The Problem with CHEAP Guitars

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on the importance of finding a guitar that inspires play, regardless of price or specifications. They discuss their experience with a cheaper guitar that surprisingly outperforms expectations, challenging the notion that higher-priced guitars always provide a better connection or experience. The video ponders whether the price of a guitar should dictate its value, suggesting that the ability to inspire and the joy of playing are paramount. It also touches on the idea that cheaper guitars can sometimes overshadow more expensive ones in terms of personal connection and satisfaction.

Takeaways

• 🎸 The essence of a guitar lies in its playability and the joy it brings, rather than the specific electronics or materials used.
• 🔍 The importance of guitar specifications like pickups and wood types might be overestimated, as there are good and bad guitars at every price range.
• 💭 The speaker is realizing that the connection with a guitar is more important than its price or the brand names associated with its components.
• 🎵 TrueFire is endorsed as a valuable resource for guitar lessons, with a promo code offered for discounts.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the value of expensive guitars, suggesting that cheaper guitars can offer a similar playing experience.
• 🏡 The quality of craftsmanship in cheaper guitars, like the A500, is acknowledged to be less refined but still enjoyable to play.
• 💰 There's a personal price limit beyond which the speaker is unwilling to spend on guitars, despite being able to afford it.
• 🤝 The speaker has a strong connection with a cheaper guitar, which makes them reconsider the importance of price in guitar selection.
• 🛍️ The idea of selling a guitar is complicated by the emotional bond formed, especially when it offers a satisfying playing experience despite its low cost.
• 🎶 The speaker invites discussion on whether price should dictate the value of a guitar and if others have experienced similar connections with cheaper instruments.

Q & A

What is the main point the speaker is making about guitar specifications?

The speaker suggests that while people often focus on specifications like pickups and materials, the most important aspect is whether the guitar inspires them to play more.

What does the speaker think about the variation in guitars at different price points?

The speaker believes that there are good and bad guitars at every price range, and the variation in production, wood, setup, and personal connection can affect the guitar's appeal more than the specifications.

What is the promo code mentioned for Truefire and what does it offer?

The promo code mentioned is 'jnc 40', which offers a 40% discount on any of Truefire's courses.

Why does the speaker feel that cheap guitars can ruin the experience of playing more expensive ones?

The speaker feels that cheap guitars can ruin the experience because they can be just as enjoyable to play as more expensive ones, making the higher-priced guitars seem less special or necessary.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of the guitar's finish and construction?

The speaker believes that the finish and construction details become less important when actually playing the guitar, and that the emotional connection and playability are more significant.

What is the speaker's view on the value of expensive guitars?

The speaker questions the value of expensive guitars, suggesting that beyond a certain price point, the additional cost may not necessarily translate to a significantly better experience.

What is the significance of the S10 guitar mentioned in the script?

The S10 is a more expensive guitar that the speaker received, and it serves as a comparison to cheaper guitars, highlighting the speaker's realization that higher price doesn't always equate to a stronger connection with the instrument.

Why is the speaker considering selling the A500 guitar on eBay?

The speaker is considering selling the A500 guitar as part of an effort to pare back on instruments, especially given the practicality of having fewer guitars with a young child at home.

What does the speaker find appealing about the cheaper guitar compared to the Gibson Les Paul?

The speaker finds the neck joint and the satin neck of the cheaper guitar more appealing than the Gibson Les Paul, despite not preferring its appearance as much.

What is the speaker's dilemma regarding the cheap guitar?

The speaker is conflicted because, despite the cheap guitar being enjoyable to play and inspiring, it doesn't hold the same esteem due to its price, and part of the speaker wonders if they would regret selling it.

Outlines

00:00

🎸 Guitar Inspiration and Value

The speaker discusses the subjective nature of guitar value, emphasizing that the most important aspect is whether the guitar inspires one to play. They reflect on the common focus on specifications like pickups and materials, suggesting these might not be as crucial as the emotional connection and playability. The speaker shares their realization that good and bad guitars exist at all price points, and finding a guitar that works for you is more important than the price or brand. They also mention the channel's support by Truefire, an online learning platform for guitar, offering a discount code for viewers.

