Nitebob
Okay...so I started playing electric in the church band, using my Crafter Hybrid...Works well with my Marshall amp, but not very versatile (only one P90) and not really that great as an acoustic either... So I am looking for a electric guitar...
Entry level kinda thing, but not this Behringer and Bucklay crap...(no offence intended :-[)...
Two options are...Black and white SX for R1400 (heard good things)
And plain white Squier (Made in China) for R1700...
I like the appearance of the Squier...would look great with tortoiseshell scratchplate...
Don't like appearance of Black and White SX...too ordinary...
Opinions please...
ZarK
Better still. Look out for a second-hand Cort G254 or similar medium-higher end Cort... Imo much better quality and tone than the guitars you're looking at for the same price. Usually even less than the Squire you're considering.
The G254 comes with a Wilkinson bridge and Mighty Mite pups + coil tap on the humbucker. I used to have one and imo there is not much that comes close to them for quality and tone at their price point... Mine was metallic Champagne in colour but the natural finish is also nice...
Something like this will serve you very well:
http://easterncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Sports-Leisure-musical-instruments-Electric-Guitar-Cort-G-Series-G254-Wooden-Body-W0QQAdIdZ377120508
DonovanB
+1 on the second hand market. He's not being Zarkastic either... :roflmao:
+1 on the cort too. There was another brand I forget, started with a T and had a decent LP copy?
I'd prefer an older SX over a new Squier though. There are other budget brands. Crafter have the cruiser series. Ibanez have some ok guitars in that range. Samick aren't brought in new any more but I've had fair experience with them.
The benefit with Ibanez is that the body material won't vary much so later you can upgrade pups and wiring and have a fairly decent guitar. (personally I'd throw decent 'buckers in and put coil taps.
giggsy
Like you said, both better than some of the other beginner models so don't think you could go wrong for those prices.
And mods, if this is unethical or not allowed or whatever, please feel free to delete, but I have a couple of guitars that I am selling in that price range that you might be interested in, an SX included - just check the Classifieds. You are more than welcome to come try them out no obligation, even if its just to get a feel for other guitars so that you can compare them against the Squier and the SX that you want when you check them out.
Nitebob
Funny thing is...the other day I was at Oosthavens checking out the Cort X1 (which I think is pretty descent at it's price new), and he tried to talk me into a Squier? ???
Jayhell
Cort, SX and Samic are all Korean made guitars. The Koreans have a much higher standard than most of the other Asian countries (except maybe Japan). Most of the Korean Guitarist I have met would rather play a SX then even a MIM Fender. They take pride in their products and would always try to make a better guitar for the same price as any other country. Even as a Squier owner, I think you still pay more for the little 'made by Fender' logo on the back. I got my Squier thinking all the parts would easily be replaceable with standard Fender parts, this is not true. If you buy a higher grade Squier like the Vintage Modified series, maybe you'll make the right decision but for the Affinities and those, I'd rather go with one of the Korean made guitars. Or go second hand.
Nitebob
Jayhell wrote:
Cort, SX and Samic are all Korean made guitars. The Koreans have a much higher standard than most of the other Asian countries (except maybe Japan). Most of the Korean Guitarist I have met would rather play a SX then even a MIM Fender. They take pride in their products and would always try to make a better guitar for the same price as any other country. Even as a Squier owner, I think you still pay more for the little 'made by Fender' logo on the back. I got my Squier thinking all the parts would easily be replaceable with standard Fender parts, this is not true. If you buy a higher grade Squier like the Vintage Modified series, maybe you'll make the right decision but for the Affinities and those, I'd rather go with one of the Korean made guitars. Or go second hand.
These prices are second hand, but a little thought put into it, I can get a
new entry level Cort at roughly te same price...
AlanRatcliffe
+1 to Cort. The great thing about them if you are on a budget is they don't have a good resale value, so if you buy second-hand, you can score a really great guitar for very little money (look at
Zark's G290 in the classifieds for R3,5K).
The G-Series are all good Stratlike affairs (although you'd want to change the bridge saddles on the entry-level G110 - nasty, sharp saddles and screws). The G260 and G290 are the stars of the show. The M-series are more PRS-like (or doublecut Gibsons if you prefer) - the M520 is great value for money. The LP-like CR series are OK for the money, but I think Vintage far outdo them for quality. The Cort hollows are all good guitars at relatively decent prices (although the nature of a hollow means you don't get anything really cheap, but still, some bargains to be had second hand).
ZarK
There is a massive difference between an entry level Cort and a higher-end model. I'm only recommending the higher-end models as I can vouch for them. I wouldn't go for a X-1. I would go for a X-5 or better model, however. Likewise I wouldn't go for a Cort G100 or G200 range guitar, only the G250 and up... The higher-end G254 (older model with Mighty Mite pups) and top-end G290 (EMG pups) are really decent playing and sounding guitars. It's your call. The advice is sound and free... All of the best!
