Max Pimpable Paula

[remak]

Suppose you were looking for a pimpable stage Paula. One that if it got ripped or smashed, you might feel sad but you wouldn't cry.

And setting a strict budget of say, 300 Quid, 470 Euros, $us585 i.e. low end, and assuming the pickups will be replaced with BKPs, which cheepo offers the max pimpability, ie. good build/bad pickups ratio.

Some of possible contenders (with perhaps a German bias): Thomann's own (chinese) brand, Harvey Benton
http://www.thomann.de/de/harley_benton_lp-modelle.html

Musicstore's own ultra cheep  J&D brand (made in ???) (had to split the URL, sorry).
http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/
ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=TOZgS6SfaObm0000000000000000WZ4mJy59?
CatalogVideo=&ProductUUID=lF_VqHzmLtgAAAEXaZxgyFiq&CatalogCategoryID=uebVqHzleRoAAAEVSxpWf70R&JumpTo=OfferList#

Yamaha
 http://www.thomann.de/de/yamaha_aes420_bl_egitarre.htm

I haven't played any of them but the HB looks interesting, if you cover up the name with black tape to stop the audience laughing at you.

[remak]

Oh and for the US readers, all those prices already include the 19% Purchase Tax that goes to fund the BRD government's highly useful and effective social programs.

[hamfist]

Why would you want to buy a cheap guitar that plays like shite, when you most need to impress. Personally, I wouldn't be wanting to battle a cr@ppy neck, frets and tuners all night at a gig.
   Best compromise IMO is a MIJ LP copy, like an Edwards or a Tokai.

Of the guitars you mention, I would suspect the Yamaha would probably be the best made. Although I would suspect that it would probably have a 42mm nut width as opposed to the std LP nut width of 43mm. The yamaha website doesn't give the nut width, so you'd have to measure one to find out.
  Maybe also consider the ESP EC200 series (although these still have the narrower 42mm nut width).
  If you are desperate to spend less than £300, I'd be looking at a used Epi, then spend the remainder of your cash on a good setup & pickups.

[WezV]

when going for el cheapo guitars i would always recomment something like yamaha... most of the ones i have played seem to be great for the money

alternatively i think looking for a used epi or something already stripped down is a great suggestion

i might even have a 90's epiphone standard minus all its hardware lurking in a corner of the workshop - very green though

[hunter]

Vintage Icon Series

Or if it can be afforded: An Edwards, but this might make you cry if it breaks.

[mikeluke]

Wildcard....

Aria PE-SPL DLX or PE-Anniversary - if you can find a used one - set neck, quite nicely made and you get good upper fret access.

[jibidy]

I would say to avoid those harley benton things. And most other shop brands, like those nevada's you get in cash converters!

The yamaha looks nice though, I played that same model in the local shop and it felt really nice quality. The local shop was charging 500+ though for some reason :?:

Other than that Ebay it for a Japanese copy like Hamfist said.

[remak]

hamfist said

Best compromise IMO is a MIJ LP copy, like an Edwards or a Tokai.

Trouble with Tokai is that, where I am, you can't get one for less than 1000Euros. The prices are overlapping the low end Gibsons, like the LP Recording and BFG

http://www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/gibson-les-paul-bfg-translucent-gold-p-21713.html

or even this
http://www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/gibson-flying-v-67-classic-white-p-10157.html

and though the Edwards appear great value, importing one unseen, sending cash to Japan, having to take an afternoon off work and spend it doing paperwork in the Zollamt/Customs dampens my enthusiasm.

[remak]

The yamaha looks nice though, I played that same model in the local shop and it felt really nice quality.

I might pop down to my local store and try one. It looks like it's begging for a set of painkillers, doesn't it? Two problems with the Yamaha: they often have odd 3-screw pick up mounting systems and odd p/u sizes. Anyone know if a std. BKP would fit? Second: that bridge ...

[remak]

hunter wrote

Or if it can be afforded: An Edwards, but this might make you cry if it breaks.

I think it would!

Its said that Hendrix sold 10x more Fenders than then entire Fender marketing department. I guess BKP+Hunter's demos on YT have done the same for Edwards :D

I guess the ideal pimpable would be an Edwards without paying for the Seymours and without having to sit around in the customs house.

There is a Swiss Edwards importer selling to the UK. I asked why no shipping to Germany just over the border... answer: because the Zollamt/customs dept. are such a PIA.