Name your favorite "off brand" bargain guitars.

[Oldguy64]

Alvarez isn't a "Big 3" company. But they are certainly a Top 10 company.
I have three and I quite fond of all of them.
I will generally pull them off the wall first. And anything Artist Series and above will generally be a very good guitar.
I've also been quite impressed with Breedlove, Seagull, Yamaha, Eastman.

These days, the Big three need to watch their backs. There are a goodly number of good to very good guitars out there that don't hang out center of the radar.

[jaymarsch]

I have been most impressed by Alvarez, Tanglewood, Blueridge, and Eastman. Really consistent quality for the price point. So many great choices for all budgets these days. I own two Alvarez - one Artist Series and one Master series and am really happy with them.

Best,
Jayne

[zombywoof]

I do not have a clue what "off brand" means but when it comes guitars snagged on the cheap which turn out to be a whole lot better sounding than you would have expected, my mid-1930s Oahu is the hands down winner. 12 frets, ladder braced with a 13" lower bout, 1 13/16" nut, hard V neck, and a spruce top and solid flamed maple body.

[jrmyrnsm]

I played an Alvarez ABT60(Baritone) acoustic yesterday at GC and its definitely on my short list of bargain guitars that I'll try to snag before too long...

[bobster7]

Eastman
freshman
sigma (all solid models)
faith
blueridge
alvarez

[Dru Edwards]

"Off brand", I'd say Simon & Patrick. They're not as popular as their sibling, Seagull, but they're still a great bargain and made in Canada.

[El Cheapo]

Don't know if it's an off brand or not, but I snagged a Yamaha FD-01S off my local CL for $60. A nice little solid topped dread that I upgraded with a bone saddle. Sounded good, and I had no qualms about leaving it at work so I could play guitar on breaks, at lunch, etc. Recently gave it to a friend and he likes it too.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by ataylor

Another vote for the Godin guitars. I prefer the more traditional looks of their Norman brand, and in my experience -- though it's been a while -- I think those guitars tend to have a bit more volume compared to the flagship Seagull brand.

Yeah, the Norman brand is definitely overlooked-- and certainly not pushed by Godin as much as Seagull as far as distribution, but they're really nice guitars. Same for the Simon and Patrick line.

[JakeStone]

I agree Alvarez is a great brand. I have several of them and enjoy performance and the price could not be beat!

The Alvarez AP66 all hog parlor that I got last Dec for $199 MF Stupid Deal was a steal of deal.. I really enjoy playing it.

[Tico]

OP, I know you wanted to omit the big 3, but isn't it more about what you get for the money rather than the name on the headstock?

If my budget was under $500 I'd be looking for a used Guild or Taylor.

Heck, the MAP on new Taylor 114 is only $599, and that's before negotiations.
Taylor's Big Baby looks drab but is full scale, 25.5"; IMO the sound, neck and feel competes with much more expensive and larger-body guitars.

I just can't believe how good the cheapest Taylors are.

[Nyghthawk]

In Spring of 1974 I found a Lyle Hummingbird in a pawn shop. I loved it. I found out just a few years ago that Lyles along with many other "off brands" of that time period were made in the Matsumaku factory in Japan. My brother has a Pan Dove (another Gibson clone) made by the same factory in 1977.

That is more what I think of as "off brand."

[Greg Rappleye]

Alvarez is very much an "on brand" for me. I have both Alvarez-Yairi and Alvarez Masterworks guitars that are not "second tier."



Greg Rappleye

[jpd]

Off Brands?.......

I'll go with my Recording King RP-10, and RNJ-25.

[Goat Mick]

I'm not up on the current production "2nd tier" guitars but I know there's some great underdogs out there. I've played a few Ibanez Open Pore models that were really cool. I've always really liked the old Tacoma guitars and thought they were great for the money. One of my all-time favorites though is 70's model Alvarez guitars. Some of those were just phenomenal guitars and have aged beautifully.

[earri]

My $0.02, in no certain order: Eastman, Recording King, Blueridge, Sigma, Faith, Tanglewood, Alvarez, Ibanez, Breedlove.

When my Ibanez AW100 ($325.00 in '03, used) needed a neck reset, I replaced it with an American series Breedlove , then picked up an Eastman E10SS , an Eastman AC420 and an Eastman E10D (. Along the way I also aquired a luthier built Candelas - all used, but all between $550 -$800, and all great guitars.