Guitarists – if you had £500 for something new…

Just out of interest, what would you buy?

Fantasy window shopping really,  but I do have a ‘significant’ birthday next year. 🙂

Have a nice Squier Tele with P90’s, like this:

Lovely thing and I’m very happy with it. It’s a great all rounder with a really nice neck.

If I was to look for something a bit different I’d be after humbuckers or Strat type single coils,  possibly shorter scale and maybe a trem.

No Vim Fuego type pointy stuff, something a bit old fashioned – bluesy rock, rather than very, very metal.

Have played a couple of Epiphones, an SG (G400 Pro), 335 (Dot) and a Sheraton, all of which felt lovely. The semis feel a bit big, but I’d get used to them.

Tried a new Epi Les Paul but it just felt a bit cheap, not a patch on the other Epis. A Cort CR Custom (another Les Paul type) felt much, much better and is possibly my favourite so far.

Also tempted by the cheaper Fender Mustangs and Duo Sonics, but feel they may be a bit too similar to the Squire I already have – same with the single pickup Yamaha 510V – lovely, but just doesn’t grab me.

Not checked out the latest PRS SE’s but the Santana Standard appeals.

Any other ideas?

Not a brand snob but prefer something with a solid top/cap rather than a flashy veneer.

All suggestions much appreciated, thanks in advance, 🙂

Not new, but I know of a very nice 80’s Japanese Strat going for about that….as well as being an awesome guitar, it’s an investment!

No idea what the new Santana SE’s are like, I’ve got one of the originals which is simply unreal for the money. Must take that one out gigging again soon.

Yamaha Revstars are nice

Cheers Tom.

I’m a bit wary of secondhand Japanese/Korean Fender/Squiers, it seems like a complete minefield.

Forgot to mention that I’ve tried a couple of G&L Tributes, the Legacy and S500. Both built by Cort and lovely, but a bit darker sounding than a Strat and similar tones to my Squier.

YGH, thanks.

Remember reading a review when they first came out out that suggested some the pots and switches were a bit cheap – non standard and difficult to upgrade.  Have to admit that they do really appeal apart from that.

A little research suggests that the PRS SE Standards aren’t as solidly built as the SE Customs, different construction, lots of cost savings. That’s a shame.

If I had the budget you had, and a liking for a Tele.. I go to Chapman Guitars (via Andertons in Guildford) and go get me one of these beauties..

Chapman Tele.. yours for the budget busting £380..

Yep.. £380.

Awesome spec, raved about and quality to beat Guitars three times the budget..

I’d buy something that did something significantly different from what I have, I’ve got a strat, so I wouln’t buy a tele, hum buckers, p90s or not.. I’ve got a classical guitar, a bass, and a piano, so I’d probably spend the 500 on a nice acoustic.

I don’t really see the point of having 6 slightly different versions of something.

PRS SE of whichever flavour takes your choice ?

I have an old PRS SE “Santana” model from 2006 that I got cheap on ebay and it’s absolutely lovely.

<EDIT> – that’s not mine below – just one from the Andertons website for £475

I was in a similar position and ended up buying a cheap strat..mexican but does the job.

Would be wary of ebay unless it’s from a recognised shop. Once bought a les Paul epi from a UK seller and it turned out to be fake.

Rusty – if you’re buying new as per your OP then I assume you can go to several shops and try a load of guitars out and see what you like?

Just to say – don’t take too much notice of my recommendation above, putting into perspective – whilst calling into GuitarGuitar in Birmingham a few weeks ago (immense range of guitars BTW) I tried out a PRS SE (£700 ish) and a “real” PRS (£3600) and apart from cosmetic differences and a nicer neck finish they played and sounded pretty much the same to me. The “real” PRS is very, very pretty though 😉

£500 is a bit of a tough one these days, new just seems a bit cheap at that money from the likes of squier , epi etc.

Second hand bargains not easy to find anymore from the big names. I’d be going a bit off piste, what’s missing in the collection? You need a big guitar shop and an afternoon.. ive had a few from mikey at guitar guitar in Birmingham, an ovation semi acoustic which I love, a schecter v, a few other second hand gems elsewhere, an Ibanez herman li signature, an Ibanez 12 in a lovely ash, all sub £500. For a big birthday I’d just be going and playing loads and seeing what really got me going. Sometimes they just grab you – my Herman li I’d never have bought, it’s not me at all it’s too metal and has the silly cutouts. I just had a play on it and it was brilliant. I like what schecter are doing at that kind of money too.

Have a google for the little guitar shop in Birmingham, martin’s got some quite cool stuff especially if you like a bit of vintage Japanese. Just had a look and there’s quite a cool older epi les Paul with hand wound pups for your budget..

While you could go for something radically different, you could also just get something you like and will play. Perhaps kept in a different tuning.

I tried Les Pauls and other single cuts and alsways went back to the superstrat style. I’ve got a few but only a Couple of them are tuned the same.

I’m enjoying having a clear out at the moment. Selling amps, pedals and guitars that don’t get used regularly. It’s liberating, I finally feel like I know what I like and am happy sticking to it. I sell most of my gear on reverb now. Hassle free so far so would recommend you check it out and buy second hand.

I think either a Chapman or Revstar will be my next guitar choice for around the £500 mark

I bought a Chapman Ghost Fret on a bit of a whim a while back and they are excellent guitars and great value. Huuuuuge fun to play and really versatile

Chapman

I wouldn’t buy anything that egotistical muppet puts his name to.

