What cheap gear were you surprised by?

[Sumsar]

Ibanez rg7321 (the old version with the ....ty bridge). Got this used, but the previous owner was a beginner and had not played it much, plastic on some of the parts and original strings - I put on new string and some used dimarzio pickups and gave it a quick setup. Fantastic guitar for about 300 (including pickups).

Bugera 333xl head (old version) - also brought used, one of the old versions which had problems but the place from which is was originally brought fixed it for free. It is a great amp and can do a lot of things pretty good if you throw an OD in front. It also works great just as a poweramp putting preamps in though the effects loop.

 

[p4vl]

Fish N Chips EQ pedal. I got it for $10. I threw it in a drawer and forgot about it. I was having trouble getting some sounds with my Mesa and remembered I had the EQ sitting around. Threw it in the loop and BAM. Everything I wanted to add or take out was right there. Works perfectly.

Wait until the battery starts dying; it starts making this weird noise that you can alter by moving the sliders (unless they've changed the circuit). It was so cool, wish mine hadn't broken.

The Dano Hash Browns Flanger was nice, too. Even with all the knobs at 0, it creates this thick chorus/flange tone.

Arion Metal Master + Joyo Ultimate Drive = Ugly Black metal tone on the cheap (the Joyo UD is particularly gritty).

Bad Monkey & Joyo Vintage OD are great pedals for couch change.

 

[Demiurge]

The Behringer HM-300 is closer to the Boss HM-2 than a $20 piece of plastic has any right to be. A hair more treble, a couple hairs more noise, but still...

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

For me, it was a great deal of the Guitar Fetish pickup line.
I've not heard a bad one that I've purchased yet. Some have had more application than others for my specific purpose, but none of them were crap in the least bit. I especially love the Tru-Coils, NeoVins, and Retrotrons. I hope to try the VEH, AN II, and the 59's. I wish they made 7 string versions too.

 

[Krucifixtion]

I used to use an old Arion Anlog Delay pedal for a long time. Got the thing when I was young and used to jam with a friend who's bro used to play guitar. It was just hanging around. Missing the cover to the battery compartment and the battery clip was screwed. Used an adapter anyway. Thing sounded great. Used it forever until I bought a MXR Carbon Copy.

 

[Devyn Eclipse Nav]

I bought a few months ago out of a whim a Fame T-64RS 60W amp with a 4x8' cab.

Upon a quick google search, seems that's again the same 4x8 cab and head as the one I mentioned, just another name. Pretty awesome little cabinet, no?

 

[Demiurge]

I used to use an old Arion Anlog Delay pedal for a long time. Got the thing when I was young and used to jam with a friend who's bro used to play guitar. It was just hanging around. Missing the cover to the battery compartment and the battery clip was screwed. Used an adapter anyway. Thing sounded great. Used it forever until I bought a MXR Carbon Copy.

They're old, they're plastic, and they look dated as hell, but those Arions are great. I used to have one of their Chorus pedal and it was awesome. Recently, I found their octaver for $30 and it's quite possibly the least-glitchy mono octaver I've tried.

 

[vansinn]

Behringer Mic-100 tube preamp. Has both jack and XLR ins/outs, quite flexible.
Works great with the 20dB pad activated.
Sometimes use it for adding just a touch of pre-grit.
Do swap the stock tube..

My totally inexpensive Samick C2CE semi-classical guitar.
Nope, not exactly a Concerto Guitarre but much better than many others I tried at twice+ the price.
Has a truss in the neck! Going to try it out with La Bella nylon coated steels for a more jazzy vibe.

Inexpensive sunglasses - despite costing 1/10th of the fashion hypes still makes people look in my direction - don't wanna know why..

 

[p4vl]

The Behringer HM-300 is closer to the Boss HM-2 than a $20 piece of plastic has any right to be. A hair more treble, a couple hairs more noise, but still...

Their copy of the Boss FZ-2 does the Electric Wizard thing nicely.

 

[synrgy]

Haven't needed one in years, but in the late 90's/early 00's I got a TON of mileage out of Crate amplifiers. Was a huge fan of the 'Excalibur' series.

Also, I've been kicking around the same Marshall AVT150H since 2003, when I bought it used at a Guitar Center. No idea how old it was when I bought it, but it still works like a champ.

I only wish I could say the same for my FCB1010. That thing barely lasted 6 months, with little-to-no use during its life.

 

[cwhitey2]

Honestly some people might not think they are cheap but considering how much of you spend on gear around here

Peavey 5150 snagged for $400 - for $400 you can't beat Pro tones

Peavey 3120 - Snagged this for $333 - Even better deal then the 5150.


I had and H&K Vortex (like the one above) - got that for nothing so that was great cheap gear.

 

[SjPedro]

Upon a quick google search, seems that's again the same 4x8 cab and head as the one I mentioned, just another name. Pretty awesome little cabinet, no?

pretty cool little cab indeed! sent you a pm .
Since it's so low priced I'm thinking of modding a bit. I have made a cable to connect to the celestion speaker of my Spider III, so that i don't use the preamp.

The idea will be run the head through the 1x12 celestion speaker. see what comes out of that !

 

[pantera95]

I've got this old 80's/90's charvel 1a. Picked it up for $100 Aus. Gave it a restring, service and clean up. Still my favourite guitar. Can't beat it!

 

[petersenb9]

I got a Squire Jim Root for REALLY, REALLY cheap and was surprised at how well it played.

 

[Stijnson]

My Bad Monkey OD, cheap, sounds great and is more versatile than some more expensive models.