This is Part 9 of the “Best Guitar” series.  Here’s the overview: if you buy used, you’ll get more for your money.  Let’s continue…

Used

I’m imagining that I have $900 to spend on a used guitar.  I can only imagine, because I wouldn’t do it, but bear with me.  What to buy?

  1. Fender American Deluxe Strat or Tele.  If you shop around, you can get a step above your average American Fender.  Usually this means it’s slightly better made with slightly better pickups.
  2. Gibson Explorer.  Or a Les Paul Studio Deluxe, which as you can guess, is slightly better than a regular Studio.
  3. PRS Starla.  IF you can find one.  I like these a little better than the S2 Custom with gloss finish.

New

Options are limited.

  1. ESP LTD EC-1000.  You can’t get a new Gibson Les Paul for $900, but this just might be a little better.  I’m definitely a fan of these.
  2. Fender Classic Series 70’s Strat.  You can’t get a new American Fender Strat for $900, so I’d go high end Mexican made.  Do you sense a pattern? An alternative would be the really good Baja Strat or Tele.
  3. Schecter Hellraiser Solo-II.  Sort of Les Paul-ish and plays and sounds great.

Honestly, I don’t see any other good deals.  There are PRS SE models for around $900, but you’re overpaying.  There are PRS S2 models that start at $999, and we can’t afford them.  Nothing decent American by the big three, in other words.  In our final installment, we’ll tackle the $1,000 price tag, and the new options will be much improved.