WTB: Electric Guitar

[OreoGaborio]

Looking for something in the sub 500 dollar range that's in nice playable shape. My preference is leaning strongly towards a fender or squire strat.

I've got a whole ton of new ones in my Amazon wish list (something like this) but figured I'd see if anyone on here's got they'd be willing to let go before I pull the trigger on one of the amazon linked ones.

Kinda crazy to think I'm FINALLY looking at getting my own electric 6 string after dabbling in both guitar & bass for probably 35+ years.

[union]

I don't have any for sale but if you're a bit handy I have an alternative suggestion. A couple of Christmas' ago my wife got me one of these.

Tele version.

It wasn't terribly challenging. Pretty much everything is done for you except for shaping the headstock, finish work (sanding and painting) and assembly. Mine plays pretty good. For $85 I have no complaints. The electronics are not that great though. I've thought about upgrading but to do what I think I should it's 2x what the entire kit costs.

[SteveM]

You should be able to find a great G&L Tribute series in this range.

https://reverb.com/item/78079371-g-l...ntent=78079371

[gixxer72]

If you’re not deadset on a fender strat you might find a used Charvel in that range. They have been owned by fender for many years now. They are strat killers and will do everything the traditional fender will do and much more. I’ve got about a dozen of them from various era’s, fantastic guitars with amazing necks.

[Pittenger5]

Some of the "amazon" ones are getting good reviews. I'm actually gonna pick one of these up, there's lots of reviews on YouTube that are positive.
https://a.co/d/a1fd8Ou

Also just got a REALLY cheap Squier for Christmas, just wanted it for the body and going to replace all the electronics. It actually plays really nice for the price.

[gixxer72]

Some of the "amazon" ones are getting good reviews. I'm actually gonna pick one of these up, there's lots of reviews on YouTube that are positive.
https://a.co/d/a1fd8Ou

I’ve been watching the evolution of those cheap chinese guitars and the fakes (Chibsons). It seems like they are dialing in the quality better and better. I’ll probably order one soon.

A lot of people fail to realize that no matter the price point, any guitar new or new to you will benefit from a pro setup. Most guitars NEED a pro setup.

[RandyO]

have you considered a build yer own kit

[Not Sure]

have you considered a build yer own kit

Maybe make one out of an upside down car hood?

[RandyO]

Maybe make one out of an upside down car hood?

a steel guitar

[gixxer72]

Ammo can. Awesome build, and Justin is a monster player.

https://youtu.be/AdZ2_tJOLu4?si=vSWN3Qpim0GLlGXd

[Imbeek]

J. Mascis squire jazzmaster (new) might be worth a look

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier/...iABEgIEf_D_BwE

Obviously there are strats in your price range too and shootouts galore on YouTube (although most aren’t truly objective). I know from your first post that you’re aware of those; I'm mainly posting to suggest the jazzmaster as a cool option in the same price and feel range, and to add that I’m a HUGE believer in playing the actual guitar you are considering buying, before purchase. In person choices at a decent music store seem plentiful and reasonably priced enough to forego an Amazon or sweetwater press and pray order. They just all sound and play slightly differently and some feel and sound great, some don’t…even among strats. Even among squire strats. Even among white classic vibe squire strats…

[OreoGaborio]

I do dig that Jazzmaster & did kinda have my eye on them while looking but I think I've got it narrowed down to these two, both are currently 10% off at guitarcenter.com.

$387 Squier Classic Vibe
$324 Squier 40th Anniversary.

Seems to me those are pretty nice deals w/ great bang for the buck & they're very similar in grade & construction.

Would love to play em side-by-side but the closest 40th annie I want is 45 min away... They've got a CV just 10 min away from me though, so I'll go give that a feel-up as soon as I can. Hmm... maybe today.

[Imbeek]

Guitars are so cheap compared to the (pretty good) quality now that mistakes are pretty harmless…can always trade em in, bring ‘em back, or keep em and buy more (my favorite!) etc

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah I'd be lying if I haven't said to myself "Fekkit, just buy em both & figure it out before the return policy expires."

