I'm a Luthier by trade, and it blows me away what you get for under $500.00. CNC machines make guitars that rival guitars by those big brand names. I recently bought a used squire strat for $75.00 and went through it for a neighbor's kid to begin on. I did a fret dress, cleaned the electronics, and set it up with new strings, it plays itself.
Cool man thanks for commenting. Nice to hear from a pro who's not afraid to admit something is good when it is.👍 And good on you for dialing it in for that kid... Awesome!
I just grabbed a Squire Tele for $200 almost brand new. It needed a quarter turn on the truss rod, some sheilding tape, and a grounding wire to the bridge. It plays fantastic. I did put in brass saddles and a set of $40 alnicos. Once I change the bone nut and locking tuners I'll be done. The stock tunera are fine though, the tuning stabilty is great. $300 includung upgrades. I'll call that a win
Hey J-man, dont let the idiots get you down, I personally enjoy your videos, especially the deep dives. I came to your channel to see info about the Tostar because it looked to good to be true, Keep doing you and let the videos be plentiful. Cheers from Alberta
Great videos! I've only bought Squires for the last 25 years and hot rodded them all the way. Good pickups are my first step. Busy learning to do complete builds at the moment. We are at a really interesting point in history right now. The staple USA brand name stuff is out of most peoples price range. The quality of the budget stuff has improved dramatically over the last 20 years. And then of course, the flavour of the moment tone wood debate blowing a lot of long held beliefs out of the water. The best guitarist is always going to be the one who is having the most fun.
Hope you do make a lot of money. Your knowledge is worth every cent and you are entertaining and helping us ordinary folk (mostly) Experts are another breed . i enjoy you, thank you.
I just found your videos yesterday and I am enjoying them. Its like you are listening to someone you know talking about guitars. So what if the videos aren't polished works. Keep up the good work!
Hey thanks man! Exactly what I'm going for! Just you and me hanging out in my basement talking gear and guitars! If it has to be fancy and rehearsed and polished, I'm gone! Hahaha So thanks I appreciate the comment!
As a beginner guitar player in my 60's, I don't want to spend a lot of money not even knowing if I will enjoy learning or even if can get to any playing skill level that may require a good guitar. Buying a cheap guitar allows me to be free with it. I have already banged it against things (these things are awkward when you first start holding one for real) and I have put dents in it when cutting the strings on the posts after putting a new set in. I have already learned that the fixed intonation bridge on the Epiphone Melody Maker E1 is not very good so I have ordered a new bridge. I am all in for about $250 CDN so far including a gig bag, new bridge, cables, practice amp, fret oil, strings and some guitar picks. I wouldn't want to spend any more at this point. At any point if I feel I want a better guitar or a different featured guitar, I can easily get back most of my money spent so far and if I get a second guitar and build a collection, I am not out a lot of money at all. For a couple of hundred bucks, I can live a senior moment on a senior budget and I don't care who wants to comment about that. I did the same thing with drums about 5 years ago. I want to live and learn music but I also still want to afford McDonalds or similar on Fridays! As far as your channel is concerned, I love it that you have done the 3 part series so far on your experience buying a returned product. What I recommend you do is in your video info section, perhaps list when, how, what and how much you paid for the product you are reviewing. Also maybe put in a little blurb that you are just a guy doing your own thing at your own cost. Anyone who doubts it is part of that conspiratorial bunch who always thinks there is an angle on whatever they see. I usually disassociate with those types of people as they waste my time. And, yes, you seem to be a pretty decent guitar player!
Hey man thanks! I'm right there with you. I play in bands and still prefer budget guitars. They are just as good, I can mod them and make them my own for a fraction of the price of a brand name, and if they get bumped by a drunk at the bar, it's no big deal... I'll consider your suggestions!
You always speak respectfully and offer up great advice and info. I have not heard one disrespectful thing out of your mouth. If people take offense and holler at you then they are just way too sensitive and need to go live somewhere where survival is the main focus and guitars are the gravy of life.
