Differences between Cheap and Expensive guitars?

[blueman335]

most of these players would buy the Gibson over the Epiphone, the ESP over the LTD, and the PRS over the SE.

If you pay more, you will usually get more because parts and woods are more selectively chosen (be careful, this is not always the case) and more time is taken on each instrument. Some cheaper guitars just play great because they do, and I encourage the owners of these to enjoy them and not loose sight of how good it is because of what's on the headstock.

+1. It's a personal decision based on our individual priorities, cash flow, and the people we live with. My Epi's do what I need them to do, so I don't feel the need to spend 4 or 5 times as much on the equivalent Gibson models, although I do realize I'd be getting better guitars if I did. I'm easy to please. Give me a guitar and amp that have a nice Britsh crunch, and if there's any shortcomings in the way I sound, it's the fault of the fingers, not the equipment. I love to tweak, but there's a point at which it's up to the hands to make music.

[bruce bennett]

the buyers wallet seems to be the ONLY different that counts.

[LesStrat]

I see at least three distinct levels.

1. Low price guitars are made with cheap materials. Occasionally you find a gem, but the majority of these axes are worth what you pay for them (very little).
2. Mid-range guitars are made with better materials and on average are decent axes. Finding a gem is much easier in this bracket.
3. High-end axes are made with premium materials (usually) and tend to be much more consistently made. Lemons are rare (usually). Repairs are minimal.

The odds of getting a gem increase with the price point (no, not a perfect correlation, yet a strong one).

As I said before, my Parkers are made in a way and with materials that make it unlikely that repairs will ever be needed. Of course, you pay for it up front.

For the s: no I'm not a gear snob. My moniker was the name of my first electric. It started as a Squier Strat and was extensively modded. My #2 is a low mid-priced axe.

[Luke Duke]

Agreed on all fronts about the majority of the cost being in the last 10% of the quality of the guitar.

It would be fair to say that given the option, all of us would pay the premium for an instrument custom tailored to our playing. I think it's rather pretentious however for a musician to play the role of a charlatan and use their premo instrument to cover up crud playing.

It doesn't bother me as much when a world class guitarist, or even a talented up-and-comer has a pricey guitar. It DOES get me when that doctor or lawyer shows off his $6000 Vigier to his buddies when all she knows is how to play Wonderwall.

I guess that's what bothers me the most about American/Private Stock Paul Reed Smiths. Not for the Orianthis or Tremontis who play them, but the company has a reputation of catering to posers. All bark no bite as they say.

But the REAL question is why do you CARE? What's a poser anyhow? Some people cannot play well but can appreciate a well made good looking instrument. Is that a crime? Should we pass a law requiring them to only earn Walmart First-Act guitars.

Whenever I see these phrases it always sends off a warning in my mind to take what is said with a grain of salt.

[crusty philtrum]

A lot of expensive music gear in general is bought by people who rarely use it. (often they're too busy working to earn their money to actually spend much time with their toys).

Some people own very expensive cars and yet they drive little, or drive like poop. But it's those people who buy the high end stuff that keeps the makers in business and available to the serious player. Without the sales to the cashed-up 'non-users', a lot of high-end gear might not be available to any of us. Besides, later a lot of those people will sell their expensive guitars and other toys in mint condition to raise money for their next wild-eyed purchase.

And playing a high-end guitar is not forgiving, as some people may think. Your clunky and fumbled bits will jump out in glorious three-dimensional technicolour for all to hear. However, your magic moments will be enhanced greatly, making you sound like the player you wondered whether you could be. Good, even resonance, articulation and lack of any dead spots means a player can play anything anywhere on the neck and it will sound consistent, freeing them up to concentrate on the music rather than wrestling with peculiar quirks of their instrument.

[blueman335]

Good, even resonance, articulation and lack of any dead spots means a player can play anything anywhere on the neck and it will sound consistent, freeing them up to concentrate on the music rather than wrestling with peculiar quirks of their instrument.

Keeping in mind that all high-end guitars are not without quirks; albiet they have them less often, and usually less severe than cheaper guitars.

[blueman335]

I see at least three distinct levels.

1. Low price guitars are made with cheap materials. Occasionally you find a gem, but the majority of these axes are worth what you pay for them (very little).
2. Mid-range guitars are made with better materials and on average are decent axes. Finding a gem is much easier in this bracket.
3. High-end axes are made with premium materials (usually) and tend to be much more consistently made. Lemons are rare (usually).

The odds of getting a gem increase with the price point (no, not a perfect correlation, yet a strong one).

