Finding the right electric guitar involves balancing your budget with your needs and preferences. In this section, I’ll offer recommendations at different price points and share practical advice for the buying process.
Entry level ($200–$400).
For aspiring guitarists and those on a tighter budget, the $200–$400 range offers a surprising number of capable electric guitars. While you’ll encounter more cost-saving measures in terms of materials and hardware, many brands now offer instruments that are reliable, playable, and sound good enough to get you started and keep you inspired for years.
The key here is value for money and focusing on the core elements that make a guitar enjoyable to play and learn on. In this video, I play a variety of entry-level guitars and talk through them in more detail:
Versatile & beginner-friendly all-rounders
Yamaha Pacifica Series (PAC012, PAC112V)
Squier Affinity Series (Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster)
Epiphone Les Paul / SG Special / Studio LT
Genre-specific budget gems
For rock & hard rock:
- Jackson JS Series (e.g., JS11, JS12 Dinky): Known for their aggressive styling, thin necks, and powerful humbucking pickups, Jackson JS series guitars are perfect for aspiring rock and metal guitarists. They offer excellent playability for fast riffs and solos.
- Ibanez GRG / GIO Series (e.g., GRG121DX, GRX40, AZES40): Ibanez’s budget lines still retain the brand’s reputation for fast, comfortable necks and good quality. The AZES series is particularly noteworthy, designed with beginner-friendly features like a shorter scale length (25″) and comfortable body contours, while still offering versatile HSS or HH pickup configurations. The GIO series are classic entry-level shred machines.
- Gretsch Streamliner Junior Jet Club (G2210/G2215-P90): This often overlooked gem provides a unique, gritty tone with its humbucking or P90 pickups. It’s a solid-body guitar with a cool vintage vibe, great for blues, garage rock, and even some lighter punk. It often punches above its weight in terms of sound.
For blues & classic rock:
- Squier Affinity Series Telecaster / Stratocaster: (As mentioned above) These are fantastic platforms for blues and classic rock, offering crisp single-coil tones that react well to overdrive.
- Epiphone SG Special: Its lighter weight and dual humbuckers make it a viable option for blues and classic rock, especially if you prefer a thicker, more sustained tone than a single-coil.
For metal:
- Jackson JS Series (e.g., JS32 Dinky with Floyd Rose – can sometimes be found used in this range): For genuine shredders, the Floyd Rose equipped JS models offer dive bomb capabilities.
- Ibanez GRG / GIO Series: With their thin necks and often high-output humbuckers, these are strong contenders for metal.
- ESP LTD (M-10, EC-10): LTD’s entry-level models provide a darker, more aggressive aesthetic and often come with humbuckers suitable for heavier music.
Key considerations in this price range:
- Pickups: Expect ceramic magnet pickups in most models. While they might lack the nuance of Alnico pickups found in more expensive guitars, they can still deliver good, usable tones, especially for distorted sounds.
- Hardware: Tuners will be functional but may require more frequent tuning than higher-end models. Bridges are generally fixed or basic tremolo systems.
- Tonewoods: Common body woods include poplar, basswood, or agathis. While often solid, they might not offer the same resonance or visual appeal as alder or mahogany.
- Fretwork: This is often where budget guitars show their limitations. While playable, you might encounter less perfectly finished fret ends or slight inconsistencies. A professional setup can significantly improve playability.
- Playability: Necks are generally designed to be comfortable for beginners, with a focus on ease of fretting.
- Consistency: There can be some variation in quality control from one guitar to the next within the same model. It’s always a good idea to inspect the specific guitar you’re buying if possible.
- Professional Setup (Recommended): For any guitar in this price range, investing $50–$75 in a professional setup can transform the playability. It ensures optimal string action, intonation, and neck relief, making the guitar much easier and more enjoyable to play, especially for beginners.
- Used Market: The used market is a fantastic place to find better value. You might be able to find a Squier Classic Vibe or a Yamaha Pacifica 112V (which are typically in the $400–$600 range when bought new) for closer to $300–$400 used, giving you a significantly better instrument.
These budget guitars are excellent tools for starting your musical journey. They are durable enough to withstand learning knocks and provide a solid foundation for developing your skills before you consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional instrument.
Intermediate ($400–$900).
Moving up to the $400–$900 range for electric guitars opens up a world of significantly improved quality in terms of hardware, pickups, tonewoods, and overall craftsmanship. These guitars are perfect for intermediate players who have a solid grasp of the basics and are looking for an instrument that can keep up with their developing skills and musical aspirations.
Overall excellent value & versatility
Fender Player Series (Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster)
Epiphone “Inspired by Gibson” Series (Les Paul Standard, SG Standard, ES-335, etc.)
