When I started to play guitar my dream was to buy a Martin. 30 years later I still don´t own one despite I could easily afford one. I tried many of them in the shops, but everytime they didn´t feel right. When I pick up a Yamaha acoustic instead, I immediately feel at home. Another guitar I wanted was a PRS, but again each time I tried one there was no spark. The prefect guitar is the one that makes you want to play
My first guitar was a Yamaha acoustic. Great guitar. Several years ago, I got an American made Martin. It's a good guitar and I definitely prefer it to all my other acoustics. But it's not a great guitar.
I’ve come full circle on this. Years ago I said I wouldn’t pay above €1,000. And I found some really nice guitars sub €1k. That was about 15 years ago. Then I expanded my search and went over €1,000 and then to €2,000 etc. Now it’s all changed. The new affordable guitars are really good. I’ve bought many sub €500 guitars in the past 2 years that are so good. And I gig them regularly. I’ll never buy expensive guitars again. That’s where I’m at
@@martyshwaartz971 So you can get total Les Paul sounds from a SSS Stratocaster without recording tricks, special wiring, or a guitar modeler? If SRV was handed a Les Paul R9 the tones wouldn't come particularly close to #1 or Lenny.
I bought a Washburn Oscar Schmitt Delta King ( ES 335 ) copy in Apricot Burst, gold hardware Gotoh tuners and rosewood fret board slim neck profile low action, brand new from a Maine music store on Ebay for $250.00 US. It plays a dream and sounds incredible. I’ve had this guitar for about 18 years. I own 50 guitars and some are $20,000.00 guitars and I still favour that Washburn…..made in Indonesia.
On a whim, I bought an OS Delta King in sunburst. I put on a Tonepros bridge and stopbar, a graphtec nut, did the CTS/Orange Drop/Swiitchcraft rewire and installed a set of Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups. These upgrades, along with a little fret work and it plays and sounds fantastic. I like it as much as my Gibson ES-335. Oscar's are great platform guitars with good bones.
I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Special II Plus Top in blue burst once for $100 at GC. Someone had obviously done some work to it. Looked like the frets had been leveled, crowned, and polished and the pickups were switching out for a Seymour Duncan 59 and Distortion. For $100 I figured I could buy it pull the Duncans and install a setup Epiphone Humbuckers from my parts drawer and resell it. Did just that and made another $25 on the sale. That guitar played really nice and it was in like new condition.
My $250 Squire Affinity is fine for a beginner. The problem with the Amazon guitars is you can get one and if you have no experience you don't know if you should send it back until it's too late. If however, you spend a bit of time and learn how to set up a guitar, and then you try to set it up and if you can't then you send it back. That is if there's fret sprout or unlevel frets or if the tuning pegs are out or whatever
It's always a crapshoot when you buy online. Most of my guitars I played first in the store. I have purchased a few online and got lucky, but I've also had one delivered with a broken headstock and had to send it back. Usually I have to do some minor setup.
Hi Phil, I've had expensive for the times guitars, Gibson USA , Fender USA and PRS..I'm happy and satisfied now with Squiers, Affinity and Classic Vibe Strats (3), Squier Tele , and Jazzmater..I gig the hell outta these guitars same with an Ibanez archtop and a Gretsch Electromatic..I know guys who HAVE to have $$$$ USA because of the name on the peghead..It all just depends on your mentality..Personally, if you like it and it plays well for you, I don't give a damn where it's been made!
I own a bunch of guitars ranging from vintage Gibsons to Squier, with most of my guitars in the $500 range. It really comes down to the setup. I found a $120 Squier FSR Bullet Tele that I changed the nut and tuners, and smoothed and polished the frets, and it plays great.
I bought a Duesenberg double cat 12 there was a lot of debate over where they are made and I was encouraged NOT to buy it , at the end of the day it met all my wants and needs and the cost was a factor way down the list, its by far the best 12 I've ever played
One if my favorites, that I play all the time, is my $239 Firefly LP. It's mahogany body and neck, black on the back, neck and headstock with swamp ash on top in natural and a maple fingerboard with big black block inlays.Not only is it beautiful, it plays like a $1000-$2000 guitar! The sound is phenomenal!
I sold a Les Paul Custom because i just didn’t get on with it, and bought a Reverend Charger with p90’s, absolutely brilliant guitar and versatile and half the price, a keeper!
Great guitars are out there for great prices. I typically look around town once per month for something that's of interest and is a solid deal. In 2024 I've bought a Kramer deluxe pacer made in USA with original case for $600. A Kramer focus 1000 MIJ with case for $350. A MIj Kramer focus 2000 for $400 with case. 2006 Jackson DXMG MIJ with OFR for $350. A made in Korea LTD H1001 FR deluxe with gig bag for $450. These are all excellent made instruments with fantastic necks. Gotta say the focus 1000 and Jackson get the most play time.
I play both my js series Jackson. After I I did a full set up on both and they feel and play amazing. My favorite guitars I’ve owned so far and are always in tune. Honestly I pick them up more than my Mexican fender and the Gibson I sold
Fun vid good perspective. Recently got a 70s Rockson from a thrift store for 50 bucks. Excellent condition just the right sounds of wear no dings, pretty vintage creme color. Fixed minor wiring issue. Feels like a vintage strat. Don't like the slotted pegs so will replace tuners and may upgrade pickups but the originals really sound ok... :)
I went into the local GC and picked a PreOwned Gibson Explorer, plugged it into a Fender amp and started playing it. I loved the feel, sound, everything about it! But then I noticed the Custom Shop SG I liked 6 months earlier but couldn’t justify $6k for a guitar was marked down to $3,400 with no interest for 48 months so I bought it! Yes I love it too but 2 weeks later I traded a couple Carvin Guitars which were great instruments but I just never played them for the Explorer and the 100 watt Fender amp I was playing through! I’m so happy!😂
My first American made guitar was a Christmas gift in the form of a Fender Strat back in the late 60's. Unfortunately I hated it. Couldn't intonate it properly, wasn't that easy to play. Then around 1973 I bought a made in Japan Artist for approximately $450 with a hard shell case which ended up being one of the nicest guitars I have ever owned or played. Just about perfect in every way. I gifted that guitar to my son about five years ago and he says it is his favorite guitar of all the many guitars he owns. So in my experience made in America has a nice ring to it but doesn't guarantee that it will be the best guitar for you, regardless of price.
