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
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Top Comments
Also NOTE - this price is also good for the Telecaster equivalent. I just bought the blue with maple neck. https://www.monoprice.c
It's not restricted to being a practice-only amp; yet can go low volume too.
https://www.monoprice.c
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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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.
Everyone: I forgot to include newer(low latency) smartphones can give you amp tones, effects and cab IR's; sounding like the best of them. Good enough for practice to be sure. With headphones or into something else.
I think by amp you mean an expensive one or an traditional amp. Which are great; but we are blessed with so many good options today. Such that buying a guitar deal when you have no official "amp" yet is fine.
Major tips:
Finally, as far as buying computer software amp sims; you do not have to buy anything. And you do not have to delete your Windows OS to add a second free OS. If you know which one to try. And you can start it live, off of a USB stick; to test your computer and all devices (automatic drivers) with it first. Simple directions at http://www.linuxmint.c
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?
People are confusing absolute perfection from a $70, nice new guitar and that a $5000 certainly does not have, with mass market product glitches for all price ranges; that get overlooked in rare occasions. Considering a money back guarantee for any whim you may have then what exactly is the problem?
Reports are the that frets are acceptable. That is great; because if you want to polish them more then you can. As we know, BRAND NEW guitars all can get fret spout as they settle. This is a commonality with all fresh guitars. And you do not see it as much on old guitars; because it is easy to deal with or even get done.
That is not the same as getting a badly warped wood, huge gash or broken in transit flaw. Where you would just get your money back.Stuff happens; but not because you could not make a guitar for the same $70. Accept the windfall or miss out.Don't spread fear from bad assumptions. Just like the ducks; everything that looks logical... is not.
A really good $70 guitar is. Deal with it.
This is possible; because these are simple designs, manufacturing has improved and sellers are actually not getting away with poor quality; like they once did, only temporarily. And because these $70 guitars are mostly clones of those upward of even $5000. In other words; it is not the difference in the components differences. It is the similarities by in large and how close they are. No one is saying they are perfect copies. They are quality.
So, if I have to replace a switch a tear sooner (a mere theory) or polish and even better level frets, in the process of ongoing typical setup then it's a huge win!
What would not be winning; is laying out hundreds or thousands for pride and brands and only discovering then, and your surprise they were made in the same factory and with the same maintenance; that guitars, when new or eventually require.
Everyone would love an expert to spend days setting up their guitar, to experienced perfection (and depending on your playing preferences) and you are welcome to go pay for it. As I repeat; why are you in Slick Deals? Go pay more at the store.
Meanwhile; I'm good and get the same great result. Neck is strait. Action is low and absolutely zero buzz (It's all about the nut height people), My Trem is full floating, semi-firm and in such good balance; that it does not go out of tune. I simply set it back up and into the same place and rotation, when it pulls back nicely after down bending. You should know strings stretch. You pre stretch new strings and then they soon stabilize from playing and then keep tune. Requiring little to no adjustment. None; if you don't sometimes strum hard and I do. And try Ernie Ball strings and simply 9's for classic sound, as who knows what comes on new guitars. I found a slick deal on a two pack at Sweetwater.
The funny thing is; posters are starting to say it's only good for me. Because; I'm a pro at setup. Ha! I have never done it before. I watched some well picked YT videos and it was easy! If you are not capable for some reason find a guitar friend.
[Ya filthy animals!] Home alone?
Everyone would love an expert to spend days setting up their guitar, to experienced perfection (and depending on your playing preferences) and you are welcome to go pay for it. As I repeat; why are you in Slick Deals?
Just because high-end guitars and low-end guitars might be made in the same factory does not mean they are made the exact same way to the same specs with the same care by the same craftsmen with the same expertise.
A high-end guitar will include personal attention by a master craftsman to every single guitar in a production batch. Thus, the chances of a defect getting through to you, the consumer, is much lower than guitars designed for a lower price point.
So, you are (and apparently any other "real" SlickDealer, because apparently I'm a fake SlickDealer) simply gambling as to whether you are lucky enough to receive a good low-end guitar that doesn't require service/repair out of the box.
