What's the best guitar you can buy for £500?

[MrBump]

Seriously.  No conditions, no playing styles.  What would win?

Mark.

[Philly Q]

I daren't even try to answer that, it's too subjective.

There's probably some Schecter, Ibanez, LTD or Washburn which I'd never buy in a million years but is, nevertheless, fantastic value for money.

[MrBump]

I daren't even try to answer that, it's too subjective.

There's probably some Schecter, Ibanez, LTD or Washburn which I'd never buy in a million years but is, nevertheless, fantastic value for money.

Awwww, go on!  That was kinda the point, to get loads of views and opinions that perhaps wouldn't necessarily come out (i.e. what's the best £500 guitar for a Slayer tribute band?)

[Twinfan]

I take it we're talking brand new guitar here?  No useds allowed  :)

My vote would go to the Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster.  £280 at full retail price, £230 if you shop around.  Stock pickups and electrics are perfectly good, and the whole guitar punches well above its weight.  It's already routed for a neck humbucker, so that's a really easy mod if you so desire.  And I do, hence the TV Jones Classic I have on order  ;)

The Baja Tele was my other choice, but the thick neck, variable weight and higher price make it a bit more of a gamble to buy sight unseen.

[MrBump]

I take it we're talking brand new guitar here?  No useds allowed  :)

My vote would go to the Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster.  £280 at full retail price, £230 if you shop around.  Stock pickups and electrics are perfectly good, and the whole guitar punches well above its weight.  It's already routed for a neck humbucker, so that's a really easy mod if you so desire.  And I do, hence the TV Jones Classic I have on order  ;)

The Baja Tele was my other choice, but the thick neck, variable weight and higher price make it a bit more of a gamble to buy sight unseen.

Definitely new.

But your Squire gives a lot of change from a £500 note...  Is it REALLY worth that???

[dave_mc]

dang, the "no used" has got me. it depends on what you want, to be honest, and also £500 is kind of an in-between price bracket...

[sgmypod]

really want one of these after trying one.....and on one site just dipped below £500

[martinw]

A Highway 1 Strat or an SG Special.

[gwEm]

i'll controversially suggest the gibson faded series. i'm sure i'll be quickly shot down in flames, but i do think they're a bit of a deal.

[Philly Q]

Awwww, go on!  That was kinda the point, to get loads of views and opinions that perhaps wouldn't necessarily come out (i.e. what's the best £500 guitar for a Slayer tribute band?)

OK, the best new, sub-£500 guitars I've ever bought are my Japanese Epiphone Les Paul Juniors and Les Paul Special, which cost me under £400 each and I love them to bits.  They're not flawlessly built or anything, they just work.

I had a look at a US reissue Jr and the Billie Joe Armstrong signature and they weren't a patch on my Epi.

[MrBump]

i'll controversially suggest the gibson faded series. i'm sure i'll be quickly shot down in flames, but i do think they're a bit of a deal.

Do you mean this?

http://www.coda-music.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=10&products_id=243&oscsid=bbe675cfa9145e4fab4d92772e1ea415

[gwEm]

yes, for example. theres a few out including, Vs, SGs and Les Paul studios

[Stevepage]

A used Carvin. You can usually get them on ebay for under £500.

Fender Mexican Vintage Re-issues are pretty damn good too. I love the feel of the '62 Strat mexi reissue.

[Crazy_Joe]

I think the Gibson faded series is overpriced. A good Ibanez RG/S Series or LTD will be way better, i got my LTD EC-1000 for £400 including hard case and postage, i think they retails for 750-800 quid.

[gwEm]

I think the Gibson faded series is overpriced. A good Ibanez RG/S Series or LTD will be way better, i got my LTD EC-1000 for £400 including hard case and postage, i think they retails for 750-800 quid.

i knew someone would step in ;)