Pro guitarists playing cheap guitars?

Schwiiing

Hello folks.

I currently have it in mind to fulfill a lifelong ambition to be able to play guitar.

Being a bit short of cash at the moment I have been looking in the Squier/Epiphone bracket of guitars. A small bit of research has led me to believe that these are cheaper, lower quality in terms of build and sound, copies of much more expensive guitars.

I was just wondering if there are any professional (famous) guitarists who play lower grade instruments as this would give me more confidence in buying 1 knowing that it can be made to sound good with minimal further financial outlay. The only guitarist I can find is the female guitarist with The XX who plays a gold epiphone in their video for crystalised.

Any help appreciated.

Elysian

Saw this Epiphone/Gibson shootout on youtube today, the sustain section is quite interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzM9dvV-VJU&feature=plcp#t=11m30s

djflawless

Imo its not the guitar that makes it quality.its the person playing it

Halloween Jack

Prince purportedly plays a cheap hohner tele and the results speak for themselves;)

Malice

Squier or Epiphone guitars are fine for a beginner. Once you get to the level where you can feel a difference in the playability of the neck or the distribution of the weight you'll have a much better idea of what to look for in your next guitar.

zenno

djflawless wrote: »

Imo its not the guitar that makes it quality.its the person playing it

I have to agree with this.

It's astonishing what you can produce over time even playing a piano set on classical guitar... Learning moonlight sonata at the moment but on a €50 classical guitar (3 fingers almost broke so far) but it sounds fine once tuned.

Sure we all seen expert guitarists playing on old guitars, if you have the love for the guitar then it makes no difference what old guitar you play on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCD6VdY_7qk

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

Oasis first album was recorded mainly with epiphone Les Pauls and Hollow bodies. My chemical romance's guitarists used epiphone Les Pauls until their 3rd album.

seachto7

Yer man from TV on The Radio used an Epi SG and Epi LP for ages, saying that, he used lots of effects, so it wouldn't matter either way I reckon, his tone would be heavily modified. He used Peavey Classic 30 amps as well for a good bit...

Ravelleman

Halloween Jack wrote: »

Prince purportedly plays a cheap hohner tele and the results speak for themselves;)

This is a misconception. The guitar is essentially a rebranded HS Anderson Mad Cat, made by Morris, which was an extremely high quality Japanese guitar company. They eventually sold the naming rights to Hohner, but continued producing guitars in the original factory. The guitars were hand made by a team of 5 people.

Halloween Jack

Ravelleman wrote: »

This is a misconception. The guitar is essentially a rebranded HS Anderson Mad Cat, made by Morris, which was an extremely high quality Japanese guitar company. They eventually sold the naming rights to Hohner, but continued producing guitars in the original factory. The guitars were hand made by a team of 5 people.

I suppose it make more sense than a guy like prince playing cheap production line stuff

Halloween Jack

Schwiiing wrote: »

Hello folks.

I currently have it in mind to fulfill a lifelong ambition to be able to play guitar.

Being a bit short of cash at the moment I have been looking in the Squier/Epiphone bracket of guitars. A small bit of research has led me to believe that these are cheaper, lower quality in terms of build and sound, copies of much more expensive guitars.

I was just wondering if there are any professional (famous) guitarists who play lower grade instruments as this would give me more confidence in buying 1 knowing that it can be made to sound good with minimal further financial outlay. The only guitarist I can find is the female guitarist with The XX who plays a gold epiphone in their video for crystalised.

Any help appreciated.

By the way, I started learning 2 years ago, I started with an epiphone, but said to myself if I was still playing in a years time I would reward myself with a nicer guitar, when I hit the two year mark, I'll be in the market for another reward guitar;)

Keeps me motivated, but the real reward is slowly seeing my playing improve, if you stick at it it's incredibly satisfying.

Although be prepared for it to take up all your abailable time and energy;)

Thomas from Presence

I'm out gigging a couple of nights a week and also some recording. I use a Japanese Edwards LP and it's perfect.

If I had a Gibson I'd be less relaxed at gigs. For me to have the same spec in a Gibson I'd have to shell out 3k plus and if it gets marked then its "investment" value falls. For road use it's just too much of a risk for me for very little practical benefit.

Frankly the cheaper Gibsons (and a lot of the more expensive ones...) are not a patch on what a Japanese maker can offer for less.

