Looking for a good sub-$500 guitar for writing/demoing 

Looking for a good sub-$500 guitar for writing/demoing

I'm looking to buy a guitar to use for writing/demoing new songs. The
basic setup will probably be running the guitar through GuitarRig
(software amp modeling app) and recording in Ableton Live. So
basically I want something that can sound decent and is gonna hold up.
but it's not gonna be used for real studio recordings or live
performances or anything like that.

I started playing when I was 15 (I'm 28 now) but I haven't owned a
guitar in a long time. I started playing drums when I was 17 and that
sort of took over. but I can play guitar pretty well... so I'm not
looking for a "beginner" guitar.

I realize this might be a tough request to fill.. I just can't afford
to spend $1000+ on a guitar right now. but I really want to get
something so I can start writing at home.



For an acoustic I assume you want to go direct (which would sound best
with a pickup and preamp system) I'd like at the Washburn and Yamaha
acoustic guitars. their lowest models aren't so hot. but both make a
quality acoustic guitar with a preamp and EQ built in for less than
$500 retail.

both make high quality electric
guitars of about the same grade as American Standard strart (I would
argue better). with Washburn specifcly. the X50 Pro is
just an incredible value... The Ibanez SZ520 is very similar and also
an outstanding value for what it is.

Avoid anything with the Fender name... it's all overpriced garbage.
with the exception of their artist signature guitars and vintage
reissues (Fenders knows this by the way.. you'll notice how they funnel
their advertising. which for the past few years is all about their
reissue Starts).

If you like Les Paul type guitars checkout the Epiphones. but the good
Epi's cost about what a American Standard Strat cost.




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