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I actually hate binding on my guitars and try not to get it when I can but sometimes it's just impossible like if you want a Les Paul standard you just have to get it

Nice guitar. Thanks for the video.

I don’t really agree with the ending. An electric guitar is all about the neck. If you can perfectly level, crown, dress, / edge roll the frets and fingerboard of a cheap guitar, it’ll play just as good as a $5000 custom shop whatever. And a lot of those super expensive guitars have shite fretwork anyway and need to be PLEK’d to play well..especially if they got it out the door super fast and the wood shifted slightly on its way to you.

Plastic binding is the dumbest thing in the world. It will crack eventually!

I’m relatively new to the guitar thing but i am a professional violinist and have been playing very high end instruments which are extremely pricey my entire life. It’s absolutely fundamental for me in what I do for a living. In the world of fine bowed instruments, there are a great number of fantastic builders available ranging in price from several thousands to millions of dollars. It’s pretty insane but we learned long ago to not only strive to play Stradivari or Guarneri as the literally cost millions. There are many more options than Fender and Gibson and when a player knows exactly what to look for in a great instrument, you can get one that’s outstanding for something more reasonable and still have it be on the level of the more well-known builders. Smitty and Shishkov, for example both make killer guitars. My Smitty was 2650€ made to my specs and it’s amazing. It’s easily on par with Fender CustomShop. Obviously one isn’t going to find one at Guitar Center but it’s a lot of fun having someone build you something. You are right however in that it’s not entirely necessary to have the greatest thing ever to play music. For some, it’s obviously a priority but for most of us, most guitars will get it done just fine.

I'm very lucky to have a great luthier in my town. I take my cheap stuff to him and he spins flax into gold. I also learn a lot more about what I like and don't like in an instrument.

My most expensive guitar is $400... anything over that is just a flex.

Buy used

The difference in quality and play is huge tho. I’d rather pay for something I know I’ll play everyday vs something that can do the job, but I don’t really like playing it.

Why do we play? That is the real question. How often do you practice? My aim is to play every day and preferably a couple of times a day as this helps me improve. I dont own anything else that I use as much as my guitars. I play both classical and electric. I struggle with a cheap yamaha or any other cheap guitar. The action isnt pleasant the sound is poor and I just dont enjoy playing them. So basically your absolutely correct. Once you experience a great guitar, if your serious. There is no going back. I play a Yairi and a LP Standard.

Legendary Japanese swordsman, Musashi, said in his 'Book Of Five Rings' -- don't buy fancy swords, buy one you can afford.

the best way is to buy something playable swap the pickups to your taste and youre good

Personally customised early 2000s Kramer Barreta 404

This is bs. High-end guitars are like good wines. Not only they feel so good to play or drink but they age well. The older they get the better they are. Besides if, for some reason, you need to sell them then it’s very easy and you’ll probably get your money back because prices are increasing all the time. Now take a 20 years old cheap guitar not only it will sound bad, it won’t be fun to play and it will be unsalable. And for those who say that amateurs shouldn’t buy high-end guitars I guarantee that you don’t need to be a formula one driver to enjoy driving a Porsche or a Ferrari. Same with a high-end guitar.

I am a strat player so I am already on the "lower" end of the spectrum. I have played some really nice Gibsons and PRS guitars and I thought "Wow, this a really good guitar" but for whatever reason the strat just fits better. I have a couple of actual vintage strats and they are great, and I have some squiers and they are also great. My #1 is an 80s japanese "pre squire" that is just unbelievable. I probably spent almost twice as much on the upgrades (mostly pickups) as I paid for the guitar itself but still probably in the $700 range total cost. I am not here to tell you to just buy cheap and upgrade, it's not that simple. However if you go to the store a lot and play a lot of guitars you will find the diamonds in the rough among the squires/etc. This is YOU putting in the effort to be the quality control to find some really good pieces of wood. I have an off brand guitar I bought in a consignment shop in south america for $75 that stays in tune, plays in tune and rings like a bell, they even did a great job on the sunburst finish. Great "cheaper" guitars are definitely out there.

More dollars isn’t going to make most people sound or play better

Ya they lost there minds i spemt 4 to 6 hrs on a 200 guitar its better then 3000 fender

I have a Squire Strat that I won in a drawing, and I absolutely love it.

I have 3 2021 high end Epiphones and wouldn't have it any other way

I was amazed to see someone say what I've always kinda thought: the two different Firebirds that I've had (sold one, kept one) have both been weird. The one I kept, I've tried to make work, but it's been a struggle. It won't stay in tune. The low-E string has never 'been right'. I've changed things and changed things, but I feel like it must be a dog. Too bad...

I've had boutique and cheap factory. Middle class is where it's at for me. I now only play a PRS SE DGT and an EVH Wolfgang standard. Sold the rest. But in all fairness, high-end guitars are better in every way, I just don't care anymore about that.

