Let's talk budget guitars. Worth it or waste of money?

[@jimholloway9949]

Definitely worth it. For starters it's fun. And learning to do your own repairs, adjustments and mods saves time, money and aggravation down the road. You become master of your domain. What's not to like?

[@TedTalksGuitars]

I agree completely. Although not everyone finds value in the budget mod journey (not that they have to do so for me). I am totally digging it. I have learned so much along the way from some great folks on the Tubes. The satisfaction it brings me and the fun I have working on guitar projects is good for my soul. Rock on!

[@G.S.W.SewmesomeMusic]

When it comes to guitars or life in general do what you dig and dig what you do.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@G.S.W.SewmesomeMusic - True story.

[@jimwoodard64]

Congrats on breaking 100 subs. I've been sitting at just under 1,000 (requirement to monetize) for a few months now. Hoping to hit that magic number just to make enough to buy more crap... Anyway, to the topic at hand. There are a few things to consider when speaking to the budget guitar debate. Let's take a moment to look at other aspects of life. Do you mow your own lawn, paint/pressure wash your own house, detail your own car, etc. Why? Some people (like myself) do these things for relaxation. Mindless chores that take attention to detail, and can be costly in the long run if hired out. They are consistent, repetitive, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-annual, etc. So the costs can add up quickly. For some of us, the guitar is a tool we use to earn an income, pittance as it may be at times. Since I work from home, my truck gets less use than my guitars, thus, they see more mileage and require more maintenance. String changes, semi-annual tweaks, fretwork, etc. take time and that's time I could be practicing (alone or with the band), giving lessons, or gigging (2 out of those 3 things actually make money). So my guitars, amps, cables, etc. are my tools of the trade. I also have a lot of maintenance tools because I do maintenance for other players, though I only take on so many clients as I have a tight schedule. Even typing this takes time. Most of my videos are from gigs, because, again; time is money. Or as Billy Crystal said in "This is Spinal Tap" Mime is money. :D As much as I envy those who can take on project guitars, I just don't have time for them. I have 9 Gibson guitars of various types, but I'm not a collector. I also have Fender, PRS, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker. Why not a Leo Jaymz (sp?), Donner, Firefly, etc? Simply because I want my guitar to be two things: timeless and dependable. I remember as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's seeing promo videos (that's what bands did to save money and give people a glimpse without having to tour or promote themselves for tour before MTV). Peter Frampton, Ace Frehley, Jimmy Page, Mick Jones (Foreigner), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Gary Ritchrath (REO Speedwagon), etc. and even an obscure musician named Walter Egan who did "Magnet and Steel" all played Gibson Les Paul's. But it was the black Les Paul Custom that Mick Jones played during the promo of "Feels Like the First Time" that cemented my desire to save for two years to get my first ebony Gibson Les Paul Custom in 1981. (it was a '79 btw) That guitar banged around the back of a van going from gig to gig for 2 years. Smoke filled bars in all kinds of weather conditions across NY, VT, MA, NH, CT, and ME while the band played every gig we could make. Don't know why we never made it to PA, but that's a story for another day. I had a few packs of Diamond or GHS Boomers in a bag with a truss rod adjustment tool and a screwdriver. My amp was a '73 Marshall JMP 50, and my cab was hand made with Radio Shack purchased wiring and speakers. No pedals, no amp mic, no emulators; just a Les Paul into the front end with a coil cable my aunt (who was a professional touring musician) had given me years before when I was still struggling with a Silvertone 1448 from the Sears catalog. I was the frontman, so I'd spent years honing the art of playing while looking forward by standing in front of a mirror and memorizing where my fingers were, eventually knowing the feel without having to look. My aunt