Hahaha thank you. My kids and my students watch my videos so I always have them in mind when I share content on your tube... Never thought this title would be so upsetting to some hahaha. Was not my intention,😕
Happy I found your channel. That white Musi tele was an eye opener for Amazon shopping. I learned years ago to never spend more than a few hundred dollars on a guitar, because as my guitar tech says "You're gonna mod it anyway" Alot of players expect to buy am expensive guitar and it be a dream come true. I picked up a Donner 2 years ago and just had it set up. Keep up the good work and your an excellent player as well...cheers!
That would be fun! We definitely have very similar outlooks and frustrations with what we see in the industry: my main takeaway from my 29 years is “never meet your heros” - being a Gibson dealer taught me that one and continues to remind me most weeks! 😊. Glad we sorted out the misunderstanding . Thank you 🙏
One more comment: I just subscribed after finding this trio of vids. watching them is like watching what RU-vid WAS: a place where people sharing ideas as opposed to marketing.
Thanks man. I really appreciated that. That is what I want to do. Just share info and talk guitars just like if you and I were hanging out in my basement hahaha!
I have just purchased my first Guitar for 30 plus years, just a simple Encore acoustic for £70 from liquidised stock. Now I'm in my fifties I have more time on my hands and fancy playing again. I love content like this because it highlights that you don't need to spend silly money to enjoy your Hobby ✌❤🙏🍻🇬🇧
Nah... It's just lucky timing. Under certain listings you'll sometimes see “save with used like new" and if you click that link you can buy used which I assume means returned stock. However, you won't really know if it's like new till you get it. Just never know with Amazon...
I would really like to see you review one of the new $499.00 PRS guitars. It would be interesting to see how they stack up against the comparably priced Westcreeks, Musi's, EARTs... Thanks for your time and energy 🎸
J-MAN - The fact that you have to even clear things up because some folks are just online to complain and cry.. Love your vids and don't let them get to you... You actually inspired me to start my own channel (although not as good as yours.) - Great Job dude - keep it up.
Hey man thanks! It wouldn't take much to be better than me buddy hahaha. Nothing fancy here and that's how I like it 😉 Start your channel man it'll be great!
I have bought from the Amazon warehouse. The results varied quite considerably. Some had issues that were not worth fixing, so I returned them. Most only needed minor setups. Take care, and say hello to 2-Bike-Mike for me!
Check out the explorer by westcreek next.. or the flying vee.. both pretty good for cheap guitars. I'm hooked on those two because of the sound and feel amazing .
Ignore the haters or block them, don’t let the trolls interrupt your fine videos and your AWESOME playing !! Keep on rockin’ these videos.❤ I love a good guitar no matter what the headstock says.😞
I just realized that there's at least a 98.9% chance that I bought my Westcreek 333 because of you. All I can say is thanks, and keep doing what you're doing. :)
I bought a yellow Virgo and installed a string tree. My friend likes it also he has a G&L Tele that is much heavier. My Musi Is 7.2 lbs . I did return first unit due to fact that it would not play on clean channel on my amp. Replacement unit has been fantastic. I noticed they are no longer available on Amazon. Any info?
Your budget built Thinline is a gorgeous guitar! Like you, I spent ridiculous money on brand guitars, and I lost thousands on all of them. I now own 1 $2000 Fender, and my others are M-Musi, EART, and a SQUIRE BULLET that I grabbed on sale off the Fender website and modified it to the core. It'd be very difficult to justify shelling the cash for a brand name ever again. I enjoy your videos, love your pickin... subscribed.
Please don't let the haters get you down or make you feel like you have to stop making videos. This is my 2nd video and I subscribed b/c I like what you're are uploading. You're a better player than me so I really enjoy watching you demo a guitar. I 'm on the hunt to find the best budget friendly Les Paul Junior guitar to mod b/c I can"t afford those new Gibsons. Also, I want to learn how to solder, install my own pickups and wiring so low budget guitars are good for that. I haven't seen all your videos but do you have any for Slick Guitars made by Guitar Fetish (GFS) on your channel? They make just about any style guitar under $300 and I love the Earl Slick SL59 which is a Double Cut Jr P90 soapbar style guitar. I think I might get one after I try modding the Maestro by Gibson Les Paul Junior I just ordered. It comes with a humbucker but I bought a GFS Mean 90 humbucking pickup to see how it sounds but also toying with the idea of trying to mod the body and install a jr. or dogear P90 but I've never cut the body of guitar and plan on using a rotary style tool that I have. Anyway, can't wait to watch more of your videos.