PRS SE Series (SE Custom 24, SE Standard 24, SE Standard 22)
Yamaha Revstar Series (RSE20, RSS02T, RSP20)
Sire (Larry Carlton S7, T7, L7, H7)
Genre-specific recommendations
For rock & hard rock:
- Epiphone “Inspired by Gibson” Les Paul Standard/SG Standard: As mentioned, these are workhorses for classic rock tones with their powerful humbuckers and iconic designs.
- Schecter Omen/C Series (e.g., Omen Extreme, C-1 SGR): Schecter makes guitars with a strong focus on heavier genres, often featuring high-output humbuckers, comfortable shred-friendly necks, and modern aesthetics.
- Ibanez RG Series (RG421, RG350DXZ, or similar): Ibanez RGs are synonymous with shred and metal. They feature thin, fast necks (Wizard or Nitro Wizard profiles), powerful humbuckers, and often stable tremolo systems.
- Jackson JS Series (higher-end models like JS32 DKA, JS32 King V): Excellent for metal and hard rock, known for their aggressive styling and humbucking pickups. Look for models with Floyd Rose tremolos if you’re into dive bombs.
For blues & classic rock:
- Fender Player Stratocaster/Telecaster: The quintessential blues and classic rock guitars.
- Epiphone “Inspired by Gibson” ES-335/Casino: For a more resonant, warm, and often jazzy-blues tone.
- Gretsch Streamliner Series (G2622, G2420): These semi-hollow and hollow body guitars offer distinctive Gretsch chime and growl, perfect for rockabilly, blues, and classic rock with a unique flair.
- Squier Classic Vibe Series (especially 70s Telecaster Deluxe with humbuckers, Jazzmaster/Jaguar): While some are below $400, many push into this range and offer incredible vintage-inspired tones and feel due to their quality components and excellent craftsmanship for the price.
For metal:
- ESP LTD Deluxe Series (EC-256, EC-401): LTD offers solid-body guitars with a sleeker, more aggressive look and feel, often equipped with active (EMG) or high-output passive humbuckers for heavy tones.
- Ibanez RG Series (mentioned above): A go-to for many metal players.
- Jackson JS Series (mentioned above): A strong contender for metal.
- Schecter Omen/C Series (mentioned above): Another great option for metal.
For jazz:
- Ibanez Artcore Series (e.g., AF75, AS73, AS93): Ibanez Artcore guitars are renowned for offering excellent jazz box tones and playability at very affordable prices. They are often hollow or semi-hollow bodies with humbucking pickups that deliver warm, clean, and articulate sounds. The AS93 features Super 58 Custom pickups.
- Epiphone Casino/ES-335: These semi-hollow models are versatile and can produce fantastic jazz tones, especially with flatwound strings.
- Gretsch Streamliner Series (G2420, G2622): While known for rockabilly, they can also produce beautiful jazz tones, particularly the fully hollow G2420.
- Godin Kingpin Series (e.g., 5th Avenue Kingpin P90 – occasionally found used in this range): While often starting in a slightly higher price range, these Canadian-made hollow-body guitars are fantastic for jazz and blues, often featuring P90 pickups for a vintage bark.
Key considerations in this price range:
- Pickups: You’ll start to see higher-quality pickups (often Alnico magnets) that offer more clarity, sustain, and character than those in cheaper guitars. Many models will have coil-splitting options for increased tonal versatility.
- Hardware: Tuners will be more stable, bridges will be more robust, and overall hardware quality improves, leading to better tuning stability and sustain.
- Tonewoods: While still typically not exotic woods, the quality and consistency of the body and neck woods tend to be better, contributing to better resonance.
- Fretwork: Expect smoother, more level frets, which translates to easier bending, lower action, and fewer buzzing issues. This significantly enhances playability.
- Comfort and Playability: Necks often feel more refined, and the overall fit and finish are significantly improved. Rolled fretboard edges become more common, enhancing comfort.
- Set-up: While better out of the box, a professional setup is still highly recommended to optimize playability for your specific preferences.
- Used Market: This price range is an excellent place to find used deals. You can often snag a guitar that originally retailed for $1000–$1200 for well within your $900 budget. Check reputable online marketplaces (Reverb, eBay) or local music stores.
Ultimately, the “best” intermediate electric guitar depends on your personal preferences for tone, feel, and musical style. Playing a few different models if possible will help you discover what feels and sounds right to you.
Professional ($900–$1500).
Moving into the $900–$1500 range, you’re looking at what many consider professional-grade instruments. These guitars feature premium components, meticulous craftsmanship, superior tonewoods, and often come with a hard case. While there are still compromises compared to custom shop or boutique guitars, these instruments are built to perform reliably in studio and live settings.
