A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

10 or 15 years ago it was Agile, or it was one of them, at least.

In your opinion and experience, what are the best affordable guitar brands now? Or there aren´t any, really?

In other words, what´s the best guitar (brand) you can buy in the range of $180-300?

I think some of the SX and Hadean guitars on Rondo are still great buys. CNZAudio is not horrible if you don't mind doing some work on your guitar (fret level & finishing, some parts swapping). I haven't tried anything Chibson-ish, so I can't say there.

Best is, and will always be, a subjective descriptor. My list has SX, Agile, Douglas, Hadean and Harley Benton on it.

I will acknowledge that Rondo's guitar offerings have fewer 6 string models than in the past and they are dropping the SX basses, of which I have more than a few, but the value is still there.

Harley Benton, IYV, Firefly, Grote.
I even have a few Glarrys that were sub $80 and feel SX ish in quality.

The last guitar I purchased was a new SX Liquid. The nut slot was too shallow on one end and the tuners needed to be replaced. Easy fixes and it's a fine guitar. The guitar before that was Harley Benton 25th Anniversary "Tele" that had no flaws and needed no upgrades. If that was sold by a common domestic brand such as Schecter, the price would have been multiplied several times. Unfortunately, SX and Agile seem to be on the ropes and shrinking in options, but HB is expanding and the QC has taken a huge leap compared to the Explorer and V-shaped ones I bought back in 2015. So even with shipping from Germany added to the price, I think HB is a contender for best affordable.

Ok, ok, I know... I left my thread unattended all this time...

@BatUtilityBelt I agree; Rondo still offers some decent guitars for the price - according to some reviews I´ve read -. It´s understood that there will always be something to upgrade or replace, but you will still have a nice guitar for not much money. I´m gonna check CNZ Audio and see what´s there...


@dabbler Yes, I understand, and that´s what I wanted, you personal opinions. You are a great SX endorser, you love them all! I like your list. ONe thing about SX guitars. I don´t know where Kurt gets his SXs, but in SX's page therea are no Liquids there (http://www.sx-guitar.com/). Mistery...

@Buddha Pickups Yes, there´s also IYV. I like their ILP-400 model - in pictures look great, at least -. Firefly has nice offerings. And HB also has good ones. I remember those Grote guitars, now that you mentioned it.

@Brendan Yes, SX and HB seem to be good choices for affordable guitars.


I believe Agile has good models, although a little in the high price range. And Rondo offers nice options from SX and Hadean.

I also found this Westcreek brand; their models look nice, I like the Helios - LP style -. On Amazon.

So, it seems there are several options for affordable guitars if you search carefully.

If you happen to find one similar to a AD/AL3200 for a third of Rondo's price, let me know

Also, I´ve been (wasting time) looking at Michael Kelly´s Tele HH version - see pic and link below - and it looks nice, and it has the correct (for me) 22 frets neck and 1.69" nut width. I could live with it. I´ve also been looking at some Michael Kelly´s Patriot Decree LP style guitars. Can be found used in the $250-400 range; a little above the "affordable" mark.

I don´t know why I keep on wasting my time...

https://reverb.com/item/18485559-michae ... -used-mint


Patriot

It's been a while since I've bought any SX/Hadean guitars but the build quality on the Indonesian built Harley Bentons I've purchased in the last couple years has really been good, not just for a guitar with a low price point, but for any guitar, and definitely better than any SX/Hadean/Douglas I can recall. As @Brendan mentioned, is vastly improved from when they first showed up around 2014.

They've also got probably the best selection of left-handed guitars out there now as well, although both Epiphone and Gretsch have relatively decent offerings if grading on a curve...

I've never owned one and I am sure I never will but I think Harley Benton's rise in sales and popularity is inversely proportional to Rondo's diminishing sales and popularity.

I still say SX Is hard to beat. And while agile inventory has dwindled at Rondo he seemingly always has a good selection of SX tele/strats and liquids. The SX LP's have gotten good reviews too.

I just realized in a discussion in another thread that Gretsch has some really great guitars that are very affordable. Both solid body and semi-hollow offerings that are quality pieces.

tonebender wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 5:57 pm I just realized in a discussion in another thread that Gretsch has some really great guitars that are very affordable. Both solid body and semi-hollow offerings that are quality pieces.