Look, I own a low-end (under $200) guitar, so if you are assuming I'm a high-end snob, that's not it. I just am willing to own low-end guitars because I can do most of the luthier work myself and have the specialized tools to do so, such as StewMac diamond fret files, instrument lacquer, fretboard straightedge, etc. Out of the box, my low-end guitar required fretwork, and I could do it without having to pay someone to do it. But if I could not have done the work myself, I'd probably have bought a more-expensive guitar to make sure it has no problems.
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If you are arguing that every guitar, high-end or low, will eventually require repair, sure, okay. The same is true of every other high-end product including Lamborghini cars, Rolex watches, etc. BUT, fully repaired, a low-end guitar doesn't command the same cachet and resale value as a higher-end guitar over time.
I own a Mexican Fender Player Jazz bass (worth about $800 new); It is a fantastic instrument, but I don't expect it to appreciate much in value--ever. Had I spent $1750 for the American version, I'd expect it to increase in value over the years. So, some portion of the price of a high-end instrument is desirability, and that is an intangible trait.
And on SLICK DEALS if anyone really cared about this then they would wisely get the darn $70 guitar and take it to a guitar friend; who can polish and stop buzz so your kid can start now. But let's not assume it is not already done on arrival. Nor that setup will not ever be needed again, in part. Like tuning.
But there's the thing today. We are much to worried about whether our kids want to do anything or not. An entitlement generation. Don't through your baby out with the bath water of abuse. Play it. Give it time. Only after really trying and for a long time; then if you hate it then we'll sell it and you will be learning something else.
I know; we can really only influence another person(limited free will, each owned); but this includes you. if you are a parent and a guardian then you better influence the hell out of them. Because that is only good and 100%. No abuse accepted either. If you don't; then they will not listen to you at all, nor respect that you loved them; once 18 comes. You will wish you knew this while you were a legal guardian and could. Else they will have to learn life the hard way, for real.
And we all had to learn something the hard way. Didn't we? Yes you too. But that does not make it right or OK. And if you are grown and learning; or without your birth parents then everyone's Lord Father(Or Good Creator, if you will) is enough and your real parent. The Perfect (and more) Holy One.
Just because high-end guitars and low-end guitars might be made in the same factory does not mean they are made the exact same way to the same specs with the same care by the same craftsmen with the same expertise.
A high-end guitar will include personal attention by a master craftsman to every single guitar in a production batch. Thus, the chances of a defect getting through to you, the consumer, is much lower than guitars designed for a lower price point.
So, you are (and apparently any other "real" SlickDealer, because apparently I'm a fake SlickDealer) simply gambling as to whether you are lucky enough to receive a good low-end guitar that doesn't require service/repair out of the box.
Look, I own a low-end (under $200) guitar, so if you are assuming I'm a high-end snob, that's not it. I just am willing to own low-end guitars because I can do most of the luthier work myself and have the specialized tools to do so, such as StewMac diamond fret files, instrument lacquer, fretboard straightedge, etc. Out of the box, my low-end guitar required fretwork, and I could do it without having to pay someone to do it. But if I could not have done the work myself, I'd probably have bought a more-expensive guitar to make sure it has no problems.
---
If you are arguing that every guitar, high-end or low, will eventually require repair, sure, okay. The same is true of every other high-end product including Lamborghini cars, Rolex watches, etc. BUT, fully repaired, a low-end guitar doesn't command the same cachet and resale value as a higher-end guitar over time.
I own a Mexican Fender Player Jazz bass (worth about $800 new); It is a fantastic instrument, but I don't expect it to appreciate much in value--ever. Had I spent $1750 for the American version, I'd expect it to increase in value over the years. So, some portion of the price of a high-end instrument is desirability, and that is an intangible trait.
Do not mix extra paid setup service with extra fickle, brand, different part upgrades, non-classic features and resell-able guitar costs. Different things. And Monoprice has a fancy line for about $199 with unneeded, upgraded parts. I'm not a fan because some are too heavy. The Trems are super nice; but the classic ones work just as well. They are not the fall apart, ugly metal things that i know, do exist. People are ASSUMING they are bad; because they want to believe it, at just $70. Especially when they paid $800. Right?