Man, the holy grail guitar thing is real, got a Gibson les paul. I was so disappointed with the whole thing. But it’s all about personal preference. Getting to know a guitar takes time.
Very insightful Phillip! Great information. I myself have been guilty of chasing guitars because I thought it being more expensive was the main ingredient, I got the reality check I needed.
I’m all about value as well as my personal specs. My most recent guitars have been high end Yamahas from the 80’s. I paid less than $500 for each and I love them. Guitars are generally worth what you’re willing to spend on it.
If you put it in your hands and smile, that’s the most important thing. My favorites cost thousands, but I also have a Dano that was $153 years ago, still one of my favorite’s!
The first thing I do when shopping, whether it's electric or acoustic, is tune and strum it unplugged. If it doesn't resonate and it feels and sounds dead, forget it. There's nothing you can do to resurrect it. The guitar is DOA! Move on to the next one and your checklist. Don't waste your time on any other point on your criteria. "If it doesn't talk, it won't rock!"
Bought a 2007 mim strat hanging from a rack in guitar center set up perfect still in tune today wouldn't trade it for a new american strat sometimes you just get one made well.
I bought 2 of those Diamond guitars for super cheap. The quality was great they both stay in tune, frets were fine. Only had to do a set up on both, intonation way off. They are both great players. Phillip, Thanks for the tip on the blow out sale.
My main guitar is an ESP/ LTD V that I found at a Pawn shop 12 years ago for $120. It plays great, sounds great. Stays in tune better that my PRS custom 24. I actually ended up selling the PRS about a year ago.
#2 "Guitar mut be comfortable." This is crucial. So many people totally ignore comfort. The guitar has to fit your body the same way your clothes fit your body.
The one you end up playing is a good guitar. I’ve got a Mexi-Strat with a Korean body, USA tuners, with Tex Mex Pickups. I always end up playing it…stays in tune! And it’s Blue!
I have no desire to upgrade. I'm playing a 2013 BC Rich Warlock 1 that retailed for around $350, but I got used for $120 at Music-Go-Round. Never have to tune it. Stays in E flat. I also have an ESP LTD B-205 bass I bought new for around $700 and consider it a bargain. Rock-solid tuning stability and it just floats my boat.
I just got an ibanez gio for 250, the blacked out one. It's a great guitar and I wanted to sharpen my luthier skills. I own guitars up to 2500, but i have played $200 guitars that play just as well. Maybe not sound better but thats just a pickup swap away.
1. Resonance 2. Neck strength (yes , Bend it forward and back , if weak , place back on hook ) 3. Feel ! Appointments (can mostly be changed ) SOME CASES PLACE PRESSURES ON THE NECK causing your ax to be out of tune when retrieved And some are more susceptible to humidity , some more stable
I agree most of the time when I’m trying on guitars I don’t even plug them in. I just listen for how the strings ring out. If they sound dull and lifeless, it goes back on the rack.
The only brand new guitar i ever bought was an white epiphone lp studio, hated it ,traded it for an ibanez . Then i saw a used white epiphone lp custom, i thought surely this can't be great. Well it's amazing i still have it it was only $225 with emgs 🤘
I got a used non-trem HSS Bullet Strat at Guitar Center a few years ago for $80. Bought it for practice while traveling. After replacing the soft plastic sky high nut, it plays AMAZING. The quality of the wood on maple neck is incredible. It's super light - I gravitate towards it all the time. I've been tempted to upgrade the pickups but still haven't bothered.
Not too long after I started playing, I started building my own guitars. Building can be even more addictive then buying! It's very cool to be able to build a guitar exactly the way you want it. From the parts, body shape, neck carve, wiring, color... Everything the way you want it. Every guitar I build becomes my new "perfect" guitar!
I paid $450 for my 2014 SGJ new. Put a tusq nut, pickup covers and a pickgaurd on it. Every person that's played it said they want to buy it if I ever sell it. Well I'm not selling it!
in 2020 I picked up my holy grail bass. Gibson RD Krist Novoselic bass. I've wanted it for nearly 10 year. I hated it. I spent so much time dreaming about it, so when finally popped up locally I grabbed it. It was one of the worst basses I've owned. I Got rid of it at a big lose and moved on. I'm still a bit heart broken but lesson learned.
Bought a 200 dollar no name strat copy last year on ebay. Slapped some epiphone pickups in it and some 40 dollar locking Tuners on it. Next to my explorer. It's probably my favorite guitar.
I got lucky.... I traded a budget guitar and $350 for a 2018 butterscotch Fender player telecaster and it's awesome. Over the 7 months I replaced the nut with a tusq nut & replaced the straddles with graphics string saver saddles and it has enhanced the guitar big time ‼️ I love 9.5 radius neck...
A good guitar is one that feels good in your hands. I start with the neck, staying in tune is something that can be done, I've never met a guitar I cannot make stay in tune. but I don't buy expensive guitars, don't need to. I love Les Pauls, but I won't buy a Gibson, first off I hate fret nibs, but I'd buy an old Orville or Japanese Epiphone, or any of the Burny's, Greco's, Tokai's, etc. those guitars are superior quality, I have zero desire to buy a USA made Gibson. Kinda hate the cheap way Gibson does frets, paying that much for a guitar that chose to do the frets the very cheapest way....not something I could ever justify.
My favorite guitar i own right now is an Ibanez rg 450 that i bought for $100 that had an EMG active and an afterburner in it. I installed a Gotoh 1996t in it cause it had tuning stability issues. Also, after giving the neck some fret leveling and a little bit of relief, i was able to get the action where i like it without buzzing. It plays like a dream now and sounds amazing aswell. In it 250 total
Emerald Guitars are great but every guitar they sell Starts around $2,000 and you can double the price with cosmetics but most of the cosmetics don't change the guitar except in looks. Yes you can change the neck profile or add pickups that change how it plays but I would say more than half of the guitars I see sold on shipping videos have almost doubled the price with pure cosmetics on finish and inlays on fretboard. Lets people double the price with no change in how well it plays.
I bought three Epiphone Les Paul jr's with bolt on necks for $270 total used on Craigslist. One with a p90 swap. I really like them. I wanted something I could travel with, maybe busk .
