Top 10 Best Electric Guitar Under 300 Dollars Reviews If you’re a musician, whether an amateur or a professional, you might be facing a few problems finding instruments that fit your needs. The Epiphone G-400 Pro is a lean, mean music machine, just like it’s original counterpart and Gibson SG. The 10 best Stratocasters: our pick of the best Strat guitars. I was searching specifically for budget Fenders like the Squier, but I stumbled upon several other good options, so I’ve decided to compile a small list of my favourites. Fretboard: Rosewood Then we have Fender’s specially designed pickups for this guitar, featuring stronger output and a slightly sharper and rougher tone. ESP LTD EC-256 is not, by any means, a top-of-the-line axe, but it’s a great basic guitar ideal for guitar beginners. They produce warmer and milder tones, than most popular Alnico V. Sound leans towards classic Gibson clean ‘chimmy’ bell like tones. Even though it looks like a Gibson SG, it is not by any means. The guitar might be a bit heavier compared to what we’re used to today, but most models have bodies that aren’t that heavy since the company has managed to keep things decent in this regard. Finish and Design: Just looking at this instrument, it gets pretty obvious that it’s a high-end one. They are always highly rated purchases. 11. Posts: 444. The most pervasive, enduring and imitated of all guitar designs, Fender's iconic Strat might be the most adaptable instrument ever invented. Build Materials: Being a very expensive instrument, we have some of the best-chosen materials. They give a tone of a standard humbucker, although you may notice the difference in some cases due to their different design. My Review: Now, this is a completely unconventional guitar, bringing some old Jazzmaster features with a classic Strat design. The Fender Stratocaster model is actually quite a broad category. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster Electric Guitar. The bottom line is that amateurs and experienced players also buy budget guitars for many reasons. Flexible H/S/S configuration featuring both Strat and Tele single-coil pickups. Best Praise & Worship Guitars Under 500 Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazzmaster Electric Guitar (Sonic Blue) First of all, Fender guitars no matter the model, have a certain bright and resonant tone. The best solution here is to try them out and see how well it fits in your fretting hand. Magazine. However, my high quality is a G&L American Fullerton deluxe and Martin acoustics. Finish and Design: Performer Stratocasters come in a few different finish variants. You won’t find any other Strat (or any other guitar model) that looks like this. Additionally, the instrument also comes with brand new V-Mod II single-coil pickups. The Tele plus is built using a classic Telecaster tonewood – pine – which makes it super light and produces airy, light tones. The slick contours and the “universal” design also make it very aesthetically pleasing to a wide scope of guitar players, no matter their musical background and skill level. Build Materials: While it’s pretty much the standard combo that we get with most Fender Strats, there are a few variants that also include a rosewood fretboard instead of the “conventional” maple one. Best Electric Guitars 2020 – Reviews and Top Picks, Best Electric Guitars under $300 of 2020 – Reviews and Top Picks, Best Blues Guitars 2020 – Reviews and Top Picks, Fender Modern Player Tele Plus Electric Guitar, Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster Electric Guitar. These are essentially humbuckers that are packed in a very compact single-coil size. We have a classic design and traits of old school Strats, with the addition of a Floyd Rose tremolo, Seymor Duncan Hot Rails pickups, and a comfortable “C” neck. Bottom Line: Although a slight turnoff to some conventional lovers of Strats, this guitar definitely has its following. But aside from the slightly aggressive tone of these pickups, you can do pretty much any genre with this instrument. Its label says it’s made in China, but make no mistake that this is a reliable guitar and an All-American classic. The rear body contour together with a think neck, which offers effortless playability, easy access to upper-frets and overall comfort. It’s all followed by an unusual reversed tremolo bridge, with the handle taking the top instead of the bottom position. Joined: Dec 13, 2010 Location: Nashville, TN. My Review: With so many new additions to Stratocasters, plenty of guitar lovers got thirsty for the good old vintage stuff. In case you’re looking for something mellower, there are still Fender Stratocasters that feature bodies made out of mahogany, but they’re kind of rare. Fretboard: Maple or rosewood Therefore, you can expect an awesome metal-oriented instrument that’s also capable of bluesy stuff and other genres. The only difference with these controls compared to some older Strats is that one tone knob controls the bridge pickup, while the other reduces the treble of both the neck and middle pickups. Bottom Line: Although not a Super-Strat, the guitar is intended for virtuoso players. hide. There is something for everyone