I note when I shocked folks about admitting my new guitar setup skills and how easy it is after they said it was only good for me, an expert; now they infer I'm inexperience so can't understand. And i do understand; some people do not fix things(some commenters do). That's cool. If you brought me your guitar I'd set it up for you in no time. Just for fun. For free. And no I would not break anything.
I fully understand, if someone pays a lot; they want it to keep it's value. But you may not know in other threads I have said the guitar investment business is not recommended.
What's left is a gamble and you will probably get slightly more or less than what you paid for some more expensive guitars. Different levels. If you buy it on pride then you might be able to sell it on pride(and assumptions). And it will do nothing the $70 guitar can't do; the whole time. Unless we are talking high auction foolishness; that I'm warning you, is serious gambling. It's not a stable business for your personal guitar. Just because of assumptions; that can simply disapear like the pose they are. Now you may never get that high price back; and that is what's very common. Can you say new car? Play that game if you will. Win some; but lose some. I'm sure you can improve your odds; but it's still gambling.
If you buy at $70 new and inspected then you can sell it used for more than that. You could part it out and make more than $70 if you broke something. You could probably get $125, or $199 or more for it. Just because of how it compares to Squires overall. You could even customize it and depending on how artistic you are and determining demand, it is reasonable you could get $400, or $500 or even $1000 for certain themes. You know; because I understand if people want to pay more, for their reasons and preferences then that's not necessarily wrong.
In the end you will likely brag about how after many years; your expensive and usually too heavy guitar sold for almost what you paid for it. If adjusted for inflation, right? And guess what. You probably lost more than just $70. Where I could beat mine to death (I wouldn't) in a punk concert; if it was a required part of the (Insured) show. LOL. I can only lose $70 max. And I'd just buy another $70 guitar. Or maybe $58. Yeah that's even better. And this is not all I can "afford".
I'm improving my playing. I require my guitar to work extremely well. I had fun setting it up optimally. I am not collecting gear. I'm am not trading; but can. What are you trying to do?
a) play them
b) work on them (luthier work)
c) collect/trade them as investments
For (a), I like to use medium-grade "daily driver" instruments where I won't feel bad if I damage them, but they have enough of the high-end features to be pleasant to play. Fender's Player series fits this goal well.
For (b), I can take low-end instruments and fix them up, but they aren't much fun to play, especially with the intentional design compromises made to achieve that price point. Usually it's stuff like sharp corners/edges, crappy fretwork, thin/barebones finishes/plating, or garbage tuning machines.
For (c), I have been lucky enough to buy low and sell high in a few cases. I've more than doubled my money on two high-end instruments before. They suddenly became rare when the mfg. stopped producing them, and the value went up. This was before the run up in inflation, when the USD was relatively stable in value (according to the historical graphs), so no, you can't argue that the increase was due primarily to inflation. It was due to rarity/desirability because those specific models were discontinued.
Of course, now with pre-hyper-inflation AND also the declining quality of raw materials like hardwoods, we may see vintage instruments quadruple or more in price. It's gotten really hard to buy all-black ebony, for instance, so I'm hanging on to the two guitars I have that have all-black ebony fretboards. Those two are up in value too (inflation-adjusted), mainly due to the mfgs choosing to water down their quality to meet today's economic conditions (it's called "selling out" in many cases).
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I'm a Luthier (Qui Qui?) for fun and while there's always more to learn in a service like this; I'm very good at it. As with many other technical fields, much more complicated; that I will not go into. I am a scientist. I did not become successful by spending; but saving. And that means I could have all the work done; but I really like being able to optimize my guitar without waiting, and for any new issue. Weather changes, new strings, etc.. And if a great $70 guitar was not available I would make my own "Strat" from scratch. Don't doubt it. I know how. I would be more likely to embellish a $70 guitar; if I didn't like what's offered as brand new. I think people believe what they want to believe; until it hits them in the face. Lets not exaggerate the differences and functions of today's $70 guitar. I just read the more expensive guitar threads in SlickDeals and they are discussing quality problems with the latest runs.
