I can’t believe there are 4 of these left!  Let’s go.

At $700, there are tons of great instruments out there.

Used

Used is best.  It’s like new, only cheaper.  Most of my guitars were purchased used.  These choices are highly subjective – this is what I would buy.

  1. American Standard Strat/Tele.  For some reason, these sometimes get a bad rap, but I don’t know why.  They’re great.  If I had $700, a used American Standard Strat with a humbucker in the bridge would be my number one choice.
  2. Gibson Les Paul Tribute/Junior/Studio.  You’ll definitely find them at this level, and I think they’re a good deal.
  3. PRS S2 Standard 24.  I’m a fan, but… honestly, I’m not crazy about the pickups.  I’d swap them with Seymour Duncans.
  4. G & L Legacy USA Strat.  These are great guitars, worthy of consideration alongside the American Standard.

New

  1. Sterling by Music Man Luke Flame Maple.  Great sounding and playing guitar.
  2. Yamaha Revstar RS620.  These are great guitars.  Play one – you’ll dig it.
  3. Sterling by Music Man Valentine.  These are just over $600, and they’re really well made.  Sterling seems to own this price point.

So it looks like the better deals are in the used category.  As usual.  But I really like the Sterling stuff.  At $700, we’re out of my price range.  But everything on this page is bare bones professional level, in my opinion.  We’re looking at the stripped down or foreign made versions of some great guitars.