I was pushed down the "build" route when I realised I couldn't justify the price of a branded guitar.
Building a guitar yourself, however, is a big commitment.
And as V8 reminds me; one should remember to factor in the cost of the tools you need to buy ?

Having said that we are blessed in South Africa with some amazing guitar builders.
If you were to take a budget of 15k and approach a top local builder, I'm guessing you're getting into some very serious guitar.
Which I would personally far rather have.

This does depend critically though on how much the brand means to you; or the association of the guitar to your icon musician

thanks for the reply. That is a good option, provided the build quality is up to scratch. I remember there was an expo not so long ago that I wanted to go to that was showcasing some of the builders/craftsmen.

Im just wondering if you could get a brand new American standard strat or tele for around R15k, how many people out there able and willing to part with the cash.

An American Strat: R5k maybe

Strats


Meh

Svenddw wrote: thanks for the reply. That is a good option, provided the build quality is up to scratch. I remember there was an expo not so long ago that I wanted to go to that was showcasing some of the builders/craftsmen.

Im just wondering if you could get a brand new American standard strat or tele for around R15k, how many people out there able and willing to part with the cash.

The next expo is this weekend, if I were in Jhb (or I had scored some R2 tickets w/safair :-[) - I would definitely have gone. https://www.facebook.com/saguitarexpo/

It would have to be a pretty special instrument for me to part with R15k. Or have a feature/specification that is rather unusual : Godin/Carvin do interesting nylon string, midi-equipped instruments, there was a Casimi build (locally made nylon parlour) that impressed and I've still got my eye out for a 32in bass guitar. I think the Godin/Carvin and a MIJ 32in bass would be as close to factory builds I'd spend $ on. Maybe a MIJ Tele (fender/tokai) if I find one that 'speaks to me'.

singemonkey wrote: An American Strat: R5k maybe

What he said.
"American made" guitars are over-priced and over-rated IMO (in a south african context), unless it's a specific collectors item. You can buy/upgrade/build so much guitar for that sort of money if you're not hung up on the label on the headstock.

The next expo is this weekend, if I were in Jhb (or I had scored some R2 tickets w/safair :-[) - I would definitely have gone. https://www.facebook.com/saguitarexpo/

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thanks for this, was really peeved when I had to miss the last one.

I randomly picked 15k as half of the USA Standard Strat.
Agree that 5k should get you all the guitar you need.

I absolutely agree 5k can get you a good bit of kit, most of mine were around that price. still I'm wondering how big the market would be, for the "sought after brands" at half price, since there are obviously people willing to pay full price

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Svenddw wrote: thanks for this, was really peeved when I had to miss the last one.

No worries, I'm still waiting for the day it comes to Cpt (or I'm in JHB).

Here's a thought - How appealing is a 3k counterfeit? You can order pretty much anything off ali-express for somewhere between 150-250USD. Real surprised we don't see more locally.

Meron Rigas wrote:

Svenddw wrote: thanks for this, was really peeved when I had to miss the last one.

Here's a thought - How appealing is a 3k counterfeit? You can order pretty much anything off ali-express for somewhere between 150-250USD. Real surprised we don't see more locally.

Not very, personally. you buy a guitar for two main reasons.. well three if you count having too much money and nothing better to do with it, the first the sound/tone and what it gives you as a package, the second is the feeling, emotion or wow factor it affords you. now while there are those counterfeits that are decent guitars, I think the special tingly feeling would be greatly compromised

I think as South Africans we are automatically tuned to look for the best value for money, since equipment costs so much here.

Fifteen grand for a slab of wood with some metal and plastic onboard = madness, who cares 'wot the headstock says, the name only makes the guitar to a certain point, then it's over to the fingers and amp. Betta still, buy some wood, and attempt to make your own axe, it will give immense pleasure when done and dusted, and if you must, you can always take a soldering iron and brand your name of choice on the headstock - for eternity.