It is now very possible to order a much high priced Fender, and also a $70 guitar at the same time and then receive a pro luthier setup $70 guitar, and a very much not setup Pro Fender guitar; for your extra cost difference. And that's about $430 on a $500 guitar and more.
Some are still falsely assuming a $70 guitar can not somehow attain great play-ability. Why? Some are inferring because they made money; that proves it and it does not. The logic that looks good; but isn't. My guitar plays perfectly. Absolutely perfectly. How do you explain that?
Oh; and I did not buy special tools to do it. I made do with what I had. How do you explain that?
The only thing mentioned that could be bad design isn't. The tuners work just fine and they are historically known to be a good classic design; which just as many players actually prefer. Of course there are high end parts options. And not all of the features of higher ends parts are worth it; when compared to their cons, extra costs and details like slowing down string changes during a critical performance. A lot of the boutique items are for collectors.
I'm all for enhancing parts; but prefer that only if inexpensive; else the total 'investment' may get bloated and overall I require any new parts to add a major benefit. For example; I can fix a bad, misaligned, poorly cut nut, even if broken into pieces, without cranking around the neck slot (be careful) and do it with white shavings and super glue; without any added expense. However; I wanted to try a slippery, pre-cut, matched $10, shipped TUSQ nut and it's perfect. It's the reason I have low action, no fret buzzing and my well balanced floating Trem does not go out of tune. And that does not say I could not shape the original nut just the same. I'm just not trying to make extra work for myself. At +$10 optionally then it's still very slick.
Now, I can't guarantee this $70 guitar (or any expensive guitar) will have a perfectly adjusted nut or any other part; but Monoprice does. Because you can return it. Read their deal. Always check any seller. But how do you explain; that most buyers are reporting beautifully working guitars? Hmmm. And how can you prove the motive of posters here?
And everyone should know by now; if you get broken then you return it. If it needs adjustment; adjust it . Consider, you won big. Like tuning and intonation are likely needed, at least. Just ask yourself; if is not a big deal to you; then just do it. Reports are that these are arriving so good; that tinkers can't bring themselves to take it apart. Even when they planned to use it's parts. I have taken mine completely apart and while many will do just that; I also put it back together and without mucking it up. Some even complain about the guitar quality; just because they could not reassemble it like new.
OK, some say they doubled their money on guitars twice in their life. Cool. But what have they lost? Do you know, that could have been growing in an investment account? Like a no-fee index fund and in your tax free Roth?
About inflation bolstering profits: Not on what you bought historically. Once sold, profit or loss then what's left buys less. And it is high risk; that your gain (+) would always beat inflation (-) buying power. Inflation happens and it counts. It's not what you make; it's what you can keep and that's after inflation and less from it. And guess what Slickers? If you do not invest and make more overall, over that exact inflation and after taxes, with our crazy high inflation rates then you lose that money. And that is a lot harder today. Get help investing and invest in yourself; for everyone's sake.
These are the same type guitars we have had around, at this price range for some time now. Especially the easy to make and assemble Strats types. Tele's too; if your preference. Do not infer they are using worse parts now; they have improved.
Everyone knows there was a time some mass factories sold on price and did not take care with quality. And there are a lot of odd used guitars out there. Things change. The world caught on and stopped trusting those sellers; until they stopped. Now we have $70 guitars being made well, setup to some good level and they are proud of their quality. And guarantee it. That should cover any mishaps.
It's interesting which guitars have had success for trading. Have fun with that. This $70 guitar is not an investment plan. Unless you mean enjoyment. And ironically some may have missed; it can usually be resold for twice the $70 price. So with only $70 total to possibly ever lose; which I guess would mean letting the guarantee expire before you looked at it; and also could OPTIONALLY be used to take apart and explore, learn and practice optimizing it then... what is the real slick deal problem here?
Not including time & tools, I am $229 all in for this guitar that I am just as happy playing as my pro II. From what I have seen in the couple of years in my area, I couldn't get anything near this nice to play for $400 or more (the <$400 MIM fenders I have seen listed have been pretty sus, or with some issue that would be hard to fix).
From my original $70 guitar all I have left is the body, the neck, and the gig bag, all of which were very nice for the money imho.