The big names – stepping up in quality
Fender American Performer Series (Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster)
Gibson Les Paul Studio / SG Standard (New or Used)
PRS SE Custom 24 / SE McCarty 594 (High-end SEs)
Modern performance & shred machines
Charvel Pro-Mod Series (DK24, San Dimas, So-Cal)
Ibanez Prestige (Used) / Ibanez Iron Label / Genesis / Axion Label
ESP LTD Deluxe Series (EC-1000, H-1000, M-1000)
Schecter (Higher-end USA Production, or select high-end imports like Banshee Mach)
Unique & boutique-style options (often great value)
G&L USA Tribute Series (select models, or used USA models)
Godin (Summit Classic, Session, Radiator)
Used high-end imports / entry-level US-made:
- This is where the used market truly shines. You might find a used Music Man Sterling by Music Man (JP, Axis, Cutlass) that was originally above $900, or perhaps even an older American Standard Fender or a Gibson Les Paul Faded/Tribute that has been well-maintained.
- Reverend Guitars (New or Used): As mentioned before, new Reverends can sometimes exceed $900, but many fall perfectly into this range. Their unique aesthetic and the “bass contour” control make them incredibly versatile.
- Chapman Guitars (ML Series): Chapman has built a reputation for offering high-quality, feature-rich guitars designed with input from their community. They often come with great pickups and hardware.
Key professional-grade features to expect:
- Premium Pickups: Brand-name pickups (Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, EMG, Fishman Fluence, Gibson, Fender Custom Shop) are common.
- Superior Hardware: High-quality tuners (often locking), stable bridges (Gotoh, TonePros, Floyd Rose), and durable output jacks.
- Better Tonewoods: More consistent and often more visually appealing tonewoods. While “tonewoods” are debated in electric guitars, higher-quality woods typically mean better resonance and sustain.
- Fretwork: Excellent fret leveling, crowning, and polishing (often stainless steel frets for durability and smooth bends), allowing for lower action and improved playability.
- Finishes: More durable and often thinner finishes, which some believe allows the wood to resonate more freely.
- Consistency: Better quality control ensures that each guitar meets a high standard of playability and tone.
- Gig Bag or Hard Case: Many guitars in this price range will come with a high-quality gig bag, and some may even include a hard case, which is a significant value add.
When spending in this range, it’s highly recommended to play the guitar before buying if at all possible. Feel the neck, check the fretwork, listen to the nuances of the pickups, and ensure it connects with you. This is an investment in an instrument that can genuinely last a lifetime of playing.
Premium ($1500+).
In the $1500+ range, you’re entering the realm of premium, high-end electric guitars. These instruments represent the pinnacle of production line quality, often blurring the lines with custom shop instruments. You’ll find meticulously selected tonewoods, exceptional craftsmanship, proprietary or top-tier electronics and hardware, and unparalleled playability. This is where subtle nuances in tone, feel, and aesthetics truly come to life, catering to discerning professionals and enthusiasts alike.
The flagship production models
Fender American Professional II Series (Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, etc.)
Gibson Les Paul Standard / SG Standard / ES-335 (New)
PRS Core Series (Custom 24, McCarty, Studio, etc.)
Music Man (Axis, Cutlass, StingRay, John Petrucci Signature Models)
Boutique & specialist builders (often found new/used in this range)
Novo Guitars (Used, or lower-end Nucleus series new – if available)
Tom Anderson Guitarworks / Suhr Guitars (Used)
Nash Guitars (New or Used)
Fender Custom Shop / Gibson Custom Shop (Entry-level Used / Team-Built)
Reverend Guitars (Higher-End Models)
Collings / Frank Brothers (Used – If you’re extremely lucky)
Key premium-grade features to expect:
- Exceptional Tonewoods: Often hand-selected, highly resonant, and visually stunning woods (e.g., figured maple, lightweight mahogany, roasted woods).
- Flawless Craftsmanship: Meticulous attention to detail in every aspect: perfect fretwork (often stainless steel), precise neck joints, immaculate finishes, and flawless binding.
- Proprietary or Top-Tier Electronics: Custom-wound pickups designed specifically for the instrument, advanced wiring (e.g., coil-splitting, phase switching, treble bleed circuits), and high-quality pots and switches.
- Premium Hardware: Locking tuners, highly stable bridges (often proprietary designs, Gotoh, or Hipshot), and durable nuts (bone or Tusq).
- Superior Playability: Optimized neck profiles, flawlessly rolled fretboard edges, and perfect setups from the factory, allowing for incredibly comfortable and expressive playing.
- Resonance and Sustain: The combination of superior materials and craftsmanship leads to instruments that resonate more freely and have longer sustain.
