Conference napalm::guitar

    You don't say what sort of guitar you're looking for - acoustic,
    electric, etc. - but if you're interested in a solid-body electric I
    can recommend the Epiphone SG clone.  I have one and it's very
    playable.  Daddy's in southern NH sells these for about $300.
    
    Dave

    I guess i didn't give much info. I'm looking for a quality strat clone.
    At various times I've read good things about Fernandes,Charvel, and a
    Japanese company who's name escapes me right now, but was under some
    legal pressure because it was too close. I've also read very good
    things about Hamer in this notes file, but try as I might I can't find
    one at some of the incredible prices I've seen quoted here. I'm talking
    about the Sunburst and the Special. In any case I have some money and
    looking for something resonable. Prices for new "quality names" are way
    beyond what my level of playing can reasonably justify.
    Rich

    You shouldn't have trouble finding a good Strat-style guitar in the
    price range you mentined.  In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if you
    could find a real US made Fender Strat in that price range, used of
    course.
    
    You will almost always find the most instrument for your money
    purchasing something used.  Get a good deal and it'll retain it's
    value, so if you decide you don't like it after awhile, you won't lose
    half the price you paid when you resell it.
    
    That said, there are plenty of decent new instruments that'd fall in
    your price range.  The Japanese made Fender Strats certainly do.  You
    mentioned Hamer, I doubt you'd find one that low (unless they're making
    a budget line that I don't know about).  They're expensive instruments.
    
    Greg

    I just thought of the Strat clone maker from Japan's name; TOKAI. 
    .3 Your right about the most value for your money is buying used,
    that's why I like poking around stores for used instruments. I'll
    probably get a lot of flack for this, but is an American made Fender
    appreciably that much better than it's foriegn cousins? Does G&l out
    Fender Fender? As far as the Hamer, I Know it's a very expensive guitar
    new, but I've read stories in here, where at one time not to long ago
    used ones could be had very cheaply. Perhaps there value is increasing.
    One other thought, I read a very good review of the Peavey Impact and
    I believe that goes for slightly more than 400$.

    I've gota Tokai strat clone. People who know more about these things
    than I do say it's a good axe for the money. I paid $300 with a
    charming tweed case....
    
    Edd

>    is an American made Fender
>    appreciably that much better than it's foriegn cousins?
    
    I don't know about guitars, but as far as their basses go, there are
    some good foreign-made Fender instruments but the quality varies more
    than with the American-made ones; I assume the situation is similar for
    guitars.  For example, the Japanese-made Fender basses have been very
    playable, although they somehow don't seem as solid as their American
    counterparts.  Maybe they use different wood.  I've only played one 
    Mexican-made Jazz bass, and it needed a neck adjustment, but perhaps 
    would have been fine after that.  Maybe the stores spend less time
    setting up the less expensive instruments.
    
    The bottom line for me is that the American-made ones are probably
    better built, with better hardware, pickups, etc., but the foreign-
    made ones are definitely worth a look, particularly since you're on a 
    budget.  And I agree that the best values are in used instruments,
    especially if you get a private sale.
    
    Dave
                                         

    
    
    You should be able to get a decent used american strat for $350 -- why
    even consider an import?
    
    

    A new Jap or Mexcan Strat is in that price range, isn't it?
    
    A used American Std certainly is.......
    
    

    Don't knock the Japanese Fenders; they have a certain charm all their
    own.

    Japanese Fenders are great for covering the Vapors.  
    
    Or better yet, Shonen Knife.

    
    You may want to check out the Washburn Lyon series guitar, as well
    as the Ibenez EX series. Good Quality at very reasonable prices.
    
    Good Luck,
                                                   
    	ED

    I didn't hear anyone mention Kramer guitars? When "Eddie" was endorsing
    them, you had to lay out alot of $$$ to get your hands on one. Now that
    he has moved on to other things, you can usually pick one of these up
    for next to nothing. I don't find them to be bad players, either....
    
    Mike

    I think part of the reason Kramers are fairly good buys now is that
    they had a bunch of different product lines that competed with
    themselves and nobody could figure out which were which.  The Strikers
    were utter crap, the Focus series were ok instruments but had baseball
    bat necks and the worst sounding pickups I've ever heard, and all the
    stuff above that nobody could seem to keep track of whether it was good
    or not.  Overdiversification made it seem like they had a few good
    instruments and a bunch of junk and they lost popularity.
    
    Greg

    I don't know alot about Washburn guitars, but I took a trip over to
    The Music Box in Fitchburg,MA., last night and they're having a store-
    wide sale. I saw a Washburn MG-44 that was absolutely beautiful for
    $415, including a hard case. I didn't think that this was a bad deal,
    considering the guitar lists for $699.
    
    The Music Box is also an Ibanez dealer and they have all of those
    guitars on sale, also. Didn't catch the prices, though....
    
    
    Mike

    
    
       Not that I know that particular Washburn model but...
    
       Washburn is a company that has its' Korean built guitars 
    under the Washburn name, (as oppose to Gib vs Eph.)   They 
    very well may be a good deal - I dunno.  Just do a double
    check as a suggestion. 
    
       Rick.
    
    

    Saturday I bought a Cort PRS copy. For the price (275$), I think I got
    my moneys worth. Great action, archtop styling with maple over
    mahogony, mint shape, and most importantly; it sounded great (through a
    Marshall 900, and Peavey Bandit)! By the way if anyone is interested
    I was also able to locate a Hamer Sunburst (at Daddy's Shrewsbury) for
    399$. Not in mint shape, but I probably would have bought it if not for
    the above. Yeah, I guess you can find something decent or better with
    luck and patience.
    
    Rich