Years ago there was an on-line music store called Daddy's Junky Music and they had any used guitar you could think of. I don't remember what year it was that they started going out of business but, I got an email about the close out sale they were having. I ended up finding a used Greg Bennett FB-1 in blue that was marked down to $149 plus S&H. When it arrived I absolutely loved it. Someone had really put alot of work into that guitar to make it as good as you could get it. Super low action, and it came with a vintage sounding Seymour Duncan (not Duncan Designed) in the neck along with an older DiMarzio Super distortion in the bridge. I still have that guitar and although it desperately needs re-fretted, it is still my favorite guitar to this day even though I have many much more expensive guitars. Cost is not always equal to personal value.
I have a $200 Squier Telecaster that I love.....I overhauled it with new pickups, all electronics, and tuners and it's now truly amazing! I play it over some of my $5K+ guitars.
Nice video thanks…I started playing in the early 70’s some of the expensive Norlin era were not very good others were, then came the lawsuit era from Japan, same thing but less expensive. Ran the gamut of Fender Japan / Mexico and USA .. I finally just decided to go Warmoth and get the exact specs I like and chose my own pickups and hardware, there great but some of my Affinity Squire and Harley Benton made a great modding platform. I typically switch between the Warmoth and an Eastman… for people starting out now versus the early 70’s they don’t know how good they got it when it comes to budget guitars
I thought I would finally get an american guitar. Bought a Gibson Tribute from the mod shop and it was great but not super special (better than any Gibson I played at GC, the mod shop does great refrets.) Then I went what if I get a custom shop level and bought a Grover Jackson Abasi and other than nitro neither were really better than my cheaper stuff. I now kind of feel guilty spending 2-3x the cost of my other stuff for little to no gains in play-ability.
I enjoyed your question about "when you're supposed to like this guitar". I love the look of Les Pauls, always have. I have never played one that i wanted to spend money on. And I am not against paying $3000. By contrast i picked up one of those Slick teles and with 30 mins worth of work I grab that guitar almost every time. That was under $250 after shipping. I would rather spend 250 for something i play than 3k for something i look at.
When you can play well you can make anything sound good. I have very inexpensive guitars that I love. I do not own ONE guitar that doesn't sound, feel, look, and play excellent. Take care of them and they will take care of you. I like to grab the one that has the sonic preference that I want at that moment. With 8 guitars currently on the rack, I rotate half of them to keep it fresh. Really digging the PRS SE line these days. They have been getting quite a bit of play time.
While your checklist idea is true, there is still a place for price concern. Many times, a cheap item won't have quality built in to last long. Yeah, that $200 guitar feels and sounds great now, but what about in 5-10 years? Will the neck have a c-shape in more than one way? Will the electronics be worn out to the point that you have to stand on one foot and hold your tongue right so that it won't cut out? Don't forget the possibility of resale value. If you get tired of that cool cheap guitar (for whatever reason), will you be able to get more than $50 out of it? All things to consider when you're buying anything really.
Ha. $50 out of a $200 for a "loss" of $150 and many years of enjoyment? The alternative is buying a $3000 guitar and, after a few years, selling it for half, which might be $1500 or a "loss" of 1500 or ten times as much. The resale argument doesn't hold vs the total cost of ownership.
I always buy used. All my best guitars over 25 years or older, both are short scale Rics. No regrets. They are expensive if I replace them, however I saved money buying them when I did.
Set-up is key. I think inexperienced players confuse bad set-up with a bad guitar. Tuning stability, neck profile and pickups are important too. Personally I prefer good guitars that are not too expensive. I don’t want to worry about dings and scratches when I’m out playing them, but not so cheap I need to upgrade parts either. Plug and play guitars. I recently got a partcaster buildt by the local luthier. An Esquire-type with quality parts, buildt to my specs. The way go!
My 1982? Cortez LP. Extremely heavy, but had the sound and feel that I wanted. Whenever I'm trying to find a sound on my newer guitars I always try to make it sound like that one.
I remember when that green Strat was featured on Phil’s show. It’s a great Strat. One reason why it’s great is because if it gets stolen it’s easy to replace since the American Professional is not a rare guitar
Got a Yamaha FG800 for $189 (at the time I bought it) Yamaha re-did the bracing and this is one of the best guitars I have ever owned. Also have played (at Guitar Center) many very expensive Martins and Taylors and the FG800 sounds better than almost ALL of these very expensive guitars. Love the FG800 and it's Desert Sand sunburst finish! Check one out!!
Sometimes it's worth taking a punt - you might just get a shock! I did - and I now have two exceptional guitars for less than a grand - that will be excellent for either noodling at home - or gigging! The worst problem is I can't decide which one to gig on Friday!
I can't see the idea of cost delineation when there are so many other factors. Also, now that these really-good-at-$200 guitars are saturating the market, there seems to be a concerted effort to drive out bad guitars from the marketplace. Now that these temu guitars are about half good/half fair, and every other luthier is getting a CNC machine, I truly believe we're going to see seriously playable and, as importantly, durable in every price range. And even if you're grabbing parts outta the bin, it's much easier for the novice to attend their own builds and know their "crap" guitar was at least built out with some love. Worked for Springsteen...
Met my holy grail guitar in high school. A black beauty triple gold pickup Gibson of unknown origin and age. Looking back on it now decades later it was probably a 70s if they still made them then. Strings were right on the frets, neck was like a wood plank, it weighed three hundred pounds, horrible! Could have bought it for 350$ but I had 0$ and hated it. Later got an Ibanez artist and played it for years. Great neck, feel, ease of playing, and fair enough electronics
I have a Strat Plus Deluxe that always stays in tune but I really don’t like the neck 😂 I have a Fender Custom Shop Strat that is amazing, but ultimately I enjoy playing my MIM and MIJ just as much, they’re just so good without being crazy expensive.
I have gone to pawn shops and bought no-name guitars if they have a good straight, playable neck. I usually chuck the electronics and put good stuff in there. I also have a bunch of Gibsons. But some of those pawn shop guitars are really good.
I have two favorite guitars. Acoustic is a 1997 Martin mahogany top that I got used for 450 with case back in the day. Favorite electric is 2001 American Standard Tele in swamp ash natural that I bought new for 800. Tele is a bit heavy but boy she plays and sounds good and I did a bit of upgrades to the Martin, bone nut, saddle and pins. I have bunches of others but those are my two favorite. ☮️
I like Telecasters. They all play well, they all stay in tune, they all look great, and they all sound great. Buy a Telecaster. Problem solved. The only real question is how many of them do you need.
