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expiredNeoSlick posted Nov 23, 2022 09:12 AM
expiredNeoSlick posted Nov 23, 2022 09:12 AM

Monoprice Indio Cali Classic or Retro Classic Electric Guitar w/ Gig Bag

+ Free Shipping

$71

$110

35% off
Monoprice
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Deal Details
Monoprice has Indio Cali Classic Electric Guitar (Blue) w/ Gig Bag (Various Colors) on sale for $70.54 when you apply promo code BF15 in cart. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community members NeoSlick and unknownuser5 [discuss] for finding this deal.

Indio Cali Classic Features:
  • The Cali Classic features 22 frets, a 25.5" scale, and a 9.5" neck radius
  • The large open cavity allows for complete customization
  • Includes 1 month of free online guitar lessons
  • Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
  • Tremolo Bridge
  • Body Material: Basswood
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Single coil
Monoprice also has Indio Retro Classic Electric Guitar w/ Gig Bag (Blue) on sale for $70.54 when you apply promo code BF15 in cart. Shipping is free.
  • Note: Pricing for the two blue color styles only.

Indio Retro Classic Features:
  • The Indio Retro Classic features
  • 22 frets, a 25.5" scale, and a 9.5" neck radius
  • The large open cavity allows for complete customization
  • Includes 1 month of free online guitar lessons
  • Hand Orientation: Right
  • Body Material: Basswood

Editor's Notes

Written by oceanlake
  • This price is $9.45 lower than the last very popular Frontpage Deal.
  • See the forum thread for additional discussion of this deal and member reviews.
  • 1 year replacement warranty, 30-day money back guarantee

Original Post

Written by NeoSlick
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Monoprice has Indio Cali Classic Electric Guitar (Blue) w/ Gig Bag (Various Colors) on sale for $70.54 when you apply promo code BF15 in cart. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community members NeoSlick and unknownuser5 [discuss] for finding this deal.

Indio Cali Classic Features:
  • The Cali Classic features 22 frets, a 25.5" scale, and a 9.5" neck radius
  • The large open cavity allows for complete customization
  • Includes 1 month of free online guitar lessons
  • Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
  • Tremolo Bridge
  • Body Material: Basswood
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Single coil
Monoprice also has Indio Retro Classic Electric Guitar w/ Gig Bag (Blue) on sale for $70.54 when you apply promo code BF15 in cart. Shipping is free.
  • Note: Pricing for the two blue color styles only.

Indio Retro Classic Features:
  • The Indio Retro Classic features
  • 22 frets, a 25.5" scale, and a 9.5" neck radius
  • The large open cavity allows for complete customization
  • Includes 1 month of free online guitar lessons
  • Hand Orientation: Right
  • Body Material: Basswood

Editor's Notes

Written by oceanlake
  • This price is $9.45 lower than the last very popular Frontpage Deal.
  • See the forum thread for additional discussion of this deal and member reviews.
  • 1 year replacement warranty, 30-day money back guarantee

Original Post

Written by NeoSlick

Community Voting

Deal Score
+33
Good Deal
Visit Monoprice

Price Intelligence

Model: Monoprice Cali Classic Electric Guitar - Blue, 6 Strings, Double-Cutaway Solid Body, Right Handed, SSS Pickups, Full-Range Tone, With Gig Bag, Perfect for Beginners - Indio Series

Deal History 

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Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 4/4/2026, 11:48 PM
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Top Comments

Satchriani
221 Posts
60 Reputation
Source? Don't post a comment like this and you have no clue. These Indio guitars have fantastic reviews from plenty of players. They might need a little setting up (fret work, truss rod etc...) but other than that.. for $70? You can't beat it. (FYI, I'm a professional musician who writes music for TV shows. Watch TV? You've heard my music)

Also NOTE - this price is also good for the Telecaster equivalent. I just bought the blue with maple neck. https://www.monoprice.com/product...kgQAvD_BwE
NeoSlick
2052 Posts
370 Reputation
Also keep watch for the Monoprice 15W (Like a 50W) 25lb combo tube amp slickest deal! It would be $198 if it were in stock. ETA is January. Highly recommended. 1x12 Celestion guitar type speaker. The most important factor in the tone.

