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I've owned a lot of the major guitar brands over the years, but I keep coming back to Kiesel (formerly Carvin). Made in the USA, super build quality, and a good value for the dollar - even though Jeff Kiesel has been pushing the price point upward lately with ever more more customized models. However, with Kiesel you do get what you pay for. I put Seymour Duncan pickups in some of my older Carvins and the result is magic.

Of other guitars I have owned and played, find Gibson grossly overpriced, for what they are. Fender is moderately overpriced. PRS is both expensive and moderately overpriced for what you get. Ibanez is not bad, though I never found a model that suited my playing style. Taylor is expensive but worth it - although I was terrified to take mine out of the house before I sold it. :)

Kiesel and Godin offer the best value for the dollar in electric guitars. But there are many very good instruments (especially Korean-made) available at a $500 price point today - and that just wasn't true back in the 70's/80s when a lot of us started.

Thanks for that about Kissel. I think it was a Joe Walsh(?) YouTube video that got me interested in them, but beyond that their guitars are a mystery in my small world. I was impressed, but had forgotten my curiosity about them. Thanks for the reminder!

I agree with you to some extent about some to most of the Gibsons being pricey to overpriced.

Honestly, I was happy to find a nice selection of new, discount priced 2016s still available for wide range of LP models and colors or I wouldn't have bought the Standard T.

I've never been able to either afford or justify spending the money for a new Les Paul or a Strat. Ever.

In '77 I bought a well used D-18 from a U of Miami music student that he listed on the dorm bulletin board for $250. The only condition was that he wouldn't give it to me until after his performance final exam. He was good and probably got an A. I still have it, but it doesn't get out much any more.

The Deluxe I had was a couple of years old when I bought it and a Crate IIR for $350 from a kid who said it had a problem and didn't want it any more.

My friends had their black beauty LP Customs and Marshalls, but I took a working man's pride in my Deluxe.

Unfortunately, it was taken in the early 90s when someone broke in to the house. I also had a cheap Strat copy to play, so I just kept the insurance money.

I couldn't really justify replacing the LP Deluxe until 2011 when Gibson said it was going to use Richlite instead of ebony, and only then as my Christmas present to myself.

Since then, I think I went a little crazy. I try not to think about the money I've spent, but I'm truly happy with what I bought lately. There are worse addictions...or so I tell my self. lol

For me and those Standards, the fit, finish, feel, look, sound and even the smell when I open the case have made them well worth the price of admission.

Even the case candy has gotten better. On par with Fender. Otoh, their customer/Gibson family connection thing needs a lot of work. A lot of work...

Taylor is expensive but worth it - although I was terrified to take mine out of the house before I sold it. :)

Absolutely, totally agree with everything you said.

Speaking of Taylor...if you don't already have a Taylor GS Mini, then pick one up and be amazed.

I kid thee not, mine amazes me every single time I pick it up.

It can't possibly have that much sound packed inside such a fun, little travel guitar, but it does.