The Squier by Fender Classic Vibe is one of the best beginner electric guitars that you can get for less than $500. You can usually find an electric guitar in one of these three body types: Are you right or left-handed? However, such electric guitars are often less reliable and durable. Combining compression, boost and a powerful EQ section, could this unassuming grey box from Croatia be the ultimate tone-enhancer? It also features nickel plated hardware and a vintage gloss finish for a’60s styling. Some consider the grooved barrel saddles unstable, while others believe they contribute to the Jazzmaster’s signature low sustain and sonic artefacts. Last updated: September 30, 2020. With a slightly more curvaceous body, there’s little to seperate these budget instruments from their American counterparts. The compound radius is an important one, though: it means you’ll feel as comfortable holding down chords as you would soloing on the upper registers. Aside from its performance and super-resonant sound, the look of the Ibanez RG450DX RG Series is also admirable. We picked these guitars based on two main criteria: their ‘uniqueness’ and the value of their feature set, construction and specs. While it may resemble a Les Paul, the EC-256 isn’t quite as traditional. You can make adjustments to turn a cheap guitar into a monster, however, by upgrading things like the strings, pickups, and even hardware like the bridge and tuners. The first edition was published November 2016 written by guitar teacher Alexander Briones who also wrote the latest edition published on June 20, 2020. Both are known for their slightly dirty tone and musical midrange bump, and both pickups are offset: the treble end of the humbucker is tilted towards the bridge, and vice-versa for the P-90. The goal of this guide is to find the best solidbody electric guitars that you can readily buy in the $200 to $500 price range. The circuitry’s complex, the bridge is notoriously wonky, and it feels huge when you’re playing sitting down. Ibanez Warranty: 1 year. Simplicity lies at the heart of the S521. Its mahogany body is a rich starlight blue that’ll catch the attention of your audience and shock the competition when they hear how much it costs. It’s not ideal, but it’s not a deal-breaker either. If a Gibson Flying V isn’t demonic looking enough for you, then we have the answer. The offset guitar retains many of the old-school specs that made the model famous back in the day, with a few modern enhancements to appeal to contemporary players. That’s thanks to the Schecter Diamond SuperRock-II humbuckers that offer straightforward fat, hot tones – but they’re also coil-split, opening up another world of single-coil sounds. Go from the sizzling cleans of a neck single-coil, to the dirt of the bridge humbucker, to the power of both humbuckers in tandem – or anything in-between. The budget Tele is a guitar built for more wallet conscious players, but fully equipped with the vintage feel of a true “blackguard.”. By paying about 20 percent of the price of a US-made Music Man, compromises can be expected. Ibanez Standard ART120QA . He’s famously driven and single-minded, constantly seeking out great instruments and unique sounds to build a unique catalogue of stellar guitar music. Combine this with the guitar’s molded tremolo, and you have a unique looking and sounding six-string instrument that delivers great tones, versatility, and playability. For even higher levels of playability, go for an electric guitar that offers easy access to master volume and tone controls. You can't go wrong with the best electric guitars under $500; How low can you go with the best 8-string guitars; Go unplugged with the best acoustic guitars for all budgets; Best electric guitars: Our top picks. Whether you’re on a strict budget for your first axe or you’re looking for a project guitar, here are our picks of the best electric guitars under $500. If you have a few more dollars to put towards a new electric, check out our review on the top picks for electrics under $1000! If you’re lusting over an original Jazzmaster but don’t want to plonk down thousands of bucks for it, the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Jazzmaster is right up your alley. If you are on a budget or just learning how to rock an electric guitar, you are probably better off going with one of the electric guitars under $500 on our list. As such, be sure to never compromise the quality or functionality of a guitar for looks. Guitars that are easier to play will have their strings as close to the fretboard as possible. Your email address will not be published. That said, the comfort and sound of this guitar also work well for pro guitarists. You want an electric guitar without spending loads of money…is what these metaphors mean. Electric guitars can be quite pricey. However, you can’t coil-split them individually to form HS or SH combinations, for instance. Five years on from the King Of The Blues’ death in 2015, aged 89, a new movie featuring Wendell Pierce as BB is in the works. We won’t waste your time with words on how and why the SG is as iconic as it is. The Gretsch GG2420T Streamliner is incredible value for money and a wonderful entrée into the diverse world of Gretsch instruments. The pedal is based around the searing tones of Tony Iommi. Its neck is maple, while its fingerboard is rosewood. The build quality is consistently neat across the range, and we find very little to complain about, especially in this price bracket. It isn’t quite as fast, but the thick ‘shoulders’ of the G-400’s neck make this model generally more comfortable when holding down power or barred chords. Whether you’re a first-timer with an electric guitar or a pro, you’ll be comfortable with the PAC112V’s C-shape profile. But the pickups are also where the G-400 goes a step beyond the SG. The right guitar body for you will depend on your unique preferences and needs. In this case, it’s all about rock and metal. This list features some of th best electric guitars under $500. Whatever brings you to this list of the best electric guitars under $500, I’ve chosen a great arsenal for you to admire. The December 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! When it comes to looks, the Ibanez AS53TKF is hard to ignore. Fortunately, in recent years, the guitar market has become very competitive, meaning you can now get not just a new guitar, but an awesome one for less than $500. The Australian guitarist on her Gibson signature model, Flying Vs, fuzz and why she didn’t sweat the small stuff on new album, O. 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