Didn't make it to that part of the video when I commented. If someone is giving me an instrument budget for a gig I do volunteering for them, two identical guitars. Pair of $1500 Gretsches, one as a backup.
"ARE BIG BRAND NAME GUITARS WORTH IT?" - To some people, yes they most definitely are. To other people, no they aren't. Don't stress yourself out overthinking it. If you don't want to buy a 'legacy' brand like Gibson or Fender, then don't. If you don't want to buy a sub-brand like Squier or Epiphone, then don't. Do whatever YOU like or what makes sense to YOU. No company is 'forcing' you to buy a single thing. It is called preference and choice... and DON'T criticize any other person's preference or choice. Buy what works for you and don't waste time worrying or thinking about what other people have to say about YOUR choice. :)
Brand recognition feeds the entry level consumer at one end and the prestige collector at the end. Both groups are after a label they recognize. I was no different as a young musician who over-valued Fender on reputation alone, without any real idea of what quality I was getting. It was mid 90's and my MIK Squier bass was a hit and my American Standard Strat was a miss, but I bought them, and plenty of Fender amps without having the base knowledge I have now or the internet to research the products. Now when Fender or Gibson suffer any bad news, whether its about QC or about its relationships with other companies, the bad news lingers forever among the usual mid-range buyer who might be a weekend warrior or a local pro, while entry level is covered by heavy advertising and elite level still gets the collectors. So the meat and potatoes buyer starts to look at brands who aren't adding the cost of advertising or a artist signature premium for value. Clearly the "are they worth it" in 2023 is no. CNC levels the playing field between the big factories and the smaller companies. The only argument is about resale value, and I think its a matter of time that resale in the meat and potatoes tiers of instruments won't be driven by the name on the headstock, when you consider the used market also has tiers, the Marketplace selling entry level, Reverb moving mid-tier players, and the collector's market. Right now, the Covid surge of entry level players is directly looking at Squiers and Epiphones, but 5 years from now....?
The "balcony" sounds like a nice solution for a VIP area... and I get why it was set back. You don't want the area to obstruct the view/experience for others. I've been to several that were just cordoned off areas next to the stage, which is a bit like a side stage. None of them have been ideal (yet) - and some were worse than the general area. Granted, I haven't been to many. It's usually seems like a better deal if you're going to a "festival" type event, as that package also usually includes things like free nice food in an enclosed area, air-conditioned clean port-a-potties, lounge areas, etc.
One thing I will say, Squires and Epis are showing up lately with cheap alloy hardware, but that stuff is replaceable. Maybe I'll get a high end guitar one day, but I kinda doubt it. The mark up is hefty and the differences can be handled with aftermarket and some skills. If the basic build is solid anything else can be customized and tweaked. Player grade is the only grade, imo.
I don't mind a big name but a big price for two pieces of wood with some strings in-between is a turn off. But... they keep making the cause someone keeps buying them.
Buying a used Fender or Gibson has the advantage that you can usually redeem your money (sometimes more) in the future if you need to. Unfortunately, they seem to accumulate though, I see them as my legacy.
I feel the same why about new instruments as I do pets. I'd rather rescue an existing one than add more fresh into the pool. There is already more than I'll ever be able to even know about much less even try. EDIT: I literally just bought another Starfield (that's three now, two Altair SJ Customs and one Cabriolet LTD) as the most recent guitar and my most recent bass is also built there since it's a Fender Prophecy II. Imagine a bass that has that same rest in your hand heel carve. It's amazing. I loved it when I opened the case. Why would I *ever* buy new...(I have, I got a mando shaped baritone guitar for djentgrass, since there aren't any of those used)
I would argue that there is a connection to history that is inspirational to new players from owning a Gibson/Epi, Fender/Squier, Gretsch, PRS, etc. and that players can get the undiluted aesthetic from the original model that you just can’t get from a copy. There is always something a little off, whether it’s the proportions or that basic shape that just doesn’t fit within what most people associate as the ideal in their mind. That said, if you are an experienced player and can get over the looks then there are loads of smaller brands and boutique luthiers that offer better bang for buck, build quality, component quality, feel, and so on.
Realistically, it feels like people buy cheap no name guitars for $300, put $300 of working parts into them, then sell them for $150. On the other hand, I can sell a decent collection of decent mainstream guitars for about 10-15% more than I paid. Which isn't worth it?
For the record that Flame guitar said Pittsburg...which is either in Kansas or California. Real Pittsburghers are in PA and we use an "h" 😂 And if you come here Ill be your host!