here, its just a matter of selecting whats best for you. Fender Stratocaster Buyers Guide. We have a 2-point tremolo with vintage-style saddles. Estimated price: $1000 Body: Alder Neck: Maple, “Soft V” profile Fretboard: Maple Fret Count: 21 Pickups: 3 Vintage-style ’50s single-coils Controls: 1 volume and 2 tone knobs, 5-way pickup selector Bridge: 2-point Synchronized Tremolo My Review: Another throwback to the old times is the Fender’s Vintera ’50s series. Honestly, guitarists aren’t billionaires (most of us anyway) and we need to improve our techniques, research new genres, tricks and brands and we need several guitars for it! Best prog/metal guitar under $500. While you can’t expect some “premium” luxurious and prestigious features on them, Fender Player Stratocaster guitars can still compete with some even more expensive guitars out there. The best Fender Stratocaster model to buy, new or used, between $500-$1000 is IMO a G&L Legacy. Humbuckers are considered to be an optimal option for electric guitars of any price range, but every third axe has single-coils. For those looking for the best acoustic electric guitar under $500, the GD30CE is an effortless win. PRS tones for less? Build Materials: As already mentioned, the specs are the same except for the pickups. Neck: Maple Roland Digital Piano Buyers Guide. Best prog/metal guitar under $500. The sounds are rather crunchy and aggressive, and leaning towards metal, however, it’s perfect for playing blues or jazz as well. Just like my guide on the best electric guitars under $500, this one provides a selection that is around a certain range, which makes them competitive. The shape and sizes of the guitars we have chosen in our 5 best acoustic guitars under 500 have a wide range. Fender American Performer Stratocaster. Neck: Maple We have the thick “C” neck profile, a radius of 9.5 inches, and a very unique tone with the Pure Vintage ’65 single-coils. Overall, this is easily one of the best Stratocasters out there for the money. Some people find that guitar goes out of tuned rather quickly and it has some buzzing – though a guitar doctor visit or few upgrades most certainly fix it all. ESP 6 String LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar, 6. What’s more, the hardware is pretty durable, making the instrument fairly reliable in the long run as well. Special Features: Scalloped Frets, Dunlop 6000 Jumbo Fretwire. Body: Alder Of course, he will reply to the brand name FENDER. The Telecaster (nee Broadcaster) the first commercially available solid body electric guitar was already well established by '54. Build quality, tone and playability are so good with the Mexican Strat it requires a true connoisseur to tell it apart from its American brother. Hardware, Electronics, and Controls: The great thing about this model is that it convincingly replicates Strats that Fender made back in the 1960s, even with the hardware. Amps, Pedals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Microphones, Studio, and recording gear, I love it all. No matter what guitar you choose, Sweetwater is confident that you’ll fall in love with your new acoustic. However, what’s so unique here is that we have a semi-hollow-body Strat, the so-called “Thinline” design. Produced sound isn’t too crisp and bright. However, it was with the Fender Stratocaster that things took off. Every guitarist should take a moment to write a nice thank you … The axe has it all: mellow upper-tones, clear bright tones and thick, rich and warm sounds. The best Telecasters to buy now. Pickups have Volume and Tone control with vintage-styled Amber ‘Top Hats” knobs and the Epiphone’s all-metal 3-way pickup selector switch. The RevStar is inspired by London and Tokyo’s street-racing motorcycle, and has dramatic curves and truly bold look. It selects them the same way every Stratocaster selects its 3 standard single-coils. I have a Strat and an LP copy. Holding the balance, you could use the arm screwed into the bridge and pull it down to easily detune all strings. The best electric guitars under $500 to buy now. … Bottom Line: Although intended for classic metal music, this is one fairly versatile instrument. Fret Count: 22 ... the best guitars, amps, pedals and accessories of the year. Close. Additionally, the guitar’s unique “Soft V” neck profile makes it very easy to play, making the guitar very favorable among virtuosic technical players. The ‘67 Fender Stratocaster helped birth an entire subculture of guitar modding. I installed the Fender ones (around $50 for a set) in my MIM strat and they were a drop-in replacement. Home ; Acoustic Guitars. My Review: Another one from the Player Series, this Strat comes with almost the same specs as the previous one. Check Amazon Price. This is also due to wonderfully-made vintage-style tuners. On the other hand, some models have different types of fretboards, mostly rosewood ones. I also like this for its “C” shape smooth feeling. The biggest virtuosos of the era jumped in to grab one Strat for themselves. Bottom Line: You just can’t go wrong with this Strat, especially if you’re into fine bluesy tones or the subtle funky rhythm stuff. Once again, we have a classic Strat with a body