How about Vintage Aria Pro ll’s, Ibanez Roadstar ll’s, Westone’s, Electra’s, Electra/Westone (transition guitars), Vintage Peavey’s, Lotus set neck LP style guitars that came with a brass nut, brass saddles and Dimarzio pick ups, also check out the rarely seen Vintage Takamine electric guitars.
The Charvel "Model" guitars were made by Fernandes in their Japanese factory. I own a Fernandes SJT-75 which is a Charvel Model 4 with "Fernandes" on the headstock, and made around 1986. Very rare.
Carvin made top notch equipment I still have my DC600 and I used to have a 50-watt tube amp years ago, it was a good amp lots of power and a great reverb on it. Love Yamaha guitars as well they are solid. Good video brother!
I bough a creme Focus 1000 new at the Guitar Center on Ventura Blvd., in 1986. The salesman was the guitarist of Feme Fatale. Great guitar. Sold it to a friend when I went back to hard tail guitars. Stayed in tune great.
As far as Brands Zemaitis(Model-Buccaneer Island Ron Wood Signature), James Trussart(Any Model- Steelcaster, Rusty DeVille, etc), Caparison(Model TAT Speacial FX Adam Dutkiewicz Signature), Ormsby(GTR Hype-Machine). Coolest Duesenberg by far is the Joe Walsh Signature.👍🏼
My first guitar, at 14 years old in 1986, was a Kramer Focus 4000, which was a black Randy Rhoads "broken" V body. It was a Japanese made guitar, and it has always played great. Yep, an original American Floyd Rose locking, fine tuning vibrato, Brazilian Rosewood fretboard, and Kramer hardshell case. Took out the two stock pickups the second day, put in DiMarzios, and two weeks later, replaced those with Duncans (which are still in the guitar).
You really know your stuff. I thoroughly enjoy every video you do. Of all of the guitars you presented on this video, the grey burst Minarek was my favorite, you could tell the quality just by a glance.
Something you left out about the Valley Arts guitars: In the late 80s and early 90s Warmoth made the necks and bodies for them. All the Warmoth made parts for Valley Arts were 7/8 size
One of my early guitars is an Ibanez Gax 70, early 90’s. It was cheap, I was poor. Got razzed a bit for my gear. I bought a bunch of more expensive guitars and they’re ok, I guess. I keep picking up that gax. There’s something magical about it. Body style is comfy and the switch placement just gets me. I’m gonna get another one and throw a sustainer in it and scallop the neck. Love the channel!
Yes, those Agile LPs are very fine guitars. Can’t get ‘em right now because of production delays but when they get them back in stock you should check them out. Best deal out there.
The Agile AL-3200 is the best "bang for your buck" guitar IMO. It has a neck thru design with rounded heel and belly cut. Graphite nut and bridge saddles. Book matched flame maple cap top, not a laminate. Ebony fretboard with real MOP inlays. The 3200 is comparable to the Gibson Axcess, but runs new out of the box at $499. Add your favorite pups and you have a killer axe for under $700 bucks.
Hey guy, that Kramer Focus 1000 was the poor mans version of the Famous Kramer Baretta! It's an exact replica but was made in Japan instead of USA. At least mine was and I bought one way back when they first hit the market cuz I couldn't afford the Baretta, I was a young teen then with no job. Thanks for the memory!
Glad to see the Charvel Model Series on this list. I own 10 of them from the Model 1 thru Model 6 and they are all without exception, well made, great playing guitars.
speaking of charvel model series they actually went to 8.the model 8 is just a charvel spectrum which is a copy of a jackson custom shop jeff beck guitar(as seen in his video for ambitious).its a dinky with 3 single coils and a 51 p bass pickgaurd.the only difference between the model 8 and the spectrum is the model 8 has the classic guitar shaped headstock logo and the spectrum has the late 80s thru 90s toothpaste logo.and while the spectrum is getting harder to find at a reasonable price the model 8 even though its exactlly the same as the spectrum is very rare and more expensive.
Great video ! I would add Gordon Smith , Britain's best kept guitar secret ! I also liked the 80's Ibanez Destroyer , also reissued mid 90's with a choice of graphics , barbed wire, neon tiger stripes etc! My 90's choice would be the beautiful Charvel Surfcaster 👍
The squier pro-tone series Tele and Strats are super under rated, and selling for more now than they did in 96-98 when they came out. The tele was matchstick maple top, ash body semi hollow with single coils, and a maple fret board, and the stat had alnico pickups, an ash body, and maple fret board. The "fat strat" had a Floyd rose and a bridge humbucker, and all had gold hardware, premium string trees, and machined bridge saddles. Fender USA stopped production of this series because the quality of these instruments rivaled the MIM and even the US made guitars.
Very cool video. I was friends with a recording artist way back when the V2 came out he got one rite away. Those are single coil pick ups. Bill Lawrence if i remember rite... Rawk on
Agile guitars are outstanding Robert. I have a 3100 model LP style with a factory installed Floyd Rose bridge and OEM Alnico V pickup’s. I bought it new last year for about $450. It looks, sounds, feels and plays great.
I own several & I don’t know this for a fact but I strongly suspect the Agile LPs are made in the Saien & Unsung factories where the Korean Epiphones were made. Very good quality. Highly recommend.
Was really hoping that you may have included the Mosrite guitar brand, one of my most favourite guitar companies, especially the Johnny Ramone series, I used to own a reissue made by Eastwood guitars, the comparison to the original seemed to me very close. The J/R Mach 2 had the mini humbucker in the neck, tele style single coil in the bridge, from the tuning keys to the volume & tone nobs it was pretty spot on... enjoyed this one Robert...