+1. Low-end/Entry-level guitars are usually pretty disappointing. Everything is done so cheap. Very few are going to make anyone happy for long. Mid-priced guitars used to be defined as $300-$800, although this may have changed. Competition being what it is these days, there's a number of decent mid-price guitars, and more are coming stock with American-made PU's. At some point maybe most will, which will blur the lines somewhat between them and the lower tier of high-end models.

[voggin]

A lot of expensive music gear in general is bought by people who rarely use it. (often they're too busy working to earn their money to actually spend much time with their toys).

Some people own very expensive cars and yet they drive little, or drive like poop. But it's those people who buy the high end stuff that keeps the makers in business and available to the serious player. Without the sales to the cashed-up 'non-users', a lot of high-end gear might not be available to any of us. Besides, later a lot of those people will sell their expensive guitars and other toys in mint condition to raise money for their next wild-eyed purchase.

And playing a high-end guitar is not forgiving, as some people may think. Your clunky and fumbled bits will jump out in glorious three-dimensional technicolour for all to hear. However, your magic moments will be enhanced greatly, making you sound like the player you wondered whether you could be. Good, even resonance, articulation and lack of any dead spots means a player can play anything anywhere on the neck and it will sound consistent, freeing them up to concentrate on the music rather than wrestling with peculiar quirks of their instrument.

Great post. I'm a hobbyist, to be very generous to my skills. I play about half an hour a day. I've been doing that for the last 5 years or so, although I've played for over 30 years, but there have been patches where I haven't played at all. I took some jazz lessons last year to improve my theory and technique, and hope to take some more. My pathetic little dream is to play open mike nights with a small combo.

I don't understand why bedroom players are supposed to play on worse or somehow lesser instruments than pros. I'm a mediocre cook...should I have a crappy stove or lousy kitchen knives? Sometimes, a great guitar (through a great sounding amp at a reasonable volume) is better appreciated at home, where it can be heard, then (as Blueman says) in a noisy bar full of drunks.

Using the super-10plus-flame top PRS as an example is a bit of a straw man argument. Those things are made to be as much an object of art and craftsmanship as an instrument. The regular PRS is the top of its foodchain as far as instrument qua instrument goes. And like Crusty says, if poseurs buy them, great, that keeps good luthiers employed and may subsidize the (mass) production of top tier instruments. What would Les Pauls cost if they were all individually ordered? Let Mr. Burns buy the Jimmy Page reissue if it means I can get a trad for under 2 grand new!

[DeanSweden]

Sometimes, a great guitar (through a great sounding amp at a reasonable volume) is better appreciated at home, where it can be heard, then (as Blueman says) in a noisy bar full of drunks.

seems to be a reason for justifying the purchase...

[Phantasmagoria]

I like mid-level guitars...namely "Shred-sticks" with floyds. The current trend for over-priced vintage/classic/relic'd or whatever guitars will pass & they'll be back. These things (trends) go around in circles. I just prefer playing dependable, well-designed, comfortable, ergonomic guitars, that stay in tune & don't snap in half when you put them down hard. Never been interested in anything else in over 20 years of guitar-playing....the fact that you can get so many decent ones so cheap now (on account of them being "uncool"...) is a bonus.

A lot of mid-level guitars have all I need tone-wise... & with a little care, set-up/playability-wise too. Anything with a price tag over $1000 is overkill as far as I'm concerned. The tone/(cosmetically enhanced) build quality does'nt justify the price for me beyond that point.

[ExplorersRock]

I like mid-level guitars...namely "Shred-sticks" with floyds. The current trend for over-priced vintage/classic/relic'd or whatever guitars will pass & they'll be back. These things (trends) go around in circles. I just prefer playing dependable, well-designed, comfortable, ergonomic guitars, that stay in tune & don't snap in half when you put them down hard. Never been interested in anything else in over 20 years of guitar-playing....the fact that you can get so many decent ones so cheap now (on account of them being "uncool"...) is a bonus.

A lot of mid-level guitars have all I need tone-wise... & with a little care, set-up/playability-wise too. Anything with a price tag over $1000 is overkill as far as I'm concerned. The tone/(cosmetically enhanced) build quality does'nt justify the price for me beyond that point.

A couple of interesting points here. I too am not in to the whole vintage/classic/relic-ed thing. Classic cool is great, but I like following the style not trying to specifically mimic every detail. But what you define as comfortable and ergonomic I call annoyingly progressive. I'm not putting down shred-sticks, but to me modern isn't always better. To my hands, super thin necks, a radius flatter than 14" (compound or not), and Floyd or Floyd-type trems are absolutely terrible! Thin necked, flat-fretboarded guitars feel weird to my hands and I do not use my trems enough to justify tolerating the particulars of a Floyd. I don't classify these features as better, merely different. If you like them, play them, and enjoy them. I'll stick to my C-shape or Gibson 60's Slim taper necks with a 12" board and either a solid hardtail or fender style trem. It's just what feels right in my hands, and that's all that I care about.

