The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum

It might be tough to find something like that for under $300. You're going to be looking at USED guitars I can tell you that much. But that's a good way to go. You lose minimal money that way if you decide to sell it.

I've been pitching THIS guitar a lot lately towards folks who want a "Dan" guitar...

If you find a used one it should be close to $300. Most of those Eastwoods are way out of your price range unless you get lucky and find a used one but even then, it may be out of your price range (if $300 is a hard limit). Maybe someone else here can help out but if $300 is your limit, I'd stick with high-end Squier Telecaster or a used Epiphone something-or-another. If you buy an old Harmony-esque guitar, chances are it's going to need some work. And work is expensive. You'll probably spend another $200-$300 at least, just getting it up to speed.

Back when TBK first started touring, Dan played a Jerry Donahue model Japanese made Fender Telecaster. He put Dimarzio twinblade single-coil sized humbuckers in it. And I think he added a Bigsby vibrato as well. And then a hand tooled leather pickguard. Anyhow, the point is... here is a great solid guitar that would land you in "Dan" territory- (either of these)

http://backstage.musiciansfriend.com/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Solid-Body-Electric-Guitars/Classic-Vibe-Telecaster-Custom-Electric-Guitar.site1prod584389.product

http://backstage.musiciansfriend.com/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Solid-Body-Electric-Guitars/Classic-Vibe-Telecaster-50s-Electric-Guitar-Vintage-Blonde.site1sku519376000853000.sku

I got an Eastwood Sidejack DLX off eBay (that was basically unused) for <$300. It's kind of weird. Vibrato. Good pickups that break up. Nice quality. Time to rock.

My friend got a Danelectro U2 off eBay for $200 that I really liked.

Don't really have any suggestions if it HAS to be retro...but for what it's worth, I played one of the newer Fender Blacktop Telecasters recently, and really had some fun with it...those retail for 450 new, so if you really dig you might be able to find one used for 300ish (but I doubt there are a ton on the market yet). Those have a pair of HBs instead of singles (as Mirby mentioned, Dan used twin blades in his tele). The CV tele is quality too for a good price if you'd rather go the single coil route.

thanks guys... i know its not all in the equipment and im not trying to be dan. I play all time and i just love the tones he gets. I just dont have a lot of money and ive been on a retro guitar kick. I LOVE the eastwood guitars, but ya they are too expensive. Some of the guitars ive been looking at were... Yamaha svg300(or something like it), ibanez jet king, or Danelectro U2. I'll probably be modding the guitar that's another reason i wanted something cheaper. Thanks again for the help guys its much appreciated!

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.diffusion-audio.com/store/images/ii_650.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.diffusion-audio.com/store/cart.php%3Ftarget%3Dproduct%26product_id%3D16364%26category_id%3D330&usg=__KNgDxCgiMRxyYqip_3ZXVkVq5rg=&h=243&w=659&sz=36&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=LBO4JDAYOk6fYM:&tbnh=73&tbnw=197&ei=A0d3TfvkJsmXhQeQwICTBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dreverend%2Bbuckshot%2Bguitar%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D909%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=292&oei=A0d3TfvkJsmXhQeQwICTBg&page=1&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0&tx=113&ty=21

the reverend buckshots or any reverend for that matter. i always suggest these. dunno about tones but as mirbs said you can make em with pedals and amps!

Ya i have a U.S. Rocco that i bought a long time ago... pretty nice guitar, but for some reason it seems a little tame to me.

Like Mirby said, those Squire Classic Vibe series guitars are killer for the money. I have the 50's Strat version and it sounds, plays and looks nice. I picked it up at a local guitar chain for $200 and it didn't have a scratch on it.

I was in my buddy's guitar store the other day and he an old Tesico in there that looked pretty cool but he hadn't priced it out yet.