Expensive Guitars - Are They Worth The Money?

Expensive Guitars... Are They Worth The Money?
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[@74dartman13]

With the debate on one piece bodies vs. multiple piece bodies. I always go back to what my wood shop teacher taught us over 40 years ago. When you take several boards and glue them together with alternating grain, it makes a stronger, more stable chunk of wood than one piece the same size! Personally, I would rather have a body made of 2 or 3 pieces than one made from a single slab. The one piece seems like it could warp or crack easier than one made of several pieces. It's just my weird opinion!😀

[@rickpearce9239]

Not a weird opinion at all. I agree.

[@gillesgenete9598]

Hello, I partially agree with you. Yes several pieces glued together could be stronger, but it's not the point. Music is vibration, so the question is how does the body and neck vibrate, whatever the strength/number of parts. There once was a very interesting vid by Fender on how luthier chose their timber by knocking listening their vibrations and adapting neck to body by ear. Also density and dryness ( not sure it's an English word) are parameters that impact vibrations. About solid flamed or veneer, it may impact vibrations, not sure one can hear the difference, nut I would question the durability of glu after decades of playing, anyway the relicing you make playing could be smart. My experience of cheap guitars is not positive, HB 35 and Vintage VS6: too many flaws and difficult set up, I do prefer Epiphone and Squier, may be it's only a better quality control and better building methods.. I do have Chinese Ibanez that are perfect, tone wise and finish, but 3 times the price of HB. Those Ibanez are as good as US made guitars that cost 3 times the Ibanez. One parameter that can't be measured is the feeling of the guitar in your hand, I had a perfect PRS SE Santana, but sold it because I didn't feel it, I have a low end Fender mexican strat not perfect but keep it because I feel it. At the end of the day, from this vid, the Carvin Kiezel is appealing me 🤗

[@TheChocolateChamp]

@@gillesgenete9598 no guitar should cost thousands of dollars period. I think your idea about the glue would make more sense of the guitar wasn't protected from all the elements when it's finished

[@bobsullivan5714]

74dart...., Nope....Not just your opinion. It's a fact. Cannot be debated. Laminated structural beams can be rated for a MUCH GREATER tensile load. This is a engineering fact commonly employed by architechts world wide.

[@jamesguitar7384]

@@bobsullivan5714 Actually engineers do the structural analysis not architects who very often get the credit for this .

[@robertmakins5070]

As long as a guitar stays in tune and has half decent pickups it's good.

[@mrjah603]

It also needs a good neck and quality fretwork, along with a good setup. These things take time to do right and time=money. If you can do it yourself, you can make a Squier play as well as a Fender and save a bundle of cash.

[@v8hotrodlincoln]

dirty_fingers Yes, agreed also intonation calibration Really counts as well... I am my own technician I can do a very pro set up... I adjust truss rod first if needed.... also on tremolo equipped guitars the bridge has got to be exactly parallel to the body when the guitar is tuned to pitch or it will fall out of tune every time you even touch the trem bar...

[@edigabrieli7864]

Dirty finger. I agree, I buy cheap guitars and as soon as I get them I take them to my guitar tech for another $120 he set them up to perfection including fret leveling if necessary. Still a good deal.

[@Lotus14S2]

Here is my non-expert take on expensive guitars, which I learned when I first started playing guitar 20 or so years ago. When I started there was a book on guitars, playing, with a discussion of types and techniques. I bought this book, as it seemed to be a good introduction to the guitar. In the introduction to the book the author related a story based on his experience. He was in a band that was opening for a famous band with a famous guitarist. He was on stage doing a sound check when the guitarist appeared on the stage, The author introduced himself, and commented on the very expensive custom guitar that the hero played. The fellow asked the author if he would like to try it, to which he jumped at the chance. The hero asked to play the author’s guitar, also. Well, the author came away a little disappointed, as he sounded just the same with the expensive guitar as with his inexpensive guitar, where as the guitar hero sound just like the guitar hero on his cheap guitar. The moral of the story, was the sound that came out of the guitars was the result of the players hands and not the cost of the guitar. Although I owned and played a wide range of guitars, I have never been attracted to high end, although I did buy an expensive Gibson Less Paul (cheap by today standards). But the guitars that has always been my favorite, was a Mexican Strat, given to me as a present by my wife when I first started, and a used Japanese Squire Telecaster, I refinished and added my own hardware, and pickups.

[@aliengrey6052]

Bingo! Correct!!!!!!!

[@phililpb]

I heard a similar story with Eddie Van Halen and Brian May. both had very unique guitars (neither of which were initially very expensive although both are priceless now) they both had a very unique sound. they played each others rig and the same thing happened. Brian sounded like Brian and EVH sounded like EVH.

[@Luckyrider1958]

@@phililpb YEP.. and both were HOME MADE guitars!!

[@MattyBEightyThree]

John - your ability to create cogent, rational hypotheses and support them with reason is a breath of fresh air. Keep up the good work!

[@ricktownhill494]

I think that the rule that my father in law told me about wine, applies pretty well to guitars...... "You can pay as much or as little for it as you want to. But, it's only a good one if you actually LIKE IT!!!

[@tball5677]

Heres my take on this. If the over priced boutique guitar inspires you to pick it up and play, its money well spent. If it sits in a case, sell it and use it on some other hobby I buy mid range guitars on the used market. There are thousands of barely used guitars at sometimes half the price.

[@Barbarapape]

A friend ordered a Fender Custom Shop Strat, at the same time i ordered a similar strat from 42nd Street, i received mine in a few months, 3 years later my friends Custom Shop arrived. Only to find that my cheaper U.K. made guitar was far better finished, sounded and played far better. My point is that price and reputation are no guarantee of qaulity.

[@blueslsd]

Really nice vid, I to have been playing for over 35 years and started when cheap guitars were basically unplayable!! This was true in the 70's but now the building techniques are so much better and as there more computerised so much cheaper. So the quality of the cheaper stuff has shot up and the top of the range has stayed the same. This is what is overlooked now. Cheap can be good enough now. I have the paisley HB ST70 and it plays well, sounds as it should, and stays in tune. What more could I want.