[OreoGaborio]

In other news, I totally put the cart before the horse and bought one of these.

[backinthesaddle]

My playing is lousy but I’ve got a nice Aria Pro 2 from the 80s, strat shape, but dual humbuckers and Kahler locking trem. Had a Fender MIM Jimmy Vaughn strat. Just couldn’t get used to that neck for my hands. Picked up a friends Clapton strat between his sets and was like wow this things is Excalibur. I think they are both V necks and same radius. Maybe the Clapton just had a professional set up done vs out of the box.

Actually when I say playing is lousy thats probably optimistic or delusional. An insult to the words playing and lousy.

[gixxer72]

Actually when I say playing is lousy thats probably optimistic or delusional. An insult to the words playing and lousy.

Harsh, but you’re allowed to whip yourself. I’ve been helping a couple of adults with their playing. Like many people, they get frustrated with progress and start comparing themselves to other, better players. No bueno. If you’re not asking to be paid to play, who cares? If it’s not fun you won’t put time in to improve. Guitar is one of the most frustrating yet rewarding things…

[xrocket21]

I don't have any for sale but if you're a bit handy I have an alternative suggestion. A couple of Christmas' ago my wife got me one of these.

Tele version.

It wasn't terribly challenging. Pretty much everything is done for you except for shaping the headstock, finish work (sanding and painting) and assembly. Mine plays pretty good. For $85 I have no complaints. The electronics are not that great though. I've thought about upgrading but to do what I think I should it's 2x what the entire kit costs.

I cant play guitar but for some reason I REALLY want to buy and build this.

[LuvDog]

My playing is lousy but I’ve got a nice Aria Pro 2 from the 80s, strat shape, but dual humbuckers and Kahler locking trem. Had a Fender MIM Jimmy Vaughn strat. Just couldn’t get used to that neck for my hands. Picked up a friends Clapton strat between his sets and was like wow this things is Excalibur. I think they are both V necks and same radius. Maybe the Clapton just had a professional set up done vs out of the box.

Actually when I say playing is lousy thats probably optimistic or delusional. An insult to the words playing and lousy.

Me too. I played a lot in highschool and college, but haven't picked up a guitar in 20 years. I won't sell my Fender/Squier Srat though. A friend bought a new guitar a few months ago and handed it to me. I could barely remember some bar chords, so I handed it back and felt shame.

[OreoGaborio]

Well if anybody else wants a smokin deal on an entry level squier strat, I'm not sure that this deal can be beat...
I'd order one myself if they weren't on backorder.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier/...00000392045.gc

[SteveM]

In other news, I totally put the cart before the horse and bought one of these.

I have the mini version, highly recommend.

[LuvDog]

Well if anybody else wants a smokin deal on an entry level squier strat, I'm not sure that this deal can be beat...
I'd order one myself if they weren't on backorder.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier/...00000392045.gc

Where does it say Backorder?

It says in stock when I look

[OreoGaborio]

I have the mini version, highly recommend.

Nice!

Where does it say Backorder?

It says in stock when I look

Oh good. They musta just updated their inventory.

Crap... now do I pick up one of those or get one of the pricier models I was looking at...

[gixxer72]

Nice!

Oh good. They musta just updated their inventory.

Crap... now do I pick up one of those or get one of the pricier models I was looking at...

$159 guitar + $100 setup leaves with $259 in a guitar worth $100 resale. Not too bad if you enjoy it.

$400 guitar + $100 setup leaves you with $500 in a guitar worth $100-$200 at best resale.

[OreoGaborio]

Generally seeing Squiers of all trim levels on reverb & FB for damn near new prices.

Kind of a moot point though. Usually resale value matter a whole lot to me as I generally tend to keep stuff that I buy. If I catch & release it'll typically be before the return policy expires.