A good, cheap electric guitar

[oniman7]

Hello, TB. Although I love bass, I have been composing. I would like to get into video game/TV composing and that sort of thing. I am trying to reconnect with my rock roots to create a rock/post rock instrumental sound for certain things that VST's just won't cut.

Think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTGlrcReWrk (great tone at around 1:10)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzIuWqeHtcg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlV1hsOd_WA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kTBbTSjZpI (Don't judge - I probably wouldn't do vocals though)

And, just because they sound like soundtrack music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCA689lvfpI

So, I need it to range from good clean tones to heavy tones. Not necessarily able to emulate period authentic blues or country or jazz, just close enough to a wide variety of tones to be believable.

I am leaning on one side towards a Squire or Mexi Fender Strat (potentially with a bridge Humbucker) or an Ibanez/Schecter.

7 String would be cool if it fell in, but not a priority.

I won't have the money for a while, but looking to spend no more than $200-300.

What would you do?

[Illini10]

One of my guitarists has a Mexi Strat Blacktop HH that he spent about $500 on. I don't think you're going to find a Fender HSS cheaper that $400 unless you find a used one somewhere. Squier has some HSS strats in the range you're looking for.

[hover]

Have you heard of www.rondomusic.com ?

plenty of pretty decent guitars there (including 7 & 8 strings, yes) that would more than fit the bill. 15 pages of different guitars to choose from.

[oniman7]

I'm seriously interested in the ESP Ltd H101. I will try to get my hands on some of these as well as Strats. I also think I want the Blackstar HT1 amp.

I did check out Rondo. My old guitarist had an Agile Les Paul from there and our engineer preferred its sound over his Gibson. However, the lines in my budget range don't have a very good low tone that I want.

[colcifer]

A used mexi strat in decent condition will do you fine. You might find one with upgrades but at that price, it'll most likely be stock. I recommend you use 11s. I'm a Thomastic Infeld fan, FWIW.

[EricF]

As with basses, the Squier Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe guitars are very good for the money.

[oniman7]

A guitarist in a local band has offered to let me try his Indonesian Squier Strat as well as an ESP Viper. $150 for the Strat and $250 for the ESP

[6jase5]

Not strat like, but a cheap man's les paul....

As far as cheap used guitars, grab anything of the better Dearmonds that had the USA gold pickups. Guitar Center and others had to blow them out years ago at $200 each because they were outselling the higher ended Gretsch guitars and it was a corporate decision.

Their bass starfire copy is the only good one in my opinion (I have one) goes for around $700+ used and the better les paul copies (that sold for $200) fetch $500+ but you can find them for $200-$300 (I have a few) if you are patient.

[curbowkid]

Guitar centers used section can toss you a squire for 70-100 bucks

[pocketgroove]

Originally Posted by curbowkid

Guitar centers used section can toss you a squire for 70-100 bucks

...with all the knobs missing and skyscraper action.

[curbowkid]

Originally Posted by pocketgroove

...with all the knobs missing and skyscraper action.

No. I've seen pretty good condition ones in the store near me for that price.

[bassistjoe93]

I picked up a barely used MIM Fender strat for $100 off a guy my age on CL who needed to pay some bills. It has suited my needs just fine!

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by EricF

As with basses, the Squier Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe guitars are very good for the money.

+1 good guitar for the money new and if you find a used one a steal.

I know a guy who works in the music biz (store/repair) and he has worked a few VM and CV guitars and basses that guys are buying modding and putting Fender decals on the headstock to hide it. He said they sound and play as good as any MIA and nobody knows and they save $$.

[Webtroll]

Find a used Peavey T-60. They cover a wide variety of tones and are very good guitars. Heavy, but if you're just recording that shouldn't be an issue.

[baba]

Used Mexican Fender Strat. They are usually all over Craigslist.

[Bassbubble11]

Check out the Agile brand at www.rondomusic.com
You will not find better guitars at there price points.

[hover]

Originally Posted by Bassbubble11

Check out the Agile brand at www.rondomusic.com
You will not find better guitars at there price points.

Exactly. see post #3. and sentence two of post #4.

[Richland123]

I bought my son a really nice Epiphone SG model that is amazing for the price.

Some friends of mine swear by the Fender Squiers and Danelectro guitars for inexpensive decent guitars.

[gjbassist]

Originally Posted by Bassbubble11

Check out the Agile brand at www.rondomusic.com
You will not find better guitars at there price points.

+1
Even the SX brand is IMO a very good guitar for the money. I bought my daughter an SX strat copy a couple years ago and it's been a very good guitar.

[inthevelvet]

As with basses, the Squier Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe guitars are very good for the money.

+1

Also, some of the epiphone offerings are pretty reasonable and sound damn good. Same thing with some of the ESP LTD stuff. For 7 string I'd go the LTD route. Used you can find these around $300. I don't have experience with their guitars, but I picked up a used schecter bass awhile back and while the modern style isn't my thing, it's a damn nice bass for what I paid for it.