Non-mainstream brands

[Rocket]

I've been trying to keep up with the non-mainstream, (mainstream referring to Gibson [Epiphone], Fender [Squier], Gretsch, Ibanez, PRS, etc.,) brand offerings, (i.e. SX(Essex), Agile, Douglas, Xaviere, etc.,) threads as I find it extremely interesting to see what else is being offered.

I've started this thread as a one-stop link-posting source of those off-the-beaten-path brands you don't see at Guitar Centers, Inc. et al., FQMS, and Sweetwater.
I'll throw these two sources out there as they're the only two I know of from reading the posts here at TheFret.Net:
SX/Agile/Douglas at Rondo Music (http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar.html)
Xaviere at GFS (http://store.guitarfetish.com/xaviereguitars.html)

[Katastrophe]

I'll add one for our Canadian friends,

http://www.jsdguitarshack.com/electric_guitars.html

They sell Dillion guitars.

[Rocket]

I like that Dillion DXC-58 (http://www.jsdguitarshack.com/dillion_guitars/dxc-50/dillion_lp_jr_guitars.html)... looks almost identical to the SX GG1SC I ordered. Those LP Jr. clones really appeal to the minimalist in me.

[tot_Ou_tard]

You can't forget

Reverend

http://www.reverendguitars.com/

& Eastwood

http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/

This is the one I want

http://www.myrareguitars.com/tuxedocoppercloseups.html

[street music]

Rocket,
I would like to add http://www.godinguitars.com/ , in my opinion GODIN has to be a really over looked top notch guitar by many. I've tried several different models and although they aren't all in the $150.00 range they make a excellent guitar for the spent to one.

[Rocket]

Rocket,
I would like to add http://www.godinguitars.com/ , in my opinion GODIN has to be a really over looked top notch guitar by many. I've tried several different models and although they aren't all in the $150.00 range they make a excellent guitar for the spent to one.
I'd definitely consider Godin one of the mainstream... I was mostly referring to those barely acknowledged low-budget offerings not found listed at Musician's Friend.

[street music]

Sorry Rocket, I should have given thought to that. The fact that I have only seen a couple of the brands named on the list , I'll say that I have tried a couple of the Jay Turser strat and tele styles. It felt like I was holding a toy and I would not have bought either of ones that I tried. I'm still waiting for Kodiak to get my Fathers Day guitar to me then I will give a good review on my Agile when I play it.

[street music]

Rocket I think Rondo has this guitar that I would to try out Douglas Hawker BK
it has EMG pickups and just looks appealing to me.

[just strum]

I'd definitely consider Godin one of the mainstream... I was mostly referring to those barely acknowledged low-budget offerings not found listed at Musician's Friend.

Periodically we kick around "low-budget", what would you or the group consider low budget? I have a hard time putting my finger on a price range that would define that. If you are looking at a low budget Gibson, then something is in the Epi price range is considered low budget. Many of the "copies" of things like LP's are not really low budget Gibson's, they are more like low budget Epi's.

I like the idea of the thread, but one can cruise the Internet and find all kinds of "low budget" guitars. I can probably list 15 to 20, but they all might be junk.

Maybe noting an alternative and adding that you either own one or have heard good things about them might add to the reliability of the thread.

[Rocket]

Oh, I'd definitely like to hear any & all reviews pertaining to quality, fit, finish, and playability of those non-mainstream guitars.

I'd consider budget-priced as anything priced lower than mainstream offspring companies such as Epiphone or Squier.

What triggered the idea for this thread is all the positive comments of the budget-priced offerings at Rondo, (including the Douglas brand name.)

I'm not really looking for a semantics battle... just curiosity of the obscure and a place for common links to those that apply.

[just strum]

I'm not really looking for a semantics battle... just curiosity of the obscure and a place for common links to those that apply.

Me neither. Just a general idea of what is the area of the objective.

that said, I have nothing.

[marnold]

Well, when you could get them--which isn't anymore except on evilBay--I would have nominated my own Floyd Rose Discovery. I also liked the looks of that Reverend Volcano, although the one I saw was more orange than the color on their site (and it wasn't the signature one).

[Rocket]

You can still get Floyd Rose guitars.
Beyond Eleven (http://www.beyondeleven.com/Floyd-Rose-Guitars-s/149.htm) still carries them and 2 dealers here in Florida still carry them: "Scit Scat Music" & "Space Music".

[just strum]

You can still get Floyd Rose guitars.
Beyond Eleven (http://www.beyondeleven.com/Floyd-Rose-Guitars-s/149.htm) still carries them and 2 dealers here in Florida still carry them: "Scit Scat Music" & "Space Music".

I think I just heard Marnold's car door close and engine start.

[Ch0jin]

Maton

Australian made for something like 60 years.

www.maton.com.au

Most famous for Acoustics (Tommy Emanual has a bunch of them) but I highly rate their electrics too. Noteably MS2000 range and the BB1200 series.

I have a MS2000DLX SD and it's amazing.

[Rocket]

Maton... definitely NOT obscure NOR low-budget.
Cole Clark... somewhat obscure... NOT low-budget.

Some seem to be missing the point of this exercise.

BTW... I WILL have a Cole Clark someday, (if I can ever find one for sale!)

[wingsdad]

My local GAS Station carried these briefly, but he could get them again.
Tradition Guitars (http://www.traditionguitars.com/index.html)
Made in Indonesia, mostly. They've got some souped up top-of-line models that are quite a bit above 'low-budget', but most Standard models list at $299-$399. The J Series JR Standard is a very decent 'Tele Custom' type with a bridge humbucker and built in coil tapping (via push-pull pot). A couple of years ago, I got one for less than $200 w/ HSC. (I've traded it since).

The line he's carried now as his 'entry level price point' line is by Stagg. They seem to be a lot like Rondo/Agile/SX in their uncanny clone models that sell for $175-$300 and look, play and sound like they should cost twice as much.

Stagg Music-Guitars (http://www.staggmusic.com/products/products_sscat.php?catid=62)

[Ch0jin]

Maton... definitely NOT obscure NOR low-budget.
Cole Clark... somewhat obscure... NOT low-budget.

Some seem to be missing the point of this exercise.

BTW... I WILL have a Cole Clark someday, (if I can ever find one for sale!)

oops sorry. In my defence I thought Maton's weren't widely known outside of Australia (The only youtube clip I can find with a MS2000 is mine for example)

I missed the "budget" requirement bit though, and of course you are correct that they aren't "cheap".

Oh and u'll hate me for this, but I saw a Cole Clark just the other day (an acoustic, cant recall the model) as part of an auction for a liquidated music store. I wasn't paying it much attention as there was a LP Standard brand new that I chased up to $2700 (good buying as they are around $4500 RRP in Aus) before I ran out of budget. I think the CC it went for around $500, dunno if thats good or not though...

[Tibernius]

Not sure if it'll let me post the link since this is my first post...

Wesley Guitars (www.wesleyguitars.co.uk)

Haven't bought one yet so can't say too much about them, but an Alder body string-through Tele copy for £100?!
Most of the reviews on the guitar site for them are for the 1st set they made/had made that were plywood.

I've got a cheap LP copy off an auction site (guess which one) that's good but it doesn't have a name on it...Set neck, supposed to be Mahogany but I'm not sure.

Maybe add Cort to the list? I bought one of their acoustic guitars and it's pretty good. Didn't like the strings I put on it though. (Earthwood 12s)
Apparently they make some of the guitars for Squier.

[Lev]

Gotta include Vintage....

http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html

I have the Peter Green Lemon Drop replica (I think I mentioned that I love it in previous threads :D )

Difficult to get hold of outside the UK and Europe though.

[marnold]

You can still get Floyd Rose guitars.
Beyond Eleven (http://www.beyondeleven.com/Floyd-Rose-Guitars-s/149.htm) still carries them and 2 dealers here in Florida still carry them: "Scit Scat Music" & "Space Music".
Actually, I was aware of "Beyond Eleven" (great name for a music store, BTW). If they made a Speedloader version of the V-24 . . . well, I'd have to think long and hard about it. It used to be that you could get them at GC, MF, et al, but not anymore.

[Rocket]

Sure... Guitar Center, Inc. and all their minions bulk order by the lot, (if they can get special pricing,) and if they are big sellers, they'll continue to re-stock... if not, they'll drop em like a hot potato.

RANT:
Their Wal-Mart method of retail leaves an acid taste in my mouth so I refuse to give a farthing to GC Inc. or their affiliates: Music.com Musician's Friend, Music 123, Private Reserve Guitars, Woodwind & Brasswind, Giardinelli. They got theirs last year though when they lost their financial footing and had to agree to be acquired by affiliates of Bain Capital Partners whose previous acquisitions include Burger King and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Karma's a beyotch! At least they're in the right company genre now... fast food!
EndRANT

[just strum]

Sure... Guitar Center, Inc. and all their minions bulk order by the lot, (if they can get special pricing,) and if they are big sellers, they'll continue to re-stock... if not, they'll drop em like a hot potato.

RANT:
Their Wal-Mart method of retail leaves an acid taste in my mouth so I refuse to give a farthing to GC Inc. or their affiliates: Music.com Musician's Friend, Music 123, Private Reserve Guitars, Woodwind & Brasswind, Giardinelli. They got theirs last year though when they lost their financial footing and had to agree to be acquired by affiliates of Bain Capital Partners whose previous acquisitions include Burger King and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Karma's a beyotch! At least they're in the right company genre now... fast food!
EndRANT

My idea is going to put them all out of business, so that will be the end of that. I'll let Sweetwater stay afloat because they have always been good to me.