Last Updated on August 12, 2022 by Play Guitar Notes
In the early days of the commercially produced guitar, there was a substantial difference in quality between an inexpensive and expensive model. Nowadays the technology and manufacturing
processes have come such a long way that there are now great quality guitars available at every price range which can cater to every kind of player and style you can imagine. Never has there been a better time to begin playing the guitar!
So please join us today as we take a look at a few of the best electric guitars on the market across a range of prices that are guaranteed to provide exceptional value for your money.
 | Editors Choice | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Fender Player Stratocaster | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Jackson JS22 | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Yamaha PAC112V | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | PRS Paul Reed Smith SE | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Schecter Omen Extreme-6 | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Squier Contemporary Telecaster | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Sterling MAJ100 | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Best Choice Guitar Starter Kit | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
 | Ibanez S670QM | Number of Frets: Fret Size: | Check Price |
ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar
The classic, single cut, Les Paul style of guitar is one that is always going to be in high demand. With every company now making their own version of this iconic guitar. LTD’s Eclipse series is the budget friendly version of its more premium ESP counterpart. It serves as a fantastic option for anyone looking for a Les Paul style guitar that is more geared towards the modern player.
Featuring a solid mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fingerboard, this will produce a full tone that works exceptionally well with any distorted or high gain tone. Aesthetically the guitar is a sight to behold, with its arched, matte black body complimented by the all gold hardware. It even has gold pickup covers on the ESP Designed LH-150 passive humbucking pickups, which can hold their own against any more premium brand.
It’s a sleek and reliable rock monster, that ESP themselves state will cover anyone from beginners to serious working musicians.
Fender Player Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster is the best selling model of guitar in history, having been used by many iconic legends from Eric Clapton all the way to Yngwie Malmsteen. But such a premium guitar usually comes with a premium price tag. The Fender ‘play’ series was designed to respect the history and heritage of the Stratocaster, while also implementing more modern features bringing it up to speed for the current era in both functionality and price.
The main thing to note here is, unlike traditional models, this has an HSS pickup configuration (meaning it has a humbucking pickup in the bridge position with two single coils in the middle and neck), which will handle modern high gain tones with ease. The tremolo system has also been updated to have smoother travel and additional tuning stability.
Having all the DNA of the original series, with all the added modern sensibilities that a new player could wish for. This is the next evolution of the Stratocaster.
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22
This is the perfect solution for anyone looking to own a solid, rock and shred machine on a budget. This is a sleek and understated guitar that packs a huge punch with its pointed headstock, arched top body, matte black finish, and shark tooth inlays. A true superstrat in every sense of the word.
Using Jackson’s own design of high output passive pickups, combined with its string through the body style bridge this guitar will pack huge sustain and resonance. Complemented by its poplar body and maple neck providing additional stability to the overall function of the guitar.
It has a dual HH configuration and a 5-way selector switch allowing you to get a wide range of tones.
Jackson knows what they are doing when it comes to shred machines, and this one is sure to be a fantastic addition to your arsenal, or as your first guitar.
Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V
An incredibly versatile entry to the Yamaha Pacifica range. It’s a sleek looking guitar with both traditional and modern aesthetic elements, meaning this guitar is appropriate for absolutely everyone. From the funk guitarist using a pure clean tone to a rock guitarist performing a screaming lead.
Slightly reminiscent of the Stratocaster but with a more fluid body shape, including a rounded arm contour for additional comfort. It features a HSS pickup configuration with a 5-way selector switch allowing for the widest possible array of tones. The bridge is a proprietary Yamaha tremolo system allowing you to perform dive bombs and flutters.
Wood wise it features a rich rosewood fingerboard, alder body, and a maple neck which all combine to create a rich and throaty midrange that will cut through in any band situation.
It also comes in a wide variety of colors and is available with a soft gig bag making it ideal for anyone looking to take it to band practice or a performance.
PRS Paul Reed Smith SE Standard 24
When we think of Paul Reed Smith guitars we usually think about extremely high quality instruments that can cost thousands of dollars for many of their higher end models. Over time PRS has opened themselves up and diversified their range tremendously, expanding into the ERG market and also offering cheaper versions of models that previously would have been unattainable for the average player.
The SE Standard is the more affordable version of their flagship guitar. But with almost no compromises when compared to its bigger brother.
It features the tried and true mahogany body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard combination. The bridge is a PRS proprietary tremolo system that can easily hold its own against any other guitar brand. It’s available in 3 natural finished colors, Vintage Cherry, Tobacco Sunburst, and Translucent Blue making it aesthetically in line with many other premium brands of guitar.
Schecter Omen Extreme-6
Schecter has been the gold standard for heavy metal guitars for a long time. With models such as the Hellraiser offering ludicrous value for money. Many guitarists will use Schecter as their entry point even if they end up upgrading further down the line.
The Omen offers a lot of features ideally suited for the rock and metal styles. From the tune-o-matic, string through the body style bridge system, which makes restringing, keeping the guitar in tune and intonated a breeze. Which is essential when the guitar is subjected to the rigors of heavy playing.
