Guys tomorrow is my birthday, and I'm getting some cash, what used guitars can I find for under $250 (that aren't crap)?
—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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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »
Guitars under $250
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Joined: Jun 07, 2017 Posts: 48 University Place, WA 
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 10:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 29, 2018 Posts: 801 |
Posted on Mar 09 2019 10:57 PM
A lot of people seem to like the Squier VM Jaguars, and a used one ought to be in that price range. Probably the same thing can be said for the Squier VM Jazzmaster as well. Either one you can upgrade the components along the way as you decide what you might want to improve, but you definitely would start out with a solid base. |
Joined: Jul 23, 2014 Posts: 645 LA -ish
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Posted on Mar 09 2019 11:38 PM
Guitar Fetish and Agile/Hondo leap to mind. I have an Agile and can speak to the quality (Good!) but the GF is merely word on the street. —mj
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Joined: Jul 30, 2016 Posts: 896
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 12:09 AM
Teiscos are debatably crap but at least they're cheap and after a proper setup, they do actually sound good. Here's one well within your range, leaving room to add a roller bridge and a vibrato arm. https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/msg/d/auburn-teisco-guitar/6837280377.html G&L Tributes are about the best deal out there and here's a good looking one. It has their MFD in the bridge and those are sweeeeet pickups. This isn't really a surf guitar but once you feel it and hear it play you won't give two shits about that, I promise. Earlier tonight I pulled my Squier Telecaster out and played on it a bit. It has DiMarzio Twang King pickups in it and is just a fantastic thing. It's the only guitar I have that makes me think, "You know, if this were the only guitar I could keep, I'd kinda be okay with that." Not really, but almost.. https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/d/seattle-gl-asat-classic-bluesboy-in/6833806548.html Here's a Vintage Modified 'Stang. Their vibratos are utter crap but that can be addressed with some work. Not nearly the buy as that G&L but a bit surfier. https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/msg/d/kirkland-squier-vintage-modified/6837043676.html Wow, and here's another for even less! Here's a cool Danelectro with an appropriate sound for this forum. They might do 250 for you. https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/d/sequim-danelectro-2/6825689242.html Anyway, my recommendation is obviously to leverage your money and buy used. Craigslist is a great resource and awesome deals are out there to be had. Of all these I listed, my top choice would be that G&L. If you could get that for $250 you'd have yourself a hell of an instrument. It's the same price range as a Fender Mexican but better in every way. Save for the headstock shape. Last edited: Mar 10, 2019 00:14:38 |
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Joined: Oct 16, 2008 Posts: 552 Madison, WI 
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 08:05 AM
Redfeather wrote:
Cra8gslist may be good if you're in Seattle. It's much less good in other places. No awesome deals here. |
Joined: Jan 15, 2019 Posts: 1515 |
Posted on Mar 10 2019 09:11 AM
Depends if you have a amp already ? or a new student etc If your a student I would suggest the guitar below to start out This guy in the video below has played every guitar out there and says this guitar is really good for the money and performance. https://www.rondomusic.com/geroseflb.html I like Strat design's being they usually have less trouble than other designs - I would stick to this type of entry level guitar whether a Squire or some other brand and spend the rest on a good emulator pedal with a built in tuner to start out if your a new student. A good pair of headphones and a iPod or CD player connection to pedal practice with etc .. . Some pedals are around the same price and that would be a good set up to start out with. Some entry level guitars have a amp with it , but they are junk - just get a good guitar like this and buy a used emulator pedal to practice with. The Guitar is like $95 on sale and a good used emulator pedal about the same so would leave you about 50 dollars for a good pair of studio headphones - I'm buying the new Yellow One right now as I write this - forgot all about this guitar till now - and the price is lower than in 2016 when I first looked at it- was $99 to $120 on EBay back then - can't even find it on there now had to go to site listed above. Says its $95 on sale right now. PS - the shipping is $16.47 so total is $111.47 which still isn't bad for a good entry level guitar like this. Last edited: Mar 10, 2019 09:26:29 |
Joined: Dec 27, 2012 Posts: 110 Ex SoCal -> Gainesville VA
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 09:56 AM