[@aevoguitars2576]

Frank Smith .hi frank, you hit the nail on the head. some of the high end guitars are worse than the 400- 500 range. i.can spot a minger( english slang) ten foot away. at the big factories you get people who love their jobs and go the extra mile to produce quality and some times some duffers slip through the net. i remember the budget guitars from the seventies( i used to fix them) expensive and crap. A positive thing about expensive guitars is .sometimes you have a good resale value. the other thing that doesnt get mentioned on this podcast is cheap doesnt always help the employee . I will keep trying to make perfect guitars with beautiful woods, nice hardware etc as im tired of looking at sub 100 £ u€ $ budget guitars. they just dont appeal to me.

[@adampovey6926]

@@aevoguitars2576 I agree with your comment about the £400 - £500 range being sometimes better than their more expensive counter parts. I'm very good friends with a local luthier and sometimes help out so I get to handle a lot of different brands and quality levels. When it comes to playing I'm a total beginner but when it comes to quality inspection I know what I'm talking about. The guitar I own is a Squier vintage modified 70's strat and I've found that the quality of my Squier is comparable to if not better than many of the much more expensive Fender strats of a similar age. Recently there have been a few Harley Bentons come through the shop and for the price they are very good guitars and according to customers very playable. You make some very good points about custom made guitars as well and another positive about custom made is that you can get it made to your exact specs. Good cheap guitars are good for beginners as these days they are actually playable so fewer young players get put off, yet custom guitars are good for the experienced player as they can get it built to their exact spec's in what ever woods they desire and what colour, shape, neck profile, pickups etc to get as you say the perfect guitar for them.

[@bkbland1626]

Word on the Carvins. Those are sweet guitars. I have 5 of them.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

I wish I bought one when they used to offer them in their catalogs my next guitar purchase for sure is a Carvin guitar

[@godwillhunting2]

The best money spent on an electric guitar is in the Amp you plug it into. I stopped playing for 15 years for personal reasons and when I got back into it everything changed. Long story short, back in the mid 70's when I started playing I had at one time 2 different Fender american made strats and through the years various other guitars. I had always wanted a Les Paul and a Telecaster. Now.. I have an Epiphone Les Paul plus top pro... a Squier classic vibe 50's Telecaster and a Squier classic vibe 60's Stratocaster. The 3 guitars I had always wanted and now could afford to have. I don't feel the least bit compromised as I think they all bring you the real experience and unique sound qualities of each guitar as well as the playability. I may upgrade at some point but at the moment feel no need to.

[@Axess-sv8nq]

There's a population of musicians who will shame, or scoff at, anyone who is playing any brand of guitar that they consider beneath them. I was talking in a comments section about how beginners shouldn't be discouraged if some other beginner, who has a ton of disposable money, has a custom shop Fender or Gibson while they have an Epiphone or Squier. And, oh, did I get the vitriol coming my way from the gear snobs! The Epiphones and the Squiers can be modded to sound and feel excellent for not very large of a cost! I, myself have owned Gibsons, Fenders, less expensive guitars and copies of Fenders and Gibsons. I gravitate toward the latter because I can mod them without worrying about taking a risk of damaging an expensive guitar - if that unfortunately happens. I also love to center on the less expensive stuff because I tailor-make it to suit my hands and my style. So, it's a win-win: - no big price paid at the outset - no big price paid for upgrades - very low risk for high reward

[@peppik]

Great analysis John! A few things I learned in my career as a guitar-player: 1. Wood is unpredictable 2. Never buy a new, expensive guitar from an expensive manufacturer unless you`re rich (this would come down to cars as well) 3. Everything relating to musical instruments such as vintage or popular guitars, amps & effects is based on myth, speculations, sentimental values and ... profit. A few years ago I put together a Strat from the cheapest components I could get. It cost me 300 Euros (even more expensive than a H.B.). After I finished the project I had to do a refretting which cost me further 160 Euros. So the whole thing was an investment of nearly 500 Euros. I could have bought three H.B. for that money. So why did I do that? Simply because it was fun. It's my favourite el. guitar today but I would never claim it's the best guitar in the world because it isn't. It's good enough for me based on the three points I mentioned above.

[@carlosalves6844]

Guitar players,myself included are in some ways a funny bunch. The nostalgia of the glory days of rock and brand conditioning over the decades have been so strong that we associate quality to whatever some Rock/pop star uses. If Slash or Santana Jimmy Page or whoever used a HB or any other budget guitar brand to record a platinum selling album, or use in a live gig, guitar players would be out in droves buying the thing. Its wood with strings and pickups. ADMITABLY some are made better than others, buthow much better? For me it must come down to the law of diminishing returns. Imagine playing a guitar made by the big guitar manufacturers without the logo on the headstock would it sound better or worse do you think? how much is the same guitar worth then.

[@martin-1965]

In the case of Jimmy Page, I always loved how I - and most other people - always associated him with the classic low slung sunburst Les Paul which was a staple in every live show and photo (apart from the Stairway double neck lol). I was surprised later to learn that on a large amount of the classic Zeppelin studio recordings, he used a humble Fender Telecaster. I say humble because even back then the price difference between Fenders and Gibsons was as large as it is today. Has to be said, the Les Paul hanging around Jimmy's knees looked hella cool and not sure a tele would have been quite as cool with those dragon flares lol 😁

[@svmsung35]

hi John. perfect timing for this video as yesterday I received a guitar that I'd ordered with the intention of drastic modifications. It's a Quincy Sendai that I paid £120 for new. The problem is that it's way too good for the mods I had in mind and I have no idea how they can produce such an excellent instrument for so little money. The quality really is astonishing. If I compare it to the last 2 guitars I bought - a 2015 Gibson Les Paul Junior and a second hand stripped down (husk) 2011 Gibson 1960s tribute SG Special, it's probably about the same in quality. Better than the Junior even. The only mods I will do now are the pickups (I have some Toneriders I like) and the machine heads (I prefer locking tuners). it'll get a bit of setting up, but it really doesn't need much - oh, and I removed all the pink bits... Frankly, I believe that the real difference between this kind of guitar and a well known manufacturer's equivellent really is just the logo. Quite an eye opener! thanks for the video - it helps reassure me that I haven't gone completely bonkers. cheers

[@donald-parker]

I believe the impression that expensive guitars are better hearkens back to a time before CNC machines, when there was a lot of manual highly skilled effort involved. The more you remove "the man in the loop" the more you whittle away at the quality gap between cheap vs expensive. Each guitar takes less time to build, and build consistency is at a level humans could never achieve. There is still a market for high priced on-of custom guitars, but I think the big name brands are increasingly having trouble cashing in on the brand because cheap guitars are so good.