Epiphone included there is one bottom rung model to lust over. The special 1 p90 faded tv yellow. Just because the guitar itself cost about the same as a set of p90 pickups
I own a Jackson DK2M guitar, with Seymour Duncan (not Duncan Designed) pickups. It is my main guitar to this day and I have been using it since 2007. It has never failed me at all. I only have to retire it temporarily because of the lockdown and its frets are well worn.
Love these videos. Looking forward to part 3. Check out Godin guitars. Interesting design. Also, could you do a video on bass as well. I'm curious what you can find out about "Bass Collection" bass's. I've had one for well over 30 years that I'll never part with.
Speakin of jackson soloist , i acquired 1 in a trade . Playing mostly country ,southern rock , its not something id usually look at but played 10mins locked dwn the trem ,,1 of the best playing guitars iv sit with . Lov this neck wow.
I can vouch for the Agile Les Paul clones. I have one in Oceanburst Blue and it's beautiful. It also has a 5 piece neck thru body, Grover tuners, graphtec nut and string saver saddles, double bound body, neck and headstock. All stock. Brand new from their Korea factory: $500. Got mine used from eBay for $325. I'd put it up against my Gibson's any day.
No love for the Peavey t-60? One of the first guitars to be mass produced with CNC, unique styling and sound, and a USA made guitar that can be had for less than $500 if you look around.
You mean the boat paddle with strings? (Relax, I’m kidding! 🤣🤣🤣) Great guitars, but the purpose of this list is to point some less obscure guitars that are often overlooked. The Peavey T series are all over the place and most people seem to be familiar with them.
@@RobertWJackson haha fair enough. I guess I was thinking in terms of "bang for your buck" and less about how obscure they are. Alternatively you'd have also been right if you called it the "Chuck Shultz Stratocaster"
Sweet! A friend of mine plays bass for Hollywood Vampires and used to play for The Cult and most recently, Ace Frehely, Chris Wyse. He's also one of the bassists who is in the film Some Kind of Monster, where Metallica picked out Trujillio (I know I botched that spelling). You might have heard of them. Some friend of mine saw them in the front row a few months back, but I can't remember who that friend was. Hmm.... :D
Remember the Aria Pro II RS Knight Warrior? I had a purple burst one with the blade pickups and a Kahler. Man! That was actually one of the silky smoothest guitars Ive ever played. I still kick myself (30 years later) for selling it. Dang it!! On an Epiphone note.... I have a '99 Korean SG in black and it holds its own with my Gibson LP Traditional and my '76 Re-Issue Explorer. Ive owned MANY other Epiphones throughout my life and they all seemed to lack "something". could never quite put my finger on what was wrong. But the '99 SG is absolutely a keeper. Ive learned my lesson about selling off a great guitar because of a name or value. Dang it!!
I played a flying v2 in 1980 at a local shop .a very interesting model the boomerang shaped pickups are single coils.price $698.oh those were the days....
Great video Robert, I remember the Gibson V2, they also had an Explorer version, my friend had one, I had a 1983 Gibson the 'V', natural finish with body binding, but I traded it for a 1979 Fender Twin Silver Face, because on the back of the headstock was the word 'second' stamped on it & a friend told me it was scrapped, so I believed him & got rid of the 'V', stupid move, great video bro, thanks for sharing, rock on !!!
Your friend was correct. The “2ND” stamped on the back of the headstock means it was a factory second, or one that they sold at a significant discount because it was not up to Gibson’s factory standards for some reason, but was still fully functional. You probably did okay by trading it for a Fender Twin.
Valley Arts were on a par with the early Pensa - Suhr or Tom Anderson guitars, high end builds used by a lot of the LA studio guys including Larry Carlton. They were eventually bought by Gibson and well, you know what happens to companies bought by Gibson.
Yep, I’m familiar with Valley Arts. Great guitars. I’m also familiar with what happens to a company when acquired by Gibson. LOL Cakewalk, Kramer, Tobias, Philips-Onkyo... Where they at???
They had to divest the companies in the bankruptcy so Cakewalk is trying to come back. KRK survived. They also had Cerwin Vega, Baldwin, Steinberger, they destroyed Opcode, yet they never did the obvious thing of bringing back their classic amps which are sought after. They should do that instead of putting dip switches and printed circuits into les Pauls.
My wife bought a Les Paul C F Martin Stinger SPX back in the mid 90´s and never played it. When I met my wife she gave it to me. I´m wondering how good the quality is, the guitar was made in Korea.
Another awesome video Robert! I'll keep checking these out because I thought there might have been a small chance I'd see you mention Fernandes this time around. I know you're probably busy so hopefully you get a chance to check them out in the near future!
Speaking of pointy shredders, whatever happened to Conklin guitars? I remember those little ads in the back of Guitar World in the 80s. Not much comes up on web searches about them. I guess they only make basses now.
Almost forgot to mention Ovation Applause & Washburn EC-29 w/Floyd rose lic. &Active pickup. Heard they also made an EC-32 (Extended Cutaway) but never seen one.
Great job on the video. Its apparent you've worked on your narration. You picked up the speed a nit and I dont tjink you said "um" once. Lol. Not being mean. I have always liked you and your videos but, sometimes it was hard to listen due too your speech. Im glad you've taken proactive response to peoples comments. Thanks man. Your great and only getting better. Have a good one and take it easy !
