My take on the current budget guitar market. What's the deal?

[@bxsoup]

I look for used or near new guitars at garage sales and then I strip them and use Hipshot locking tuners $75 bucks , ToneRider pickups are around $100 bucks for a set ! , new input jack , Switchcraft toggle switch and new pots might run $25 bucks total , new set of Ernie Ball strings and then I get a nice luthier setup for $75 bucks . Yes I could get a Squier or Harley Benton etc BUT you probably won’t get locking tuners nor the pickups that you like . ToneRider pickups are GREAT !

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@bxsoup - Thanks for sharing part of your journey. Sounds fantastic. Rock on!

[@wagonet]

Loved the story of the 80s. What a time. Miss those days

[@TedTalksGuitars]

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

[@richardhusband3332]

In the late 70s and early eighties you could buy the real guitars for $300 or so. I had a 61 es335 and a 70s Les Paul custom for those prices. Of course I sold them for a little more or less.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment. In 1970, $300 was a considerable amount of bread. In today's market by comparison $300 (in 1970s) would be a couple thousand dollars of buying power today. So, I would hope they were fantastic. Probably were... as the old man said, everything was better in the 70s (smile). Rock on!

[@JimThompson-i3u]

The CNC machine has been the great equalizer. It then comes down to: skill level of the workers, grade of wood, and quality of hardware. My first experience with Epiphone was back in 2008. G400 & a LP Studio made in China. Let's just say the quality left a lot to be desired. I've bought several Epis over the years and can say the quality now is night & day better than back in 2008. I own a Chinese made Ibanez AS93 that is very well built. I own a Korean made Grestch and two Chinese made Gretsch guitars that are stellar and have that hard to define quality a high end guitar provides. I've owned the Gibsons and Fenders, but sold them off. I'm happier with the overseas guitars at the sub-$1000 and a little over $1,000. If it weren't for the cracked headstock when it arrived, I'd still own the Epiphone 1959 ES-355. It was stunning and on par with a Gibson. I'm much happier with this price point of guitar and either leaving it as-is or doing some mods if I feel like it. I'm not trying to impress someone in the audience who happens to be looking at which headstock I have before he approves of my music.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for sharing part of your journey. I totally appreciate and feel your statement, "I'm not trying to impress someone in the audience who happens to be looking at which headstock I have before he approves of my music." Man, in our world today avoiding comparison is a pathway to peace.

[@southernpride2003]

​​​​@@TedTalksGuitars I'm 21 if you notice the guitar in my profile picture me and my grandpa built that guitar completely from scratch in his garage using hand tools cuz we cannot afford CNC machines we did everything by hand my inspiration to play guitar is Luther Perkins and he still is my inspiration howdy from North Carolina I forgot to mention the pickup is completely flat as well it's pretty much just a bar magnet wrapped around with copper wire and of course soldered wire but it all sounds great though with my modified tube amplifier that has a built-in pedal echo circuit for slapback my guitar also has its own custom sets of 8/39 Thomastik flatwound strings that I customize myself using individual packs I've had my guitar since I was 12 years old another thing about my guitar is it has a metal frame to keep it together in the inside it's completely hollow as well in the inside so I can play it acoustic oh yeah and the leather on there was done by my grandpa too and the knobs on it are from the 1940s oh yeah in the shape of my guitar was inspired by Earl Scruggs's banjo

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@southernpride2003 - Thanks so much for sharing part of your journey. What great memories you will always have of the time spent with your grandpa. That is so precious. I am hoping to build a guitar with my grandsons in the next few months. Rock on!

[@southernpride2003]

​@@TedTalksGuitars awesome trust me you won't regret it it's so much fun but also so tedious

[@southernpride2003]

​@@TedTalksGuitars my guitar has never been refretted either I forgot to mention that the frets are the same then again there stainless steel frets but yeah my guitar sounds great both acoustically unplugged and electric plugged In and it sustains forever one time it kept going for hours

[@sticky6.6]

You're right on track man thank you the same way I do thanks for the video very good peace brother

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment. Although not everyone finds value in the budget guitar journey. 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!

