The truth about Boutique Guitars

am chilean worship guitarist and I have only guitars mass produce of squier, G&L and Ibanez, all of them with mods. Good video

[@jonmihail]

Love it! Nothing against boutique or custom, it’s just not the only way. Thanks for the watch and comment 🙂

[@monahantp3767]

Great video! Yes, the snobbery is a thing in many churches. Thankfully, our current church doesn't have any of that. Sometimes I play bass (a 4-string Stingray) straight into the DI, and it sounds great! On guitar I flirt with a Zoom G3, Boss GX100, or most recently as a Christmas gift-- a Helix floor. Guitar wise, it's an old Carvin SC90, or a PRS CE24. A PRS Tele may be in my future though... :D With any of the modelers I tend to tweak a setting the way I like and leave it there the entire service. Sometimes I make adjustments during worship, but I'm never tap-dancing. I'm actually considering just getting a Boss Katana 50 and sending the signal direct to the board... maybe if our money tree blooms I'll buy myself a Fender Deluxe Reverb Tone Master, but that tree's gotta bloom brightly for that to happen LOL!

[@jonmihail]

I usually play my veritas or Fender GT11 through my helix. I keep it real simple. Nothing crazy. Tone is in the fingers, the other stuff is just candy

[@mattfromcleveland]

Bonding with your guitar is absolutely everything. Sentimentality and the stories behind it inspire music. My #1 electric still uses the Squier affinity strat body that my Dad bought me 24 years ago.

[@jonmihail]

Yeah mate you make a great point. It’s all about what works for you, no matter the why. But I do love a good squier affinity

[@mattfromcleveland]

@@jonmihail Heck yea just slap a mighty mite neck and a 920D pickguard on it and you're good to go! Doesn't mean I don't lust after a Castedosa or a Frank Brothers Arcade every now and again 😁

[@jonmihail]

Oh of course. I just picked up a squier affinity that I like and I’m considering going all the way with replacing electronics, hardware, plastics, rolling the fretboard and making a series out of it. Would you be interested in seeing that?

[@mattfromcleveland]

@@jonmihail Rags to riches style with a squier, I'm in!

[@robwalsh9843]

I once saved up to buy a lovely boutique guitar from a very talented builder who I will not name out of respect. As nice as it was, I didn't connect with it, and I knew that it was going to be a dust-collector before I sold it. The new owner loved the guitar, it complimented his playing style. Sometimes the missing piece of the puzzle is simply you as a player. Plenty of people have been disappointed with high end Les Pauls and SGs because they just didn't have that certain something the player was looking for.

[@jonmihail]

Absolutely! What is right for one player is awful for another. I just can't connect with Les Pauls for example. They sound amazing, but I just can't jive with it. Well said!

[@tedparkinson6892]

Good common sense video. I have a Suhr and a Collings 360 which I love. But my $800 (CAD) Casino is plenty cool as well and is "just right" for lots of tunes. I got my Fender FMT years ago on sale for $600 (CAD) and it plays beautifully for jazz, finger picking etc. They all sound and play uniquely. One thing you miss: That $400 Sire might play so much better if it was properly set up! It can play like a $1500 guitar.....

[@jonmihail]

Oh man I would love a Collings acoustic. Never really thought about their Electrics but I'm sure they're awesome too! I should probably pick up a Sire as I keep hearing good things about them but never actually played one.

[@lazvt8469]

Buy your boutique guitar USED. Even a lefty like me can find a deal. I have a CS Tele...magical....an LSL Tbone...heavenly....an LSL Saticoy....best Strat ever. None 'broke' the bank....all can be resold for what I paid. Got my share of upgraded budget guitars too....love 'em all!!

[@jonmihail]

Yeah I mentioned I got my Seventh Day used and saved almost 50%. My Veritas on the other hand would be more expensive used as they’re limited run. Great tips tho!

[@APMTenants]

I took a bullet mustang, put some $20 AliExpress pickups in it, did a bunch of fret work to it, and did an oil finish on the neck. I’m into it for less than $100 total. My most expensive guitar is worth over $20k. I don’t bring expensive guitars out in public. People are more impressed when you get amazing tone from garbage

[@jonmihail]

That is true, having something unexpected is a good time for all haha

[@RealFeelsTrip]

My main guitar cost about $2400. A few years back I wanted to 'upgrade' and I bought a $5700 guitar. I ended up liking both guitars, but the $5700 guitar just sits in the case most days, and I never put down the $2400 guitar.

[@jonmihail]

What were they? Now I’m super curious haha

[@Jeremyisbrown]

Just out of curiosity. I was told the pro series Veritas guitars were made in Korea and assembled in America Is that true?

[@jonmihail]

The old ones were. You can tell these as they say “made in Korea” on the back of the headstock. They stopped making those a few years ago and now all of them are made in America.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Imagine if Elvis or Creedence or Clash had come up from the boutiques.

[@jonmihail]

We seriously are completely spoiled these days. From great $200 guitars to amazing 2-5k guitars. There really is anything for anyone

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@jonmihail Never met a $200 that matched a $2,000. I have seen "you get what you pay," though ...

[@jonmihail]

Never said it matched, just there are great options all the way along

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@jonmihail Lesser quality for lower price is never a great option. If the all-in cash budget is say $1,200, use that for a down payment on an American-made winner.

[@jonmihail]

Not sure I agree. I’m also a firm believer that you shouldn’t go into debt for gear, it’s a slippery slope. I think there are many cases for a squier or a lower priced instrument.

[@kristopherk5454]

The one thing we really don’t need is boutique strings 😊.

[@jonmihail]

I know they exist, but I don’t think it’s a big industry

[@jpjodoin]

Ernie ball guitars all the way..

[@jonmihail]

I’ll be honest I’ve only played a couple. Which should I start with?

[@Bixll09]

@@jonmihail Another custom guitar. LOL

[@jonmihail]

For a minute I thought you wanted me to get a Sterling haha

[@peacefulruler1]

Nice but painfully expensive

[@NikkoDisenyo520]

Guitars are now like Social status, If I don't own a guitar/pick/strap/pedals just like them.. I am not involved in their groupchat

[@jonmihail]

Agreed. I don’t like it, but if it plays well and it inspires you, go for it. I just don’t like how everyone gravitates toward the same gear

[@NikkoDisenyo520]

@@jonmihail I own and play live with my strat china copy. Plays very well and sounds great. Just a simple Sunburst SSS white pickguard 21 fret strat. Very opposite to overhyped social media guitars 😂