RTP-area local music and culture

[jhart AT ipass.net (Jeff Hart)]

jane,

in the last year, i've bought two mexican made fenders (a telecaster
and a strat). both were less than $350. they are solid as a rock and
have really beautiful finishes (sunburst and blue agave). both were
set up well at the factory and though i looked around and tried
several and settled on what i thought felt best in my hands and
sounded nice plugged in, i think on the whole mexican "standard"
electric guitars are really well made. i wouldn't think twice to buy
one again. for the price, i'd be hard pressed to beat the quality. the
majority of workers in the  factories in southern california since the
early '50s were mexican-americans, so don't let "import" label throw
ya. they're fine instruments. both music lofts have 'em. carrboro and
durham.

fender squier's are good too, maybe half the price. but the quality
varies.

a soft case will cost another $40 to $50. a hard case about $80 to
$100. this is just based on an epiphone casino case i got last year.

jane <witten AT email.unc.edu> wrote in message 
news:<412E2603.5050104 AT email.unc.edu>...
> ok, i've got a co-worker, whose
> son wants to learn to play guitar.
> co-worker is willing to spend about
> $300 on an electric guitar  (guitar
> alone, not including cost of amp).
> 
> co-worker does not play guitar, and
> has no guitar playing friends to ask
> for advice.  i'm a bit concerned
> that he might waste his money on a
> guitar with bad tone or action, one
> that would discourage his son before
> he even begins to learn ... any
> words of wisdom that anyone can give?
> 
> jane