Guitars, brands, pricing, alternatives...

[rsm]

I agree on the Jackson X series; not so much on the EBMM vs Sterling Majesty (or Kaizen). Having played both EBMM and Sterling, I can say the Sterling is very good, but not at the level of the EBMM.

Not mentioned is Ibanez; I had the PS60, PS120, and PS10. The PS10 is about 3x the price of the PS120 which is 3x the price of the PS60. The PS120 is the sweet spot, IMO, but once I played the PS10, I got a second one, and sold my PS120, and two PS60. I still have 2 Chibanez PS, which I think are great for the price, but not even close to the PS10, even after my pickup upgrade.

Also pleased with my Epi '63 LP Custom SG that was less than half the price of the Gibson version; and convinced me to sell my Gibson '61 SG Standard.


I agree on the Kiesel and Solar mentioned...though I have yet to try or buy either

the Gibson and PRS was eye opening.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

Not that I'm buying a brand new PRS, but anyone who's played a core and an SE will never say they're equivalent to each other.
I had an SE CU24 and it was not even close to my core CU24. That being said, I'm honestly curious as to why he omitted the S2s,
because from reviews, I've heard people say they're a lot closer to the core models.

Anyway, this is why you buy used.

 

[DanTravis62]

Some brands have excellent budget lines, some don't

I disagree on Gibson/Epiphone, although Epiphone has improved a lot the last decade or so

Anyway, this is why you buy used.

Yep, this is my take as well.

I'd much rather get a used guitar with "good bones" than a decked out budget model 9/10 times

 

[rsm]

Not that I'm buying a brand new PRS, but anyone who's played a core and an SE will never say they're equivalent to each other.
I had an SE CU24 and it was not even close to my core CU24. That being said, I'm honestly curious as to why he omitted the S2s,
because from reviews, I've heard people say they're a lot closer to the core models.

Anyway, this is why you buy used.

that's my view on EBMM vs Sterling; and Ibanez vs Ibanez Prestige. I happen to like the Jackson X series, or I'd go up to the MIJ or MIA.

I think it's worth checking out other guitar brands and series with an open mind. that's all.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

that's my view on EBMM vs Sterling; and Ibanez vs Ibanez Prestige. I happen to like the Jackson X series, or I'd go up to the MIJ or MIA.

I think it's worth checking out other guitar brands and series with an open mind. that's all.

Agreed. It's why I try to buy from places with good return policies, too.

 

[DanTravis62]

I'm gonna add as an addendum

Although I don't agree with the advice for me, for the vast majority of players both the video and RSM are correct

Whole lot of people with PRS and Gibson man-caves and Harley Benton skill level - which isn't meant as a huge dig, just that lots of people don't need as much guitar as they have. It's like running into a wine mom who drives a LaFerrari as her daily driver. Or giving your son a McLaren MP412C for his 16th birthday. Can you? Yeah, I mean technically you can.

Is it ridiculous and a bad idea? Yes.

You can say "it's my money and I'll do what I want" and you are totally correct and I'm not arguing with that; just letting you know you're making yourself look silly

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I'm gonna add as an addendum

Although I don't agree with the advice for me, for the vast majority of players both the video and RSM are correct

Whole lot of people with PRS and Gibson man-caves and Harley Benton skill level - which isn't meant as a huge dig, just that lots of people don't need as much guitar as they have. It's like running into a wine mom who drives a LaFerrari as her daily driver. Or giving your son a McLaren MP412C for his 16th birthday. Can you? Yeah, I mean technically you can.

Is it ridiculous and a bad idea? Yes.

You can say "it's my money and I'll do what I want" and you are totally correct and I'm not arguing with that; just letting you know you're making yourself look silly

Honestly, I wouldn't have ever owned a PRS if I hadn't got my first one in a trade. Someone really wanted a Les Paul that I had, and I had never played a PRS, so I figured what the hell. It's like once you've rented the LaFerrari, you want to keep driving it, even if it's only 5 mph around your cul de sac.

 

[rsm]

You can say "it's my money and I'll do what I want" and you are totally correct and I'm not arguing with that; just letting you know you're making yourself look silly

that's how I feel about expensive new guitars with fake aging and intentional damage.


I'll be the first to admit my gear is better than I need;

I've also stated that my playing skills have deteriorated significantly with time and age, and arthritis...and lack of practice like I did back in my youth/gigging days. Stuff I could play in my 20s seems like another lifetime / person these days. Not whining, just a statement of reality.

One of the reasons I got into keyboards over 10 years ago, and prefer synth action...though I have some full weighted keys.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

that's how I feel about expensive new guitars with fake aging and intentional damage.


I'll be the first to admit my gear is better than I need;

I've also stated that my playing skills have deteriorated significantly with time and age, and arthritis...and lack of practice like I did back in my youth/gigging days. Stuff I could play in my 20s seems like another lifetime / person these days. Not whining, just a statement of reality.

