Cheap but good guitars

Surf_Skater

Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
United States

Posted on Aug 17 2017 07:19 PM

Call some local music stores and ask if they sell used gear. It gives a chance to try before you buy. Some even have a short return policy if you decide it's not the right one.
Guitar center has a used department and I think you can get online items shipped to your local GC store.
The key to finding a good deal in a shop is to check in often. Good deals don't last.

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Aug 17 2017 10:02 PM

youngreverb wrote:

Besides Reverb and eBay, where are some good places to buy used?

Online: Music Go Round has no idea what their stuff could sell for.

Looking for b-stock on Musicians Friend/Sweetwater/Guitar Center's website is always a good idea.

Craigslist locally tends to have a lot of Squier Jag/Jazzmasters.

Offsetguitars forum has a for sale section.

Hell, check Amazon even!

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Corey_Y

Joined: Dec 30, 2015
Posts: 162
Poland, Ohio
United States

Posted on Aug 18 2017 07:15 AM

youngreverb wrote:

Besides Reverb and eBay, where are some good places to buy used?

Guitar Center's used inventory online has very competitive prices and usually relatively low shipping costs. There's usually fewer pictures and less detail provided, but I've bought gear from them and been satisfied. Reverb consistently has the lowest prices, with some individual exceptions on certain things that might pop up really cheap as a one off on Music Go Round, GC or local Craigslist.

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youngreverb

Joined: Jun 07, 2017
Posts: 48
University Place, WA
United States

Posted on Aug 18 2017 11:56 PM

CrazyAces wrote:

youngreverb wrote:

Besides Reverb and eBay, where are some good places to buy used?

We've found some great deals on craigslist.
Squier VM Jazzmaster - $175.00
Squier humbucker strat - $30.00
'63 Danelectro/Silvertone 1449 - $300.00

Cheers,
Jeff

Thanks! I tend to disregard craigslist due to a crazy incident with a previous exchange, but this is pretty neat.

—

Gabe

Our beaches here get 3 foot tall waves, but it doesn't matter. You don't need to surf to play surf.

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ProfRadar

Joined: Oct 14, 2017
Posts: 3
1 Contributor Pin

Posted on Nov 04 2017 06:07 AM

Hello! First time poster and aspiring surf guitar maniac.

I’ve been scoping guitars for some time and have recently come across the Tagima TW61, part of Tagima’s Woodstock series is budget guitars. Close enough to a Jazzmaster, and sells for around $239USD new, though deals are to be had if you look around. I’ve been most interested in the sunburst finish, but they also come in white and red as well.

Reviews I’ve heard, and inquired about, are all positive. Some players like the Tagima better than the various Squier guitars, to include the Classic Vibe series (YMMV). I’ll let you know what I think if I ever pick one up.

Cheers!

Last edited: Nov 04, 2017 06:14:49

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ProfRadar

Joined: Oct 14, 2017
Posts: 3
1 Contributor Pin

Posted on Nov 04 2017 06:13 AM

I should also mention the Tagima TG530 is their strat-Style Guitar, and sells for $159 new. I like the surf green one with the maple neck, but there are a few different color options to choose from.

Last edited: Nov 04, 2017 06:20:08

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bamboozer

Joined: Jan 18, 2010
Posts: 672
Delaware
1 Security Pin

Posted on Nov 04 2017 06:24 AM

A local find is best, but as stated Guitar Center has good used gear for a fair price and low shipping costs. Local music stores mostly leave used gear alone these days, but if they've got used stuff their usually eager to sell it.

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BamaSurf

Joined: Oct 18, 2017
Posts: 92
Mobile, Alabama

Posted on Nov 04 2017 01:18 PM

I am really diggin' my new Squier VM Jaguar three color sunburst. I studied different YouTube Videos, internet posts and of course Surfguitar101 and learned how to do a proper setup on this guitar. Took me about an hour total but it sure plays and sounds outstanding. The 24" scale is perfect for my motorcycle crash damaged wrists.

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Surfadelphia

Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 437

Posted on Nov 04 2017 11:59 PM

I gotta give big props to the Squier VM Jaguars and Jazzmasters. They can both be had used in excellent condition typically for under $300.00 . I almost bought a VM Jazzmaster at a local GC for $270.00; the guitar was literally in like new condition. Ended up with a used/excellent condition VM Jaguar from an independent shop that was worth the two hour drive to be able to actually play the guitar first. I chose the Jag primarilly because the shorter scale/neck mated to that big offset body was just a much better match for my short frame. The cool thing about the Squier VM Jag is other than a proper set-up with heavier strings (11-48's nothing crazy) along with putting some electrical tape around the bridge posts and a slight bend in the trem arm to keep it in place the guitar needed nothing else. The stock Duncan Designed pu's sound excellent, the nut was cut properly and the fretwork was very good. You just can't beat that.

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ratfink5

Joined: Jan 05, 2010
Posts: 50

Posted on Nov 07 2017 10:29 AM

My Korean DiPinto Mach IV is a killer guitar, plays great, fit and finish is amazing. As good as my American Strat Plus. I paid $300 for a used one that is like new, the guy I got it from won it from Los Straight Jackets show. Signed by all the guys on the pick guard.