Call it overkill if you want to spend more than a grand, but my Gibson Explorers played great from day one with little adjustment needed. Most guitars shaped like this under a grand are neck-heavy, unergonomic brutes that aren't fun to play after a while in my experience. I don't feel I overpaid for them, and if someone else thinks I did I have to ask, "why do you care what I spent anyway?" Besides, on the flip-side, doesn't that bug anyone else when someone wants them to justify buying a cheaper guitar? So why tell someone they're making excuses to justify buying a pricier one?! Seems like a hypocritical attempt at making oneself feel better for not owning a more expensive guitar by putting down someone who does.

Again, if anyone out there wins the lottery tomorrow and tells me they'll pass by that PRS so they can buy a Squier, I'm calling bullsh*t right now!

I'm not gonna put down lower-cost guitars either. I just picked up a Fender Modern Player Thinline Tele for $400 and it plays better than some Gibsons I've played. Seriously, it's a phenomenal playing and sounding guitar! You can find great guitars at any price, you just have to cherry-pick. And don't let any smug jerk with an expensive axe give you crap for it either. I said it earlier, as a guy who's not a huge fan of Les Pauls, I'm happy playing my Epiphone and paying less. If I'm gonna spend more, it won't be on a Les Paul.

The whole point of this thread was what, if any, difference is there between guitars that are cheaper or more expensive and I think everyone here has chipped in their 2 cents. On average, the more expensive it is, the better the parts, and wood are gonna be, and the more time-intensive the craftsmanship. There are always exceptions and I've seen some pricey Gibsons that the company should be ashamed of considering the corners cut for the money they ask! And I personally have some guitars I payed less than $500 for that are incredible. At the end of the day, if you play 'em back to back and feel/hear no difference, save the money and buy the less expensive one. All that really matters is that in your hands, the guitar is grin-inducing.

[Phantasmagoria]

Fair enough, I'm just talking about the way I feel personally about the issue (cheap vs expensive guitars) and those are pretty much the guidelines that I've set for myself when it comes to buying an axe. If I were ever gifted a $3000+ guitar, (lol!)..that would be fine by me, though if it's anything other than a "Shred-stick" with a Floyd, it's going to be sold to buy Shred-sticks with Floyds...

Regarding the necks on Superstrats being uncomfortable. I think that has to do more with technique than hand size or type (I have large hands with pretty long fingers & baseball-bat-type necks do nothing for me...)

I think if you're a player who grips the neck completely (around the neck with your thumb over the top) you're going to prefer a round, thick neck & a slim one will feel awkward. But if you play with your thumb pressed against/behind the neck, (in the middle or at the bottom) a flatter/slimmer neck will most likely suit you better...

[ExplorersRock]

Fair enough, I'm just talking about the way I feel personally about the issue (cheap vs expensive guitars) and those are pretty much the guidelines that I've set for myself when it comes to buying an axe. If I were ever gifted a $3000+ guitar, (lol!)..that would be fine by me, though if it's anything other than a "Shred-stick" with a Floyd, it's going to be sold to buy Shred-sticks with Floyds...

Regarding the necks on Superstrats being uncomfortable. I think that has to do more with technique than hand size or type (I have large hands with pretty long fingers & baseball-bat-type necks do nothing for me...)

I think if you're a player who grips the neck completely (around the neck with your thumb over the top) you're going to prefer a round, thick neck & a slim one will feel awkward. But if you play with your thumb pressed against/behind the neck, (in the middle or at the bottom) a flatter/slimmer neck will most likely suit you better...

+1 to all of this. Sorry if I sounded combative. I thinks its lame when people give others crap for buying a cheaper guitar. You can make some great axes via customization, and if you're gonna spend money replacing stuff why spend more? But if the more expensive one gives you chills, there's no shame in getting it. No reason to justify either purchase.

I think you're right on with the neck issue. I grip the neck. I don't care for thick necks though. The U shape, V shape, and Gibson 50's profile are a handful of wood I prefer to do without. But the really thin stuff (think Jackson necks & Ibanez Wizard necks) just don't give me enough of a grip. To each there own. Long live variety!

[MetalManiac]

I like mid-level guitars.playability-wise too. Anything with a price tag over $1000 is overkill as far as I'm concerned..