[@thecollective1584]

The first "real" bass I ever owned was a 1989 Ibanez SR1000. It retailed, then, for $1200. It sounded exactly like what I was hearing in my head. Fast forward to 2006. I bought a used Ibanez SR300 with EMG P/J pickups, the exact same that were in my beloved SR1000. The bass retailed for $300, new. I have played that bass in front of audiences of multiple thousands and in front of crowds of multiple ones. I have played that bass at festivals in front of multiple national/international acts. I have played that bass opening for national/nostalgia acts in theaters and rock clubs. I have played that bass sharing the stage with other locals and as the only band on the bill. NOT ONCE did anyone complain about me playing a "beginner bass" that I bought for $150, because it sounded just as good as my SR1000. I have never purchased a post $500 bass since.

[@rupertradar7424]

Many of the "Guitar Crowd" are a lot like the "Wine swirling Crowd" and the "Golf Crowd" and the "Photographer Crowd" as well as others of your choice. There is good and not-so-good in everything, but expensive certainly DOES NOT ALWAYS mean superior. Just my 2 cents. (Or pence)

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hey mate, this is, without a doubt, the most honest, no holes barred greatest review that I ever seen posted on youtube regarding the subject of guitar buying. . You are the real deal man! I think every potential and/or any guitar buyer/investor should look at this posting. You're videos are funny, very informative, well educated. I can see you working at a Consumer Reports publication. You tell it like it is. But I think that, correctly if I am wrong, the guitar I think if 50% of of your sound. The other 50% is your amplifier. Your amplifier is most definitely going to influence your sound. I think it's important to throw the quality of the amp into the equation. Keep these enlightening videos coming man. I would like to get a Gibson ES 335 someday. But now I am coming is there a difference between an Epiphone Dot Guitar of the ES335. You made me re-evaluate my decision on which guitar to get. Cheers mate!! Thank you.

[@restofthejunk01]

No, most of the 'tone' comes from the fingers themselves, many great guitarists have played instruments they are not known for playing through amps they don't normally use and yet, still sound like themselves?

[@BrianBrazilHarmonica]

@@restofthejunk01 That's the way it is with most instruments. It's your own skill that comes through when you play and displays your tone. There's an old saying "the musician plays the instrument the instrument doesn't play the musician".

[@johnora3857]

Toyotas are good, but people want Mercedes. Seiko is good, but people want rolex. I think the whole argument will come to a stop when we start thinking of expensive guitars as pure livestyle and luxurious items which are additionaly a bit better than cheap ones, but are mainly status symbols.

[@FD2003Abc]

I think part of your analogy misses. A Toyota produces a certain driving experience. A Mercedes produces a significantly better driving experience (quiet, luxury, power, geegaws). The watch analogy is the other end of the spectrum. All analog watches do one function pretty much the same: They tell the time. They are read the same way. The difference is looks and cachet. The issue at hand is "is a more expensive guitar BETTER?" And how much better? Is a $20K guitar 20 times better than a $1K guitar? I play flute and saw a demo of a $300 flute vs. $20K flute. In a blind test they were pretty much the same. There was also a test of a $1K flute to a $20K flute. They were identical in sound. In most cases it is 95% player and 5% guitar. After a certain level (probably $2K), it is just branding.

[@FD2003Abc]

@@bobroberts2539 I listed several criteria for "significantly better." There are objective ways to measure driving experience. The underlying point is that this isn't Toyota vs. Mercedes. This is comparing purses that are almost identical in terms of quality and design. One has a "Coach" label and goes for $2,000. One has a "Kirkland" label and goes for $75. Both accomplish the same task in a similar manner. The cost for the Coach label is $1,925.

[@FD2003Abc]

@@bobroberts2539 You are being pedantic. From what I understand, the industry uses the term "experience." So by your definition a 1973 Yugo is equal to a 2018 Rolls Royce since there is no way to compare the 2 without using subjective terms. You win.

[@blackfender100]

Sop well said John I recently Had the opertunity to buy a Lexus cheap from a family member.Is it better than my Chevy Impala? absolutely Was the Impala a good car Yes it was a great car.The problem is the Impala was 16 k new the Lexus was 50 K new There in lies the difference applies to guitars as well.

[@chambredegoupil6332]

@@FD2003Abc Like the coach analogy ^^! Cheaper guitar wouldn't exist without higher end guitars a toyota without the need of people to have a cheaper driving experience ( just talking of price ) We want things expensive, and we buy cheaper version, could just justify the all thing

[@ukultur9237]

Opinion warning!! . . . . I think MOST botique guitars is wasting money for the average joe/jane. Not taking potential tonal properties of wood tops in consideration, you can have an equally as nice looking guitar. Buying a Harley B(example) for £150 that looks and feel nice, slap £200-400 worth of hardware and pickups, then you've essentially got a £2000 guitar with a cheaper construction method.

[@simonkendall263]

Great video John! Just ordered my first Harley Benton guitar waiting for it to arrive. I used to spend loads of money on USA Telecasters etc but my level of playing does not justify spending that much these days. Budget guitars have come on leaps and bounds in the 15 odd years I’ve been playing, can’t wait for my Tele copy to arrive and give it a work out. ATB

[@DavidSchneiderIP]

Great video. If the intonation is right and the guitar is playable (minor adjustments on most guitars) the huge difference is the guitarist. The blind test as stated on this video would prove that. The only difference a listener would note is the guitar player. Save your money. Buy a guitar under $150.00 and pay for lessons. You will sound way way better than if you paid the extra money for an overpriced guitar.

[@johnbooth1556]

An excellent and very interesting video with excellent reasoning.

[@jayjkayhouseofharleys3151]

YOU ARE RIGHT JOHN...GREAT VIDEO!!!! LOVED IT!!!

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Thanks pal!

[@rallefreifahrt6630]

Totally agree with you. Cheers from Germany.

[@leonthompson8988]

Having to sell my Heritage, Gibson and Valley Arts guitars when I became disabled had me looking at imports. After a ton of research I bought a used Vintage v100 icon and was surprised that the neck really felt like a 60s slim taper. I've had the Vintage for th last 8 years and it's still solid.

