Trying out the "super budget rig"

**mr. beaumont** · 03-13-2026, 06:04 PM

A few weeks ago I bought a DV little jazz, after playing one and realizing I liked it a lot (I had tried one years ago and didn't)

The guitar I've had for a little over a year, Ibanez AZES40.

So basically, a $700 setup, amp and guitar. Im not saying its the be all end all of tone, but, come on, $700!

(Don't worry, I'm not selling my "good" stuff. )

**Peter C** · 03-13-2026, 06:14 PM

Good sounds!

**DawgBone** · 03-13-2026, 07:05 PM

It sounds real nice plus I am sucker for Moonlight in Vermont. It's more about what's in your soul than what's in the wallet!

**JGinNJ** · 03-13-2026, 07:12 PM

Nice Take on Moonlight in VT!
Just goes to show, you don't need to spend a lot to get great sound. I've sold off all my expensive (over $700) guitars, mostly for ergonomic reasons, not financial, but I'm happy right now with a $200 archtop and a MIM Jazzmaster.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-13-2026, 07:21 PM

Thanks all. Like I said, I still like my nice stuff. But the teacher in me loves quality budget stuff for getting folks started.

This is a bold statement, but this guitar-- is think it is the absolute best budget guitar on the market. We kind of live in the golden age of affordable guitars and there are a lot of instruments out there that are good "raw materials" guitars that with a little work can be great, but this guitar needed nothing-- arrived set up great, fretwork is pretty much perfect, it is just a fantastic value. I'd recommend it to anybody starting out or someone like me, who's been playing a long time but didn't have a "strat" style guitar...

**AllanAllen** · 03-13-2026, 07:42 PM

I’m currently gigging with a $200 G&L ASAT “tele”.

**Cunamara** · 03-13-2026, 11:07 PM

I used a Squier Affinity Tele for about 5 years as a gigging guitar (early in my Ed Bickert phase). $180 new. Budget gear these days can be surprisingly good.

**kris** · 03-13-2026, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Cunamara

I used a Squier Affinity Tele for about 5 years as a gigging guitar (early in my Ed Bickert phase). $180 new. Budget gear these days can be surprisingly good.

My first Tele style guitar cost about $150
I liked it manually, but then I replaced everything in it.
New tuners,pickups,frets,pots-then after a year I sold it.
A small sum of money became a large sum after modifications.

**GuyBoden** · 03-14-2026, 11:46 AM

Nice playing, recently I got an inexpensive Squier Jaguar (£200 new, B stock). After I set it up, dressed the frets and changed the strings to heavy flats, the single coil pickups sound good(ish). It's a joy to play, with it's short scale, if a bit too heavy.

**rpjazzguitar** · 03-14-2026, 01:44 PM

I've gigged with my Yamaha Pacifica 012, their cheapest model. Mine has replacement tuners and a Lil 59 in the neck position.

Just a few years ago, this guitar sold for $179 with amp, gig bag, cable, pick and maybe a book, iirc. Beginner guitar kit.

I love the neck, although others may find it too thin. It stays in tune, which my Comins GCS-1 does not. The Comins sounds better, but the Yamaha is usable.

**nyc chaz** · 03-14-2026, 02:31 PM

Sounds more than fine.Let's face it,most of us play higher end archtops for jazz because our heroes did,but we forget that a guy like Joe Pass in the 60's played a Fender Jaguar and sounded more than alright in a jazz setting.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-14-2026, 07:22 PM

For giggles, tele vs. "strat"

**Beats_and_Guitars** · 03-14-2026, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Thanks all. Like I said, I still like my nice stuff. But the teacher in me loves quality budget stuff for getting folks started.

This is a bold statement, but this guitar-- is think it is the absolute best budget guitar on the market. We kind of live in the golden age of affordable guitars and there are a lot of instruments out there that are good "raw materials" guitars that with a little work can be great, but this guitar needed nothing-- arrived set up great, fretwork is pretty much perfect, it is just a fantastic value. I'd recommend it to anybody starting out or someone like me, who's been playing a long time but didn't have a "strat" style guitar...

I was going to challenge your statement about being the best budget guitar on the market then I looked at the price. That’s a great price. Did you get it from Sweetwater? I have a few Ibanez guitars but particularly my AF95 was $600 and rivals my most expensive guitars in terms of playability and tone. Ibanez are really making great affordable guitars.

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**mr. beaumont** · 03-14-2026, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Beats_and_Guitars

I was going to challenge your statement about being the best budget guitar on the market then I looked at the price. That’s a great price. Did you get it from Sweetwater? I have a few Ibanez guitars but particularly my AF95 was $600 and rivals my most expensive guitars in terms of playability and tone. Ibanez are really making great affordable guitars.

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I did get it from Sweetwater, late 2024--and it was $40 cheaper than it is now-- pre tarrifs, I guess.

**rpjazzguitar** · 03-14-2026, 08:55 PM

Completely unhelpful Jeff.

The chord melody was so good I couldn't focus on which guitar it was.

Seriously, great playing.

**Cunamara** · 03-14-2026, 09:17 PM

Jeff! Those kids done turned you grey! Or was it the guitar?

**mr. beaumont** · 03-14-2026, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Cunamara

Jeff! Those kids done turned you grey! Or was it the guitar?

People always joke woth me about being a public school teacher, but I had ZERO grays until I had kids of my own.

I've heard it comes from your mother's side. Not sure if that's true, but both of my uncles were completely gray by 35, so I actually made it a few more years!

**Cunamara** · 03-14-2026, 10:13 PM

I sprouted twin grey streaks in my beard by age 35 and it was a race to see if I'd go grey or bald first. Ended up being a little of both. For years I had a grey beard and black hair. The beard's now almost fully white, the hair salt and pepper but a lot less of it.

I've blamed my boss for decades. I didn't have any grey when I started working for him, and enough hair for a ponytail.