Last edited: Nov 07, 2017 10:32:06

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Surf_Skater Joined: Sep 06, 2012 Posts: 1300 Lawrenceville , GA	Posted on Aug 17 2017 07:19 PM Call some local music stores and ask if they sell used gear. It gives a chance to try before you buy. Some even have a short return policy if you decide it's not the right one. Guitar center has a used department and I think you can get online items shipped to your local GC store. The key to finding a good deal in a shop is to check in often. Good deals don't last. Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Aug 17 2017 10:02 PM youngreverb wrote: Besides Reverb and eBay, where are some good places to buy used? Online: Music Go Round has no idea what their stuff could sell for. Looking for b-stock on Musicians Friend/Sweetwater/Guitar Center's website is always a good idea. Craigslist locally tends to have a lot of Squier Jag/Jazzmasters. Offsetguitars forum has a for sale section. Hell, check Amazon even! Top
Corey_Y Joined: Dec 30, 2015 Posts: 162 Poland, Ohio	Posted on Aug 18 2017 07:15 AM youngreverb wrote: Besides Reverb and eBay, where are some good places to buy used? Guitar Center's used inventory online has very competitive prices and usually relatively low shipping costs. There's usually fewer pictures and less detail provided, but I've bought gear from them and been satisfied. Reverb consistently has the lowest prices, with some individual exceptions on certain things that might pop up really cheap as a one off on Music Go Round, GC or local Craigslist. Top
youngreverb Joined: Jun 07, 2017 Posts: 48 University Place, WA	Posted on Aug 18 2017 11:56 PM CrazyAces wrote: youngreverb wrote: Besides Reverb and eBay, where are some good places to buy used? We've found some great deals on craigslist. Squier VM Jazzmaster - $175.00 Squier humbucker strat - $30.00 '63 Danelectro/Silvertone 1449 - $300.00 Cheers, Jeff Thanks! I tend to disregard craigslist due to a crazy incident with a previous exchange, but this is pretty neat. — Gabe Our beaches here get 3 foot tall waves, but it doesn't matter. You don't need to surf to play surf. Top
ProfRadar Joined: Oct 14, 2017 Posts: 3	Posted on Nov 04 2017 06:07 AM Hello! First time poster and aspiring surf guitar maniac. I’ve been scoping guitars for some time and have recently come across the Tagima TW61, part of Tagima’s Woodstock series is budget guitars. Close enough to a Jazzmaster, and sells for around $239USD new, though deals are to be had if you look around. I’ve been most interested in the sunburst finish, but they also come in white and red as well. Reviews I’ve heard, and inquired about, are all positive. Some players like the Tagima better than the various Squier guitars, to include the Classic Vibe series (YMMV). I’ll let you know what I think if I ever pick one up. Cheers! Last edited: Nov 04, 2017 06:14:49 Top
ProfRadar Joined: Oct 14, 2017 Posts: 3	Posted on Nov 04 2017 06:13 AM I should also mention the Tagima TG530 is their strat-Style Guitar, and sells for $159 new. I like the surf green one with the maple neck, but there are a few different color options to choose from. Last edited: Nov 04, 2017 06:20:08 Top
bamboozer Joined: Jan 18, 2010 Posts: 672 Delaware	Posted on Nov 04 2017 06:24 AM A local find is best, but as stated Guitar Center has good used gear for a fair price and low shipping costs. Local music stores mostly leave used gear alone these days, but if they've got used stuff their usually eager to sell it. Top
BamaSurf Joined: Oct 18, 2017 Posts: 92 Mobile, Alabama	Posted on Nov 04 2017 01:18 PM I am really diggin' my new Squier VM Jaguar three color sunburst. I studied different YouTube Videos, internet posts and of course Surfguitar101 and learned how to do a proper setup on this guitar. Took me about an hour total but it sure plays and sounds outstanding. The 24" scale is perfect for my motorcycle crash damaged wrists. Top
Surfadelphia Joined: Sep 04, 2017 Posts: 437	Posted on Nov 04 2017 11:59 PM I gotta give big props to the Squier VM Jaguars and Jazzmasters. They can both be had used in excellent condition typically for under $300.00 . I almost bought a VM Jazzmaster at a local GC for $270.00; the guitar was literally in like new condition. Ended up with a used/excellent condition VM Jaguar from an independent shop that was worth the two hour drive to be able to actually play the guitar first. I chose the Jag primarilly because the shorter scale/neck mated to that big offset body was just a much better match for my short frame. The cool thing about the Squier VM Jag is other than a proper set-up with heavier strings (11-48's nothing crazy) along with putting some electrical tape around the bridge posts and a slight bend in the trem arm to keep it in place the guitar needed nothing else. The stock Duncan Designed pu's sound excellent, the nut was cut properly and the fretwork was very good. You just can't beat that. Top
ratfink5 Joined: Jan 05, 2010 Posts: 50	Posted on Nov 07 2017 10:29 AM My Korean DiPinto Mach IV is a killer guitar, plays great, fit and finish is amazing. As good as my American Strat Plus. I paid $300 for a used one that is like new, the guy I got it from won it from Los Straight Jackets show. Signed by all the guys on the pick guard. Last edited: Nov 07, 2017 10:32:06 Top

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Cheap but good guitars