Help this bassist choose a guitar

[jj4001]

Same advice I'd give someone looking for a solid entry level bass: Consider Harley Benton. Not very expensive, reasonable build quality (not just "reasoanble for the price") and "good enough" sound.

They have a gorgeous semi-hollow guitar I'd be sorely tempted by if we weren't moving.

I’d love one of those Harley Benton Les Paul Jrs but I can’t find one that isn’t way more than I’m willing to spend. Tried talking my friend into selling me his. Then after I asked, he started playing it again and decided he liked it too much to sell. So close lol

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

Guitar Center seems to have a lot of Squiers around your price point:

Used Squier Guitars | Guitar Center

Save money on Used Squier Guitars at Guitar Center. All pre-owned items are rated and scored. Buy online or at your local store today!

www.guitarcenter.com

 

[higain617]

My old bandmate had a modded Squier Bullet that played quite well.

 

[lowplaces]

Don’t worry about the trem, you can just add springs and/or screw down the claw. It won’t move

Yep

 

[getting-bassed]

Guitar Center seems to have a lot of Squiers around your price point:

Used Squier Guitars | Guitar Center

Save money on Used Squier Guitars at Guitar Center. All pre-owned items are rated and scored. Buy online or at your local store today!

www.guitarcenter.com

Great looking burgundy mist squier strat on there.

 

[Reedt2000]

I'd buy a used squier fat strat, something a step or two above the Affinity models. I much prefer the humbucker at the bridge on a strat, makes it much more versatile (IMHO)

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I have a classic vibe Thinline Telecaster.
A used classic vibe Strat or the sonic would be my choice.

 

[pineweasel]

Block the tremolo with a piece of wood. I did this with my first cheap Strat, although I later removed the block and grew to love it.

 

[Pings Bass]

I got a squier mini for like 100 and it totally puts down a strat sound, assuming you can handle the short scale

 

[ajkula66]

Guitar Center seems to have a lot of Squiers around your price point:

Used Squier Guitars | Guitar Center

Save money on Used Squier Guitars at Guitar Center. All pre-owned items are rated and scored. Buy online or at your local store today!

www.guitarcenter.com

This. The best return policy on used gear as well, just in case you end up disliking the purchase.

Happy shopping.

 

[logdrum]

A Squire Telecaster CV or something. If you only have 200 get used or stretch it out a but do not get anything lower than the affinity

 

[logdrum]

You can also ask a crop pilot if you can have a piece of the old hangar they are replacing, and make a guitar shaped body out of reclaimed pine, find some old vintage Gretsch filtertrons, scavenge a neck and screw them all together,

 

[digmeout]

It's pretty easy to remove the arm and block the trem on a Strat if you prefer the rosewood board. I have two Strat's I've done this to, it just turns them into hardtails.

 

[Gopherbassist]

This one looks pretty nice:

 

[devnulljp]

They;re both garbage. Save up a few bucks and buy a CV

 

[StringCanvas]

As it is low budget guitars, i would go for the new one which has eventually 25 years of production improvement, and return policy if ever you have a problem with.

I want to second (actually, it's be quoted, so probably third or fourth) this comment, because it's true. As someone who has played a ton of Squier stuff over the past 25 years, the difference in consistency and playability in their instruments is unbelievably better. It used to be a crapshoot what would come off the production line. The changes in automation have made them consistent (even if not really remarkable) guitars. The probability of getting a better playing guitar is soooo much higher if you're choosing between these two guitars without playing them first.

Also, if you're going to get the '99, I'd strongly suggest blocking/decking the bridge. My experience with the 90s/early 2000s Squier strat bridges has been less than encouraging. I'm also someone who "just bangs out powerchords" like you, save yourself the trouble on that trem.

Besides, if you're just using it to flesh out demos, nobody is going to hear that rosewood.

 

[richardroquette]

Your profile says that you are in RI. I would go to Guitar Center and see what used guitars feel good to you. I would not limit myself to strats or LPs (I have both) initially. When I play guitar these days, I play an electric Takamine that I got used somewhere, which feels great, and I don't even remember when or why I got it.

 

[bassdude51]

An overseas made Telecaster.

 

[singlemalt]

If you are going to be playing guitar mostly sitting, pay attention to the ergonomics.

The cut in the lower bout will determine where this thing sits in your lap.

Some guitars sit way over to the right and you’ll be crowded trying reach the upper frets.

Some neck dive.

Tele’s sit in the right place, but lack any creature comforts like belly cut and arm cuts.

Your going to spend hours crouched over and around this thing, it should be comfortable first and foremost.

So go try lots of guitars. It about the only thing real bricks and mortar stores are good for. Go in at opening time. On a weekday.

And go used. Once you know what you want, look at craigslist or other local classifieds.

Are you comfortable doing some basic set up work? Neck shim, fret polish, neck sanding, fret ends, wiring?

You can really sweeten up a cheap guitar.

I took a flyer on the $85 Glarry thinline tele. After some work, it’s surprisingly good. Is it in line with a $400 Sterling. No.

But does tele spank just fine. And while it doesn’t have comfort curves, it sits nice in my lap. On a strap? It’s a total Uboat. Such are tele’s.

Good hunting.

The very low price guitars are coming out of the same Asian factories as the name brands.

 

[waynobass]

... I’ve got my heart set on a Strat.

Reminder to everyone recommending Telecasters!