How I Pick A Great Guitar Under $500

#knowyourgear #gearfest2022
link to the Dovydas KZbin channel
/ dovydasmusic
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Ibanez AX120 Guitars
sweetwater.sjv.io/qned4q
The Squier 60s Mustang
sweetwater.sjv.io/QOR1y9
The Pink Ibanez in this video
sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbogY
The amp I used in this video
sweetwater.sjv.io/jWMdrb
The picks I use
sweetwater.sjv.io/P02GyM
Link to my podcast rig video
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[@SoCalGuitarist]

Dude randomly bumps into both Phil and Dovidas and scores an HB 7 string for under a hundred bucks AND gets their signatures to boot? Really freakin cool!

[@joeprod1]

That’s a good day.

[@roachdoggjr45]

@@Codzilla71 What's wrong with harley benton?

[@itguy8900]

Staged ;). Kidding :)

[@FloridaManRacer]

@@roachdoggjr45 not a single thing. I own 5 of them.

[@roachdoggjr45]

@@FloridaManRacer Ty for the reply.

[@mstreech]

I LOVED the ending. You should do a series where you take young fans out and help them make smart buys and set ups.

[@scottenglert4083]

Definitely a cool idea !

[@SocialAutism]

It's not just the young who are affected by budgetary constraints. Have you seen the economy?

[@mstreech]

@@SocialAutism young folk need more guidance though.

[@johnbaird2095]

yes, please do this!

[@randyjohnson1352]

That would Rock, and I would watch !!!🤘

[@dylanr.52]

Hey Phil! I was the guy helping out Brandon with the 7-string - it was great getting to chat with all of you! Brandon's reaction to this whole scenario was hilarious, I think we all REALLY made his day 😂Hope to see you again soon! 🤘

[@lukaskelley3695]

He’s famous now Dylan 😂

[@dylanr.52]

@@lukaskelley3695 LOL I can’t wait for Brandon to drop his djent album with that bad boi

[@jackbyrd4921]

That guy could be the next gtr hero!

[@ashleyjohansson230]

I miss when guitar channels did videos in guitar stores, this video is a breath of fresh air!

[@ue4058]

100 pct. I haven't seen one of these in ages. Yay Phillip!

[@brooksroman2918]

Same. I miss when the Andertons guys would be in the store all the time!

[@eduardom.1955]

Indeed.

[@johnclabby3644]

I didn’t realize how nostalgic this felt

[@gillamb8669]

The coolest part of the video is what you did at the end. Don’t wanna spoil it for other viewers. You Rock Phil 👍🤘

[@gregorioh7034]

Ditto. Phil, you and that other gentleman rock! Peace ✌🏼

[@JoshuaC923]

That was super cool

[@-Thunder]

I know, I was so happy the kid got that guitar and a couple signatures. I bumped into Phil in a guitar shop once (I live in the same area). He hung around and talked guitar stuff for an hour with me and a few other guys there. Definitely a good guy.

[@nedkelly8553]

Totally agree. He tipped off one of his fans to a great buy and the signatures made it one that he'll probably keep forever even if he "graduates" to fancier instruments. Good Will Phil, new nickname, because he'll tell you what the best used deals are AND spread positivity and cheer wherever he goes by being such a nice guy.

[@fredfritsch1013]

What an adventure, and a Dovydas sighting to boot!

[@seanmccann2513]

One thing I remember about the original video is not just the number of guitars under $500 but also the variety. You had a made in Japan Ibanez, the TTM brand, the oil can guitar... It was fun to see all the unique guitars you could find under $500.

[@GuitarP0RN]

I had an AX120 10+ years ago and it was great! The stock pickups didn't need to be swapped IMO. The output jack eventually did need to be replaced but nothing 5 mins and a $3 Switchcraft can't fix.

[@t3hgir]

To steal a quote about Honda "buy as much Ibanez as you can afford"

[@pedrosoares7273]

Yeah but a lot of guitars around 500$ (or even much more) need new input jacks. It can happen to any guitar.

