Favorite beater guitar for under $250

  • Thread starter Thread starter smucarolina
  • Start date Start date
smucarolina

smucarolina

New member
I am looking to buy a second guitar right now. At the moment I have a RG920QMLI which I plan to take out of standard and put into drop C or B.

However, I want a nice guitar I can use to play in standard. Any suggestions?
 
Iknow you said under $250, but I'll sell you my old charvel 3dr/predator w/hard case for $300.... its the one I had at the ampfest I columbia a couple years ago...insane playing guitar..
I quit playing metal a year and a half ago, and have two of them in the closet seeing no use...
 
Hehe I looked at the topic and immediately thought of Charvel 3dr I bought a few years back for abt $180 shipped to Finland. So that would be my best bet!
 
Michael Kelly guitars are a great bargain in that price range.
 
If versatility isn't an issue, the best guitar that I've come across in that price range are the reissue Danelectros. I play one live right alongside my Andersons and custom Shop Fenders live. Its also my main guitar that I play around the house...love it. That said, you're somewhat limited as to what you can do with it, but its awesome for clean and "rootsy" dirty tones. Great for slide as well.
 
Used MIM fenders... I have a Standard MIM Tele I bought for $200 and threw a hot rails pickup in the bridge. It plays like butter and sounds great.
 
The problem with guitars in that price range is that something always needs to be upgraded (pups, tuners, etc) and by that time, you're better off spending a couple hundred more.

That said, I've heard great things about cheap Agiles. My favorite affordable guitars are the G&L tributes. Super consistent and made with USA parts. (some models) Also, look for loaded bodies on eBay and then buy a decent neck. You can probably piece something together for about $300 that is much better than the cheaper production axes.
 
Any of the old Charvel model series are great buys. The model 1-4 usually sell for under $400, I bought my model 2 for $260 shipped.
 
I think you can a Peavey Predator with HB for that, new. Insane how good the necks are on those.
 
I second the Peavey predator......especially the international series.
 
glassjaw7":3al195dr said:
The problem with guitars in that price range is that something always needs to be upgraded (pups, tuners, etc) and by that time, you're better off spending a couple hundred more.

That said, I've heard great things about cheap Agiles. My favorite affordable guitars are the G&L tributes. Super consistent and made with USA parts. Also, look for loaded bodies on eBay and then buy a decent neck. You can probably piece something together for about $300 that is much better than the cheaper production axes.
Click to expand...
The problem with this reasoning is, I could spend $2k and still need to upgrade some things.

You can find used Hamer's and Dean's for around that range. I have a Hamer that I got for $200. Put some locking tuners and some Afwayu's in and :rawk:
 
guitarmike":2pfs3qla said:
Any of the old Charvel model series are great buys. The model 1-4 usually sell for under $400, I bought my model 2 for $260 shipped.
Click to expand...


This, just bought a Model 1 for $200 shipped
 
I like the looks of the Kramer Baretta Special for under $300.
 
I just picked up a Squire Bullet from a friend for $50. I'm amazed at how nice it is for a cheapie.
 
I have an Arbor AF100 and Agile AL2800. They both stay in tune and do the job. Agile is superior. On the used market they're under $250 all day.

module022.jpg

a34a1ab6.jpg
 
Found a generic Tele for $35 that might be perfect....
 
Get a Squier Affinity Tele and upgrade the pickups to Area T Neck and Air Norton T bridge.
 
Lots of great guitars for the cash mentioned already. Since you like Ibanez necks, and as long as you don't need a trem, I'll add the RG321MH as a great deal for under $250 new. I picked one up for my son not expecting much, and I was very surprised at what you get for the loot. Mahog body, maple neck, rw board, and decent hardware. The stock EMG HZ4 aren't even that bad IMO. I've heard for years how crappy EMG passives are, but these things can sound great through a nice setup.
 
chunktone":3n1rjcgb said:
glassjaw7":3n1rjcgb said:
The problem with guitars in that price range is that something always needs to be upgraded (pups, tuners, etc) and by that time, you're better off spending a couple hundred more.

That said, I've heard great things about cheap Agiles. My favorite affordable guitars are the G&L tributes. Super consistent and made with USA parts. Also, look for loaded bodies on eBay and then buy a decent neck. You can probably piece something together for about $300 that is much better than the cheaper production axes.
Click to expand...
The problem with this reasoning is, I could spend $2k and still need to upgrade some things.

You can find used Hamer's and Dean's for around that range. I have a Hamer that I got for $200. Put some locking tuners and some Afwayu's in and :rawk:
Click to expand...

Sure you can always change out pups or tuners to your preference, but I'm saying that often you actually need to put good pups or tuners in to make it playable. As mentioned though, there are good deals out there. Hell, I got my USA G&L from Juggz for like $350 or 400.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top