@@I.M.Guitar-Nerd Can you imagine how much work it would take to produce videos on a regular basis for that guitar? It seems the older you are the more work it would be 🙂
Michael Really doesn't matter as long as it's solid and you enjoy it. Iv'e got a $200 Ibanez grx and guitars over a $1000 . But i love the grx just as much as some of my expensive one's , i threw some SD's invaders in the bridge and it plays like a champ. I love the feel and tone of it , people think you need to spend $5000 on an overpriced gibson for it to be any good , but that's B.S. IMO!!!
I used to go to pawn shops to buy cheap, no name guitars. Then I took them home and practiced upgrading them - tuners, pickups, pots, etc. It was a good way to learn how they were constructed and wired.
@@potatoheadhaoy I'm working on my 1988 Jackson/Charvel Custom Shop Soloist right now, and so much yes. Old Floyd Rose + Set Neck + Old Active Electronics + Expensive (don't scratch, it's had 1 on it since it was passed down to me) = NERVES
Cheap guitars (or cheap instruments in general) are the unsung heroes in all of music. The number of famous artists who never would've or could've gotten into music if they hadn't found a cheap one is probably astronomical. I started with a 100 dollar knockoff from Amazon and then bought a Squire a year later, once I had found my bearings and decided that I wanted to pursue guitar further. If it hadn't been for cheap guitars, I never would've started playing.
Every artist who came from lower to middle class started on a cheapo. Low risk for parents who know kids jump around with interests or the kid used own money and got what they could save up for. J Mascis- went to buy a strat, owner of store jacked up price on him, so he bought a jazzmaster. Now that’s all he plays and it’s iconically his thing. Hendrix played a toyish guitar at first, if I remember. Jack’s White’s plastic Sears guitar. The list goes on.
YES! I'll shout it from the rooftops. Danos have a super unique vibe and sound. Also, the orange flake looks sick. The middle position sound is my go to sound on the Dano.
That middle position...do u find there is a big volume bump there? And how bout Dat aluminum nut!? Picked up a blue sparkle demo for $400 as well. Action is great, due to flatter radius in part, I think...stays in tune...awesome ride.
The Gretsch Junior jet club seems to be very good as well! Plus it has filtertrons which gives it a different sound as well, or you can get one with a p90 in the kneck.
Well, that's one thing i would not be bothered happening again and again, unlike a certain someone's: "are you gonna pay 1?" over and over every god damned turn!
I love inexpensive guitars, I have owned several for all the reasons you mentioned. However for modding I prefer the MIM Fenders over the Squier... used they are in the same price range, but nearly all of the parts are interchangable with every other Fender guitar. My Tele was built from parts with a new MIM Fender neck and has Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups... I couldn't buy another one this nice "off the rack"!
I could buy 5 of my Epiphone 335s for the price of a single Gibson 335, and I think it's a wonderful instrument. Also, my Squier CV Tele thinline is a tone monster for $399 (2015 purchase by my wife for Christmas).
The Danelectro is not a cheap guitar, it's an inexpensive guitar. I got one (Go Go Blue colour) a few years ago and I absolutely love it. The only negative thing is the stacked tone/volume knobs. If you move one the other moves as well so you have to hold one in place while you adjust the other. It doesn't bother me as I usually just set & forget.
There are quality stacked pots around you can use to replace these (and nicer looking pot knobs too. I own a DC-59 "Clapton", a DE56-D, a Coral Sitar and a Longhorn bass. I love Dano near as much I love my high-end Vigier or Leduc guitars and basses
I got an ASAT Deluxe used for $269.00. I couldn't find a mark on it. It had a fresh setup and the guy at the guitar store threw in a really nice gig bag. Merry Christmas to me!
Ehhh, I got a G&L Tribute and there were so many choked frets I ended buying a new neck for it. Plastic nut was .011" oversized so you had to shape an oversized blank nut for it. Mine ended up being a money pit but I like it now cause nothing on it is factory anymore except the body and that's covered with some pretty thick poly.
man, I think in the future you, and people like rabea, mary spender, paul davids and a few others, will be studied as an outstanding example of artists and how to couple video and music content in a manner that is wildly entertaining, while being massively educating and informative as well. I don't even play guitar and I'm always delighted by your videos, mate. big love from Brazil. Cheers
RJ Ronquillo, you are my favourite guitar player of all time. You have such a sense of rhythm and style about you, your style is everything I aspire to. Peace from Northern British Columbia, Canada.
That was definitely not a classic Vibe. A classic vibe has the mustang style saddles. This has the Vintage Modified saddles. However I was looking and didn't see Duncan Designed on the pup covers. That's interesting. As a VM it would've had those. As a CV it wouldn't had a diffeent bridge (saddles.) Very interesting specimen. Also, the anodized aluminum guard, intersting and not on any CV models besodes the FSR Purple and Gold Jazzmaster. I have the Purple and Gold CV and it's killer.
He's right on the bridge though. A Mastery bridge and trem would significantly upgrade that guitar. Eventually what happens is that guitar will be closer to a grand when all said and done as putting significant upgrades tends to lead to other significant upgrades (tuners, pickups, wiring) and yes you have a really cool guitar but its a hotrodded Squire at the end too. Basically do that if it ends up becoming a main guitar.
@@gringogreen4719 The good part of any of these upgrades is that if you get a Fender the exact same upgrades need to be made. Even a Vintera, it'll need an upgraded trem and electronics and bridge. The CV has a better nut than a Vintera. You'll be in way less money getting a CV and upgrading it. I had a Vintera and the CV just sounded better. They felt the same but the CV was better in more places, stock. I put a mastery bridge and AVRI trem and upgraded the electronics too. I did put some handwound pickups in it too. It's a great guitar and way, way better than a Vintera.
I see Danelectro in pretty color, I click Edit: my entire linup of guitars is $450 and under so I definitely like cheap guitars cause I have 4 of them 😂
Same my Epi SG is my most expensive guitar at $379. I'll eventually buy something from Reverend, I want a Guild T-Bird and a Rivolta Mondata VIII, but I'm totally happy with my peddler's mall finds and budget guitars
The most expensive guitar I ever owned was a Gibson SG I paid £750 in 1998. Since then (since I was forced to sell it) the most I have paid for a guitar was a Danelectro dc2 reissue (I paid somewhere north of £300 for it) which I still have and I still love it. I still have my original Korean Squier Strat after almost 30 years although I now need to replace the tuners I would be hard pressed to choose between the two.
Are you kidding me right now? I literally just purchased the Danelectro 59m nos+ in blue metalflake on Reverb and then 30 mins later this video pops up. How timely!
Got one too bro. It's on the bench now for a setup. Orange is cool...one of my favorite colors...my burnt Orange motorcycle, some clothes, sweaters, beanies, other guitars...even my helmet, same color as that Dano. The blue is so sick in person. Perfect royal blue sparkle.
There has always been something really special about lipstick loaded Dan Electros that punch way way above their price point. I’ve always preached about these things. They are especially great because they are actually unique.
There are many factors that go into the why the sound different but its a tool at the end of the day. An if you like it then fix it keep in mind some repairs can change its tone. But if it don't then have at it as long as its not beyond repair ie severe damage or warp age. If you can afford it then its your choice value is in the owners hands. Because somethings you just can't put a price tag on or easily replace.
@@daleonov depends on where you live. One of the best techs in my area charges $120 for a fret level, crown and polish. Which is well worth it on most cheap guitars.
