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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Buying New Guitar? Read This First...
Posted by: ztevie Oct 17 2008, 09:21 AM
Many ppl here developing their skills are on the lookout for new guitars, and many threads are about which brand they should buy.
Here's a thread from Jemsite that I think is very nice read before we spend our hard earned money. I think the guy is very right in what he's saying. we all believe that an expensive guitar must be better, and one brand must be better than the other, but is it really always true?
I believe some brands, which are very popular, of course are more expensive. But not necessarily because they are better, but just because they are popular.
Think about it, a guitar company want to make the highest possible profit, as every other business. So if they can sell 100 guitars for $1000, compared to 200 guitars for $400, of course they will.
Fender and Gibson have the reputation of being superior, so of course they ride on that wave of popularity, and the prices are accordingly..
Now before you Fender/Gibson/Suhr/whatever lovers out there start to bash me, let me explain that I am not saying these main brands are bad, but this is something to think about, we may be able to spend some of our money on other gear, instead of spending them on the logo that is printed o the guitar...
Oh yes, the thread: http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f19/your-gonna-hate-me-maybe-even-ban-me-76242.html
Posted by: superize Oct 17 2008, 09:27 AM
True words
Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 17 2008, 09:28 AM
It's all down to who you are. I played a Parker guitar for the first time and it was way better than any Gibson, Fender or whatever I've ever played. It's down to personal opinion. I'd much rather have an expensive Caparison or Parker that plays so smoothly than a rough Squire. But that is me. I've played enough Squire guitars to realise they are amongst some of the worst guitars out there. I will stick to my hand made guitars as they have more personality and you know somebody has lovingly crafted it. 
Means that it means more to you also.
I've played a Suhr guitar and it blew Fender Strats out the water. Not just Squire.
Posted by: Skalde Oct 17 2008, 10:17 AM
It is the same with mp3 players. Ipods are not bad, but not worth the money when you compare them with other brands. As you said, every company tries to makes as much money as possible, and sometimes you just pay for the brand instead of the product itself. Of course this does not mean that this brand is bad in general.
I play a Ibanez for ~600$ and it is the best guitar I can imagine. I played several high price guitars in store, of course they were not bad, but I didn't like them that they were worth the money. So in the end it all comes to personal taste. I would never buy an article that I don't like, but has a high standing amons others.
Posted by: audiopaal Oct 17 2008, 10:29 AM
Very true, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: superize Oct 17 2008, 10:32 AM
If you got a high price guitar but suck at playing it will sound bad...
If you got a low price guitar but are good at playing it will sound better then the above...
I got a guitar that cost me about 450 dollar and it serves me good for now....
Maybe i should try and play my old 100 dollar j d strat guitar and see how it sounds
Posted by: Gus Oct 17 2008, 10:37 AM
I think it is very true that on high end, the increase on quality start to be smaller for the extra money you pay. But it is not necessarily true that one should strive to buy cheap or mid-range guitars.
An standard american fender stratocaster (costs $1000) is not 2.5x better than standard mexican fender($400), but perhaps it is something like 1.8x better. So, does it worth to buy an american fender at all? It depends on whether the quality of mexican one is enough satisfying to you or not. And our quality requirement varies a lot over time.
It is like choosing 8-year whiskey or 12-year whiskey 
: as long as you never tasted the 12-year one, you will think the 8-year is the best thing ever. Once you taste the 12-year, the 8-year one simply looks wrong. You will pay extra for your luxury, but you may never want to drink a 8-year whiskey again.
All in all, I spent a lot of money in two mid-range guitars and I regret that, because those guitars do not satisfy me anymore. Selling them I will not recover all the money I spent, so it can be even more disappointing. I wish I have bought a top guitar from the beginning. 
That said, there are top guitars that are just a little bit overpriced and there are guitars that are extremely overpriced. So take care to see if your money is being well spent.