[@Commonsensestillexists]

I'm a lounge room guitarist. I've got two American, One Mid 90's Korean, a Mexican and 3 recent Chinese made 'Artist' guitars. The last 3 cost the same as my 2nd hand Les Paul Special. I spend most of my time on those. Whatever you lose on the 'premium' you make up for in the sheer win. As long as they keep up the higher quality of the bones, it makes it harder to justify the price difference.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@Commonsensestillexists - Thanks for sharing part of your story with us. It seems to me the “best” guitar is the one (or ones, smile) you will play regardless of brand names, cost, or other factors. I had an American Fender that lived in the closet in a really nice hard shell case, while I actually played a budget guitar. I didn’t see the point. One more reason I like a relic. I am not afraid of banging it up or the grandkids knocking over, etc. something about not being overly cautious about protecting an investment makes it more enjoyable, at least to me.

[@weldchip]

the best guitar is the one you like and can afford at the time. Paul Reed Smith said tell me your budget and i can make you a guitar to fit it 😁

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Indeed... I was thinking the best guitar is the one you play.

[@weldchip]

​@@TedTalksGuitars We are very spoilt these days with the use of cnc body and neck quality has gone up and prices have gone down. I got a very respectable squire strat about 2 years ago for $80 out the box it felt nicer in hand and better setup, than my fender strat was when i got it. The body and neck felt so good (although the body is a little thinner) I raided my spare parts box threw some pickups on it, changed out the pots, switches and pick plate, put locking tuners on it and an artificial bone nut, did a setup lowered the action a little dressed and polished the frets and wow did it come alive. All in under $400 for something that playes as good as a 3k guitar

[@weldchip]

And yes I know doing all that to it means it's not the same guitar but it was a really fun little project that cost very little money

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@weldchip - I hear you. And for me, the journey of learning to do all the mods and the time spent "rebuilding" to my personal playing preferences is time well spent. Can't put a dollar amount of learning, fun, and the satisfaction of working on your own gear. Of course, truthfully I usually break it a few times in the process (smile).

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I buy my guitars at estate sales and by traveling to out of the way places. Most of my 10 guitars are decades old. Most are in excellent condition and most are between $280 and $350. I have Harmony, Ibanez, Silvertone, Fender, Washburn (hand made), Fernandes, Godin, Lace (a Grover Jackson proto-type). I have a luthier friend in his 80's that only repairs and mods vintage guitars. He only takes work by referral. He has done work for Clapton and Dave Gilmour just to name 2. He specializes in pre-war Martin (sent to him from Martin) and 40's and 50's archtop Jazz guitars. He lives alone in a house that looks like the 'Adams family' lives in it. Every room is filled with parts from antique guitars. It takes at least 3 months to get back my guitars. He likes doing them because I tell him what I want to achieve but leave it 110% to what 'he' thinks is best. I play only original material and it is a blend of Prog rock and Metal. Most guitars have upgraded PU's but they are disguised to look period correct with vintage covers. The guitars always come back looking like they are stock from the factory. Only a collector could see any difference. My yellow Harmony looks Retro both corny and kitsch but it can take out the back wall of a club. 😇

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment, sharing a part of your journey, and hanging out on the channel. Looks like you found a great person to help you. Excellent! 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!

[@j-man9457]

l Started my channel with no intention to start a channel hahaha. During COVID I was seeing a lot of vids on how good this IYV ITF 300 guitar on Amazon was. So I ordered one and decided to do an unboxing and Demo video to prove that all of the hype was in fact just hype. Boy was I wrong. I've spent years paying for brand name guitar just to eventually rip them apart to make them better, to have something made for me so to speak, and now here I was flabbergasted and totally impressed with this 175$ guitar I bought to prove to the innocent out there that everyone demoing these was lying hahahaha! I was convinced that if it wasn't a brand name guitar with at least a 1000$ price tag on it, it was just pretty firewood! Well I still have this guitar all modded and personalized how I like it. I have a total of about 290$ CAD into it, and I'll put it up against any fender thinline Tele out on the floor of my music store any day of the week. Did it need work? Yes! Just like all of my brand name guitars did! I don't think this is a craze, I just think that like me, more people are sick and tired of spending 800, 1200, 2000 dollars for an over the counter guitar that anyone can buy, just to start swapping parts to make it unique and better. I think people are starting to leave their egos at the door and are realizing that some of these budget guitars have amazing craftsmanship. They are realizing that they can buy these, upgrade all the components on them and have something that will compete with a higher end brand name guitar, for less than the lower end brand name price even after the upgrades! I used to pay for the name on the head stock, now I just pay for the guitar and make it my own! Great time to be a guitar player man! Rock on!

