I buy budget guitars because I'm poor and I like to mod. I also buy old beat up guitars that were once glorious and restore them to their former glory, or give them new life in a different form.
I don’t believe people can tell when a guitar player plays a super expensive guitar or a cheap one. In the mix music sounds the same regardless of the instrument price.
I had to push pause and just say, "hello", you communicated my thoughts so well. I am only 2 minutes in to this video and chuckling with your honesty. Blessings to you and your family and pets.
I love the true gigging musicians in the Philippines. My fiance is from Davao, we went to Siargao and Bohol and I was invited to play every night. You guys are brilliant musicians and such humble people. Mabuhay sa Filipinos
This is a really great philosophy on gigging instruments. I have the good fortune this hasn't happened to me as a gigging bass player in my neighborhood but if it did, I would do the same thing. Great advice!
Great takes on this. Plus, budget guitars are so much better than they were way back in the day. Expensive guitars would just make me worry all day long when I had them on the stage
I have 4 Asian beauties, Yamaha, Ibanez, G&L Tribute, and PRS se. It's so much fun to mod. It makes the guitar more personal. If they get banged up it just adds character. 😎🤓
I've always preferred cheap guitars too, I like to take them and make them better, I have had and do have expensive guitars but I wouldn't ever take them out anywhere, my heavily modified Squier Telecaster is my go anywhere play anything guitar.
Nice collection because you play them and make them yours instead of just hanging them up. I have a lot of money tied up in my guitars (modest collection) but I am scaling back and you are proof that it can be done on a budget! Cheers!
Yes,, I recently bought a fender squire at guitar center and it played as good as the $850.00 player Strat I recently had. Right now all I have is a 200.00 dollar Yamaha Pacifica but the neck plays great , it’s got a good slimness to it that I really like. Thanks for your video, subscribed. P. S. Totally agree , if it feels good and sounds good, that’s all I need. I’ve played and jammed for over 50 yrs, I’ve ran across some great cheap guitars. 😊
As a 62 year old veteran lefty guitarist...I need to buy anything I ever want to play....so, I've bought and sold tons of guitars over the years. I currently have a bit of everything...from USA, Japan, Korea, China, and Indo. I only keep what inspires me. Right now it's a Fender Custom Shop Tele ($4.5k new)...and a Harley Benton TE-62 Tele ($200 new) with a used set of Suhr pups ($150 used). Both quite satisfying at either end of the price range. The CS would never leave the house....the HB...near disposable. Love both. A nice amp can make a real difference too...for home/personal enjoyment...currently enjoying a Hamstead...but plug into my Roland Blues Cube often too. Price matters...you get what you pay for...but we all have fiscal limits and tonal tastes, and are on a different musical journey.
Also 62, and also lefty! It took me over a handful of years to go thru guitars to end up with the 4 guitars I kept. The ridiculousness of lack of selection is beyond a right-handed player's comprehension! Let's not even get started on golf clubs when you are over 6 ft tall!
@@62LeftyBlues LOL! I've kept 20 or so..., half are new Telecasters mostly acquired in last 12 months...I'm a Tele guy now...thru and thru....don't really play much else now. I'm mod'ing, etc...fun hobby. Hit me up if you're ever looking for a lefty guitar of any kind...I just might have it.
@@lazvt8469 I have looked for a solid body strat, no tremolo system, with a rosewood fretboard. Will probably be a custom order if I ever pull the trigger!
I've done fly gigs with expensive guitars and the budget guitars. The budget guitars are always less stressful to fly with. As for road shows or local gigs I will bring whatever I want. Nobody gets to borrow my guitar without me being okay with the consequences. I don't do many bar gigs but I've never had someone walk on stage, grab my guitar, and start playing. I guess I'm lucky. I have done the occasional blues jam and people want to play through my stuff. I rarely bring the high dollar guitars to that.