Yes. Although they are above the $300 mark, they are good quality guitars for the price. I was just looking at the double jet electromatic double cut G5222 - no tremolo -, and I think it´ll be good competition for the Agile AD3200.

Actually, there is one in Amazon for $498, like the one in the picture; not a bad price.


https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Gretsch-G52 ... B084GSJYFF

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 7:37 pm [
Yes. Although they are above the $300 mark, they are good quality guitars for the price. I was just looking at the double jet electromatic double cut G5222 - no tremolo -, and I think it´ll be good competition for the Agile AD3200.

Actually, there is one in Amazon for $498, like the one in the picture; not a bad price.


https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Gretsch-G52 ... B084GSJYFF



g5222.png

One of the few remaining guitars on my bucket list was a Gretsch G5232 Double Jet and I found a demo for under $500 so this Thursday, I'll be able to cross it off the list. It has Filtertrons while the G5222 has Broadtrons.

tobijohn wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:55 pm

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 7:37 pm [
Yes. Although they are above the $300 mark, they are good quality guitars for the price. I was just looking at the double jet electromatic double cut G5222 - no tremolo -, and I think it´ll be good competition for the Agile AD3200.

Actually, there is one in Amazon for $498, like the one in the picture; not a bad price.


https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Gretsch-G52 ... B084GSJYFF



g5222.png

One of the few remaining guitars on my bucket list was a Gretsch G5232 Double Jet and I found a demo for under $500 so this Thursday, I'll be able to cross it off the list. It has Filtertrons while the G5222 has Broadtrons.

That´s great, John!

Will you remember - or have the time - to post a proper NGD thread with your appreciation on the guitar, and pics - of course - ?

I have no idea of the difference between Filtertrons and Broadtrons haha.

What color is the guitar you´ll be receiving?

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:23 am
What color is the guitar you´ll be receiving?

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/bui ... 2518220533

tobijohn wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:34 am

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:23 am
What color is the guitar you´ll be receiving?

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/bui ... 2518220533

Nice color.

I find interesting the treble bleed control these guitars have.

I am discovering the importance of a treble bleed. The way I set up my rig these days makes a treble bleed a must have option.

tobijohn wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:34 am

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:23 am
What color is the guitar you´ll be receiving?

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/bui ... 2518220533

It´s already on your table or couch?

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:23 am

tobijohn wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:34 am

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:23 am
What color is the guitar you´ll be receiving?

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/bui ... 2518220533

It´s already on your table or couch?

Leaning in a corner...

tobijohn wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:32 am

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:23 am

tobijohn wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:34 am

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/bui ... 2518220533

It´s already on your table or couch?

Leaning in a corner...

Great! Looks good! Enjoy it!

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 04, 2023 7:25 pm Also, I´ve been (wasting time) looking at Michael Kelly´s Tele HH version - see pic and link below - and it looks nice, and it has the correct (for me) 22 frets neck and 1.69" nut width. I could live with it. I´ve also been looking at some Michael Kelly´s Patriot Decree LP style guitars. Can be found used in the $250-400 range; a little above the "affordable" mark.

I don´t know why I keep on wasting my time...

https://reverb.com/item/18485559-michae ... -used-mint


53db mk.png


Patriot


MK Patriot decree.png

Yes, I'm very impressed by MK guitars generally. Not the lowest tier price but a good value. Maybe a notch cheaper than agile.
The only other one I personally know is my semihollow firefly. Its really an impressive instrument and it didn't need a thing. Spalted maple $200

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:26 pm 10 or 15 years ago it was Agile, or it was one of them, at least.

In your opinion and experience, what are the best affordable guitar brands now? Or there aren´t any, really?

In other words, what´s the best guitar (brand) you can buy in the range of $180-300?

I don't think anything beats Harley Benton when it comes to best affordable guitars these days. The ones I'm talking about specifically are their "higher end" ones that run about $400-ish new, but you can find 'em used for as little as $200 with some regularity. I absolutely LOVE my Fusion models and they get a lot of heavy play time alongside guitars that cost MANY times more, and I'm a big fan of their Dullahan headless too.

These are my favorites of the bunch, the Fusion models have absolutely ridiculous roasted flame maple necks and fretboards that you will rarely see on guitars under $2,000: