Guitar brands that repel you?

[diablo175]

This would have been a great question 10 years ago, but frankly 95% of the guitars made sound the same. I feel for naive young musicians going into shops these days and walking out with a guitar and amp that sounds like garbage.

I beg to differ. Budget gear is better than it's ever been IMO. I wish there was stuff of this quality back when I was starting out.

My recollection of budget gear back when I was getting started was, if you wanted decent quality, you bought used USA or some of the used MIJ Jacksons and Charvels. In the late 90/ early 2k's, I started seeing some nice MIK axes. Now, even the stuff coming out of China and Indonesia is getting better.

Fuck no; I wouldn't lay a red cent down to buy one but they're a vast improvement over the shit I recall seeing/playing back in the early 80's.

[jwhitcomb3]

And what's with the Carvin hate? Are they really that crappy?

I was thinking of ordering one...but now, damn. I might have to post a new topic on that.

Yes. I don't care what people claim about the Holdsworth model, etc. they're simply horrid in my experience. I actually quit a band because the guitar player refused to stop using his Carvin.

Heh. Lovin' my Carvin Holdsworth Fatboy 2. Down to one Hamer guitar because the Carvin is getting so much play time. Want a headless one too.

I don't have an emotional dislike of any brand, but there are a few brands that I just haven't found appealing:

Ovation (don't like the sound or feel)

Yamaha

Jackson

Godin (necks...bleh)

PRS

Gibson (electrics...I'm jonesing for a J-35)

Taylor and Martin acoustics - I just think you can do much better for the price, although I did play a Taylor electric I liked.

I had a love-hate relationship with my Parker Fly deluxe. Very versatile and easy to play. It sounded good on most things, but didn't sound great on anything.

But what do I know. I am currently GASsing over a Vox HDC77 (Korea) and a Bedell MG-17-G (China).

[bcsride]

And what's with the Carvin hate? Are they really that crappy?

I was thinking of ordering one...but now, damn. I might have to post a new topic on that.

Yes. I don't care what people claim about the Holdsworth model, etc. they're simply horrid in my experience. I actually quit a band because the guitar player refused to stop using his Carvin.

O.K. that may be a bit of an overreaction there.

[Tres Aardvarks]

Actually, no, I can't say there is a single BRAND that repels me. If I happened to find a model from anyone that spoke to me, or at least was cool for some reason, I think I'd be open to it.

Now, for a long time I would've said "I will NEVER own Strat or Tele", but I know better now Actually, I have yet to find a Strat I could relate to, but I know that's just me.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

...but there are a few brands that I just haven't found appealing:

Yamaha

We can never hang out.

[KH Guitar Freak]

I'm actually rather surprised that so many people on here dislike/hate PRSes... o_0

[dragan]

no brand as a whole repels me

[it's me HHB]

I've got several of the brands listed in regular rotation. My bass is a Peavey and while it has zero cache I cannot justify replacing it cause its just such a functional wonder for the cost. My none more black Ovation is great for outdoor gigs, rentals, super slick lead or any other time I don't want my pushing 40 year old acoustics out or I need uber playability. My old Schecter us as good as a 65 strat, period. The PRS is a great workhorse and the most in tune guitar across the fretboard. But I can't even begin to list what I won't play. Too long lol

[zorrow]

DEAN import line. They all must be made for 5 year old kids who never listened to anything but the dumbest metal music

I just found an import Dean (Dean Z Playmate) that I love the tone!

I haven't considered myself a 5-year-old since I was, say 5 years old...but I can't really argue with the "never listened to anything but the dumbest metal music" part.

At this very moment I just own three Dean, all imports.

One is a Michael Schenker MIK prototype that was hanging on the wall at their Tampa facilities, inside a frame. I tried that guitar when I visited Dean and loved it, but I was told it wasn't for sale. However, after some months she came to me almost by itself (life's sometimes weird) and I'm glad to have it, as it's a great player and I really like the way it sounds and looks.

My other two Dean are Czech-made Vees. Those are easily up there with many American guitars I've tried.

That's how I decided one day I'll get me a Dean USA.

But my custom Shishkov goes first -it's actually my next, I'm just waiting for the man to finish with the first run and then start the CO's. Given I asked for my quote very early, I should be one of the firsts in the line.

[kizanski]

For me:

• Dean
• Carvin
• Ibanez
• Kramer
• Washburn
• Peavey
• Heritage
• Ovation
• Taylor

I think you've covered all of mine.

Are you sure you're not forgetting any?

AAARRGH!!!!

[Bennyboy-UK]

I had to think hard about this.

Zemaitis.

Specifically the thing that makes me so cross is that I detest, so vehemently it's untrue, the shit engraving on the plates. It is fucking shit work. It's not amazing or beautiful It's extremely average.

There.

Worse still... The copies of them with some kind of printed design on the plates.

[MCChris]

For me:

• Dean
• Carvin
• Ibanez
• Kramer
• Washburn
• Peavey
• Heritage
• Ovation
• Taylor

I think you've covered all of mine.

Are you sure you're not forgetting any?

AAARRGH!!!!

[kizanski]

[zenmindbeginner]

It's also about perspective.

I am repelled by dark meat... I only eat chicken breasts.

But... if I missed one whole day of food, and was presented with a chicken thigh... you better believe I would eat it.

Even though we may be repelled by a certain brand, we are all still lovers of all things guitar.

My PRS hatred doesn't extend to anyone's actual PRS or someone who really digs them, just a personal hatred.

I don't cast downward glances toward anyone who likes chicken thighs, some of the best people have been lovers of the dark meats. lolz!

[BlueRedWhite]

Ok, who are those two guys??

Boobies pics should go on the assigned thread...no exceptions!!

[Steve Haynie]

While no brand name turns me off, certain designs within a product line can make me cringe.

Some of Gibson's adventurous designs were definitely original, but not necessarily appealing. Those Martin electrics were odd looking, and the headstocks just looked bad.

Oddly, the Rick Turner guitar with the rotating pickup interests me. The design looks too plain, but it still gets my interest.

If anything turns me off, it is a line of cheap crap. Epi, the cheap line under Epiphone, and Orville from Gibson are just rotten.

[RichRS6]

Steve you just reminded me of the Gibson Firebird X what a piece of sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeite.

Also, any guitar that tunes itself deserves instant scorn.

If GIbson are trying to make customers hate their brand they're doing a good job.

[Sugartune]

I tend to like something from most brands (not really speaking in absolutes here...).

Dean USA, I can't get the headstock, but everything else about them seems pretty cool.

PRS. Too fancy, or I just associate them with Nickleback or Creed. Not cool in my books. I would probably try a mira x P90. That's about it.

Anything new by Gibson. Blargh. Especially completely "new" models, like the aformentioned Firebird X, or the Dark fire or the entire cheap as shit made 2014 line.

Also "furniture" guitars. Nice to look at, but sometimes things can be too pretty/ornate.

Ibanez, though I did have a brief love affair with a Talman.

I've always been curious about Heritage. Never played one. The headstock is different, don't feel it's as ugly as others do.

PARKER!! I think they're the winner for most repelling to me.

[Brooks]

i've learned in the last 2 years to never say never.

i used to dislike ibanez shredders and strats.

now they are my go to guitars.

that said, i fookin still hate TELES.

ughhhhh-leeeeee, and forever associated w/ my 2 least fave styles of guitar music (blues & country).

[Biz Prof]

that said, i fookin still hate TELES.

ughhhhh-leeeeee, and forever associated w/ my 2 least fave styles of guitar music (blues & country).

Never say never. I, too, hated Teles. Now, I love them, especially twangy ones with three barrel bridges.

[Brooks]

oh, i know. i'll prolly have one when i'm in my 50's.

never thought i'd have a strat that i kept, but i dig mine.

[Brooks]

oh, i thought of a few;

reverend (i know they are great, but i find them ugly).

gretch (see above comments).

[kizanski]

that said, i fookin still hate TELES.

ughhhhh-leeeeee, and forever associated w/ my 2 least fave styles of guitar music (blues & country).

I thought you were going to say "Country and Western."

[Brooks]

"we play both types of music here"...

i actually do like some classic country.

[sonic1974]

I see a lot of mention of Godin. A lot of their older models are kinda weird.

But they have some nice stuff. I really like their Core series. They have a p90 version with a wraptail. Great sounds and a comfortable chunky neck.