I still have my Charvel Model 5, I love it. Bought it new around 1988-89. I have a Jackson (japan made) that is like the charvel model 6 i bought at the same time has the same pre amp and worked awesome with my old Carvin x100 stack. These great Guitar videos are cool
Knew there was a V2 They were nice guitars The one 4th from the left looked horrendous in person, but the others looked cool, and they all played nicely
I had a black Charvel Model 5 like that, but the one with the flat/top-mounted Kahler trem. I'll never forget that I paid $950 Aussie dollars for it used in about 1989, which was a good deal at the time. The fretboard (or frets) wasn't perfect (it had a slight hump), but it still played well. It was my first "real" guitar that I loved. Incidentally, for those who don't know (and might be interested :-) ), the flat mount Kahler has some advantages over the Floyd Rose -- larger bar bend range, larger fining tune range, and it's much easier to adjust individual string height in intonation -- but overall, I think the Floyd is better, mostly because the strings lock at both ends, and they look better, LOL.. Some people say they can hear sound differences, but I never could. I'd describe the active pickup preamp boost as being significant, rather than "a little bit more oomph", but that's nitpicky; I know you weren't being literal. :-) The guitar sounded great, but it was drag playing live when trying to quickly switch from the cleanest sound to the dirtiest sound, because it involves turning the boost on or off, and pulling the knob up to split the coils (unless my memory's fading, and it didn't have a split coil knob). The guitar turned into a mini-saga: I put passive pickups in it, but it didn't sound as good. I also took all the thick paint off one day -- because I was young as stupid -- which hurt the sound a bit more, I believe. Then I dropped it at a gig one night when I was drunk, breaking the headstock completely. It took out the pickups and gave it away to a guy who said he'd get it fixed and use it. He took it to a repair shop where it was stolen. :-) So, there's a hot, wood grain Charvel Model 5 in Melbourne somewhere. LOL. I think I've still got the active Jackson pickups stashed somewhere. I also had a late '80s Model 3. It was also a good guitar, and I can't remember why or where I got rid off it. Some years later, I had an older Model 3 -- the ones with the scratch plate and a "rear spring" Kahler -- which had one of the best necks I've owned. I hocked it for a few hundred bucks to help buy an old "mutt" San Dimas Charvel that I still own. (Jee, I'm writing my life story here. :-)). I also had a Kramer Focus, but it was a dud, having a dodgy neck or fretboard, obviously meaning the action couldn't be lowered enough without wrecking the sound. I was shattered when some Jacksons started being made in Asia, and I thought the Charvel toothpaste logo was an abomination that cheapened the brand. :-) I have a 1987 bolt-on, USA-made Jackson, which is great, but that's off topic. *ramble, ramble*. Ha ha. Eh, it's fun to reminisce.
I had an ‘87 Model 3 Charvel when I was 13 or so. Got rid of it because nobody ever explained the Floyd Rose system to me. And it was the mid/late 90’s, so RUclips wasn’t a thing, and the internet wasn’t the plethora of information it is now. I would give my left nut to have it back now.
Nice video, I have a Warrior Rick Derringer Signature Isabella with 2 Lindy FRALIN P90's and a singlecoil in the middle with a mann's tremolo like PRS in Surf Green, she is a Beauty and sounds Beautiful, the wood is 100 yr old alder and it only weights 6.5 pounds and I also own a Venetian white Duesenberg Starplayer TV Phonic
I have a rocket V2. It's an amazing guitar, everything is the highest quality.Made like a Les but with a Fender scale, all Duesenberg made parts. Right up there with the best, try one.
My brother brought home a starcaster by fender the other day. And so I played that dude and I was impressed. It actually plays almost as good as a super strat. Trust me when i say super cheap high quality with a starcaster strat make by fender
On thing I'd like to add about the model CHARVEL .I'm a real fan of them but in the last two years of them with the big "Toothpaste" logo . the neck was slightly smaller & more comfortable to me & it had a Schaller Floyd rose which previous years never had a floyd rose
New viewer here... my favorite undervalued guitar so far has to be my 2008 Gibson SG Classic w P90s. Sounds amazing and the chunky neck profile is sexy af. Plays like it was PLEKd too. Only $700. I keep buying and dumping Strats, but finally found a keeper: Eric Johnson Thinline. Checks all the boxes and occasionally quite reasonably priced. Got mine for ~$1100.
All great guitars, but I don’t think any of them - Solar and Chapman especially - are exactly obscure brands that fly under most people’s radar these days.
If you could, basses would be awesome to see on a list like this. There's some great stuff like the Ibanez ATK series that's a solid clone of a Stingray, the Gibson SB series which are student models from the 70s that are amazing, and a whole bunch of others that escape me right now. A lot of real great basses if you're willing to look past Fender and Musicman.
Just sold my Jackson dks. Had it for a while but it was one I never really played. However, sold it to buy an Ibanez J. Custom. I really traded up. Want to see which one wi s out of my collection for one I pick up to play, Monarch Majesty or the J Custom. Both shred machines.
Yeah me too, love my Majesty but it has become the one now that everything compare to for me. Picked up PRS artist V few months ago. Love it, love the tone, love the clean. Played it 3 shows live instead of Majesty. Switched back to Majesty. It just gets out of the way and lets you play with no effort. I still play the PRS, would record the PRS. For playing live though, at least rock and metal need the speed of Majesty. Hoping Ibanez j custom comes close. Honestly if they made a Majesty at 24.75 scale I would probably be done. Never need another guitar.