made of alder and a standard maple neck with a maple fretboard forming a bolt-on construction with the body. PRS SE Standard 24. Fender James Burton Telecaster ; 9. Fretboard: Maple But the instrument’s greatness also shows in some hard rock and metal settings, most notably neo-classical and prog rock music. What’s more, some of these versions can either come with rosewood or maple fretboards. It does resemble a Les Paul, due to its flamed maple top, single cut shape and thing U-shaped neck. It’s a high-end instrument, but it’s not as expensive compared to the other stuff that we mentioned, so it’s definitely worth it. It’s slim and super comfortable, for those going hard on lightning-fast solos and focusing on speed. But don’t get fooled by its low price since this instrument can still put up quite a punch and even serve as a great guitar for more experienced musicians. Bridge: Standard Fender Tremolo Bridge. In some cases, these guitars can get the “relic” treatment, making them look as if they’re instruments from the old times. Factors To Look For When Buying The Best Electric Guitar Under 500. It’s a completely solid body, and there have been plenty of other variants material-wise, like basswood, poplar, and even mahogany, which is quite unusual for Fender guitars. Posted by 1 day ago. This is the guitar company that changed the world of electric guitar, so you can’t go wrong with any Fender. It’s all accompanied by the standard configuration featuring a 5-way switch, volume knob, and two Tone knobs. The Electronics of the guitar is an eternal fight for guitar players, based on your pure preference and skills. If you’re interested in a bass guitar model that’s serious, this classical … LockTone Tune-o-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece. The axe features a classic C-shaped neck and 9.5” fretboard radius, making it extremely comfortable and easy to play. All the 15 must-have guitars on this list are under $1,000, and yes, they’re available brand new. The RS420 features Yamaha custom hardware and electronics, it produces muscular powerful sound. At the same time, you need to bear in mind the unconventional nature of this instrument, being a classic Strat with three humbucker pickups. Additionally, the guitar has the triple-humbucker pickup configuration, making even classic Gibson Les Paul lovers excited about it. This is followed by a maple neck and a standard maple fretboard in all of the model’s variants. We don’t know how they manage to make guitars this good at this price point, but we’re glad they do. It simply has higher chance of playing better and lasting longer. Demos. It’s a pretty great and practical instrument for any metal player who still likes some classic features. I was searching specifically for budget Fenders like the Squier, but I stumbled upon several other good options, so I’ve decided to compile a small list of my favourites. Body: Alder In your opinion. Hardware, Electronics, and Controls: While we have the classic Fender bridge and tuning machines, these all come with a golden finish, giving the instrument a very glamorous look. When you visit to buy one of these guitars at any showroom. Not everyone can afford such expensive guitars, that’s exactly why prominent guitar brands produce budget series that range from $300-$1000. Fretboard: Maple The Squier by Fender Classic Vibe is one of the best beginner electric guitars that you can get for less than $500. Bottom Line: Going into higher-end territories, this is a perfect guitar for true lovers of those old Strat bluesy tones. Take a look! Body: Mahogany Finish and Design: What’s also really exciting is that Professional II Stratocasters come in 9 different color variants. Neck: Maple Don't Miss. The classic traits are all still there and it comes as a fairly versatile instrument. Take a look! DOT ES designed after the ES-335, and has mahogany centre block with maple top, sides and back. The experience can be daunting. Let’s take a look at ten notable electric guitars for under $500 in the year 2019 ... Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar There’s an old proverb that goes, “If you can’t afford a Fender Strat, get a Fender Standard Strat.” We can’t agree more. Fretboard: Maple When it comes to materials, bear in mind that a lower price range usually means a lower quality of materials so don’t be startled when you see pine, pau ferro or nato. Fender Vintera '70s Telecaster Deluxe. Afterward, I will go into depth about each of them and make comments about their pros and cons. These aren’t just your plain old boring finishes, but rather more intricate ones. These aren’t like any other pickups out there and you can only get them with this particular guitar model. 