Binding will not make your guitar sound better

Not to mention that you've always

It is absolutely insane how guitars have doubled in price in a Matter of three years, to pay that much for a squier or epiphone is crazy.

whats the specs on your pelham blue custom? I too have a pelham blue custom and its my number one. on the matter of buying higher end guitars, yes go higher in quality even when starting out cause it will encourage that new player to continue playing and not be fighting with a guitar that gives him issues (this doesnt have to be a Gibson it could be a high end Epiphone or a Mexican strat)

I have some, and they are all excellent guitars. I won‘t sell any of those.

I paid 2 grand for my Gibson LP and 12 hunit for my Tele

I know Visa and Mastercard appreciate that players feel high-end guitars are worth it?

Spending $5K on a guitar is financially irresponsible regardless of your skill? Best way to prove this: Layman/non-musicians don’t know the difference, nor do they care? You’re spending irresponsibly so you can feel better about yourself? 😂

Great video. I think that one of the trends that I see today is that the general view/understanding/expression of “high end” guitars seems to be shifting. And, to many, a Fender American Standard (professional II) Strat / Gibson Les Paul Standard is not viewed as high end anymore… it is the custom shop or beyond (Murphy Lab, Private stock etc)…and the goal posts keep moving further and further away.

Yes! I love the Strat, it's the guitar I learned on and I have always loved the look.

Dude, that's a beautiful axe.

🍻

Great Strat! I am also happy to see you're a Firebird fan. Probably my favorite guitar ever! Cheers!

Appreciate the video Ethan and wholeheartedly agree. I saw my first les paul when I was 12 wayback in 1966 and fell in love. I always swore one day, one day, and now I have two of them both high end and I've never been happier. One is a Frampton custom shop and the other is the 60th anniversary '59 standard which I was pretty much able to have exactly what I wanted, eg. choice of top, colour, fretboard wood, finish etc. It is an absolute joy to have and play, straight out of the box it felt just right and IMHO the neck is a dream. So as you say it you want it, can afford it and it makes you happy and want to play ........... then money well spent.

I have a Les Paul Special and like it a lot. Mine was made in 1960.

yeah if you can play. if you're at an intermediate or lower level, then no, save your money.

A better/more expensive guitar is better/more expensive for a reason. That’s said, ‘middle of the road’ guitars like Epiphone, or the gretsch electromatic series are pretty high end for the average player and reasonably priced. That should do for most, but when you pick up a $10k guitar you can immediately understand why it’s $10k.

That Hysteria tat you’re rocking looks well done. 👍

When I visited the Gibson garage in Nashville, I bought a mini Firebird guitar replica. Put it on my desk as something to work towards. Hoping to get the real thing soon!

Les Pauls at Sweetwater, $2500 to $3000 all day for a Standard..... research your statements first....

Firebirds are definitely something I’ve always wanted. I’m a little hesitant about the banjo tuners and the pickups but the ones with regular humbuckers and tuners just don’t feel like Firebirds. I use giant strings so I’m not sure they’ll even fit through the post. As for the pickups, it’s more the lack of aftermarket options plus I’ve never heard people play my sort of music with them (doom, stoner rock).

My dream was to always get an original ‘59 Gibson Les Paul. Problem with that is they are $250k on the cheap for starters. Why such a price hike? All of our guitar hero’s played one and they all knew what they were doing. Back in 2020 with Covid around I had decided to get my dream guitar. At this time I couldn’t go to a store and try them out, the sales expert I was dealing with was incredibly patient and helpful. I had him try out different Custom Shop Les Paul’s R8 to R0 and the best one was an R8. What amazed me was when I finally got it, I didn’t have to change a damn thing. It was like going to the store picking it up and hitting the first note. I have not looked back since it’s my Number 1. Maybe my story is not for everyone but it worked for me and that’s what counts. When choosing carefully you will have a story to tell as well. I know a lot of us are strapped on cash but there are ways you can get a year or 18 months zero interest for possibly a guitar of your dreams. I am for spend the money, you can feel the difference and guitar playing is all about feeling. I have been doing it for over 35 years.

My most expensive guitar is $379 and thats a performance level guitar. I can't understand why people would spend much more money than that on a guitar...unless they are a rich person with money to burn.

After owing a guitar with bindings, I will never want to buy another guitar with biding.

I tried a few they look cool but they aren’t comfortable and they aren’t great sounding to me either. But I like the Flying V despite its flaws. Firebird has flaws but I’m sure can work for some.

I like the "play before you pay" saying. If you haven't made progress on your mid range guitar, high end makes little sense.

Nonsense you get whrat You pay for Gibson is legendary for a reaszon

I believe there is a law of limited returns past a certain point. Cheap a waste, SUPER expensive a waste. PRS, Fender, Gibson. 500 to 1000$ with a little set up work can't be beat with 10,000$ Practice of course worth millions. ❤

Nah. I'm a Lefty, I appreciate any guitar that's backwards