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FDP Forum / Miscellaneous and Non-Fender Topics / $700 Greatness

Next 20 Messages

DPH

Massachusetts, USA

Apr 11th, 2012 06:30 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Has anyone found that the $700 price point is the rough admission fee to get a GREAT guitar. I know a lot of folks swear by the Custom Shop on the high end or by Squier Vintage Modified on the lower end, but in my experience magic number has been about $700. Yea, I've owned guitars on both sides of that number too.

It may be poor form to list the price I paid for my guitars, but it's not like everyone on this forum doesn't know what all gear goes for. I paid:
$750 for used AVRI Jazzmaster
$640 for new Tokai 335 copy
$650ish for new CIJ '71 Reissue Strat
$680 for new Baja Tele maybe great, arrives Friday)

telegib

Canada

Apr 11th, 2012 06:51 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
"$680 for new Baja Tele maybe great, arrives Friday)"

It is a great guitar. Well at least IMO. And I compared it sisde by side with a new 52 RI. Plugged them into the same amps. Prefer the Baja.

LeftyMeister
Contributing Member
**********

Buckeye Country, USA

Motorcycles, Guitars, and Golf
Apr 11th, 2012 06:55 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
$200 for an Agile P90 Goldtop. $200 for pickups. $400 total. Great guitar!

$350 for a Carvin Bolt kit. $300 for pickups. $650 total. Great guitar!

$325 for a Mex Tele. $225 for pickups. $545 total. Great guitar!

reverendrob
FDP Data Goon
Moderator

Hero, hero

you have done so well...
Apr 11th, 2012 07:34 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Seems to me to be about the same as the 'decent handgun' price range, $400-600, including used.

$380 Squier Mascis Jazzmaster (still amazed after a couple weeks)
$400 (before GC coupon) Fender MIJ '69RI Mustang
$500 (before GC coupon) Fender Classic Player Jaguar HH

350-650 is my normal search range.

Peegoo
Contributing Member
**********
**********

That chicken

is WRONG, baby.
Apr 11th, 2012 08:20 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
You can get super players for $400. Look around--they exist.

I played a Loar acoustic (parlor size) the other day in a shop and it KILLED. Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck. Light in weight and very lively. It was finished in a thin, flawless coat of polyurethane. Grover open tuners. Fantastic fret work and the nut was perfect. Sounded fantastic.

Made in China.

$375.

DPH

Massachusetts, USA

Apr 11th, 2012 08:32 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I think this thread will cost me. That Loar sounds fantastic.

Lesterstrat
Moderator

Florida

Hog Slapper
Apr 11th, 2012 08:39 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
My Satin Ebony SG cost $700 and it's one of my favorite guitars that I've ever owned.

Peegoo
Contributing Member
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**********

That chicken

is WRONG, baby.
Apr 11th, 2012 08:39 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
What Has Been Played Cannot Be Unplayed.

Do NOT click here.
(This message was last edited by Peegoo at 08:41 PM, Apr 11th, 2012)

littleuch
Contributing Member
*********

Michigan

T-boned and punctured
Apr 12th, 2012 05:26 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
In my experience lots of really good guitars in that price range, but all my "great" ones have been north of 1K. And thats not factoring in the luthier to make it certifiably great.

Twangmeister
Contributing Member
*****

E NC

Top dog in a litter of mutts
Apr 12th, 2012 06:00 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Of the 34 guitars and basses I've owned in my lifetime I've never owned a new or used guitar that cost me more than $580.

I've had a few really good guitars but never found anything other than a few used acoustics that rang my bell above that price. Part of it is because I can set up/tweak/upgrade my own instruments.