It's not restricted to being a practice-only amp; yet can go low volume too.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611815

The entire Monoprice site is 15% off. Look for sales and get -15% the sales; unless it says already with. both.

57 Comments

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Nov 25, 2022 04:44 AM
47 Posts
Joined Nov 2021
MrReasonableNov 25, 2022 04:44 AM
47 Posts
At 70.00 it's pretty reasonable. Even if you want to learn to repair on it.
Nov 25, 2022 05:24 AM
15 Posts
Joined Jun 2021
PizzaSteelEnjoyerNov 25, 2022 05:24 AM
15 Posts
Quote from SharpTest6183 :
Yes and for the parent of a child who wants to learn guitar, $70 is the perfect starting point knowing how quickly their interests can change.
If the guitar plays like garbage then yeah, the kid is gonna lose interest quick. Never met a Squire or Yamaha Pacifica player that didn't still play their guitar after years and years, even after getting more expensive stuff or focusing on other musical prospects. Everyone with a shit guitar has dropped interest, or worse, leaves it as a giant paperweight until they can afford their own decent guitar. Ask any guitar teacher or moral guitar shop and they'll tell you the same.
2
Nov 25, 2022 05:25 AM
1,794 Posts
Joined Dec 2013
beerguy419Nov 25, 2022 05:25 AM
1,794 Posts
Anybody recommend a decent cheap amp?
1
Pro
Nov 25, 2022 05:28 AM
1,999 Posts
Joined Jan 2016
DanMan5464
Pro
Nov 25, 2022 05:28 AM
1,999 Posts
Wow monoprice makes a little bit of everything.
1
Nov 25, 2022 05:34 AM
151 Posts
Joined Mar 2012
hyukenNov 25, 2022 05:34 AM
151 Posts
Is this better than buying something used at the same pricepoint?
Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 05:48 AM
2,052 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
NeoSlick
Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 05:48 AM
2,052 Posts
Quote from chucksenough :
Meh. The tele I got last time was due to SDers saying it was great. Well, all I can say is mine wasn't. Frets hanged over the neck and would cut your hand as you slide on the neck. Bought a $30 fret file kit which got it better. Needs a setup badly but doesn't seem to have a neck bar so it has to be adjusted on bridge. Different bridge height for every two strings.

I tried to exchange it to see if it was just the cheap lottery but they were out of stock.

In conclusion, it seems like a $70 guitar 🤪
Then can i have it? Smilie
1
Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 05:50 AM
2,052 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
NeoSlick
Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 05:50 AM
2,052 Posts
Quote from hyuken :
Is this better than buying something used at the same pricepoint?
You likely can't. Not kidding. Check.
1

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Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 06:41 AM
2,052 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
NeoSlick
Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 06:41 AM
2,052 Posts
Quote from rocky2007 :
And you need an Amp to play these?
No you do not actually. Many note; it's easier to start on an electric guitar. I prefer comfortable Strat types.

One of the problems with first learning anew is being too loud for others and giving up. Being unplugged lets you practice quieter than an acoustic. Plus you'd want an acoustic amp for acoustic eventually anyway. And it's better to buy acoustic guitars with a good acoustic pickup, for less price combined.

But there is a different "feel" to learn with Electric guitar and amplification. Do not ever buy a practice-only amp (generally). Put that cash toward something better. Because you can likely hobble a connection to something you may already have and play clean to Jazzy tones; that way. For practice-only then you're set. Why not? And remember headphones.

Add: In later post here I add Smartphones and computer for amps/effects/IR/Looper/drums/syths/etc... with detailed tips for PC's. Newer phones and $2 adapter or make it.

Gear can motive you to practice; but if you don't have any more self discipline than that then you will just get GAS. Gear Acquisition Syndrome and become a collector; not a great player.

Then there's good distortion gain, for Blues, Heaver Rock and Metal. At this point you'll need a combo for the best deal. But there is another way.

