I've been itchin' to buy a new guitar. I will probably save up a little more money, but if I just can't wait, whats the best guitar I can buy for $350 new or used? Just curious to see what people think.

Hi stringslinger welcome to the forum. Have you tried a MIM strat or tele?. If you want to go for a used guitar, you can even score a higher end guitar. Be patient, other members will pop in with more advices.
Claude.

+1 on this... Also check out the Squier, heres just one example http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Classic-Vibe-Stratocaster-60s-Electric-Guitar-?sku=519339

Good Luck

_________________
Hey, Boy Blue is back!

There is a beautiful 2010 MIM HSS Strat in Sienna Sunburst on Craigslist in my area for $350 with a tweed gig bag.

That is a pretty nice deal there.

_________________

good question, curiously thinking.

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I would second the CV series: outstanding guitars for the price.

_________________
Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

+1 for a MIM Telecaster. I've played a bunch and liked pretty much all of them.

Well, I guess it just depends on what your preferences are. Since you're posting in a Fender forum, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you might like a Fender.

Fender wise, there are many upper end Squiers (new) to be had in that price range. The upper tier of Squier now days are actually nice guitars for the money. We have a Duo-Sonic in the shop where I work and it's a totally different animal than a Strat or Tele, but it's really cool. It has a shorter scale length like a Les Paul and the frets are nice and big.

You can also find used MIM Fenders in that price range. It should be easy to find a used Standard within your budget, and if you're lucky you might find something like a used Classic series MIM Fender for that price. Which one is better mainly depends on what you're after.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

If you have a good guitar shop where you live, you can get a lot for $350 to $400 range. I just scored a brand new Fender Blacktop (Black with Rosewood) for $385. Look around for deals, they are out there to be found.

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

i was actually looking into getting a black top series jazzmaster or jaguar, but would a used mim telecaster or strat be a better investment? (Or are the blacktop series mim as well?)

I'm pretty sure that the Blacktop series are MIM. As far as a guitar as an investment goes, a $350 isn't really the best thing for that. If you buy used then chances are better that you'll be able to sell for something close to what you paid. But as far as their long term value, they're mass produced guitars. There's thousands of them. One of the reasons why vintage (50s and 60s) Fenders are so expensive is because there were only a certain amount made and only a certain amount which survived. Also, some of the most famous guitarists played guitars of that era. From Buddy Holly to Jimi Hendrix to SRV who have widespread appeal among guitar players. We don't really have anybody like that today, and if we do we won't know what guitars which are produced now will be a good investment down the road and which ones aren't. Remember, 50s and 60s Fenders were considered cheap, junky old guitars until the 80s or 90s. So buy the guitar you want and like and don't worry about resale value.

But if you were just talking about investment from a "is this a quality guitar which I'll be able to play for a long time to come" point of view, then completely disregard my statement above.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

I was actually thinking in terms of reliability and playability...but still an excellent point! thanks

In that case the answer is... Yes.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

+1, good choice

_________________
riley

Yes,

350 can get you a great deal for a used Fender.