Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

[jalguitarman]

Do you assume it will also sound better if the wood is private stock?

Perhaps not better but different as I would be able to have exotic woods like Brazillian Rosewood or Madagasscar Ebony. Plus I could have a fretboard inlayed with Something that celebrates my love of the ocean. I dunno it might sound a little better, though likely not much. Most likely just as good as my other PRS instrument but more ornate and a bit of tonal variation because of some different woods. What's your opinion on that?
As Les said when you start going up the ladder it's hard to go back down.

[zenmindbeginner]

I have an Xaviere XV-620 and it simply KILLS! I have a bunch of other sub $1000 mid priced guitars and the Xaviere gets more time than any of them.

It has a poplar semi hollow body (chambered on both sides) which manufacturers seldom use because it is a softer hardwood and isn't anywhere as sturdy as alder, ash and mahogany. Poplar is also prone to green mineral streaks and rots fairly quickly.

But the key to poplar is that it DRIES very quickly and thoroughly compared to other hardwoods.

To me... dry wood is the key. The more moisture, the less resonance... simple as that.

poplar gets so damn dry so fast that there isn't a lick of moisture left by the time the guitar is cut assembled and finished... leading to...

MASSIVE sustain and resonance. The sound and voice of this guitar is staggering.

The double chambers lend a low end that is often missing from poplar and the semi hollowbody design gives the poplar a low midrange richness that is sublime.

The stock GFS 10K Alnico bridge pup makes my EVH riffs sound perfect and has become my go to guitar for practicing and noodling.

I seriously can't put it down and it was $150 with an ABS molded case shipped to my door.

You must remove preconceptions when judging cheap guitars, but like I said, this guitar is unique with the dual chambers and poplar wood.

The GFS tone knob fell off a while ago and the jack is going to need to be replaced.

The F hole had a little paint schmutz that was easily sanded off with a nifty sanding stick (I plan on binding it whenever I get the chance).

The bad thing about poplar is that screw holes can get messed up pretty quick swapping parts... not a great test guitar.

Cheap Asian bolt ons are getting really good and the set-neck counterparts are getting a lot better too.

It's funny... I won't touch a MIM or Squire Fender, but I have no problem with Xaviere and Agile. The GFS pickups really make this guitar too. Looking to replace the neck pup with one of their fancy professional models since it comes with a nickel-silver cover instead of the tone sucking chrome plated brass one that's on there now.

I'm going to do my next EVH youtube video with the Xaviere playing "Girl Gone Bad"... I'll try and upload it here somewheres so y'all can see and hear what I am talking about.

[jalguitarman]

I have an Xaviere XV-620 and it simply KILLS! I have a bunch of other sub $1000 mid priced guitars and the Xaviere gets more time than any of them.

It has a poplar semi hollow body (chambered on both sides) which manufacturers seldom use because it is a softer hardwood and isn't anywhere as sturdy as alder, ash and mahogany. Poplar is also prone to green mineral streaks and rots fairly quickly.

But the key to poplar is that it DRIES very quickly and thoroughly compared to other hardwoods.

To me... dry wood is the key. The more moisture, the less resonance... simple as that.

poplar gets so damn dry so fast that there isn't a lick of moisture left by the time the guitar is cut assembled and finished... leading to...

MASSIVE sustain and resonance. The sound and voice of this guitar is staggering.

The double chambers lend a low end that is often missing from poplar and the semi hollowbody design gives the poplar a low midrange richness that is sublime.

The stock GFS 10K Alnico bridge pup makes my EVH riffs sound perfect and has become my go to guitar for practicing and noodling.

I seriously can't put it down and it was $150 with an ABS molded case shipped to my door.

You must remove preconceptions when judging cheap guitars, but like I said, this guitar is unique with the dual chambers and poplar wood.

The GFS tone knob fell off a while ago and the jack is going to need to be replaced.

The F hole had a little paint schmutz that was easily sanded off with a nifty sanding stick (I plan on binding it whenever I get the chance).

The bad thing about poplar is that screw holes can get messed up pretty quick swapping parts... not a great test guitar.

Cheap Asian bolt ons are getting really good and the set-neck counterparts are getting a lot better too.

It's funny... I won't touch a MIM or Squire Fender, but I have no problem with Xaviere and Agile. The GFS pickups really make this guitar too. Looking to replace the neck pup with one of their fancy professional models since it comes with a nickel-silver cover instead of the tone sucking chrome plated brass one that's on there now.

I'm going to do my next EVH youtube video with the Xaviere playing "Girl Gone Bad"... I'll try and upload it here somewheres so y'all can see and hear what I am talking about.

You can find gems in the "cheap guitar" range but, you have to do more digging to find them. That and typically you will end up repalcing something on them. I think your right when it comes to dry wood. Paul Smith thinks so as well. He descibes it lilke a wet sponge when there is too much mosture in the wood. Thats why they dry the heck out of thier wood. The idea being to also crystalize the resins in the wood.