Those Charvel guitars were beyond phenomenal! I knew a guy who had one and it was amazing sounding and playing. While at NAMM as an endorser for another company in 2011, I took a break and checked out the Warrior stuff. I was blown away. The bass that I played was super expensive. While there, one of the owners offered me a deal to move over to them. He was going to give me a deal of half price of anything they build. While I was tempted, i realized that half off was still the price of a car. Haha. Edit: The Gibson Corvus! Hahahahahaha! I nearly laughed the hair off of my nuts on that one.
They are pricey because you get a Certificate of Authenticity plus he will let you know how old is the wood he used to build your instrument. I have a guitar and I love it
I do believe the 'Futura' was the original design for the 'Explorer'. Wiki, and the Gibson Patent drawings verify that. Also, I'm looking for a 'Moderne' if anyone has one they want to sell.
Sometimes you just have to buy a cheap Epiphone guitar and hot rod it with hot pickups....a great gigging guitar and no worries about damaging your vintage axe.
Check out the Yamaha 1220A, another 80s shredder. I have owned two over the years, the only reason I didn't keep one, I am not a shredder. I have been in the market for a Les Paul style guitar, I will have to check out the Vintage and Agile ones now.
Hi Robert. May I suggest that you check out Revelation guitars! I have tried several, and I own a Revelation 5 string Jazz Bass - which is better than any of the five Fender basses I have owned. Excellent quality and great sound for a very reasonable price. Best wishes from the UK.
I would mention Hamer in general. I still have a chaparral custom, top notch guitar. By the way, chaparral customs produced till 1986 will have the 24,75" scale. Mine seems to be an 87'
Warriors are stunning, but all boutique guitars are like that as far as not holding their value. I had a similar instance selling a McInturff several years ago. Another amazing boutique company is Melancon guitars as well.
It wouldn’t surprise me. RUclips does that. Unsubscribe and then resubscribe and hit the bell icon. That seems to reset everything so that you start getting alerts again.
@@RobertWJackson Will do! I’m down to just a couple of gear-channels now. I did a herd-thinning, but you weren’t one of them. Keep doing what you’re doing, Robert.
You just haven't been seen enough yet bud all your shows are cool 😎 👍 my favorite cheep but bad ass guitar is the first reissue of iceman from early 90s the guy from white zombie played one my mom got me one thinnest neck ever or Memphis and hondo
I swear by my Sawtooth heritage Gibson Les Paul, which has a flawless maple flame top finish, great to play and sounds great all for under $400.... plugged into my Peavey vypyr 100, it'll blow you away LOL
@@RobertWJackson They are geared towards rock and metal guys. The most famous I can remember is J. Yueger that used to play in White Zombie, SRV, Eric Johnson and the old lineup of pop metal band Slaughter.
When I lived in the US in 1983/85, I lived near Valley Arts. I played the first of those Strats and Teles and they were great.
How about Vintage Aria Pro ll’s, Ibanez Roadstar ll’s, Westone’s, Electra’s, Electra/Westone (transition guitars), Vintage Peavey’s, Lotus set neck LP style guitars that came with a brass nut, brass saddles and Dimarzio pick ups, also check out the rarely seen Vintage Takamine electric guitars.
Oh yeaH !!!! All excellent choices, Pat ! Don't forget Univox, Greco, Kawai. Vintage Peaveys are tough to beat !
@@leftyrighty5045 Greco. Yes. Ry Cooder used a Greco Les Paul on a tour a couple years back. It sounded great
I loved my Ovation Viper solid body mahogany rock maple fret board compound radiused made in 84, and grew a bit fond of Axl guitars.
The Charvel "Model" guitars were made by Fernandes in their Japanese factory. I own a Fernandes SJT-75 which is a Charvel Model 4 with "Fernandes" on the headstock, and made around 1986. Very rare.
⁹2
Carvin made top notch equipment I still have my DC600 and I used to have a 50-watt tube amp years ago, it was a good amp lots of power and a great reverb on it. Love Yamaha guitars as well they are solid. Good video brother!
I bough a creme Focus 1000 new at the Guitar Center on Ventura Blvd., in 1986. The salesman was the guitarist of Feme Fatale. Great guitar. Sold it to a friend when I went back to hard tail guitars. Stayed in tune great.
As far as Brands Zemaitis(Model-Buccaneer Island Ron Wood Signature), James Trussart(Any Model- Steelcaster, Rusty DeVille, etc), Caparison(Model TAT Speacial FX Adam Dutkiewicz Signature), Ormsby(GTR Hype-Machine). Coolest Duesenberg by far is the Joe Walsh Signature.👍🏼
My first guitar, at 14 years old in 1986, was a Kramer Focus 4000, which was a black Randy Rhoads "broken" V body. It was a Japanese made guitar, and it has always played great.
Yep, an original American Floyd Rose locking, fine tuning vibrato, Brazilian Rosewood fretboard, and Kramer hardshell case. Took out the two stock pickups the second day, put in DiMarzios, and two weeks later, replaced those with Duncans (which are still in the guitar).
Long live Randy Rhoads.
@@smwallace2368 Fuck yes!!! I still am inspired by his playing, all these years later
You really know your stuff. I thoroughly enjoy every video you do. Of all of the guitars you presented on this video, the grey burst Minarek was my favorite, you could tell the quality just by a glance.
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it. ;)
My BC Rich Gunslinger is under-loved! Got it cheap though so that’s a good thing! Another great video!