My number 1 is a Clapton Strat I also have a Ibanez Genesis RG550 but I’ve also got a Cort G250 that had a tech set up I use that at home for jamming after 35 years there is a difference in feel playability and tone but i only take the good ones to nice venues
I have budget guitars only... I think that you need to play or buy 10 to get maybe 2 or 3 really good ones... But I get your reason why. I just like buying guitars in junk shops... in total 15 guitars maybe cost 700, most around £50... some free... out of those 2 or 3 are superb... I've had fun doing it. Even though I don't have your reasons, it works for me... Id rather own maybe 3 or 4 guitars that are good, and it's fun getting to play and own all these guitars.
I have few expensive guitars and gear and a bunch of "cheap" (from $150 to $1000) I save the expensive ones to special gigs or auditions. The cheap ones are to low budget gigs and trips, I'm really tired to argue on airlines about lack of space. Nowadays after a setup any guitar would be good enough
I don’t understand why Jammers get to use your equipment. Do all gigging musicians allow this? Everything you said is 100% common sense to me. Great video.
i think harley benton cc is just as good as squier sonic or affinity.. or you have to go for squier classic bibe 50s or or anniversery models or up. but then its also expensive or it is for me.. or do you think the sonic and affinity is still better?.. i doubt what to buy end of this month (its going te be a tele, as strat i have).. later but a better strat but now first tele haha
I don’t understand why you would let people you call jammers borrow your guitar. I play cheap guitars too but I don’t let them get played by anyone I don’t know.
pagbati sa iyo I have Fender Stratocaster, Ibanez Gretsch, and PRS but my Squire Bullet plays, is quieter, and sounds better than all my expensive guitar. I did everything to make my expensive guitars play better but my Squier still pays the best. Amping, Paalam.
Sounds like you have a great family and good friends as well to support your music making. Inexpensive guitars are, in general, so much better for the dollar spent than they were just 5 - 10 years ago. Gigging with affordable instruments is a very wise decision on your part. 🎸🤘😁
I just landed a couple of chibson guitars off Aliexpress,a cherry burst standard LP and a black Angus Young SG with lightening bolt inlays,these guitars not only look good,but they sound amazing, and the playability is so much like the real thing, I would never feel ashamed of gigging with these fakes, for $225 dollars each delivered to my door from aliexpress, you won't find a better budget guitar for the price.
Your humble existence is what makes you real ! BRAVO but some day you should have your baby. Whatever that might be. Your definitely an inspiration for the art & not the luster of wanna be rock stars! Those are millions. You seem to be unique in your own way. For the art. 🎉❤
On a budget guitar, I have less expectations .. When it surpasses its big deal for me. If I buy expensive guitar my expectations are very high, and sadly most of the time it does not reach on what I hope to be. So I preferably pick Ibanez RG series (used) because the build quality is justifiable on its price especially when its used.
Buy budget guitars and trick them out. One of my nicest playing guitars is a US Peavey Predator strat I got for $110 new. I've torn it down, sanded, repainted and rebuilt it multiple times. I learned how to work on guitars with it and set them up.
Never hurts to be frugal. I love affordable guitars. I love expensive guitars too. I love all guitars. I used to play my Gibsons at bar gigs back in the day - but I didn't have drunk bozos trying to jam on my instruments between sets. I would have punched them in the face if they tried that. Anyway, cheers.
same here iam in a band and iam pretty decent nut i dont need 100000 dollar stuff my most expensive guitar was like 800 euros. my latest new guitar was only 600, and it dos the job playing bars with my band.
I have just one expensive guitar, a Gibson LP, which stays at home all the time. The other ones are Korean (second-hand Chapmans) and Indonesian (Revstars). Most cheap guitars these days are reliable and easy to mod, and the most important thing is that they are not worse than Gibsons.
What model exactly is that Squier? Not sure I’m on board! But yes I hate paying $3600for a Geetar! Cheap guitars feel cheap to me. I will say the 80s Ibanez Guitars are definitely good enough for me.
@@eaglebauer944We all love Squiers. I bet Antoon didn't mean anything negative. But sometimes when you are playing arenas, it is wise to play endorsement guitars etc. Some manufacturers and importers don't mind giving guys who are playing big, big shows a guitar to play on stage. And it is ok to accept those and play em on stage if one actually enjoys the guitar.
