I need a Gigging guitar I can beat the hell out of!

[Russ73]

I have my 3 S2s and a Core, all 22 fret models and Im looking for a guitar I can carry in and out of the clubs around NY and occasionally on a plane to Vegas, used is probably the best bet...any suggestions on what and where to grab what Im looking for....Ive recently bought and returned a Squier HSS strat and Im not a strat guy and I checked out the new 2020 Epis today they felt cheap to me....all recommendations welcome! Budget 450!

 

[elvis]

Why not gig one of your S2? Or get an SE you like. I gigged an SE Navarro for a while. The Meyers and Bernies are great SE models as well.

 

[Malloc]

And here I am considering buying an S2 for just such a purpose...

 

[Tonart]

I would love a used SE Paul’s Guitar for that purpose myself!

 

[bodia]

I’m with Elvis, Bernie’s rule!

 

[Bill SAS 513]

There's tons of used SE's around in that price point...I'd go with a Bernie or an SE Custom 22...

 

[Boogie]

I gigged the crap out of every one of my PRSi...Core, S2, and SEs. The Custom 24 suffered the most damage but survived, and the others barely received a scratch. If you’re never throwing it in a trailer or checked luggage at the airport, grab your fav, use a great gig bag, and don’t look back. My DGT, SE245, SE One, and Cu24 got the most use and all served well.

 

[Outlier22]

I only have one PRS (CE) and I just gig with that. I think if I were you, I would just gig one of the S2s.

 

[garrett]

Sounds like you're already rolling four deep, my man.

 

[AP515]

I've gigged an Artist package Cu24. No one says she can't get in a bar fight just because she's wearing pearls.

 

[shinksma]

How about a used SE Zach Myers? Semi-hollow, so a bit lighter. Shortest scale, 22 frets means minimum total length. Put covers on the stock pups to tame the edge if that is more your style.

 

[RickP]

I gigged the crap out of every one of my PRSi...Core, S2, and SEs. The Custom 24 suffered the most damage but survived, and the others barely received a scratch. If you’re never throwing it in a trailer or checked luggage at the airport, grab your fav, use a great gig bag, and don’t look back. My DGT, SE245, SE One, and Cu24 got the most use and all served well.

I am all in with @Boogie here. Your guitar is your voice, don’t go cheap. Take your best sounding, best playing guitar and go kick some ass with it.

 

[veinbuster]

I usually travel with my SAS or 25th HB piezo.
Both have good range and I gave up on playing a ‘lesser’ guitar for fear of hurting it. They are tougher than I am.

 

[Tim S]

Or you could pick up an off-the-shelf Fender, play it for years while beating the hell out of it. Then sell it as an authentic relic and make a profit.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I’m getting every dollars worth of depreciation out of my nicest guitars by gigging and living with them. I don’t wanna play a sh!ttier guitar out of fear anymore (not that I ever really did), my fanciest guitar lives in a gig bag and gets used and abused the most.

Life is short.

 

[Tim S]

As was once pointed out to me, if you’re not playing your best guitar, you’re just saving it for the next guy.

 

[GADonis]

I try to keep the mindset that guitars are tools. So, use the best tool for the job. In my opinion looking at a guitar as an "investment" that must have its value protected isn't really viable for "everyday" guitars. And yes, I consider most PRSi as "everyday" guitars. Very expensive ones in some instances but still they were made to do a job. Maybe this doesn't apply to WL or PS guitars and other high end guitars.

I've gigged my 594 in the past and I hope to do so in the future. It's a great guitar, why wouldn't I want to use it when a great guitar will be the most benefit for me (and hopefully the audience)?

I don't have an S2 but I would expect that absent purposeful abuse and neglect they should hold up very well to "normal" wear and tear with proper maintenance. I think that was the whole purpose of the S2 line in the first place? Reasonably priced, quality instruments for working musicians.

Of course I most definitely do not have a collector's mindset when it comes to "stuff." Play that expensive guitar, drive that expensive car. That is why they were created.

 

[xjbebop]

$450 limits your options.... search the used market for something you like...

 

[jxe]

thought this was going to be about needing less than 22 frets.

 

[markd21]

Among the others here, I have gigged my Artist Package, Wood Library, 10-top, Core, S2, and SE guitars joyfully. Whatever is going to the gig gets plopped into an S2 gig bag, tossed on the backseat, and used for the night. I do rotate guitars, and rarely play the same one two shows in a row unless I am traveling. Play what you have, enjoy them and don't fear.