This guy is the antithesis to everything Ive ever thought about mid level guitars.
As far as tone, On a shredstick, why would sound really matter anyhow..the amp is doing the talking through a tight and very dry sound, and basically you fine tune the dynamics with pickups.But to be real, a very expeensive Custom Shop shredder in general plays and sounds so much more solid and tight its not even fair to compare.
The thing that gets me is you saying payablity wise those sub 1000.00 guitars are good to go. These guitars consitently have the most horrible action , and require very very extensive set up work. Actually, my Peavey Rotor EXP 800 Korean guitar was the only mid level guitar that had amazing action right out fo the box.Then again, I guess you dont ask a whole lot from your instruments.

[Phantasmagoria]

+1 to all of this. Sorry if I sounded combative. I thinks its lame when people give others crap for buying a cheaper guitar. You can make some great axes via customization, and if you're gonna spend money replacing stuff why spend more? But if the more expensive one gives you chills, there's no shame in getting it. No reason to justify either purchase.

I think you're right on with the neck issue. I grip the neck. I don't care for thick necks though. The U shape, V shape, and Gibson 50's profile are a handful of wood I prefer to do without. But the really thin stuff (think Jackson necks & Ibanez Wizard necks) just don't give me enough of a grip. To each there own. Long live variety!

Exactly man...that's pretty much what I think too...



@MetalManiac: Dude, I would'nt say shred sticks lack tone....on the contrary, most guitar tones I like come from players who play Ibanez's and Jackson's.

All my guitars have perfect (for me) actions and are set-up just the way I like them. So thankfully thier sub-$1000 price tags have'nt forced me to compromise (yet...). Sure, they did'nt all come that way out of the box but most were pretty close...certainly close enough for me to be able to set-up myself without any problems at all....

As for my expectations from an instrument, they're no higher or lower than anyone's I guess. Great tone, nice set-up, comfort/playability, asthetics etc...they're all important

...plus obviously the skills to ensure that all of that ^ stuff actually amounts to something

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Man, i see this type of question sooo much on various forums :









There are so many of these A/B clips on UToob !


Slightly OT : I'll say this about the Agile AL-series :

Most of them have far better LOOKING tops than pretty much all of the current production Epiphones. (imho)



<---- W O W !!!

<---- DOUBLE W W O W W ! ! !

[Inkstained]

+1. It's a personal decision based on our individual priorities, cash flow, and the people we live with. My Epi's do what I need them to do, so I don't feel the need to spend 4 or 5 times as much on the equivalent Gibson models, although I do realize I'd be getting better guitars if I did. I'm easy to please. Give me a guitar and amp that have a nice Britsh crunch, and if there's any shortcomings in the way I sound, it's the fault of the fingers, not the equipment. I love to tweak, but there's a point at which it's up to the hands to make music.

I prefer American-made instruments, but I see nothing wrong with this attitude. It's not like guitar playing is the only thing going on in our lives.

[jalguitarman]

Agreed on all fronts about the majority of the cost being in the last 10% of the quality of the guitar.

It would be fair to say that given the option, all of us would pay the premium for an instrument custom tailored to our playing. I think it's rather pretentious however for a musician to play the role of a charlatan and use their premo instrument to cover up crud playing.

It doesn't bother me as much when a world class guitarist, or even a talented up-and-comer has a pricey guitar. It DOES get me when that doctor or lawyer shows off his $6000 Vigier to his buddies when all she knows is how to play Wonderwall.

I guess that's what bothers me the most about American/Private Stock Paul Reed Smiths. Not for the Orianthis or Tremontis who play them, but the company has a reputation of catering to posers. All bark no bite as they say.

I hope to own a PRS private stock instrument some day. I love beautiful, ornate instruments with top grade woods. Of couse for ME they are works of art that I would use to create works of art.

[uOpt]

I hope to own a PRS private stock instrument some day. I love beautiful, ornate instruments with top grade woods. Of couse for ME they are works of art that I would use to create works of art.

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

[LesStrat]

Once you move up on this ladder it becomes very difficult to go back down.

My electric guitar progression:

LesStrat
Parker Nitefly
Parker Fly Deluxe
Parker Fly Mojo
Ibanez AWD82

The latter was the result of a desire for a semi-hollow body axe. The timing and price were hard to pass. I did not expect to use it as much as I do. It's an added blessing that I like nearly everything about the guitar, especially after finding the right pickups for it (Thanks, David!).

HOWEVER, there is no denying that the construction of this axe is somewhat lacking in comparison to my other guitars. It is a minor irritant.