05:01

🤔 The Impact of Cheap Guitars on Perception

In this paragraph, the speaker explores the impact of owning a cheap guitar on their perception of more expensive ones. They recount their experience with a £500 guitar that, despite its lower price, offers a satisfying playing experience comparable to higher-end models. This leads to a contemplation of the value of more expensive guitars, as the enjoyment derived from the cheaper model challenges the assumption that higher price equates to a superior connection with the instrument. The speaker also touches on the idea that as the price of a guitar increases, one becomes more forgiving of its imperfections, questioning the price point beyond which they are willing to spend on a guitar.

10:03

🎼 The Emotional Connection with Guitars

The final paragraph delves into the emotional bond one can form with a guitar, regardless of its price. The speaker contrasts their lack of connection with expensive guitars like a Fender Custom Shop and a PRS DGT with the unexpected attachment to the cheaper guitar discussed earlier. They ponder the reasons behind this bond, suggesting that it might be due to the guitar's playability and the joy it brings, rather than its appearance or brand. The speaker invites viewers to share their thoughts on whether they have formed connections with cheaper guitars and if they regret selling them, highlighting the subjective nature of what makes a 'good' guitar.

Keywords

💡Pickups

Pickups refer to the electronic components in an electric guitar that detect the vibration of the strings and convert them into electrical signals, which are then amplified to produce sound. In the video, the speaker reflects on the idea that while pickups are often a focus for guitar enthusiasts, they may not make as significant a difference in playability and enjoyment as one might think. The script mentions 'scatter pickups' and 'SE Duncan pickups,' suggesting a comparison of different types and their perceived impact on the guitar's sound and playability.

💡Playability

Playability is the ease and comfort with which a musical instrument can be played. The video emphasizes that the most important aspect of a guitar is not necessarily its specifications or price but how it makes the player feel when they play it. The speaker suggests that a guitar that 'makes you want to play it more' is more valuable than one with high-end specifications that don't inspire the same desire to play.

💡Specs

Specs, short for specifications, are the detailed characteristics and technical details of a product, such as materials used, hardware, and construction. The script discusses how guitar players, including the speaker, often focus on specs like 'Ebony fretboards' or 'stainless frets' but questions whether these details are as crucial as the emotional connection and playability a guitar offers.

💡Guitar Setup

A guitar setup refers to the adjustments made to the guitar's hardware and components to optimize its playability and sound. The video mentions 'variation in the setup' as one of the factors that can affect how a guitar plays and feels, alongside the quality of the wood and the craftsmanship. The speaker implies that even a cheaper guitar can be enjoyable to play if it has a good setup.

💡Truefire

Truefire is mentioned as an online library of music lessons, suggesting that the speaker endorses or is affiliated with this platform. The script includes a promotional code for Truefire, indicating a partnership or sponsorship that supports the channel. This keyword is less about the main theme of the video and more about the channel's content and partnerships.

💡Gibson

Gibson is a renowned brand of guitars, often associated with high quality and prestige. The video script contrasts the experience of playing a cheaper guitar with that of a Gibson, suggesting that the cheaper guitar 'sort of ruins the Gibson for me,' implying that the cheaper instrument offers a surprisingly enjoyable playing experience that challenges the perceived superiority of more expensive brands.

💡印尼制造 (Indonesian Made)

The term 'Indonesian Made' is used in the script to describe the origin and possibly the perceived quality of the cheaper guitar. The speaker reflects on the preconceived notions about guitars made in Indonesia, suggesting that they might be underrated and that the country's manufacturing capabilities should not be underestimated when it comes to producing enjoyable and playable guitars.

💡Ebon Fretboard

An 'Ebon fretboard' refers to a guitar fretboard made from ebony, a dense and dark hardwood often used for high-end instruments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. The script mentions an 'Ebon fretboard' as one of the features of a cheaper guitar, challenging the assumption that only expensive guitars can have such premium components.

💡Luxury Market

The 'luxury market' is mentioned in the context of high-end, expensive guitars that may be more about status and brand than actual playability or quality. The speaker questions the value of spending a significant amount of money on a guitar, suggesting that there might be a point beyond which the price does not necessarily correlate with a better playing experience or emotional connection.

