Good video and quite true about the lawsuit era guitars. Living in South Africa where the ZAR to $US is more than 10 to 1 even a good lawsuit can be a rather expensive buy.

As a consolation, some very active instrument exchange pages are active on FB and other forums where (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) GAS can be fed.

As to cheap guitars, it's what they are. These guitars are mostly manufactured en mass and corners are cut to keep cost down which also affects quality.

There are however a few gems out there which are affordable and have some attributes that I like in a guitar, such as the neck and pickup combination. Pickups and pots can be changed out for the desired tone but the neck defines the interpretation to achieve that tone.

I recently acquired a very cheap SX tele for the amazing price of 130$US and was smitten (Love struck) by the neck shape as well as the original pickups. For the past three months it has been my favourite go to electric in favour of my USA Strat and a MIJ Tokai.

Acquiring good affordable (cheap) instruments for beginners are risky as I believe it will end in disappointment once compared to a well set up brand name.
Experience and tonal preference will make such purchases easier and more affordable over time. Alternatively take a skilled guitarist to play before you pay.

My stringy rambling for the day

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