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Budget Short-Scale Recommendations
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 9:25 pm
by zastruga
I'm trying to find a budget (<$300) short scale guitar for a friend who's trying to learn. Of all the guitars she's tried, she seemed to like my girlfriend's Pawn Shop Mustang best but it's a bit out of her budget. What recommendations do you have for a sub $300 short scale?
I'm leaning towards the Squier VM Mustang, but wanted to know what else might be out there. Doesn't have to be Fender/Squier. She'll be playing punk mostly, so a humbucker would be cool but not necessary.
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 9:43 pm
by robroe
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 10:02 pm
by zastruga
Good find!
How are the Squier Mustangs? Good quality? Do they have bridge issues like the Jags/JMs? Pickups?
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 10:37 pm
by Nick
Squier Mustang, do a rails pickup in the bridge for teh punk sounds.
I can't imagine the beginner player finding much issue with the stock bridge, if it is a problem, upgrade to a fender one and it's still within budget.
Pickups are alnico I think in these new squiers...the electronics are the weakness but for a beginner they'll do just fine.
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:44 pm
by robroe
a jag-stang was my only guitar from 94-2000.
so when you guys say "bridge issues" i just laugh. to me its supposed to rattle around. thats the mustang sound to me. its not supposed to sound perfect to me.
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 6:57 am
by Fakir Mustache
Nick wrote:Squier Mustang, do a rails pickup in the bridge for teh punk sounds.
probably not necessary though, the stock bridge pickup is pretty hot.
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:56 pm
by zastruga
Thanks for all the help! Going to call Guitar Center later and check it out.
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 2:41 pm
by brainfur
what a wonderful world--- i never would have jagmastered if there had been cheap mustangs...
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:24 pm
by Josh
Used squier jaguar or mustang. Squier is killing it these days. Aside from budget wiring and pickups they're on par with fender these days.
I got one of the jazzmasters and have tried the squier mustang in store and the pickups are fine to leave in imo. Was just playing through a regular kinda fender amp. Only thing I can think of is a bridge change but i think the stock ones of fine. It's just not like playing a strat or tele.
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 8:02 pm
by Thomas
I've had the Squier Jazzmaster (nt the Jag) and Mustang and while they're a hell of a lot of guitar for the money they fit it right under the Mexican stuff quality-wise. They're just not a patch on the US/J/Mex stuff. They're a great place to start tho, or as the starting point for a project.
You can't do much better for £100 secondhand.
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 8:20 pm
by zastruga
Thomas wrote:I've had the Squier Jazzmaster (nt the Jag) and Mustang and while they're a hell of a lot of guitar for the money they fit it right under the Mexican stuff quality-wise. They're just not a patch on the US/J/Mex stuff. They're a great place to start tho, or as the starting point for a project.
You can't do much better for £100 secondhand.
Yeah, I'm looking for a friend and her budget is pretty limited. It's also her first guitar, so I'd be hesitant to say she should buy a $600+ guitar anyway! I've got a Squier VM JM, so I pretty much know what to expect, was just curious what the Mustangs were like in comparison or if there were better alternatives.
She's currently saving to go after the $199 used Mustang at Guitar Center, so hopefully it sticks around long enough!
Jaguar vintage modified
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:46 pm
by Jagtornado
What about a Squier vintage modified jaguar? around 300 bucks I guess.
Re: Jaguar vintage modified
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:13 pm
by zastruga
Jagtornado wrote:What about a Squier vintage modified jaguar? around 300 bucks I guess.
That was my first impulse too, but she didn't like the size of the body. I think we've settled on the VM Mustang, just trying to find one she can afford!
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:47 pm
by Fran
Nick wrote:Squier Mustang, do a rails pickup in the bridge for teh punk sounds.
This tickled me, even after all these years...
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:49 pm
by stewart
Thomas wrote:I've had the Squier Jazzmaster (nt the Jag) and Mustang and while they're a hell of a lot of guitar for the money they fit it right under the Mexican stuff quality-wise. They're just not a patch on the US/J/Mex stuff. They're a great place to start tho, or as the starting point for a project.
the vm jag i have just needed a new bridge, other than that it's fine. admittedly i'm using it in a noise rock situation where tuning isn't that important, but still. apart from the trem (no lock) i don't feel like it desperately needs upgrading.