Dylan finds out why cheap guitars feel so cheap

[DanTravis62]

I'm surprised it took so long for a youtuber to do this

There's a reason why I refuse to buy guitars made in certain countries and from certain brands

And there's a reason why cheap guitars can sometimes feel like an incredible bargain when they are "Right" - the problem is that they are only right half of the time, and it's a complete roll of the dice whether youre going to get a neck with 18.6% moisture content like this

This is a huge problem for manufacturers trying to cut costs. I honestly think they would be better served trying to save money in other areas than the wood.

 

[dstroud]

interesting - I’ve played less expensive guitars (squier, LTD) for decades and never ran into that neck thing that I know of lol. But I keep my action a bit high, maybe it happens and I don’t even know. I’ve played pretty much every type/brand of guitar - if a guitar has a decent setup, I can never tell the difference. But this vid totally makes sense and I can see the logic behind what he’s saying.

 

[fusedbrain]

Jeezus, 18% moisture?
I wouldn't even burn wood that wet in my fireplace.
And now that it has the finish applied, I think its fukked permanently. Pretty sure that cheap poly is air tight when it cures.

 

[japetus]

Buy guitars made before covid infected the wood (2010)

 

[SgtThump]

But, but, but…. My $400 Chinese guitar is a Les Paul killer!

 

[DanTravis62]

Jeezus, 18% moisture?
I wouldn't even burn wood that wet in my fireplace.
And now that it has the finish applied, I think its fukked permanently. Pretty sure that cheap poly is air tight when it cures.

That's honestly insane - like no wonder sometimes the neck is straight and sometimes it isn't

interesting - I’ve played less expensive guitars (squier, LTD) for decades and never ran into that neck thing that I know of lol. But I keep my action a bit high, maybe it happens and I don’t even know. I’ve played pretty much every type/brand of guitar - if a guitar has a decent setup, I can never tell the difference. But this vid totally makes sense and I can see the logic behind what he’s saying.

It's more about the brand's practices than the country of origin in this case, but this is really, really common with cheap guitars

Like I said in the OP, it's a roll of the dice

Some brands have higher standards, but that 400$ price has to come from somewhere - it's just when the price comes from the wood, the guitar is basically worthless

But, but, but…. My $400 Chinese guitar is a Les Paul killer!

I honestly cannot believe that moisture content even for a cheap les paul

The worst part is that it's obviously a set neck and there is NOTHING you could do to fix it - which i assume played a part in why he sawed it up in the first place

 

[67mike]

Cheap guitars are often made with wood from rainforest or jungle climates. High humidity. A lot are Dog shit.

 

[Rackman]

This is the consequence of a) shoddy third world manufacturing and b) manufacturers catering to the "wood doesn't matter" crowd. We've gone though many many cycles of this in the guitar industry, and the wood supply is not getting better.

You can bet nearly all of these guitar shaped objects will be in a closet or landfill in 10 years.

 

[CrystalSky]

Bro 18% is more moist than some women

 

[rsm]

 

[DanTravis62]

This is the consequence of a) shoddy third world manufacturing and b) manufacturers catering to the "wood doesn't matter" crowd. We've gone though many many cycles of this in the guitar industry, and the wood supply is not getting better.

You can bet nearly all of these guitar shaped objects will be in a closet or landfill in 10 years.

Yep. It's unbelievable how bad the whole youtuber "I'm a Skeptic™" thing (about "tonewood" at first, but now they've graduated to "amps don't matter" and "pickups don't matter") has been for the end-user that actually uses guitars for their intended purpose instead of having them gather dust in their mancave.

The guitar brands have been quite slick in taking advantage of the groundswell of "wood doesn't matter" newcomers and hobbyists coming into the guitar world and making all these bold "scientific" claims about making guitars.

It's what gives consumer cover to those selfsame shoddy third world manufacturing practices. The entire industry has been taken over by blatant IP theft too, because especially china gives zero shits about that.

 

[Luca79]

Is the first time to see that test. interesting. Now do the same with an Epiphone or a Squire.

 

[anomaly]

Doesn't help that Glen Fricker likes to praise cheap shit guitars. Lots of people think his word is gospel. All that said, I like to mod cheap guitars with new pickups and stuff so they have their place... mind you I've never once considered the moisture content of my guitars. That might explain why my Yamaha revstar is so heavy even though it's chambered.

 

[DanTravis62]

Doesn't help that Glen Fricker likes to praise cheap shit guitars. Lots of people think his word is gospel. All that said, I like to mod cheap guitars with new pickups and stuff so they have their place... mind you I've never once considered the moisture content of my guitars. That might explain why my Yamaha revstar is so heavy even though it's chambered.

Of course they have their place - and you can even find gems and really solid ones.

The problem is the dice roll.

You might get one that's fantastic, and you might get one that isn't even worth firewood like the YouTube video I posted.

 

[The~Kid]

As good as this stuff is IMO they just don't capture that Nashville/SoCal sound......not bad for the price point and utility though..... They have their place.


But one is better off with an Epiphone or Squier nvm a Fender/Charvel/Jackson or Gibson

 

[DanTravis62]

Is the first time to see that test. interesting. Now do the same with an Epiphone or a Squire.

My guess is that some of the epiphones and squiers are guilty of this too. Won't know until someone tests it, of course. But generally where there's smoke there's fire - if one big worldwide brand is using wet, uncured wood, it's almost a certainty that a bunch more are.

The question is "who?"

Doesn't help that Glen Fricker likes to praise cheap shit guitars. Lots of people think his word is gospel. All that said, I like to mod cheap guitars with new pickups and stuff so they have their place... mind you I've never once considered the moisture content of my guitars. That might explain why my Yamaha revstar is so heavy even though it's chambered.

Yeah this is what I was getting at with my comment #11

With youtube and IG "influencers" like Fricker spreading their bullshit "Science™" about guitar tone, playing, and recording, it's unsurprising that manufacturers are taking advantage of the cultural zeitgeist.

"Listen consumers, you said it yourself that wood doesn't matter, so why do you care? obviously this isn't a big deal"

 

[ners]

Without comparisons to big brands this is borderline meaningless to me....maybe because I just don't know shit about the moisture content of wood.

But anyone expecting something great out of a bottom tier builder then I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Music&Chaos]

My HB just got a neck swap. Just felt and sounded dead to me. New neck literally sounds like lifting 5 blankets off the guitar. I theorized it was due to the neck being made of wet wood. Saw this video. Perfect timing.

Didn't realize the neck swap would change this to such an extreme degree tonally. Have to change all of the electronics now lol