Cheap guitar copies that don't suck!

[the Life Aquatic]

i bought a cheap surf green SG jay turser over the summer, electronics sucked but it played nicely, 175 shipped

[Gone Fission]

The question was about Gibson copies, but I'll chime in for Fernandes strat and tele copies, even (or especially, given the market prices) those where they altered the headstock silhouette to look different from Fender. The hardware, especially the trems, are better on some guitars than others, but even the cheaper Taiwanese made ones can play and sound quite nice. They'll upgrade with standard parts, though some even like their cheap ceramic mag pickups. Upgrading from the really thin wiring is generally a good idea. If you don't need the Fender headstock, $150 or less is typical on Craigslist.

[wsas3]

Anybody got cheap good jag/jazzy copies?

[colin]

My El Degas is a bolt-on neck LP, and until I destroy it; it's my main guitar. For realz.

I also have a 70's El Degas bolt-on LP and I'll second that it's a quality guitar. Mine's still a bit of a work in progress (needs new pickups and wiring), but it's going to be awesome when I get my act together and finish it up.

Some great deals can definitely be found on old MIJ copies that aren't well known brand names like Burny or Greco.

[Gone Fission]

Anybody got cheap good jag/jazzy copies?

There's a new Mustang copy, apparently made in China: http://www.ariaguitars.com/jp/02prod/05fb/lmg01.html

[McSpunckle]

I struggle to REALLY fault my Xavier for its price. After a good set up, it plays as well as any MIM Fender I've played-- of course, with a couple of corners cut to keep the price down (rough pickguard, crap wiring). Dunno about their LPs, though! I like the way they look better than Agiles...

I had an Agile LP. It was fantastic. Smoked Epiphones. Super heavy (which some people like... I don't). Pickups were meh, but I also didn't have a decent amp at the time, so maybe they weren't THAT eh. (eh is a word now, BTW). The frets seemed low for me, and I don't like the nubby cutaway on them. Those are the only problems I had.

I tend to believe any guitar that isn't made of wood that warps can be made to be pretty awesome, though.

[Achtane]

I tend to believe any guitar that isn't made of wood that warps can be made to be pretty awesome, though.

thisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[Andrew]

Tokais are great guitars, the Chinese models are better than Epiphones. Their higher end models are MiJ, which are still cheaper than LP Studios and are far superior.

Good alternative to tracking down some Jap guitars from the 80/90s

[unownunown]

i've heard good things about the discontinued ibanez talman line. plus they are just so sexy.



edit: i'm pretty sure it's trying to be some kinda solid body surfcaster?

[masked elwood]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ...yea those talman's are pretty bitchin' ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

speaking of gibson copys..........i just picked up a edwards johnny thunders double cut LP JR TV........

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EDWARDS-LES-PAU ... 500wt_1162

[kosta]

Sweet LP Elwood!!!! And those Talmans look killer! I met a guy who played one in his band, and he seemed to like it pretty good.

[masked elwood]

thankies kosta......
it's weird that i ended up with this one as i had just worked out a deal trading my darkburst LP for gibson double cut thunders JR...so i'll have another coming in. the gibby is a few years old and a custom shop (i think...not sure). looking forward to comparing the 70's copy to the 07 gibson.
i've already got the edwards and it's top drawer, as we'd expect. the neck shape is not really a true gibson shape, a little wider and not like a ball bat.
IIRC the JR i'm getting has the ball bat neck.
i bet the edwards wins the competition.

anyway, back to the subject......someone should buy this. it's cheap and looks to be another fine deal. i love the double dog ears.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Memphis-LP-Juni ... 654wt_1147

[grindonomicon]

Holy shit, elwood. That geet is

I think all my cheapy faves have been mentioned... Squier, Epiphone, Agile, Xaviere is pretty much a list of the last 4/5 guitars I've bought. Univox is the other, so I'm running 100% cheap.

Anyone owned an Arbor guitar? I like the garagey cool of the AF100 SG jr style guitar. They make a handful of copies too.

[kosta]

You're the f'n devil Elwood! I was lookin' at that Memphis last week!!! This weirdo Aria Pro II Thor Sound is still talkin' to me though...

Something about the natural finish, the pointy cutaways, all of the contours and the fake-out set neck are really workin' for me on this one. Mmmmmmm. Matsumoko necks....

[Hacken]

Omg i want a Thor Sound! The Strat/SG shape is so awesome, and the headstock gives me a serious hard on.