👍👍🎸🎸
Something you left out about the Valley Arts guitars: In the late 80s and early 90s Warmoth made the necks and bodies for them. All the Warmoth made parts for Valley Arts were 7/8 size
One of my early guitars is an Ibanez Gax 70, early 90’s. It was cheap, I was poor. Got razzed a bit for my gear. I bought a bunch of more expensive guitars and they’re ok, I guess. I keep picking up that gax. There’s something magical about it. Body style is comfy and the switch placement just gets me. I’m gonna get another one and throw a sustainer in it and scallop the neck. Love the channel!
I miss my Ibanez EX that thing was awesome
Yes, those Agile LPs are very fine guitars. Can’t get ‘em right now because of production delays but when they get them back in stock you should check them out. Best deal out there.
I have a early 90s Carvin SC90 in natural finish and a maple fret board, neck thru etc.... love this guitar.
The Agile AL-3200 is the best "bang for your buck" guitar IMO. It has a neck thru design with rounded heel and belly cut. Graphite nut and bridge saddles. Book matched flame maple cap top, not a laminate. Ebony fretboard with real MOP inlays. The 3200 is comparable to the Gibson Axcess, but runs new out of the box at $499. Add your favorite pups and you have a killer axe for under $700 bucks.
Hey guy, that Kramer Focus 1000 was the poor mans version of the Famous Kramer Baretta! It's an exact replica but was made in Japan instead of USA. At least mine was and I bought one way back when they first hit the market cuz I couldn't afford the Baretta, I was a young teen then with no job. Thanks for the memory!
Glad to see the Charvel Model Series on this list. I own 10 of them from the Model 1 thru Model 6 and they are all without exception, well made, great playing guitars.
speaking of charvel model series they actually went to 8.the model 8 is just a charvel spectrum which is a copy of a jackson custom shop jeff beck guitar(as seen in his video for ambitious).its a dinky with 3 single coils and a 51 p bass pickgaurd.the only difference between the model 8 and the spectrum is the model 8 has the classic guitar shaped headstock logo and the spectrum has the late 80s thru 90s toothpaste logo.and while the spectrum is getting harder to find at a reasonable price the model 8 even though its exactlly the same as the spectrum is very rare and more expensive.
I have an 86 Model 6, an 88 Model 6, a 91 475 Deluxe. Greatest production guitar ever made
Great video ! I would add Gordon Smith , Britain's best kept guitar secret ! I also liked the 80's Ibanez Destroyer , also reissued mid 90's with a choice of graphics , barbed wire, neon tiger stripes etc! My 90's choice would be the beautiful Charvel Surfcaster 👍
For consideration: Peavey T-60. I don't know how they stand objectively but I have one I got in 1978 and it's still a unique and special guitar.
Hi Robert, just found out your channel and I have to say I'm a big fan of yours now! Glad I found you out.
🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
The squier pro-tone series Tele and Strats are super under rated, and selling for more now than they did in 96-98 when they came out. The tele was matchstick maple top, ash body semi hollow with single coils, and a maple fret board, and the stat had alnico pickups, an ash body, and maple fret board. The "fat strat" had a Floyd rose and a bridge humbucker, and all had gold hardware, premium string trees, and machined bridge saddles. Fender USA stopped production of this series because the quality of these instruments rivaled the MIM and even the US made guitars.
Very cool video. I was friends with a recording artist way back when the V2 came out he got one rite away. Those are single coil pick ups. Bill Lawrence if i remember rite... Rawk on
Agile guitars are outstanding Robert. I have a 3100 model LP style with a factory installed Floyd Rose bridge and OEM Alnico V pickup’s. I bought it new last year for about $450. It looks, sounds, feels and plays great.
I own several & I don’t know this for a fact but I strongly suspect the Agile LPs are made in the Saien & Unsung factories where the Korean Epiphones were made. Very good quality. Highly recommend.
Was really hoping that you may have included the Mosrite guitar brand, one of my most favourite guitar companies, especially the Johnny Ramone series, I used to own a reissue made by Eastwood guitars, the comparison to the original seemed to me very close. The J/R Mach 2 had the mini humbucker in the neck, tele style single coil in the bridge, from the tuning keys to the volume & tone nobs it was pretty spot on... enjoyed this one Robert...
My Ventures model Mosrite was awesome, shoulda kept it...
Nice job! I've got some different brands to search now. Thank you, Robert!
I had the red Epiphone prophecy Les Paul. It was amazing. Gibson pickups, split coil. Beautiful guitar.
Epiphone included there is one bottom rung model to lust over. The special 1 p90 faded tv yellow. Just because the guitar itself cost about the same as a set of p90 pickups
Carvin V-220 which I happen to own . Marty Freidman and That dude from Jefferson Starship lol
I own a Jackson DK2M guitar, with Seymour Duncan (not Duncan Designed) pickups. It is my main guitar to this day and I have been using it since 2007. It has never failed me at all. I only have to retire it temporarily because of the lockdown and its frets are well worn.
Love these videos. Looking forward to part 3. Check out Godin guitars. Interesting design. Also, could you do a video on bass as well. I'm curious what you can find out about "Bass Collection" bass's. I've had one for well over 30 years that I'll never part with.
No, this isn’t a bass channel. Sorry man.
I had a carvin 2 12" combo amp, it freakin rocked
Speakin of jackson soloist , i acquired 1 in a trade . Playing mostly country ,southern rock , its not something id usually look at but played 10mins locked dwn the trem ,,1 of the best playing guitars iv sit with . Lov this neck wow.