9 minutes in. .. Just a week ago I took half of a Duncan Hot Rails and put it w two humbucker size AlNiCo magnets in a P90 configuration. Magnets pointing neck to bridge w the same pole against the Hot Rail rail. It sounded really good. It had the rail bite and the P90 bite when picked hard; laying back gave a smoother sound. The sound stage had the same vibe as a single fullness wise, but a little more focused...I got the idea from my Duncan P Rails I'm putting in my Tele. The half rail is for a home built guitar.
I don’t know how in this economy people can afford even a moderate Guitar. Taylor’s and Martins are so overpriced. Fender from mexico. Way too much. Ridiculous. Credit card debt. Don’t do it. Buy uses or find a lesser name.
Thank you for giving me the green light to purchase the new sea foam green Strat I've been wanting for a while now....I'll refer the wife to this episode if any repercussions come my way 😅
No way would I go with a small or boutique builder if I was being gifted a guitar. So many stories of people waiting years and years for their small builder build.
My plan right now is to sell off everything besides my Aria Nashville Tele, and to acquire an Eart Strat and Ibanez acoustic. Everything afterwards would be very deliberate and absolutely needed or able to be justified to me in my mind somehow.
i made a guitar with 3 dual hot rails lined up underneath the the strings so that each string gets a single coil rail and it's own separate output. this worked electrically, and sounded pretty good with minimal cross-talk, maybe 15 percent volume from the adjacent strings. i did reverse the polarity every other string, but i don't know if that did anything. i used 7 dollar pickups, and there was no hum. what did not work about it, was the metal rails on my pickups stick up over the rest of the pickup, causing my fingers to catch on the metal. i will probably put hot glue over it. i also bought some hot rails that take the changeable covers, so i think i can put on the covers that don't have hot rail slits, and maybe that will solve most of that issue.
Hi, I am the owner of this split 6. I don't know if I'm being ridiculous or not because I don't understand English very well LOL Actually, I don't think this guitar itself is worth such a high price. It will probably sit in the back of my closet until it rots!
For what it’s worth, we’re just guys saying words. Haha. It’s all in good fun. It’s a super rare guitar, hopefully you can get a good price for it - steve
TLDR; Why hasn't someone made a good, working and attractive wholly modular guitar? Answer: Because to make money, you'd need to price things higher and get people to adopt and buy into the ecosystem and then what do you do? Well, you keep selling new components and upgrades and improving everything (or pretending to). Why not engineer a modular customizable guitar featuring a large "swimming pool" space in the body. The electronics are all plugs (or comparable method), for easy addition and removal of pickups, knobs and switches. The inside of the body may include a board allowing for different control combinations (this and other parts may need to be swapped). Yes, of course you can swap out the body types... or create your own. What about the pickups? They will be to be positioned in different areas of the body (most likely through a level between the surface and back - depending on the layout, you may need to exchange this for different "patterns"). How will they be locked into place? What about the surface? I have ideas, but c'mon, this is a comments section of a video, not Popular Mechanics - and I'm not being paid. This typed, let's make the bridge and saddles swappable, as well. Because of course. Adapters can be used allowing different systems/types to be attached. I know, this sounds like a lot. It is. I'm not sure it's possible to make an affordable competent "everything" guitar, but you can come close. Why hasn't anyone done this? Well, you'd need buy in to the ecosystem, as it would require proprietary gear or adapters in order to use existing products... and, a larger issue, it'd require people to think outside the box. Oh, and someone would need to fund this. I don't think it'd need much - and just sitting here, I've thought of ways and materials needed to potentially address immediate issues. If you had a lot of money and loved guitars, this might be a fun project to explore (and possibly capitalize on). Edit: Funny coincidence, I just saw the video titled "Six pickups in one". Ha.
I think one of the bigger issues with modular instruments is just overcoming the start up costs to get into manufacturing. Fern is one such brand that’s been in development for awhile now. www.fernguitars.com/ - steve
My favorite guitars (the ones that I pick up most often) right now are my Harley Benton CST 24-T, my PRS SE Paul's Guitar or my G& L Legacy (the Tribute model doesn't "do it" for me! I don't like any Fender versions that I've had in my hands...and there have been a LOT!). That said, for me, it all depends on how they feel in my hands, and how they sound. If I can get what I like for less money, I'm there in a heart beat. Not all of the less expensive guitars "work" for me. This is totally an Individual's decision. I've tried to Love Fender or Gibson... and they have NOT worked for me.... I've tried! I also have a Hamer Mirage and a T.C. McInturff Custom made Empress that I love and would buy again if I was trying out guitars today and grabbed either one. I never liked the import Hamer guitars. They felt completely different. PRS vs PRS SE guitars...I'm fine with the imports! My "Les Paul" is a Cort CL1000. It is the only thing that I've had in my hands that feels good & does the job for me.
#1 you can upload listings on your mobile phone, as most ppl do #2 not everyone uses email or doesn’t want the spam in their bid because they do use their email #3 this is standard Craigslist
I've collected quite a few guitars and believe the brand name is worth the money, but I only buy at the low end. I own two Gibsons: LP and SG, both Tributes that I got for less than $1K each on sale. Three Fender Player Strats on sale for $600-$800. Gretsch Electromatic and Streamliners. Five G&L Tributes are probably the best deal out there. I own a couple of Epis and Squiers but prefer to spend somewhat more to get a brand name that holds higher value.
We still have McDonald's so why would any other big brands go away? Until society determines they don't need big brand compromises and only lusts for the mantlepiece trophies, I don't feel they're leaving any time soon.
Just to pile on, saw They Might Be Giants here last night. If you've never been, go. Even if you've never heard of them, go.
Didn't make it to that part of the video when I commented. If someone is giving me an instrument budget for a gig I do volunteering for them, two identical guitars. Pair of $1500 Gretsches, one as a backup.
"ARE BIG BRAND NAME GUITARS WORTH IT?" - To some people, yes they most definitely are. To other people, no they aren't. Don't stress yourself out overthinking it. If you don't want to buy a 'legacy' brand like Gibson or Fender, then don't. If you don't want to buy a sub-brand like Squier or Epiphone, then don't. Do whatever YOU like or what makes sense to YOU. No company is 'forcing' you to buy a single thing. It is called preference and choice... and DON'T criticize any other person's preference or choice. Buy what works for you and don't waste time worrying or thinking about what other people have to say about YOUR choice. :)
How dare you bring logic and rational thought to this clickbait argument.
😸😺🐱
please make a "tone is located in the balls" t shirt
4 Pickups? Are you Steve Morse?
Some big names like Epiphone and especially Squier have been doing great. Fender, Gibson and Dean not so much
Brand recognition feeds the entry level consumer at one end and the prestige collector at the end. Both groups are after a label they recognize. I was no different as a young musician who over-valued Fender on reputation alone, without any real idea of what quality I was getting. It was mid 90's and my MIK Squier bass was a hit and my American Standard Strat was a miss, but I bought them, and plenty of Fender amps without having the base knowledge I have now or the internet to research the products.
Now when Fender or Gibson suffer any bad news, whether its about QC or about its relationships with other companies, the bad news lingers forever among the usual mid-range buyer who might be a weekend warrior or a local pro, while entry level is covered by heavy advertising and elite level still gets the collectors. So the meat and potatoes buyer starts to look at brands who aren't adding the cost of advertising or a artist signature premium for value.
Clearly the "are they worth it" in 2023 is no. CNC levels the playing field between the big factories and the smaller companies. The only argument is about resale value, and I think its a matter of time that resale in the meat and potatoes tiers of instruments won't be driven by the name on the headstock, when you consider the used market also has tiers, the Marketplace selling entry level, Reverb moving mid-tier players, and the collector's market. Right now, the Covid surge of entry level players is directly looking at Squiers and Epiphones, but 5 years from now....?
The "balcony" sounds like a nice solution for a VIP area... and I get why it was set back. You don't want the area to obstruct the view/experience for others. I've been to several that were just cordoned off areas next to the stage, which is a bit like a side stage. None of them have been ideal (yet) - and some were worse than the general area. Granted, I haven't been to many. It's usually seems like a better deal if you're going to a "festival" type event, as that package also usually includes things like free nice food in an enclosed area, air-conditioned clean port-a-potties, lounge areas, etc.
One thing I will say, Squires and Epis are showing up lately with cheap alloy hardware, but that stuff is replaceable. Maybe I'll get a high end guitar one day, but I kinda doubt it. The mark up is hefty and the differences can be handled with aftermarket and some skills. If the basic build is solid anything else can be customized and tweaked. Player grade is the only grade, imo.
I don't mind a big name but a big price for two pieces of wood with some strings in-between is a turn off. But... they keep making the cause someone keeps buying them.
All those big names are smaller than Yamaha? ha ha, Fender and Gibson are tiny in comparison.
You have a new fan! Lol tone straps and 60 for life!!
Do bigs even deserve to brand?
I think I am doing this right 😄
Buying a used Fender or Gibson has the advantage that you can usually redeem your money (sometimes more) in the future if you need to. Unfortunately, they seem to accumulate though, I see them as my legacy.
Only for resale value. If you don’t plan to sell them, brand names don’t mean much.
I feel the same why about new instruments as I do pets.
I'd rather rescue an existing one than add more fresh into the pool.
There is already more than I'll ever be able to even know about much less even try.
EDIT: I literally just bought another Starfield (that's three now, two Altair SJ Customs and one Cabriolet LTD) as the most recent guitar and my most recent bass is also built there since it's a Fender Prophecy II. Imagine a bass that has that same rest in your hand heel carve. It's amazing. I loved it when I opened the case. Why would I *ever* buy new...(I have, I got a mando shaped baritone guitar for djentgrass, since there aren't any of those used)
why would you refret a squier or fender, when the neck is replaceable?
I've played enough of the "same model" Fender to know that sometimes a neck is magic and sometimes it isn't -steve
I would argue that there is a connection to history that is inspirational to new players from owning a Gibson/Epi, Fender/Squier, Gretsch, PRS, etc. and that players can get the undiluted aesthetic from the original model that you just can’t get from a copy. There is always something a little off, whether it’s the proportions or that basic shape that just doesn’t fit within what most people associate as the ideal in their mind. That said, if you are an experienced player and can get over the looks then there are loads of smaller brands and boutique luthiers that offer better bang for buck, build quality, component quality, feel, and so on.
Realistically, it feels like people buy cheap no name guitars for $300, put $300 of working parts into them, then sell them for $150.
On the other hand, I can sell a decent collection of decent mainstream guitars for about 10-15% more than I paid. Which isn't worth it?
Tone is in the tonads. Yup.
For the record that Flame guitar said Pittsburg...which is either in Kansas or California.
Real Pittsburghers are in PA and we use an "h" 😂
And if you come here Ill be your host!
9 minutes in. .. Just a week ago I took half of a Duncan Hot Rails and put it w two humbucker size AlNiCo magnets in a P90 configuration. Magnets pointing neck to bridge w the same pole against the Hot Rail rail. It sounded really good. It had the rail bite and the P90 bite when picked hard; laying back gave a smoother sound. The sound stage had the same vibe as a single fullness wise, but a little more focused...I got the idea from my Duncan P Rails I'm putting in my Tele. The half rail is for a home built guitar.
looking for obscure insane builds? look into Etherial. That dude is pushing limits like Parker did in the 90s x100
I don’t know how in this economy people can afford even a moderate Guitar. Taylor’s and Martins are so overpriced. Fender from mexico. Way too much. Ridiculous. Credit card debt. Don’t do it. Buy uses or find a lesser name.
Thank you for giving me the green light to purchase the new sea foam green Strat I've been wanting for a while now....I'll refer the wife to this episode if any repercussions come my way 😅
Decidedly, they ARE Giants.
1:08:50 Need to play you my tune “Plastic Island”
(2004)
No way would I go with a small or boutique builder if I was being gifted a guitar. So many stories of people waiting years and years for their small builder build.
My plan right now is to sell off everything besides my Aria Nashville Tele, and to acquire an Eart Strat and Ibanez acoustic.
Everything afterwards would be very deliberate and absolutely needed or able to be justified to me in my mind somehow.
More angle on the pickups might remedy the situation.
i made a guitar with 3 dual hot rails lined up underneath the the strings so that each string gets a single coil rail and it's own separate output. this worked electrically, and sounded pretty good with minimal cross-talk, maybe 15 percent volume from the adjacent strings. i did reverse the polarity every other string, but i don't know if that did anything. i used 7 dollar pickups, and there was no hum.
what did not work about it, was the metal rails on my pickups stick up over the rest of the pickup, causing my fingers to catch on the metal. i will probably put hot glue over it. i also bought some hot rails that take the changeable covers, so i think i can put on the covers that don't have hot rail slits, and maybe that will solve most of that issue.
Re: the flame guitar Ryan, not Chibson... Chibanez. You're welcome. 😁
can anyone explain what the braxxie shirt is?
Steve Vai wouldn't piss on that guitar if it was on fire.
What about stone tones? You'd have to use the "toe jam" pedal 😂
The answer is no. There are so many quality alternatives these days.
Hi, I am the owner of this split 6.
I don't know if I'm being ridiculous or not because I don't understand English very well LOL
Actually, I don't think this guitar itself is worth such a high price.