15 Best Fender Stratocaster Reviews. Neck: Maple But with this said, we come to a very complicated issue – how do you choose the perfect Fender Stratocaster for your needs? Another thing that’s very specific about any guitar model, including the Stratocaster, is the neck profile. Description Showcase your love for rocking out with this Aquarius Fender Stratocaster 65236 jigsaw puzzle that features 1,000 pieces for hours of assembling fun. It also comes to the guitar’s very stylish and innovative design, something that we also mentioned above. The ST design and glossy finish give this guitar an … Body: Alder The Fender Standard Stratocaster (made in Mexico) just might be the most popular guitar under $500. Neck: Maple Build Materials: With the Player Series Stratocaster, we also get the standard alder body and a maple neck with a maple fretboard. In fact, these guitars have always been praised for having an amazing feel. I don’t know about you, but I have a soft spot for signature guitars. But before we get into this list, it’s important to share a thing or two about Fender Stratocaster’s history and how it eventually managed to change the world. Of course, this is accompanied by a fine rosewood fretboard. 5. What makes Stratocasters stand out compared to most other guitars is their triple pickup configuration. Japanese ESP is widely popular and respected for their LTD series of budget guitars. These aren’t cheap at all, but they’re most certainly well worth the price. Single cutaway mahogany body and neck, with two humbucking pickups. It took about two years for the guitar’s design to be perfected, and it finally came out in 1954. The January 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! They are all sorted as the best acoustic electric guitar under $500 due to affordable pricing and they fitted with advanced features that you’d expect in higher-priced models. For $400 you get a great feeling and playing Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar or Mustang based on the classic Fender models of the 50s. Tone knobs are in control of the guitar’s middle and neck pickups. Stevie Ray Vaughan Signature Stratocaster, 12. In 1952, Gibson unleashed their innovative Les Paul guitar with two P90 single-coil pickups and a very innovative bridge design. 16 Best Fender Stratocaster Guitars in 2020 (All Price Ranges), Songs with Lots of Bass Guitar (Rock and Pop), Fender Strats at the bottom of the page here, 17 Best Auto Tune Pedals and Pitch Correction Pedals in 2020, 14 Best 5 String Bass Guitars in 2020 (All Price Ranges), 15 Best Jazz Bass Pickups in 2020 (All Price Ranges), 12 Best Bass Combo Amps in 2020 (All Price Ranges), 14 Best Acoustic Electric Guitars Under $300 in 2020, 20 Best Hollow Body Guitars and Semi Hollow Body Guitars in 2020, 80 Best Rock Workout Songs in 2020 (with Music Videos), 1. They still deliver playability, sound versatility and suitable for jamming and gigs. 4.5/5. They sound great on their own, and powerful enough to improve your techniques and practive. What’s more, Fender Custom Shop is in charge of innovation and they have come up with new concepts that are used on plenty of Fender’s standard products. Fret Count: 21 Controls: 1 volume and 2 tone knobs, 5-way pickup selector The biggest selling point of the instrument comes with its scalloped frets. It’s finished with a stable double-locking tremolo bridge. So let’s start with the basics – the guitar’s body. Hardware, Electronics, and Controls: And with its hardware and other traits, Vintera ’50s Stratocaster once again comes back to the old times. There are a lot of really good electronic axes for just $500. The humbuckers make use of an Alnico V magnet to deliver a powerful, open tone. Over the decades, the company has created so many different variants of this classic guitar, often covering some unexpected sonic territories and including somewhat unusual and “unconventional” features. The Thinline semi-hollow body works perfectly with both of the finish variants, the “Vintage White” and 2-color sunburst. Guitar Lobby is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. The development of this new Fender’s instrument started sometime in 1952. Under $200. Delivered sound is solid and heavy, with exceptional sustain. Fender Squier Classic Vibe '70s Telecaster Thinline. Being a little harder compared to some other tonewoods, it all helps this guitar have a very “tight” tone. Pickups: 3 single-coils or 1 humbucker and 2 single-coils Bridge: 2-point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo. If you are a complete beginner and can spend this much on a guitar, you are in luck – guitars of this range are a huge step up in quality from the cheaper ones, and will last longer. View Category Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster Single-Coil Traditional . Nonetheless, it’s a very fresh twist to the classic guitar, resulting in a slightly less bright output compared to regular Stratocasters. Looking more into the world of Stratocasters, we also have models that implemented the innovative Floyd Rose bridges, accompanied by locking nuts. Bottom Line: This Strat is a signature model of Iron Maiden’s legend Dave Murray. Then we have Fender’s ’65 Pure Vintage single-coils that manage to precisely capture what their old pickups from the 1960s did. You’ll only get them with this particular guitar. … Many of them can do more than that, so this is a great question. Neck: Maple Gibson 2016 Les Paul Studio HP ; 4. Phil McKnight comparing Squier Classic Vibe with a made in Mexico Fender Stratocaster: Pickups: Vintage Noiseless single-coils Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community.