I can think of two more, Rhett; affordability and individuality. Many people (especially kids starting out) can't afford the big names, so encouraging players to find a guitar and a tone that stands out and is truly their own (the way you have done here) is the way to go. Great video.
True, although it would have been nice to turn off the engine while standing in the parking lot and filming. Because there is no plan B for the planet we live on
My first guitar was a Danelectro DC-3 with a nifty fifty amp. I still have it more than 20 years later, and it's one of the best sounding guitars I own.
The Classic Vibe Squier's have gotten very impressive. Nice necks. They make great mod platforms. I bought the semi-hollow Starcaster and upgraded the wide-range pickups, pots, and nut and now it just kills. I have guitars that cost 5 times as much and I find myself reaching for the Starcaster more often than any other lately. It sings. Now all I need is the new Bigsby pedal! (there's no bottom to the rabbit hole)
I really wanted a 12 string Rick but I'm not a professional musician so the price didn't make sense. So enter into my life a Danelectro vintage 12 with lipstick pickups. I agree with what you found. The middle position is sweet.
Bought a cheap but decent-playing strat copy. I love it because I feel absolutely no guilt in modding the electronics in unorthodox ways, routing the cavities, throwing it around a bit more, taking it outside, whatever. It's now my go-to for jamming and practicing. Easy to play because it's a strat, lots of sounds to mess around with.
Every guitar will need a setup. I’ve found that even $3,000 guitars need a little work to fit my taste. It’s a personal thing. Once you figure out what you need and like, personalize it, and it’s yours. For me a bone nut is a must.
I pretty much only own budget guitars and as I am not a professional musician that makes sense on so many levels. You can buy some fantastic instruments for very reasonable money these days, so it really is a golden era for us players.
With good reason. I have a DC2 they are awesome for rock n roll, blues, jazz and bottleneck playing. I have to be careful with the top E because it's prone to falling off the edge of the fretboard but it has tone for days. Other drawbacks are no Floyd for 80's glam metal and only 21 frets so no 2 octave shenanigans but otherwise it's wonderful.
Back in 2009 I bought a used Danelectro DC-3 with the silver sprinkle flake finish and the "Select-O-Matic" pickup position selector knob for a whopping $300. I had it set up to my liking and it has proven to be the very best guitar I own, and I've owned Strats, Gibsons, Epiphones, Harley Bentons, etc. Very cool retro approach but the TONE is outstanding! If you have a chance to get a decent used Danelectro, you can't got wrong, but I'd suggest getting an older model. I have a demo on the DC-3 of my own on my little amateurish channel, in case folks are interested in hearing it. Great little (and light!) guitar. Bravo!
i just bought my first guitar couple months ago after deciding to take guitar seriously, and upgraded alot of stuff that i truly think that im gonna be using this squier strat for years to come, even if i get the money to buy a fender american strat or something, i dont think i will ever let this one just sit and collect dust
I still have my Squier Strat 30 years on. The only work I have had done is a professional set up and I broke one tuning key about three weeks ago. Its still one of the best instruments I have ever owned (and I used to own a Gibson SG, the Strat is better balanced, has greater clarity in the pick-ups but the Gibson did look better) and the Gibson was 3x the price and more. Once it's repaired it will be my go to again.
I bought the cheapest Les Paul Epiphone makes, the Les Paul Special-1 for $140 USD, and I absolutely do not regret it. I put in a new SH4 Jb in the bridge, new strings, and some cosmetics like a pickguard and knobs. It plays super nice and sounds absolutely great! Definitely my go to for gigs from now on. Probably one of my favorite guitars in my collection.
I have 2 Squier Classic Vibes and I'm gonna buy a third one soon. I get why they are so cheap but they're good enough for me since I just play at home.
Mornin' there, Well Rhett, no offense mate. But whenever youtubers talk about "a budget guitar". You guys end up buying a guitar, let's say between 350 and 500 to 600 us. I could be wrong ofcourse, but in my opinion, that's not even close to a budget guitar. Make a vid, and do it "budget budget". Ehrmm, let's say a guitar around a 100. Maybe up to 200 max. Now that's surely on a budget. Is it not? The guitar you just bought. Man she/he(?) looks fingerlicking good. Chapeaux for that one 👍
My Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster is a TOTAL sleeper!!! Bought for a little over $350 (Canadian) nine years ago and never regretted it. Upgraded the pickups to custom shop TexMex pickups (used) and the thing just sings like an angel now. In many blind shootouts, pro's have had a hard time thinking it wasn't a $2000 tele. I wouldn't get rid of that guitar for anything.
😂 Rhett has an assistant. He becomes a bandleader for the JHS musical now he’s all Hollywood. Spreading that paycheck from Josh all around Atlanta. You rock, man!
I think it's a Teisco. Most likely from the 60s. Japanese company. I just bought a similar one with 4 single coils. The selector switches allow you to turn each pick up on and off independently which is crazy. Most have a 0 fret and built in effects. I think Five Watt World did a video on them.
Bought an Ibanez RG3EXFM1 at a local pawn shop as a definite impulse buy. I took it apart, cleaned it up and set it up and now I play it all the time. Definitely happy with the purchase, but like almost everything else I've got, it's on the chopping block and will probably get sold next spring.
I bought a Squier Telecaster Custom II with Duncan Designed P90s and Graphtech Ratio tuners for 249 on Times Square GC. When I went to the cashier, they told me the price included a hard case. Amazing guitar, and it completed what I needed to fill your recommendation of 5 guitars one must have.
I've never bought a guitar new and never paid over $300 for a guitar... I've also played quite a few expensive guitars ($1000+) and I generally prefer my cheap ones. My favorite guitar I have ever played I bought for $120 and it sounds and plays amazing
I bought my Danoblaster Rumor Bass new in 2004 for $134.00. I will never part with it. I have a few other axes that were in the $200.00 range and some even cheaper. ALL of them sound great.
That Danelectro is sweet. Last time I was looking for something 'Different' I grabbed a Revelation RJT-60 Quad. Alan Entwistle designed, four single coils pickups and an ATN tone circuit (similar to Variatone), offset body with trem. SO many tone combinations.
Agreed. I bought an RJT-60 thinline and it sounds great as well as being amazingly versatile. The fact it's also greenburst and looks incredible is just a bonus!
I'm a firm believer in that guitar tone and quality of sound starts with having a good quality amp. Obviously a high end guitar or amp isn't going to make a garbage of the other sound great. But I feel like a good quality amp is better at turning a budget guitar into a great sounding guitar than the other way around. But at the same time, I think that's one of the things that often makes me cringe at reviews of budget guitars. "Here, let me take this $300 guitar and plug it into a $4,000 amp head. THIS GUITAR IS GREAT!" It always makes me feel like it's not the best quality of reviews when you're taking a budget guitar and putting it into a very high end amp or vice versa. If you want to do a good review of a budget guitar, then also put it through a reasonably priced amp that someone who would be buying a guitar in that budget range could also reasonably afford. Something like a Fender Blues Junior, Vox AC10, or a Boss Katana.
I would of agreed with you until I plugged my PRS 245 main guitar. Into my home practice fender champion amp. And couldn't believe how well the pickups push that amp.