-$70 for the guitar & gig bag.
-$25 for Musiclily locking tuners, not as good as fender's for sure, a couple have dead spots, but they do what I want (easy string changes and no winds to affect tuning), with a floating trem I want lockers (https://smile.amazon.co
-$65 Fender Tex Mex Tortoise loaded pickguard, got lucky on marketplace! These pickups & electronics are sweet! (https://smile.amazon.co
-$3 Switchcraft output jack (https://smile.amazon.co
-$12 Musiclily pickguard so I didn't have to cutup the Fender one to fit this Indio Cali (https://smile.amazon.co
-$14 Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut (https://smile.amazon.co
-$19 Fender vintage trem assembly (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 Fender trem arm (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 Fender American trem springs (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 Fender American guides (https://smile.amazon.co
-$1 Fender American trem arm spring (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 EB 8-38s P02225 Estra Slinkys (https://smile.amazon.co
--$229 TOTAL
I needed a bunch of tools to do everything correctly and quickly (most notably hosco nut files), but there are ways that are harder with much cheaper tool options.
and... a chunk of time to:
-install all of this crap
-level & recrown a couple of frets
-file a few sprouts
-clean/polish frets
-scrub/clean/condition the rosewood
-roll the fret board edges
-sand the neck (I did a few grits up to 1000->2500->3000 grit, and it feels AWESOME, a bit better that just using steel wool imho)
-full setup with floating trem
I took my time doing all of this to enjoy it, sometimes while on con-calls for work since a lot of it is kind of mindless (like polishing frets, etc.).
Not including time & tools, I am $229 all in for this guitar that I am just as happy playing as my pro II. From what I have seen in the couple of years in my area, I couldn't get anything near this nice to play for $400 or more (the <$400 MIM fenders I have seen listed have been pretty sus, or with some issue that would be hard to fix).
From my original $70 guitar all I have left is the body, the neck, and the gig bag, all of which were very nice for the money imho.
-$70 for the guitar & gig bag.
-$25 for Musiclily locking tuners, not as good as fender's for sure, a couple have dead spots, but they do what I want (easy string changes and no winds to affect tuning), with a floating trem I want lockers (https://smile.amazon.co
-$65 Fender Tex Mex Tortoise loaded pickguard, got lucky on marketplace! These pickups & electronics are sweet! (https://smile.amazon.com/Fender-T...B07WCL5QZ1 [amazon.com])
-$3 Switchcraft output jack (https://smile.amazon.co
-$12 Musiclily pickguard so I didn't have to cutup the Fender one to fit this Indio Cali (https://smile.amazon.co
-$14 Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut (https://smile.amazon.co
-$19 Fender vintage trem assembly (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 Fender trem arm (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 Fender American trem springs (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 Fender American guides (https://smile.amazon.co
-$1 Fender American trem arm spring (https://smile.amazon.co
-$5 EB 8-38s P02225 Estra Slinkys (https://smile.amazon.com/Ernie-Ba...B000MFN8B6 [amazon.com])
--$229 TOTAL
I needed a bunch of tools to do everything correctly and quickly (most notably hosco nut files), but there are ways that are harder with much cheaper tool options.
and... a chunk of time to:
-install all of this crap
-level & recrown a couple of frets
-file a few sprouts
-clean/polish frets
-scrub/clean/condition the rosewood
-roll the fret board edges
-sand the neck (I did a few grits up to 1000->2500->3000 grit, and it feels AWESOME, a bit better that just using steel wool imho)
-full setup with floating trem
I took my time doing all of this to enjoy it, sometimes while on con-calls for work since a lot of it is kind of mindless (like polishing frets, etc.).
The only thing you arguably really needed was the TUSQ nut ($10 but has credits making it 58 cents); because it saved you from freely refurbishing and cutting the nut it came with, if needed. The rest is over played preference. The so called terrible tuners are just fine. I'm not counting $5 for Ernie Ball strings. I recommend 9's; so "Slinky's" as all guitars need strings, and stretched/played-in.
I also did my own FLOATING "Tremolo" setup and mine stays in tune.
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