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Author Topic: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)  (Read 3505 times)

Afghan Dave

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Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« on: July 24, 2009, 05:49:24 PM »
If like me you can't help looking at all guitars you're bound to have come across some of the far-east ranges and thought...

"Man, that's CHEAP and I could pimp the HELL outta that"!!

The age old question of... "am I customising a bargain or polishing a turd".



What brands/models (other than the god-damn Yamaha Pacifica ) have you been tempted to get as a project?

Here is my current fave - the RG350M for a base price of £340! First thing everyone is thinkin' JEM? & a quick search turned these pics up immediately.
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gwEm

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2009, 06:25:59 PM »
i keep wondering about buying a P90 Vintage Goldtop Les Paul and making into into a Les Paul Deluxe. £209!!



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Philly Q

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2009, 06:27:10 PM »
I don't know how good the guitar is, but that Ibanez is a nice piece of pimping.

My problem is, whenever I think I'll get, say, a cheap Strat for modding, I go "hmmm, I'd prefer that neck shape, and a 9.5" radius, and I don't really want to change the bridge...."

.... and I end up with a US model costing £900.  And then I still change the bridge.  :?



But going back to the original question...

Quote
What brands/models (other than the god-damn Yamaha Pacifica ) have you been tempted to get as a project?

Squier Hello Kitty.

And I guess my Japanese Epis would count as cheap project guitars too, although in fact there wasn't much wrong with them out of the box.
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Afghan Dave

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2009, 06:30:24 PM »
I like the Vintage goldtop idea!

That could really work.
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gwEm

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2009, 06:32:03 PM »
+1 with Philly Q on the hello kitty

wonder what else people are thinking of!
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

MDV

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2009, 06:35:31 PM »
Can be either.

I've had quite a number of cheap guitars that I've 'polished'. Almost all have moved on because they were in some way flawed, not intolerably, but enough that I never played them over my good guitars.

Two remian - an RG7321 that with suitable alterations I have zero problem with and enjoy playing. However, I've played an RG321 and it was horrible. Read into that what you will. The other is an epi LP goldtop. More flawed than the Ibby, but better than any other Epi I've played and does for a guitar to have around in E.

I dont recommend epi in general though.

Best brand, on average, for upgrading, IMO, is dean. I didnt have very good luck with that personally, I got a cr@p one and a great one that I didnt agree with the feel of, but I've played several other upgraded deans that were great.

Followed by ibanez.

As always, due to variability, play the guitar youre going to buy.
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Philly Q

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2009, 06:37:46 PM »
Very similar to gwEm's idea really, but I've been thinking of putting minibuckers in my LP Special to get something like this (but in a boring cherry colour):



However, I also have a pair of DiMarzio DLX P-90 sized humbuckers which could go in the same guitar.  Can't decide... so it still has the Epiphone P-90s.
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Afghan Dave

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2009, 06:44:57 PM »
Quote from: MDV on July 24, 2009, 06:35:31 PM
Can be either.

I've had quite a number of cheap guitars that I've 'polished'. Almost all have moved on because they were in some way flawed, not intolerably, but enough that I never played them over my good guitars.

Two remian - an RG7321 that with suitable alterations I have zero problem with and enjoy playing. However, I've played an RG321 and it was horrible. Read into that what you will. The other is an epi LP goldtop. More flawed than the Ibby, but better than any other Epi I've played and does for a guitar to have around in E.

I dont recommend epi in general though.

Best brand, on average, for upgrading, IMO, is dean. I didnt have very good luck with that personally, I got a cr@p one and a great one that I didnt agree with the feel of, but I've played several other upgraded deans that were great.

Followed by ibanez.

As always, due to variability, play the guitar youre going to buy.

Kinda missing the point.... It is take your pick time.

IMHO..

All bets are off at this price point as 90% of any "major" premier brands products are probably going to be made in the same factory /production line when subcontracted to Indonesia or Korea...
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indysmith

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2009, 06:46:52 PM »
Philly that guitar is too sexy.
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Twinfan

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2009, 06:53:13 PM »
Squier Classic Vibes are perfect for pimping in my opinion!
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MDV

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2009, 06:57:19 PM »
Quote from: Afghan Dave on July 24, 2009, 06:44:57 PM
Quote from: MDV on July 24, 2009, 06:35:31 PM
Can be either.

I've had quite a number of cheap guitars that I've 'polished'. Almost all have moved on because they were in some way flawed, not intolerably, but enough that I never played them over my good guitars.

Two remian - an RG7321 that with suitable alterations I have zero problem with and enjoy playing. However, I've played an RG321 and it was horrible. Read into that what you will. The other is an epi LP goldtop. More flawed than the Ibby, but better than any other Epi I've played and does for a guitar to have around in E.

I dont recommend epi in general though.

Best brand, on average, for upgrading, IMO, is dean. I didnt have very good luck with that personally, I got a cr@p one and a great one that I didnt agree with the feel of, but I've played several other upgraded deans that were great.

Followed by ibanez.

As always, due to variability, play the guitar youre going to buy.

Kinda missing the point.... It is take your pick time.

IMHO..

All bets are off at this price point as 90% of any "major" premier brands products are probably going to be made in the same factory /production line when subcontracted to Indonesia or Korea...

Oh, you mean just to pretty up. Okey dokey. Never been interested in that.
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Ratrod

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2009, 07:01:40 PM »
I pimped the hell out of a Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster.

I'm also very tempted to pimp out a cheap hollow body.

I did one some time ago and sold it.



List of mods:

plugged the volume and tone knob holes;
single master volume in the lower horn;
Painted it lime gold;
installed sound posts;
pinned the bridge base;
chrome roll-o-matic bridge;
chrome Grover Super Rotomatics;
replaced B700 for a chrome B60 Bigsby;
Black GFS Hot Nashville pickups in raised rings;
graphite nut.

I think that was it.
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Afghan Dave

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2009, 07:01:58 PM »
Quote from: Twinfan on July 24, 2009, 06:53:13 PM
Squier Classic Vibes are perfect for pimping in my opinion!

I've been looking at those Tele's...
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Ted 'N' Leo

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2009, 07:04:07 PM »
Quote from: Twinfan on July 24, 2009, 06:53:13 PM
Squier Classic Vibes are perfect for pimping in my opinion!

+1

I think i'll be turning my Tele into an esquire preeeeetty soon...
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Ratrod

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Re: Cheap n Nasty (in a desirable way)
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2009, 07:17:14 PM »
Shamelessly showing off:

Link to my modded Classic Vibe: http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17525.0

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