💡Connection with a Guitar

This concept refers to the emotional bond or attachment a musician feels towards their instrument. The video explores the idea that this connection is more important than the price or specifications of the guitar. The speaker shares personal experiences where cheaper guitars have created a strong connection, inspiring them to play more, which challenges the notion that only expensive guitars can offer such an experience.

Highlights

The importance of a guitar's playability over its specifications.

The realization that guitar specifications might not make as much difference as thought.

The presence of good and bad guitars at every price range, from £500 to £2,500.

The variation in production, wood, setup, and personal connection with a guitar.

The suggestion to buy a guitar that inspires you to play, rather than focusing on specs and price.

The endorsement of Truefire as an online library of guitar lessons.

The personal experience of playing a Les Paul and how it compares to other guitars.

The dilemma of selling a guitar that feels good to play despite its lower price.

The observation that cheaper guitars might be more easily replaceable, affecting their perceived value.

The idea that a good guitar can be found at any price range, challenging the notion of expensive equals better.

The preference for certain features of a cheaper guitar over a more expensive Les Paul.

The internal conflict of valuing a guitar based on price versus the enjoyment it brings.

The question posed to the audience about whether they can bond with a cheap guitar.

The consideration of whether price should be a significant factor in choosing a guitar.

The discussion on regretting selling cheaper guitars after they're gone.

The reflection on guitars that were easily sold without emotional attachment due to lack of connection.

The unique bond formed with a particular cheap guitar that challenges the usual mindset about guitar value.

Transcripts

pickups can be changed you know put

other things in it Electronics can be

switched out but if the the piece of

wood with the strings on it plays in a

way that makes you want to play it more

then that's kind of the important thing

right I'm realizing that actually some

of the specs on a guitar that people are

concerned about and myself included like

oh these are scatter pickups this is SEO

Duncan stuff this is Ebony whatever some

of that stuff really probably doesn't

make as much difference as we think and

actually there are good guitars that and

bad guitars at each price range whether

it's £500 or £2,500 there's going to be

variation in the production variation in

the wood variation in the setup and

variation in how that guitar and you get

on together and when you find one that

works for you at whatever price you're

at maybe that's what you should be

looking for and instead of buying with

our eyes and buying with you know a spec

sheet buying with price in mind and all

that sort of stuff maybe that's

something that we should kind of

consider like does this guitar actually

inspire me to want to pick it up this

channel is supported by truefire

truefire is an online library of lessons

from some of my favorite players there's

thousands of lessons on there you can

use the promo code jnc 40 to get 40% off

of any of their courses

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so I did a video uh a few days back

