Cheap strat styled rock guitars

[Ian Price]

Hello all,

I'm looking at potentially getting a cheapish strat styled rock-ish guitar. I've had a quick look around and quite like the spec of the ESP GL-256, it's also pretty cheap. Has anyone got one or can recommend another in this sort of style for £400.00 or less (I like the single hb and double sc approach)?

Only thing I don't like about the ESP is the finish:

http://www.guitarvillage.co.uk/product-detail_huge.asp?id=6473&catid=3&quantity=1&manid=137

[TwilightOdyssey]

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[Ian Price]

Page load error.

Apologies - should be alright now.

[Ted 'N' Leo]

I know what you mean about that ESP, it does seem like a lovely guitar, but the finish has that "stuck on paint" look, like the Rory Gallagher customs.

I suppose there would be nothing stopping you from buying it and refinishing it (If you were Philly!).

[Crazy_Joe]

The ESP is probably a nice playing/sounding guitar but it looks like shite imo.

[Ian Price]

I suppose there would be nothing stopping you from buying it and refinishing it (If you were Philly!).

I hadn't thought of that. Sounds like a thoroughly sensible idea.

[TwilightOdyssey]

The LTD Lynch guitars look really bad in person.

How about one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQ4zLEVKt0

[Ian Price]

The LTD Lynch guitars look really bad in person.

How about one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQ4zLEVKt0

They look pretty awesome. UK stockists? Had a quick look and couldn't find any!

[Sifu Ben]

Cort G260B? The new ones are HSS but you can still get the old spec with 3 hot rail types as well. Only £200ish.

[Philly Q]

I know what you mean about that ESP, it does seem like a lovely guitar, but the finish has that "stuck on paint" look, like the Rory Gallagher customs.

I suppose there would be nothing stopping you from buying it and refinishing it (If you were Philly!).

 :lol:

I think that looks a cool guitar (neck might be too thin, but that's just for me personally).  The finish is pretty cheesy though.  If I really hated it I think I'd strip it completely - which should be fairly easy - and maybe do an oil/wax finish (with a bit of advice from Wez and Jonathan).

Are you thinking hot-rodded regular Strat, or a superstrat with a Floyd and all that gubbins?  If it's the former, what about a Fender Highway 1?  They're about £500 new but I'm sure you could get one S/H for £400.

[Ian Price]

Are you thinking hot-rodded regular Strat, or a superstrat with a Floyd and all that gubbins?  If it's the former, what about a Fender Highway 1?  They're about £500 new but I'm sure you could get one S/H for £400.

Hot rodded regular strat would probably suit me better - used to have a floyd rose and spent way too much time setting it up. Are the neck profiles on Highway 1's pretty thin? I like thin necks!

[hamfist]

the Cort Strats around £200 are just fantastic guitars. Add a bit of money for a set up and possibly a replacement bridge HB, and that is still well within your budget.
  I have a Cort G254, which cost about £155. it is a staggeringly good guitar for the money. The neck and frets are particularly excellent.
  The only thing that you can see they have saved a bit of money on is the pickups, which are not terrible, but could certainly be improved upon.

[Philly Q]

Are the neck profiles on Highway 1's pretty thin? I like thin necks!

The Highway 1 neck is certainly slim, but not an Ibanez toothpick.  I like fat necks so I'd prefer it a little bigger, but it's not skinny enough for me to dislike it!

It's a "modern C" shape like the recent American Series/American Standard, quite nicely rounded and not very much thicker at the 12th fret than the first.  And like all US Fenders the fretboard edges are slightly "rolled", which is a nice touch.

[hunter]

I've been GASing for JEM555s recently, they go for about 500 on the bay.

Agree with TO, one of those Charvel So-Cals would be a nice addition to the family *love

[dave_mc]

what about a yamaha pacifica 812?