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@j-man9457 - Thanks for sharing your story, brother man. Little did you know back then that well over 3500 folks (like me) would be influenced, educated, and encouraged by you journey. Guess we never know the extent of our potential influence and encouragement that we can offer to others. So, on behalf of all of us who dig your channel, integrity, and of course your guitar chops... Thank you!

[@j-man9457]

@@TedTalksGuitars thanks my man! 😊🙏

[@BeggarsForSomeSoul]

I just hope the real good ones appreciate in value because the craftmanship deserves it. But I don't want to sell them. For the price of a Gibson or Strat you can now buy 5 excellent guitars which are comparable or better! Rock On!

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@BeggarsForSomeSoul - I think that is the challenge of buying budget and upgrading them. Probably won't have a resale value that covers costs, although I have been able to sell many that I worked with enough to justify the experience. I think the first evaluation when the budget model arrives at the "shop" is this 1) a return 2) mod to sell or 3) mod to keep. That said, to your point who doesn't want a room full of excellent guitars?

[@superspecky4eyes]

I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Epiphone LP jr. The Gibson makes me feel so self--conscious of my playing ability that I actively hate playing it. It's too much guitar for me. The Epiphone, I just love playing and I don't feel bad that I'm just chucking power chords about and I can just relax. The Gibson makes me feel guilty that I never became the shred-god I dreamt I would before life got in way.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@superspecky4eyes - Isn't it funny how much of what we think about ourselves, our perceptions of what is or isn't a good guitar, and the money spent effects the playing experience. I say, if the guitar feels good in the hands, sounds good to you, and makes you feel comfortable then rock on with your bad self! Who cares what anyone else thinks. Thanks for sharing a part of your journey.

[@morris4321]

I think there really is a budget guitar craze right now cuz I see a lot of cheap guitar reviews Think mostly because of The Prices Right now high inflation people want to look for cheaper options My opinion some of the cheaper ones can compete with some of the $500 guitars And it's also easier to sell cheaper guitars than expensive ones And there is a lot more options for cheap guitars than there used to be in the past and I got to say some of them are actually pretty good you might even be able to go even cheaper if you put together a parts guitar Yes I would love to have $1,000 Epiphone or even a 600 dollar Epiphone But if I could pay $150 and have one that sounds just as good way not go for the cheaper one

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment. I am certainly on the budget craze wagon (smile). I agree with you, "I could pay $150 and have one that sounds just as good way not go for the cheaper one.'"

[@BurninSven1]

I think I own like half a million guitars and kits and what not I bought for super cheap from China or used Levin acoustic guitars online here in Sweden I pretend I will fix sometime probably long after I am dead. I just love it, more cheap guitars to the people.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for sharing part of our journey. I am enjoying the budget mod projects ride as well. Rock on!

[@cbbiny]

I have more guitars than I deserve. Most (but not all) are "budget" . I love playing all of them. That's all I care about. That's what they're for.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@cbbiny - Thanks for the comment, sharing a part of your journey, and hanging out on the channel. Me too. You are spot on. Playing and enjoyment is the goal. Rock on!

[@rockinbobokkin7831]

I got a Gretsch Streamliner for $300 brand new this summer. It's amazing and i love it. It doesn't have the premium Gretsch Filtertrons, but it's still a great bucker guitar with high build quality and very playable

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing part of your journey with us.

