It’s easy, especially in the guitar world, to get hung up on big names and iconic models. Unfortunately, many of these also come at iconic prices. That being said, trying to keep some money in your pocket doesn’t have to come with sacrificing build quality, features, or character. Here are three under-the-radar finds for under $800.
1. Reverend Flatroc
Image via reverendguitars.com
Street Price: $750
- Body: Korina
- Neck: Maple (satin finish)
- Frets: 22 medium jumbo, 12″ radius
- Pickups: Reverend Revtron
- Tuners: Reverend locking pin
- Nut: 1-11/16″ graphite
- Bridge: Tune-o-matic with stop tail
Perfect for: Anyone looking to turn heads onstage or in the studio; an all-around workhorse; that rockabilly and country sound
Boasting a retro, pawn shop vibe with high-quality design and construction, Reverend makes an offering aimed at people who want something a little different while still having a guitar that plays true night after night. Joe Naylor, the luthier behind Reverend, has managed to craft something uniquely Detroit that makes you just want to play. Reverends use their own proprietary pickup designs in all their models, so not only will you get a guitar that punches way above its weight class, but you’ll also get something that you for sure will not find in any other guitar. Combine that with a korina body, locking tuners, and a “bass contour” knob all standard off the rack, and you may be left utterly confused by the price. As a longtime Gibson fan and someone who never thought he’d own another guitar under $1,000, I offloaded an ES-335 for a couple of different Reverends a few years back (yes , I know that sounds crazy), and I couldn’t have been happier. If you haven’t picked up a Reverend guitar or bass, you need to check out what you’ve been missing.
2. Hagstrom Viking
Image via hagstromguitars.de
Street Price: $700
- Body: Maple ply
- Neck: Canadian hard maple
- Frets: 22 medium jumbo, 15″ radius
- Pickups: Hagstrom HJ-50
- Tuners: Hagstrom 18:1 die cast
- Nut: 1-11/16″ Black Tusq XL
- Bridge: Tune-o-matic with Hagstrom Trapeze tail piece
Perfect for: Anyone looking to get into an archtop without breaking the bank; jazz, blues, rock, and everything in between
As someone who’s a fan of hollow-body guitars, I normally find myself scrutinizing the more “value”-priced F-hole adorned axes. Many often feel cheaply finished or simply miss the mark when plugged in. It sometimes seems that “value” archtop is somewhat of an oxymoron. However, Hagstrom’s offerings are proof that sometimes you can get more than you pay for. This former accordion manufacturer puts out an instrument that’s as comfortable playing smooth lines as it is barking and screaming. Alongside appointments and details fit to match their more expensive cousins, the Vikings also boast Hagstrom’s own proprietary pickups, tuners, and Resinator™ fretboard, yet again proving you don’t need to break the bank to get something that’s one of a kind. These modern builds share all the features that made Hagstrom a sought-after name and earned it the credit of debatably being the manufacturer of the “world’s fastest playing guitar.”
3. Yamaha Pacifica 611
Image via truefire.com
Street Price: $600
- Body: Alder with maple top
- Neck: Maple
- Frets: 22 medium jumbo, 13 3/4″ radius
- Pickups: Seymour Duncan SP-901N, Custom 5 HB
- Tuners: Grover locking tuners
- Nut: 1-11/16″ Black Tusq XL
- Bridge: Hardtail with Graph Tech String Saver saddles
Perfect for: The guitarist looking for that custom-build feel without the custom-build price point; studio rats and session players
A quality build that’s sure to surprise, the Pacifica line from Yamaha is one I’m sure many would pass over on the rack. A company that unfortunately all too often gets associated with student-grade, nylon-string guitars offers up big value and big time flexibility at a price that will allow you to sleep at night. The 611, in particular, features an odd pickup loadout that offers insane tonal versatility in the right hands, placing a P-90 on the neck and a humbucker on the bridge. If you need to cover a lot of tonal ground and can’t afford to have an entire rack of guitars on hand, look no further. Warren Huart, LA-based recording engineer (The Fray, Aerosmith, Marc Broussard) and owner of Produce Like a Pro swears by this guitar – not just as a value instrument, but as a studio workhorse, and has a number of videos on his YouTube channel that show it off as such. As with the other two offerings, the Pacifica 611 comes with appointments and styling suited to guitars that cost two to three times as much.
So, the next time you’re looking to pick up a new instrument and want to get the most for your money, don’t hesitate to check out these offerings. As with any quality instrument, the instrument itself should inspire its own music, and these are no exception. Guitars can be a very personal thing, so feel free to comment with your own thoughts and suggestions!
Aaron Staniulis is not only a freelance live sound and recording engineer, but also an accomplished musician, singer, and songwriter. He has spent equal time on both sides of the microphone working for and playing alongside everyone from local bar cover bands to major label recording artists, in venues stretching from tens to tens of thousands of people. Having seen both sides at all levels gives him the perfect perspective for shedding light on the “Angry Sound Guy.” You can find out more about what he’s up to at aaronstaniulis.com.*
*This article was originally published at Sonicbids.com. It has been re-posted here with permission.