Posted by: Xuestor Oct 17 2008, 12:13 PM
I really don't spend cash on guitars to sound or get better, I spend cash on guitars cos I've got an interest in them, and like to collect. And better or not, but a Gibson or Fender WILL stay high in value over a LONG period of time. I really just like looking at my guitars I like having them for display.
Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 17 2008, 12:16 PM
I like having them for display.I agree. I'm not just a guitarist I'm a collector of guitars. They are great pieces of art in my opinion and I'd rather look at a real Fender Stratocaster than a Squire Strat
This club in Nottingham has door handles that are Squire guitars
Posted by: Xuestor Oct 17 2008, 12:18 PM
That's killer!
Posted by: blindwillie Oct 17 2008, 12:38 PM
I agree. I liked this part "No one but you will notice or care."
I'd rather listen to a great player on an avarege guitar than a avarege player on a great guitar.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 17 2008, 09:58 PM
I think OC has a point - it's all down to who you are. Guitar reflects your personality. If you wanna high end guitar with an unknown tag, that usually costs more than branded one, because of the absence of mass production which cuts down expenses. On the other hand mass production brings quality fluctuations, so in the end, a good piece is a good piece - you never know until you try it (and buy it if you can afford it).
Posted by: besip Oct 18 2008, 05:10 AM
it's never easy 
actualy i'm playning to buy new guitar long time but when the time coming close i'm afraid to don't made mistake
actualy sure some cheap guitar can be good some no...i'm wana spend around 1000$+ or - some budget...i'm never visit guitar shop until last weak...till this time i'v been sure to buy Ibanez 2550Z..But after I'm try Sv 5470 ..i'm don't wana listen about 2550z anymore ...problem is i'm guy who is 1 weak interesed a be sure to play in future more Heavy and Thrash Metal...and other weak i'm guy who will be like to play rest his life nice melodic metal+some shreding........and my mind start working every time...when i'm more in metal i'm teling my self...oo you will be don't need ibanez tremolo...and the ibanez pickups will probaly not be screeam like Esp or jackson and when in other weak i'm back to my Nocturnal vision lesson style music 
i'm teling my self hmm Esp and Jackson are nice but i'm need something more versatible also i'm read every day diferent review for both side
i'm lost and scary to go buy first axe{if i'm don't count allready my ltd viper 50}
Posted by: FrankW Oct 18 2008, 05:31 AM
There is some truth to what you say. Take a ZO6 Corvette for instance: it costs around 75K, yet it performs as well in all aspects, as a Porsche or a Ferrari costing literally hundreds of thousands more.
This also holds true for guitars to a certain extent. Some Custom Shop Les Pauls costing thousands aren't necessarily any better that your standard models. What you're paying for is exclusivity. Some people can justify that, and have wallets fat enough for it, but not me.
But I think generally, you get what you pay for. There are plenty of nice guitars for, say, under 1000 dollars. But if you want one with a nice top, top of the line hardware, and it's handmade, you must pay.
I do think Fender Stratocasters are still a good buy these days. But they are not what you call a fancy guitar. In fact, I think they are kind of plain to look at, though, they can be quite musical sounding.
My preferences run toward the expensive, but not ridiculous. I'm not paying for something pretty to look at unless it is equipped to my liking and is functional and, of course, musical. Typically, that puts my tastes in the 2000-3000 dollar range.
Too bad I'm broke, but I'll not compromise on what I require. Some day...
Posted by: jdriver Oct 18 2008, 05:46 AM
Know thyself! If all you've ever had is a cheap guitar, no amount of reassurance is going to convince you it's good enough, until you try or buy an expensive one. Once you get past that, you can be satisfied with you choices and realize, your sound is in your fingers and feelings.
I have a $1500 guitar and a $150 guitar. My favorite is the one I'm playing when you ask me!