But I do own an great (expensive) loud/lightweight ss guitar and bass amp that ran me north of $1500

picnic
Contributing Member
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*****

Jersey Shore

hiding in the palms and oaks
Apr 12th, 2012 07:15 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I have had plenty of guitars from $200 to $2500. Two of my favorites are used $400 Epi Dots I bought with about $300 worth of upgrades done by previous owners. I don't know if a $2000 Gibson 335 would give me the same satisfaction

cfender
Contributing Member
**

Rockland County, NY

So many drummers, so little time.
Apr 12th, 2012 07:35 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster BSB - $379 I paid less with an MF coupon

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Custom (Bound Sunburst) - $349 - I paid less with an MF coupon

The distinction of a $700 Telecaster would probably be lost on me.

My father sells high-end arch top electrics that go for several thousands of dollars. A different planet than I live on.

5Strats
Contributing Member
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***

Edmond/OKC

i Haz Hwip
Apr 12th, 2012 07:40 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I have a Dean 7-string guitar that I paid $100 for used. I very rarely play it, but its actually pretty nice.

I love my Lucerno nylon string acoustic-electric and I think I paid around $180 for it.

6L6
Contributing Member
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Lago, CA

Kick the tires, Light the fires!
Apr 12th, 2012 07:58 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I paid $659.00 for my new Classic 50's Strat in 2008.

Dropped in a set of Fralin pups I had laying around and it's now the best Strat I've ever owned.

THESE are the golden years!

6
My All-Time Fav Strat!
(This message was last edited by 6L6 at 07:59 AM, Apr 12th, 2012)

mfitz804
Contributing Member
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***

Staten Island, NY

"Insert witty saying here"
Apr 12th, 2012 08:11 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
"$750 for used AVRI Jazzmaster"

That is an outstanding price unless its completely beaten into oblivion.

I recently picked up a used Fender Pawn Shop '72, with a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat in the bridge position in place of the original humbucker, for $639 (with case). Its an AWESOME guitar at that price, plays and sounds fantastic!

VanGoghsEar

USA

Apr 12th, 2012 10:34 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I have a Jay Turser JT-133 (ES335 style). It cost me $133.00 new. The body is fantastic. The neck was nice, but the frets need some work. The feel was so nice I decided to upgrade it.

I upgraded the pickups to DiMarzios and the electronics - $400.

I had the frets dressed and setup done - $150.

Now for $683 I have what I consider a fantastic semihollow, at least 95% of the way to a real ES335 costing 3 to 4 times that.

The problem is I know I could never sell it for what I have in. I decided it was worth upgrading because it always sounded so resonant and musical and felt so good to me. I figure I am not planning on selling it anyway.

Paul L

USA

Apr 12th, 2012 10:43 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
Foreign labor has made it possible to obtain a very nice guitar for well less than $1K...although I find that some hardware and electronic upgrades are a must. A noted exception is my Blacktop Baritone Tele...great out of the box, no issues (although I did install straplocks and had to buy a case).

All in all, I spent just under $600 for the guitar & case, and am very happy with it. Admittedly, I'm not sure about the skirted amp knobs but that's a cheap and easy replacement, and strictly a cosmetic issue.
(This message was last edited by Paul L at 10:44 AM, Apr 12th, 2012)

5Strats
Contributing Member
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Edmond/OKC

i Haz Hwip
Apr 12th, 2012 11:04 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
I've made zero upgrades to my Michael Kelly Patriot Custom and Hourglass Q. The hardware and electronics are excellent on both.

Standard24

San Antonio, Texas

Apr 12th, 2012 11:53 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
When you mention great, I think of Suhr, Melancon, PRS, Taylor, Martin, Goodall, etc. Although you might find one of these used for $700, it's not commonplace.

I've decided that it's more expensive to buy lots of cheap guitars, upgrading, and increasing in value as you go, than it is to buy one really fine (keeper) guitar, on the used market.

That said, I do believe in gigging with cheap guitars rather than expensive ones.

DPH

Massachusetts, USA

Apr 12th, 2012 01:10 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search Topic
"$750 for used AVRI Jazzmaster"

I cheated, slightly. I did find a black AVRI JM in almost new condition at that price, but sold it to fund pay for my current white AVRI JM, and actually made a little money. fwiw, I now prefer the black.

Next 20 Messages

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