[@Derickbass]

There is a case to be made for buying the Premium name AND the Budget Guitar names. As a musician (aka hacker) that plays jams with friends and occasionally picks up a paid gig, I cannot justify the "big names", but have been happy with my Epiphone LP, my Squiers (Strat and Tele) and Ibanez (ES-335 copy). All play well, I have done a few upgrades here and there. Cleaned up playability and they are just fine. The only thing here-to-fore that has been affected is my ego. NOT having the big names like my friends. As Ted titled this clip, this "Budget Guitar Craze" has allowed me to just go and play, regardless of the name on the headstock. As the "Big Names" continue to raise their prices in a weak economy, perhaps Budget Guitars will become the norm.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment and sharing part of your story. There is certainly a case for the premium brands (Lord knows I have owned my share of them over the past 4 decades). No attempt to trash talk the brands. I do think there is also a case as you have shared for the budget guitar. Isn't it funny how the ego drives us to the brands and comparison with others. I am guilty of that through the years to be true. The craze is a good thing for those willing to explore it. It has its challenges as I have said, but its a great time to buy a guitar without breaking the bank for jamming with friends and the occasional gig or two. The market is definitely trending toward budgets. They must become the norm as you reasoned. Rock on! Regardless of the name on the guitar.

[@joytser]

I paid £75.00 for a Donner P-Bass copy. Swapped the pickups for Fender Pure Vintage (£100.00), swapped the strings for Fender flats and now I gig it regularly. Plays great, sounds great, stays in tune.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@joytser - That is fantastic, thanks for sharing part of your journey.

[@harrykelley7131]

I have the racer. I was not expecting much but I was wrong. It is a great guitar and not just for the price. It is on par with any $500 plus guitar that I have ever played. Mine came absolutely perfect out the box, lucky ? I have the revenge and the DC. No problems at all and their customer service is great.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey. Keep rockin that Racer, Revenge, and DC!

[@JeanLeite-d1e]

Budget quality guitars have been around for at least a decade or more (Squiers for example). It's not a new thing and more intermediate guitarists prefer them because they can upgrade when their budget allows them to mod. Most of what we call budget guitars would have been at least close to $500 guitar quality back in the 70's. CNC machines and overseas labor have made this possible. Other manufacturers and startup companies have seen there is a good size segment market during COVID and earlier of people that are interested in learning and want something better then the old $30 Sears junk acoustic that were your only choice for budgeters back in the day. It's not new it's just growing.

[@-whiskey-4134]

As long as it’s constructed properly, has decent fit and finish (playability, no fret sprout, etc), if it has good enough electronics, and have a way to EQ it, you can make it work. I’ve seen people gig with “cheap” instruments and get monstrous results. One particular being in this Punk bar while me and my wife were in NJ. We met some people at a metal show, heard there was an after party at a local bar, we went and a few Punk bands started playing sets. One of them had cheap no name instruments and used another bands amps and whatnot. Once dialed in, you’d think they were using too end Ibanez’s, Schecters, etc. tbh at first I was like oh this is gonna be fun to listen to (sarcastically), but they ended up being the best damn set out of the 5 other bands and they were fu***inf wild lmao. Fun guys to hang with.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

It seems to me that it always comes down to the player as you have suggested. We play the instruments, they don't play themselves - if that makes sense. I always think of Willie Nelson's guitar. What he can do with that thing (although a subjective view) is outstanding.

[@LittleNala]

I've bought several Harley Benton guitars (waiting on delivery for a £185 resonator right now!), and never had any issues. Usually replace the pickups and tuners, but the base guitar is always fine. Last year I thought I'd treat myself, and paid £1,399 for a Schecter Blackjack (I've got a Sun Valley, and it is a very good guitar), and I've had nothing but trouble. The delivery was effed up, so that was a bad start. Then all the electrics cut out entirely - faulty wiring in the jack socket - had to take it apart and re-solder it myself. Then I had to tap down a fret that stood proud. Then the finish wore off areas of the trem and saddles. Looks like it has vitiligo! (And it is South Korean, not Chinese or Indonesian). Hate to admit it,. but splashing out for a treat proved to be a mistake. I will never buy anything but budget or second hand in future.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks so much for sharing a part of your story with us. Sorry about your experience. It is a shame to spend that kind of cash on something that needs as much (if not more) work than a budget. As in many areas of life beauty is in the eyes (or ears & fingers) of the beholder. The pressure we feel by the pressure for brand names is a real thing. Enjoy those HBs. If they feel good, play well, and sound great to your ears... rock on!

