This is the third post in a 10 post series.  We’re going to find the best instruments at each price point up to $1,000.  This is subjective, but I will provide rationale.  I will also look at the new and used markets.  Onward!

Used

If you know what to look for in a used guitar, used is almost always the way to go.  You can save a ton of cash.  So I’m going to pretend I have $300 in my wallet and I’m off to the music store to buy a guitar.

  1.  Epiphone Les Paul.  Often these guitars are more than $300 used, but if you hunt and search, you might be able to find one.  And if you can, and you want humbuckers, this is the route.  For $300, this is a decent guitar.  They look fantastic, they sound and play good, and they’re decent guitars to upgrade.  Epiphone Les Pauls sell new for between $500 and $700, so if you can get one for $300, it’s a great deal.
  2. Squier Classic Vibe.  You can find these for around $300, and if you want single coils, this is your guitar.  I have always felt, and I’m not alone, that the Classic Vibe series are up to the same standards as the Made in Mexico Fender Strats.  The pickups are pretty good, they sound good and play good, and like the Epi, it’s a good mod platform.  I wouldn’t hesitate to get up in front of 250 people with a Classic Vibe.

New

Don’t bother – get the Epi or the Classic Vibe.

OK, FINE.  I’ll give you two recommendations…

  1. Squier Vintage Modified Strat.  For single coils, there’s nothing new for $300 that’s as good as the Vintage Modified.  It’s a good instrument.  It’s not quite as nice looking or playing as the Classic Vibe, and the pickups are very ho-hum.  But you can upgrade them.
  2. Jackson JS32M Dinky.  There are a bunch of $300 with humbuckers made by Mitchell, Schecter, Jackson, Yamaha, etc.  and they’re all sort of similar to my hands and ears.  But of that group, I like the Jackson the best.  I’d say it depends on the neck profile you like.  I could have gone with the Yamaha PAC112V – it’s another good guitar at this new price range.

There are Squier Standard guitars in this range, Ibanez Artcore, the cheapest Yamaha Revstar, and honestly, at this price point, they’re all good “first guitar” choices.  Or, if you don’t have a lot of money, these are decent “second guitar” choices.  They’re all playable, they all sound decent, and they all could benefit from a pickup upgrade.

$300 can get you a good guitar.  No doubt.  I have lots of budget guitars in this price range.  If you’re patient and willing to swap pickups down the road, this is a fun place to shop.  Not too much money, and you get something good.  I’m dreading the next price range in this series – $400.  To me, there are good buys at $300 and good buys at $500.  $400 will be a challenge.  But for now, I’m done.