re: How do you buy guitars?

I look online for months, go to the same guitar shops 18 times, change my mind 104x, wait, wait, wait, purchase.

Looking is the best part.

aesthetically what do you want?

I like to see wood grain

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There's an awesome new shop in Lafayette called Rock'n Guitars.
Not only do they have a great selection ranging from low end stuff to ultra-high end (PRS, Knaggs, Tom Anderson, etc), but the guy running it is guitar-tech extraordinaire Jason Soileau.
It's located on Rena Drive in Lafayette in a very out-of-the-way strip mall..

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Thanks. I sometimes go to Lil' Veron's Market for fresh Chicken Jalapeno sausage on Saturdays and will stop in and check it out. I also need some set up and minor repairs and it nice to have a good local source for that as well.

I've bought a couple from Craigslist, and one from a poster on this board. Satisfied with all of them.

Gretsch makes some nice looking ones.

Schecter also has some nice Tele Style.

Somebody who owns one or somebody like Fret would have to speak to the quality of each.

G&L also. I don’t think they are beginner grade though. And I am talking price. The “L” in G&L stands for Leo. Leo (Fender). So he probably made a pretty good Tele style guitar before he died.


ETA. I have a CV Tele. Whoever had it before me upgraded the electronics. For your purposes I can speak to the body. The fit and finish of the neck and body are great. You have to like gloss though. I have a maple fret. Nobody glosses rosewood fingerboards. That’s blasphemy. But they gloss the hell out of everything on maple. Pick one up anywhere and play it. And Squier or Fender MIM that has a maple finger board and gloss finish is gonna feel the same. Just the tactile feel of the finish. Obviously fret end work can vary and action etc.

Sheepishly, I'll admit to buying, generally, though Musician's Friend (or other online outlets) and then getting it set up by a local music store.

I've had good luck with that process, although I don't recommend it to everyone. Obviously, the smaller shops stock what they stock. They can order things, but the prices are generally 15 to 18% higher than online. Selection is much broader online, but the danger is getting an unplayable one and not figuring that out before the return period.

I know the conventional wisdom is find one that feels great, plays great and buy that guitar from the shop. That will probably work 95% of the time. As you say, when stocks are low, you're probably going to have to do the online gamble if you're particular about specific features.

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Then there is the Fullerton line, that's made in the U.S.. 1100ish and worth it.

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Good luck with that. More like between $1,700 and $2,000 now. I have never owned one, but I hear good things. A local bass player on the scene here plays one and he loves it. I think quality wise they are right there with the US Fenders, the big difference is in the pickups. They use a different type of pickup for the most part. I have heard the Tribute models are solid.
I did not know G&L was making a line in China.

Gotcha, on used, I can see that.

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I played a G&L ASAT fretless bass

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Never had a chance to play one of those, but always intrigued. How was the balance and neck dive?

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G&L also.

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Found one I liked at a store in Pineville. Ordered an amp while the guy restrung it for me. Lessons start Saturday. Yay. Already thinking of changing the pick guard.