I like cheap guitars because my playing mood changes daily, and I change guitars often with my moods. I couldn’t do that with a single expensive guitar. Also, anything i can play on a expensive guitar, I can play on a cheap guitar just as well.
The problems that people would steal them and the cheaper guitar are much easier to replace than a higher price guitar. I don't blame you for protecting your guitar.
The new CEO of Guitar Center needs to see videos like this. Real gigging musicians aren't going out and buying $1000+ guitars unless they're like Joe Bonamassa and are stupidly rich and can afford to have tons of expensive guitars in the first place. I remember well over a decade ago before he was in Bon Jovi full-time and having signature guitars, Phil X was using like $400 guitars to gig (Those LTD 301 and 400 series Vipers). And the economy has only gotten worse for working musicians since then.
I buy budget guitars because I'm poor and I like to mod. I also buy old beat up guitars that were once glorious and restore them to their former glory, or give them new life in a different form.
Pretty much the same with me. I’ve had $1000 guitars I resisted modding due to value. $300 guitar? No hesitation to mod for my needs.
I don’t believe people can tell when a guitar player plays a super expensive guitar or a cheap one. In the mix music sounds the same regardless of the instrument price.
I had to push pause and just say, "hello", you communicated my thoughts so well. I am only 2 minutes in to this video and chuckling with your honesty.
Blessings to you and your family and pets.
I love the true gigging musicians in the Philippines. My fiance is from Davao, we went to Siargao and Bohol and I was invited to play every night. You guys are brilliant musicians and such humble people. Mabuhay sa Filipinos
Exactly !!! Smart man. It's all in the fingers, not the price tag.
This is a really great philosophy on gigging instruments. I have the good fortune this hasn't happened to me as a gigging bass player in my neighborhood but if it did, I would do the same thing. Great advice!
I think some guitarist would love to have a wife like your, Hats off to her
Great takes on this. Plus, budget guitars are so much better than they were way back in the day. Expensive guitars would just make me worry all day long when I had them on the stage
I have 4 Asian beauties, Yamaha, Ibanez, G&L Tribute, and PRS se. It's so much fun to mod. It makes the guitar more personal. If they get banged up it just adds character. 😎🤓
I've always preferred cheap guitars too, I like to take them and make them better, I have had and do have expensive guitars but I wouldn't ever take them out anywhere, my heavily modified Squier Telecaster is my go anywhere play anything guitar.
Nice collection because you play them and make them yours instead of just hanging them up. I have a lot of money tied up in my guitars (modest collection) but I am scaling back and you are proof that it can be done on a budget! Cheers!
Yes,, I recently bought a fender squire at guitar center and it played as good as the $850.00 player Strat I recently had. Right now all I have is a 200.00 dollar Yamaha Pacifica but the neck plays great , it’s got a good slimness to it that I really like. Thanks for your video, subscribed. P. S. Totally agree , if it feels good and sounds good, that’s all I need. I’ve played and jammed for over 50 yrs, I’ve ran across some great cheap guitars. 😊
I have a few expensive electrics and many budget ones I've modified. I seem to always gravitate to the budget ones.
As a 62 year old veteran lefty guitarist...I need to buy anything I ever want to play....so, I've bought and sold tons of guitars over the years. I currently have a bit of everything...from USA, Japan, Korea, China, and Indo. I only keep what inspires me. Right now it's a Fender Custom Shop Tele ($4.5k new)...and a Harley Benton TE-62 Tele ($200 new) with a used set of Suhr pups ($150 used). Both quite satisfying at either end of the price range. The CS would never leave the house....the HB...near disposable. Love both. A nice amp can make a real difference too...for home/personal enjoyment...currently enjoying a Hamstead...but plug into my Roland Blues Cube often too. Price matters...you get what you pay for...but we all have fiscal limits and tonal tastes, and are on a different musical journey.
Also 62, and also lefty! It took me over a handful of years to go thru guitars to end up with the 4 guitars I kept. The ridiculousness of lack of selection is beyond a right-handed player's comprehension! Let's not even get started on golf clubs when you are over 6 ft tall!