[@bradleyard4195]

Ibanez are notorious for things like the input jacks and switches failing. My RX40 pretty much needs a rewire at this point, but it was a great mod project, and even those minor flaws don't put me off from them.

[@GuitarP0RN]

@@pedrosoares7273 I've had $1,200 guitars do it too ::cough cough Schecter cough::

[@lanceriffle4841]

That was such a cool story about the fan with the 7 string and meeting two of the greats!

[@Nonexistanthuman]

Its great you did this video as an update. But my favorite part was at the end, thats really somethin that guy is going to remember forever. Prob will always keep that 7 string too

[@rocket69218]

Ibanez really are great value guitars at the moment.

[@mstreech]

Haven’t they always been though?

[@rocket69218]

@@mstreech Sure, maybe it's just because some other brands don't feel as good value after the last 5 years of price hikes with pretty stagnant wages.

[@pedrosoares7273]

For at least 15 years I've always thought of them as great value. I just am not really a fan of their sound sometimes.

[@pedally]

I love the ending! Very cool to leave these interactions in the final cut of the video.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I love these guitar store visits Phil. Very nice. More please!

[@XxHarounXx]

No way, thanks for doing this again! I recently rewatched your original video a few weeks back out it nostalgia!

[@trebleboost7]

This was awesome! Looking forward to the full report. There is just something so great about a good cheap guitar. It is hard to describe. I’ve let too many slip away - but not all of them...

[@jdoyel1]

I miss these kind of videos! I've been a fan of your channel for some years now and I love your content! Shout out from Texas

[@markcampbell7554]

That was a fun video to watch. I appreciate seeing you looking at guitar's that don't cost 10 grand like on Troglys show. This is useful for players in the real world and not rich collector's who in most case's never play these instruments. Good show!

[@aloharay]

thanks Phil! and always cool to see Dovydas!

[@calbrockocat8728]

Super video that shows you there are deals if you look for them! Love the 7 string guitar story! (And that's why I watch to the end.)

[@Steve-nq8jc]

This video encapsulates why I love you and the channel. Good Work Phil and long may it continue x

[@AlexSoutheyMusic]

Great video Phillip! Thanks for showing us what the price world is like out there in stores. Love that you referenced the old video too!

[@jlore6344]

Wow, both of those guitars seem great. Glad the kid got the other one, and the green you chose is awesome. Fun vid, thanks for sharing.

[@tresblack4739]

Thanks, Phil! Great vid, as usual. Great ending...I miss the days of meeting fellow guitarists in the local brick and mortar. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!

[@danielglaser-garbrick8761]

I was just looking into the AX120! I think it’s a sign that I need one now. Thanks Phil for a great video!

[@KevinPlaysGuitar]

I'm so glad you did another video of this series. You can buy nice gear for under $500. Nice guitar you bought there, nice color! 👍

[@Nugmania1]

As always thanks for your service, great vid Philip, guitars at lower price points well set up will be good for any gig,

[@onesandzeros]

Thanks Phil, interesting video and good topic to redo in light of current price increases. As you said, it's nice to see some pretty affordable stuff on the used market. I'm now accustomed to seeing high used prices on a certain gear website.

[@TurfShifter]

What a great video. So nice of you to tell that lad about the 7 string.

[@popskustom7382]

Those will be sold out by the weekend. Love the video and fan interactions.

[@MrMegafish]

Nicely done video. Thanks for sharing.

[@kevinmorris7722]

Love the ending. You found what you were after and the young fellow got one and managed to have you two sign it. That's a win all around. Super cool.

[@stanparsley9186]

GREAT VIDEO! I have been eyeing that Ibanez AX120 in green for awhile. You may have helped me make a decision. Thanks Phil

[@Danger0use]

this video was pretty dope lol nice to see that one fan get lucky and meet two people he knows at once. interested to see you get into that ibanez whether its a deep dive or mods.