I think "junk" is a reaction to decades ago when it was rare for a $200 or less guitar to be really playable and satisfying. It's surprising that so many in the price range thesedays are NOT junk.
I’ve never spent more than $700 on a new guitar and I’ve been more than happy with pretty much all my purchases. I just can’t justify dropping $1200 on a guitar, I’d rather put that money into a new amp or pedals.
Most of my guitars are mostly in tune, especially my Godin Icon and my Framus Fretjet from 1962..sometimes I don’t play them for months and when I pick them up they are ready to roll. Probably I’ve found the proper setup and proper strings for them. My Fender telecaster is always out of tune despite having top notch Hipshot locking tuners and a decent graph tech bridge.
I've been playing since the sixties, have a stable of vintage Gibsons but what do I currently play? I play a $90.00 Monoprice Tele. I've done some work on it but believe it or not it feels very comfortable. Do I gig with it? Absolutely. Why you ask,because it stays in tune, neck feels real good and it's like a pair of worn jeans and it turns heads. I prefer this to my Gibsons. I went through the guitar snob syndrome years ago trying to impress but now It's all about how it feels. The mojo is within the person playing.
What makes a great guitar? How it feels and sounds according to the video. I agree. But that also means it makes no sense to buy guitars online. You'll never fall in love with it. You'll get it and then go back online to covet the next guitar.
Got an Alvarez RC-30S for $150 and a Yamaha FG700S for $100 from a local thrift store. Chinese made guitars but they’re in great condition and I’m quite happy with the price
My first electric guitar was the biggest pile of crap. The best one was an 84 Kramer and the only guitar that was made in the USA. I've played a 62-reissue custom shop strat that would not stat intune after playing it for 15 minutes and was the most expensive guitar I've played. first thing I check on a guitar if there is fret sprout. Most of the time if there is fret sprout, the frets are most in likely that there is uneven frets.
Most expensive guitar I've bought so far is a brand new B-stock ltd ec1000 deluxe with emg's and it was a little under 1k. I love it but a couple fret wires look a bit crooked when you look at them from the side while holding it but it sounds great and i haven't hardly touched my epiphone les Paul custom since I got the ltd. I really want to get an esp e-ii eclipse black with silver binding. I will probably end up buying one so then that will be the most expensive guitar i have. I think they are around 2300$-2400$ but i love the ltd so much i think i will love the esp e-ii even more.
I've got a BC Rich ST Mockingbird made in Korea. You might want to try one out. They're 600 or so Got mine used for 400. I play it more than my Les Paul and other expensive guitars.
I guess i'm in tune (HAHA) with your opinions. These days, i would go more for a Sire than a fender in the "medium category" and definitively over any squire, and i'm pretty sure the same would happen if I put my GL against the fenders. If I ever become rich, I might buy a Gibson...and then trade it for two cheaper guitars with better specs...
The best playing guitar I bought so far? A Harley Benton R-446 for 148 Euros. I personally like it when I pay less for more. I'm not the type of guy who leaves the price tag on just to impress people who couldn't care less.
I'll be more happy spending a little money for a guitar that exceed my expectations. Than a guitar I spent with a lot of money and also exceed my expectations.
A guitar has to talk to your hands and your heart. You will know when you find the right one . When you consider that about 40% of a new guitar is store mark up, a $500 guitar is only equivalent to a $300 ( or less if you consider the manufacturers mark up). Better put your $500 into a used guitar and you instantly are in The $700 new retail range. Spending your hard earned money on any signature guitar , limited edition guitar or even a worn out vintage ( just so you can tell people you have one) is a waste of your money. The instant collectable that will appreciate storyline is a con. There are only about 6 vintage guitars that are worth money, all the others have prices based on the owners perception of value being a sliding scale down from those 6 unobtainables. These others are just old, worn out guitars that aren’t worth anything like what people want, less than a modern lightly used version of the same model. Mojo, coolness and street Cred are all bull…t.
The biggest problem with an expensive guitar is just like an expensive firearm. You are going to lose a lot of money. You are better off buying a average guitar and use the rest of your money for something else you are looking forward to owning
When I started to play guitar my dream was to buy a Martin. 30 years later I still don´t own one despite I could easily afford one. I tried many of them in the shops, but everytime they didn´t feel right. When I pick up a Yamaha acoustic instead, I immediately feel at home. Another guitar I wanted was a PRS, but again each time I tried one there was no spark. The prefect guitar is the one that makes you want to play
I experienced the same thing. I’m a huge bluegrass fan and my “dream guitar” is a D-18. Unfortunately, I’ve never played one that I actually liked.
My first guitar was a Yamaha acoustic. Great guitar. Several years ago, I got an American made Martin. It's a good guitar and I definitely prefer it to all my other acoustics. But it's not a great guitar.
I’ve come full circle on this. Years ago I said I wouldn’t pay above €1,000. And I found some really nice guitars sub €1k. That was about 15 years ago. Then I expanded my search and went over €1,000 and then to €2,000 etc. Now it’s all changed. The new affordable guitars are really good. I’ve bought many sub €500 guitars in the past 2 years that are so good. And I gig them regularly. I’ll never buy expensive guitars again. That’s where I’m at
One of my favorite guitars is my Squier Classic Vibe 60s in Fiesta Red. Got it on sale for CAN $260. It's beautiful. And I own custom shop guitars.
1. Tuning stability
2. Comfortable in my hands
3. Reasonably versatile
Every guitar is versatile if you play good enough!
@@martyshwaartz971 So you can get total Les Paul sounds from a SSS Stratocaster without recording tricks, special wiring, or a guitar modeler? If SRV was handed a Les Paul R9 the tones wouldn't come particularly close to #1 or Lenny.
PRS Core Custom 24 ...The most beautiful guitar I ever owned, I wanted to love it but it was lifeless and uninspiring no matter what I did.
That's the truth of PRS guitars, right there. My experience as well with multiple guitars.
I want to love PRS also. Have tried over and over. I feel the exact same way you descibed. Would take an SG standard over any PRS made. Sad but true.
That's how I've felt about every single PRS I've ever picked up.
God that’s heartbreaking
Sometimes that happens, I own one and really like it.
A good guitar is the one you enjoy playing
The best rig is the the one that creates the sound I like. A cheap guitar and amp with a handful of $30 pedals I can create cool tones all the time
Gretsch is killing it on price, build, tone and vibe.
Gretsch imports are made by Fender
So far I'm finding them good value and playability.