@@jonathanforsythe990 yeah, I definitely don't fully agree that everything about a good guitar tone necessarily depends almost solely on the amplifier as @GeoFitz4 would suggest. however, while a PRS 245 is a mid-level offering, they still retail for over 2x the price used in their example and are definitely more expensive than the ones in the video. plus, I'd argue that a lot of fender's cheaper practice amplifiers still sound pretty good for what they are in most cases (keyword: most). either way, none of that negates the fact that this video has a very noticeable amount of post production pertaining to the audio. the amount of compression is really obvious, which I think makes this video really misleading especially for less experienced players. if this was intended to be a real comparison video it would have got straight to the point, with a mic'd clean amplifier and then the cheapies played after similar more expensive guitars. there's just something so disingenuous about this style and scene of modern RUclipsrs. it's really a bummer that it's almost turned into another version of overproduced television.
@@nucleararmeddogg568 I agree I noticed the audio compression and didn't think to deep into it. But now that you dove deeper into I agree how it can be misleading for the inexperienced. I forgot to mention that my 245 has studio les Paul pick ups in it. My buddy swapped them out for me so it's still mid level guitar but it gets the job done for what I do. I think most players coming up dont understand the concept of maxing out what you need for what you do. The studio I play at has a Zwreck and the tech is insanely talented so mid range guitars sound like a dream on that thing but then again it's a Zwreck lol but that's a fine example. Most gigs for my needs a fender blues deluxe or AC15 micd is plenty of tone for me. But all good points.
Hi Rhett, I recently bought a Loar 250(discontinued) to play open mics and jams. So that I don't have to risk my guitar, and maybe my life taking my D28 into a sketchy bar. Where instead of seeing a great guitar they just see money. I put a great pickup into the Loar and I'm really happy with it Thanks Rhett
I dunno, man. I think most of what you showed are average priced for the average player. “No need for a case on a cheap guitar.” Hmm.. I sure as hell do if I worked my ass off to buy that “cheap” guitar.
I ended up buying a gibson melody maker on a whim cause it was 300 bucks from my boss who ended up passing away. And that ended up being maybe the best guitar purchase i ever made. Also its cool that your in Georgia too your sort of a local celebrity
I recently bought a Squier Jazzmaster for many of the reasons you mention in this video. It's seriously an awesome guitar for the money. The pickups are actually P90s masquerading as Jazzmaster pickups so the sound is a bit thicker with higher output. I also already has a tune-o-matic bridge. This has quickly become one of my favourite guitars.
The MIK Danelectros are fantastic. Especially the ones based on the original designs. Through in a truly adgustable bridge? WOW! I love the Squire Bass VI too.
I just finished an album in Neil Finn’s studio. He has that exact guitar (and many others) after A-B-ing through all the options we came back to the Danelectro almost every single time.
It may seem like a small thing... but I think this guy has the best thumbnails in the guitar community. Everyone else makes this gaped mouth/soyface, but this guy just looks so cool in every thumbnail.
Years ago I did exactly what you discuss in this video. Bought a budget Peavey Semi-Hollow second hand. It had a good neck but I changed everything else on it and put some very nice aggressive pickups in it. It's now the most unique sounding guitar I own. Fellow players when hanging out always pass over the far more expensive guitars to play that one cuz it's so weird and has a personality all its own.
My first guitar hero, Duane Eddy, recorded several really, really great tunes using a Danelectro 6 string bass. He bought it in Hollywood and I'm guessing it was one of the cheapest guitars in the store. His sound was brought to life by the recording prowess of Lee Hazlewood and together they made a great team.
Most NEW guitars below the US $400 price will require too much work to be a gig-able guitar. The guitars are all mass-produced, barely touched by human hands, so the quality of the end product varies greatly. Some people get a $100 Amazon guitar that is set up perfect and feels like it was assembled by a master luthier, but those are the unicorns. Many of those ultra-cheap guitars have poor electronics, poor craftsmanship, and poor intonation. At the US $400 range, you're still getting mass-produced guitars, but the materials and components will be far better than the cheaper guitars.
@@richardstevens2242 I can personally say that this is not the case. Most guitars I've played under 300 have have been set up well and play great, sometimes the action is a little high. Sweetwater is a good example, most of my friends who get beginner guitars get them and they pretty much need no work.
I watched this video and was so inspired that I stopped by my local shop to play some cheap guitars. I ended up playing a brilliant guitar that was really expensive 😅. After months of going back to the shop and playing it, I bought it. Bloody awesome.
The finish on that Dan reminds me of the Ibanez RG421msp I got today. Last week my cheap guitar buy was a glarry "thinline t-style" semi hollow. Bought it for 106 to my door, spent another 16 bucks on roller string trees and a pre-slotted graphtech nut. Did a full setup as well as polished the frets, and put some power slinkys on it for strings. For under $125 it is VERY playable and I find myself reaching for it more and more lately. Only complaint is the cheapo pickups are pretty microphonic, and tend to squeal at me with the amount of crunch I put through my amp. Going to be fully shielding all electronics cavities in the body, and doing an overhaul on the electronics. I intend to spend maybe another 70 bucks on it, but it'll be right up there with my mid tier guitars as far as playability and quality goes.
My cheap one was about $250. It actually has a better sound than my $1000 strat, which is also a great guitar. I only have 1 acoustic which my dad bought in 1970
I have 10-plus guitars, but I didn't have anything Tele-style. I'm not a fan of the blocky simplicity of the look, but I wanted to get one and use it for slide. I've been looking at budget T-style gits, looking for the shape and sound, but with some body contours, belly-cut, etc. I finally picked up a Grote T-style (GR-150 Super Series), belly-cut, nice arched deep wine-colored flamed-maple face, locking tuners, blacked-out hardware and humbuckers, and I ordered a lipstick pickup to swap out in the neck position. The price was great. I had to do a LOT of setup work, but it now plays great and looks gorgeous.
Once you plug that LP in you won’t regret won’t regret it. Amazing sustain and with a good overdrive/fuzz pedal, they scream. I love my Strats but they don’t have the beefy tone that the Burstbuckers in my SG and LP have. Hard to beat the tone of a good Gibson. Everything from killer highs to the woman tone.
@@steveg.3022 Couldn't believe how much more I liked my Squier than the fenders I tried. I just decided to try a Les Paul and it seemed like the Gibson scale length in combination with the 12" radius were a perfect match for fingers!
@@jordandangelo180 Couldn't have described it any better. The sustain, the feel of both the body and the neck + the scale length really do make it feel special ( no pun intended)! One day I hope to get an r9 with the pafs, but for now, this Gibson is my pride and joy!
I have a mix of higher end and budget guitars and couldn't agree more when it comes to budget guitars. I picked up a hollow body Gretsch 5420 Electromatic made in Korea a few years back. Swapped the nut, put some locking tuners on it and dropped in a set of TV Jones pickups. It is pretty much on par with a couple of high end Gretsch hollow body models I own at this point. I keep this one strung with flat wound strings and it really has killer tone. If you don't use alternate tunings or oddball strings much but want it as an option that is another great reason to find some good budget guitars that you can mod a bit. A good luthier is also a great resource for any work that is beyond your ability, most are actually pretty on par with the big box stores price wise and the work is usually exponentially better.
I just picked up a Harley Benton TE-52 NA and couldn't be happier. Plays just as well as my PRS SE. Some of these cheaper companies make it hard for us non-professionals to look at those $1.2K and up guitars. I still want a Custom Shop Gilmour Strat though :)
that orange sparkle with white just reminds me too much of this one kind of popsicle where you have an orange coating over a white icecream in the middle so obviously this now is on my wishlist
For the Jazz, Graph tech makes a replacement bridge for that. The Orange Sparkle is sick, I love it! That's Beato's baby, no? '59 DanElectro, RI? It's very 80s, but the play is great Berretta Special. Sterling SSS 30&50, the later having, locking tuners and roasted maple neck. But the Kramer Baretta hits way above it's price point, Candy Blue is sick!