[@hughcameron]

I think you have fairly assessed the issue from a player's perspective. I've been playing since 1967 and have owned Gibsons, Fenders, Gretsches, Heritage and Carvin. They are all great instruments. In the 2000s I started trying cheaper guitars starting with Epiphone. These modern guitars are really good. Look good, play easy and sound good - everything you need. In the last year I have tried Harley Benton and they great in their own right and ridiculously good value for money. Saying all that, my favourite guitar of all is my Carvin Bolt (Strat clone).

[@Jaysteenn]

My uncle has 3 PRS's and 2 Kiesel guitars. He told me he loves them all but if I ever decide to buy a high end guitar I should buy Kiesel. I'd say he told me a lot of what u have mentioned in this video. I have an American fender Strat and Squier Classic Vibe and I couldn't agree more.

[@vincentdoyle6987]

25 years ago in my teens, all I ever wanted to do was walk into a guitar shop and buy a Gibson LP standard. No way I could have afforded it back then. Today I could walk into a guitar shop and buy one no problem. I work hard. Why have I never done it? Maybe because the divide between a €700 - €1000 guitar is so small in comparison to a €2000 - €4000 guitar. It certainly wasn't back in my teens. I have a large guitar collection and my most expensive one is a Gibson LP faded which cost me €1600 10 years ago new. I own better sounding Epiphone LP's. Will I ever fulfil my teen fantasy? Maybe, but it will be a vintage 70's or 80's Gibson LP standard or custom. Not a new one. Great video. Really interesting. Subscribed.

[@SqueekyFromm]

If I may offer my opinion, I think a lot of the price differential is a form of inertia. For example, in the 70's I hear Color TV sets cost $600 to $800 and had big picture tubes, and vacuum tubes. Someone used to paying that sort of price then (and adjusting for inflation) for a quality TV, might not be able to recognize that it is now the 21st Century, and that the sub-$200 ROKU TV from WalMart is a better TV. Because manufacturing techniques have changed, and the science of it, and the cheaper offshore labor. Similarly, for guitars it has become a brand new world. We no longer have to pay for the totally hand crafted guitar. And, there is a wide range of pickups, electronics, bridges, nuts, and tuners available to upgrade the pretty decent bodies of the cheaper guitars if needed. Or if you are afraid of cheap electronic parts failing at the wrong time. I own a Gibson LP Special Faded, and a G&L S-500, and have owned 2 other Gibsons. And a bunch of cheapies. There is a quality to the G&L that you can just feel, but frankly, I got the same sounds out of an old Samick I had, and could have gotten the same sounds out of a Yamaha cheapie strat (EG303) I owned if I went to hotter pickups. Right now, my favorites are an Epiphone Sheraton II, a Casino, and a Supro Martinique re-issue which was on sale for bout $500. And a Fernandez Ravelle that my father gave me blows them all away on sound and quality. He says it was about $800 when he bought it in 2006(?) So I think Mr. Robson is right. It is just a different Guitar Universe in 2018. I won't be getting rid of my G&L, or the Gibson, but I think paying a whole lot for an expensive guitar is more of a personal thing than a sound or playability thing. Squeeky Fromm Girl Reporter

[@MyTube4Utoo]

I had to sell my American Telecaster several years ago due to financial hardship. I'm now the proud owner of a Chinese made Squier Telecaster, and I couldn't be happier. Mine is a "Classic Vibe 50's" Butterscotch Blonde that plays like a dream. Everything about the instrument is perfectly fine, and even quite surprising, for a $399 instrument. I kept seeing very high ratings on every site on which I looked at this guitar, and after receiving mine, I realized the high ratings were very well deserved. If I was rich, then yes, I'd own high dollar guitars, and probably many, but I'll never again pay a lot of money for a guitar, especially when it's obviously totally not necessary.

[@robertturner2189]

I like the cut of your jib Mr Robson! Squire tele - Ibanez "Blazer"(retired) - Japanese Peerless 72 - couple o Gretches - Bryce Resonator - Woodstock 12str - a lovely Sigma acoustic - to name but a few of my friends, even one I'm building myself, and none of which broke the bank, Gretch being the most £s at just over 400 for electromatic Jet which if you saw how gorgeous this thing looks and feels, I just had to have! They all play different, excel in some areas, challenge in others, make you play harder or not and create music - which, I believe is the name of the game!

[@davidgrove661]

Faultless logic and brilliantly broken down argument. well done.

[@bumsharvest5493]

Yes sir, you are correct in your assesment of cheap vs. expensive guitars. My main guitar these days is a Squire Telecaster Thinline that I absolutely love, and this guitar has mojo for days. However, there was a time when I wouldn't be caught dead playing anything as 'lowly' as a Squire. I too have been through the PRS's, Gibson's, high line Strats, etc. It all comes down to mojo, and some guitars have it and many do not, no matter what the cost is. Thanks, great video.

[@MegaLochgelly]

I'm sure I read an article on Jeff Baxter, who played with Steely Dan, and he used to love finding the cheapest $100 guitars and showing everyone up on stage.

[@perthguitar5160]

Enjoyed this discussion John. Good video. I've been playing for 30 odd years and like you, I've owned many guitars. Like your vintage vs custom strat comparison, I also believe the difference is negligible. Not gonna see a head to head trial any time soon though.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Indeed, I saw one of those Andertons videos where "The Captain" (as he insists on being called) said they have full length mirrors in the shop so people can "try on" the guitar to see how it looks. It seems the guitar industry has just become another branch of the fashion sector with all the brand snobbery & designer label hype that goes with it. If I had the resources, I'd organise this trial, but you're right... it'll probably never happen left to the guitar press & instrument makers. Hell, I'm starting to sound like Trump with all this talk of conspiracies & media bias! :-)

[@MichelleTaylor1]

Great video, and I agree 100%. Many times you are simply playing for the logo, and a similar guitar without “the logo” can at times equal and even better the more expensive one.