That wasn't my experience
@@guitarman11000 Maybe I got lucky? The new ones do need a full setup no question. The older ones less setup.
I bought a Washburn Oscar Schmitt Delta King ( ES 335 ) copy in Apricot Burst, gold hardware Gotoh tuners and rosewood fret board slim neck profile low action, brand new from a Maine music store on Ebay for $250.00 US. It plays a dream and sounds incredible. I’ve had this guitar for about 18 years. I own 50 guitars and some are $20,000.00 guitars and I still favour that Washburn…..made in Indonesia.
I have the same guitar in Blue Burst. I love that thing.
On a whim, I bought an OS Delta King in sunburst. I put on a Tonepros bridge and stopbar, a graphtec nut, did the CTS/Orange Drop/Swiitchcraft rewire and installed a set of Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups. These upgrades, along with a little fret work and it plays and sounds fantastic. I like it as much as my Gibson ES-335. Oscar's are great platform guitars with good bones.
I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Special II Plus Top in blue burst once for $100 at GC. Someone had obviously done some work to it. Looked like the frets had been leveled, crowned, and polished and the pickups were switching out for a Seymour Duncan 59 and Distortion. For $100 I figured I could buy it pull the Duncans and install a setup Epiphone Humbuckers from my parts drawer and resell it. Did just that and made another $25 on the sale. That guitar played really nice and it was in like new condition.
My $250 Squire Affinity is fine for a beginner.
The problem with the Amazon guitars is you can get one and if you have no experience you don't know if you should send it back until it's too late.
If however, you spend a bit of time and learn how to set up a guitar, and then you try to set it up and if you can't then you send it back. That is if there's fret sprout or unlevel frets or if the tuning pegs are out or whatever
It's always a crapshoot when you buy online. Most of my guitars I played first in the store. I have purchased a few online and got lucky, but I've also had one delivered with a broken headstock and had to send it back. Usually I have to do some minor setup.
I like my Parker Niteflys because they were designed and made by Ken Parker in America and were something not only unique but innovative and genius.
Hi Phil, I've had expensive for the times guitars, Gibson USA , Fender USA and PRS..I'm happy and satisfied now with Squiers, Affinity and Classic Vibe Strats (3), Squier Tele , and Jazzmater..I gig the hell outta these guitars same with an Ibanez archtop and a Gretsch Electromatic..I know guys who HAVE to have $$$$ USA because of the name on the peghead..It all just depends on your mentality..Personally, if you like it and it plays well for you, I don't give a damn where it's been made!
I own a bunch of guitars ranging from vintage Gibsons to Squier, with most of my guitars in the $500 range. It really comes down to the setup. I found a $120 Squier FSR Bullet Tele that I changed the nut and tuners, and smoothed and polished the frets, and it plays great.
I bought a Duesenberg double cat 12 there was a lot of debate over where they are made and I was encouraged NOT to buy it , at the end of the day it met all my wants and needs and the cost was a factor way down the list, its by far the best 12 I've ever played
One if my favorites, that I play all the time, is my $239 Firefly LP. It's mahogany body and neck, black on the back, neck and headstock with swamp ash on top in natural and a maple fingerboard with big black block inlays.Not only is it beautiful, it plays like a $1000-$2000 guitar! The sound is phenomenal!
Come on now you forgot half the laundry list that you guys always have to include.
@popsfereal What lol? What guys are you talking about? What laundry list are you talking about? Are you okay?
I sold a Les Paul Custom because i just didn’t get on with it, and bought a Reverend Charger with p90’s, absolutely brilliant guitar and versatile and half the price, a keeper!
Great guitars are out there for great prices. I typically look around town once per month for something that's of interest and is a solid deal.
In 2024 I've bought a Kramer deluxe pacer made in USA with original case for $600. A Kramer focus 1000 MIJ with case for $350. A MIj Kramer focus 2000 for $400 with case. 2006 Jackson DXMG MIJ with OFR for $350. A made in Korea LTD H1001 FR deluxe with gig bag for $450.
These are all excellent made instruments with fantastic necks. Gotta say the focus 1000 and Jackson get the most play time.
I play both my js series Jackson. After I I did a full set up on both and they feel and play amazing. My favorite guitars I’ve owned so far and are always in tune. Honestly I pick them up more than my Mexican fender and the Gibson I sold
Fun vid good perspective. Recently got a 70s Rockson from a thrift store for 50 bucks. Excellent condition just the right sounds of wear no dings, pretty vintage creme color. Fixed minor wiring issue. Feels like a vintage strat. Don't like the slotted pegs so will replace tuners and may upgrade pickups but the originals really sound ok... :)
I went into the local GC and picked a PreOwned Gibson Explorer, plugged it into a Fender amp and started playing it. I loved the feel, sound, everything about it! But then I noticed the Custom Shop SG I liked 6 months earlier but couldn’t justify $6k for a guitar was marked down to $3,400 with no interest for 48 months so I bought it! Yes I love it too but 2 weeks later I traded a couple Carvin Guitars which were great instruments but I just never played them for the Explorer and the 100 watt Fender amp I was playing through! I’m so happy!😂
My first American made guitar was a Christmas gift in the form of a Fender Strat back in the late 60's. Unfortunately I hated it. Couldn't intonate it properly, wasn't that easy to play. Then around 1973 I bought a made in Japan Artist for approximately $450 with a hard shell case which ended up being one of the nicest guitars I have ever owned or played. Just about perfect in every way. I gifted that guitar to my son about five years ago and he says it is his favorite guitar of all the many guitars he owns.
So in my experience made in America has a nice ring to it but doesn't guarantee that it will be the best guitar for you, regardless of price.
Man, the holy grail guitar thing is real, got a Gibson les paul. I was so disappointed with the whole thing. But it’s all about personal preference. Getting to know a guitar takes time.
Very insightful Phillip! Great information. I myself have been guilty of chasing guitars because I thought it being more expensive was the main ingredient, I got the reality check I needed.
I’m all about value as well as my personal specs. My most recent guitars have been high end Yamahas from the 80’s. I paid less than $500 for each and I love them. Guitars are generally worth what you’re willing to spend on it.
I like the early 80s yam
If you put it in your hands and smile, that’s the most important thing. My favorites cost thousands, but I also have a Dano that was $153 years ago, still one of my favorite’s!
