Big dilemma!

[moats]

Hi softies,

Please do pardon me for my noob questions but i would really need your input.

You see, I would be getting my first electric guitar this week and I'm pretty bent on getting a STRAT copy due to its versatility. However, when cost is factored in, here comes the big dilemma.

I have a budget of about $250 for the guitar only. Hence, the budget STRAT copies that i've been researching and reading what you softies recommend would be the Timbre Sr200, Smash S1/S2/S2 Lite and the Craftsman copies. I would think i would be getting either one of them as they all all in my price range.

Therefore if you were given to rank the Timbre Sr200, Smash S1/S2/S2 Lite and the Craftsman ST120/130, what would the order be given considerations such as built quality, QC, Tone, etc. This is a major concern for me as i would want to get a guitar that LAST and LAST LONG before i splash the cash and upgrade again which would be a few years down the road.

With my budget, I would think the craftsman would be my best bet and its the cheapest of all the choices i've listed but is the built good? i.e they stay in tune better than the other copies listed above, even frets, quality built or are they poorer then the other copies?

I would need a guitar that is built well and robust, sounds decent and bang for buck, pretty much stays in tune well and has good playability. What do you think? Should I go for the craftsman or Smash? Or the Timbre?

Amp wise, any comments if the Vox Pathfinder 15R is a good beginner amp or are there better ones you would recommend instead?


P.S. I seek your help because only owners of these guitars can tell if they stay in tune well after few weeks or months having it and comment on the built and stuff. Soundwise, i know its subjective so i'll give all a try. Tuning and quality are my upmost concern atm.

Thanks so much and sorry for this crazy long post!

 

[subversion]

P.S. I seek your help because only owners of these guitars can tell if they stay in tune well after few weeks or months having it and comment on the built and stuff.

tuning retention hinges on other considerations as well, one of which would be the user treatment to ensure tuning is reliable when the need arises. it could be any of the guitars you listed.

 

[moats]

Hi thank you for your reply!

In regards to tuning issues, what I'm looking for is a guitar that stays in tune well. I know there are several factors that cause tunning to go out.

Basically, I wouldnt want a guitar to go out of tune easily from just bending of strings and sometimes a lil whammy here and there. But I can't except much from a budget guitar can I?

So, do you think I should invest in a craftsman and change the tuners to a tonedrive locking tuners? However if I go this route, I am worried about the built of the craftsman. I don't know if they are well built and solid. I've heard better things about Timbre and Smash though. They seem to be a step higher in pickups and built, can I say that?

So should I go with the craftsman and change to locking tuners or go with the smash or timbre?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[Phil]

Why not just save up a bit more and get something above the Timbre, Smash or the Craftsman? That way you wouldn't have to compromise.

I understand how it is, sometimes when you want something, you just want it now - die die cannot wait.

But at the end of the day, it's better to bide your time and invest in something substantial.

If really must buy now, I for one like the Smash strat-copies. Just my two-cents.

 

[moats]

Hi Phil

Thanks for your input.

Well, I'm kinda fixed on the budget though. I've other commitments and i've set aside a fixed $450-500 bucks for the guitar and amp.

Therefore, i need a good amp and guitar that can last long and give me good tones.

I'm thinking of maybe getting a Smash S2 Lite and Vox Pathfinder 15R, any comments if this selection is good? However, I may not have cash for Locking Tuners already though.

Would the Smash go out of tune easily with high bends and lil whammy?

Also, whats the difference with 2 screws on the bridge as compared to the one with 6 screws? More tuning stability? Also, should i decide to totally not use the whammy, how do i lock the bridge so that tuning would be more stable?

Thanks!

 

[cheesedaele]

"You get what you pay for" is especially true with guitars than most other things. And even with thousand dollar guitars, you'll still find yourself having to tune regularly, let alone a budget entry-level instrument.

 

[jop]

Been using the Smash S2 for quite a while, doing bents won't make it goes out of tune instantly...
a little whammy used to create tremolo effect won't make it goes out of tune instantly too, just make sure the bridge and nut are lubricated it helps a little in staying in tune.

"@cheesedaele
"You get what you pay for" is especially true with guitars than most other things. And even with thousand dollar guitars, you'll still find yourself having to tune regularly, let alone a budget entry-level instrument."

QFT

 

[relinquish69]

have you considered 2nd hand gear? that way you can use the $250 to get more expensive gear.

with regards to tuning stability, it's normal to tune your guitar after doing one song. don't worry, cheap strat copies won't go out of tune that much. if it does, you probably have to remember giving your strings a good stretch after changing them.

 

[moats]

Thanks for all your input!

Yeah, "You get what you pay for" is very true. I cant except much from a budget guitar.

What about Smash Tele? Is it versatile to be able to play blues to rock? Tuning stability as compared to strat?

Heard stop tail bridges are more stable and wont go out of tune so easily as compared to floating bridges. Maybe I should try the GS100, but the body and top dont really appeal to me. Any reviews on this guitar?

Narrowing down, I'm considering getting the Smash S2 Lite, Smash Tele (is it recommended?), and maybe the GS100 (idk yet, more people recommend the GS200 though but its out of my budget).

Could anyone link me with more info on basswood? I don't know if its good. I just heard its a soft wood and gets dings easily. lol.

Thanks!

 

[relinquish69]

basswood is a good wood. pick up any Ibanez RG guitar equipped with Dimarzios and you'd know what I mean.

regarding the ding part, all guitars would have the tendency of getting ding-ed. just take care of the guitar and you'd be fine.

 

[jop]

http://www.suhrguitars.com/wood.aspx#body
wood types and their descriptions.

 

[theunknown]

for ur budget and since ure a beginner, for amps: the vox uve chosen and also consider the roland cube.

the vox is around 150 the cube is i think around 200. ure left with at least 300.
the timbre and smash is good for the price. go to standard value. mike would be happy to serve you.