Consistently excellent cheap used guitar models

[exileonmeatspace]

I always enjoy a good cheapie guitar especially if it's a consistently good guitar and not an unexpected unicorn. They can be had for little, enjoyed carelessly, and easily replaced if damaged/stolen/etc.

In my experience the best ones are not obvious, because they're under the radar with less mainstream demand. But conversely they need to have been mass produced in order to be readily available.

What are some models that fit the bill? I think a lot of MIA Peavey's, especially things like the Falcon, and MIJ Fernandes's. But curious to hear about others.

When I say cheap I really mean under $400, or often closer to $200.

 

[BFRaid]

I have an IYV that I absolutely love. The pickups could be a tad better, but it plays like a beast. I only need it for one song so $300 shipped fit the bill. I got it after playing a coworker's IYV Les Paul and ES335, both of which were very nice guitars and punched well above their sub-$200 price tag.

 

[newholland]

i seldom play a bad classic vibe, tbh, and my old stand by was a squier bullet.

 

[newholland]

ive also put a little work into cheap as chips tokais and come out with decent results.

 

[Chocol8]

Classic Vibe Fenders are mostly very good guitars for the money and plenty are available used at the upper end of your price range.

For a dual HB or P90 guitar, the higher end Agile’s, especially the neck through AL-3200 and AD-3200’s made by WMI are really good, especially after a pickup swap.

 

[Devin]

Yamaha Pacificas

 

[FuzzyAce]

I wouldn't know in today's market, there are many newer brands I've never tried. But I feel like a Squier strat would be up there. You can/could get them dirt cheap and they're easy to setup and mod for very little.

 

[laxu]

Yamaha anything.

 

[metropolis_4]

There are a lot of economic improbabilities in that post.

“Cheap” and “consistent” don’t really go together, neither do “less demand” and “mass produced”

Businesses don’t tend to continue mass production of products that don’t have demand.

Quality control to assure consistency is one of the first things to be sacrificed to hit a low price point.

 

[newholland]

There are a lot of economic improbabilities in that post.

“Cheap” and “consistent” don’t really go together, neither do “less demand” and “mass produced”

Businesses don’t tend to continue mass production of products that don’t have demand.

Quality control to assure consistency is one of the first things to be sacrificed to hit a low price point.

even though youre absolutely correct, i think in the age of cnc, we're in a golden age of DECENT construction being the norm- and the lions share of setup and finishing is the stuff you pay for. i do that stuff anyhow- so if the majority of difference is that.. id rather pay me to do it. not that material diffrrences arent real... they are. but i think you can make absolutely blazingly workable instruments for way less compared to the absolute trash of yesteryear! good lord the crap i learned on couldnt hold a candle to an affinity telecaster!

 

[exileonmeatspace]

There are a lot of economic improbabilities in that post.

“Cheap” and “consistent” don’t really go together, neither do “less demand” and “mass produced”

Businesses don’t tend to continue mass production of products that don’t have demand.

Quality control to assure consistency is one of the first things to be sacrificed to hit a low price point.

I think in many cases I'm talking about the guitars that validate your observations, and which businesses discontinued but which are still abundantly available secondhand.

The clearest example I can think of is the old MIJ Guitar Center/Musicians Friend exclusive Jackson DXMGT.

 

[bikescene]

The ESP LTD 400/401 series guitars are commonly found used in the $300-$400 range. JB/59 or EMG pickups stock, Earvana nuts on the older models. The older models were MIK.

 

[BFRaid]

The ESP LTD 400/401 series guitars are commonly found used in the $300-$400 range. JB/59 or EMG pickups stock, Earvana nuts on the older models. The older models were MIK.

I just got an ESP LTD EC-201 on SDOTD for $299. I absolutely love it. I did replace the stock pickup with a SD Black Winter. I wanted a no frills rhythm guitar for the studio that was built for metal bashing.