Decent, Cheap HH Guitar?

Hey guys,

So I'm potentially having a look around for a fairly cheap dual Bucker guitar, primarily something to put a spare set of pickups that I have to use, and I'm just wondering what sort of things anyone else has played that fits what I'm looking for. Ideally am looking in the sub-300 range I think, might have a little wiggle room with that.

Not looking for anything amazing, just something that plays reasonably, and won't fall apart on me or malfunction etc I'm open to second-hand stuff, so if anyone has any suggestions for any places online other than Gumtree or Ebay let me know.

I am also a bit picky with necks (but in general, narrow nut width, chunky neck thicknesses are my general preference) so expect return questions about that too :D

Get a kit from here
if you want off the shelf, I'd get a second hand epiphone SG or Les Paul off ebay

I'm with Stan and reckon SG might be the way to go either as a kit or a 2nd hand Epi as they seem to be going for less coin than similar spec LP.

SGs tend to have quite slim necks though, not really chunky. Most of the Epis LP will also have more generic slimmer necks (compared to a '58/'59 LP style one). You may struggle with getting a thick neck at that price point, as most lower-price guitars do have necks that aren't particularly thick with a fairly standard C-section rather than a D-section. You may find an older PRS SE , but those neck tend to feel chunky because they are almost all 'wide and thick', and you don't want the 'wide'.

Some of the basic ESP LTDs are very well made guitars (and should certainly be found in that price range used), but are (IMO) desperately in need of a pickup replacement - which is ideal for you. But the necks are still that generic C shape.

Kits are definitely on the table as a possibility, and the SG was the one that I was eyeing off in that respect. Just trying to get a complete idea of what my options are though. I've never been big on the LP body tbh.

But also yea the Epi/Gibson LPs and SGs I've played in the past have had pretty bad necks (for me I mean :P ) so I'd been shying away from them in my research...

Ahh the LTDs, that's a series to consider. I'm not 100% sure how the necks would agree with me long term (I think the Thin U is right on the borderline of what I can/can't play), but I'd look in to it.

Also, I'm not expecting a super duper chunky neck, cos I know I won't find that at this price range, just one that I can comfortably play. Fender's C and Modern C are sort of the thing that I'm looking for.

Maybe a PBG ST-A mine "The Count" is now a few years old and has a thick neck but still Fender narrow.

My latest PBG kit is a TL1-Q and it has a modern C neck that is very similar in profile to my Squier CVC Thinline, speaking of Squier I believe one of their series has a baseball bat neck but don't remember which, check over on TDPRI.COM

I'd go for an Artist Guitar - https://www.artistguitars.com.au/sho...ric-guitars/12 - they're cheap, Chinese made but have a lot going for them. Free shipping, free, no questions asked returns for 100 days, 3 year warranty and occasionally some really cheap factory seconds, if you don't mind a less than perfect finish. I've bought some other gear from them, and had a play around with some of their showroom guitars and was very pleasantly surprised. I imagine that like any other cheap brand there's a bigger variation in quality from guitar to guitar, but that's what the return policy is there for.

But if you're after something really cheap, Gumtree is the way to go. I spotted a Washburn A-20 (80s vintage, neck-through, good working order) last year for $20! I think the owner might have been revenge selling some of her ex's things or something.

Maybe a Chibson from Aliexpress, also cheap and cheerful

The Artists are on my radar. I definitely like the look of the Gnosis, and I'm about to send off a message to ask about neck specs. I didn't know about that returns policy though, that'd be super nice to have. Am keeping an eye out on Gumtree and a couple of Facebook groups too in case anything pops up

Never been keen on the Aliexpress stuff, but I might do a bit of investigation there, they do seem to occasionally have interesting, weird stuff (which I am all for frankly haha)

The other ones I've got my eyes on are the finished PBGs (even if we're in the non-PBG forum right now.) The Blue PBG-6 and EXG-1 look pretty nice, so they're in the pool of choices too.

