Used Guitars and Amps for June
...If I had a million dollars... I'd continue to buy used guitars. It's just more exciting than new if you ask me. Scouring Kijiji and having that great piece of gear pop up like a light in the fog.
I'd probably look to bigger things first, but once the house and car and family were taken care of, I'd probably spend my days driving around buying cheap gear and writing about it. Once the guitar room was full, I'd sell them all, and write about that too. I promise I wouldn't mark anything up... too much?
Until that day, window shopping will have to do.
I'm not sure that I could be any happier with my DSL1-C. A perfect little practice amp, it sounds great at just the right volume for late night playing with kids sleeping two floors away. Better still, with the attenuator off and the amp cooking at a FULL ONE WATT, it's enough to keep up with my daughter's junior drum kit.
A Squier Standard Telecaster for $175 is not the best deal I've found out there, but this one was listed with a Fender practice amp, gig bag, cord, etc. My recent experience with the Squier 51 makes me think that with a little attention paid to the neck, this would be a great starter guitar for someone looking for classic good looks and something a bit different.
Now here's something you don't see every day. For those unaware, Jimmy Vaughan is SRV's brother, and a heck of a guitar player in his own right. This Made in Mexico signature model has a lot of features to like, including a soft V maple neck, vintage style tuners and logo, and an overwound bridge pickup.
A few years ago, Fender did a run of these Splatocasters - Made in Mexico Standard Stratocasters that each had a unique splatter-style paint job. This meant that no two were alike, and in that respect alone they are pretty cool.
I've never quite known what to think of Schecter - as a guitar company they kind of seem all over the place. I remember, when living in Japan about a decade ago, these kinds of Schecters were all over the used shops. I'm not sure what that says about them, though I was inclined to attribute this to a change in design aesthetic preference more than an indication of overall quality.
I think $500 might be a bit dear for this, and this isn't the kind of thing you can be sure to get your money back on. For $300 though, I'd be fairly certain you'd have your hands on a pretty slick player that stands out from the crowd, but just a bit.
If there is one thing that doesn't change for me, it's the desire to own a Fender Pink Paisley and Blue Flower. While these "colors" are traditionally associated with the Telecaster, I think I'd have the pink paisley in a Telecaster and the Blue Flower in a Stratocaster, just like the one here.
Finishing off our list is a Fender Contemporary Stratocaster, LISTED FOR $1400. Insane. Just batshit crazy.
I'd probably look to bigger things first, but once the house and car and family were taken care of, I'd probably spend my days driving around buying cheap gear and writing about it. Once the guitar room was full, I'd sell them all, and write about that too. I promise I wouldn't mark anything up... too much?
Until that day, window shopping will have to do.
Marshall JCM1-C - Swap/Trade
This version is the JCM 800 version, which I've heard may be the best of all the available versions. Normally I'd be very interested, but because of the limited run of these, combined with the seller noting that "these sold for close to $1000" (not true), I'm going to steer clear. If you're looking for a great practice amp though...
Squier Standard Telecaster with Amp - $175
A Squier Standard Telecaster for $175 is not the best deal I've found out there, but this one was listed with a Fender practice amp, gig bag, cord, etc. My recent experience with the Squier 51 makes me think that with a little attention paid to the neck, this would be a great starter guitar for someone looking for classic good looks and something a bit different.
I mean, how many Telecasters do you see per every 100 Stratocasters in this price range?
Fender Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Stratocaster - $700
Olympic white is one of those Fender colors that I'd like to own, and it rarely looks better than it does with the slightly tinted maple neck.
Fender Splatocaster -$500
$500 isn't a bad price, but I think you're buying little more that a conversation piece - I know if I owned it I'd be worried about rubbing the finish right off (I'm not certain that it is clear coated).
Schecter Telecaster - $500
I've never quite known what to think of Schecter - as a guitar company they kind of seem all over the place. I remember, when living in Japan about a decade ago, these kinds of Schecters were all over the used shops. I'm not sure what that says about them, though I was inclined to attribute this to a change in design aesthetic preference more than an indication of overall quality.I think $500 might be a bit dear for this, and this isn't the kind of thing you can be sure to get your money back on. For $300 though, I'd be fairly certain you'd have your hands on a pretty slick player that stands out from the crowd, but just a bit.
Fender Blue Flower Stratocaster - $800
If there is one thing that doesn't change for me, it's the desire to own a Fender Pink Paisley and Blue Flower. While these "colors" are traditionally associated with the Telecaster, I think I'd have the pink paisley in a Telecaster and the Blue Flower in a Stratocaster, just like the one here.
Beyond the finish, this is a MIJ/CIJ 50's Stratocaster. Having owned a Fender CIJ STX62 Stratocaster, the quality of these is excellent, though it should be said that I've always found the switches to be on the cheap side.
Fender Contemporary Stratocaster - $1400
Finishing off our list is a Fender Contemporary Stratocaster, LISTED FOR $1400. Insane. Just batshit crazy.
There's no doubt that this is in good condition, but this version has a tremolo different from the system 3 on the Deluxe (maybe a 2?), which means this isn't the deluxe (though that may be the only difference). The price here is absolutely insane. Save your money and keep your eye out for a Stratocaster Plus, a far more playable guitar with hardware that doesn't require a degree in mechanical engineering to explain.