Cool man thanks so much! Never tried the slick guitars but would love to get one of their 24.75 scale Teles some day... If you like Gibson styles check out the WestCreek line... Maybe one of their DC models would be right up your alley🤔
I gotta say if I knew about Westcreek Guitars sooner, it's all I'd have and probably not have the IYVs , your other video on the 333 makes me want that metallic light blue beauty!!!
I've returned a few Amazon guitars. It wasn't that I didn't like them per se, it's just when I got them they weren't comfortable to play or they sounded uninspiring or I didn't like the neck. Quality wise a lot of these are fantastic but like any guitar you need to get them in your hands to see if they're a good fit and the only way to do that is to order them.
Right on! Right on! Right on! 🤣 I bought a Squire Bronco Bass for the purpose of upgrading. I’ve spent about $200. American on it. It plays great! All that I really had to do was give it a very basic set up. Thanks much! 🎻✌️🙂😎
Relax,,,, you're doing Great! I enjoy your videos and your playin, waaaay better than me! It's kinda hard breaking the "Name Brand" habit . Looking forward to more of your videos, BTW I bought a Squire Affinity Telecaster and it sounds every bit as good as a Fender. Did some mods and still saved $1000!
Hi. I think I have hit a raw nerve as my comments were certainly among the comments you are referring to. You and I actually sound like we come from life from a very similar position. I have been in the industry selling guitars for 29 years. I am now 52. Every single guitar we sell is setup prior to despatch and our quality control is utterly meticulous. PLEASE could you just accept that some people - like myself - will come to your page without any prior knowledge or experience of who you are - your background - and we should be able to watch a video - enjoy it and understand the concept by looking at the title and the contents of the video matching the title. I have no doubt based on your follow up video that you are 100% legit and its a huge shame that for whatever reason the way the video was formatted / presented - gave strange mixed messages to a first time viewer. I am really sorry for any misunderstanding from my side - Its lovely to see you being passionate and humble - which I am too. My videos couldnt be lower tech - I ramble - I bore myself to death let alone anyone else - but I am honest and true to myself - which you clearly are too. Very best of luck with all you do and if I can ever help in any way please let me know. I will subscribe so I can enjoy watching the videos with new perspective.
Hey no hard feelings, I think we just got off to a bad start. Send me a link to your guitars, and if I can afford them( shipping etc...) I'll buy one and review it on my channel 😀!
1. You are a damned good, technical player. 2. Screw the haters, you don’’t have to justify yourself to them. 3. Your videos are brilliant - they save people from having to buy, try and return and I for one have been looking for reviews with the problems to expect. Westcreek seems to be producing some great quality instruments and I really appreciate your reviews.
@@yanikem6655 thanks brother! Much appreciated. People interpret different things in different ways, so the old saying "You can't please them all“ holds true I guess haha! Thanks again!
It can be very subjective why a person returns a guitar. They may have bought it on a whim and decide they need the money back or the colour in reality is different from the photos etc etc. However, a return because it has broken parts or is difficult to play or get set up right for them - I fully understand those returns. I'm going to look into these Mmusi and Westcreek guitars because I like good value playable guitars and can't or won't pay big brand prices so thanks for bringing these to my and others attention. Your mod work and set up advice guidance/advice is very helpful too so thanks for that as well. Cheers!