Ravelleman

Thomas from Presence wrote: »

Frankly the cheaper Gibsons (and a lot of the more expensive ones...) are not a patch on what a Japanese maker can offer for less.

Or indeed really Chinese, like Edwards.

They're milled and finished in China and have hardward fitted in Japan

Just sayin'.

Darkglasses

I think I've seen the guitarist from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs play a Squier strat, and another New York band who I can't remember. There's even levels of quality within these brands to consider. Top end Epiphones are definitely totally decent guitars, reflected in the cost. Squier less so in my opinion, although I'm very fond of my modded Squier '51.

Examples of modded Squier 51s:
http://www.instituteofnoise.com/squier51/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=5

zafo

Check out the Classic Vibe range from Squier, great instruments.

Also lots of 70s/80s Japanese made instruments are great and cheap, Westone, Ibanez, Greco etc

Best advice I'd have is get someone who knows their guitars to check out anything you're going to buy with you.

kevin65

Jeff Healey used to play squier strats with upgraded pickups.

darrenw5094

zafo wrote: »

Check out the Classic Vibe range from Squier, great instruments.

Also lots of 70s/80s Japanese made instruments are great and cheap, Westone, Ibanez, Greco etc

Best advice I'd have is get someone who knows their guitars to check out anything you're going to buy with you.

I have a couple of Greco LP's.......not as cheap as they were 2 years ago. Prices are way up on those too.:mad:

Pdfile

ive played alot of cheaper gear... its the specific model regardless of cost, its parts & woods that matter, then the amp, mixed with the talent of the lad/ladie playing it.

flyswatter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVXwAN1lyhc

Troy Van Leeuwen from QOTSA is playing a Squier Jazzmaster in the second song of this video.

Elysian

Jack Thammarat, winner of Guitar Idol 2009 playing a Classic Vibe Squier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMIYSod-mUk

packas

Halloween Jack wrote: »

Schwiiing wrote: »

Hello folks.

I currently have it in mind to fulfill a lifelong ambition to be able to play guitar.

Being a bit short of cash at the moment I have been looking in the Squier/Epiphone bracket of guitars. A small bit of research has led me to believe that these are cheaper, lower quality in terms of build and sound, copies of much more expensive guitars.

I was just wondering if there are any professional (famous) guitarists who play lower grade instruments as this would give me more confidence in buying 1 knowing that it can be made to sound good with minimal further financial outlay. The only guitarist I can find is the female guitarist with The XX who plays a gold epiphone in their video for crystalised.

Any help appreciated.

By the way, I started learning 2 years ago, I started with an epiphone, but said to myself if I was still playing in a years time I would reward myself with a nicer guitar, when I hit the two year mark, I'll be in the market for another reward guitar;)

Keeps me motivated, but the real reward is slowly seeing my playing improve, if you stick at it it's incredibly satisfying.

Although be prepared for it to take up all your abailable time and energy;)

I agree I've been playing 2 years. Only now getting to grips with pentatonic and CAGED system in a meaningful way. In order to motivate myself to pick up the guitar regularly I forked out for a pretty expensive Fender American Standard FSR strat. The rationale was that picking up such a beauty would help motivate me and it does as it feels and sounds amazing. If you're seriou about playing buy the best you can afford. If you're not sure abou your planned commitment buy cheaper and see how you get on!!!

BostonB

You'll find a some of the best players actually built their main guitar from a number of other guitars. Taking the best pits to make something they liked.

Personally I sound dire regardless of the guitar I'm playing.

martinedwards

Keith Urban uses an Epiphone.

One Of Iron Maiden's Guitarists (Dave Murry I THINK) still lists a squier strat on his equipment list.

BostonB is right about the partscasters.

Clapton's Blackie, EVH's Frankenstrat, SRV's No.1..... all built from bits.

Alanstrainor

So what makes someone a Pro anyway?!

zafo wrote: »

Check out the Classic Vibe range from Squier, great instruments.

Also lots of 70s/80s Japanese made instruments are great and cheap, Westone, Ibanez, Greco etc

Best advice I'd have is get someone who knows their guitars to check out anything you're going to buy with you.

Just got another classic vibe last night. Picture is in the picture thread stickied in this forum. I'd bet 90% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the squier and an american standard. It is an amazing piece of kit for a little over 300