I can vouch for the Agile Les Paul clones. I have one in Oceanburst Blue and it's beautiful. It also has a 5 piece neck thru body, Grover tuners, graphtec nut and string saver saddles, double bound body, neck and headstock. All stock. Brand new from their Korea factory: $500. Got mine used from eBay for $325. I'd put it up against my Gibson's any day.
You have the of most interesting channels on RUclips I enjoy everyone of your videos
Thanks man!
No love for the Peavey t-60? One of the first guitars to be mass produced with CNC, unique styling and sound, and a USA made guitar that can be had for less than $500 if you look around.
You mean the boat paddle with strings? (Relax, I’m kidding! 🤣🤣🤣)
Great guitars, but the purpose of this list is to point some less obscure guitars that are often overlooked. The Peavey T series are all over the place and most people seem to be familiar with them.
@@RobertWJackson haha fair enough. I guess I was thinking in terms of "bang for your buck" and less about how obscure they are.
Alternatively you'd have also been right if you called it the "Chuck Shultz Stratocaster"
Sweet! A friend of mine plays bass for Hollywood Vampires and used to play for The Cult and most recently, Ace Frehely, Chris Wyse. He's also one of the bassists who is in the film Some Kind of Monster, where Metallica picked out Trujillio (I know I botched that spelling). You might have heard of them. Some friend of mine saw them in the front row a few months back, but I can't remember who that friend was. Hmm.... :D
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Remember the Aria Pro II RS Knight Warrior? I had a purple burst one with the blade pickups and a Kahler. Man! That was actually one of the silky smoothest guitars Ive ever played. I still kick myself (30 years later) for selling it. Dang it!! On an Epiphone note.... I have a '99 Korean SG in black and it holds its own with my Gibson LP Traditional and my '76 Re-Issue Explorer. Ive owned MANY other Epiphones throughout my life and they all seemed to lack "something". could never quite put my finger on what was wrong. But the '99 SG is absolutely a keeper. Ive learned my lesson about selling off a great guitar because of a name or value. Dang it!!
+1 for Vintage brand.
I have Vintage V2 Reissued tele.
She's excellent And good value.
I played a flying v2 in 1980 at a local shop .a very interesting model the boomerang shaped pickups are single coils.price $698.oh those were the days....
Great video Robert, I remember the Gibson V2, they also had an Explorer version, my friend had one, I had a 1983 Gibson the 'V', natural finish with body binding, but I traded it for a 1979 Fender Twin Silver Face, because on the back of the headstock was the word 'second' stamped on it & a friend told me it was scrapped, so I believed him & got rid of the 'V', stupid move, great video bro, thanks for sharing, rock on !!!
Your friend was correct. The “2ND” stamped on the back of the headstock means it was a factory second, or one that they sold at a significant discount because it was not up to Gibson’s factory standards for some reason, but was still fully functional. You probably did okay by trading it for a Fender Twin.
Check out Hanson guitars (no relation to the pop band). The Cigno is a really great instrument with 3 P90s and isn’t crazy expensive
Hot dang, there's a Vintage dealer right in my town. I will be checking those out for sure.
Warrior guitars is based where I'm from. They are mainly known for their basses.
Cool enjoyable video I being a guitar guy know all of these nice picks keep up the good work !!
Man I've got a Tom Anderson Tele with a arm and belly cut that is amazing. Love it.
Other than my V90, the V 2 is the only other Flying V I’d love to have.
Valley Arts were on a par with the early Pensa - Suhr or Tom Anderson guitars, high end builds used by a lot of the LA studio guys including Larry Carlton. They were eventually bought by Gibson and well, you know what happens to companies bought by Gibson.
Yep, I’m familiar with Valley Arts. Great guitars. I’m also familiar with what happens to a company when acquired by Gibson. LOL Cakewalk, Kramer, Tobias, Philips-Onkyo... Where they at???
They had to divest the companies in the bankruptcy so Cakewalk is trying to come back. KRK survived. They also had Cerwin Vega, Baldwin, Steinberger, they destroyed Opcode, yet they never did the obvious thing of bringing back their classic amps which are sought after. They should do that instead of putting dip switches and printed circuits into les Pauls.
My wife bought a Les Paul C F Martin Stinger SPX back in the mid 90´s and never played it. When I met my wife she gave it to me. I´m wondering how good the quality is, the guitar was made in Korea.
Love my Vintage V6M24...got it for $150 on eBay new! My first gift to myself for quitting smoking cigs...
Another awesome video Robert! I'll keep checking these out because I thought there might have been a small chance I'd see you mention Fernandes this time around. I know you're probably busy so hopefully you get a chance to check them out in the near future!
Fernandes have been around for a long time. Rick Springfield has been smashing them on stage for decades. LOL
Speaking of pointy shredders, whatever happened to Conklin guitars? I remember those little ads in the back of Guitar World in the 80s. Not much comes up on web searches about them. I guess they only make basses now.
Great list. Haven't heard of a lot of these brands.
Almost forgot to mention Ovation Applause & Washburn EC-29 w/Floyd rose lic. &Active pickup. Heard they also made an EC-32 (Extended Cutaway) but never seen one.
Just discovered your channel. I am thoroughly enjoying your videos!
Thanks man!
I think that Mike from Destruction had a Gibson Flying V 2 in the cover of their great album "Release from Agony"!
Cheers from Portugal 🍺🤘
Electra flying V. ,Silvertone sunburst Les Paul neck-thru Copy? Awesome sounding.
Hi Robert. Very cool guitars. 😁👍
Great job on the video. Its apparent you've worked on your narration. You picked up the speed a nit and I dont tjink you said "um" once. Lol.
