I love a good Bigsby and Gretsch makes some great examples.
I know this will sound strange, but you can probably find something similar on Amazon (made by IYV, Firefly, or something similar) that's in the $300 range - and, get this, it'll actually be playable. It'll actually sound as good as you can make it sound.
The QC on a $300 guitar today is as good as a $600 guitar just a decade ago. It's fucking amazing. We're in a golden era of guitar.
I have several cheap-o guitars that are great, just needed a lil tweakin. My $190 Leo Jaymes Tele is great! https://www.leojaymzmusic.com/leo-jaymz-new-model-2020-flame-maple-top-tl-100-custom-electric-guitar-alnico-pickups-and-1-piece-flame-maple-neck-daddario-exl120-super-light-nickel-wound-product/
The Leo Jaymz name comes up a lot in the reviews done by people who review the more affordable guitars. I haven't played one, but I bet it plays just fine.
10 years ago, you'd have been hard pressed to find a $200 guitar that played well. 20 years ago, a $200 guitar was like an $80 guitar today.
(I've watched a ton of content as a part of my project.)
Lately, I've picked up an IYV Les Paul copy (made in Vietnam) and a Fender Mustang LT25 (probably made in China, I don't actually know). They're simply amazing at the price point.
I used to own a antique/curio store, and also sold guitars I bought at yard sales, after I cleaned and fixed them. I think any horrible guitar can be made good if u have the know-how and tools. Thanks to CNC machines, guitars today are better than ever. A new Jap Gretsch is better than a 1950s USA version. Heresy, but true.
I love my Squier Jaguar bass and guitar, but take the USA Jazz bass to first-time jamz bcuz snobs are everywhere.
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