[@LittleNala]

@@TedTalksGuitars Cheers Ted. Well, Schecter game me a free t-shirt and two sets of strings to make up for the fact that an expensive guitar was full of flaws! I'm not upset or anything - it's a learning experience. I've learnt not to waste money on fancy guitars, and to get basic ones, or second hand ones, and fix them up to my own satisfaction. I have a Charvel Desolation (discontinued) which I picked up cheap, second hand, and put a P90 in the neck and an Alnico 2 in the bridge, and it sounds great! I am annoyed that the various problems have destroyed any re-sale value for the Blackjack - but it's a good guitar now I've sorted it out for them. Have a Sun Valley Super Shredder (I'm not a shredder - I just like fast necks of shredding guitars to play blues/acid/rock, and the Sustainiac pickup can make some fabulous noises!) and that was immaculate. I've stuck it in a bag and I'm going to sell it, and keep the dodgy one, which has too many issues to sell with a clear conscience. So Schecter can do it when they have their eye on the ball.

[@ForrestWest]

I really like the look of that racer guitar. It would need to play at least as well as my PRS SE's without any unwanted string noises or issues or I wouldn't want to pick it up and play it. If it could just play clean and correctly without any rough edges I would enjoy playing it just for the look and feel.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@ForrestWest - Not sure how it would compare to a PRS SE. I haven't had one of those. The only ones I can compare it to are the LPs and SGs that I have owned. This particular guitar required some set up (as all guitars do). I really haven't had to do much with it. I tweaked the truss rod, filed the but just slightly, and dialed in the intonation. Not that my playing is evidence of the guitar. But I play clean and she sounds fairly sweet to my ears (missed notes notwithstanding). Here is a little sample I recorded a some time back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4WYmHiOoqinecksi=H-fjWqtFXdq1rCBa

[@johnpick8336]

Wood is wood. The hardware and electronics are where the oriental guitar makers cut corners to cut manufacturing costs. Why pay $5,000 for a Gibson when you can have a great playing and sounding custom copy for about $500 ?

[@zachjones1716]

Luthiers are pretty specific about choosing wood. I've seen even the Fender custom shop choose good pieces out of a big group. That's why 2 of the "same" guitar can have different resonance. You can get lucky with a cheaper one or supe it up a bit if it's bad with mods tho

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@zachjones1716 - I have certainly experienced what you are describing with various "upper end" models with different resonance consistencies. That may still be one of the challenges of buying a guitar online and not having the opportunity to hear (or feel) it first.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for sharing. Certainly seems to be the case and why good bones (body and neck) are what one pays for related to a budget guitar. I might call that purchasing potential.

[@zachjones1716]

@@TedTalksGuitars Agreed. Also, I just bought a pbass from gc and it showed up so bad that the UPS driver apologized about the box. Took it back, and bought a different one so it's fine but there's many hassles to buying online. GC actually sold the pbass off the wall I was gonna buy, so I had to go elsewhere

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@zachjones1716 - I think we all have some GC stories we could share. I bought a Harley Benton from Thomann in Germany once. It is documented in other stories on my channel. Buying online can feel dicey... and be a bit of a risk. However, I have found that the best part about buying from Amazon is the return policy.

[@jonwilliams5869]

My Keith Urban Lp copy is top notch crafted, very Epiphoneishy.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@jonwilliams5869 - That’s cool. I haven’t had any experience with those.

[@sassycat]

Was that Stillwater guitar store Music Unlimited?

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Wow. Someone who knows Oklahoma geography. Yes, it was in Stillwater, but I can't remember the name of the store. Too many years ago.

[@sassycat]

@@TedTalksGuitars That's where I bought my first electric guitar, which was a Hondo as well. Then an Electra stratocaster copy and a Fender Super Champ. I still have all three.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@sassycat - Very cool. Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey.