Mmmmm, online surf guitar shopping on a lazy Sunday morning with a challenging budget...who can resist? I'd say the advice above in getting a good quality used guitar is the way to go, your odds of getting a lasting playable instrument will be higher, just way better bang for the buck methinks. Since Craigslist in your area has been covered, and staying away from Reverb (overpriced) and eBay (sometimes risky), one thought might be to look at Guitar Center's used listings. Yeah yeah I know, I hate 'em too, but they do check out the instruments, ship 'em from any of their other stores, and offer a return policy at least. Only problem is, I had a hard time getting at $250, although there are some good potential candidates here if you go to $299: Danelectro Danoblaster, "Excellent" condition, $299 (no experience with these, but looks interesting): Squier Vintage Modified Jag, "Great" condition, $275 Squier Deluxe Jazzmaster, "Great" condition, $299 Yamaha SC3000T "Good" condition, $299 (again, no experience with these, but looks REAL interesting, and Yammy's seem to have a good rep around here for Surf) Fender Standard Stratocaster, "Fair" condition, $299 G&L Tribute Legacy "Great" condition, $299 of course G&L ASAT and ASAT Jr., "Great" and "Good" condition respectively, both $299, natch:: After all that, the Squier VM Jag may have the best potential as a straight-out-of-the-box Surf guitar (EDIT: errr maybe not...I just noticed it's a Jagmaster version). One of my sons bought me a used Surf Green Squier VM Jag for my birthday last year, it has some paint chips and buckle rash on the back, but after correcting some setup issues it plays just great and sounds good'n'surfy without any electrical or pickup mods. Good luck, be sure to post about your new guitar after the dust settles! —Member in good standing, Mentone Beach Syncopation Reverberation Association Last edited: Mar 10, 2019 10:02:19 |
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Joined: Dec 27, 2012 Posts: 110 Ex SoCal -> Gainesville VA
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 10:05 AM
Ya'know, seems to be a decent candidate right here at home, no? https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/31750/ —Member in good standing, Mentone Beach Syncopation Reverberation Association |
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Joined: Jan 15, 2019 Posts: 1515 |
Posted on Mar 10 2019 10:39 AM
I tried to buy the SX Gypsy Rock at https://www.rondomusic.com/geroseflb.html I have a old 1984 Bently guitar entry level Strat design and still kicks ass of every guitar I have. There is no correlation to price or look when it comes to good guitars - Some guitars can cost ten times or more of a cheap entry level guitar and ar not that much better in reality. My feeling is its better to have cheap guitar and a expensive amp - the other way around doesn't work well. All my so called Surf Guitars (Jazzmaster - Jaguars - Stratocaster etc) are not my favorite guitars performance wise playing this genre - any guitar can play surf music - Its the amps and tanks reverb that makes the most difference in sound. Yes you need a really good design as a guitar - but you need a much better amp to get up on a wave as well. Lots of low end axes that perform just as good if not better than models 100 of times the cost. Don't drink the cool aid you have to have some special guitar for surf (That's just tradition nothing more). The only reason Fender is associated with Surf is because it was close by where it originated. I do like the basic Stratocaster the most out of the Fender line. But there are many guitars with the same design configuration that make excellent surfing guitars. The Stratocaster type design bridge wise is the most trouble free guitar I have. Make sure it has that type of bridge no matter what make as guide - all the rest require a lot of maintenance. Its just a simple reliable design. Last edited: Mar 10, 2019 11:23:33 |
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Joined: Dec 27, 2012 Posts: 110 Ex SoCal -> Gainesville VA
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 12:49 PM
Heck if I was looking for a guitar and amp combo that might even include some great effects, I would kick out a buck fifty for that Yamaha Pacifica that's for sale here. It's got some SG101 member provenance behind it, and IvanP being the nice guy he is, would probably "accidentally" drop a few guitar picks in the box if you whispered some sweet nothings in his ear (c'mon Ivan, help the kid out willya??!) That leaves almost a whole Benjamin to play with for a cool budget amp/effects solution, and I'd go with either of these modeling approaches: Zoom G1X (or G1Xon if you can find 'em for $79 like I did about a month ago). Has a ton of effects including a good '63 Spring Reverb emulation. I have one of these and it's a total gas. Downside is, needs to line out to an amp or speaker system, but also works great with headphones. But check it out: Here's the video from member SG101 member "Squid". TONS of content on YT about this device as well: Or for $99 go with one of the cool new mini modeling amps like the NuX Mighty Lite BT (the dude in the first video below is a metalhead so he focuses on that sound, but exploration of the Reverb modeling is around the 5:00 mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZflkfMOggg —Member in good standing, Mentone Beach Syncopation Reverberation Association Last edited: Mar 10, 2019 13:22:06 |