Not being mean. I have always liked you and your videos but, sometimes it was hard to listen due too your speech. Im glad you've taken proactive response to peoples comments. Thanks man. Your great and only getting better. Have a good one and take it easy !
Well said. Speaking in public or on camera isn't as easy as it looks; keep up the good work Robert.
I have noticed the improvement in your presentations, too. What he said.
I still have my Charvel Model 5, I love it. Bought it new around 1988-89. I have a Jackson (japan made) that is like the charvel model 6 i bought at the same time has the same pre amp and worked awesome with my old Carvin x100 stack. These great Guitar videos are cool
Thanks man!
Knew there was a V2
They were nice guitars
The one 4th from the left looked horrendous in person, but the others looked cool, and they all played nicely
I had a black Charvel Model 5 like that, but the one with the flat/top-mounted Kahler trem. I'll never forget that I paid $950 Aussie dollars for it used in about 1989, which was a good deal at the time. The fretboard (or frets) wasn't perfect (it had a slight hump), but it still played well. It was my first "real" guitar that I loved.
Incidentally, for those who don't know (and might be interested :-) ), the flat mount Kahler has some advantages over the Floyd Rose -- larger bar bend range, larger fining tune range, and it's much easier to adjust individual string height in intonation -- but overall, I think the Floyd is better, mostly because the strings lock at both ends, and they look better, LOL.. Some people say they can hear sound differences, but I never could.
I'd describe the active pickup preamp boost as being significant, rather than "a little bit more oomph", but that's nitpicky; I know you weren't being literal. :-)
The guitar sounded great, but it was drag playing live when trying to quickly switch from the cleanest sound to the dirtiest sound, because it involves turning the boost on or off, and pulling the knob up to split the coils (unless my memory's fading, and it didn't have a split coil knob).
The guitar turned into a mini-saga: I put passive pickups in it, but it didn't sound as good. I also took all the thick paint off one day -- because I was young as stupid -- which hurt the sound a bit more, I believe. Then I dropped it at a gig one night when I was drunk, breaking the headstock completely. It took out the pickups and gave it away to a guy who said he'd get it fixed and use it. He took it to a repair shop where it was stolen. :-) So, there's a hot, wood grain Charvel Model 5 in Melbourne somewhere. LOL. I think I've still got the active Jackson pickups stashed somewhere.
I also had a late '80s Model 3. It was also a good guitar, and I can't remember why or where I got rid off it.
Some years later, I had an older Model 3 -- the ones with the scratch plate and a "rear spring" Kahler -- which had one of the best necks I've owned. I hocked it for a few hundred bucks to help buy an old "mutt" San Dimas Charvel that I still own. (Jee, I'm writing my life story here. :-)).
I also had a Kramer Focus, but it was a dud, having a dodgy neck or fretboard, obviously meaning the action couldn't be lowered enough without wrecking the sound.
I was shattered when some Jacksons started being made in Asia, and I thought the Charvel toothpaste logo was an abomination that cheapened the brand. :-)
I have a 1987 bolt-on, USA-made Jackson, which is great, but that's off topic.
*ramble, ramble*. Ha ha. Eh, it's fun to reminisce.
Oops, there' s a few typos there. Ha
I had an ‘87 Model 3 Charvel when I was 13 or so. Got rid of it because nobody ever explained the Floyd Rose system to me. And it was the mid/late 90’s, so RUclips wasn’t a thing, and the internet wasn’t the plethora of information it is now. I would give my left nut to have it back now.
when i first got into guitar i had a hondo les paul and a univox lp jr
Nice video, I have a Warrior Rick Derringer Signature Isabella with 2 Lindy FRALIN P90's and a singlecoil in the middle with a mann's tremolo like PRS in Surf Green, she is a Beauty and sounds Beautiful, the wood is 100 yr old alder and it only weights 6.5 pounds and I also own a Venetian white Duesenberg Starplayer TV Phonic
Love the honesty, all your vids r helpful thanks
Thanks man! Glad you’ve enjoyed them!
9:33 "oh shit there's only 1 pickup. 🤔"
I have a rocket V2. It's an amazing guitar, everything is the highest quality.Made like a Les but with a Fender scale, all Duesenberg made parts.
Right up there with the best, try one.
My brother brought home a starcaster by fender the other day. And so I played that dude and I was impressed. It actually plays almost as good as a super strat. Trust me when i say super cheap high quality with a starcaster strat make by fender
On thing I'd like to add about the model CHARVEL .I'm a real fan of them but in the last two years of them with the big "Toothpaste" logo . the neck was slightly smaller & more comfortable to me & it had a Schaller Floyd rose which previous years never had a floyd rose
New viewer here... my favorite undervalued guitar so far has to be my 2008 Gibson SG Classic w P90s. Sounds amazing and the chunky neck profile is sexy af. Plays like it was PLEKd too. Only $700.
I keep buying and dumping Strats, but finally found a keeper: Eric Johnson Thinline. Checks all the boxes and occasionally quite reasonably priced. Got mine for ~$1100.
Greg Benett Avion av3 and av6 are awesome guitars. I got one myself
The Washburn A20 should definitely be included in this list...
Ormsby, Aristides, Mayones, Solar and Chapman are a few brands that needs to be included. I also believe that SGJ and LPJ were under appreciated.
All great guitars, but I don’t think any of them - Solar and Chapman especially - are exactly obscure brands that fly under most people’s radar these days.