The first thing I do when shopping, whether it's electric or acoustic, is tune and strum it unplugged. If it doesn't resonate and it feels and sounds dead, forget it. There's nothing you can do to resurrect it. The guitar is DOA! Move on to the next one and your checklist. Don't waste your time on any other point on your criteria. "If it doesn't talk, it won't rock!"
Bought a 2007 mim strat hanging from a rack in guitar center set up perfect still in tune today wouldn't trade it for a new american strat sometimes you just get one made well.
I bought 2 of those Diamond guitars for super cheap. The quality was great they both stay in tune, frets were fine. Only had to do a set up on both, intonation way off. They are both great players. Phillip, Thanks for the tip on the blow out sale.
Phill, I don't recall you mentioning being a veteran. I'm a old 15 year 19D. Tupelo Mississippi here.
My main guitar is an ESP/ LTD V that I found at a Pawn shop 12 years ago for $120. It plays great, sounds great. Stays in tune better that my PRS custom 24. I actually ended up selling the PRS about a year ago.
#2 "Guitar mut be comfortable." This is crucial. So many people totally ignore comfort. The guitar has to fit your body the same way your clothes fit your body.
The one you end up playing is a good guitar. I’ve got a Mexi-Strat with a Korean body, USA tuners, with Tex Mex Pickups. I always end up playing it…stays in tune! And it’s Blue!
I own guitars from 200 to 2000 and when played sometimes you can’t tell the difference.
The law of diminishing returns?
I have no desire to upgrade. I'm playing a 2013 BC Rich Warlock 1 that retailed for around $350, but I got used for $120 at Music-Go-Round. Never have to tune it. Stays in E flat. I also have an ESP LTD B-205 bass I bought new for around $700 and consider it a bargain. Rock-solid tuning stability and it just floats my boat.
I just got an ibanez gio for 250, the blacked out one. It's a great guitar and I wanted to sharpen my luthier skills. I own guitars up to 2500, but i have played $200 guitars that play just as well. Maybe not sound better but thats just a pickup swap away.
My 2001 Shijie STE SSS is %99.9 always in tune. Solid.
1. Resonance
2. Neck strength (yes , Bend it forward and back , if weak , place back on hook )
3. Feel !
Appointments (can mostly be changed )
SOME CASES PLACE PRESSURES ON THE NECK causing your ax to be out of tune when retrieved
And some are more susceptible to humidity , some more stable
I agree most of the time when I’m trying on guitars I don’t even plug them in. I just listen for how the strings ring out. If they sound dull and lifeless, it goes back on the rack.
that thing you said, 'nothing, why does anyone like this thing' that's my whole impression of Gibson
The only brand new guitar i ever bought was an white epiphone lp studio, hated it ,traded it for an ibanez . Then i saw a used white epiphone lp custom, i thought surely this can't be great. Well it's amazing i still have it it was only $225 with emgs 🤘
I got a used non-trem HSS Bullet Strat at Guitar Center a few years ago for $80. Bought it for practice while traveling. After replacing the soft plastic sky high nut, it plays AMAZING. The quality of the wood on maple neck is incredible. It's super light - I gravitate towards it all the time. I've been tempted to upgrade the pickups but still haven't bothered.
Not too long after I started playing, I started building my own guitars. Building can be even more addictive then buying! It's very cool to be able to build a guitar exactly the way you want it. From the parts, body shape, neck carve, wiring, color... Everything the way you want it. Every guitar I build becomes my new "perfect" guitar!
I paid $450 for my 2014 SGJ new. Put a tusq nut, pickup covers and a pickgaurd on it. Every person that's played it said they want to buy it if I ever sell it. Well I'm not selling it!
in 2020 I picked up my holy grail bass. Gibson RD Krist Novoselic bass. I've wanted it for nearly 10 year. I hated it. I spent so much time dreaming about it, so when finally popped up locally I grabbed it. It was one of the worst basses I've owned. I Got rid of it at a big lose and moved on. I'm still a bit heart broken but lesson learned.
Like a few women I dated.
Bought a 200 dollar no name strat copy last year on ebay. Slapped some epiphone pickups in it and some 40 dollar locking Tuners on it. Next to my explorer. It's probably my favorite guitar.
I got lucky.... I traded a budget guitar and $350 for a 2018 butterscotch Fender player telecaster and it's awesome. Over the 7 months I replaced the nut with a tusq nut & replaced the straddles with graphics string saver saddles and it has enhanced the guitar big time ‼️ I love 9.5 radius neck...
A good guitar is one that feels good in your hands. I start with the neck, staying in tune is something that can be done, I've never met a guitar I cannot make stay in tune. but I don't buy expensive guitars, don't need to. I love Les Pauls, but I won't buy a Gibson, first off I hate fret nibs, but I'd buy an old Orville or Japanese Epiphone, or any of the Burny's, Greco's, Tokai's, etc. those guitars are superior quality, I have zero desire to buy a USA made Gibson. Kinda hate the cheap way Gibson does frets, paying that much for a guitar that chose to do the frets the very cheapest way....not something I could ever justify.
My favorite guitar i own right now is an Ibanez rg 450 that i bought for $100 that had an EMG active and an afterburner in it. I installed a Gotoh 1996t in it cause it had tuning stability issues. Also, after giving the neck some fret leveling and a little bit of relief, i was able to get the action where i like it without buzzing. It plays like a dream now and sounds amazing aswell. In it 250 total
Buddy bought a Rouge guitar with an amp package, about $175 total. We did a quick string change and a set up and wow what a player.
A few years back, I got an oddball Mexican Fender strat with active EMGs and a Floyd Rose. Best guitar I have or have ever had.
Emerald Guitars are great but every guitar they sell Starts around $2,000 and you can double the price with cosmetics but most of the cosmetics don't change the guitar except in looks. Yes you can change the neck profile or add pickups that change how it plays but I would say more than half of the guitars I see sold on shipping videos have almost doubled the price with pure cosmetics on finish and inlays on fretboard. Lets people double the price with no change in how well it plays.
I bought three Epiphone Les Paul jr's with bolt on necks for $270 total used on Craigslist. One with a p90 swap. I really like them. I wanted something I could travel with, maybe busk .
