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