Posted by: Guitar1969 Oct 18 2008, 05:59 AM
I think there are some great deals on less well known guitars - and it seems like you can get more for your money if you don't get hung up on the name. Although I have a Fender Strat and a Gibson Les Paul and love them, one of my favorite guitars is still a $150 Oscar Schmit(Washburn) OE-30 which is a semi hollow body Gibson ES0335 copy. If you go on Harmony Central.com and read user reviews(Which is what I do for any new purchase) many people agree that the OE-30 is one of the best deals out there. Its a great sounding guitar
One thing that is happening in the industry, is the quality of guitars coming out of Korea and China these days is great. Take for example Breedlove acoustic guitars - built in Korea but quality controlled in the USA - Many people agree their $1000 Atlas rivals if not esceeds the Martins and the Taylors models costing $3k to $4k
Posted by: ChrisVdS Oct 18 2008, 09:26 AM
I can't do anything but agree with the guy that wrote post at jemsite.
To be honest i don't really care if the guitar is handmade or not to me it's how it is played with heart and soul for example my Ibanez RG limited edition 2008 i payed 440 euros for it, that's cheap and it's a very good guitar well for me it is not everyone likes Ibanez anyways if you change the stock pickups to some Dimarzio's for example you will have a great sounding guitar at half the price of a prestige model but that's just the way i think about it.
Posted by: Rooks Oct 18 2008, 09:55 AM
Well it's all about what feels good to you.. I like some expensive guitars, but the one I'm playing is in medium range and it feels the same to me as more expensive guitars with the same shape and configuration..
The value is all about what it is to you.
Posted by: Fran Oct 18 2008, 12:38 PM
I agree there's no need for the average player to spend thousands on guitars and other gear. And at the end of the day it's the hours of practice and hard work what counts. No one will care what guitar you swing, but how you play.
Just as there's no "real" need to spend big bucks on expensive wine and exquisite food, nice clothing and cars, or the latest computer or video game machines... but it feels so good! 
So at the end of the day everyone spends his hard earned cash in whatever pleases him the most, may it be guitar gear or any other thing. You only live once, pursuit your dreams. I love guitars and plan to get me some really nice ones in the future, but of course I understand that it won't make me a better guitarist, it just makes me happy
Posted by: bamba23 Oct 18 2008, 03:30 PM
some ppl look at the price too much.
i means,yes there are guitars that way dont worth the price
but there some that high price and worht it.
there few fenders that pretty awsome,and worth the price
and there few that not,
my personal taste,if il have 2000 bucks-4000 bucks
ESP or dean
nothing else.
Posted by: Noangels Oct 18 2008, 05:15 PM
Yeahh all the pro top dog players love playing through expensive rigs using cheap as chips guitars!There may be some you tube kings out there who get away with it as they cant buy better guitars,but mark my words if they ever make it and start earning some cash they will be getting better guitars
I think most guitars from 600 quid up brand new sound ok,below that mark it can be hit or miss!
I read through that Jem thread and LOL,I think I might get rid of my axes and buy a mex strat or a low end Ibanez as there clearly up to the standards of the high end models from all makers
Posted by: coffeeman Oct 18 2008, 06:49 PM
Why do people drive a BMW or a Mercedes? All cars do the same job transportation, is how do you want to do it. I know a lot of people that are very bad drivers but they have very expensive cars or even motorcycles(thats even worst) so at the end all is a matter of taste and of course a matter of money, if you have the money why not?
Posted by: Guitar1969 Oct 20 2008, 05:06 AM
Agree - Same analogy in Fast Food vs fine french cuisine.
I have 2 nicer guitars(Amer Fender Strat and Gibson Les Paul Standard) and I still suck, and am sometimes embarrased to have a nicer guitar than some of the musicians I know that can make their cheaper guitar sing, but I do love to look at my Les Paul when its hanging in my family room.
Besides, when I sound bad, at least I have to fess up and can't blame it on the guitar. but I will pass my guitars down to my kids and they most likely will be worth something 30+ years from now(which isn't true on cheap guitar)
Posted by: ztevie Oct 20 2008, 07:21 AM
Of course every person should be allowed to buy any guitar without being looked down at... If someone who started playing yesterday, goes out and buy a $4000 guitar today, I will certainly not tell him what an idiot he is... I would probably envy the guy who has that kind of money to spend.