[@erictoniaschwab1009]

Thank you very much for this video, Mr. Robson. I longed for a Gibson Les Paul for all my life. Even have one tattooed on my arm. There was ONE reason I always wanted a Les Paul; because Slash, Ace Frehley and Jimmy Page played one. I finally got a Gibson Les Paul Classic Antique in 2007. The first week I had the guitar, I had to take it to the shop because the nut was improperly cut on the g string and the string kept popping out of the slot. I had called Gibson and asked if they could cover the repair costs. They wanted me to box the Les Paul up, ship it to Nashville Tennessee and they would repair it. I found that unreasonable so I paid the $50 just to have it repaired at my local shop. I loved playing that guitar very much. Because I felt like Slash when I looked in the mirror. The reality of that guitar was that the G string did struggle staying in tune, the nut on this $2000 guitar was plastic and the knobs were loose and needed to be replaced within less than a year. These are all minor things, but to me it’s major considering the cost of the guitar. I ended up selling the guitar in 2016 after a horrible falling out with the person who got me the guitar. I just couldn’t play it anymore. So I sold it to pay some bills and was able to get an American Paul Reed Smith Standard 24 Satin for $649 because it was last years model at Guitar Center. I really like the PRS; the nut was cut perfectly, it sounds good and feels good to play. But I can’t say that this American made guitar is better than PRS SE’s, Epiphones, Ibanez’s or Squier’s that I’ve played. I like the feel of the satin neck but that’s just a personal preference. I’ve had 3 Stratocasters and my favorite one has been a low rent Squier Bullet. It’s light weight and feels nice to play. I ended up selling the Fender American Deluxe so I could pay for my wife’s wedding dress and the Mexican Standard I had was actually very good and I just got rid of it when I was going through a crazy period of buying and selling guitars trying to find the “right” one. When I turn 50 in December I’m hoping to get a guitar but honestly I don’t need an American made guitar anymore to prove to the guys on the message boards that I’m “worthy.” I’d love a PRS Zach Myers because it’s that Les Paul shape, which I do still love, but it’s chambered so it’s under 7 pounds and it’s got a satin neck, which makes it easier for me to play. But I’m seriously considering just getting a couple Harley Benton’s; an SC550 and a CST. Both can be had for around $500 and if they’re a little heavier than my bad shoulder can take these days, I can just get a strap that goes over both shoulders to evenly distribute the weight. John, I recently said on another KZbin channel that there are 6 KZbin personalities whose opinion I trust; and you are one of those people. Thank you. Eric Phoenix, Arizona USA

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Thanks mate. I agree that Gibson have had some quality problems lately. After a, lifetime of searching, I have found the guitar which does everything I need in a simple, (reasonably) affordable package. It's a Gordon Smith GS1.5. The company is based in the UK & all their guitars are hand built to order with plenty of options for under a grand in a lot of cases. Well worth checking out if you're in the market for a new guitar 😀

[@CoryMura]

good video! glad you did it really! thanks!

[@Nugmania1]

one thing to mention if u r new to playing, it will not matter if you have a Us strat or a squire for example,

[@steventsunami9506]

The Carvin guitars are sold direct, so that saves some dough over the PRS.

[@SwainBjornstrandt]

Custom shops are a beast of their own. In my humble opinion there is no reason to compare anything to a serious custom shop.

[@clivedavies3]

We all make compromises when we have to have a workhorse I've got expensive guitars worth thousands but I use a cheap mex strat and a squire tele as my go to workhorses you put me onto Harley benton te 90 flt which now compliments my requirements. I am surprised at the playability straight out of the box of thr Harley Benton I bought b stock it arrived with new strings set up near perfect the pickups sound great ,better than guitars 5x the price that I've had to set up myself. Keep up the good work I've still to be converted to the fact that wood makes a tone difference the only difference I've heard is in acoustic guitars or hollow body. I've been playing since 13 I'm now 62 still learning.

[@ransombaggins9301]

Fantastic video! Well done! The only thing I'd add/stress is that the less expensive guitars, even those using essentially the same parts, often suffer from inconsistent quality control. Go buy 100 Firefly guitars or 100 Harley Bentons, etc. and you will find a wide variety of issues from finish flaws, to fret flaws, to pot flaws, to loose jacks, to bad tuners, etc. In my experience, the more expensive guitars, though not perfectly consistent by a long shot, are more consistent than the cheap ones. I assume that simply goes down to a good quality control set-up. Is that worth the premium you pay in most of these situations? Not to me, but I figured I would throw it in there since it's perhaps the one thing that makes me more frustrated than anything else when it comes to this issue. If the less expensive lot could figure out a cost-effective way to improve QC, they would truly shut the door once and for all on this debate in my mind.

[@l0rd_breeigo-sama954]

To me there are only 3 factors i really NEED in my own guitar. 1: Tuning stability (literally the most important imo), cause you Can have the best playing guitar in the world, but if it goes out of Tune while playing a 2 minute song, then it might as Well be the worst piece of plywood. 2: feel. The feel is 2nd most important for me, dont even need to elaborate and 3: looks, which is non essential to most, but for me a guitar needs to inspire you and inspire the people who see it on stage. It inpires songs and inspires you to get better, and if that guitar costs 800€ or 5000€, then i would go for it, no matter what

[@BitterAmerican]

I bought my first Squire Affinity Telecaster for $160 in 2005, I didn't care for Telecasters but thought I would give it a try, now it's one of my favorite guitars. . Since then I've bought about 25 guitars in that price range. I work on them myself and find it quite gratifying to take a cheap guitar and make it play and sound like a high end guitar. I've even bought some of the cheapest you can find on Ebay $78 for a strat, mini amp, gig bag and cord. After setting them up, adding a $22 "hot" Chinese Alnico V loaded pickguard, and some fret filing, it would be hard to tell any of them apart except for cosmetics. They are made out of particle board, yet hold a note just as long as a mahogany Les Paul.

[@joebloggs1444]

In my experience,after over 40 yrs as a gigging guitarist the difference only becomes apparent at stage volume. Any guitar can sound great at home or in a shop, but only a good,well built one,with great pickups and fittings will sound best when played loud. Bad guitars sound really bad up loud!! But it's in the fingers,and it doesn't have to be expensive....

[@andyholmes9485]

Brilliant vid John!

[@jamescurnick1637]

Just downloaded your album on Sotify and the first track is fantastic....looking forward to listening to the rest on my way to work....cheers...James in Sunny..is...Sidcup Kent 😁👍

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Cheers mate 👍

[@iloveitall]

My honest congratulations, John! During the neverending Cheapocaster vs. Custom Shop bullshit bingo wars, someone finally came up with something quite reasonable. Thank you!

