Top 3 Guitars on a Budget ($200 or Less)

Repeat after me: Used instruments are better value.  Every time I hear someone has gone to a big chain and spent way too much money on a guitar that is worth way too little, I die a little on the inside.

Unfortunately, I'm up against the marketing departments of all of the big companies (Fender, Epiphone, etc.) who want to sell newbies a $300 "Starter pack" with a terrible guitar, a terrible amp, terrible picks... You get the idea.  

One stop shopping for the lazy if you ask me.  With no inherent resale value, too often "junior" is left with worthless gear that he/she can't sell to buy drugs or smokes or ballet slippers or whatever he or she is into (take the good with the bad parents).

Buying used can be intimidating, and sure you run the risk of getting ripped off, but no more so than you do at the big stores if you ask me.  Generally speaking, Kijijians are pretty solid people - If they give you a full name and telephone number, it's a good bet they're dealing in good faith.  Fear mongers who tell you the world is evil are full of shit.

Digression:  Still better safe than sorry.  I typically bring a friend with me if meeting at someone's house, especially at night.  Keep in mind that I'm over 6 feet tall and male, and my friends are always equally sized and typically more imposing than I could ever be. In every case I've met fantastic people who want to talk about gear, and there was never a reason for concern, but risking it is stupid.

Here are the top 3 budget guitars that you can have for under $200.  If you're savvy, you can spend even less.

#3 - Ibanez 321MH

Do you get the sense that you, or the person you're buying for, is a little head banger?  This is probably the choice for them.  A fixed bridge means less tuning stability issues, and although an Ibanez neck is a love it or hate it affair, there are enough that love it to warrant inclusion here.  

If you can't see yourself playing a "traditional electric," this is your guitar.  Plus it will grow with you - Throw in a set of EMGs eventually and you've got a serious guitar that will hang with the best.

#2 - Yamaha Pacifica 112J

You'd be hard pressed to beat the Pacifica for value in this price range.  This was my first new guitar, and it served me well.  These are generally very well made, and are an excellent platform for upgrades.  

Beware though - this isn't a Strat shape, and neither is the pickguard, so changing the look is something that wouldn't be as easy as with a Squier Stratocaster.  This is still the superior "strat" in the sub $200 range, and I couldn't recommend it more. You can get these for as low as $100 if you're patient.

#1 - Epiphone SG G400

Sometimes, I even surprise myself.  Epiphone?  Really?

Really. I've seen these guitars go for $200 fairly regularly, and I think they represent great value.  They're built reasonably well, the pickups are much better than they were 10 years ago, and they look great.  Plus there's an unmistakable cool factor here.  

I had a friend who brought one of these back from Scotland (not relevant, but hey - context), and in a sea of knockoff Strats in high school , he had one of the coolest guitars.  The pickups back then were pretty weak, and the tuners weren't as good as the newer models (fake klusons back then vs. Grovers now), but he still had the coolest guitar.  Teenagers care about that kind of shit.  Parents take notice.

Sure, it's an "AC/DC Guitar", but it's also a classic. Get the heritage cherry red and you have something that looks and sounds great.  Check out Rob Chapman/Anderton's video on sounding like "Eric Clapton for less than 1000 pounds" and tell me you don't want one.

What to Avoid!

Far be it from me to be negative (HA!), but there are definitely some guitars that you'll want to avoid.  There are the models that pop up all the time that should be treated like the plague.

#1 Any Squier "Strat" or "Starcaster"

"Strat" is in quotes there because these guitars aren't "Stratocasters".  They're "Strats".  They don't deserve, or can't afford, the extra 8 letters apparently.  These are the guitars that come out of the starter packs, and they're just no good.  These will be priced between $100 and $150 typically, and aren't worth half of that. Starcasters are even worse.  So cheap they won't even call it a "Strat."

Buy a Pacifica, you dolt.

#2 Epiphone Les Paul 100

You could probably get one of these for $200 or less, but a bolt neck Les Paul, for the price of a set neck SG?  Don't be a moron.

You'd be a fool to think that you're A) getting a better guitar or B) Actually getting a Les Paul.  Only the SG is a good bet in this range.  The first time you pull out your LP100, and someone points out it is a bolt neck, you will feel shame.

Don't feel shame.  Buy the SG.

#3 Epiphone Special II

Feel like I'm picking on Epiphone, just to bring balance to my G400 pick?  Nah, but get over the Les Paul shape and buy an SG G400 already.  Same goes for the one pickup versions.

So, have you picked up the SG yet?