Nice to see you guys play songs and chords and not just shred for 30 mins. I agree with you…I’ve played for 45 years…and there are a lot of good budget guitars
1 of the guys I work with has a Danelectro with the amp in case(Silvertone) that his dad bought him for Christmas when he was a kid. It still has the original lipstick pickups and the amp still works. I can't believe how good it sounds. He said his dad paid around $60 to $70 for it. I'd imagine it's worth quite a bit more now. I've offered $500 for it myself on several occasions. I don't know if any of today's cheap guitars will be as admired as the old 60s Danelectros but you never know. Cheap don't always mean bad. Some of those old Danelectros sound better than guitars that cost thousands of dollars today. They definitely have a unique sound. I know the old Danelectros are wired in series instead of parallel like most guitars. It sounds like the one Rhett bought is also wired that way.
Dude, I’m digging the LTD Brougham, it must have at least as much mojo as that Danny you bought.... they compliment each other so well! Doesn’t get much cooler than that combo 😎
I normally play Gibsons, but after losing a really good instrument to weather/conditions, I purchased a HSS squier strat. Sometimes we find we have to play some outdoor thing and it might be 102 in the shade but we're playing in the sun with no cover - just right for warping, sweating all over it and getting things corroded, and other fun. We might have to play outside under a "cover" and its raining and the wind is blowing it in on us. For those gigs I pull this out, and second pedalboard with a EQ pedal, an Mythical Overdrive, and a tuner and run it into a cheap solid state amp. That way I'm not emotionally or deeply financially invested in anything that could get potentially ruined ruined. I spent hours [literally] on the neck and frets leveling everything, replacing the nut, and polishing it down to a mirror. it actually plays really good, but I'm still not fond of it and think the pickups are super weak [and anemic sounding to boot]. However - vs ruining a good guitar? Yeah, I'll run an EQ pedal in front of it. If it gets ruined after a couple hard gigs like that I'll either give it to some kid, donate it, or trash it depending on what is most appropriate, and buy another one for the next season.
Hey Rhett,I was the kid that you met before you started filming thanks for taking the time to take a picture with me it was nice to meet you!
Great meeting you man, and happy birthday!
@@RhettShull thanks!
That’s SO cool!
Happy Birthday 👍
@@BeesWaxMinder yea he’s a super cool guy!
@@Paulbarnesjr I have no idea who you are but Happy Birthday!
Rhett: “I want another guitar, i’ll just make a video about it so this purchase seems justified”
Turns it into a tax write-off lol
Dude that’s the dream
This video payed for the guitar. 300 IQ play.
🤣😂🤣😂
@@I.M.Guitar-Nerd Can you imagine how much work it would take to produce videos on a regular basis for that guitar? It seems the older you are the more work it would be 🙂
5 Reasons to Buy a Cheap Guitar:
1: I have no money.
2-5: See reason one.
Definitely been looking for this comment
😆🐂💩
1. Ask Santa
2. Ask Joe Biden
3. Start a go fund me page
4. Get a job, or a better job
Bingo!!
Buy you a Yamaha or a Fender Squire those are good budget guitars pretty good quality in both of them I know I have both of them
I bought a $169 tele-style guitar, spent $90 on a new nut and setup, and I. Freakin’. Love it.
Michael Really doesn't matter as long as it's solid and you enjoy it. Iv'e got a $200 Ibanez grx and guitars over a $1000 . But i love the grx just as much as some of my expensive one's , i threw some SD's invaders in the bridge and it plays like a champ. I love the feel and tone of it , people think you need to spend $5000 on an overpriced gibson for it to be any good , but that's B.S. IMO!!!
I used to go to pawn shops to buy cheap, no name guitars. Then I took them home and practiced upgrading them - tuners, pickups, pots, etc. It was a good way to learn how they were constructed and wired.
I got busted up and mistreated instruments to practice on. Can't afford to do it on something fancy!!
Same here, modding and fixing cheap guitars is so much fun, and unlike expensive guitars, you can go absolutely crazy on em.
@@potatoheadhaoy I'm working on my 1988 Jackson/Charvel Custom Shop Soloist right now, and so much yes. Old Floyd Rose + Set Neck + Old Active Electronics + Expensive (don't scratch, it's had 1 on it since it was passed down to me) = NERVES
I remember when Mexican strats/teles could be picked up in pawn shopa for $250.
@@micclay I have both a MIM Tele and Strat. Think they were $300-$400 when I bought them.
6th reason to buy a budget guitar: you can't afford the expensive ones.
Spot on for 90 percent of guitarists out there! Even the now legends, when taking their first steps.
😂 This guy gets it.
Cheap guitars (or cheap instruments in general) are the unsung heroes in all of music. The number of famous artists who never would've or could've gotten into music if they hadn't found a cheap one is probably astronomical. I started with a 100 dollar knockoff from Amazon and then bought a Squire a year later, once I had found my bearings and decided that I wanted to pursue guitar further. If it hadn't been for cheap guitars, I never would've started playing.
Amen! Beautifully put.
I would have bought a 4000$ for my first guitar if I could have afford it
You make a great point.
Every artist who came from lower to middle class started on a cheapo. Low risk for parents who know kids jump around with interests or the kid used own money and got what they could save up for.
J Mascis- went to buy a strat, owner of store jacked up price on him, so he bought a jazzmaster. Now that’s all he plays and it’s iconically his thing.
Hendrix played a toyish guitar at first, if I remember.
Jack’s White’s plastic Sears guitar.
The list goes on.
The bassist from The Jesus Lizard still plays the Memphis Jazz bass copy he started out with live.
YES! I'll shout it from the rooftops. Danos have a super unique vibe and sound. Also, the orange flake looks sick. The middle position sound is my go to sound on the Dano.
Totally agree!
Btw, love your channel!
A new dano video from u would be cool
1st you are rigjt AF
2nd Just discovered your channel , sweet 🔥
That middle position...do u find there is a big volume bump there? And how bout Dat aluminum nut!?
Picked up a blue sparkle demo for $400 as well. Action is great, due to flatter radius in part, I think...stays in tune...awesome ride.
if I had to buy one 'cheap' guitar over and over again, it'd be a dano.
The Gretsch Junior jet club seems to be very good as well! Plus it has filtertrons which gives it a different sound as well, or you can get one with a p90 in the kneck.
Well, that's one thing i would not be bothered happening again and again, unlike a certain someone's:
"are you gonna pay 1?" over and over every god damned turn!
I love inexpensive guitars, I have owned several for all the reasons you mentioned. However for modding I prefer the MIM Fenders over the Squier... used they are in the same price range, but nearly all of the parts are interchangable with every other Fender guitar. My Tele was built from parts with a new MIM Fender neck and has Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups... I couldn't buy another one this nice "off the rack"!
My good guitar is a Mexican Strat. My cheap guitar is one I found in a skip.
👍
the longer you play guitar you start to notice that a good guitar is a good guitar and it doesn't matter what brand logo is on the headstock
Haha and the longer you play Danelectros the more you realise they are awful....despite how cool jimmy page looked with one.