[@Instramark]

Pay attention. Listen to this man. I am Bud, from America. I am almost 70 now. I have had most all the guitars you can think of. It was and still is a gas doing guitars even as an ex-pro......but John is spot on. Yes most of those vintage guitars were built right to begin with and I can tell you from experience that a good bit of today's crazy cheap Chinese or wherever the hell they came from guitars are just as good or better than the originals. Not all of them, surely, and certainly you will need discerning knowledge to properly select but you can get there so unbelievably cheap. If you are hung up on brand, image, status, that's a different psychology. That's a different part of rock.

[@joesycamore2899]

Concise as always as well as totally honest

[@jessebarrera159]

So true, the amount of mid end and low end costing Guitars that are great playing is becoming more and more available, serve bad products and get few customers, competition is wonderful for consumers

[@txshupp]

Thanks a bunch

[@blackfender100]

Thank you John.I Have Modded Many guitars over the years that will stand up to anything out there for a fraction of the price of the Overpriced Guitars .We all know who they are.

[@imitatefirst]

Love my Epiphones AFTER having them plek’d, installing Graph Tech locking tuners, roller bridge, and compensated nut. I am Into my ES-339 $675, my LP 100 $350. Both play and sound great.

[@pesinquietos]

I agreed, and I think you went through all points. And yeah, I own and owned both expensive and more economical guitars (3 Harley Benton for example - love them all) and you are right. Bottom line, one buys guitars for different reasons and each guitar offers you different experiences all in their own, particular way! cheers!

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Thanks mate!

[@Chimp_No_1]

Marvellous video. Thanks.

[@thepiperofsimms9974]

Hi John, Impressive . Really enjoyed your vid. Thank you. Yuma,Arizona USA

[@joerider6710]

John - @11:52 EXACTLY ! Thank you for this.

[@danielhartman5086]

My favorite guitar is my Michael Kelly Telecaster. Followed closely by my Yamaha Revstar RS 620.

[@acousticadventure1]

Thank you John

[@keithskelton5596]

A good point raised The guitar of your choice is the start Then You need an amp Then Also a PA Then Then a few quid on other items to make up your total kit & out lay I only play acoustic So I have limited outlay Yamaha LL16 is my most expensive purchase to date (no amp) After 5 years no issues It stays in tune sounds great and I am happy to be an improver Playing most days ✌🏼 I have an APX550 also Both have been great value 👍🏽 Happy Thanks for the vid 🙏

[@gnatiu]

I bought a 125 Dollar SX-Strat 10 years ago. It sounds like a strat. Most Fender Strats don't. I don't give a s.it for the brand. I also swapped a Fender Blues DeLuxe Reissue with a Roland Blues Cube - it is a solid state amp and sounds fan-tas-tic. Plus: It is easy to carry. Next step: I am goinig to sell all my amps and buy a strymon iridium with a Harley Benton active cabinet. It is all about sound at the end of the day.

[@stevewelsh8560]

Joe Walsh plays one of those exact Carvin guitars, and his opinion? well, He loves it, so if a player like him prefers the Carvin when he could easily afford a PRS, then that says it all for me.

[@rveurope]

Love this review..I love all sorts of guitars, cheap or less cheap..its the look the feel and the " emotion " when you / I first spot it...

[@gingerbeer914]

These Woolworth guitars were sold in Germany by Hertie. There they are called "Hertiecasters". I bought such a guitar at a recycling shop, and I'm planning to restore it, since the pickups are golden foil ones and still in perfect shape. I already bought a new repro tremolo, an arm, and a bridge and I'm pretty sure it will sound fine when it's ready.

[@jasonb2916]

I have only been playing a year.. i went from a squire strat starting out to a fender am pro 2 just last month.... YES it is totally worth the money!!!! The fender sounds, plays, feels, looks waaaaay better than the squire

[@sosmooth7]

Great video and great comparisons!! You did a very good job of really explaining why the guitars there such a differential in the cost,without slamming one manufacture or the other.

[@mariosjosephidou1170]

The neck profile, level frets that are well dressed with a good set up is at the heart of any good guitar regardless of price!

[@GuitarLover]

I am so with you on this! Great informative video.

[@nedstar7378]

Good explanation, thank you for sharing this important information

[@williamarthurfenton1496]

The way I look at things is an inexpensive guitar can easily be brought up to spec on small things that will probably be inferior, such as the machine heads or pickups, maybe the bridge-- but they can easily be replaced and still for nowhere near the daft prices of Gibsons or PRS. It's just about pickups and the amp that make electrics sing.

[@jerbear1601]

I certainly believe that the more you pay isn't necessarily getting you so much more and I also believe that a decently constructed and well designed guitar is all that is important. There is a reason why Gibson and others aren't holding on very well to their customers that are willing to pay so much more for an instrument that really isn't so much better.

[@davelewis4215]

John, Absolutely excellent righteous video. One doesn't have to spend big money these days to get a great looking sounding guitar.

[@talex001]

I think if you were looking for a guitar say a strat or tele - you should find one you like the weight of, the neck and the look - it needs to feel right - say you have a fender and a squire you like both, usually the fender will have better pickups so if you can spend the difference and get a setup and pickup upgrade then go for the squire if not then get the fender - you could also weigh the resale value as part of your decision which would add points to the fender - the name does mean something. This I would say is the type of way most casual players should approach it - which is not $160 vs $3k but your $150 - $700 range - for example a squire at $150-$199, Classic Vibes squire for $349-$399 and a MIM for $549 to $699 - then the name and better pickups + resale value close the gap a lot more than $160 vs $3k.

[@BSAT10]

Hi John Around 1969/70 ish I got a brand new Vox VG6 bought for me by my Gran for my birthday it cost a massive £61 from Larg's Music in Dundee it was my first electric guitar My amp came from a pawn shop and I suspect it was intended for use by an accordion player and at 30W valve was pretty loud After reading some ads and hanging round guitar shops meeting other bands I traded this gear for an American Standard Strat and a 50W Sound City Head and 4x12 Cab all on HP which now meant all my band earnings and half my wages went on paying it off just crazy It was all sold donkeys years ago when skint Funnily enough those VG6 guitars come up on Ebay for £600 or so even now , and still miss it :(

[@jeffrogers5929]

Wholeheartedly agree! I played a '96 Fender USA Strat and compared it with my '91 Squier Strat and couldn't tell the difference in playing. Yes, maybe the Fender pick-ups were a bit more powerful, but hey you can upgrade pickups!