If you could, basses would be awesome to see on a list like this. There's some great stuff like the Ibanez ATK series that's a solid clone of a Stingray, the Gibson SB series which are student models from the 70s that are amazing, and a whole bunch of others that escape me right now. A lot of real great basses if you're willing to look past Fender and Musicman.
I want a Charvel Surfcaster or the Jackson version of it.
Just sold my Jackson dks. Had it for a while but it was one I never really played. However, sold it to buy an Ibanez J. Custom. I really traded up. Want to see which one wi s out of my collection for one I pick up to play, Monarch Majesty or the J Custom. Both shred machines.
Majesty all day long, for me. But you already know that. LOL
Yeah me too, love my Majesty but it has become the one now that everything compare to for me. Picked up PRS artist V few months ago. Love it, love the tone, love the clean. Played it 3 shows live instead of Majesty. Switched back to Majesty. It just gets out of the way and lets you play with no effort. I still play the PRS, would record the PRS. For playing live though, at least rock and metal need the speed of Majesty. Hoping Ibanez j custom comes close.
Honestly if they made a Majesty at 24.75 scale I would probably be done. Never need another guitar.
Those Charvel guitars were beyond phenomenal! I knew a guy who had one and it was amazing sounding and playing.
While at NAMM as an endorser for another company in 2011, I took a break and checked out the Warrior stuff. I was blown away. The bass that I played was super expensive. While there, one of the owners offered me a deal to move over to them. He was going to give me a deal of half price of anything they build. While I was tempted, i realized that half off was still the price of a car. Haha.
Edit: The Gibson Corvus! Hahahahahaha! I nearly laughed the hair off of my nuts on that one.
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They are pricey because you get a Certificate of Authenticity plus he will let you know how old is the wood he used to build your instrument. I have a guitar and I love it
Dusenberg also makes some great string benders.
I do believe the 'Futura' was the original design for the 'Explorer'. Wiki, and the Gibson Patent drawings verify that. Also, I'm looking for a 'Moderne' if anyone has one they want to sell.
Gods, how I regret being too broke to buy a Moderne when I had the opportunity back in the 80s' at least I can truthfully say I played one.
Sometimes you just have to buy a cheap Epiphone guitar and hot rod it with hot pickups....a great gigging guitar and no worries about damaging your vintage axe.
Check out the Yamaha 1220A, another 80s shredder. I have owned two over the years, the only reason I didn't keep one, I am not a shredder. I have been in the market for a Les Paul style guitar, I will have to check out the Vintage and Agile ones now.
If there’s a part 3 include the 91-93 Fender Prodigy. It’s a super strat. Great guitar that sounds every bit as good as my Gibson’s.
Id play a neck thru agile Les Paul before a Gibby.
I have both...no way.
Hi Robert. May I suggest that you check out Revelation guitars! I have tried several, and I own a Revelation 5 string Jazz Bass - which is better than any of the five Fender basses I have owned. Excellent quality and great sound for a very reasonable price. Best wishes from the UK.
Robert, I thoroughly enjoyed this video!
Thanks, glad to hear it!
Joe satrioni Ibanez models all scream with sustain . Even the lowly js100 is fantastic.
I would mention Hamer in general. I still have a chaparral custom, top notch guitar. By the way, chaparral customs produced till 1986 will have the 24,75" scale. Mine seems to be an 87'
I love Hamers! I’d love to find one of their Explorer-style guitars.
I had a Gibson Flying V2. Awesome instrument.
Warriors are stunning, but all boutique guitars are like that as far as not holding their value. I had a similar instance selling a McInturff several years ago. Another amazing boutique company is Melancon guitars as well.
I’ve seen 3 older-videos I’ve missed before this morning. I wonder if I’m not always getting alerts?
It wouldn’t surprise me. RUclips does that. Unsubscribe and then resubscribe and hit the bell icon. That seems to reset everything so that you start getting alerts again.
@@RobertWJackson Will do! I’m down to just a couple of gear-channels now. I did a herd-thinning, but you weren’t one of them.
Keep doing what you’re doing, Robert.
Last year I added an 87 model 2 Charvel. Paid $90$ w/original chainsaw case. All original. One of my favorite guitars I have ever bought.
Nice!
You just haven't been seen enough yet bud all your shows are cool 😎 👍 my favorite cheep but bad ass guitar is the first reissue of iceman from early 90s the guy from white zombie played one my mom got me one thinnest neck ever or Memphis and hondo
Great video man Thanks
thank you ! greetings from Greece
Great Selection Robert your Right on the Money!,Esp the Warrior Guitar
I swear by my Sawtooth heritage Gibson Les Paul, which has a flawless maple flame top finish, great to play and sounds great all for under $400.... plugged into my Peavey vypyr 100, it'll blow you away LOL
Psst .... don't tell them all about DeArmonds; I haven't got the full set yet.
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You are safe on that.
How about the Epiphone Genesis, Gibson 335s solidbody,ESP 400 series, and Samick's Valley Arts inspired Strats.
The 2012 Classic Custom was a fantastic guitar ❤️ ... and are unique, with a baked maple fretboard.
Agreed, one of my favorite Les Paul models. I’d love to have one. They’re impossible to find now.
Have you ever played a Robin? I always wondered how well those offset v headstocks stay in tune.
No, I admit I’m not familiar with them. I’ll look into them.
@@RobertWJackson They are geared towards rock and metal guys. The most famous I can remember is J. Yueger that used to play in White Zombie, SRV, Eric Johnson and the old lineup of pop metal band Slaughter.