@@Bensonbadger Dude, it's all relative
(ask Jonah Falcon)
I won’t buy a guitar if it’s ugly, idc how good it sounds
I could buy 5 of my Epiphone 335s for the price of a single Gibson 335, and I think it's a wonderful instrument. Also, my Squier CV Tele thinline is a tone monster for $399 (2015 purchase by my wife for Christmas).
The Danelectro is not a cheap guitar, it's an inexpensive guitar. I got one (Go Go Blue colour) a few years ago and I absolutely love it. The only negative thing is the stacked tone/volume knobs. If you move one the other moves as well so you have to hold one in place while you adjust the other. It doesn't bother me as I usually just set & forget.
There are quality stacked pots around you can use to replace these (and nicer looking pot knobs too.
I own a DC-59 "Clapton", a DE56-D, a Coral Sitar and a Longhorn bass.
I love Dano near as much I love my high-end Vigier or Leduc guitars and basses
I'm in love with the G&L Tribute line. Every guitar I've played sounds great and for the most part plays great and its all sub $500.
I got an ASAT Deluxe used for $269.00. I couldn't find a mark on it. It had a fresh setup and the guy at the guitar store threw in a really nice gig bag. Merry Christmas to me!
Agreed G&L Tribute guitars are amazing !!!
I agree, the Tribute guitars are insanely cheap for what you get. I have an ASAT Deluxe and a Legacy HSS and they're both great.
Ehhh, I got a G&L Tribute and there were so many choked frets I ended buying a new neck for it. Plastic nut was .011" oversized so you had to shape an oversized blank nut for it. Mine ended up being a money pit but I like it now cause nothing on it is factory anymore except the body and that's covered with some pretty thick poly.
Picked up a demo lefty S-500 last week....fantastic playing...and those MFD pickups beat any USA, even USA Deluxe pups I"ve owned.
man, I think in the future you, and people like rabea, mary spender, paul davids and a few others, will be studied as an outstanding example of artists and how to couple video and music content in a manner that is wildly entertaining, while being massively educating and informative as well. I don't even play guitar and I'm always delighted by your videos, mate. big love from Brazil. Cheers
"If you own a budget guitar...."
(most beginner/intermediate musician's raise their hands).
I've been playing nearly 20 years and consider myself a good player. All my guitars are "budget". A good setup and fretwork goes a long way.
That doo doo brown Gretsch though
Only the best
I personally love the color. Way more appealing than another damn sunburst.
I like the finish though. Walnut finishes are cool too.
RJ Ronquillo, you are my favourite guitar player of all time. You have such a sense of rhythm and style about you, your style is everything I aspire to. Peace from Northern British Columbia, Canada.
Agree!!
That jazzmaster was for sure a classic vibe which means it has a bone nut, classic vibe series is absolutely insane value for money
True. Classic vibes are godly for the price
That was definitely not a classic Vibe. A classic vibe has the mustang style saddles. This has the Vintage Modified saddles. However I was looking and didn't see Duncan Designed on the pup covers. That's interesting. As a VM it would've had those. As a CV it wouldn't had a diffeent bridge (saddles.) Very interesting specimen. Also, the anodized aluminum guard, intersting and not on any CV models besodes the FSR Purple and Gold Jazzmaster. I have the Purple and Gold CV and it's killer.
He's right on the bridge though. A Mastery bridge and trem would significantly upgrade that guitar. Eventually what happens is that guitar will be closer to a grand when all said and done as putting significant upgrades tends to lead to other significant upgrades (tuners, pickups, wiring) and yes you have a really cool guitar but its a hotrodded Squire at the end too. Basically do that if it ends up becoming a main guitar.
@@gringogreen4719 The good part of any of these upgrades is that if you get a Fender the exact same upgrades need to be made. Even a Vintera, it'll need an upgraded trem and electronics and bridge. The CV has a better nut than a Vintera. You'll be in way less money getting a CV and upgrading it. I had a Vintera and the CV just sounded better. They felt the same but the CV was better in more places, stock. I put a mastery bridge and AVRI trem and upgraded the electronics too. I did put some handwound pickups in it too. It's a great guitar and way, way better than a Vintera.
@@bciecko1 Yeah, and the CV already comes with the upgraded bridge. My CV Jazzmaster is flawless, I play it daily!
I see Danelectro in pretty color, I click
Edit: my entire linup of guitars is $450 and under so I definitely like cheap guitars cause I have 4 of them 😂
Agree 💯
Same my Epi SG is my most expensive guitar at $379. I'll eventually buy something from Reverend, I want a Guild T-Bird and a Rivolta Mondata VIII, but I'm totally happy with my peddler's mall finds and budget guitars
@@dylandenney3980 It’s not the gear, it’s the player. Rock what you got. Some great cheap gear out there
Stay thirsty my friends
The most expensive guitar I ever owned was a Gibson SG I paid £750 in 1998. Since then (since I was forced to sell it) the most I have paid for a guitar was a Danelectro dc2 reissue (I paid somewhere north of £300 for it) which I still have and I still love it. I still have my original Korean Squier Strat after almost 30 years although I now need to replace the tuners I would be hard pressed to choose between the two.
I could listen all day long to your playing, warm, funky, laid back, bluesy, and so on, thanks
Fender Pro Reverb!!
The best!!
Yes... plays a $400 guitar through a $1900 blackface fender amp :)
That'll do it every time if you know how to play.
Are you kidding me right now? I literally just purchased the Danelectro 59m nos+ in blue metalflake on Reverb and then 30 mins later this video pops up. How timely!
Awww man! I wanted that one! Kinda like that orange metalflake a little better, but the blue is just soooo electrifying.
Got one too bro. It's on the bench now for a setup. Orange is cool...one of my favorite colors...my burnt Orange motorcycle, some clothes, sweaters, beanies, other guitars...even my helmet, same color as that Dano. The blue is so sick in person. Perfect royal blue sparkle.
I just really want to know one thing - what is that car? It's absolutely amazing!
Who else would love a video on that car?
Ford LTD brougham bro with the opera window
I was wondering if that muffler sound was on purpose or...
as posery as it gets
There has always been something really special about lipstick loaded Dan Electros that punch way way above their price point. I’ve always preached about these things. They are especially great because they are actually unique.
My $99 used Yamaha Pacifica sounded as good as any PRS when I ran it into a good amp with a load of power.
Awesome stuff! I have had amazing luck with the mid range Epiphones, modding and upgrading and trading parts. It has become a super fun hobby.
A cheap instrument with a good set-up and good fret work usually feels like a guitar two or three times it's price.
Taking it to a good luthier to do fret job may also cost 2-3x prices of a cheap guitar. But absolute bargain for those who can do it themselves.
Agreed, I just bought a squire super sonic (paranormal) and fixed it up a little/adjusted things, swapped parts, etc. Now it's pretty buttery!
There are many factors that go into the why the sound different but its a tool at the end of the day. An if you like it then fix it keep in mind some repairs can change its tone. But if it don't then have at it as long as its not beyond repair ie severe damage or warp age. If you can afford it then its your choice value is in the owners hands. Because somethings you just can't put a price tag on or easily replace.
@@daleonov depends on where you live. One of the best techs in my area charges $120 for a fret level, crown and polish. Which is well worth it on most cheap guitars.
Truth! Also swap out the pickups and you're golden!
I can think of two more, Rhett; affordability and individuality. Many people (especially kids starting out) can't afford the big names, so encouraging players to find a guitar and a tone that stands out and is truly their own (the way you have done here) is the way to go. Great video.
