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I've been using the same main electric guitar since 2002. It's an MIA Strat and I like it a lot, but I'm a different player now so I'm starting to think about getting something new eventually when I'm not poor.

So I went to a guitar shop and played a really nice Gretsch, one of those new Guild reissues, and a couple other guitars. They were nice, but truthfully I don't notice a huge difference in quality between the guitars I tried, which I think is weird because they ranged from $200 and $2500.

I've been playing for a long time and I know what feels right/good, so it's not like I'm new to this process and don't know any better. I've been through a bunch of guitars that I use as backups for a while and sell eventually. I think the last time I was really like "holy shit" when picking up a guitar is when I tried some ultra-expensive Custom Shop Gibson and Fender shit for fun.

Am I That Guy now where getting a Next Level guitar involves being some rich TGP dude who buys something super expensive? Because I'm definitely not going to do that, so maybe buying really cheap guitars just works for me? Maybe I just haven't found a guitar I really connect with?

EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW IS WRONG. GIVE ME INSIGHT.

i wouldn't rely on a forum to help make your decision, whether it's tgp or here. too many divergent opinions (look at the electrical guitar and the mim fender threads). just play some and buy what satisfies you. like you, i played a strat for ages but then started trying others. i mainly play a jag now. but that's me.

IMO 100-800, 900- 1600, 1700-6000 are the set price ranges. There is a hard time seeing the differnce between alot of the under 1000 guitars. They can even get close to the 1600 ones. But I see it as 3 grades of playability. Don't get me wrong I've played expensive Junkers and non expensive amazing instruments, but generally the price is an idicator to me on the level of playability. I will say I haven't touched an over 6000 that I felt was worth more playability wise than a 3000 one

the samick bennet i got for $175
is better quality
and feels so much more comfy
that the other $200-900 guitars ive tried
i woulda never known cause no one talks about em anywhere
guess i got lucky
but now lookin for somethin same price
and the same quality
im comin up with bunko
everything feels cheap compared to it

cheesecats wrote:i wouldn't rely on a forum to help make your decision, whether it's tgp or here. too many divergent opinions (look at the electrical guitar and the mim fender threads). just play some and buy what satisfies you. like you, i played a strat for ages but then started trying others. i mainly play a jag now. but that's me.

Yeah, I definitely wouldn't rely on a forum, and I don't think I can buy guitars without playing them like I used to be able to get away with in high school.

fishtankdork wrote:IMO 100-800, 900- 1600, 1700-6000 are the set price ranges. There is a hard time seeing the differnce between alot of the under 1000 guitars. They can even get close to the 1600 ones. But I see it as 3 grades of playability. Don't get me wrong I've played expensive Junkers and non expensive amazing instruments, but generally the price is an idicator to me on the level of playability. I will say I haven't touched an over 6000 that I felt was worth more playability wise than a 3000 one

Yeah I feel like, numbers aside, all the guitars I've played in my life can be lumped into three categories: 1) Cheapy 2) Solid 3) Amazing

And I feel like the great majority of guitars I play fall under Solid, regardless of their price.

I guess I just have to try new shit until something clicks, yeah? It's just boring playing the same guitar for so long.

ryan summit wrote:the samick bennet i got for $175
is better quality
and feels so much more comfy
that the other $200-900 guitars ive tried
i woulda never known cause no one talks about em anywhere
guess i got lucky
but now lookin for somethin same price
and the same quality
im comin up with bunko
everything feels cheap compared to it

Man nothing rules more than finding cheap shit that really rules. I feel that way about my main amp.

Been playing an agile guitar for seven years and it does me right.

The truth in my experience is that everything you can buy new at guitar center and most other brick/mortar shops is basically the same guitar. There will be a fender type and a gibson/prs type and a metal type and thats what you have. Every guitar in there, regardless of brand is likely made at the same factory, with the same wood, with the same hard ware, and the same electronics, and the same qc, in very likely the same color as every other guitar in its pricerange. I have come to the same conclusion you have. Unless its made by a distinct builder or a distinct factory, if its a new guitar, I can surmise pretty much exactly what its going to be like. Which sucks, it seems inless you want to spent 1600+ it seems like your options are pretty limited as far as a new guitar.

Guys I think I'm going to stop attempting the Sisyphean task of saving for a Duo Jet and just get one of those Squier Cabronitas that are coming out. Is that insane?

Not that I'm saying anything wild here, but nicer guitars are nicer. There are some sweet bang for the buck guitars around for sure, but generally speaking, nicer guitars are nicer. Depends what your priorities are. Me personally, I like having all manner of guitars, so I buy em kinda willy-nilly. I have some less expensive ones, and I have some more expensive ones. I mean, I guess the good news is - it's never too late to save for a sweet expensive guitar if one decides to splurge on a less expensive one in the short-term.

kosta wrote:Not that I'm saying anything wild here, but nicer guitars are nicer. There are some sweet bang for the buck guitars around for sure, but generally speaking, nicer guitars are nicer. Depends what your priorities are. Me personally, I like having all manner of guitars, so I buy em kinda willy-nilly. I have some less expensive ones, and I have some more expensive ones. I mean, I guess the good news is - it's never too late to save for a sweet expensive guitar if one decides to splurge on a less expensive one in the short-term.

I hear you. Most of the time I feel like, I've been playing x years, I deserve a really Nice guitar! But I don't know, I have a shitty First Act I got for free that I have a lot of fun playing. The fact that I couldn't sell the thing for $50 doesn't stop me from having fun. So why do I need a Really Nice Guitar, regardless of my experience and skill level? In the past I've bought more budget minded stuff and ended up selling it and feeling like I should have put the money towards something great, but I'm not sure if that's really the case. Your last point is good; if I buy a Squier used I can get maybe a little less of a return on my investment in it if I suddenly and magically find myself in a position where I can afford a guitar worth 10x as much.

In fact somehow I feel better buying a $300 Squier than it's $600 MIM Fender counterpart for some reason.

I have a G&L that I've owned for a decade. I paid around $1100 for it , I think, then I changed the pickups and stuff.... The build quality is so much nicer than guitars I've played in the $500 and less range.

I go by a few rules when purchasing new gear. In order of importance:
1. Does it make sounds I like?
2. Is it comfortable to play?
3. Can I afford it? If not, how willing am I to save for it?

I also keep in mind that there are a ton of famous musicians who've become famous and toured for years and years with really cheap guitars.

Some day I'd like to walk into a guitar shop, sit down, blindfold myself, and have the guys bring me random guitars without telling me what they are. I'd be curious to see what would happen.....

gunslinger_burrito wrote: Some day I'd like to walk into a guitar shop, sit down, blindfold myself, and have the guys bring me random guitars without telling me what they are. I'd be curious to see what would happen.....

I went into a store that did that when my uncle was buying his jazz guitar. Only difference in that is guitars there started at around $10K sooooo

I think part of it is that no guitar is gonna feel particularly nice to play just off the rack in the shop. Like I don't think I've ever bought a guitar that I haven't immediately then done some kind of setup work on. It's just the more expensive ones will generally setup nicer, and stay nicer for longer.

Generally being the operative word *cough* 90% of new gibsons *cough*

THEBEERHAMMER wrote:

gunslinger_burrito wrote: Some day I'd like to walk into a guitar shop, sit down, blindfold myself, and have the guys bring me random guitars without telling me what they are. I'd be curious to see what would happen.....

I went into a store that did that when my uncle was buying his jazz guitar. Only difference in that is guitars there started at around $10K sooooo

Ouch.