[@nellayema2455]

Another excellent video. You points are very well thought out and well presented. I'm surprised that you don't have more subscribers. Not that 8700 subscribers isn't great--it is, however, I hope this channel keeps growing. I've shared many of your videos. Cheers from the U.S.!

[@ppshill9863]

Nice one sir from my experience working as a producer song writer and musician for 40 years iv worked with many well known guitarist who have come into the studio seen the guitars iv built on the wall and said can I try that and ended up leaving with one because they have connected with it and its different and gives them something they haven't got in fact i made a couple of 3 string slide guitars made out of junk and both of them left the studio with a guitarist one was robbie McIntosh he didn't care that it wasn't a les paul etc in fact none of them did they just loved the guitars and connected with them I hope this helps sir enjoyed the show very much

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Thanks mate 👍

[@craigcotter7476]

Brilliant video, sir. Everything you say is logical and correct. I know plenty of guitarists who would be annoyed by your assessment at 18:00 , purely because they would know that you're right - much to my amusement.

[@zane.walker]

I think you nailed this one John! I too would love to see a double blind test that you suggest. However, as you speculated, I don't think any of the mainstream manufacturer's would be interested in such an exercise. Thanks again.

[@marcomostroso]

Brilliant argument! Completely agree. I bought my first HB after your reviews (CST 24T). Honestly, even better than I expected, I have hardly played my Gibson Les Paul.

[@mikeaustin4138]

The best "unknown" guitarist I ever saw/knew played a '60s Fender Mustang through a Sunn Solaris amp. Later on, he added an EHX LPB-1 power booster. He blew people away with that equipment because he spent hours in his basement learning how to get every possible ounce (gram?) of tone out of what he had. It also helped that he learned how to "touch" a guitar during all those hours. Guys with Les Pauls and Marshalls couldn't hold a candle to him.

[@le0mendez]

Very good video, I think you're right. You have to add the extra work they do on high end instruments like the frets and/or the quality and material of tuners and other metalic parts (wich may or may not improve the "holy playability" . One complanint tho: the sound of the "x" is too loud!! It scared the f out of me XD

[@markleadbeatter6196]

Love this upload John and your very honest take on this issue. Without wishing to knock anyone that owns high end guitars, I decided to focus on value for money some years back leading me to look for instruments that combined good build quality and better specs than the mainstream brands could ever offer at those price points. Take my Agile AL-3200MCC single cuts for example, the spec of which pretty much blow any Gibson away for a fraction of the cost. What price would Gibson charge for a neck-through multi radius LP specced with ebony fretboard, real MOP inlays, Graph Tech nut and bridge, Grover tuners etc etc. Yes I swapped out the pups for better ones (imho) but that’s personal taste and even with that additional cost, they were still only around A$1000 all up. They look fantastic and play absolutely beautifully, so are absolute keepers. I love them so much that I also bought the double cut version as soon as it was released and am equally pleased with that. I also own a couple of Michael Kelly T style guitars, which very much follow the same ethos of great specs at affordable prices whilst also having comfort carves and belly cuts, which I love. As the adage goes, you pays your money and you takes your choice but I am certainly very happy with my chosen guitars.

[@MalCox56]

Really good video with some well informed and logical points. I remember walking into a guitar store and trying out three Telecasters, a Mexican standard, a USA standard and a Squier Custom which was obviously the cheapest. The Squier sounded and felt way better than the other two. I walked out of the store empty handed, thinking that I must be mistaken, no way could the cheapest guitar be better than the others. More fool me, if it feels good and sounds good, then it IS good!!

[@barryscott9742]

Great points, John, and I’m sure every guitarist out there has puzzled over the price differentials especially as they are extreme in the guitar market. There are other factors that you haven’t mentioned; First, a lot of people don’t want a cheap guitar, they want a status guitar, just as they don’t want a Casio watch they want a Rolex . It’s the human need for a hierarchical pyramid with them somewhere near the top. Second, Imagine going to play a gig and you, and every other green tinged, light fingered opportunist knows the guitar you sport is worth £4000. You are either going to be spending the whole evening holding onto it and looking for a group of mates to walk you to your car, or you are gonna be robbed.! Third - this issue of what is called ‘engineered wood’. It is ubiquitous in wood construction and makes lots of sense environmentally AND constructionally. Anyone who knows about working in wood knows wood moves over time warping, bending, splitting - all the stuff no one wants in their guitar. I suspect laminated construction reduces these risks. Fourth, the Americans have a mindset of superiority. They suffer from a misconception that because something is American it must be the best. We used to have it because of the Empire and we, like the Americans have had to get used to the fact that it just ain’t so. Finally - I own a PRS ! I Love it. But I paid £730 for it From Anderton’s. Of course it’s made in the Far East and has the construction features you described that apply to the HB.

[@colinricgmailcom]

Depends on if you are buying an instrument or an investment?

[@SteamvilleQuintet]

I am of a similar age and guitar experience as you mention, and TOTALLY agree! I now have Squiers and Ibanez and Lunas, and no longer care about impressing the guitar snobs.

[@jeronimomartinezfabregas]

Very insightful and very intelligent video, you have my subscription sir! Looking forward to viewing more from your channel, cheers! I am just a guitar enthusiast looking to start learning in the near future and this is really eye-opening!

[@CANNIMAGINE]

Great video as usual... I have both expensive and inexpensive guitars in my growing collection. Many of us older guys remember when a good guitar had to cost more. Gibson or Fender was so much better than Silvertone or others. Today, as you point out many guitars, are actually produced in the same factories. I recently purchased two Firefly guitars off Amazon and they are nice. I am now waiting for my Harley Benton to arrive because of videos like yours. Enjoy whatever you decide to buy at whatever amount of money you decide to spend. I have some nice but expensive instruments but I'm really enjoying discovering these well made beautiful inexpensive ones. You can build a nice collection at the prices these sell for or get a nice first guitar. Keep up the great videos John!