Personally, I’d go for an Epi LP, possibly the 60s Tribute Plus, or maybe a PRS of some description. However, go into a few shops and try them.

From what I’ve heard, I’d also avoid Andertons as their CS is rubbish.

Off topic but since we have a few guitarist on this thread.

Digging about my mums loft i found an old epiphone ea 250 I use to play. 1970 hollow body job which I never got on with. Missing the tremelo arm, and scratch plate but I think I have that somewhere. As I recall the neck was pretty skinny and it didn’t keep in tune very well, so probably needs some tlc.

Looks lovely but I wasn’t a fan so its been gathering dust for last 20 years or so. Mixed reviews of it online .. Ranging from quite nice to suitable for firewood only. Anyone shed any light on it.. Is it worth selling, fixing up, or just burning for winter fuel?

Its this one..

https://reverb.com/uk/p/epiphone-ea-250-red

This is great, can we do one on banjos next?….

….

No? just me then 🙁

Chapman

I wouldn’t buy anything that egotistical muppet puts his name to.

Personally, I’d go for an Epi LP, possibly the 60s Tribute Plus, or maybe a PRS of some description. However, go into a few shops and try them.

From what I’ve heard, I’d also avoid Andertons as their CS is rubbish.

Each to their own.

But the guitars are worth trying out…

I can say Andertons have been very good to me.

Having recently got back into all this, and done a lot of reading round…!!

£500 seems to be good quality base level guitar (boardman/calibre MTB equivalents??)

Squire classic vibe get really good reviews, some Gretsch stuff is in budget and looks cool! Harley Benton guitars from Thomann seem to be well regarded and possibly worth a look.

as a curveball what about pricing up a parts guitar from somewhere like Warmoth. You’d get something unique..

A Warmouth parts guitar is well pricey. I costed one and for bugger all more I was able to get a deal on a US Strat.

I got a US-made Gibson SG in a local bike shop for £500. And I’m pretty sure I sold my US-made Les Paul Studio for £500 or so. I’d see what your local shop has. There might be bargains there.

I can say Andertons have been very good to me

Me too.  Bought quite a few things, returned something that I didn’t like with no problems.  Have never had something go wrong which needs fixing/replacing so maybe that is where someone had a bad experience?

Prices are good and interest free credit above £300.

For £500 I would get an amp (Fender Blues Junior).  I have owned many guitars (as have most guitarists) and currently playing a £100 bullet mustang which I have changed to a single hum bucker and I love it.  Lightweight, nice neck and plays and sounds great.  I have no need for anything better/more expensive.

I just wish I was good enough to justify spending £500 on a guitar!

I’ll happily spend £000’s on nice bikes despite not being that good but still plodding along with a cheapo <£80 acoustic guitar that someone gave me as I’m not good enough to justify anything better 🤔

Use the money for a few upgrades/set up by a luther then spend some on a couple of pedals and or a new amp. I bought a hollow body a few years ago after really wanting one then never really used it much. Am now looking to get an LP junior and mod it a bit.

I wouldn’t link spend to how good you can play. Link it to much you enjoy it and want to spend

you never know, upgrading from a cheapo acoustic to something that plays and sounds nicer may motivate you to play more and improve faster.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Just had a go of a Faith Venus electro which comes in under budget. Nicest acoustic I’ve ever played, so that’s on the list.

Lots of Epis on Gumtree, many barely used, for very silly prices, so again, more to think about.

I’ve just built this for a £100 https://imgur.com/gallery/ehLTanc

Fun project and a decent guitar at the end of it

Use the money for a few upgrades/set up by a luther

https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/3/2017/10/luther-c49091f.jpg?quality=90&lb=620,413&background=white

Use the money for a few upgrades/set up by a luther

Idris Elba?

That’s the badger!

A wise man once said to me its worth spending money on a really nice guitar (like a Gibson, Martin or Ramirez, all of which make stunning playing and sounding guitars ) as they are an absolute joy to play, you’ll end up playing for hours a day, and that is how you get to be a really good guitar player

or

or

Mexican duo sonic  with coil tap HB in the bridge. I’d have one now if they did a maple fret board version

I have a Duo sonic as mentioned by rocketdog, it’s awesome.

I’ve got a “Vintage” (not vintage) Casino that I’m not playing if anyone fancies it. Short neck, Wilkinson soapboxes.

Does great Weller impressions in front of the mirror.

Bought a lovely pearl white MIM Strat with a maple neck in the black friday thing.  It was under £400.

I’ve a few guitars, some fairly expensive (by my standards) and recently bought a 2nd hand PRS Tremonti SE for £200. I bought it for the active EMG’S that are in it and was going to sell the guitar on. I’ve enjoyed it so much that it’s now one of my favourites. Proof that you can’t link price to sound/feel.

I really fancy a Revstar too…

I love my Epi SG Pro – OH bought it for me a few years ago and I had it serviced and set up properly about a year ago. It’s lovely to play with a nice, low action. I’d only ever had strat style 25″ guitars but when I tried a shorter scale Epi Les Paul I knew I wanted something like that. I’d quite like a ridiculous hair metal guitar at some point though.

I’ve just bought a Squire Deluxe Hot rail strat as a way to get back into playing again. I’m already looking at n + 1 😂.

They’re worse than bikes.

£500 would have to be a nice acoustic guitar. Mainly because I might get to keep and play it in the house rather than a hard case, amp, cables and pedals tucked away in the workshop as they’re so bulky. Then I might actually play it.