was from the old school of eye contact, smiling, and moving on stage rather than staring down at the fretboard while you played. Last night, I went to see a friend's band and was reminded as the lead singer/rhythm player looked like he'd rather be anywhere but on that stage of something my aunt told me (and reminds me to this day): If you're not having fun, the audience is not going to have fun. And that brings me back to the conversation at hand. I buy guitars because they speak to me in a way one might call spiritual. They sing, just like I do, and I need them to do that out of the box. I don't want to experiment with pickups and tuners and bridges and electronics... There needs to be an immediate connection, like there was with my girlfriend, now wife I had back when I got that first Gibson Les Paul. No mods, no improvements, perfect synchrony from the first contact. After a career in the Navy and even more time as a retired serviceman, I look back and realize that I was lucky, though I didn't feel like it at the time. I found my true love in instruments and life partner in the same year. So no, a Leo Jaymz, Firefly, even Epiphone don't cut it. The feel of the neck, the expression and clarity of the pickups, the position of the controls, and the radius of the fretboard all remind me of how I felt the first time I hit that first chord for "Burning for You" (Blue Oyster Cult) on stage. I'm 17 again in an instant, sitting with my friends, hearing the album "Fire of Unknown Origin" on vinyl while they smoked pot (I've never partaken myself), and we figured out the chords to the songs then worked on mastering the solos and more intricate parts. I memorized all of my riffs, chords, and lyrics so I could deliver the music as perfectly as possible on stage; and my Les Paul was ready to rock as it was the day I'd purchased it. No one goes to bed at night dreaming of that first Donner, Firefly, or other fly-by-night guitar company axe. Having your first 'good' guitar is the equivalent of having that famous poster of Farrah Fawcett come to life; a dream come true. Call me a boomer, call me a dreamer, call me what you want. But I've taken my guitars on stage from gigs as small as 10 to as many as 10,000 in places from Los Angeles, CA to Paris, France to St Thomas, VI, to Newfoundland, Canada. Not once, opening for huge acts or headlining ourselves did I wonder, "Is my guitar going to perform?" "Will I look professional?" Every night, my axe sings, and it never fails me. So please forgive me for placing my trust in what is tried and true.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@jimwoodard64 - Wow, what a great journey you have had. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Certainly, there is no need to apologize for your "trust in the tried and true" - you do you and don't let anyone rent space in your head. Your passion and experience are yours. Rock on with your bad self. Thanks for the congrats on breaking 100 subs. I am glad someone (anyone) finds the videos useful. Clearly, I am not putting much thought into video production or marketing - as I am not selling anything or trying to make money. Like my description says, I am just an "old cat talking about guitars & life" but I do sometimes wonder if I am talking to the air (smile). So, thanks for watching and for the encouragement. Your comments express key questions a person needs to really think through in terms of the budget guitar journey. Is it worth my time? Will i enjoy it? Is it relaxing? These are key considerations. I think I had that same iconic FF poster on my wall as a teen too. There is certainly a lot of sentimentality and dreaming about guitar models, etc. that are real factors. LIke I said, I have owned "real" guitars in the past, but I personally get more out of playing something that I had my hand in and the satisfaction of a nearly perfect mowed yard to borrow from your analogy. The joy of a job down well (mostly, smile) for me has value. I was thinking this morning about the time investment aspect. I am making a project list this morning and beginning the initial work. Maybe it would be helpful to talk through the project in terms of blood, sweat, and tears (time costs), tools required, and potential cost of parts for folks. Thanks again for sharing your journey. Great to hang out and talk guitars & life.

