How can I improve a Low-Quality Guitar? (or should I just buy a high quality guitar?)?

Question

I've got a Squier M-80 (http://www.squierguitars.com/products/index.php?partno=0344000592)

Anyways, the guitar is about a $250 squier, and I've invested another $150 installing a 3rd pickup, a special p-bass pick-up with a seperate output and volume control (too much detail to go into why I modded the guitar in this way). So I've invested about $400 in this guitar and I like my p-bass mod so if I bought another guitar I would want to do the same procedure.
My question is whether or not it is worth Improving this low-range guitar, am I going to be able to get high-quality tone if I install high quality pick-ups? Is there anything else I should replace? Am I going to be forever hampered by the fact that the neck is Bolt-on? I'm willing to spend plenty of money if it will make the guitar sound higher quality. Should I just bite the bullet, say the squier was a sunk cost and spend $1000+ on a high quality guitar? I'd like any advice you may have. Thanks!

Answer 1

Have your guitar setup by a quality guitar tech.

don't listen to all the buy a Gi..., mar... blah,blah,blah. Even a inexpensive guitar will play better with a quality set-up. Ask around, get people's opinions when looking for a good tech.

Answer 2

Well here's the thing. The bolt on neck doesn't have anything to do woth the quality of the bass. you can spend a couple thousand dollars on a bolt-on necked bass that would blow your mind. If your going to spend that kind of money investing in a cheap bass and "hotrodding" it up, you might as well just get a better bass. Might I suggest getting something with an active pick-up. This will give you all the tonal flexabilities you will need. I would suggest getting a Dean w/ active pick-ups. You can find these on ebay or in pawnshops for $200 - $500 for a highly playable instument.

Answer 3

Well the epiphone is cheaper because it is made without some parts that regular gibson les paul are, like what they put arround the edges, I know that doesn't sound much but the sound is a little differant. The Sg is pretty good, it depends the type of guitar guy you are. Go there more than once and play it when it isn't plugged in. That is how you tell a good guitar from a bad one ( if they are close in model and price).

Answer 4

I got a used nylon string git box, I think its my fav.

Some folks spend thousands then buy equipment to add the distortion later. Maybe start a fund, $1 per hour that you play. Play in some places and other peole would pay the money. Then get a guitar. No real reason to spend more than $500 on any guitar I think. If you do then maybe its too fancy to bring outside, especially in rain. Maybe too fancy to play at all.

Answer 5

I'd say to invest in a good tube sound effects unit. In the hands of a competent guitarist a Fender can sound just as good as any other brand.

Answer 6

Buy a Fender Stratocaster, they're awesome. Whatever you do to your...Frankestein guitar, it will never be as good as a high quality one, well it could if you changed all the strings, get really good pickups (like you already have), and all that crap. FENDER STRATOCASTER~!!

Answer 7

Squier ....is not really worth the time upgrading. If you're serious about playing, trust me ...get a new and better one.

Answer 8

i think it would just be better to go ahead and get a good one. it's gonna take forever to get the guitar to where you need it and it's gonna end up costing more probobly and that's just if you can get it to high quality. if i were u, i think i'd just go and buy me one! good luck! :]]

Answer 9

Buy a Gibson SG

Answer 10

while fenders are pretty good,

i would much rather play a martin, ovation, takamine or gibson.

way better materials, and much lighter feel, better action and quality electronics too.

best of luck