Hey neighbour! I'm across the strait in Moncton. Bought the 333 in 'pebble' (pelham, ha) blue. Was searching for a good budget acoustic but stumbled across the WestCreek demo for the 333, fell in love, lol, read a couple of reviews, and yours put it over the top because it was honest, informative, and enthusiastic. It's beautiful, sounds good, plays well (well, as far as I can play 'well' 🤣) and I concur with you and similar voices that technology has benefited the budget guitar sector BIG-time. Re: your 'detractors', the net is a two-edged sword... 'Nuff said about that. ;) Re: the acoustic? I think I've settled on an Ibanez AW54-OPN, IF I can get one, Ibanez distribution seems to be terrible in the Great White North. And finally, I think you play great and have an awesome day, mate! :)
Don’t worry about negative comments. Haters gotta hate. Your videos are both interesting and informative. They are appreciated by your subscribers! Everyone who watched your videos knows exactly the point of your videos. BTW I wonder a bit bout the resale value of WestCreek and Eart and Musi guitars compared to Fender and Gibson. Time will tell.
Yup thanks buddy! Just drives me nuts when people get their panties tied up in a bunch haha! I have sold a few of mine over the last year so I could keep buying different models, and since I use and gig all of my guitars, I always sell them for 100 less than I originally bought them for and when I list them, they don't last long hahaha Maybe it's different now with inflation, but I've lost a ton of money on my Fender stuff in the past. Had a Telly I paid 1500 for and sold it for 800$, and one time a Squire I paid 400 for and that went for 275.... And those original purchase prices don't include all the mods and upgrades I would have done to those guitars as well... That's why I don't buy Fenders anymore. They are just too expensive to upgrade.... And I know you shouldn't have to upgrade a fender lol, but you do! 😔
I like budget guitars, they got me back into music. When I get one, I need the bare bones to be good, I can fix anything, but we are talking time and wasted money. Bare bones is frets, level and no buzzing so I dont have to do a fret job. Bolt on neck just in case I need to shim to get a crazy low action for speed and comfort. Not shredding just being able to play easily quickly with maximum comfort. Its a joy. I dont care about tone, pickups, tuners, strings, fret ends, I can fix all that without much effort or time. Then its better than any guitar for major money, which I would have to work on it too. Did I say I like budget guitars.
Ignore the uneducated. I guess you’re supposed to love everything regardless of what you’ve found. You’re awesome and most listen to your opinion. People, he’s doing these videos to help people make informed decisions. He’s not saying to do what he says. He’s telling you his opinion based on his knowledge and experience. Rock on dude! Thank you for your videos and information.
I’m digging your videos man I’ve done the same for years. Lower end instruments with perfect set ups. Just a few years back I finally achieved a PRS and I love it but nothing as a player justifies lts four times price tag… With the set ups you perform any current guitar over 99$ is a player. Keep up the good work.
@@j-man9457they can be good right out of the box but I've had a couple times that required some fresh thinking. Some have required neck swaps just to get what I'm after, sometimes from another Glarry! The work was worth the effort as my two main guitars, (one guitar and one bass), have aftermarket necks on them. I've only had one that I didn't connect with, which was a 5 string bass. I ended up giving it to someone that loves it like it's an American Fender so....
That M Musi Telly had many improvements over the original - I’d choose over a Fender. And if I didn’t like the pick ups so I could just swap ‘em. I have too many guitars, but I’m curious: What was the cost when you bought it a year or whatever ago?
I've bought about half a dozen guitars from Facebook Marketplace that were barely touched. Mostly because they needed a basic setup. And you know what that means, hard to play so they just put it out of sight or they get sick of looking at it. Last weekend, I was visiting my dad, who has found me many guitars, and he shows me a Squire strat he got at a yard sale for $80. New strings and a few adjustments later, I have a great playing and sounding guitar.
It used to be true that a cheap price guitar was junk. Now these rapid produced precision machine guitars are looking pretty good a lot of the time. No resale value, but I don’t buy it to resell it. I buy it to play. Keep the videos coming, it’s great content!
Don’t let the trolls get to you, J-MAN! There are bound to be a few of them out there-that’s just the nature of virtually any public forum. Just keep on doing what you’re doing, and hopefully one day they’ll catch on. 😁
Hahaha thanks. Not sure they are trolls, just someone who thinks I have a hidden agenda for some reason... Must of been burned in the past... Sad! Oh well full steam ahead here! 😁
Hahaha Thanks. I feel people want info on guitars or gear and not watch some guy play in his basement hahaha! So I try to limit that stuff, but thanks for the comment!