[@jimwoodard64]

@@TedTalksGuitars I heard your words in your latest video. I wasn't sure if I posted this, but I do my own maintenance. I take on clients (yet another income stream) and do their maintenance as well. I just can't take on a lot, because (1) I want the work to be as perfect as I can do it and (2) I have 15 of my own guitars to ensure are in working order, not counting the ones my kids have. Even though they're adults, I do all of the maintenance on their axes. No guitar will ever or always be perfect. At some point, as you said, they need strings, truss rod adjustments, fretwork, etc. I can't afford to have someone else do all that, so I do it myself. I just don't have time for (as you pointed out in your video) sharp frets, tuners that don't work right, pickups that sound awful, unreliable output jacks, crappy pots, microphonic pickups... All that is just added work that frankly, even most budget guitar brands have been able to prevent. Keep on rockin! BTW, I have watched all of your videos. I put them on when I'm tinkering, cleaning, etc.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@jimwoodard64 - I really enjoyed our conversation this morning, clearly. Thanks for reaching back our and sharing more of your story. I appreciate the encouragement on the videos. Glad to provide some background vibes for your cleaning.

[@WickedFesterBand]

I love taking an inexpensive guitar and make it play great. I like building parts casters as well. They end up just what I want.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for sharing part of your journey with us. I am really enjoying the ride for sure. Enjoy your videos. I pray your wife is doing better.

[@WickedFesterBand]

@@TedTalksGuitars She is getting there. Gonna be a long haul.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@WickedFesterBand - Glad to hear a good report.

[@danrunnoft6642]

It's worth it and it's a waste of money. By fixing up budget guitars, I've learned how make a $100 guitar look sound and play as good as a $1000 guitar, which is pretty cool. On the other hand, nobody is going to pay me $1000 for one these guitars. If you're looking to learn something, and be proud of what you created, then it's definitely worth it. If you're looking to get paid for your time spent doing it, then you are probably barking up the wrong tree. You'd be lucky to sell it for the cost of the parts.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@danrunnoft6642 - I believe you are 100% correct that if you buy budget thinking others will find as valuable aw you do after mods in the resale market, against brand names (whether they are as good or not) you are most definitely barking up the wrong tree. Although I have been fortunate to sell several in the past, I did not sell them for a profit. I personally am not in the guitar business or "flipping" guitars. Just the joy of learning and playing something that I have worked hard to produce founded upon some good bones. I am having a blast. It's cool to talk to others who know the journey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and journey.

[@klopfer_im_baellebad]

I recently bought a Squier fmt Tele for learning und modding. Least, that it was much better than my old fender one. Maybe I now learn what to fix on the fender one

[@TedTalksGuitars]

​@@klopfer_im_baellebad - Thanks for the comment and sharing a part of your journey. Rock on!

[@Mr6767Will]

I think it comes down to if you like to tinker or not. Some people get satisfaction from creating their own thing. If you don't, then I would say spend a little more. Probably in the $800 or more range and you'll be happy.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

No doubt. I think that is a great consideration to keep in mind which I attempted to underscore in the video. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Thanks For The shoutout again, bud. 1 I started learning to be capable at a very young age and later went into engineering, so for me, I've done this over 60 times, and I still keep learning on every single one

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@2bikemikesguitartopics145 - You bet, Mike. I know it is ridiculous for me (72 subscriber channel) would give shout outs to you with a channel of 1.6k subs, but I always want to express my appreciation, gratitude, and respect for you and your work - along with @j-man9457 (with 3.6k subs) for your videos and helping guys like me by letting us look over your shoulder and more than that for you taking the time to reply to my multiple questions. Hope you don't mind me encouraging others to check you out. I have learned much from watching you all. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. You have a lot to offer us and I appreciate you!

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

My opinion but the one thing I always replace is the nut and saddle unless it already has bone or locking nut and I never by new too many great used guitars out there at a fraction of the Dealers price I've owned about 25 guitars and other than basic set ups no modifications until now I'm wanting to have a set of p90s in something so I ordered a set to put in either a Epiphone lp or Gibson sg

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment, sharing a part of your journey, and hanging out on the channel. Although not everyone finds value in the budget mod journey (not that they have to do so on my account). I am totally digging it. I have learned so much along the way from some great folks on the Tubes. The satisfaction it brings me and the fun I have working on guitar projects is good for my soul. Rock on!

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

I like to tinker too

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@Mytwocentsisallicanafford - Thanks for the comment, sharing a part of your journey, and hanging out on the channel. Me too, clearly (smile). Rock on1

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@Mytwocentsisallicanafford - Me too!

[@Bass-ne6dl]

The best thing about buying a dirt cheap guitar and turning it into a great guitar is watching a Fender or Gibson purist play it and eat their words

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment and hanging out on the channel. Rock on!