Think back to when you first started to learn the guitar. I’m sure you can remember your very first guitar, right? Was it cheap? Was it nice? Was it nice and cheap? It isn’t often that a brand new guitar player gets a brand new, professional quality guitar.
Sure, there are probably plenty of people that got a nice hand-me-down from a relative or friend, but for those that started out in the dumps, you probably didn’t start with a ’59 model Gibson Les Paul. These days, quite often you will see aspiring guitarists start with a traditional Squier or various other “cheap skate” guitars.
Well, fortunately, not all “cheap” guitars are cheap in quality. Every once in a while, a great deal is spotted in the guitar world that pushes the limits of value. While most advanced guitar players won’t usually jump for these guitars, they must still respect good old craftsmanship. Though it isn’t often that one of these deals comes along, but here is a review of a guitar that meets the bill… the DeArmond M65.
The DeArmond M65 – Priced For A Newbie
My very first electric guitar was the DeArmond M65. I won’t lie, my parents bought it for me for my birthday, many years ago. Let me tell you, if it wasn’t cheap, they wouldn’t get it. They scored this puppy from a pawn shop, along with a tiny little amp and a few odds & ends, the price totaled about $250 greenbacks. When I got it, I immediately was overjoyed that my parents didn’t get me a Squier. I literally had nightmares that I’d wake up on my birthday and get a rinky-dink Squier.
Though it was used, the guitar looked in very good condition, and had a cool blue color, considering my favorite color was blue, my mind was blown, and I was in heaven. At the time, that’s all that mattered. I’ll admit, I didn’t take great care of my DeArmond M65, but it treated me very well in my days of learning the guitar. It wasn’t until years after I started playing that I realized just how amazing of a guitar that it was.
Unexpected Quality
It wasn’t until I started playing other people’s guitars that I realized the masterpiece that I had been given. Every time I picked up a different guitar, the action was horrible, the playability was horrid, and the sound was… less than satisfactory. These friends, while also fairly new at playing guitar, such as myself, had much more pricey guitars. We’re not talking anything fancy, but I recall one friend having a Gibson that he paid over $800 for, used. I picked that thing up for maybe five minutes before I had to shake my head in disgust and place it back on the rack (in saying that, I do love most Gibsons, this one was just a piece of s**t!).
At first, I thought I was just too tied to my first guitar…like I had some sort of emotional bond with it. After doing some research, I realized that it simply wasn’t true. I had just happened to get lucky enough to stumble upon the DeArmond series by Guild.
DeArmond History
Wait, did I just say Guild? Well, in part, that’s correct. Guild made these DeArmond guitars as spinoffs of their old 50’s and 60’s models, though manufactured out-of-country. By doing this, the guitars achieved a fantastic level of quality, while keeping a very low price. While the M65 is one of the lower-end of the DeArmond series, its quality is quite astounding. Brand new, the M65 was around $300. As I said before, this guitar easily rivals, in playability, guitars in the one-grand range.
So, why are they no longer sold? Well, good question, young grasshopper. Fender actually bought out the DeArmond brand, and discontinued their production. Sound stupid? Well, it is said that Fender saw that the DeArmonds were surpassing their own guitars in value by a long shot, so, business ethics took over, and they decided to buy their competitor. This could be true or false, but it’s a hypothesis that makes sense in the business world.
DeArmond M65 – The Specs
So what is it made of, you might ask. Well, the single-cutaway body of the DeArmond M65 (released in 1999) is made of good old maple. Though it has a bolt-on mahogany neck, is has surprising sustain, and the fretboard is silky smooth(like I said, the playability is amazing). It comes with double humbuckers that sound pretty good, especially for a bluesy sound. That doesn’t mean that you can’t push this thing into overdrive and make it scream with distortion though, because it does that as well…very well.
The only downside to this bargain guitar is the cheap plastic knobs and pickguard. In fact, I removed my pickguard. Everything on this guitar that matters for the aspiring guitarist is there, in great quality, and even better price.
If you can manage to find one of these babies still for sale, it is highly recommended that you pick it up, even if you’re looking for higher-priced guitars. If you have a friend or relative looking to start playing guitar, I would personally suggest that you actively seek out a DeArmond M65, as they are still very cheap, and you simply will not find a better starter guitar.