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Joined: Jan 15, 2019 Posts: 1515 |
Posted on Mar 10 2019 04:14 PM
Ivan's guitar looks more expensive than $112 (Is that the model number 112M ??? Yeah those Zoom G1X pedals are the way to go - amps are freaking crazy in price wise for anyone starting out - many would be guitarist give up anyway because it takes so long to learn guitar etc ...most guitars end up in the closet eventually. |
Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 152 Meridian, Idaho
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 05:27 PM
My local Guitar Center has, at various times, had some crazy good deals on So, get in good with your local guitar store(s), let them know what you’re looking for, and request they contact you if something shows up. Plus, check in regularly, you just never know when something GAS inducing will arrive. —More cowbell?? Nah...More Reverb!! |
Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1019 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 06:40 PM
A few years ago I bought an "Indio" strat type guitar from monoprice for about $100. The fretwork and finish were perfect. After I thinned the neck, replaced pickups, saddles and vibrato block it is first rate. I suspect that the current neck is not as thick. Here is a review of the current "Indio" Here is a listing on Monoprice.com for $100 Here is their upscale version for $200. I don't know why it is more costly. If it has a heavier vibrato block I'd buy it instead, if not I'd prefer the cheaper one and replace the block. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=610404 Another approach is a used Samick Silvertone off Ebay. I saw a couple of these today for about $75 including shipping. I've seen them at a local pawnshop for $70. It is plain black but neck, pickups, vibrato and frets are excellent. For a first class instrument just replace the vibrato block. That's my experience. Well, I did repaint it and replace the pickups but that was just preference. —Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com Last edited: Mar 10, 2019 18:43:33 |
Joined: Nov 08, 2017 Posts: 369 San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Mar 10 2019 08:17 PM
Look for a Squier Standard Strat. 22 frets, 2-point bridge, alnico mag PUs. I like the one I have. In the $100-150 range. —If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play. |
Joined: Jul 14, 2015 Posts: 478 Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Mar 11 2019 07:39 AM
+1 on the Squier Standard Strat. They can be purchased new from Amazon from $250 USD, but I recommend hitting the pawn shops for a bargain. I picked mine up from a pawn shop for $55 and it just required a setup. The benefit of the Standard over the Bullet and Affinity series is that the Standard is full size with the body depth of a traditional Fender Stratocaster. This means you can upgrade the parts easily, if you are so inclined. They don't require modding to be fine guitars, but they provide a great platform for tweaking. -Tim |
Joined: Jun 10, 2015 Posts: 172 Cleveland, Ohio
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Posted on Mar 11 2019 09:58 AM
Happy Birthday! Mine is March 24. I'm with Stoppy. I'd check used stuff at local GC and SA. I picked this used Squier VM Jag for $225 just a few weeks ago:
Cleaned it up, setup, new strings and I'm ready to SURF! Last edited: Mar 11, 2019 09:59:18 |
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Joined: Dec 27, 2012 Posts: 110 Ex SoCal -> Gainesville VA
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Posted on Mar 12 2019 11:40 AM
Not to bump this thread again but I feel terrible about having overlooked a highly massively critical detail that only GuitarMuk seemed to have touched on, and that's the opportunity to say: Happy Belated Birthday, Gabe/youngreverb, hope you had a great one! And plus that is a SWINGIN' DEAL ya got on that VM Jag, GuitarMuk! Veddyniiiiice... —Member in good standing, Mentone Beach Syncopation Reverberation Association Last edited: Mar 12, 2019 13:32:06 |
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Joined: Jan 15, 2019 Posts: 1515 |
Posted on Mar 12 2019 12:01 PM
That;s a good price GuitarMunk - I think I have every color of that model- their ok but not like a real Fender Jaguar though _ I still like the Fender better. I over looked this guitar because it takes a while to get them tuned and set up right (horrible out of the box as well even new). If I was starting out I would buy the Squire Stratocaster Silver Flash recommended - Its just a really good meat and potatoes guitar for the money - or some similar guitar built the same way. Many more just as good out there - shop around. |
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Joined: Mar 23, 2011 Posts: 518 colorado springs
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Posted on Mar 17 2019 09:42 PM
A great option is an sx strat with some gfs gray bottom pickups. Last edited: Mar 17, 2019 21:42:58 |
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