Nitebob
Think I might've stumbled onto a pic of what Gigsy has for sale and the Samick Les Paul has peaked my interest, I must admit.
The thing that keeps bothering me is that the Crafter is a very good guitar. Strudy built, great playability...and sometimes I feel so lucky to have gotten such a great deal. It seems like such a shame to dispose of it (which I'll have to do) in order to 'downgrade' as it were... to an entry level guitar...
Must be my female hormones kicking in... ?
Armandearl
I have both, a Squire and an SX. My SX was R1500 fo a Thinline tele guitar, for the price it sounds pretty decent. The squire is a bit more highend so you cant compare them. I played with my SX in church and was really impressed, I think your amp and pedals makes a big diffrance in the outcome of your sound, I only dont use it because I use my tele. Its also very easy to upgrade the pickups and hardware on the SX.
Jayhell
Nitebob wrote:
Think I might've stumbled onto a pic of what Gigsy has for sale and the Samick Les Paul has peaked my interest, I must admit.
The thing that keeps bothering me is that the Crafter is a very good guitar. Strudy built, great playability...and sometimes I feel so lucky to have gotten such a great deal. It seems like such a shame to dispose of it (which I'll have to do) in order to 'downgrade' as it were... to an entry level guitar...
Must be my female hormones kicking in... ?
☹, don't downgrade, give it a while and the right upgrade will come your way.
Alex-B-Broadway
I was playing my SX Strat a few minutes ago. I'd pick SX over Squier any day - I've played a few SX Strats and even the SX LP copy isn't bad. The high end Squier's are supposedly better, but I don't have much experience of those. If you get something with a finish you get tired of you can always make a refinish project out of it (as Giggsy did - many times ? ). I worry more about playability than finish because the finish is something I can change later on. Playability, depending on what you start with, not so much.
Nitebob
Alex B Broadway wrote:
I was playing my SX Strat a few minutes ago. I'd pick SX over Squier any day - I've played a few SX Strats and even the SX LP copy isn't bad. The high end Squier's are supposedly better, but I don't have much experience of those. If you get something with a finish you get tired of you can always make a refinish project out of it (as Giggsy did - many times ? ). I worry more about playability than finish because the finish is something I can change later on. Playability, depending on what you start with, not so much.
Problem is, when I record I use both, acoustic and electric. So not much time for refinishing projects....I kinda like the plain wood SX Giggsy has up for sale....might go for that...
Nitebob
Found a SX thinline strat (actually two) for R999 in a pawnshop nearby. Have one Tuxedo and one Blond. Blond seems to have a problem as the action is way too high. So I decided to go with the Tuxedo and change out the white scratchplate with a black pearloid. That and a new set of strings should get me playing. Pity about the light wood on the neck, I'll put that on my "to do liist" Will go check if all the pups are working today (got there just before closing last night) Will post pics when I get round to it...
Banditman
I wouldn't chuck too much money into a R900 guitar. Rather get it set up decently and use "as is", and put aside what you'd spend on upgrades for a future step up.
You can pick up some really used decent gear if you look around. I found a good Squier Standard Tele in vintage sunburst without a mark on it for R1350.00 a couple of years ago. The guy just wasn't gelling with electrics.
The Corts are good guitars, and another underrated and overlooked electric S-type is the Yamaha Pacifica 012. That's a very good instrument in this price range and deserves to be in a short list of finalists.
Jayhell
Banditman wrote:
I wouldn't chuck too much money into a R900 guitar. Rather get it set up decently and use "as is", and put aside what you'd spend on upgrades for a future step up.
You can pick up some really used decent gear if you look around. I found a good Squier Standard Tele in vintage sunburst without a mark on it for R1350.00 a couple of years ago. The guy just wasn't gelling with electrics.
The Corts are good guitars, and another underrated and overlooked electric S-type is the Yamaha Pacifica 012. That's a very good instrument in this price range and deserves to be in a short list of finalists.
+1 for the Yamaha Pacifica. I played one once and almost bought it on the spot, them Japanese know their s*&%t.
Nitebob
Turned out buying the Blond and the tuxedo. The strat is getting a new pick-gaurd, knobs, strings, cleaned, touched up and used. The blond is getting re-finished, cleaned, set-up and sold...or vice versa...
chris77
Nitebob wrote:
Turned out buying the Blond and the tuxedo. The strat is getting a new pick-gaurd, knobs, strings, cleaned, touched up and used. The blond is getting re-finished, cleaned, set-up and sold...or vice versa...
Refinishing the blonde? Why? A refinish can destroy a guitar's resale value if it isn't done really well. Maybe post a pic or two. Somebody could take her off your hands as is and spare you a bit of effort and moolah.
Nitebob
She has too many gashes....will post before and after pics...after...I've been struggling to get onto the forum, so I've already started...Blonde is in pieces. Might even keep her....but then I'll have four guits...that's too many...except for Gigsy ? I see you have an Aria strat, Chris...is that a good guitar?