[@rustyshackleford9557]

Folks rarely talk about the most expensive cost of getting guitars into a player's hands: A) Middle man ( importer, wholesaler, retailer) markup B) advertising and promotion Gibson spent over 100 million dollars in print and media advertising alone last year. !!! That does not include promotion costs! ( Stuff like operating those 2, 18 wheel mobile museums or the Gibson tour buss or give aways to celebrities or the cost of all the expenses to participate in the NAMM show etc...etc.etc... That 3000 dollar Gibson costs 600 to make, 1000 to advertise another 200 for trademark protection/ lawyers salaries etc...etc... It is then wholesaled for around 2000 $ and retailed for 3000$ Those are estimates but folks talk labor and parts "talk" all day long and just gloss over one of the biggest expenses. Lol ..Leo Jaymz rents a tiny NAMM booth and probably has an add budget 95%lower.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

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

[@richardhusband3332]

Never had a ES-335 style guitar? Other than that he has most of them covered? Nice video though...

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment and hanging out on the channel. Nope, I never have had a 335 style guitar. But I hear they are nice. Rock on!

[@richardroyster6631]

Why mess with an expensive guitar when we can buy a good guitar and build a great guitar with tuners, wriring, pup, new nut, and maybe a fret dressing and still enough money for a good case. Why buy a QC challenged Strat, Gibson, or Gretsch for 4-10x the price. It is like buying a Range Rover, BMW, Jag or a Maserati instead of a Camary or Subaru. I tell you The MIM and MIK, or MII were as good as the MIA. Yes the hardware is better with the American, but the guitars nowadays are much better.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@richardroyster6631 - Thanks for sharing. That has been my conclusion as well. You can always buy upgraded hardware as preferred (or needed). It's all play preference in the end.

[@cbbiny]

I bought a Hondo EVH knockoff in the 80s. It was awful, but it was great. If you know what I mean.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@cbbiny - I know exactly what you mean. I would love to have my Hondo to review. It was not great but amazing to me at the time. Rock on!

[@jimrogers7425]

I bought a Harley Benton Tele copy based on a KZbin review. I have NEVER been happy with it, but since it's made in China, and sold from Germany, I never felt like I had any recourse. I also bought a Glarry Strat copy that really sucked from the very beginning, even after having some work done to it. The really cheap ones seem to be truly hit or miss with a LOT more apparent misses than hits. Now... on the other hand, about 20 years ago I bought an Epiphone AJ-10, that was dyed red from the factory, for $150... BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR I've ever had. A friend of mine with 6 Martins told me that my guitar sounded just as good as her Martins. That guitar now is not even available. Worse yet, they paint acoustic guitars now instead of dyeing the wood, which makes them sound 'thuddy'.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

I hear you on the Harley Benton. I found the one I purchased a while back (which I have since sold) the same way - from the tubes. I put some links in the video description of all that. It was actually ok in the end with some work, but it was too heavy to be practical. I had a similar experience with Glarry (also sold that one). That one seems too light almost like a toy - to me. Now Epiphones... I do love them. I have a EPIPHONE FT-335 - Acoustic (made in Japan) Grand Concert Troubadour (Like a new EJ-200) that I have had since the 80s. It is fantastic to this day. The tone of the guitar is unmatched from any other acoustic I have ever owned or played. Thanks for sharing part of your journey with us.

[@markde9904]

I have a great idea for all guitar players..wait for it...BUY THE GEAR YOU LIKE AND IGNORE ALL THE REVIEWS ON YOU TUBE. If you like how a guitar looks, feels, plays and sounds, then why would you care what anyone else has to say about it? Same with amps. If you are a "cork sniffer" and your Custom shop Les Paul or Master Built Stratocaster enables you to play to the best of your ability and inspires you, or conversly if your used Squire does these things for you, THEN THIS IS THE BEST GUITAR FOR YOU. Because what all these channels don't tell you is the most important thing. YOU ARE BUYING GEAR FOR YOURSELF NOT FOR ANYONE ELSE. So buy what gives you joy to play be it dirt cheap or stupidly expensive. What is right for someone else is meaningless for you. And remember, most people buy online now, so the trolls will now reply "it helps us know whats good" WRONG it helps you know what company is sending free gear to you tubers. And if they dont praise it, they wont get more. Not to mention, if you don't like it it you can in almost always send it back for a refund or credit towards another item to try. Buy gear for yourself, not because of what others say. This is how to get gear you will keep a lifetime and love.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for sharing. That is my heart about the matter as well.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day ted ❤😊

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks, man. Glad to share my journey.