You could go digital and get a multi effects peddle. See $40 "Cube Baby" for low budget goodness, and get a full compliment of different tones, that way. Newer ones sound like many different tube amps. While this will still need an power amp (but has a pre-amp) and a speaker(or headphones). It's a "flat" (FRFR) line out, not just mid-range guitar,. So that can go into regular systems; like powered computer speakers with a good sub-woofer. For practice loudness, not bands.

Note: Why pay for multiple pedals when you can get about 1 multi amps/effects/cab_IR's peddle/box? >$40 and rechargeable.

Note: An old Karaoke box may have guitar/mic input (pre-amp) to bring it up to line-level and also have some amplified speaker(s) or an output to a better system. Even linuxmint.com on your computer.

Note: The Cube Baby pedal can also replace a DIrect-In, DI box; that changes a low-level signal up to line-level and converts it (ADC) and send your signal by USB, to your computer. Yes, this also means it can convert an analog tube pre-amp to digital, USB, clean computer input. Plus; it even has a noise cut feature to stop hum when you stop playing.

Do not use noisy soundcard mic-in. Computer effects will sound bad. Use a pre-amped line-in.

But you may need or want a real combo amp (Slick Deal) specialized to the task. I think it's better to be portable, work at low practice volumes and loud, up to real drums volume. This way you have one amp to master. At home and with friends. Even gigs maybe. Because saying, "You can just mic that practice-only amp up", really says you do not need a practice amp at all, to do that. You could just pipe the $40 cube baby into a PA system. See?

And let the fact your amp can play quiet, to loud enough with a drummer then motivate you. Not from paying to much $$$$; which could bring you down and to give up.

Two COMBO(Slick Deal) Amp recommendations.

#1 When on sale; get the $200 Monoprice 1x12 15W (like 50W solid state) amp brand new. It's all tube, has effects loop connections, it's a best value combo(Amp, Speaker, Cab) and mainly has an excellent, highly underrated, mid-range 12" Celestion Guitar speaker. Not the 5W. And the whole thing is 25lbs, and best value. It does the several tones (Clean to Metal) without any pedals. However the Cube Baby compliments it in many ways. Best of tube and digital together. And no menus to wast practice time. You don't even need the Cube Baby's presets. You just dial in the EQ, amps, effects, reverb and cab IR's, like the analog amp controls.

#2 A USED Digital, with everything Katana 50W mk2 1x12. just 25lbs. The Katana 100W Mk2 1x12 option has the effects loop connectors and better sounding guitar speaker; but it weighs more. 34lbs I think.

Note: A new Katana is not as good of a value as a good used one for a lot less. I love Katana's but they are more likely to become an impractical to repair, no-parts available, paper-weight or at least become yesterdays old version soon. Thus buy used at about half-price. Just know what they are.
Last edited by NeoSlick November 25, 2022 at 06:58 PM.
Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 09:17 AM
2,052 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
NeoSlick
Original Poster
Nov 25, 2022 09:17 AM
2,052 Posts
Quote from specialistgraner :
You can go into literally any pawn shop here in Vegas and get a Squier Bullet Stratocaster for 70 bucks which are the best beginner instruments for the price. Plus since it's an actual recognized brand name you won't have as much of an issue trying to resell it if you don't want it. Used instruments are 99 percent of the time always the best deals. You can also check your local Guitar Center stores used inventory on their website. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/
Cheapest unknown used Squire there is $88 PLUS shipping etc.. Opps.

Did you know most Squire are made out of the same Basswood?

Did you know high end, expensive guitars get fret sprout too?

Did you know things change? The Strat, for example was made so unskilled labor could put them together well. These are not the weird, bad quality guitars of old.

They typically come nice and playable. But fret sprout happens, so you just fix it or have it fixed by someone handy.

So once again; why is this Slick Deals? If you want to pay more then enjoy.

