to.

duotone

mikeyrob73 said:

with £1k in hand and it has to be brand new? 

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/180418326230007--prs-s2-standard-22-satin-mccarty-tobacco-sunburst

I remember Rhett Shull doing a PRS comparison video & that S2 (the 24 fret model) was his favourite, the best bang for buck.
https://youtu.be/2CeBuKjL0PU?si=5k9ZIKuHXvKTrTPR

ditchboy

bertie said:

Sporky said:

Grampa said:

Used PRS S2 594

That doesn't quite fit the "new" requirement... 

indeed, hence I had to change my post............................... 

ditchboy said:

Fender pro strat 2 in Olympic white with rw fretboard. The neck. 

that's a bit more than + £100 

You can pick them up used for that. I just sold one myself for that price. 

menamestom

I played a Revstar P90 a while ago which was really nice.   Plenty of change from a grand as well.