And I am not someone who goes for the cheapest guitar possible, after all I have had a custom built for me, which cost more than the average Squier. It turned out nice though, and I have never regrette I put that money down for it.
As I said before, I have never been into Fender and Gibson at all, I like the golden middle road, where the best of those 2 worlds combine. Except my custom which is excellent, and my Ibanez which is also very nice in it's own way, my favorite guitars have been middle-priced:
A Schecter C1+ which was a great value for money (Schecters are nice!!), and a Peavey Vandenberg which was the ultimate shredding machine, that when setup properly, had a playability I have never before or after have experienced... Why the hell did I sell that one!?
Posted by: Chief Brody Oct 21 2008, 04:48 AM
I am most certainly very guilty of buying expensive guitars at a point where my skill did not "warrant" it.
But as has been said, if you have the money and you like the guitars then why the hell not!
My personality is the kind that once it gets set on a particular direction (in this case, guitar) then nothing but the absolute best i can get my hands on will satisfy me.
I spent a LOT of money on a few pretty expensive guitars in a short space of time, some people would call me foolish but i also spent some money on cheaper guitars and they just totally didn't do it for me (which adversely affected my desire to play....)
Nearly a year, 2 PRS's and a Strat later i have not regretted a single thing. My playing is improving leaps and bounds (thanks to GMC) and it's great to know that as i grow my guitars will be there ready to sing for me!
A guitar for me is an investment, i want it to grow with me. I don't want to reach a point where suddenly the guitar i'm using just doesn't cut it, i buy guitars for life!
But everyone's situation is different. The bottom line when buying a guitar is you have to try try try and get what you like best within the price range you're willing to pay.
Posted by: grathan Oct 26 2008, 03:58 PM
At first reading this thread I grew disheartened that my hopes of how good a Suhr would sound would be diminished. But the naysayers have failed to mention anything about what their playing through for their comparisons of $150 strats. I'm sure there is only a slightly noticeable difference when playing thorough a Spider amp or your pod xt, or your little combo amp with your Metal Zone pedal.
And not only Am i sure a Suhr will sound better, I know for a fact if you added a lot of the options that come on a suhr like a pleked fretboard, stainless steel frets, sperzel locking tuners, buzz feiten mods, The prices would start to look similar.
I bet there's no sharp fret edges, or glue peeking out from under the frets, or noisey switches either. You can actually bend a string without string motion in the saddles. WHen you tune up, I bet it will actually stay in tune.
How about the other stuff that you just can't see, like a truss rod that actually bends the whole neck straight, Or shielding to prevent odd feedback noises.
No, I'm still wanting a guitar that costs more than $150
Posted by: ztevie Oct 26 2008, 04:14 PM
And not only Am i sure a Suhr will sound better, I know for a fact if you added a lot of the options that come on a suhr like a pleked fretboard, stainless steel frets, sperzel locking tuners, buzz feiten mods, The prices would start to look similar.
I bet there's no sharp fret edges, or glue peeking out from under the frets, or noisey switches either. You can actually bend a string without string motion in the saddles. WHen you tune up, I bet it will actually stay in tune.
How about the other stuff that you just can't see, like a truss rod that actually bends the whole neck straight, Or shielding to prevent odd feedback noises.
No, I'm still wanting a guitar that costs more than $150
Yes, but the point he makes in that thread is that a cheap guitar CAN be nice, and that expensive guitars CAN be poorly setup and have flaws... He doesn't say all Squires are of same quality. I'm sure if you compare 100 Suhr and 100 Squier, maybe you'll find 1 or a few that really doesn't justify that price difference.
Hardware is a major thing, and I think if you buy a cheap guitar that resonates nice and the build seem to be nicely done on that specific piece, a change of hardware can give you a top quality guitar for much less money...
