New Cheapo Guitar

[wwpete52]

I just bought a new "cheapo" guitar. Music123 has the Jay Turser JT-133 (a clone of the Gibson ES-335/Epiphone Dot) on closeout for $139. I have seen them on Ebay in the $199-$279 price range. I thought that I'd buy one at the closeout price. It arrived this week. I am very surprised at how nice it looks, sounds, and plays. For $139 it's hard to beat. It's not in the same league as the Gibson but I'd say it's about the same as an Epiphone Dot.

[jeffl]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-06 AT 04:36 PM (EST)]It'll be interesting to see if you discover anything to clue you in to how they can sell 'em that cheap,i.e.,poor build quality or something else. But,it sounds like alotta bang for the buck. G.A.S. strikes again.

[wwpete52]

>It'll be interesting to see if you discover anything to clue
>you in to how they can sell 'em that cheap...

One word: China

[trguitar]

I got several chineese guitars and I have to say, they are catching on just fine when it comes to making them. I got an OLP MM1 I bought as a factory refurb for $109. Played a $500 Peavey Wolfgang at the music store and mine is better. My Switch Wild I is made in China and I can't put it down. $139 with quality gig bag and strap. Freakin Grover tuners! Paid $419 for my Hamer Quilt Archtop and I like it much better than my Gibson Les Paul Studio and it has the look of a $2,000 PRS. China once again.

[mickeypainless]

I have the Epi Dot instead of the Gibby 335 due to price diff. and with alittle hot rodding it is a fine axe!
I'm sure yer new axe is a dandy but I sure as hell hope that a 140.00 buck guitar isn't up to the same standard as my Dot!
Good luck w/ yer new baby and I'm sure you'll like playing that style of guitar! I know I do!

[skeeter_s]

Anybody remember back in the 60s and 70s when the Japs first started making guitars for the U.S. market? Ibanez is a fine quality guitar now, and I had a few strat and les paul copies over the years that were in some cases nicer than the name brands. I have a Korean made guitar that is sweet, and they started out cheepie too.

I just like em to play good

I relly don't class em with a top line Gibson or Fender, and of course they don't have the resale value, but they aint bad!

[wwpete52]

My son bought an Epiphone Dot last year. It is a very fine guitar. I was suprised to see a little sticker on the back of the neck that said "Made in China."

[mickeypainless]

>>>I was suprised to see a little sticker on the back of the neck that said "Made in China."

That was the first thing I did.... peel it OFF! LOL

[crowduck]

Yeah, the Epi BluesMaster was made in Korea, and originally sold in the $400 range. They are now commanding upwards of $800. Mine is in all ways the most excellent guitar I have encountered, even surpassing my Gibson Nick Lucas Special 1991 Reissue. Got 3 Martin Sigma 70's vintage made in Japan that are outstanding as well. It's not a coincidence that elementary schools are staring to teach Mandarin chinese to youngsters.

CrowDuck

[wwpete52]

Keb Mo likes his Epiphone Bluesmaster. Epiphone should reissue it as a "Keb Mo" model.
I have several Korean made guitars. They are all excellent quality for the money.

[mickeypainless]

It's pretty amazing what you can get outta these imports now! Pretty much all I have is imported except for my 62 Gibby 12 string.
What used to be prestige of owning Gibbys and Strats MIA has been replaced by havin extra bucks in my wallet!

[ricochet]

The Blues Master (Epiphone spelled it both ways, one word or two, but it's two words on the guitar) is just a little dandy! It amazes me that they haven't reissued it one way or another.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."

[wwpete52]

I believe that Epiphone at one time called it the "Song Writer" model or something like that.

[ricochet]

Yep. Same guitar.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."

[601blues]

The Epi Sheraton is a fine playin guitar as well, I have one and very impressed with it!!