What's your 'hidden treasure' story?

[Prof Silverhair]

How you ever been really blown away by an 'inexpensive' guitar?

First off, I realize that 'inexpensive' varies by person so I'm not assigning any dollar value here. I recently came into this 2006 Epi Broadway for a fraction of what I would typical spend. It was obvious why it was inexpensive - gold appointment all tarnished, frets were discolored from lack of play, sorely needed a setup, fretboard conditioned, and strings felt original. The bridge even still had the soft plastic wrap used in shipping under it. I grabbed it without playing it, if only for a fun guitar project.

Plugged it in first and was blown away by the sound. My first thought was: 'Wow, are these stock Epi's or classic 57's?!'. It obviously cleaned up nicely which was fun and rewarding, also confirmed they were just regular Epi pups. I've had a number of Epis and experience with various high end 'buckers and these are great.

I've always enjoyed the 'treasure hunt' aspect of guitars, and have cycled through many, but this is the first time I've had this experience. I'm almost always disappointed by either the sound, feel, fit, or finish of a guitar that usually costs much more than the Broadway.

Do you have a 'hidden treasure' story? I'd love to read about your surprise finds...

[skykomishone]

Yes, a 1944 L7 that looked like it had been through the war, which it had! But she was a diamond in the rough! Some maintenance, which many would not want to be bothered with, like neck reset, new frets and leveling, and restoring some finish on the back of the neck that had been worn to bare wood by being played relentlessly by some jazz head. When I saw the guitar, I knew based on the neckwear that it had been seriously loved, and it has it's fair share of dings, but it sounds as good as any vintage Gibson from that era that I've played. It's one of my favorite guitars. Like I said, a 'diamond in the rough'.

[John A.]

In guitars, I’d say the Godin 5th Ave Kingpin I had for a few years. I got it in trade for some pedals worth maybe $400-ish. Excellent guitar that I got a lot of use out of. I’ve since passed it on to someone who needed it more than I did.

In amps, Fender Champion 20; one of the most useful and most used pieces of gear I’ve ever had. I paid $89 for it (they’re more now, but still stupid cheap).

[Prof Silverhair]

That's amazing! I'd love to have the same opportunity. There's nothing like finding the diamond that's been passed over because it wasn't polished enough.

Yes, a 1944 L7 that looked like it had been through the war, which it had! But she was a diamond in the rough! Some maintenance, which many would not want to be bothered with, like neck reset, new frets and leveling, and restoring some finish on the back of the neck that had been worn to bare wood by being played relentlessly by some jazz head. When I saw the guitar, I knew based on the neckwear that it had been seriously loved, and it has it's fair share of dings, but it sounds as good as any vintage Gibson from that era that I've played. It's one of my favorite guitars. Like I said, a 'diamond in the rough'.

[Prof Silverhair]

I've never tried either but I've heard and read great things about the Godin 5th Ave's. Need to track one down soon

In guitars, I’d say the Godin 5th Ave Kingpin I had for a few years. I got it in trade for some pedals worth maybe $400-ish. Excellent guitar that I got a lot of use out of. I’ve since passed it on to someone who needed it more than I did.

In amps, Fender Champion 20; one of the most useful and most used pieces of gear I’ve ever had. I paid $89 for it (they’re more now, but still stupid cheap).

[icr]

I got this Sebring at Guitar Center a few years ago for $350USD.

It turned out to be a fantastic guitar. With a few modifications it plays well and sounds good.

[zizala]

So this is my no longer hidden treasure....

As it was, I paid so little for this scuffy, scratched up ladder braced '34 Kalamazoo Senior that I couldn't help myself and had the neck reset and a refret done.
Before I had the work done even with the ancient strings and high action......I could tell there was something good going on in there....so took the chance and paid the price.

I thought it would be at least another spunky small bodied curio but no.....
It's now one of my all time favorite guitars......sounds balanced and versatile....with plenty of volume if you want it and sensitive to the lightest touch.
I can work out ideas on this that transcend its depression era beginnings.
Sits right beside me all the time.

[ThatRhythmMan]

This is one of two hollowbody, Les Paul sized guitars made by Fedor Fatovich that I got a few years ago for a few hundred dollars each. Fatovich had been a luthier at Guild before making guitars under his own name. They play unbelievably well and sound incredible. They are way more guitar than they should be based on price. Cosmetically they aren’t on par with the best boutique luthier made guitars out there, but for playability and tone I would put them up against anything out there. The other one (a single cut, Les Paul sized hollow guitar) even pulls that off with some discount Guitar Fetish pickups in it. On paper it shouldn’t be half the guitar it is.





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[Gitterbug]

EPI ES-339 Pro. My main cab testing axe. A good candidate for Swiss Army Guitar. Edit: Sorry no story just great value. I'm still looking for that frog of a 1950s cheap archtop that I could kiss with an AZ-48 pu and make it a princess.

[Oscar67]

This is my hidden treasure. That cheap little guitar started my deep appreciation of Paul’s vision. His guitars work for me. I’ve not played a solidbody from another brand ever since I got that cheap SE and I don’t think I ever will. I won’t say that PRS is “better” than anything else; in fact I think their QC doesn’t live up to its reputation. But they’re just right for me.

[Prof Silverhair]

Love seeing all these great gems and reading their stories. Keep 'em coming!