My god even your car is hipster, love it.
True, although it would have been nice to turn off the engine while standing in the parking lot and filming. Because there is no plan B for the planet we live on
Markus Wehrle shut up nerd
@Markus I think you are blaming on individuals a burden that can only be successfully approached by governments and big corporations.
@@markuswehrle7 I have a dozen old truck tires in my backyard that I'm gonna burn in your honor.
@@roinerwonkler8754 🤣🤣
My first guitar was a Danelectro DC-3 with a nifty fifty amp. I still have it more than 20 years later, and it's one of the best sounding guitars I own.
The Classic Vibe Squier's have gotten very impressive. Nice necks. They make great mod platforms. I bought the semi-hollow Starcaster and upgraded the wide-range pickups, pots, and nut and now it just kills. I have guitars that cost 5 times as much and I find myself reaching for the Starcaster more often than any other lately. It sings. Now all I need is the new Bigsby pedal! (there's no bottom to the rabbit hole)
One of the dopest guitar channels on RUclips
I really wanted a 12 string Rick but I'm not a professional musician so the price didn't make sense. So enter into my life a Danelectro vintage 12 with lipstick pickups. I agree with what you found. The middle position is sweet.
I love my danelectro 12; a very well spent $400
A friend dared me to restring his Rick 12 string once... ONCE.
"I think I'm gonna go ahead and grab this" *just gets up and walks out of the shop with it*
Hahahahaha
GTA SAN ANDREAS
Haha
Yep, another good idea to get a great guitar for a song ... ;-)
Lolol that was hilarious
Bought a cheap but decent-playing strat copy. I love it because I feel absolutely no guilt in modding the electronics in unorthodox ways, routing the cavities, throwing it around a bit more, taking it outside, whatever.
It's now my go-to for jamming and practicing. Easy to play because it's a strat, lots of sounds to mess around with.
Every guitar will need a setup. I’ve found that even $3,000 guitars need a little work to fit my taste. It’s a personal thing. Once you figure out what you need and like, personalize it, and it’s yours. For me a bone nut is a must.
Man, the lapels on your jacket are gonna have to get a lot wider if you’re gonna drive that car...nice !
PIM
Hahahaha that’s Funny comment!!!
I hope he’s got one of those fancy in-car phones like Frank Cannon!
@@iannicholls7476 CANNON!! How that chubby bastadd caught anyone was the real mystery
I pretty much only own budget guitars and as I am not a professional musician that makes sense on so many levels. You can buy some fantastic instruments for very reasonable money these days, so it really is a golden era for us players.
I just think of Robert Baker when I see that guitar, He uses his all the time.
As did Jimmy Page
With good reason. I have a DC2 they are awesome for rock n roll, blues, jazz and bottleneck playing. I have to be careful with the top E because it's prone to falling off the edge of the fretboard but it has tone for days. Other drawbacks are no Floyd for 80's glam metal and only 21 frets so no 2 octave shenanigans but otherwise it's wonderful.
Back in 2009 I bought a used Danelectro DC-3 with the silver sprinkle flake finish and the "Select-O-Matic" pickup position selector knob for a whopping $300. I had it set up to my liking and it has proven to be the very best guitar I own, and I've owned Strats, Gibsons, Epiphones, Harley Bentons, etc. Very cool retro approach but the TONE is outstanding! If you have a chance to get a decent used Danelectro, you can't got wrong, but I'd suggest getting an older model. I have a demo on the DC-3 of my own on my little amateurish channel, in case folks are interested in hearing it. Great little (and light!) guitar. Bravo!
If $450 is cheap for you then I'm watching the wrong video
Dude... the guitar is dope but your car is mad smooth bro!! Love the old school boats man!!!
i just bought my first guitar couple months ago after deciding to take guitar seriously, and upgraded alot of stuff that i truly think that im gonna be using this squier strat for years to come, even if i get the money to buy a fender american strat or something, i dont think i will ever let this one just sit and collect dust
I still have my Squier Strat 30 years on. The only work I have had done is a professional set up and I broke one tuning key about three weeks ago. Its still one of the best instruments I have ever owned (and I used to own a Gibson SG, the Strat is better balanced, has greater clarity in the pick-ups but the Gibson did look better) and the Gibson was 3x the price and more. Once it's repaired it will be my go to again.
Guitars come in all shape and sizes, and that includes price. There truly are gems of guitars out there that are really cheap indeed. Great work man!
I only have budget guitars and I'm very happy with each of them ( 5 electric and one classic ).
I bought the cheapest Les Paul Epiphone makes, the Les Paul Special-1 for $140 USD, and I absolutely do not regret it. I put in a new SH4 Jb in the bridge, new strings, and some cosmetics like a pickguard and knobs. It plays super nice and sounds absolutely great! Definitely my go to for gigs from now on. Probably one of my favorite guitars in my collection.
I have 2 Squier Classic Vibes and I'm gonna buy a third one soon. I get why they are so cheap but they're good enough for me since I just play at home.
1. I'm poor
2. I'm poor
3. I'm poor
4. I'm poor
5. I'm poor
That Harley Benton DC is looking hella rich though👀💯
@@Dapno_ On golly! 😤😤
Then you are watching the wrong RUclips channel 😂
@@caseyspaos448 Why's that?
@@jerecsoria Rhett is all about blowing your entire pay cheque on gear!
Mornin' there,
Well Rhett, no offense mate. But whenever youtubers talk about "a budget guitar". You guys end up buying a guitar, let's say between 350 and 500 to 600 us.
I could be wrong ofcourse, but in my opinion, that's not even close to a budget guitar.
Make a vid, and do it "budget budget". Ehrmm, let's say a guitar around a 100. Maybe up to 200 max. Now that's surely on a budget. Is it not?
The guitar you just bought. Man she/he(?) looks fingerlicking good. Chapeaux for that one 👍
My Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster is a TOTAL sleeper!!! Bought for a little over $350 (Canadian) nine years ago and never regretted it. Upgraded the pickups to custom shop TexMex pickups (used) and the thing just sings like an angel now. In many blind shootouts, pro's have had a hard time thinking it wasn't a $2000 tele. I wouldn't get rid of that guitar for anything.
I only own cheap guitars and I love to change parts, and extend my setup skills....still learning!
😂 Rhett has an assistant. He becomes a bandleader for the JHS musical now he’s all Hollywood. Spreading that paycheck from Josh all around Atlanta. You rock, man!
You’re a bad influence on my guitar buying addiction.
That guitar his assistant was playing looked so sick and sounded so good. I would’ve walked out of the store with one man.
Yes, me too. It has an incredibly clear, rich jazz sound, and attractive, natural woodgrain on the body.
I think it's a Teisco. Most likely from the 60s. Japanese company. I just bought a similar one with 4 single coils. The selector switches allow you to turn each pick up on and off independently which is crazy. Most have a 0 fret and built in effects. I think Five Watt World did a video on them.
I was so curious because the tone on that thing was so rich. The headstock says Kingston. Looks like they are made in Japan
@@samhuntley344 They don’t go for much. Another one of those overlooked but good guitars. Most of them were made at the Fujigen factory.
Bought an Ibanez RG3EXFM1 at a local pawn shop as a definite impulse buy. I took it apart, cleaned it up and set it up and now I play it all the time. Definitely happy with the purchase, but like almost everything else I've got, it's on the chopping block and will probably get sold next spring.