[@edpetrikk2027]

I have four guitars ..one acoustic and three electrics …The most expensive one cost about $450 …I base my purchases on my playing ability..Right now I’m about a $500 guitar player and loving it …If I decide to practice a lot more I I might move up to a $750 guitar 😂

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Ha! Thanks for sharing.

[@johnpick8336]

Cool a guitar TED Talk.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Ha! Hope you enjoyed it. What kind of guitar do you play? What do you think of the buy budget & modify approach these days?

[@jeremythornton433]

These days, a budget guitar is so close to the quality of a high end guitar that it only matters if price doesn't matter.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@jeremythornton433 - Yes, I would say so as well.

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Sooooo, what ever happened to this Racer?

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Hey, Mike. I sold the Racer to fund other projects.

[@floridasaltlife]

What does that West Creek Racer weigh ??

[@TedTalksGuitars]

The Westcreek Racer weighs in at 7.8.

[@richardroyster6631]

The Advantage of buying guitars from a Mom and Pop store is that they set up the guitar so that saves 60-90 minutes of setup time.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@richardroyster6631 - No doubt that having a cool mom and pop guitar shop would be ideal. I would love that. I always try to support local business. Sadly, not everyone has access to that kind of store nearby, thus the internet saves the day. I'd rather buy online than walk in a big box store. I get the same negative vibes in a guitar box store as I do at a car dealership. Apart from support mom and pop stores, however, I personally, would prefer to do the work myself these days. Although it has been trial an error (lots of errors) I have experienced so much satisfaction in playing a guitar that I personally set up (or upgraded when preferred). What a cool journey and a good time to be a guitar player (or at least shopper - smile).

[@JoeFriday-h9n]

The US guitar companies are just like the big 3 in Detroit they took us for granted so we left , I never wanted to buy anything foreign but like I said US companies treated us poorly too many times

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for your comment. I completely understand.

[@leonardgould6657]

WELL. SIR!, in the Glory Days of Detroit, ( Carroll Shelby!, Lee Iacocca!, the "Mustsng Dudes!,", 🇨🇦 , "Mopar Madness", etc. the prime motivator was a always PURE LOVE of THE CREATIVE GENIUS 😍 👌 of making AN AWESOME!, BEAUTY!, and POWERFUL BEAST!, of a PRODUCT! The THRILL of the CHASE!, and the awe-striking GOB DMACKERY!, of a BREATHTAKING PRODUCT! THE "AMERICAN GREENBACK" ACCUMULATION was SECONDARY! - LIKEWISE GIBSON GUITARS! "THE KALAMAZOO EXCALIBUR STONE"-!- ENGLAND went GA!,GA!- CANADA 🇨🇦 went starry-eyed for NEIL YOUNG!, and RANDY BACHMAN'S "BLACK BEAUTY and awesome '59 'BURSTS loving arsenal of LES PAUL'S! - ARTHURIAN MAGIC! CAMELOT!,- then the SQUINTY-EYED AMERICAN BEANCOUNTER "squinty class" of rodent-testicalled smeagols!,- took over!, - the "value-destroyers" snd "tit-mouse milkers" took over!, - the BILL ACKMAN A-HOLES!, the PETER THIEL "weird pied-pipers of HAMLIN!", -their sexually fluid sycophants surfaced like blow-fly larvae in a DEAD WILDE-BEAST!, RON DESANTIS!, the ENTIRE TEXAS REPUBLICAN PARTY!, RAM-SAM-WHAMMY-JAMMY!,(Trump Ball-Scratcher diligante'!), and HILLBILLY ELEGIAC-HYPOCHONDRIAC!)- all rolling out of the TOILET-ROLLS!, -after LORD BLENKFAIN!, JAMIE DIMON-MINE!, and DICKY FULD-EN-STEIN!, took all of LEHMANBROS.-STEIN! GOLDMAN-STEIN!, J.P. MORGAN-STEIN!, COUNTRY-WIDE-STEIN!, "A.I.G.-BURG!", then ALL OF DETROIT "MOTOR-CITY-BURG!", then Soon!, AMERICA!, BANK of ENGLAND!, and SOON! THE WORLD! all taken down with a WHIMPER!, by REPUBLICAN GREED & MADNESS!, GEORGE W. "PRETZEL POPPIN' BUSH!, and, finally, DARTH "HALLIBURTON" DICKEY-CHAIN! (and his BLACKWATER "JUDGE DREDD ENTOURAGE!,- and YOU WONDER!?, where "THE BUY AMERICAN GUITAR" ETHOS WENT?!!- LOL!, Ha!, Ha! Ha! - NOW! FINALLY!- HARRIS--"TIM MINNESOTA" !, - LIKE ABRAHAM LINCOLN! - bringing AMERICA back to the PEOPLE-! JUST LIKE THE "20th MAINE VOLUNTEERS and COLONEL JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN" putting g the run on the SOUTHERN TRAITOROUS DLAVETS at LITTLE ROUNDTOP, GETTYSBURG!+