[Doctor Jeff]

This bass guitar I got from a neighbor’s trash bin. It is a 1970 Electra Gibson SG-style bass. I refretted it, did some minor body paint touch up, new tuners, and it worked great. Electronics OK after a Deoxit cleaning.

I sold it a few years ago to Conor Oberst’s guitar tech for $150.



The Tele on the left I bought for $150 from a kid needing money for college. It was his relic project. This is the original ash body, which I sanded down and stained blue. I added the tremolo and pickguard, otherwise kept as is. It already had SD pickups—Alnico 2 in the neck, Quarter Pounder in the bridge.

One of the best and mellowest sounding Teles I’ve ever played. I sold it at an auction for my high school. It “only” went for $200, so I think someone got a steal, but it was used and as I said in the description “gently worn”. (The new build on the right went for $650!)



This Joe Pass I got off Ebay in ‘07 or so. It was a ‘98 Samick (IIRC). $400. It was very playable right out of the box with Epi Classic 57 pickups, but I upgraded them to Stew Mac Parsons Street Alnico 2s and it sounded great. I also upgraded the tuners (amber knobs), pickguard and volume knobs (rosewood).

I kind of regret trading it in for about what I paid for it, but got an even nicer Korean guitar, a Peerless Sunset.

[mr. beaumont]

My favorite inexpensive guitars are my 2 Yamaha nylon strings...they cover all my nylon needs, really well made, good electrincs, great fretwork. Yamaha should give me an endorsement for how much praise I've been heaping on these guitars...

[darkwaters]

My current favourite would have to be my Inspired By Epi Les Paul Special. The fit and finish are excellent, the pickups and wiring are top notch, full 50s style neck without baseball bat proportions and, while I’m not sure if the colour is absolutely accurate, it sure is a looker. The only fault that I could find was the nut; slots were wayyyy too high, but a good bone nut fixed that and now she’s a pure pleasure to play. Count me as very impressed.

[John A.]

My favorite inexpensive guitars are my 2 Yamaha nylon strings...they cover all my nylon needs, really well made, good electrincs, great fretwork. Yamaha should give me an endorsement for how much praise I've been heaping on these guitars...

Which model is the one with a cutaway?

[powerwagonjohn]

I am not so sure this qualifies but my 1950 Epiphone Triumph was $1400.00 all in. It plays great and is a true cannon! It has plenty of play wear and some sealed cracks but it is a fully carved archtop from the golden age made by old time craftsman. I considered it a great deal especially including the original case, great neck set and frets. I LOVE it!!!
Thanks John

[mr. beaumont]

John, that's an NTX-1. Really cool model.

[GuyBoden]

1949 Gibson L4c

The Gibson L4c is an acoustic archtop, IMHO a 'hidden treasure', once a pickup is installed or not.

With Lollar McCarthy Pickguard.

(After all these years, my Gibson L4c is still pictured on the Lollar website.)
Mccarty pickup | Lollar Pickups Blog

[Prof Silverhair]

That's very cool. Have you considered putting a DeArmond pickup on it? I'd be curious how that would sound.

I am not so sure this qualifies but my 1950 Epiphone Triumph was $1400.00 all in. It plays great and is a true cannon! It has plenty of play wear and some sealed cracks but it is a fully carved archtop from the golden age made by old time craftsman. I considered it a great deal especially including the original case, great neck set and frets. I LOVE it!!!
Thanks John

[Prof Silverhair]

This is one of those guitars you can hear in your head when you look at it. Too awesome.

1949 Gibson L4c

The Gibson L4c is an acoustic archtop, IMHO a 'hidden treasure', once a pickup is installed or not.

With Lollar McCarthy Pickguard.

(After all these years, my Gibson L4c is still pictured on the Lollar website.)
Mccarty pickup | Lollar Pickups Blog

[ArchieHollow]

Acquired this '42 Gretsch New Yorker in my youth as a basket case. Went right to work on restoring it. She's a treasure and a favorite player to this very day

[powerwagonjohn]

Prof, yes I have a deArmond 1000 that came to me with my 1952 Gibson L-4 and have tried it out several times and it sounds as expected. I usually keep the Epiphone straight acoustic as I take it on road trips and play it in hotel rooms while my wife is down in the casino. Unlike most of my guitars I had an orig. style pick guard made that I am installing on the Epiphone, it is so big I think it need something.
here is a photo of my 1952 L-4 I bought out of a Guitar Center for $2000.00 with the deArmond, it is in unbelievable condition along with the orig. case and pick up. I consider this another hidden treasure. They were asking a lot more but I made them an offer. The manager looked on the computer and said my offer was $200.00 more that they paid for it. Thanks John

[Gitterbug]

My favorite inexpensive guitars are my 2 Yamaha nylon strings...they cover all my nylon needs, really well made, good electrincs, great fretwork. Yamaha should give me an endorsement for how much praise I've been heaping on these guitars...

'
Too many Yamahas in school use. Teachery, not groovy. I have only good things to say about them - but there's only one in the house ( a black NTX-770) while quite a few acoustics and, regrettably, an SA-2200 are gone.

[mr. beaumont]

'
Too many Yamahas in school use. Teachery, not groovy. I have only good things to say about them - but there's only one in the house ( a black NTX-770) while quite a few acoustics and, regrettably, an SA-2200 are gone.

Well, I am a teacher