So I just got another guitar. For anyone keeping track, that makes five electrics and two acoustics. So people might ask, "My, how do you do it? How can a recent college grad afford that many beautiful guitars?"
"Buying budget instruments," I would reply. "Ignore the Gibson's and Fender's of this world, and look for something that is quality, but lower cost."
"Where would I look for something like that," would be a logical reply.
"Funny you should ask," is the response, as I supply a great link to a great sight that sells very reasonably priced electrics online.
http://www.rondomusic.com/
I just grabbed a used Agile AL-2000 in 2 Tone Sunburst. It has had a few cosmetic changes, but the only sonic upgrade is the pickups being swapped out for a set of Guitarhead's "Zbuckers" which retail for $50 a set online. So if you wanted the same thing, you'd be looking at well under $300 with the new pickups, shipped.
Yes, that is nearly $200 cheaper than a comparable Epiphone LP Standard Plaintop. Yes, the pickukp upgrade actually makes the guitar substantially better than a stock Epiphone LP Standard. Yes, I have done an A/B test with both of mine, and yes, this is no exaggeration.
If Stratocasters are more your thing than Les Pauls, let me highly recommend the Squier Deluxe Stratocaster. The pickups are very nice for a $279 guitar (new). The nicest Strat I have ever played that was under $800 was the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster, though. These things are so well made it isn't even funny. At $350, they are well priced, too. If you can do without the "Fender" headstock shape, check out the SX SST line on Rondo's sight. Very nice, may need a little work to mod it to perfection, but I have only heard good things about them when they are modded out, and set up. Rondo also sells some very nice Telecasters under the Agile line.
Anyway, today's lesson is that tone comes from your heart and your hands, not the price tag of the axe that you are playing.
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