Most underrated guitars under $500

[mudf00t]

Just thought I would start this thread for kicks. This board typically seems to love high end gear and so do I... but I have a couple of guitars that I bought that I love to play and they were under $500.

I love the LTD EC-1000. I have a silverburst and a red quilted (QM). They sound way more mean than my ESP Standard. I paid under $500 for each with hardshell case.

I also have a BC Rich Mockingbird Contour Deluxe (natural quilt) that plays like a dream. I paid $150 for it lol.

What are your favorite cheap guitars?

 

[maddnotez]

Idk if it's under rated or not but my Ibanez S series is pretty awesome.

 

[MKibanez]

I have a Stratocaster Blacktop with a Floyd on it, around 450$. It plays as good as my American Standard at 1200$! Lovie it!

 

[Chris6870]

Current Kramer Pacers for $369.

 

[Wayniac3]

I have a MIM fat strat (H/S/S) that plays nearly as nice as my USA.
Only reason I have the USA is I got a smoking deal on it

 

[phil b]

Just this week I picked up a brand new Ibanez Destroyer from Sam Ash on closeout. Walked out with guitar and hardshell case for $425 plus tax. First time I have ever owned a Chinese guitar or non USA guitar in general.
Fit and finish are really good and are on par with guitars much more expensive. Neck is straight and the fretwork is surprisingly good. Sets up real nice with low action without comprises. Tuners, bridge and tailpiece feel pretty cheap as with the toggle switch, but they work fine so far. Pups are Dimarzios and sound really good. Not much taper in the pots but again they work fine.
Keep in mind all my comparisons are to guitars that cost thousands more. For the price it really was a no brainer.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Schecter PT. Not the Fastback or Hybrid. It's $500 and I have two of them. It's the perfect blend of Les Paul and Strat in terms of sound. The split coil tones of the bridge and neck are suprisingly stratty!! The pickups are an Anderson design. Great neck, the pickups are really solid as well. Body weight is perfect if you like the idea of a fatter strat body that's not as heavy as a LP, but is just solid. Definitely check these out. First guitar bought unseen and unplayed and it was great out of the box. Cannot recommend them enough and wish more guys would check them out. Sleepers for sure!

 

[japetus]

Some of the older PRS SE's. The original run of OLP guitars. Most japanese 90's Ibanez RG's/S's.

 

[mrvorhees]

One more on the PRS Se.

 

[squank]

Agree on the PRS SE line.

 

[headshok]

I just bought an SE245 built in Indonesia. I paid $250.00 and play it as much as my Ibanez RG and my TMG Dover. It is a 24.5" scale guitar, great pickups and workmanship. It amazes me what PRS can do with a cheaper guitar.

 

[Racerxrated]

If you are patient and have time to stalk GCs website, you can find great used deals. Hamer USA Diablo 499, USA Jackson 1986 399, 2008 Charvel USA 549, ESP Mirage/M1 from late 80s 499. I'm sure there's more but those come to mind. 2 I've bought myself within the past 2 months.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

MIJ Charvels ..... i got this one from Daddys Junkie Music 15 years ago for $275.

 

[JackBootedThug]

i have an esp ec1000 ctm. craigslist for 300. killer.

 

[mystixboi]

Used frnder deluxe players strat. Less than $325 with upgraded pickups from dragonfire

 

[thiswaythatway]

If you can find an Ibanez like this. It's an RG3120 that I had a long time ago. But it cost me like $450. See the Suhr that it's next to? The Suhr costs $2400.....the Ibanez kicked the Suhr's ass for pure tone.

 

[japetus]

If you can find an Ibanez like this. It's an RG3120 that I had a long time ago. But it cost me like $450. See the Suhr that it's next to? The Suhr costs $2400.....the Ibanez kicked the Suhr's ass for pure tone.

Those Ibanez's are nice. It seems like every era of Ibanez has a few really really nice guitars, and it almost has nothing to do with price point. They will just put out a gem of a guitar for a few years. My friend bought a RG321 with the natural body, no trem, plain jane guitar. That guitar has stock v7/8 pickups but damn, it plays like a DREAM. I really hadn't played a thin wizard style neck in a long time, but playing them makes me realize how damn easy they are to play.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have an Ibanez SZ720FM (well, 3 of them), and a DN600 that are sub $500, and I really enjoy playing them.

 

[sg guy]

-GIBSON SG's-

-too many model's to list, but I guess you can start with the faded's-

 

[The Traveller]

MIJ Charvels ..... i got this one from Daddys Junkie Music 15 years ago for $275.

Hell yes! Mine is black though. It was the first guitar I ever bought with my own money. It's in dire need of a fret board level and new frets but I'm scared it might lose some mojo. So I have retired it to a case in the closet. I've played some awesome shows and wrote some great music on it. I have much more expensive guitars now but I still love that one. I'll probably be buried with it.