@@62LeftyBlues LOL! I've kept 20 or so..., half are new Telecasters mostly acquired in last 12 months...I'm a Tele guy now...thru and thru....don't really play much else now. I'm mod'ing, etc...fun hobby. Hit me up if you're ever looking for a lefty guitar of any kind...I just might have it.
@@62LeftyBlues ...oh, selling my mint green USA Tele Pro II on Reverb now...has green pickguard...nice looking!
@@lazvt8469 I have looked for a solid body strat, no tremolo system, with a rosewood fretboard. Will probably be a custom order if I ever pull the trigger!
@62LeftyBlues if you go custom, go Warmoth. It’ll save you thousands.
I've done fly gigs with expensive guitars and the budget guitars. The budget guitars are always less stressful to fly with. As for road shows or local gigs I will bring whatever I want. Nobody gets to borrow my guitar without me being okay with the consequences. I don't do many bar gigs but I've never had someone walk on stage, grab my guitar, and start playing. I guess I'm lucky. I have done the occasional blues jam and people want to play through my stuff. I rarely bring the high dollar guitars to that.
I fully agree with you. I have experienced like you, my good guitar have deep scratches. 🙏 👍😮
Good to hear a like minded person talk about guitars. I gig with what feels best in my hands and don't look back.
My number 1 is a Clapton Strat I also have a Ibanez Genesis RG550 but I’ve also got a Cort G250 that had a tech set up I use that at home for jamming after 35 years there is a difference in feel playability and tone but i only take the good ones to nice venues
I have budget guitars only... I think that you need to play or buy 10 to get maybe 2 or 3 really good ones... But I get your reason why. I just like buying guitars in junk shops... in total 15 guitars maybe cost 700, most around £50... some free... out of those 2 or 3 are superb... I've had fun doing it. Even though I don't have your reasons, it works for me... Id rather own maybe 3 or 4 guitars that are good, and it's fun getting to play and own all these guitars.
I have few expensive guitars and gear and a bunch of "cheap" (from $150 to $1000) I save the expensive ones to special gigs or auditions. The cheap ones are to low budget gigs and trips, I'm really tired to argue on airlines about lack of space. Nowadays after a setup any guitar would be good enough
I don’t understand why Jammers get to use your equipment. Do all gigging musicians allow this? Everything you said is 100% common sense to me. Great video.
One if the very best guitarists, Jack Pearson, play Squire Bullets. Says enough.
i think harley benton cc is just as good as squier sonic or affinity.. or you have to go for squier classic bibe 50s or or anniversery models or up. but then its also expensive or it is for me..
or do you think the sonic and affinity is still better?.. i doubt what to buy end of this month
(its going te be a tele, as strat i have).. later but a better strat but now first tele haha
Dude I ride motorcycles , only a few select can ride it one including my mechanic. A drunk person from the audience not touching my guitar. JS
I don’t understand why you would let people you call jammers borrow your guitar. I play cheap guitars too but I don’t let them get played by anyone I don’t know.
pagbati sa iyo
I have Fender Stratocaster, Ibanez Gretsch, and PRS but my Squire Bullet plays, is quieter, and sounds better than all my expensive guitar. I did everything to make my expensive guitars play better but my Squier still pays the best.
Amping, Paalam.
Sounds like you have a great family and good friends as well to support your music making. Inexpensive guitars are, in general, so much better for the dollar spent than they were just 5 - 10 years ago. Gigging with affordable instruments is a very wise decision on your part. 🎸🤘😁
I took a Gibson Standard to a gig and fretted about it getting damaged the whole time. Sold it now.
I just landed a couple of chibson guitars off Aliexpress,a cherry burst standard LP and a black Angus Young SG with lightening bolt inlays,these guitars not only look good,but they sound amazing, and the playability is so much like the real thing, I would never feel ashamed of gigging with these fakes, for $225 dollars each delivered to my door from aliexpress, you won't find a better budget guitar for the price.
