Christ! How cheap is this?!?!

[MrBump]

http://www.coda-music.com/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=1766&reviews_id=41

[badgermark]

Very, a decent first guitar i suppose. Most likely plywood for the body and tinfoil tuners and bridge.

[Philly Q]

I saw a lot of those when I was trawling the interweb looking for Juniors last year.

It is very low budget looking, although apparently the body is alder.   It's bolt-on, and the tuners are indeed those cheapest-of-the-cheap types that really don't work at all. 

But for less than £100 I was almost tempted, just to use it as a project guitar.

[Transcend]

I saw a lot of those when I was trawling the interweb looking for Juniors last year.

It is very low budget looking, although apparently the body is alder.   It's bolt-on, and the tuners are indeed those cheapest-of-the-cheap types that really don't work at all. 

But for less than £100 I was almost tempted, just to use it as a project guitar.

A friend of mine used to have one of these with a JB/Jazz combo and it sounded pretty good, amazingly it played really well too.

The tuners as mentioned were absolutely awful it took a lot of time to get it in tune but it did stay there amazingly.

[Roobubba]

I tend to think that cheap things are cheap for a reason. That's not to say that a deal can't be had, but it seems rather unlikely that you could spend that little and get something pretty reasonable!

I guess upgrading hardware is an option, along with fixing all the relevant manufacturing woes that are likely to exist, but then of course, you add cost, so the deal becomes slightly less sweet.
I am a proper cynical **** though :)

Roo

[Spitfire]

I saw a lot of those when I was trawling the interweb looking for Juniors last year.

It is very low budget looking, although apparently the body is alder.   It's bolt-on, and the tuners are indeed those cheapest-of-the-cheap types that really don't work at all. 

But for less than £100 I was almost tempted, just to use it as a project guitar.

A friend of mine used to have one of these with a JB/Jazz combo and it sounded pretty good, amazingly it played really well too.

The tuners as mentioned were absolutely awful it took a lot of time to get it in tune but it did stay there amazingly.

I dont think it will have been that model as it only has one pickup..

my housemate has a gibson melody maker... although he doesnt know much about it.

He bought it as a vintage guitar, yes its old.. but its not in particully good shape.. he spent about £850 on it!! the machine heads are crooked and the origional pickup has been replaced with one of the mini rails that seymour duncan does which has been put in upside down.. it sounds terrible!! (he was told it is a telecaster pickup and thats what he thinks and nothing i say can persuade him otherwise).  I have seen them in the shops for a fraction of the price new... and a vintage one in better condition with original pickup for less aswell.

[tomjackson]

I tend to think that cheap things are cheap for a reason. That's not to say that a deal can't be had, but it seems rather unlikely that you could spend that little and get something pretty reasonable!

I guess upgrading hardware is an option, along with fixing all the relevant manufacturing woes that are likely to exist, but then of course, you add cost, so the deal becomes slightly less sweet.
I am a proper cynical **** though :)

Roo

I don't think that's Cynical, just speaking from experience.  I occationally pick up the cheapest guitars like this in guitar shops and end up cutting my hand on the razor sharp frets and generally wishing I hadn't bothered.  Sound Control had these real cheap guitars that looked okay for about £70.  I played one and there was so little resonance I thought it was about to turn into a black hole and suck in the whole shop.  You get what you pay for and I think the bargains start around £150 - £200 for Vintage's and Dano's etc.

That said, with a decent pickup and new tuners you would at least have a usable Slide Guitar.

Or perhaps I'm I am a proper cynical **** also

[38thBeatle]

I share the cynicism to an extent but would say that I have been surprised at the quality of cheap guitars before now-not this cheap though. I would suggest trying one out and if it looks like a goer, try to work out a budget for the alterations. I can't see it being fit for anything but a first guitar.

[Philly Q]

my housemate has a gibson melody maker... although he doesnt know much about it.

He bought it as a vintage guitar, yes its old.. but its not in particully good shape.. he spent about £850 on it!! the machine heads are crooked and the origional pickup has been replaced with one of the mini rails that seymour duncan does which has been put in upside down.. it sounds terrible!! (he was told it is a telecaster pickup and thats what he thinks and nothing i say can persuade him otherwise).  I have seen them in the shops for a fraction of the price new... and a vintage one in better condition with original pickup for less aswell.

I have a 1965 Melody Maker, my only vintage guitar - and it is awesome.  It's the lightest and most resonant guitar I've ever owned, it always makes me smile just hearing the way it rings out.  It has non-original metal parts, but fortunately the neck's never been broken, the finish is (I think) original and there are no additional holes routed in the body.  It cost me £600, but that was 10 years ago, I'd assume it's worth more now (?).

(I must admit I have a Duncan rails pickup too - but it's a custom made one in a Melody Maker cover.  I still have the original pickup.)

[Transcend]

I saw a lot of those when I was trawling the interweb looking for Juniors last year.

It is very low budget looking, although apparently the body is alder.   It's bolt-on, and the tuners are indeed those cheapest-of-the-cheap types that really don't work at all. 

But for less than £100 I was almost tempted, just to use it as a project guitar.

A friend of mine used to have one of these with a JB/Jazz combo and it sounded pretty good, amazingly it played really well too.

The tuners as mentioned were absolutely awful it took a lot of time to get it in tune but it did stay there amazingly.

I dont think it will have been that model as it only has one pickup..

my housemate has a gibson melody maker... although he doesnt know much about it.

He bought it as a vintage guitar, yes its old.. but its not in particully good shape.. he spent about £850 on it!! the machine heads are crooked and the origional pickup has been replaced with one of the mini rails that seymour duncan does which has been put in upside down.. it sounds terrible!! (he was told it is a telecaster pickup and thats what he thinks and nothing i say can persuade him otherwise).  I have seen them in the shops for a fraction of the price new... and a vintage one in better condition with original pickup for less aswell.

Thats true i think his was a normal LP special but still he got it for £99 and that was from the rip off shop in leeds.

[Philly Q]

Thats true i think his was a normal LP special but still he got it for £99 and that was from the rip off shop in leeds.

Was it the Les Paul Special II?

http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars/Electric_Guitars/Electric_Guitars/p1173.aspx

They can't be too bad, I believe Tony (TS) McPhee, of Groundhogs fame, was using one a few years ago.

[Philosoful]

Very, a decent first guitar i suppose. Most likely plywood for the body and tinfoil tuners and bridge.

Hahahahaha.

[dave_mc]

the les paul junior '57 reissue (the one with the p90) is very nice for the money, based on the example i tried. it is more like £150 though, but it is the correct woods and construction etc.

[Transcend]

Thats true i think his was a normal LP special but still he got it for £99 and that was from the rip off shop in leeds.

Was it the Les Paul Special II?

http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars/Electric_Guitars/Electric_Guitars/p1173.aspx

They can't be too bad, I believe Tony (TS) McPhee, of Groundhogs fame, was using one a few years ago.

Yes that looks more like it.