[@martingregory5955]

Hi John, great channel. I'm going on 57 and played all my life but only small time. I would say high end guitars are better. Why? because I want them. Yes a brand snob I must admit but I love the real deal. A bit later in life maybe able to afford them but I really do believe there is a difference. Having said that I own an Epiphone LP and Gibson and really can't knock the Epi as sounds just great and I feel very underrated. When I pick up the Gibson it just feels better and easier to play as well as being far more powerful. I can't fault my PRS Santana in all ways and my Mexican Fenders are all I want but when comes to Gibson, it just has to be the real deal deal. Recently purchased an SG Standard and blown away with it after owning a few Epi equivalents. I have watched your videos and you make the point of what a guitarist whether novice or more advanced inspires them, in this scenario I would say there is a place for more expensive guitars even if just in your mind. Great channel and keep on with the good work.

[@bessiebraveheart]

I totally agree, been saying much the same for years. I have a mix of top end guitars and lower end guitars. I've always liked Korean built guitars.

[@frankworner4021]

Great video, i like it very much, the best guitar at the moment for me is my first SG Gibson 2014, cost 500 €, no other guitar is better, and i have some Les Pauls, Strats, Ibanez and Harely Bentons, cheers

[@gillesgenete9598]

Hi John, I've seen your more recent vids showing your enthusiasm on Harley Benton. Having had a poor experience with HB, and seeing other comments 50/50 good/bad, could it be so that when Thomann sees an order from John Robson, they give a better quality control prior to shipping without you knowing it ?

[@michaelevans8970]

My Rickenbacker 350v63 wasn't cheap, but it plays like butter! The Toaster pickups & chambered construction add to the cost, I think? I have also ordered a Rickenbacker 381/12v69, & that's expensive too. These vintage type instruments are iconic, but are they worth the price? Probably not. They look great, feel quality, sound great.......but you are paying for the name too.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Interesting point about Rickenbacker... It's the one "big name" guitar I've never even played, let alone owned, so I don't feel qualified to have an opinion. Also, it seems that if you want that sound there's not much choice... you pretty much have to buy "the genuine article" as there don't seem to be many affordable versions out there. Maybe that reflects the intrinsic cost of building a guitar the way Rickenbacker do it?

[@michaelevans8970]

ThankYou for Your reply John. There are Chinese 'replicas' of certain Rics, but I don't know what they are like, except that they are about a 10th of the American price. But hey, my Vox Amp is made in China these days too! This time, I'm buying me Ric 381/12v69 through a importer at 15% markup, instead of the retail 50%. Distribution structure has so many 'clicking the ticket.'

[@raggedrascal5463]

After years dreaming of a twelve-string Rickenbacker and realising I couldn't legally sell a kidney, I checked some reviews and bought an Italia Riminai 12 about 6 years ago (six-string models also available). It cost me in the region of £450. The sound is crisp and clear, the classic indie jangle and pretty much as you'd expect of something aiming to give a Rickenbacker sound. I absolutely love the thing and stongly recommend giving one a try.

[@jumpingman8160]

neil - Harley Benton also has a 12 string Rick wanna be. Check them out www.thomann.de/pt/harley_benton_rb_612cs_classic_series.htm

[@bohma7519]

I bought one of those but had to send it back as I could not get it to play in tune. The problem was that the bridge saddles were for a six string guitar and there was no way to compensate for the thinner string in each pair. The result was that it played in tune at the bottom end of the neck but as you moved up the fretboard each pair of strings was out of tune with each other. Apart from this it was an very good guitar and I'm pretty sure the 6 string version would be great. I ended up buying a Knoxville 12 string electric from Gear4music. This had a proper 12 string bridge and was fantastic value for money at £90.00! I have two Harley Benton guitars - the TE90QM and the SC450LD and they are excellent in terms of playability and value for money.

[@laidback5869]

A large thumbs up on an honest video !

[@FUNKEEDADEE]

Truth be said...I was in a local music store just browsing, and was looking at a Fender American Standard bass. I've owned an Ibanez Soundgear 1205 for 22 years and the Fender didnt come close in sound, however the shop assistant approached me and said to give the Squier classic vibe 60's jazz a whirl...20 minutes later I walked out with the Squier...

[@BrianBrazilHarmonica]

This video is 3 years old so most of the arguments about Harley Benton not being quality or not consistent have been been improved on and don't apply today. 2 weeks ago I bought a Harley Benton SC Junior Vintage Sunburst. I paid $329.00 for it with a hard shell case and express UPS shipping from Germany. The Epiphone Les Paul Junior is $379.00 without a case and without shipping. There are 2 Gibson models one cost $1499.00 and the 1957 reissue is $3,799.00 no case and no shipping. In the 1950's this model was considered by Gibson to be at the bottom of their line and sold to students. So why are they nearly so much now? They both lack the refinements of a Les Paul Standard and the 57 reissue is priced over $1,000.00 more than the LPS. They don't have the binding on the body or the neck. They don't have a maple cap on the body or the trapezoid inlays on the neck. They don't have the inlays on the head stock either and have cheaper tuners too. If you look at their website they're out of stock on most of their models. So are the music stores due to the Covid -19 Virus. You can't even buy them if you want to. The Harley Bentons are still available from Thomann but they sell quick. I'm glad I ordered mine it plays as good as the Gibson's and Epiphone's Iv'e owned since the 1960's. The only thing I did to it was change the strings to different gauge and lower the action a little. It looks, sounds and plays great. I'm perfectly happy with it.

[@michaelevans8970]

ThankYou for the posting; make ya think.

[@patrickmulder2450]

Want to know a funny story? I own a PRS Custom 22 guitar. One of those Core American guitars. I payed 3300 euro's for it back in 2012. The guitar was build in 2005. A lot of students at the Music school use these 700 euro PRS SE guitars. I've tried a few, and I constantly find that they have very good quality. Maybe even better then the Core guitar made in 2005. Sure, you can see that there have been some shortcuts taken (especially in the hardware used) but when you plug them in... I almost always prefer the modern SE guitars compared to my own Core guitar. Guess that the SE Asian Guitar builders have been getting really good in the intermediate 13 years!

[@rveurope]

I traded a core ( sc 594 mcC) into 4 se s...love them better, but watch out Indonesia makes have flaws!