Is it worth it!!!! (guitar costs, not life :D)

[donovan.x]

Following a thread started by Ratrod about Sunn Mustangs it got me wndering..How often in the guitar world do you get value for money?
I used to have a Sunn and will have again in a few days and yeah it will probably need a few new bits done to it but hell, most of us are doing that with top end guitars! The only guitar that I loved as much as my Sunn is my SG standard, it rocks but I was lucky, as we all know Gibson can be a bit hit and miss.
So have you got any storys of guitars that justify the hefty tag or any storys on a genuine bargain..a diamond in the rough.
I have had an extensive history in low end ,mid range and top end guitars
and so far in my mind the budget boys are leading.

[Elliot]

Well as i have said before - in 1984 I did a play off between a Tokai strat, a Squier JV and an American Fender and the JV won, Tokai came second and the Fender a poor 3rd.  Yet I note that Soho Soundhouse are selling  'warehouse find' 82 strats for megabucks on the basis that they are genuine fenders and therefore quality.

[big steve]

i got a richwood strat for £150 (because it had a ding in it, pales into insignificane next to the ones i've put in it though :lol: ) added a few bits and bobs, tuners, electronics etc, quality plank now.

[Ratrod]

I usually go for something affordable and then pimp it.

[Peterku]

I have two electrics: an ash Strat-copy modded to hell (I bought it for its body and neck, now only the wood, the back plate, the jack plate and the nut are stock), and a custom-built Artist (see my avatar). Both have the best components I could find for their application. Neither project was cheap but now both guitars are exactly like the ideal image in my head. However, while the Artist has an exclusive feel (you won't go to work every day with a Maybach ;)) and I play it only when I need that - heavenly - sound, I use my Strat for rehearsals and practice as a versatile workhorse guitar, and I don't mind scratches on it (it only has a thin natural satin finish anyway). Both guitars are equally useful to me.

[Dakine]

LOL
ALL my purchases have been (IMO) bargains! Cept maybe my Les Paul.

I got my "natural" finish Jackson Soloist SL4 (jap. thru-neck) for $480 (think 277 quid). It needed a re-finish really as it was chipped in places so got it covered on insurance and Ron Pace Luthier currently has it. So it will be like new for that price.

My first Ernie Ball Axis was $500 (with two small chips on front, no whammy bar and no case, bout 289 quid). I ordered a whammy bar for $12 and will get a case free (read on lol). So all in (and it's my FAVE axe) it cost 295 quid.

Second Ernie Ball Axis (hardtail this time) I got from a guy that won it for "Best Guitarist" at the Boston Ermengenza and did'nt want it (he plays a Lucille) so sold it to me for $500 new in case hangtags and all!!!! Also, with it's paintjob, it's one of only 3 ever made! Hardcase has a small ding and the shipping was insured so UPS is gonna pay for a new case (eventually) which will house the first Ernie Ball :)

Lastlty, the one that got away. Well not really, the one I should NEVER have sold (I have travelled/worked round the world as a Professional Diver then ROV Supervisor for over 15 years so did'nt have the chance to play at the time). Was a first edition Warwick Streamer Bass. Exotic unfinished hardwood, straightthrough neck, bees wax finish, active pickups, gold hardware, strings still bright from new, 280 quid if memory serves, from rich kid who bought it as first Bass and could'nt/did'nt want to play.

Bargains ARE out there. Just gotta keep an eye out. Also, my dad ALWAYS told/taught my "Money Talks". Cash (rather than credit etc.) is a POWERFUL incentive/bargaining tool.

Sorry for long post but ya asked LOL

Nick

[Searcher]

In my experience you get what you pay for, unless you're really lucky (or unlucky).

My favourite guitars have been damn expensive--$6000 Martin, $6000 Tele, current $3000 Zion custom. The '73 SG and '78 Strat I had were good too, but required some doing up. None of my other guitars have really come close to the expensive ones, especially in the acoustic arena.  Even those ridiculously over-priced Fender relics sound and feel better than the average Strat or Tele.

I think the only exception is when you build a guitar from parts; then you can get it a lot more cheaply than if it had been mass-produced or custom-made for you.

[sambo]

you've had guitars worth $6000...!!?!???!

[Searcher]

you've had guitars worth $6000...!!?!???!

Heh. Yeah.

<name dropping>I bought the Tele from Mark Evans, the old bass player from ACDC, back in Sydney, Australia. I felt paranoid about playing it out and so I sold it. The person I sold it to then sold it to George Harrison shortly before he died. He was also was selling an acoustic guitar for $225,000 AUD. That was a bit much.</name dropping>

[sambo]

dear god.... you.... you.... you RICH PERSON!

[hobleguitars]

Sambo, get a paper-round!

[sambo]

for your information, i had a paper round, but it was 7 days a week, £2 a day.... what a great rate that was! damn why ever did i quit that... i could have been at $6000 in no time! blast!

[hobleguitars]

That's slacker-talk. Earn your keep!

[sambo]

not a chance at that kind of disgraceful pay.... i thought it was a joke to be honest.... are you telling me that you would work for that?

or are you just deliberately trying to incrimnate me as a lazy bar-steward!?!  

[Gochaz]

In fact, Hobleguitars stubbonly refuses to get a job, and he has never had one, either.

Back on topic, I'd rather buy a beastly guitar on a budget.