Best used guitar you have ever bought for less than $500?

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mooncobra

mooncobra

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I am talking playability, quality, sound, tone, etc. Did you switch out electronics, pickups, etc.?

also, lets see a pic if you still have it.

I am thinking about picking up a used guitar for 500 or less. I would switch electronics and pickups if I had to. I just want a guitar that stays in tune and is well built, or as good as possible for 500. What is there, Ibanez, Fender, PRS, higher end Schecter, ESP LTD, ???

I am into super strats and les paul types.

pics!!
 
mooncobra":2v9ghwjd said:
I am talking playability, quality, sound, tone, etc. Did you switch out electronics, pickups, etc.?

also, lets see a pic if you still have it.

I am thinking about picking up a used guitar for 500 or less. I would switch electronics and pickups if I had to. I just want a guitar that stays in tune and is well built, or as good as possible for 500. What is there, Ibanez, Fender, PRS, higher end Schecter, ESP LTD, ???

I am into super strats and les paul types.

pics!!
Click to expand...

Bought both a Jackson SL2 Soloist, and an ESP LTD AS-1 Skolnick Signature for right around there. Neither need any upgrades, (though I might get some locking tuners for the ESP).

This is a HELL of a deal, if you ask me...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ESP-LTD-M-1000 ... 0290.m3507
 
Without a doubt an LTD EC-400 (I think 400 is the version) that I bought around 2005-2006 timeframe. I have been playing guitar since 85' and have owned/played a ton of guitars at every price point over the years. That guitar was easily Top 5 I have ever played. The feel, stayed in tune, no noise, pickups rocked, etc., etc. I shouldn't have ever sold it. The LTD stuff has been pretty consistent in my experience.
 
It was before digital cameras were affordable, but it was an '82'ish Kramer Pacer, maple neck, beak headstock, OFR with very old EMG single coils. Got it at the Rockville, MD GC for $225. I didn't even play it, grabbed it and went to the counter to pay.
 
Couple guys SWEAR by the Indonesian Adrian Smith Jackson...you might have to try a few first/return a couple before you find a good one but when you do, they rival USAs in playability.
I've been tempted myself, probably try one out after the holidays.
 
my bc rich mockingbird "pro X". think i got it for $300 off ebay. has emg 81/85's and grovers. couldnt believe what a great guitar it is. one of the best imports ive played
 
Jackson Rhoads within the first 500 serial numbers for $550 back in the 90s, haven’t changed a damn thing. GREAT guitar.
 
romanianreaper":835f1o1b said:
Without a doubt an LTD EC-400 (I think 400 is the version) that I bought around 2005-2006 timeframe. I have been playing guitar since 85' and have owned/played a ton of guitars at every price point over the years. That guitar was easily Top 5 I have ever played. The feel, stayed in tune, no noise, pickups rocked, etc., etc. I shouldn't have ever sold it. The LTD stuff has been pretty consistent in my experience.
Click to expand...
Everything in this post was me +1
I loved that axe!
 
Late 90's LA Schecter Avenger!

Almost pooped when I scored it for $425 on Ebay

Real solid weight with a killer shred neck in mint condition......appears to be loaded with Dimarzio's







Found this little tidbit.
 

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Exactly $500.00 at a pawn shop. 2013 tribute. Plek'd nicely, real player and a half. It changed my mind about LP's.


IMG_4631 by John Bazzano, on Flickr
 
1993: mexican Fender Stratocaster purchased at Hollywwod Guitar Center for a couple of hundred bucks.
Was looking for a super strat and did check many high end ones, like custom shop, Anderson, etc... none had all I wanted.
So... got the mexican lady, changed pickups w/Duncan Vintage Rails, new locking tuning machines, old Wilkinson bridge and had my luthier changing the fretbpard radius to a much flatter one, adding 6100 frets, perfectly worked. Later I added an Alembic Strat-o-Blaster preamp. Killer stratocaster with classic and modern tones, amazing neck and fretboard. Cheap and super!
Still rocking great after 26 years!

IMpX7UR.jpg
 
well, i got a Brubaker b-II in mint condition with case for $500 used at GC like 12 years ago. I sold it for $1700 i think. something like that. was a nice score, but i should have kept it. it was one of the nicest guitars i've ever held, but i had dollar signs in my eyes back then. deals like that, will never happen again.

as far as guitars that have a resale value around 500, and not some fluke deal, i had a Shecter i got for like 300 that i kept around for a while. it must have had a really good set up at some point because the neck and frets were all spot on, it sounded really good, and just felt higher end than it was. those, and some of the LTD's can be pretty decent with after a new nut, and some fret love, and upgraded electronics.

this might actually be the brubaker i was talking about. it looked exactly like this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRUBAKER-B-2-C ... 7675.l2557
 
Probably a Yamaha Pacifica 912J, that one was a great guitar in just about every aspect.
 
USA B.C.Rich Gunslinger, was the early 90s, and it was HOT PINK, NOBODY wanted it.... scored it brand new with case for $199

Samick Blues Sareceno Sig. cheap guitar, got it for $149 New. SADLY sold it off, thing played like butter, and the stock pick-ups were AMAZING, believe it or not. REALLY regret selling it. ugly as hell, but worked in a pinch, and ended up being my number 1 for a couple years.


not used, yeah I know, but worth mentioning. ;)
 
Bought a 1983 MIJ Fender contempary tele with HH around 1995 for $250. Sold it to a friend around 2006, bought it back in 2011 for $400.

Its no traditional tele, but it plays great and is very versatile.
 
My Hamer USA Californian that I got for $420

Honorable mention goes to my lake placid blue/maple board MIM Standard Tele for $50. Dropped in a set of Dimarzio Twang Kings and it hangs with any guitar out there
 
I should add the 2006 Charvel custom USA black single hum pointy that Maddnotez now owns.. that was under 500 and was listed as a model 1. Lol
 
Schecter C1+ and a MIM Strat. Both with upgraded pickups but otherwise, great players.

YfRYPgol.jpg
 
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