Hi J-Man! New subscriber here. I enjoy your content! I just bought a guitar yesterday that is almost as budget as you can get. The brand is AXL and it is about 10 to 12 years old. I picked it up in a pawn shop for $100. The neck is perfect, no wear on the frets, and the intonation is spot on! The pots were scratchy but got quiet as I turned them a few times I suspect this guitar just sat unplayed for quite some time. It’s body style is very similar to a strat and has 3 single coil pickups. All I need to do is order some new machine heads for it. I am going to go with the Hipshot locking tuners. I have not yet put it through the church PA but it definitely sounds like a strat going through all the pickup positions. When all is said and done I will probably have about $165 into it. I also own a couple other brand new budget guitars….AIO Wolf (PRS style) and a Larry Carlton T3. What a great day for guitarists!
@@j-man9457 Hi J-Man! Here’s an update on my pawn shop AXL, I got the Hip Shot locking tuners. They work great and were easy to install using the “no drilling required” mounting brackets! The guitar performed very well at worship team rehearsal and I plan on using it Sunday. I’m still eyeing the JX-20. Keep up the great work with the videos. May God bless you.
Well put Sir J! As we both know there are Aleays, for lack of s better words, haters, or folks that are always trying to find something wrong with anything. Too bad for them. Keep up the Great Work and cool informative videos!! Rock on J
Haters are gonna hate so you be you J-MAN. I'm loving your videos so much I went in search of a couple of Musi Teles but they are few and far between with availability. Will keep searching. Thank you for the great reviews. Keep on keeping on sir
Thanks man! Yeah unfortunately they are out of stock here in North America. I'm told Musinis relocating to a bigger facility and will resume production along with new models later this summer... We'll see 🤞
I've heard that a few times, but that hurts the brand as everytime a guitar is returned for no reason, it costs the manufacturer more money because amazon has to deal with extra processing and in turn this drives the prices up...😕
An older gent recently sold me his LSL TBoneOne (best of 50 guitars I've recently owned)...because the pots were too stiff. They were rather stiff. He had arthritis or something.... What a find!!
Have you tried the new Squier Sonic Series guitars? I heard they are good quality for the money. I can only confirm the Squier Sonic Precision bass and Sonic Bronco bass are good quality and play great but with pickup swap/upgrade and slight setup make it a better player.
I would say most people don't realize all guitars need to be setup, the ones on the wall at the store are setup. If you get a new one shipped it's not setup. If you get one in the box from the store they ask if you want it setup and if it's not a cheap, they set it up free. My favorite place charges about $60 after taxes if you need a full setup.
I’m in your age bracket as well and have invested a lot of dollars into top of the line guitars .. and most of the ones I really like to play are worth no more than $500-$700 range .. and they kick butt , feel and play great .. keep up the good job .. the videos are great J-
Used to be the Jeep guitar that was junk. Now these rapid produced precision machine guitars are looking pretty good a lot of the time. No resale value, but I don’t buy it to resell it. I buy it to play. Keep the videos coming, it’s great content!
My question is "why aren't people returning lefty guitars so I can get a bargain?" It's only happened the once- my Sawtooth P Bass and I'm envious, too. People these days love to leap acros a chasm in 2 bounds before realizing what they are saying or doing. Keep on rocking, J-Man!
A lot of parents return them after they realize their kids don’t care about playing. Having a good return/exchange policy is great. But, some people take advantage of any situation possible. Especially if they modify the product in any way.
Yeah not cool. One of the music classics I picked up last year had Donner Tuners on it! So someone bought the musi, swapped the tuners out of it for their Donner guitar, put the donner tuners on the Musi and then sent it back! 😲
tell it like it is my northern brother! i searched bamazon US and didnt see M muzi brand....must be different countries and bamazon selling certain brands in certain countries... im not sure if you guys can get tease brand guitars or monoprice brand guitars... i think some harley benton branded and monoprice branded items are one in the same with a different name lol...