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Craze ? - or paradigm shift ?

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Oh, man... I love me a good paradigm shift. In the words of Buffalo Springfield, "There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear" - but I am really having a blast myself. Rock on!

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

@@TedTalksGuitars Maybe what's happening is a re-evaluation of what constitutes a good guitar, driven by "budget" instruments that are not sufficiently inferior to be immediately dismissed as unworthy ?

[@TedTalksGuitars]

​@@Kevin-mx1vi - Indeed. Isn't it funny how we can fall into letting things like "made in the USA" "influencers" and that "all too glorious name on the head stock" determine what a quality instrument is or isn't. Like so many things in life, it probably is more realistic and practical to go with what suits you and of course what you can afford. I ain't mad at folk who have the bread to drop thousands on brand names, to each is own, but in the words of Creedence Clearwater Revival "that ain't me" - I am done with that. I don't need a name on a headstock or an instrument made in a particular country... I just want a guitar that feels good in the hands, plays good for my style of play, and sounds good to these old "rock-n-roll" ears. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Rock on!

[@daveduffy2823]

I think it’s the real deal. Asian manufacturers are now making their own products and competing with American builders just like they did with cars and electronics in the 70’s. You can now get an inexpensive, quality instrument to play.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@daveduffy2823 - There is definitely a lot of competition and plenty of options at lower prices for good quality bones (bodies and necks) that can all be modified to player preferences. I am certainly enjoying the ride. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@danrunnoft6642]

Budget guitars have ruined me. I now look at a guitar and think $200 for a Strat? Way too expensive!

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Man, that is the truth. I can’t wait to explore other $200 guitars just to see what is out there.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Never known a pro player to seek out a budget guitar and then modify it.

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Appreciate the comment. Not to worry, I don't think anything I post or many of us experience has much to do with pro players.

[@diegesisfreak]

Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen being amateurs of course...

[@TedTalksGuitars]

@@diegesisfreak - True story, Eddie was the master of mods and creativity. Jimmy did his share of experimenting as well.

[@jimwoodard64]

@@diegesisfreak They were not modifying budget guitars or using budget components. Apples and oranges.

[@diegesisfreak]

@@jimwoodard64 I think a danelectro and a 50 dollar reject body qualifies as budget but hey whatever. point is unpaid brand loyalty is the ultimate poser move. "pro's" don't generally give a crap about gear until someone pays them to

[@thebenefactor6744]

Budget guitars are hula hoops.

[@chippsterstephens6800]

Cheep guitars , cheep amps, and cheep cords? They all lead to bad tone. If you play, you should strive to play well, and sound good. Invest in good tools. Never understood people with 30 cheep guitars. And do not own one that could cut it in the tracking room. Also I do not wish to support China. I support USA small manufacturers. That matters.

[@JAL-cc8jd]

I can’t understand how someone would misspell CHEAP so many times! 😂

[@TedTalksGuitars]

Thanks for the comment. You do you. Rock on!