I bought a Squier Telecaster Custom II with Duncan Designed P90s and Graphtech Ratio tuners for 249 on Times Square GC. When I went to the cashier, they told me the price included a hard case. Amazing guitar, and it completed what I needed to fill your recommendation of 5 guitars one must have.
I've never bought a guitar new and never paid over $300 for a guitar... I've also played quite a few expensive guitars ($1000+) and I generally prefer my cheap ones. My favorite guitar I have ever played I bought for $120 and it sounds and plays amazing
Yeah my Aria was a $120 pawn shop special. I don't think I will ever sell it.
Cool story bro. Big if true
I bought my Danoblaster Rumor Bass new in 2004 for $134.00.
I will never part with it.
I have a few other axes that were in the $200.00 range and some even cheaper.
ALL of them sound great.
‘My Assistant Chris and I’ oh how you’ve changed!
One of my local shops. It's cool because they basically let you do your thing without hounding. Prices are very reasonable.
For sure! I got a Squier 51 and I absolutely love it. Great choice for a “beater” guitar!
That Danelectro is sweet.
Last time I was looking for something 'Different' I grabbed a Revelation RJT-60 Quad.
Alan Entwistle designed, four single coils pickups and an ATN tone circuit (similar to Variatone), offset body with trem.
SO many tone combinations.
Agreed. I bought an RJT-60 thinline and it sounds great as well as being amazingly versatile. The fact it's also greenburst and looks incredible is just a bonus!
Damn that's a beautiful guitar you bought. Looks like orange sherbet ice cream
I thought it looked like Orange Crush soda. I got thirsty looking at it.
I'm a firm believer in that guitar tone and quality of sound starts with having a good quality amp. Obviously a high end guitar or amp isn't going to make a garbage of the other sound great. But I feel like a good quality amp is better at turning a budget guitar into a great sounding guitar than the other way around. But at the same time, I think that's one of the things that often makes me cringe at reviews of budget guitars. "Here, let me take this $300 guitar and plug it into a $4,000 amp head. THIS GUITAR IS GREAT!" It always makes me feel like it's not the best quality of reviews when you're taking a budget guitar and putting it into a very high end amp or vice versa. If you want to do a good review of a budget guitar, then also put it through a reasonably priced amp that someone who would be buying a guitar in that budget range could also reasonably afford. Something like a Fender Blues Junior, Vox AC10, or a Boss Katana.
Yes, thank you! Unbelievable how many reviewers are out of touch.
straight up! not to mention the amount of compression that's been added to the audio in post.
I would of agreed with you until I plugged my PRS 245 main guitar. Into my home practice fender champion amp. And couldn't believe how well the pickups push that amp.
@@jonathanforsythe990 yeah, I definitely don't fully agree that everything about a good guitar tone necessarily depends almost solely on the amplifier as @GeoFitz4 would suggest. however, while a PRS 245 is a mid-level offering, they still retail for over 2x the price used in their example and are definitely more expensive than the ones in the video. plus, I'd argue that a lot of fender's cheaper practice amplifiers still sound pretty good for what they are in most cases (keyword: most).
either way, none of that negates the fact that this video has a very noticeable amount of post production pertaining to the audio. the amount of compression is really obvious, which I think makes this video really misleading especially for less experienced players. if this was intended to be a real comparison video it would have got straight to the point, with a mic'd clean amplifier and then the cheapies played after similar more expensive guitars. there's just something so disingenuous about this style and scene of modern RUclipsrs. it's really a bummer that it's almost turned into another version of overproduced television.
@@nucleararmeddogg568 I agree I noticed the audio compression and didn't think to deep into it. But now that you dove deeper into I agree how it can be misleading for the inexperienced. I forgot to mention that my 245 has studio les Paul pick ups in it. My buddy swapped them out for me so it's still mid level guitar but it gets the job done for what I do. I think most players coming up dont understand the concept of maxing out what you need for what you do. The studio I play at has a Zwreck and the tech is insanely talented so mid range guitars sound like a dream on that thing but then again it's a Zwreck lol but that's a fine example. Most gigs for my needs a fender blues deluxe or AC15 micd is plenty of tone for me. But all good points.
The opening chord with the orange sparkle sounded like "Breathe" from Pink Floyd.
GD, man, I dig the car as much as the guitars you featured, and I *really* dug those! 😎
Hi Rhett, I recently bought a Loar 250(discontinued) to play open mics and jams. So that I don't have to risk my guitar, and maybe my life taking my D28 into a sketchy bar. Where instead of seeing a great guitar they just see money. I put a great pickup into the Loar and I'm really happy with it Thanks Rhett
I dunno, man. I think most of what you showed are average priced for the average player. “No need for a case on a cheap guitar.” Hmm.. I sure as hell do if I worked my ass off to buy that “cheap” guitar.
I ended up buying a gibson melody maker on a whim cause it was 300 bucks from my boss who ended up passing away. And that ended up being maybe the best guitar purchase i ever made. Also its cool that your in Georgia too your sort of a local celebrity
I recently bought a Squier Jazzmaster for many of the reasons you mention in this video. It's seriously an awesome guitar for the money. The pickups are actually P90s masquerading as Jazzmaster pickups so the sound is a bit thicker with higher output. I also already has a tune-o-matic bridge. This has quickly become one of my favourite guitars.
I bought the J Macsis Jazzmaster. Love it.
the classic vibe 60s jazzmaster is my main guitar with one of my bands, the alnico low output pickups are sweet
Man I really want a Danelecto, great video man. Makes you more open to different things n' ideas.
The MIK Danelectros are fantastic. Especially the ones based on the original designs. Through in a truly adgustable bridge? WOW!
I love the Squire Bass VI too.
“Remember there is no plan B.”
I’ve heard you say it countless times but today it had a different meaning.
I just finished an album in Neil Finn’s studio. He has that exact guitar (and many others) after A-B-ing through all the options we came back to the Danelectro almost every single time.
It may seem like a small thing... but I think this guy has the best thumbnails in the guitar community. Everyone else makes this gaped mouth/soyface, but this guy just looks so cool in every thumbnail.
Years ago I did exactly what you discuss in this video. Bought a budget Peavey Semi-Hollow second hand. It had a good neck but I changed everything else on it and put some very nice aggressive pickups in it. It's now the most unique sounding guitar I own. Fellow players when hanging out always pass over the far more expensive guitars to play that one cuz it's so weird and has a personality all its own.
My first guitar hero, Duane Eddy, recorded several really, really great tunes using a Danelectro 6 string bass. He bought it in Hollywood and I'm guessing it was one of the cheapest guitars in the store. His sound was brought to life by the recording prowess of Lee Hazlewood and together they made a great team.
"Buy a cheap guitar"
Starts talking about 400$ guitars
It's all relative, but 400$ is in the "cheap" range.
@@Charlie6969 I generally consider >$300 to be cheap and
Most NEW guitars below the US $400 price will require too much work to be a gig-able guitar. The guitars are all mass-produced, barely touched by human hands, so the quality of the end product varies greatly. Some people get a $100 Amazon guitar that is set up perfect and feels like it was assembled by a master luthier, but those are the unicorns. Many of those ultra-cheap guitars have poor electronics, poor craftsmanship, and poor intonation. At the US $400 range, you're still getting mass-produced guitars, but the materials and components will be far better than the cheaper guitars.
