бюджет-conscious guitarists often find themselves navigating a minefield of instruments that promise quality without breaking the bank. After a disappointing experience with a Monoprice tube amp and subsequent Indio Telecasters, I stumbled upon the LYX Pro Telecaster, and it completely changed my perception of budget guitars.
My journey began with two Indio Telecasters – a classic and a DLX. The classic, priced at a mere $89, was, frankly, unplayable upon arrival. It suffered from a host of issues: terrible action, excessive neck relief, sharp fret ends, and general setup problems. While I possess the skills to remedy these issues, transforming it into a decent guitar required significant effort, including replacing hardware and electronics and reshaping the neck. The DLX Indio, costing a hundred dollars more with the promise of a luthier setup and better hardware, was marginally better. Fretwork was slightly improved, and it included compensated saddles, but it was still far from perfect. I reshaped its neck as well, but its substantial weight remained a drawback.
Seeking a lighter alternative, I decided to purchase a LYX Pro Telecaster, drawn to its Paulownia wood body, known for its lightweight properties. Priced even lower than the Indio Classic at just $80, it was less expensive than a replacement body alone. My expectations were modest, to say the least. However, the LYX Pro arrived and completely defied them. The setup was surprisingly excellent, boasting low action exactly to my preference. The neck profile was perfect, a welcome departure from the “baseball bat” necks of the Indios. The fretwork was remarkably well-executed, allowing it to play like a dream straight out of the box, requiring no immediate adjustments. While the fret ends weren’t perfectly smooth, this minor flaw was easily overlooked considering the overall quality.
The difference between the Indios and the LYX Pro was night and day. While I inevitably upgraded the electronics and hardware on the LYX Pro to meet my personal preferences, the fundamental playability and quality were outstanding for the price. For anyone in search of an incredibly affordable T-style guitar that performs well beyond its cost, the LYX Pro is an exceptional choice. It proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a solid, playable Telecaster-style guitar as a platform for upgrades or enjoyable playing right away.
