Due to lockdown and working from home and not going to the pub I'm not really spending as much and tempted to maybe buy another guitar. Just from reading some of the threads this week (one of mine included) it seems that Fender and Gibson are resting on their laurels nowadays and becoming the next Apple corporation (overpriced new models every 5 minutes and not much in the way of development). Therefore, it won't be a guitar from their stable. I've decided to go for one of the budget brands to see if they're as good as they're cracked up to be. I think I'm going to limit my budget to ~1k and get something with a reputation for good quality and not overpriced. I'd quite like a semi-hollow body 335 style guitar, as I've always hankered after one of them from being a fan of Alvin Lee and Ten Years After. Epiphone is probably the obvious choice but is there anything else I should consider? Not sure if I should get one with a Bigsby on it or not. Second hand or new, I'm not bothered. I fancy a red one and need to factor in budget for a peace symbol to stick on the lower bout.
Any recommendations?
Ian
Lowering my
expectations has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
Comments
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/192435/ngd-japanese-goodness#latest
The Sire H7 (Larry Carlton Model) is also worth looking at
https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/electric-guitars/hollow-semi-hollow-body-guitars?#facet:307445734561667667583105114101&productBeginIndex:0&facetLimit:&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Ian
Lowering my expectations has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2729306/#Comment_2729306
I know people that have Epi Dots and are happy with them. They aren't on the level of some of the suggestions by other posts above such as the FGN, but they are really quite inexpensive for an okay guitar.
Do you like the idea of Gretsch? I've got a 6119 which is above your limit but I'm sure others here have some experience of their more affordable Korean or Chinese ranges.
Ibanez AS73 (£400-ish)
Ibanez AS93 (£500-ish) https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/191125351549008--ibanez-am93qm-antique-yellow-sunburst
Hagstrom Viking (£600-ish)
I bought the FGN Masterfield above but it’s a bit more than your budget and they don’t come up much s/h.
I’d probably go for this for a grand https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/eastman-t386
Or a s/h Yamaha SA2200 as mentioned.
There's a sunburst T486 on ebay for £900, and will easily be on par with a Gibson ES335.
Ian
Lowering my expectations has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
Ian
Lowering my expectations has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
Taking it for a stainless steel, narrow/tall fret upgrade this weekend.
Here's a picture:
https://ibb.co/7XRyj4J
I've had peerless era epiphone Riviera and Casino, and they did feel quite nice. But it's always the same story at that price point, there will most likely be something you would want to change, whether that is pickups, electronics, bridge. There is absolutely nothing I'd want to change on the Eastman I recently got, and it slays the Gibson ES335 I had.
@Funkfingers, @Bridgehouse, et al...do you reckon it’s time to start a “What specs would the H7 signature model feature?” thread?
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
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Ian
Lowering my expectations has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
As a minimum:
- Comes in an easily stackable case that fits into the boot of a rover
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein