Help wiht picking out a cheap guitar?

Question

Sadly due to my wife loosing her job (although I finally got a good one) I had to go sell our guitars this weekend so we could pay some bills . That aside the selling of mine came with a stipulation of being able to get something so I can continue to play without spending a ton, and have something as a hold over.

The stipulation as far as today was concerned was that I was able to get something used for about 100 for selling a guitar for a bit more (still more money then initially in our pockets). My wife talked me into waiting a little while and maybe spending a little more, and it is a budget of about $200 US. I'm looking to go used most likely unless I do rent to own, but I priced that out before and that was a horrid profit margin for them (30 down plus 30 a month for a year for a 250 guitar, if I were to save the money in that time I could get an almost 400 one). That economic issue aside I do have a few leads already:

An ibby gio 90 used.
Various other similar Ibby lower end models for about 200ish
A few lower end LTD models, which usually hold up well for the price
Schecter running used I've had good luck finding well priced models that were beyond bang for their buck (I got a 400 one used for 150).
Any other suggestions, rondo for 150ish?
A dean vendetta?

I know I'm looking at mediocre guitars at best, but we also sold our amps and I'm looking to be able to play, not have the world's greatest guitar. I'm not looking for an LTD 1000 or American Deluxe Fender, I'm looking for playable and plays well.

Is the Gio style rg worthwhile with an super thin neck?
Would I be better off hunting for a used on craigslist or a store with limited selection?
Is rondo a good idea for non-agile?
Are low end deans that horrible ( I know a place that doesn't sell a ton of guitars quick that might have an ml for 120)
Any other suggestions?


Please don't say save up more I'm looking to be able to play and want to be able to otherwise I won't be able to until march when I get my tax refund. I will upgrade when I can and my wife did get a job, and this was to pay the rent until she gets paid. Also hard tails only I don't like floyds and I really don't trust them on that low end of a guitar.

Norm Jones · Accepted Answer

Hello there,

I have played a few Gio series guitars. Worked on a couple. Hated them. I consider them quality wise equivalent to the lowest end of the Squier line. They were nothing like the other Ibanez guitars I have (mid range -- high end models). 

If you take your time and keep searching I am sure you will find something better.  If you can be flexible about the hard tail, I do have some suggestions.  The 80s era Squiers are very good bordering on excellent. The early 80s were made in Japan. Those are better than currrent production Fender MIM Strats.  But the MIU Squiers usually sell for more than a used MIM Fender Strat. However, every now and then I see one priced the same as recent Squier guitars. The seller does not realize the difference.  Also the late 80s Squiers were made in Korea. Not as good as the MIJ ones, but still pretty darn good. Some models of both MIJ and MIK have Floyd Rose tremolo bridges. Those are not crap bridges. The pickups on those particular models are generally DiMarzio pickups. The models with a vintage style tremolo are fine. Those have MIJ or MIK pickups. Decent sound and usually slightly hotter than vintage Fender American pickups. 

Another one to look for is the early 90s (I think) Peavey Strat clones, such as the Raptor and Predator. Back then they were made in the US. Have very good alder bodies. Necks are about as thick as Fender MIM Strats (thicker than the older MIJ and MIK Squiers). 

If all you do is practice at home, one of the Danelectro battery powered amps will give you some sound.  Fender, Marshall and Vox also make them. But those brands sell for more. The difference in price is even greater used. I have bought Danelectro Honeytone amps for less than $10.  Sure it is not a Plexi or a Twin Reverb, but it is only $10 or so. I also have an older Harmony battery powered amp I got used for less than $10. It is larger than those. It is big enough to have a 6 inch speaker in it. And it is a little louder. I think it is around 5 watts.  

Later,

Anonymous · Answer

Stick with Epiphone or Ibanez, those are the two best for a low price, and much better than LTD.
I would recommend going to a pawn shop, and looking for a steal on a higher quality guitar. A cheap used quality instrument is still better than a cheap brand new cheap instrument.

? · Answer

certain its ok! yet when I were you i'd get a Fender Squier for a begginers. you'll get an finished equipment with an amp, the guitar, alternatives, ect for an extraordinarily low priced begginners fee. The Stratocaster is high-quality yet you should lose interest in it. Squier is the acceptable begginers guitar, then when you progression, you should get a Stratocaster. i began playing on a Acoustic whih fee me in reality like $40 which helped me with my guitar playing plenty. So if I were you, i'd initiate on a acoustic for the reason that its a lot extra sturdy to play on compared to an electric powered.

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Help wiht picking out a cheap guitar?

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