[@SpecialReserve]

It is always a pleasure to see someone review guitars without bias or snobbery. Keep the great encouragement going to all us mire mortals.

[@Peace_Dog]

Another great video, especially seeing all the love for Phil from his fans.

[@miguelod7693]

SUPERB!!! Cool guitar and even cooler story at the end 👍👍😁

[@The_Fat_Turtle]

Glad to see a big channel give the Ibanez AX/GAX's some love.

[@NeinFeline]

Oh cool! You were there during GearFest Days! The new store is Amazing! They did really really well with the concept. Especially the pedal sampler stations.

[@benallmark9671]

That was a great video Phillip. I enjoyed it and I think the joy from that young lad meeting you guys was the icing on the cake.

[@0lookaduck]

Nice find. That ibanez model, or the times equivalent, was my first guitar.i think it was a gio model when i got it in the late 90s or early 00s. Glad to see it still getting some love.

[@gssuper1438]

The ending was awesome!

[@runningwithscissors0911]

Nice. Great, fun video. Shopping with you is fun Phil ~ another way to learn good stuff.

[@michaelkartman3543]

Looking forward to a follow up video on the guitar, and more videos like this on the channel Phil!

[@jamesduckworth9117]

Just watched this video again after being at Sweetwater today and meeting Phil. Lower row right in the corner at the 2:50 mark in the video is a Schecter Phil missed that was $449, marked down from $714. My daughter bought it today. Thanks for missing that one Phil !! It has two humbuckers and a 5 way switch that splits the coils. Sounds great too.

[@JaniceLalla]

Excellent choice

[@c.l.5199]

Love your channel!

[@d-mack7053]

The green Ibanez was my choice too.

[@jimmyv8307]

Fantastic video as usual Phillip !!

[@cheaneysaddles]

Really positive vibe video that is refreshing and fun.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

PINK!!! There were several nice choices! That shopping experience is what makes the guitar so much fun!

[@FitzyStrings]

That ending was awesome! I'm sure that kid will never forget.

[@BlurpeeBaggins]

Great video Phil! Loved the follow up on the Harley Benton and the cameo appearance of Dovydas!

[@krustdogg131]

Hey Philip I recently started seeing your videos on Facebook. Just wanted to say I love your content man! Keep it up

[@michaelthomas9991]

Great episode, Phil.

[@WaterfordGiant]

Love Dovydos. And great vid PM!

[@BricksAxeMan]

I loved including Phil's fan in the beginning! I would act the same way if Phil walked into my local guitar shop.

[@groverbaker6404]

Great job!!!

[@mralgebro]

Love these videos. Watched every second. Great choice!

[@ryanandring2688]

What a fun video Phil thank you for the upload! :)

[@gqfiend]

I can’t believe how much I enjoyed this video.

[@Blimpus]

This was fun Phil, I think you scored! Sweetwater is Awesome!

[@SgtPowerWeiner]

What an awesome video, wholesome ending too???? Such a good update to your Sam ash video. Can't believe it avoided my front page for so long, cheers bro

[@PeterMoore350]

That was a really nice and uplifting video sir 🙏🏻 You made my day. Greetings from NZ 😎🤘🎸

[@brusselssprouts560]

Good to see that G&L headstock right at the end!

[@SMGMusic14]

Great choice, and great on mentioning how a simple pickup swap can turbo charge the sonic qualities of the guitar.

[@SwimmingCarcass]

My favorite guitar at the moment is my Ibanez RG421MSP-PSP (the pink one that you picked up). I didn't have to change anything about the setup out of the box, it sounds great, and I absolutely love it. It's amazing for this price range.

[@zaz4667]

That was awesome! Why do I love watching Phil do these videos so much? That Jackson looked interesting also!

[@Blurillaz]

Nice video. Interesting to see what you gravitated to, I wish they made a higher end version of that model but I haven't seen one yet.