And no. I would not say these are exactly the same, as say a $500 and up guitar. They are extremely close and $70. They are not $70/$500 quality. It does not work that way.
Last edited by NeoSlick November 25, 2022 at 01:19 AM.
2
Nov 25, 2022 11:06 AM
2,872 Posts
Joined Oct 2014
hardypotionNov 25, 2022 11:06 AM
2,872 Posts
I have the Monoprice Tele and Strat HSS variants and they are pretty decent
The actions were good out of the box and I didn't bother with set-ups
I was using a Epiphone LP but came to dislike the LP shape sitting down.
I wanted to try a Strat/Tele configuration and these made it easy/cheap.
They don't stay in tune as long as my LP but they aren't bad either
My LP is pretty amazing for keeping tune awhile
Last edited by hardypotion November 25, 2022 at 03:12 AM.
1
Nov 25, 2022 03:16 PM
173 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
specialistgranerNov 25, 2022 03:16 PM
173 Posts
Quote from NeoSlick :
Cheapest unknown used Squire there is $88 PLUS shipping etc.. Opps.

Did you know most Squire are made out of the same Basswood?

Did you know high end, expensive guitars get fret sprout too?

Did you know things change? The Strat, for example was made so unskilled labor could put them together well. These are not the weird, bad quality guitars of old.

They typically come nice and playable. But fret sprout happens, so you just fix it or have it fixed by someone handy.

So once again; why is this Slick Deals? If you want to pay more then enjoy.

And no. I would not say these are exactly the same, as say a $500 and up guitar. They are extremely close and $70. They are not $70/$500 quality. It does not work that way.
I said they are 70 bucks in all the pawn shops here in Vegas. Every pawn shop here in Vegas is just filled with the Squiers, I assume it's like that in other pawn shops across America. All the guitars are CNC'd these days and most are made in a handful of factories in China so the quality is incredibly consistent among brands. I would agree with you that these are extremely close to a $500 and up guitar these days. I think the big difference is going to be the hardware and electronics on the guitars. All I mentioned was resale value. I didn't say anything about fret sprout. Any of the fit and finish stuff is easy enough to fix if you buy the tools for it but most people don't wanna probably bother.
1
Nov 25, 2022 06:40 PM
1,126 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
dchang0Nov 25, 2022 06:40 PM
1,126 Posts
Quote from SharpTest6183 :
Yes and for the parent of a child who wants to learn guitar, $70 is the perfect starting point knowing how quickly their interests can change.
Though I am also in favor of the DIY luthiers in this thread because I am also a DIY luthier, I do not recommend a guitar that likely needs setup and fret repairs for a first-time student. They can get turned off to playing guitar by the frustration of not having their guitar work as expected.

If you can take this guitar to someone who can set it up and correct any problems properly, then it'll be a great guitar for a student.
1
Nov 25, 2022 06:44 PM
1,126 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
dchang0Nov 25, 2022 06:44 PM
1,126 Posts
Quote from rocky2007 :
And you need an Amp to play these?
No need for an amp.

You can get one of the USB audio interfaces and virtual guitar amps currently listed at SlickDeals and play the guitar through your computer.

You can also buy an adapter to play your guitar through your smartphone.
1
Nov 25, 2022 06:49 PM
1,126 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
dchang0Nov 25, 2022 06:49 PM
1,126 Posts
Quote from NeoSlick :
Did you know high end, expensive guitars get fret sprout too?
This is true, but it is much less likely for high-end, expensive guitars to get fret sprout due to the excess attention they get from personal inspection and work on each guitar by high-end luthiers.

Here's how to think about it:

If you take 10,000 high-end guitars from a recent production batch and 10,000 lowest-end guitars from a recent production batch, how many of each batch do you expect to have fret sprout?
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Nov 25, 2022 10:50 PM
1,098 Posts
Joined May 2005
gluttonneNov 25, 2022 10:50 PM
1,098 Posts
Quote from dchang0 :
I do not recommend a guitar that likely needs setup and fret repairs for a first-time student. They can get turned off to playing guitar by the frustration of not having their guitar work as expected.
Agreed. It's not difficult to learn to do a reasonably good setup, but if that guitar plays and feels lousy out of the box, the first-timer is unlikely to want to learn. It's easily worth doubling the price of a 70 dollar guitar to make sure is nice and playable when they learn to make that first chord feel as good as is reasonable for that instrument.
1

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