One of the reasons I got into keyboards over 10 years ago, and prefer synth action...though I have some full weighted keys.

I've been playing mental gymnastics lately on how to thin the herd. I kinda regret not selling off most of my stuff during covid, when everyone was just splurging.

 

[DanTravis62]

that's how I feel about expensive new guitars with fake aging and intentional damage.


I'll be the first to admit my gear is better than I need;

I've also stated that my playing skills have deteriorated significantly with time and age, and arthritis...and lack of practice like I did back in my youth/gigging days. Stuff I could play in my 20s seems like another lifetime / person these days. Not whining, just a statement of reality.

One of the reasons I got into keyboards over 10 years ago, and prefer synth action...though I have some full weighted keys.

I mean technically everyone could say their gear is "better than they need"

What I'm saying is sometimes it's really conspicuous and ridiculous in some situations - and you know exactly what i'm talking about

I'm sure you've seen the "family pictures" on TGP and shit like that, people with these insane phillip mcknight/tone king collections and phillip mcknight/tone king talent level. Where they have literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in gear. It's basically a shopping addiction, they aren't a guitar player lol

 

[rsm]

I've been playing mental gymnastics lately on how to thin the herd. I kinda regret not selling off most of my stuff during covid, when everyone was just splurging.

yes, I plan to start my big gear sell off in another 5 years or so; I want to get down to 10-15 guitars, maybe 5-6 amps.

Digital keyboards are like digital modelers, losing value as the new versions and technology improves,.. so I'll only sell when I replace a workstation with a newer model; the other digital keyboards still sound good. I have a few analog synths that I plan to keep, but hold value compared to digital

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

I mean technically everyone could say their gear is "better than they need"

What I'm saying is sometimes it's really conspicuous and ridiculous in some situations - and you know exactly what i'm talking about

I'm sure you've seen the "family pictures" on TGP and shit like that, people with these insane phillip mcknight/tone king collections and phillip mcknight/tone king talent level. Where they have literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in gear. It's basically a shopping addiction, they aren't a guitar player lol

I call them Guitar Dads.

Boring job, boring family, often no real or serious musical aspirations, but they got gear! And they want you to know how much they spent.

 

[romanianreaper]

I've been playing mental gymnastics lately on how to thin the herd. I kinda regret not selling off most of my stuff during covid, when everyone was just splurging.

Here is how I justified thinking the herd. I wanted a D28 Billy Strings I played and thought, "how many of my guitars do I play often?". I thought i can get bucketlist guitars I'll really enjoy instead of having a bunch laying around.

I'm getting to the point where I have less guitars but ones I enjoy picking up and playing everytime. I have 3 Les Pauls (Studio Session, Classic and Standard, a Strat, Chubtone, 80s Charvel Jackson, and then I have three acoustics). I'll get another guitar but it will fit some type of need rather than just getting another one for shits and giggles)

 

[Geo]

I think EVH Wolfgangs are an awesome bang for the buck. I bought a "demo" for about $350. Sounds great plays great.

 

[Geo]

Anyway, this is why you buy used.

The used market is a more accurate pricing mechanism.

 

[vultures]

I think it's funny Balaguer is on the list for hidden gems. Their select custom line is built by the same Korean team that builds Rondo Music / Agile guitars, so you're essentially paying $1600+ (more often $2500+) for an Agile.

 

[ihave27frets]

I have a JTG coming this week to compare to a US Tyler Studio Elite. I have a feeling it’ll be a pretty close comparison

 

[Rottweiler]

I see a lot of these same marketing dusch tricks in other industries as well. There are only a few places in the world that have the required capabilties and can build a decent product at a certain price point. I've spent my entire career in manufacturing as an engineer and with a little study, can spot the commonalities in specs /details and see that several of the brands are using the same offshore factories to build "their" model. I used to bring it up to a few of my friends only to see their emotional attachments to brands override logic.

I agree that it is the consumer's money and they are free to spend it however they choose. I would like to see more people "voting with their money" and rewarding the companies that don't win through deception. I also think that most companies will do something at some point that will irritate us and we can cause a correction by spending elsewhere. History is full of examples.

The part that I dislike, is when USA companies sell a "made in USA" model at a premium price but have only put a few finishing steps into an offshore guitar.

The only 2 new guitars I've bought in the last 21 years were USA made Gibsons. I did buy a Korean LP and a Chicom LP both used and replaced pickups, all electronics, bridges, nuts, etc. I've been pretty broke most of my time and couldn't swing a custom shop LP or a deluxe to get a 56 with p90s. I only own 4 guitars, oh yeah and a USA Fender Jazz bass I bought on a deal.

 

[VonBonfire]

I have a JTG coming this week to compare to a US Tyler Studio Elite. I have a feeling it’ll be a pretty close comparison View attachment 447899

You own the coolest guitar on the entire forum followed closely by my sweet 335.