@@richardstevens2242 I can personally say that this is not the case. Most guitars I've played under 300 have have been set up well and play great, sometimes the action is a little high. Sweetwater is a good example, most of my friends who get beginner guitars get them and they pretty much need no work.
What a maroon 🤣 Nothing surprises me from this generation that thinks they actually know something about guitars and amps.
I watched this video and was so inspired that I stopped by my local shop to play some cheap guitars. I ended up playing a brilliant guitar that was really expensive 😅. After months of going back to the shop and playing it, I bought it. Bloody awesome.
That's hilarious. The best part of cheap guitars is it makes it easier to appreciate expensive ones 😂
Rhett Shull, always fun to see what you're into.
The finish on that Dan reminds me of the Ibanez RG421msp I got today. Last week my cheap guitar buy was a glarry "thinline t-style" semi hollow. Bought it for 106 to my door, spent another 16 bucks on roller string trees and a pre-slotted graphtech nut. Did a full setup as well as polished the frets, and put some power slinkys on it for strings. For under $125 it is VERY playable and I find myself reaching for it more and more lately. Only complaint is the cheapo pickups are pretty microphonic, and tend to squeal at me with the amount of crunch I put through my amp. Going to be fully shielding all electronics cavities in the body, and doing an overhaul on the electronics. I intend to spend maybe another 70 bucks on it, but it'll be right up there with my mid tier guitars as far as playability and quality goes.
Micheal lemmo cried when you said you’d swap the tremolo on that jazz master
My cheap one was about $250. It actually has a better sound than my $1000 strat, which is also a great guitar. I only have 1 acoustic which my dad bought in 1970
Damn straight Rhett Shull! you have to do a video about what is the valco sound, that series you have is monstrously entertaining!
It is an awesome series.
I have a Danelectro stock 59 DC I bought a few months ago, in vintage aqua.Different and fun! You won’t be disappointed.
I have 10-plus guitars, but I didn't have anything Tele-style. I'm not a fan of the blocky simplicity of the look, but I wanted to get one and use it for slide. I've been looking at budget T-style gits, looking for the shape and sound, but with some body contours, belly-cut, etc. I finally picked up a Grote T-style (GR-150 Super Series), belly-cut, nice arched deep wine-colored flamed-maple face, locking tuners, blacked-out hardware and humbuckers, and I ordered a lipstick pickup to swap out in the neck position. The price was great. I had to do a LOT of setup work, but it now plays great and looks gorgeous.
Just sold my Squier cv Telecaster to help pay for my Gibson LP Special. Fingers crossed this video doesn't make me regret that!
It won't
I hope you really like the LP because I don’t think I could let go of my Squier CV Tele.
Once you plug that LP in you won’t regret won’t regret it. Amazing sustain and with a good overdrive/fuzz pedal, they scream. I love my Strats but they don’t have the beefy tone that the Burstbuckers in my SG and LP have. Hard to beat the tone of a good Gibson. Everything from killer highs to the woman tone.
@@steveg.3022 Couldn't believe how much more I liked my Squier than the fenders I tried. I just decided to try a Les Paul and it seemed like the Gibson scale length in combination with the 12" radius were a perfect match for fingers!
@@jordandangelo180 Couldn't have described it any better. The sustain, the feel of both the body and the neck + the scale length really do make it feel special ( no pun intended)! One day I hope to get an r9 with the pafs, but for now, this Gibson is my pride and joy!
I have a mix of higher end and budget guitars and couldn't agree more when it comes to budget guitars. I picked up a hollow body Gretsch 5420 Electromatic made in Korea a few years back. Swapped the nut, put some locking tuners on it and dropped in a set of TV Jones pickups. It is pretty much on par with a couple of high end Gretsch hollow body models I own at this point. I keep this one strung with flat wound strings and it really has killer tone. If you don't use alternate tunings or oddball strings much but want it as an option that is another great reason to find some good budget guitars that you can mod a bit. A good luthier is also a great resource for any work that is beyond your ability, most are actually pretty on par with the big box stores price wise and the work is usually exponentially better.
I like that you’re not using that screaming feedback, I can tell how it sounds.
I just picked up a Harley Benton TE-52 NA and couldn't be happier. Plays just as well as my PRS SE. Some of these cheaper companies make it hard for us non-professionals to look at those $1.2K and up guitars. I still want a Custom Shop Gilmour Strat though :)
that orange sparkle with white just reminds me too much of this one kind of popsicle where you have an orange coating over a white icecream in the middle so obviously this now is on my wishlist
If it’s good enough for Jimmy Page, you can’t go wrong with a “Danny” 😀
"My assistant and I are going out to buy a budget guitar"
Cheap guitars are awesome. They can add so much character in the studio. I love them.
For the Jazz, Graph tech makes a replacement bridge for that.
The Orange Sparkle is sick, I love it!
That's Beato's baby, no?
'59 DanElectro, RI?
It's very 80s, but the play is great Berretta Special.
Sterling SSS 30&50, the later having, locking tuners and roasted maple neck.
But the Kramer Baretta hits way above it's price point, Candy Blue is sick!
So, after 3 years I got the exact same guitar with a gig bag for under $400 shipped across the country! Love It!
I’m going to college soon and I’ve been going through listings for guitars under $150. Might change the pickups and stuff. Lots of potential!
Nice to see you guys play songs and chords and not just shred for 30 mins. I agree with you…I’ve played for 45 years…and there are a lot of good budget guitars
1 of the guys I work with has a Danelectro with the amp in case(Silvertone) that his dad bought him for Christmas when he was a kid. It still has the original lipstick pickups and the amp still works. I can't believe how good it sounds. He said his dad paid around $60 to $70 for it. I'd imagine it's worth quite a bit more now. I've offered $500 for it myself on several occasions. I don't know if any of today's cheap guitars will be as admired as the old 60s Danelectros but you never know. Cheap don't always mean bad. Some of those old Danelectros sound better than guitars that cost thousands of dollars today. They definitely have a unique sound. I know the old Danelectros are wired in series instead of parallel like most guitars. It sounds like the one Rhett bought is also wired that way.
He bought a 59M NOS+, and I believe you are correct.
Dude, I’m digging the LTD Brougham, it must have at least as much mojo as that Danny you bought.... they compliment each other so well! Doesn’t get much cooler than that combo 😎
Gas guzzler! Came looking through comments just to find comments on that fantastic ride!
@@ButImFeelingMuchBetterNow exactly what I'm doing lol..wouldn't mind seeing more of that car
I normally play Gibsons, but after losing a really good instrument to weather/conditions, I purchased a HSS squier strat. Sometimes we find we have to play some outdoor thing and it might be 102 in the shade but we're playing in the sun with no cover - just right for warping, sweating all over it and getting things corroded, and other fun. We might have to play outside under a "cover" and its raining and the wind is blowing it in on us. For those gigs I pull this out, and second pedalboard with a EQ pedal, an Mythical Overdrive, and a tuner and run it into a cheap solid state amp. That way I'm not emotionally or deeply financially invested in anything that could get potentially ruined ruined.
I spent hours [literally] on the neck and frets leveling everything, replacing the nut, and polishing it down to a mirror. it actually plays really good, but I'm still not fond of it and think the pickups are super weak [and anemic sounding to boot]. However - vs ruining a good guitar? Yeah, I'll run an EQ pedal in front of it. If it gets ruined after a couple hard gigs like that I'll either give it to some kid, donate it, or trash it depending on what is most appropriate, and buy another one for the next season.
When you are good, you can make magic with almost any guitar...