If you ask me, I'd say start cheap & easy first and maybe upgrade bit by bit along the way. I'm currently using the MH-50, but I changed the pickups & electronics within 6 months of buying that guitar and so far, it's been rockin'! Also, I completely redid the paintjob on my guitar, so that kinda upped my costs also. Nevertheless, I'd recommend my approach to anyone:

1. Buy a cheap guitar with the main tech-specs you're looking for, especially pickup, tone & volume knob settings. By this, I mean that the guitar should feel comfortable where the knobs & switches are and you can easily move around to execute volume swells & stuff. More important is that the neck should feel comfortable and the guitar has the right action. Never mind the ugly sound that the guitar probably produces for now! I bought my MH-50 in Singapore for SG$495 which is about RM1100. The only limitations I find to this guitar has been said by the others: that is, the tremolo isn't really built for raising the pitch, but I have had no problems pulling my notes up by half-steps or a full step (which is actually sufficient for me). The sound of the stock-pickups (ESP-100s) are rather muddy also.

2. Save money to buy new electronics, especially pots & pups. I personally spent about RM560 on my pickups & stuff. A DiMarzio X2N & Air Norton from eBay, Sigler Music cost me RM510 plus shipping. 2 Ernie Ball 500K Pots from BEntley's for RM25 each.

3. Buy your amps from Malaysia. Buying amps from Singapore and bringing them into Malaysia will subject you to a 30% tax. If you're really skint, just buy a mono-plughead converter and hook your guitar up into you computer soundcard or your parents' home-theatre system (via the karaoke mic jack)! Never buy any of those portable 3-watt toys. Save money and get better amps. I bought myself a Marshall MG15CDR which I have nothing but good things to say abt. That one cost me RM560 fro Woh Fatt. I was at Bentley's the other day and one of the guys told me that they're in the process of getting a dealership from Mesa Boogie, so if you can save up money and wait until then, I think it's really going to be worth your while.

4. Additional upgrades like a new paintjob are not recommended generally. I spent RM125 on a Duplicolor Mirage Kit (it changes color from purple to green!) from America, screwed up my guitar big time, and had to send it to a car-paint shop to get it redone professionally for RM380. Looks good now, though! All in all, the cost of repainting your guitar is a whole lot of heart-aches and cash. Nevertheless, it outlines the fact that you shouldn't choose a guitar based on it's "nice colours" as these can be altered.

Not counting my effects pedals, picks, straps & other miscellaneous equipment, my initial guitar investment is around RM2,500. End result?

MH-50 (Black->Royal Blue Shifting Paint) with Dimarzio X2N Bridge & Air Norton Pickups, Floyd Rose Patented Bridge & Neck Locking

Marshall MG15CDR 15-watt amp: Enough to make your ears bleed and your neighbours scream!

This post has been edited by changhao: Oct 21 2006, 10:30 PM

True, but I personally found it next to impossible to get a cheap guitar with a body to accomodate a 2-humbucker & floyd-rose bridge setting. Had to settle for the MH-50 but I think it's alright.

If you're talking about buying just the MH-50 plus pickups without the repainting I did & my amps, I guess it's possible to stick to a budget of RM1650, which is SGD$800 thereabouts.

The reason why I blew $2,500 was mainly due to my extravagances in getting a new paint job. That little escapade alone cost me about RM500!

This post has been edited by changhao: Oct 22 2006, 01:22 AM

That's one good-looking axe~

If that's the case, I have to say that either I was looking at the wrong places or really have no luck! But wait... my guitar itself cost me Rm1650 including 2 new DiMarzios. Do the other brands carry H-H models with floyd-rose for under RM$1100, cos' that's how much I paid for my LTD.

The M50 is different from the MH-50 and from what I know, the m50 doesn't have a floyd-rose bridge.

This post has been edited by changhao: Oct 22 2006, 01:36 AM

I agree, noisetrigger. Nothing wrong with the second hands if they're available, but pay attention that there are no defects on them before buying. Bring an experienced friend along when inspecting the second hand axe if you don't know how to check for defects. Also, a lot of counterfeit axes out there these days, so have to be extra careful.

And gee, MH50 for RM700... for a second hand, it sounds like a good deal!

Then again, there's the old adage that "The goods don't maketh the man".

Buy a cheap kapok/SX guitar and be the next Hendrix. Now that's what I call talent!