It will probably sit in the back of my closet until it rots!
For what it’s worth, we’re just guys saying words. Haha. It’s all in good fun. It’s a super rare guitar, hopefully you can get a good price for it - steve
They are not, in fact, made out of cheese
tone is stored in the balls
TLDR; Why hasn't someone made a good, working and attractive wholly modular guitar?
Answer: Because to make money, you'd need to price things higher and get people to adopt and buy into the ecosystem and then what do you do? Well, you keep selling new components and upgrades and improving everything (or pretending to).
Why not engineer a modular customizable guitar featuring a large "swimming pool" space in the body. The electronics are all plugs (or comparable method), for easy addition and removal of pickups, knobs and switches. The inside of the body may include a board allowing for different control combinations (this and other parts may need to be swapped).
Yes, of course you can swap out the body types... or create your own.
What about the pickups? They will be to be positioned in different areas of the body (most likely through a level between the surface and back - depending on the layout, you may need to exchange this for different "patterns"). How will they be locked into place? What about the surface? I have ideas, but c'mon, this is a comments section of a video, not Popular Mechanics - and I'm not being paid.
This typed, let's make the bridge and saddles swappable, as well. Because of course. Adapters can be used allowing different systems/types to be attached. I know, this sounds like a lot. It is.
I'm not sure it's possible to make an affordable competent "everything" guitar, but you can come close. Why hasn't anyone done this? Well, you'd need buy in to the ecosystem, as it would require proprietary gear or adapters in order to use existing products... and, a larger issue, it'd require people to think outside the box.
Oh, and someone would need to fund this. I don't think it'd need much - and just sitting here, I've thought of ways and materials needed to potentially address immediate issues.
If you had a lot of money and loved guitars, this might be a fun project to explore (and possibly capitalize on).
Edit: Funny coincidence, I just saw the video titled "Six pickups in one". Ha.
I think one of the bigger issues with modular instruments is just overcoming the start up costs to get into manufacturing. Fern is one such brand that’s been in development for awhile now. www.fernguitars.com/ - steve
@@60CycleHumcast - Thanks - I'll check this out! As an aside, I clearly enjoy your conversations. Ha.
This was a great video. 👍
My favorite guitars (the ones that I pick up most often) right now are my Harley Benton CST 24-T, my PRS SE Paul's Guitar or my G& L Legacy (the Tribute model doesn't "do it" for me! I don't like any Fender versions that I've had in my hands...and there have been a LOT!). That said, for me, it all depends on how they feel in my hands, and how they sound. If I can get what I like for less money, I'm there in a heart beat. Not all of the less expensive guitars "work" for me. This is totally an Individual's decision. I've tried to Love Fender or Gibson... and they have NOT worked for me.... I've tried! I also have a Hamer Mirage and a T.C. McInturff Custom made Empress that I love and would buy again if I was trying out guitars today and grabbed either one. I never liked the import Hamer guitars. They felt completely different. PRS vs PRS SE guitars...I'm fine with the imports! My "Les Paul" is a Cort CL1000. It is the only thing that I've had in my hands that feels good & does the job for me.
#1 you can upload listings on your mobile phone, as most ppl do
#2 not everyone uses email or doesn’t want the spam in their bid because they do use their email
#3 this is standard Craigslist
I've collected quite a few guitars and believe the brand name is worth the money, but I only buy at the low end. I own two Gibsons: LP and SG, both Tributes that I got for less than $1K each on sale. Three Fender Player Strats on sale for $600-$800. Gretsch Electromatic and Streamliners. Five G&L Tributes are probably the best deal out there. I own a couple of Epis and Squiers but prefer to spend somewhat more to get a brand name that holds higher value.
Lace Sensor pickups don't have poles so them being sideways wouldn't offset poles, still might sound weird.
We still have McDonald's so why would any other big brands go away?
Until society determines they don't need big brand compromises and only lusts for the mantlepiece trophies, I don't feel they're leaving any time soon.
Ordered a copy of that book while listening. Seems very useful.
You know you want to make a split 6. Grab something with a swimming pool route and slap it together.
The Seymour Duncan P Rail has a single coil of the Hot Rails
It sounds great
"Everyone knows" the more it costs, the more better it is....
HAPPY TRAILS EVERYONE AND WE LOVE YOU!!! HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!
Flame Guitar is on AE for $499
I used to think tone was stored in the gonads. Now I understand tone is in the callous'.
Lol, "they got tube tone"
No.