Weekend Roundup: June 11

A collection of the things that have caught my eye in the past week, though I've noticed that, in a couple of cases it isn't for the best reasons...

Gibson LPJ - $750 $700

I don't even know where to start, except I do.  The owner claims this to have "the same guts as a standard."  No. It. Doesn't.

Aside from the seller claiming something that is so obviously untrue that he or she should be taken out back and beaten with their own guitar, the price on this is absolutely insane.  In my mind, this is just shy of Les Paul Studio money on a typical day, and would land you a Studio if the right stars aligned.

Shame too, because of all the colors offered in the first year of the LPJ (the EMG like pickup covers give it away), the white was by far the best looking.

Update: Seller has removed mention of guts and lowered price.  Huh.

Replica Fender Stratocaster with Floyd Rose - $350

Look, it's bad enough that you're trying to sell a knockoff guitar, and no, you don't get credit for admitting it is a knockoff. What's worse is the inclusion of the Floyd Rose.  If the guitar is a knockoff, wouldn't the Floyd be too?

Sure, I could see a situation where a Chinese factory that is making licensed Floyds has some fall off the truck, but really?

Like all Chinese guitar-crimes, there are slight oddities that give this one away as being complete crap.  Take a look at that headstock - there's something off about the color of the lettering, and the underline of the logo doesn't match the line of the headstock.

JHS Muffaleta - $300

I really want a fuzz, but $300?!?!?  I'm sure it (isn't) worth every penny, but is't insane to charge nearly the full retail price, isn't it?

With the Nano-Muff running $99.99 at retail?

Sure, this is better, but 3X better?

Nah.

Fender Princeton Recording Amp - $750

Before Fender introduced the very popular Princeton Reverb Reissue, they released the Princeton Recording Amp.
I'm surprised these wren't more popular, but it just goes to show that aesthetics may play a part in the success of gear (duh).  The addition of that extra control panel probably turned a lot of people off, which is a shame.

Assuming the sound is what you'd expect, this is a great amp.  A built in tube screamer clone, compression, power attenuator, effects loop, and reverb (obviously) makes this a pretty flexible little beast.

Add to that the fact that it comes with a 4 button foot switch for the overdrive, compressor, effects loop, and reverb and you've got a serious little amp.  The only problem I see here is that I've seen these listed for as low as $500, so this price seems a bit steep (but does include the foot switch).

Squier 60's Classic Vibe Stratocaster - $350

Normally, I wouldn't be interested in these guitars - yes they're good, but I already have three really good Stratocasters that cover a variety of ground.

Except this color kills me: Burgundy Mist with the matching headstock.  One of these has been hanging in a local shop for months now, and it always catches my eye. I just love the color.

Enough to drop $350?  Nope.  I don't see this being a guitar that would get played very often, and $350 is a bit much for a wall flower.

Seriously though, this is a great price if you're looking for a great guitar with great looks that will hold value.  This level of Squier is nothing to turn your nose up at.

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