Your humble existence is what makes you real ! BRAVO but some day you should have your baby. Whatever that might be. Your definitely an inspiration for the art & not the luster of wanna be rock stars! Those are millions. You seem to be unique in your own way. For the art. 🎉❤
On a budget guitar, I have less expectations .. When it surpasses its big deal for me.
If I buy expensive guitar my expectations are very high, and sadly most of the time it does not reach on what I hope to be.
So I preferably pick Ibanez RG series (used) because the build quality is justifiable on its price especially when its used.
Buy budget guitars and trick them out. One of my nicest playing guitars is a US Peavey Predator strat I got for $110 new. I've torn it down, sanded, repainted and rebuilt it multiple times. I learned how to work on guitars with it and set them up.
I used to let jammers use my guitar doing bar gigs, and stopped.
Dudes don't respect someone else's gear. Sadly.
Never hurts to be frugal. I love affordable guitars. I love expensive guitars too. I love all guitars. I used to play my Gibsons at bar gigs back in the day - but I didn't have drunk bozos trying to jam on my instruments between sets. I would have punched them in the face if they tried that. Anyway, cheers.
And I like the way your thinking
same here iam in a band and iam pretty decent nut i dont need 100000 dollar stuff my most expensive guitar was like 800 euros. my latest new guitar was only 600, and it dos the job playing bars with my band.
Like this dude I just subscribed and I'm going to follow what he says
I have just one expensive guitar, a Gibson LP, which stays at home all the time. The other ones are Korean (second-hand Chapmans) and Indonesian (Revstars). Most cheap guitars these days are reliable and easy to mod, and the most important thing is that they are not worse than Gibsons.
What model exactly is that Squier? Not sure I’m on board! But yes I hate paying $3600for a Geetar! Cheap guitars feel cheap to me. I will say the 80s Ibanez Guitars are definitely good enough for me.
It's a Squier Stratocaster Vintage Modified 2008 Cherry Sunburst Flame. Only 16k plus now.
They sound great ... good strategy.
I end up always holding my lower priced MOD guitars......not my deluxe nor standards
Jammers get your own or you’ll be eating my headstock.
yep , for pubgigs in a coverband you don't need an expensive guitar , a good squier or epiphone will do the trick just as well .
Pubgigs? What kind of logic is that? If you're playing arenas squier and epiphone won't do the trick?
@@eaglebauer944We all love Squiers.
I bet Antoon didn't mean anything negative.
But sometimes when you are playing arenas, it is wise to play endorsement guitars etc. Some manufacturers and importers don't mind giving guys who are playing big, big shows a guitar to play on stage. And it is ok to accept those and play em on stage if one actually enjoys the guitar.
I like cheap guitars because my playing mood changes daily, and I change guitars often with my moods. I couldn’t do that with a single expensive guitar. Also, anything i can play on a expensive guitar, I can play on a cheap guitar just as well.
The problems that people would steal them and the cheaper guitar are much easier to replace than a higher price guitar. I don't blame you for protecting your guitar.
I buy cheap guitars, because I can buy 5 instead of 1...
how about that Harley Benton? 🔥
Totally agree
I put my time and money into tools and studying, so I just make my own guitars now.
I feel you bro
no lending for jammers period. cheap or expensive i value my stuff
I use a 2007 PRS SE with P90s. All mahogany sonic switchblade. Functionally better than a '59 Les Paul Special. $400.
Those are nice guitars
The new CEO of Guitar Center needs to see videos like this. Real gigging musicians aren't going out and buying $1000+ guitars unless they're like Joe Bonamassa and are stupidly rich and can afford to have tons of expensive guitars in the first place.
I remember well over a decade ago before he was in Bon Jovi full-time and having signature guitars, Phil X was using like $400 guitars to gig (Those LTD 301 and 400 series Vipers). And the economy has only gotten worse for working musicians since then.
Of you play good you can make a cheap guitar sound good.
Cheap guitars sound cheap. You end up spending money to get them playable. Save up and buy better guitars.
No offense but that video could/should have been 5 minutes or less. Or else change the title to Why I Prefer A Budget GUITAR....