[@DimKAt21]

Buy this one and upgrade it, as Phil already suggested

[@ianstrickland5280]

yeah! me and my band were here a bit back playing a show in fort wayne, were all local to south of indianapolis and ive been to sweetwater a handful of times myself, so funny seeing stuff like at 2:45 that jackson warrior, i played that for like 30 minutes while i was there.

[@DavidHBurkart]

This was FUN!!

[@chiefkirk]

I always enjoy your videos Phil. God Bless.

[@timrussellguitar1516]

That was a fun show Phil. I wish or thank god we do don’t have Sweetwater here in Los Angeles

[@rexrathtar3893]

Fun video and I like that racing green colour. Very classy.

[@alwaysrockn2009]

That pink guitar was sweet! Great video Phil.

[@rhann1377]

This was awesome!

[@dwalks637]

Nice work 🤘

[@damien6997]

Very cool, guitars have talen a jump in price. Still can grab a bargain especially in the pre owned market when folks start going back to normal life after covid. I was looking forward to the follow up of guitar and amp for $500. Great vid 👌

[@Phatzo1000]

I'm planning on buying one of those sparkle pink Ibanez guitars just for the color. I love it.

[@mikedwiles]

What a great video! So glad the young man got the 7 string. I should get one of those Ibanez. I have a SD JB/59 set that needs a home.

[@johnmoser2689]

I see my buddy Bobby McKinney right behind you in the Gear Exchange.... what a great guy Love Sweetwater Sounds would've been super cool to see you there Philip

[@lptribute7544]

Very informative and entertaining video👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@wonderwomanguy]

This was a great video; I loved the warm ending! . . . . . . . . . . . . . That's what she said.

[@DrDan1406]

The sheer joy of being in a music store again that this video conveys is contagious. What a good vibe!

[@Doug5524]

I love it when you walk around stores , now I'm waiting for you to play it then mod it

[@YummyPork]

Fun video with a great ending!

[@ryant3600]

But which guitar would you buy under 500 if you were ordering online???

[@SoCalGuitarist]

EART W-2 if you like headless guitars that are finished really nicely, play well and sound good. I got one as a travel guitar, quickly turned into my favorite couch strummer

[@markcatron8996]

Excellent Video, Those guys at Sweetwater are great, and it doesn't matter which location you choose. Much better than having that ripped off feeling after leaving Guitar Center.

[@JimDewdGuitars]

this is what it's all about! going to music store and connecting with fellow musicians! ❤️

[@Ricky21mt]

That Ax120 was my first guitar waaaay back in the early 1999-2000. Great guitars 🤘

[@chrisdurham6517]

How awesome for folks to run into you and Dovidas while shopping for guitars. What a day that'd be. Next up, Phil sharpens a Dovidas axe!

[@mtrooze]

Love Ibanez. Recently bought an AM93 used with case for $400. Plays great. I love the Super 58 pickups and will not be replacing them. Exactly what I wanted - a very versatile small-bodied semi-hollow like an ES-339.

[@headhunterracing]

Love the end of this video!

[@rcjoe406]

Good stuff brother

[@godofdeadlydeath]

I still have a 1998 Ibanez GAX 70 double cut, and it has held up remarkably well. It was $199 in 1998 and it's nice to see they're still making quality budget guitars.

[@BazonBlades]

I have a pink sparkle Ibanez RG421. I love it. It's a killer finish for the 421.

[@leftyamazed]

I'm in the UK and I still recall my first visit to a Sam Ash (somewhere near Cerritos, CA) 25 years ago. That was a mind blowing experience, after the tiny stores I was used to in my locality. It's really good to see the Mighty McKnight's overview of a guitar megastore and what is available for very little money.

[@bobbyfields7359]

And this is why I watch! GREAT VIDEO!

[@seamorebuttz]

That was a fun video!👍

[@CrypticChords]

Okay it's time to drive to Sweetwater I need to see this place!

[@Andrew-ry7iw]

That was great 👏👏