Scotty Smith
Guitarist Rock ©2008-2010
The M65 was my first electric as well, and I couldn’t have started with a better choice! The LP style and transparent red finish attracted me to it right away. It needs a bit of work after being in use for 10 years, but I still love it to pieces.
Meant to add to my previous comment in praise of the M65 (and other dearmonds), that fine though these instruments are, there are serious concerns about pay and conditions of the people that work or have worked for some of these Asian manufacturing plants. I think Cort may have been involved with some or all of the dearmond products in S. Korea and Indonesia, maybe others. The workers have allegedly been required to work very long hours, for very low pay, with utmost flexibilty, with few benefits and liable to uncompensated redundancy at any time.
The globalised commercial world which has led to manufacturing in the West being made so uncompetitive and produced decline and unemployment is also mirrored in the far East by the appalling exploitation of decent people there by Asian bosses (there are greedy greasy pole slitherers everywhere).
It grieves me that this pretty wonderful inexpensive instrument I’ve got has been made at the expense of an an oppressed workforce in the East and indirectly at the expense of some jobs in the West.
Couldn’t agree more. Most people don’t even notice the M65 or similar and head straight for the Squiers. God knows why – these are much better (although watch out for the occasional duffer) – superb in my opinion, wonderful neck and fingerboard (like there’s hardly anything there) – no playability issues at all.
I try expensive guitars in shops and many don’t feel as easy. Having said that, a good top end instrument is still worth going for if it suits and is better than the dearmond – and there are plenty of these, of course, but you do have to shell out a lot for them.
My other guitars are rarely used nowadays because there not as playable. This includes an excellent 30 yr old Guild S100 I used to play all the time but now has wear and tear issues which affect enjoyment and playability slightly.
I’ve had my M65 for about 12 years, paid £100 new in a sale from a music shop, it’s the only one I use, as it’s cheap you don’t worry about damaging it (built like like a tank anyway), impeccable playability, so easy.
I also own a M-65 and I lov it to bits. It’s a lovely burgundy colour and I have the speed knobs and a Les paul scratchplate on it. I bought it for €35.00 used. The guy I got it from said it didn’t work, he had tried it out but it made all sorts of funny noises. He must of had a faulty lead, because this thing rocks!! It was in need of a serious clean, polish and a lemonoil, but was def worth the time I put into it.
I really love the art deco style bridge, it’s a piece of art.
This was my first guitar as well. I was giving a ride to a friend that worked at a guitar shop and when I went he in, he told me that I need to check out this guitar. I didnt play at all at the time. He told me that the shop was blowing it out and would take an offer of $92 ($100 even with tax). For that price, it would be fun to noodle around with.
Well, I fell in love with it and guitar playing in general. I now have a couple of Gibson’s but I still own and play my first love…my M65.
Also, my friend (from the shop) and I went over to another friends house that day and I didnt feel like leaving the guitar in the car so i brought it in. The friend who’s house we were at had just bought a $2100 PRS (which is awesome) but I remember taking my M-65 for a spin and saying, ” I could have had 21 of these and given these away to friends.” When two friends, one that works at a guitar shop and the other (who is now a pro) give this guitar kudos, you know it’s a sweet axe to grind.
Agree with the good reviews above, I have several and they are nice little guitars — so is the single pickup M-55.
This was my second guitar, first I got a Ibanez roadstar II series, but this M65 I own still today. I love the sound of it! It’s truly cheap but can deliver really great sounds!
I turned it into a brilliant mixed media eventually, for you who doesn’t know what it is, go google it on google, you will find pics.
I have 2 Dearmonds ( Exactly like the one in the picture, right down to the speed knobs ) I even have the original knobs , I just like speed knobs better, I play mine thru a Crate Flexwave 120H and I get the sound I want, As I said I own 2 ( both are exactly alike ) And I wouldnt trade either for any other guitar. I have bonded with mine they are like family to me.
I have a mint condition DeArmond M65 that i want to sell as i just dont use it enough as i play acoustics more. I have no idea how much to sell it for.. it is the salmon pink one with transparent pickguard. I recall paying about £300 gbp for it new, but do not know its value now. Can anyone help? thanks! Harriet
You can find them for around $200 on the internet nowadays, if not cheaper.
~Dustin
How much do you want for it, I play one and need some parts?!?!?!?
This really is an excellent guitar for the price. It really is a shame that they are discontinued.
~Dustin