Years ago there was an on-line music store called Daddy's Junky Music and they had any used guitar you could think of. I don't remember what year it was that they started going out of business but, I got an email about the close out sale they were having. I ended up finding a used Greg Bennett FB-1 in blue that was marked down to $149 plus S&H. When it arrived I absolutely loved it. Someone had really put alot of work into that guitar to make it as good as you could get it. Super low action, and it came with a vintage sounding Seymour Duncan (not Duncan Designed) in the neck along with an older DiMarzio Super distortion in the bridge. I still have that guitar and although it desperately needs re-fretted, it is still my favorite guitar to this day even though I have many much more expensive guitars. Cost is not always equal to personal value.
I have a $200 Squier Telecaster that I love.....I overhauled it with new pickups, all electronics, and tuners and it's now truly amazing! I play it over some of my $5K+ guitars.
LOL at all these guys with $5k and $20k guitars!
Squire Strat that I upgraded pickups and now play as much as my player ii Strat lol 😂I play my cheap $150 sg a lot.
Nice video thanks…I started playing in the early 70’s some of the expensive Norlin era were not very good others were, then came the lawsuit era from Japan, same thing but less expensive.
Ran the gamut of Fender Japan / Mexico and USA .. I finally just decided to go Warmoth and get the exact specs I like and chose my own pickups and hardware, there great but some of my Affinity Squire and Harley Benton made a great modding platform. I typically switch between the Warmoth and an Eastman… for people starting out now versus the early 70’s they don’t know how good they got it when it comes to budget guitars
I thought I would finally get an american guitar. Bought a Gibson Tribute from the mod shop and it was great but not super special (better than any Gibson I played at GC, the mod shop does great refrets.) Then I went what if I get a custom shop level and bought a Grover Jackson Abasi and other than nitro neither were really better than my cheaper stuff. I now kind of feel guilty spending 2-3x the cost of my other stuff for little to no gains in play-ability.
I enjoyed your question about "when you're supposed to like this guitar". I love the look of Les Pauls, always have. I have never played one that i wanted to spend money on. And I am not against paying $3000. By contrast i picked up one of those Slick teles and with 30 mins worth of work I grab that guitar almost every time. That was under $250 after shipping. I would rather spend 250 for something i play than 3k for something i look at.
When you can play well you can make anything sound good. I have very inexpensive guitars that I love. I do not own ONE guitar that doesn't sound, feel, look, and play excellent. Take care of them and they will take care of you. I like to grab the one that has the sonic preference that I want at that moment. With 8 guitars currently on the rack, I rotate half of them to keep it fresh. Really digging the PRS SE line these days. They have been getting quite a bit of play time.
My most expensive is $1000 - but I play my $150 sg and $300 squire more than the expensive one lol.
While your checklist idea is true, there is still a place for price concern. Many times, a cheap item won't have quality built in to last long. Yeah, that $200 guitar feels and sounds great now, but what about in 5-10 years? Will the neck have a c-shape in more than one way? Will the electronics be worn out to the point that you have to stand on one foot and hold your tongue right so that it won't cut out? Don't forget the possibility of resale value. If you get tired of that cool cheap guitar (for whatever reason), will you be able to get more than $50 out of it? All things to consider when you're buying anything really.
Ha. $50 out of a $200 for a "loss" of $150 and many years of enjoyment? The alternative is buying a $3000 guitar and, after a few years, selling it for half, which might be $1500 or a "loss" of 1500 or ten times as much. The resale argument doesn't hold vs the total cost of ownership.
Recently bought a used 2022 prs s2 in excellent condition for $1599 and 48 months interest free. Playability is great and I love the sound.
You are paying off your HOBBY over the stretch of two years?
You must be American!
I can make any guitar sound good doesn't matter what it cost or it doesn't cost.
I always buy used. All my best guitars over 25 years or older, both are short scale Rics. No regrets. They are expensive if I replace them, however I saved money buying them when I did.
Set-up is key. I think inexperienced players confuse bad set-up with a bad guitar. Tuning stability, neck profile and pickups are important too. Personally I prefer good guitars that are not too expensive. I don’t want to worry about dings and scratches when I’m out playing them, but not so cheap I need to upgrade parts either. Plug and play guitars. I recently got a partcaster buildt by the local luthier. An Esquire-type with quality parts, buildt to my specs. The way go!
My guitar standard is simple.
1. Has to be cool looking.
Everything else I can adapt to.
@@Curbjaw and stay in tune
@izzynut that would involve going through the trouble of getting it in tune to begin with
@@izzynutlook at the nerd tuning their guitar.
My 1982? Cortez LP. Extremely heavy, but had the sound and feel that I wanted. Whenever I'm trying to find a sound on my newer guitars I always try to make it sound like that one.
I remember when that green Strat was featured on Phil’s show. It’s a great Strat. One reason why it’s great is because if it gets stolen it’s easy to replace since the American Professional is not a rare guitar
Got a Yamaha FG800 for $189 (at the time I bought it) Yamaha re-did the bracing and this is one of the best guitars I have ever owned. Also have played (at Guitar Center) many very expensive Martins and Taylors and the FG800 sounds better than almost ALL of these very expensive guitars. Love the FG800 and it's Desert Sand sunburst finish! Check one out!!
Just buy a mid range Yamaha; you won't get a better bang for your buck
Sometimes it's worth taking a punt - you might just get a shock! I did - and I now have two exceptional guitars for less than a grand - that will be excellent for either noodling at home - or gigging! The worst problem is I can't decide which one to gig on Friday!
I can't see the idea of cost delineation when there are so many other factors. Also, now that these really-good-at-$200 guitars are saturating the market, there seems to be a concerted effort to drive out bad guitars from the marketplace.
Now that these temu guitars are about half good/half fair, and every other luthier is getting a CNC machine, I truly believe we're going to see seriously playable and, as importantly, durable in every price range.
And even if you're grabbing parts outta the bin, it's much easier for the novice to attend their own builds and know their "crap" guitar was at least built out with some love.
Worked for Springsteen...
Met my holy grail guitar in high school. A black beauty triple gold pickup Gibson of unknown origin and age. Looking back on it now decades later it was probably a 70s if they still made them then. Strings were right on the frets, neck was like a wood plank, it weighed three hundred pounds, horrible! Could have bought it for 350$ but I had 0$ and hated it. Later got an Ibanez artist and played it for years. Great neck, feel, ease of playing, and fair enough electronics
I have a couple of faves my 90’s Jimmy Vaughn signature series MIM is amazing, but also love my 83 Japanese Squier is a work of art
I have a Strat Plus Deluxe that always stays in tune but I really don’t like the neck 😂
I have a Fender Custom Shop Strat that is amazing, but ultimately I enjoy playing my MIM and MIJ just as much, they’re just so good without being crazy expensive.