- Consistency: Extremely high quality control means virtually every guitar produced at this level will be an outstanding instrument.
- Hard Case: Almost all guitars in this range will come with a high-quality hardshell case for protection.
For guitars in this price bracket, personal preference is paramount. The differences often come down to subtle nuances in feel, neck shape, and tonal character. Playing these guitars in person is crucial to find the one that truly speaks to you, as this is a significant investment in a professional-grade instrument.
How to choose the right guitar for your budget.
When budget is limited
- Prioritize playability above all else. A comfortable neck and reasonable action will keep you playing.
- Focus on the guitar’s core tone. Pickups can be upgraded later, but the basic voice of the guitar comes from its construction.
- Look for good-quality tuners. Staying in tune is essential for enjoying your playing experience.
- Consider buying used. You can often find an intermediate-level guitar for the price of a new beginner model.
- Budget for a setup. Even an inexpensive guitar can play much better after a professional setup, which typically costs $50–$100.
Value-based approach at any budget
- Know what matters most to you. Are you primarily a rhythm player? Lead? Do you need versatility or specialized tone?
- Don’t pay for features you won’t use. A complex tremolo system adds cost but may be unnecessary if you never use it.
- Consider resale value. Standard models from major brands (Fender, Gibson) tend to hold their value better than more obscure options.
- Be honest about your skill level. A beginner may not benefit from the subtle differences of a premium instrument.
- Factor in long-term ownership costs. More complex guitars (like those with Floyd Rose systems) require more maintenance.
Guitar shopping checklist.
Take this list with you when trying guitars to ensure you check all the important factors.
It’s easy to get swept up in the moment at a guitar shop. Use this checklist to stay focused on what actually matters, so you walk out with the right guitar, not just the shiniest one.
- Neck feels comfortable in your hand
- Action is comfortable (not too high or low)
- No sharp fret ends
- Easy to play in all positions
- Upper fret access is adequate for your needs
- Clean tones are pleasing (through an amp similar to yours)
- Overdrive/distortion sounds good (if applicable)
- Volume and tone controls work smoothly and effectively
- Tuners operate smoothly
- No dead spots or excessive fret buzz
- Electronics work without crackling or cutting out
- Finish is free from significant flaws
- Bridge and nut are properly cut
- Intonation is correct (chords sound in tune up the neck)
- Weight is comfortable for you
- Body shape feels right when standing and sitting
- Balance is good (doesn’t neck-dive)
- No uncomfortable edges or contours
New vs. used. Pros and cons.
Buying new
Pros:
- Warranty protection
- No hidden issues from previous owners
- Latest models with current features
- Factory fresh setup
- That new guitar smell!
Cons:
- Higher cost for the same quality level
- Immediate depreciation
- May still need a setup to optimize playability
Buying used
Pros:
- More guitar for your money
- Depreciation has already occurred
- Vintage options not available new
- Pre-broken-in instruments often play nicely
- Environmentally friendly choice
Cons:
- No warranty (typically)
- Potential hidden issues
- Possible previous owner modifications
- Less choice in exact specifications
- May need more immediate maintenance
My advice on buying used: I’ve purchased many used guitars over the years, often with excellent results. The key is to inspect carefully, play thoroughly, and be willing to walk away if something feels off. Online purchases are riskier, so buy from reputable sellers with good return policies.
In-store vs. online buying.
In-store advantages
- You can play before you buy
- Immediate satisfaction
- Personal relationship with a local shop
- No shipping damage concerns
- Support for local businesses
Online advantages
- Larger selection
- Often better prices
- Convenience
- Access to rare or boutique instruments
- Easier comparison shopping
My recommendation: If possible, try guitars in-store to understand what you like, even if you ultimately buy online. For significant purchases, the ability to play the specific instrument first is invaluable due to the natural variation between individual guitars.
Guitar features by price range.
What exactly do you get as you move up in price? Here’s a feature-by-feature breakdown across four common price tiers.
On finding the right guitar.
After playing and collecting guitars for many years, I’ve learned that specs on paper don’t always translate to an emotional connection with an instrument. I’ve owned technically “perfect” guitars that left me cold, and less prestigious models that I couldn’t put down.
My best advice is to use this guide to narrow down your options, but ultimately let your hands and ears make the final decision. The right guitar will inspire you to play more, and that’s what really matters. Don’t rush the process – the journey of finding your perfect guitar is part of the joy of being a guitarist.
Remember that even your dream guitar will likely need occasional setup adjustments as seasons change and as the instrument ages. Building a relationship with a good tech or learning basic setup skills yourself is part of guitar ownership.
Lastly, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need the perfect guitar before you can make great music. Some of the most iconic guitar sounds in history were made on modest instruments. The player matters more than the gear!