maybe a few weeks back at this point

about actually getting a chance to Gig

my lespol and in the comments of that I

got a question asked where someone asked

to do you still get on with your s

lespol so the sari Colton L7 and I have

to say like every time I play this

guitar it sort of ruins the Gibson for

me and I wanted to do a video I don't

know exactly what to call it but maybe

the problem with cheap guitars maybe why

cheap guitars ruin everything I don't

know I think of something creative I'm

sure um but this guitar really does make

me question a few things and it's

something that's happened with a lot of

cheap guitars that introduction there

obviously channeling a bit of Paramore I

was using the Eric combined 24 preset

for the lead tones and then I think the

Sana Ripper modified version of that for

the Rhythm tones um and the glassy Plexi

24 for the clean tones um anyway so what

this cheap guitar thing what am I on

about so this is a A500 guitar

essentially right and I decided right

let's Chuck this on eBay um because I'm

in this mode now of like you know trying

to pair back instruments I'd try and do

this you know relatively regularly so

that things don't kind of overflow um

having loads and loads and loads of

guitars doesn't really make too much

sense for me with a 19-month year old

kid and I kind of have three guitars

that I keep out here and that kind of

tends to be the thing but a 500 lb

guitar with an Ebon fretboard um

mahogany body uh it's a gold top so none

of the kind of flame Maple stuff um some

nondescript s pickups um some okay I

presume volume pots and that sort of

stuff made in

Indonesia um one kind of thing that

stands out versus something like the

Gibson would be that the nut is

particularly kind of boxy and not

particularly uh well cut necessarily and

in general like the f finishing is like

a tad on the sloppy side I would say and

that's kind of been the case with SARS

and in general that's the thing that at

this end of the price Continuum I think

we necessarily I think tempor our

expectations so that finishing and stuff

like that you know little pits in The

Binding or whatever don't really Factor

so much into our enjoyment of the

instrument and then what happened this

week was that s sent me an S10 which was

like a 1300 guitar 11 to

1300 um and I kind of like it's a way

more expensive guitar but actually when

I'm playing the guitar versus you know

their cheaper instruments I'm feeling

like well this this kind of feels

awfully similar like the finishing was

way better the specs are way better you

know it's got goto Hardware it's got uh

stainless Frets um it's got SE more

Duncan pickups um but actually like

there's less of a connection that I had

with that guitar versus something like

this cheaper one or like my memory of

what the cheaper S7 guitars are and it's

kind of got me thinking like in general

like this guitar feels just as good to

play pretty much as by Gibson as pool um

I think it sounds really decent for what

it is um and the things that I don't

really think that matter so much they

kind of go away when you're just playing

the guitar and the more money that I

spend on the guitar the less inclined I

am to kind of look over those like

little defects and those little

imperfections and frankly I think there

is a price for me that is something like

£1,800 Beyond which I can't really even

get my head around spending even though

at this stage I could afford that sort

of thing more than I ever could as a kid

or you know even a few years ago it just

doesn't really seem to compute very well

with me so it know cheap guitars for me

have kind of sort of ruined almost

everything Upstream to the point where

you know even like the K lines if if for

most people you know if you're buying a

new one like 2,800

£2,900 I've bought most of mine used and

then they they're like

16,700 like beyond that sort of money I

feel like you're buying into this kind

of luxury Market which I'm not entirely

sure that you always get something that

it's tons better the other problem with

cheap guitars that I find is that as

much fun as you can have on them for me

there's Al also this thing kind of in

the back of your head where you're

thinking like well but this isn't the

Gibson do you know what I mean where

it's like well that could be the first

one to go because it's you know easy to

get a replacement buy them new for like

£500 sell them for maybe like £300 like

there's no real kind of skin off

anyone's teeth in that kind of

circumstance maybe that's also not a

very good way to look at it because if I

was thinking I wanted this exact guitar

back then that would be a problem right

and a good guitar can occur at any price

range really is what I'm starting to

realize and that you know I've had

expensive guitars like a PRS dgt that I

had zero connection with I've got this

cheap guitar which actually each time I

play it I'm enjoying it inspired to be

playing it even though in the back of my

mind it's like well that's you know an

Indonesian made thing it's perfectly

decent uh stays in tune plays really

well is a lighter weight guitar than my

lespol you

know it's creating a bit of a problem

right because it's kind of like it

doesn't

look necessarily exactly the part for

Les poool type guitar there are aspects

of it which I actually prefer to the Les

poool this neck joint for example the

satin neck is another example I don't

prefer the way it looks but I think it

looks okay actually playing it just

feels fantastic I don't know if any of

you guys have can relate to any of this

this on any level and maybe I'm just

rambling about guitar which is basically

what's happening here right but that's

the problem with cheap guitars for me

it's like I because they're cheap I also

don't necessarily hold them in the same

esteem but actually probably price

shouldn't necessarily be as much of a

factor is it a guitar that inspires you

or not is the main factor and if you can

find A500 guitar that can do that better

than an 18800 pound guitar then truly

that's the right guitar for you it's a

really weird one and I've had some

offers on it on eBay but I'm kind of

thinking about it maybe once it's out of

the door I would never think about it

again but whilst it's still here and

whilst I picked it up to play it the

other day is definitely something that's

playing on my mind so are you someone

who could make this bond with a cheap

guitar or do you think about this sort

of stuff do you regret selling any

cheaper guitars once they're gone uh I'd

love to know your thoughts if you have

any and likewise if you had expensive

guitars that you had literally zero

feeling for zero bond for I can think of

Fender Custom Shop red um that I bought

once and that I had no issue selling

made no connection with it the PRS dgt I

had no connection with this one

something is a little bit different

about it not sure what