@@j-man9457 koool! i think bamazon finally arrived in australia a few years ago and im sure they carry stuff that we cant get here as well and vice-versa....
I'm with you man, great guitar that is affordable for a pensioner, count me in. Possibly they found IYV . Their price point seems a little lower than the Westcreek's that I've looked at. Thanks for the Great videos
Years ago I watched a video recorded by some members of German philharmonic orchestra performing in China they were walking around the market where people were selling all kinds of stuff and there was a woman selling violins one of them picked the instrument and played it for a while asking for the price it was like 30 $ his jaw dropped he said in Europe for instrument like that he could pay some 20-30k
Thanks brother! Just watch for the used like new listings or the open box stuff... Are you from Canada? Maybe our amazon layout is different than yours?
as you said. if the BONES are good.. sky is the limit.. HOWEVER.. mid priced guitars may actually be BETTER than budget guitars.. as most common replacements are pickups, tuners and electronics.. where the mid priced guitars already have some of that done.. take your MUSI guitars.. for imports they are not UNDER $ 200... but you dont need to change the nut, the tuners nor the pickups.. if you buy the budget $ 200 tele.. you might be in it for $ 700 when you are done.. vs the $ 400 mid level guitar with little upgrades..
Yeah everybody is telling me they are out of stock here on Amazon Canada! I got this one a while ago but it sat in the box for a long time.... Too much going on! 😕
One thing I know is it is helpful to have thick skin if you have a RU-vid channel. People are brutal. I lke your stuff. Do you ever review bass guitars?
Don't concern yourself J-Man. There are always people who are not satisfied with whatever you do or say. Like Abraham Lincoln said " You can please some of the people some of the time, you can please some of the people all the time, but you can't please all the people all the time. "
Now that you can get Great guitars for 1/4 of the price, I’ve been selling my old expensive guitars and having a great time buying these new cheaper ones 🙂
maybe some peeps who returned them had a few beers and thought it was a good idea at the time, woke up in the morning and went Damn! why did i order another guitar!! 😵 I have done that a few times 🤣 but i kept them and love them! got 18 now 😂
Hahahaha well I don't drink so I unfortunately can't use that excuse for my 18 lol! But I do have a few for sale locally so that I can buy and review more hahaha!
Maybe, but every returned guitar costs the manufacturer extra due to extra amazon processing fees and in time that increases the prices for the rest of us... So buy them, and sell them or give them away but unless there is a physical flaw or an issue that makes them unplayable, don't return them!
@@j-man9457 Unless the manufacturer had inked a deal with online storefronts prior to product launch that included processing fees of returns to secure their economic business model. It could be one reason great guitars are so cheap these days.
You're on a good path with the videos. Just a couple of thoughts - 1. You seem to ramble a little 2. The camera angle, background and lighting may need to be addressed, 3. Be a little different and maybe add your P.E. knowledge (we all need coaching to exercise). Im just a viewer sharing some thoughts and not bashing your content. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! This rambling was necessary I felt due to the comments I received on my last 2 videos! Back ground would be the same if you were visiting me in person and we went down to my basement and checked out some gear! I'm not here to impress anyone with my "studio" haha And funny you should mention about exercise... Check out last month's video! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--hBAQQihYnM.htmlsi=7cCp-iKer0TBZfMj 😉
A lot of people lead meaningless miserable lives. Some resort to road-rage, others become wife-beaters. Most like to abuse people in the comments section to vent their anger.
You’re a very good player. Tasty. I own a Musi tele. Amazing and I paid $209 as a return. No issues. I think overstock is called returns to establish another price point. No?
The tele was most likely returned because the output jack you fixed. I bet the cord kept falling out. Some folks expect perfection for pennies on the dollar.
@@j-man9457 I understand and have full respect for a quality made instrument, but I think so many present day people/players get marketed into buying what they really don't need. Just get your hands on a guitar and see where it takes you.