Posted by: Marc_Maiden Oct 26 2008, 06:29 PM
actualy i'm playning to buy new guitar long time but when the time coming close i'm afraid to don't made mistake
actualy sure some cheap guitar can be good some no...i'm wana spend around 1000$+ or - some budget...i'm never visit guitar shop until last weak...till this time i'v been sure to buy Ibanez 2550Z..But after I'm try Sv 5470 ..i'm don't wana listen about 2550z anymore
...problem is i'm guy who is 1 weak interesed a be sure to play in future more Heavy and Thrash Metal...and other weak i'm guy who will be like to play rest his life nice melodic metal+some shreding........and my mind start working every time...when i'm more in metal i'm teling my self...oo you will be don't need ibanez tremolo...and the ibanez pickups will probaly not be screeam like Esp or jackson and when in other weak i'm back to my Nocturnal vision lesson style music i'm teling my self hmm Esp and Jackson are nice but i'm need something more versatible also i'm read every day diferent review for both sidei'm lost and scary to go buy first axe{if i'm don't count allready my ltd viper 50}
the only difference between the S5470 and SV5470 is that the S has the locking trem, and the SV does not. The pick ups that come stock are GOOD pick ups for a very very broad range of genres...its meant for versatility rather for just metal like most jacksons and esps are equipped for. in my experience, you NEVER EVER EVER EVER buy a guitar based on its "sound" because sound is the easiest thing to change on a guitar. you can always change amps, pedals, pick ups, but its a lot harder to change playability and quality. so show for playability, not for sound.
personally, the best guitars ive had were all $400 guitars...im a used guitar junkie, i love buying old ibanez guitars and brands that no one has heard about just because i like to stay unique and different. My Rg270 from 1996 is my main guitar, i got it for $100 off craigslist....its got battle scars, but it also has a neck with filed frets, new pick ups, and new electronics....so this $100 plays just as well as any $600 guitar and up...
Posted by: berko Oct 26 2008, 06:41 PM
I'm well aware that a high-end guitar will not in the 100% of the cases provide what it should. And you actually fork out a lot of cash just for a sig that reads PRS or LesPaul on the headstock. But other than that, we are talking about serious instruments that you can hang around with all day long, you sometimes rest your hand on their wood more than on the shoulders of your girlfriend/wife, you finally get familiar with every inch of it inside out. It may seem so, but this is not an exaggeration .
Personally I consider a guitar an investment (along with a long subscription to GMC...), so I would find the bastard and beat him up if he chooses to steal my PRS.
A V. Wooten-gig starts in a couple of hours, so i'm going now...
Posted by: besip Oct 27 2008, 03:53 AM
i'm heer the Sv have slightly advantate with Hi-bends becouse don't have looking system on neck{there is some looking system on tuning system} and somebody also tell me the S verzion has slightly better pickups
I'm agree with you coments about chosing guitar Sound vs Playability....Actualy for me is sligthly more important how the Guitar fit to my body...i'm cannot chosing guitar by sound becouse i'm still so beginer on that
and i'm belive also the sound can be change..Like i'm wrote before i'm was realy impress when i'm did try the Sv 5470...against my dream 2550Z which i'm also try first time on my life{like 5 minutes before i'm try the SV} The SV feel absolutly great on my hands against the 2550z
Posted by: Sigfridsson Oct 28 2008, 05:13 PM
Quite interesting thread indeed, but there are a few aspects of it that he ignored.
There's generally speaking a big craftsmanship and quality difference between the cheaper Squire's and the real Fenders.
Speaking for myself personally, I remember my first ever electric guitar was a really crappy Strat. copy, about a year later I bought my first Ibanez RG and it felt like a huge upswing It was a lot more fun and motivating picking up the guitar and actually playing it!
Posted by: Young Guitarist Oct 28 2008, 05:18 PM
Interesting Its true tho. I got my Ibanez and i love it. I just feel its my type of guitar, id rather have this ibanez than a brand new Gibson Les Paul :]
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