And speaking of intonation, the bridge has been angled so the string length is by default slightly longer on the bass side which makes things like using thicker string or down tuning, both staples of heavier styles of music, much easier.
It also features a beautiful quilted maple top which is traditionally something you will only find on more premium guitars.
Squier by Fender Contemporary Telecaster
Usually, when people think of a Telecaster they associate it with old-school, classic, twangy-style guitar tones with vintage aesthetics.
But people love the look of the single-cut body, and as demands of the modern guitarists have shifted over the years Fender has stepped up with their Contemporary series. Which melds the best aspects of the traditional Tele with that of the Superstrat making a beefed-up and hot-rodded version to cater to the modern guitarist.
The first thing to notice about the guitar is that it has a HH pickup configuration not traditionally seen on a Tele. Combined with the 3 way toggle switch you can get a range of thicker and richer sounds. It has a simple fixed bridge for ultimate stability and rigidity, and a beautiful contrasting black and white paint scheme with the inverted headstock further differentiating itself from the models of old.
Sterling by Music Man Majesty MAJ100
Musicman guitars and basses are the apex of USA made quality. They hold their instruments to an extremely high standard and as such have a rigorous QA system before a guitar makes itself into the hands of a buyer.
However, this comes with a mighty price tag. So to get the cost lower Sterling by Musicman was formed, the guitars are manufactured overseas at a cheaper cost. But are then imported into the US and subjected to the same rigorous QA as the Musicman guitars.
The John Petrucci signature series is the second best selling signature guitar of all time (beaten only by the Les Paul). It is a beacon of refinement and quality. The Majesty has a sleek design with a massive bottom horn cutaway for unparalleled access to the higher frets. With the electronics arranged in a way that fits the natural curve of the arm as you play.
Everything about this guitar is intentional and streamlined for maximum performance.
Best Choice Products 39in Full Size Beginner Electric Guitar Starter Kit
If you are just starting on the electric guitar, there’s a lot of ‘extra’ items you often have to think about before you can really get going. This can include things such as an amplifier, effects pedals, guitar picks, a tuner, cables, a guitar strap, a case, new strings.. .the list goes on.
So for the brand new guitarist, you may want to consider a ‘package’ deal that allows you to get everything you need to start at an amazing value.
It comes with a guitar that is reminiscent of a Stratocaster, which will serve you well as you take your first steps on the instrument. But in addition to that, it comes with a small 5w practice amplifier, guitar picks, a strap, tuner, cable, and soft case.
So even if you decide to upgrade your guitar in the future once you have become a little better, you will already have all the accessories you could want.
Ibanez S670QM
When people think of Ibanez the first thing that comes to mind will usually be the RG series. However, the S series has been a very underappreciated model of guitar that can easily hold its own against the RG.
The main selling point of the S series is its ultra-thin body making it easy to handle and play fast on, it won’t fatigue you when playing for long periods of time due to its lighter weight.
This guitar has a beautiful quilted blue maple top which has been matched on the headstock. The inlays are also the more modern small dots placed at the top of the fretboard giving you the look of a sleek neck while still having some indicator of fret position for functionality.
It also features Ibanez’s coveted Wizard III ultra-thin neck and the Edge-Zero II tremolo bridge which boasts incredible stability when playing aggressively.
What should I look for when buying an electric guitar?
Firstly you should identify your budget and work within that, these days even more affordable guitars boast a lot of functionality and you’d be surprised how much bang for your buck you can get.
The main points of focus should be how the guitar feels, are you comfortable when playing it? Does your hand feel comfortable wrapped around the neck? and can you easily access all frets? This is important because many parts of the guitar can be changed/upgraded. Pickups can be swapped out, frets can be dressed, tuners can be upgraded. But the shape and comfort of the neck and body are truly set in stone, so you should focus on getting those right first.
Secondly, you should like how the guitar looks, having an instrument that you love the look of will make you want to pick the guitar up and plays a surprisingly large role in how good your experience withthe instrument will be.
What makes a great electric guitar?
While somewhat of a subjective topic as everyone, over time, develops their own preferences for what they want from a guitar. However, there are some essential things every guitar should have to be considered great.
Tuning stability, when you play a guitar it should not constantly be going out of tune. If a guitar is going out of tune too regularly it could represent issues with the construction quality or a deeper issue such as a twisted neck.
Rounded fret ends, part of the QA and setup process of a guitar should involve rounding the edges of the frets as when the fret wire is cut it leaves a very sharp edge that can hurt your hand when sliding up and down the neck. This is a great indicator as to whether a guitar has been held to a high standard and care taken with its setup.
What is the most important part of an electric guitar?
How a guitar feels is the most important aspect and the number one thing you should look for when deciding on whether a guitar is great or not. As previously mentioned so many parts of a guitar can be changed and upgraded including the pickups, even the paint scheme of a guitar and the finish on the back of the next can be stripped and refinished if necessary.
However, making sure the body feels comfortable for you, and that the neck feels good to play is something core to the identity of a guitar and is also subjective to each person. So if you find a guitar that is comfortable and feels good for you to play, you may want to consider using that as your base and then upgrading and customizing other aspects of the guitar to bring it to new heights.
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