I have gone to pawn shops and bought no-name guitars if they have a good straight, playable neck. I usually chuck the electronics and put good stuff in there. I also have a bunch of Gibsons. But some of those pawn shop guitars are really good.
Great description and answers on “good guitars”, very well said.
I have two favorite guitars. Acoustic is a 1997 Martin mahogany top that I got used for 450 with case back in the day. Favorite electric is 2001 American Standard Tele in swamp ash natural that I bought new for 800. Tele is a bit heavy but boy she plays and sounds good and I did a bit of upgrades to the Martin, bone nut, saddle and pins. I have bunches of others but those are my two favorite. ☮️
I like Telecasters. They all play well, they all stay in tune, they all look great, and they all sound great. Buy a Telecaster. Problem solved. The only real question is how many of them do you need.
I have never owned a Tele, but if I did, it would have to have some kind of vibrato.
@@ckelly5141 Different strokes . . .
@ I don’t want a stroke…..just a Tele with a wiggle stick.😝
I love telecasters, but I tapped out at thirty-five of them. It got a little redundant.
@@ds97853 I've got five. I only need one more. 🙂
“JUNK GUITARS AT A GOOD PRICE?” HUH- SOUNDS LIKE AN OXYMORON
I think "junk" is a reaction to decades ago when it was rare for a $200 or less guitar to be really playable and satisfying. It's surprising that so many in the price range thesedays are NOT junk.
@@TranscendentBenAgreed. CNC machines has made that possible for the masses…
I’ve never spent more than $700 on a new guitar and I’ve been more than happy with pretty much all my purchases. I just can’t justify dropping $1200 on a guitar, I’d rather put that money into a new amp or pedals.
Most of my guitars are mostly in tune, especially my Godin Icon and my Framus Fretjet from 1962..sometimes I don’t play them for months and when I pick them up they are ready to roll. Probably I’ve found the proper setup and proper strings for them. My Fender telecaster is always out of tune despite having top notch Hipshot locking tuners and a decent graph tech bridge.
I've been playing since the sixties, have a stable of vintage Gibsons but what do I currently play? I play a $90.00 Monoprice Tele. I've done some work on it but believe it or not it feels very comfortable. Do I gig with it? Absolutely. Why you ask,because it stays in tune, neck feels real good and it's like a pair of worn jeans and it turns heads. I prefer this to my Gibsons. I went through the guitar snob syndrome years ago trying to impress but now It's all about how it feels. The mojo is within the person playing.
My number one is an Indonesian made Epiphone IBG Hummingbird I bought second hand on Craigslist. I will never get rid of it.
What makes a great guitar? How it feels and sounds according to the video. I agree. But that also means it makes no sense to buy guitars online. You'll never fall in love with it. You'll get it and then go back online to covet the next guitar.
Got an Alvarez RC-30S for $150 and a Yamaha FG700S for $100 from a local thrift store. Chinese made guitars but they’re in great condition and I’m quite happy with the price
My first electric guitar was the biggest pile of crap. The best one was an 84 Kramer and the only guitar that was made in the USA. I've played a 62-reissue custom shop strat that would not stat intune after playing it for 15 minutes and was the most expensive guitar I've played. first thing I check on a guitar if there is fret sprout. Most of the time if there is fret sprout, the frets are most in likely that there is uneven frets.
Most expensive guitar I've bought so far is a brand new B-stock ltd ec1000 deluxe with emg's and it was a little under 1k. I love it but a couple fret wires look a bit crooked when you look at them from the side while holding it but it sounds great and i haven't hardly touched my epiphone les Paul custom since I got the ltd. I really want to get an esp e-ii eclipse black with silver binding. I will probably end up buying one so then that will be the most expensive guitar i have. I think they are around 2300$-2400$ but i love the ltd so much i think i will love the esp e-ii even more.
I bought a unbranded, but I think its a Cort, with on board effects for $20 today. IDC if it plays, I want to dig into those electronics!!
I've got a BC Rich ST Mockingbird made in Korea. You might want to try one out. They're 600 or so
Got mine used for 400. I play it more than my Les Paul and other expensive guitars.
1000% on the Money - I have pretty much had the EXACT same standards of choice.
Play everything you can , the one you bond with is the one
I guess i'm in tune (HAHA) with your opinions. These days, i would go more for a Sire than a fender in the "medium category" and definitively over any squire, and i'm pretty sure the same would happen if I put my GL against the fenders. If I ever become rich, I might buy a Gibson...and then trade it for two cheaper guitars with better specs...
Certain guitars just feel right and have the mojo that we are all looking for...it's just plays and feels Right!!
The best playing guitar I bought so far? A Harley Benton R-446 for 148 Euros.
I personally like it when I pay less for more. I'm not the type of guy who leaves the price tag on just to impress people who couldn't care less.
Well now we know....phil DOES wear trousers when doing podcasts😂😂😂😂
I'll be more happy spending a little money for a guitar that exceed my expectations.
Than a guitar I spent with a lot of money and also exceed my expectations.
I want an expensive guitar so other people go "Ooooooo, nice guitar". LOLOL.
That's funny, I really don't ever think about whether a guitar is in tune or not when choosing which one i feel like playing
A guitar has to talk to your hands and your heart. You will know when you find the right one . When you consider that about 40% of a new guitar is store mark up, a $500 guitar is only equivalent to a $300 ( or less if you consider the manufacturers mark up). Better put your $500 into a used guitar and you instantly are in The $700 new retail range. Spending your hard earned money on any signature guitar , limited edition guitar or even a worn out vintage ( just so you can tell people you have one) is a waste of your money. The instant collectable that will appreciate storyline is a con. There are only about 6 vintage guitars that are worth money, all the others have prices based on the owners perception of value being a sliding scale down from those 6 unobtainables. These others are just old, worn out guitars that aren’t worth anything like what people want, less than a modern lightly used version of the same model. Mojo, coolness and street Cred are all bull…t.
The biggest problem with an expensive guitar is just like an expensive firearm. You are going to lose a lot of money. You are better off buying a average guitar and use the rest of your money for something else you are looking forward to owning
The difference between a $300 guitar versus a $1,000 guitar is the way it feels. A guitar that is higher end should be easier to play.