Hey B'lark, Artist guitars are great for the price. I've got 6 of them and modded one. I am pretty sure the only show room they have is in Sydney, so you can always take a trip and try out the necks.

another option, and one I am currently doing now, I picked up a cheap squier ($50) and have ordered a HH scratch plate ($14) from China.:cool:

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Originally Posted by Andy40

Hey B'lark, Artist guitars are great for the price. I've got 6 of them and modded one. I am pretty sure the only show room they have is in Sydney, so you can always take a trip and try out the necks.

another option, and one I am currently doing now, I picked up a cheap squier ($50) and have ordered a HH scratch plate ($14) from China.:cool:

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Well I feel like the fact that you bought 6 says pretty decent things about them haha. I'm just far enough out of Sydney that a trip down there is too much of a pain, plus it sounds like the returns policy is generous enough that I'll be able to send it back if I'm not happy. However I did just get an email back saying that they do have a fatter neck, so from that it sounds like it should be ok.

I am also considering the modded strat idea too, if I come across something then that would be viable for sure.

WAIT! WAIT! There was an excellent Pink Bullet Strat at a Pawn shop nearby! I might have to look at that and see if it's still there!!

lol yeah, the brilliant thing about a strat is that they are easy to mod...just change the pickguard!!!

Yea! I half removed the idea of a strat from the options for this because I am planning another strat build a bit down the track, and kinda wanted something else for that reason, but I suppose if the opportunity arises and the price is right, could be the way to go

Worth having a look at the new Squier bullet Mustangs, hardtail, 2 humbuckers and from what I can see so far dirt cheap (and sound amazing stock) I'm probbaly going to pick one up as a mod platform :)

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Originally Posted by zeromick

Worth having a look at the new Squier bullet Mustangs, hardtail, 2 humbuckers and from what I can see so far dirt cheap (and sound amazing stock) I'm probbaly going to pick one up as a mod platform :)

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Oooh they do seem like a pretty decent option. However, they don't seem to be in stock for any Aus sellers just at the moment (from a quick search). Getting a Bullet Fat Strat could be an option too though.

I also got word back from Artist today, and the Gnosis does have quite a chunky neck (it's a bit wider than I'd prefer, but it's still workable) plus the returns policy is STUPIDLY good. So depending on how I go with money, I think I'll be leaning towards that, but the second-hand Squier might still be the go, depending on what I can find.

WHOA WHOA WHOA. I think we have a new contender...

https://www.thomann.de/intl/harley_b...ne_tbf_dlx.htm

Multiscale for 350 bucks after shipping? Holy pants. And conveniently, standard 6-string Bucker routs.

One of my mates had a Harley benton, Looked pretty good.

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Originally Posted by B'Lark

WHOA WHOA WHOA. I think we have a new contender...

https://www.thomann.de/intl/harley_b...ne_tbf_dlx.htm

Multiscale for 350 bucks after shipping? Holy pants. And conveniently, standard 6-string Bucker routs.

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They seem to get good reviews too, amazing bang for buck if they are as good as they seem.
Also an awesome modding platform for upgrades if you want

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Originally Posted by stan

They seem to get good reviews too, amazing bang for buck if they are as good as they seem.
Also an awesome modding platform for upgrades if you want

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Yea, exactly. It's got me super tempted. And a bit sad that I don't have more money spare to drop on one at the moment haha

I own three of these - they work & play just fine.

There is a Customer returned model with a reduced price - instead of $249 - $174

Attachment 17479

https://www.artistguitars.com.au/buy...Guitar-w/85156

That is excellent value and come with free post too.

If I didn't already have a LP would be seriously tempted.

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Originally Posted by ZenAndZen

I own three of these - they work & play just fine.

There is a Customer returned model with a reduced price - instead of $249 - $174

Attachment 17479

https://www.artistguitars.com.au/buy...Guitar-w/85156

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Hmm, well unfortunately I've hit some bills and don't have any spare dosh for a few weeks. So can't grab this at the moment (and I don't really expect it to hang around for super long)

I do think that I'd prefer to go for a brand new one though, just for the safety of the returns policy and warranty (plus I prefer the look and all of the Gnosis a little more)