The Official 'Budget gear that impresses you 2017' Thread.

Gassage

So, whilst I like nice toys a few things in very reasonable price ranges have stunned me this year.

So, what's rocking in the cheap seats? What's banging your buck?

Me:

• Tokai Japanese LP's- superb.
• MXR Block Logo Phase 90- better than the CS model, IMO.
• Bright Onion routing boxes- great service, well made.
• Squier VV series- all stunning.

But the winner;

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro. For £450, it's bloody amazing.......

What's floated your boat?

english_bob

£450 is "budget"?

munckee

Not a guitar but a Joyo American Sound pedal.  Most people use it for an amp simulator into a PA but for a bit of drive and a nice alnico sound and some EQing in front of a 5w champ, its a brilliant pedal for £34.

Legionreturns

A second hand Pod HD 500 for £145 ... subsequently flogged all my pedals. Combined with the Katana head and V30 2x12 I'm seriously impressed. 

crunchman

Not sure it strictly qualifies as "budget" but there are a couple of things that I think are great value.

It's not actually a 2017 purchase, but I have a Mexican made Martin OOOX1AE that stomps all over guitars that are twice the price (or more) in terms of tone.  I'm saying this as someone who has at various times owned 3 acoustics that would retail upwards of £2k at today's prices.  It's not quite as good as my expensive Martin but it the difference is not huge.  You are getting 90% of the tone for about 20% of the outlay.

The other guitar I bought this year that was really good was a Baja Tele.  In most ways, I actually preferred it to the Custom Shop one I used to have.  Again, not a real cheapy, but still very good value - especially second hand.  I have played other Baja Teles that were a bit uninspiring though.  Think you do need to try them first.

Philtre

Mooer Yellow Compressor for £17 off fleaBay.

Oh, and don't forget my bargain D'Addario strings -http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/120159/dodgy-set-of-daddario-10s-or-what-fake-strings-on-ebay/p1 ;-)

impmann

Mooer Trellicopter - best sub £150 trem pedal, IMHO.
Mooer Elec Lady - eats EH stuff for breakfast

Musicman20

Boss Katana 100 1x12. Stunning.

ThePrettyDamned

Yongnuo yn680 speedlights.

Full TTL, high speed sync if needed, powerful as any other speedlight, great wireless system and have proven reliable. If you want speedlights for indoor shooting and don't want to break the bank, go for these. 

They have an overheat protection system in too - I've only triggered it once when shooting three of them ganged up in an umbrella outside at full power, high speed sync, in the sun. 

When budget allows I'll be replacing them with a couple of godox ad200s (which are about to be speedlights of power anyway, and two would effectively get me a good strobe in power). But for now, they've been the best budget gear I've bought this year. 

Except maybe for the twenty quid massive reflector. 

Teyeplayer

Mosky spring reverb. £21 from Ali express and although it’s not the most authentic ‘spring’ reverb, it’s a fantastic 50s style slap back reverb/delay. 

Kilgore

Sigma 000M. Mahogany top, lam b&s, bone nut/saddle. Great finish. Lovely sweet tone.
 £270 so it's not the end of the world if the kids knock it.

AlexC

http://i68.tinypic.com/2ugh3ti.jpg
As I’ve posted elsewhere on this forum -my bargain of the year was this Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Bought at our village hall auction for £45. Perfect condition. just needed some setting up. Now that IS a bargain!

munckee

AlexC said:

http://i68.tinypic.com/2ugh3ti.jpg
As I’ve posted elsewhere on this forum -my bargain of the year was this Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Bought at our village hall auction for £45. Perfect condition. just needed some setting up. Now that IS a bargain!

I'll give you £48 for it, you can make a tidy profit there...

AlexC

@munckee Sold! Does £350 postage sound agreeable? 

Deadman

Blackstar Fly

munckee

@AlexC Don't go to any trouble, I'll send a courier : )

Bridgehouse

english_bob said:

£450 is "budget"?

Yes, when Gibson thinks £4500 is "normal"

freakboy1610

Digitech Trio for £39.99.

Sesh

G&L Tribute Fallout in sonic blue for £300. Punches above its weight.

GavRichList

This is all relative, but the MIM classic series tele custom I got this year really surprised me. Light, resonant, flawlessly finished - it’s a joy to play. 

Grumpyrocker

Musicman20 said:

Boss Katana 100 1x12. Stunning.

Easily my best guitar gear purchase of recent years.