Get ready to rock on a budget! We’ve uncovered even more hidden gems from other brands to add to our long list of affordable electric guitars.
Guitars for Budget Warriors
Electric guitars have been a staple in popular music for decades, from the raw and edgy sound of rock ‘n’ roll to the soulful tones of blues and jazz. For some, buying an electric guitar can seem like a significant investment, leading to feelings of discouragement. But don’t lose hope!
There are plenty of budget-friendly guitars with incredible tones available in the market.
When it comes to investing in an electric guitar, preparation is key. Take the time to do your research, read reviews, and seek recommendations from experienced guitar players.
Take a look at these additional guitar brands to explore:
- Jackson
- Kramer
- Gretsch
- Guild
- Schecter
- Sterling
With a wide range of options, you can uncover hidden budget-friendly gems that meet your musical needs. Discover classic designs and modern innovations from different brands and broaden your horizons today.
Best Affordable Electric Guitars
In addition to Epiphone, Ibanez, Squier, and Yamaha beginner electric guitars, we’ve uncovered a treasure trove of budget-friendly guitar options. Join us as we look at each guitar and explore its features, sound quality, and value for money.
Here are the top picks for low-budget electric guitars.
JACKSON Beginner Electric Guitars
Jackson Guitars is a renowned brand known for its iconic designs. Founded in 1980 by Grover Jackson, the company quickly gained popularity among heavy metal and hard rock guitarists.
Jackson guitars are celebrated for their sleek, aggressive look, featuring distinctive body shapes such as the Rhoads, Soloist, and Dinky models. These designs not only look great but also improve playability. It provides easy access to the upper frets for seamless shredding and high-speed playing.
The Jackson JS22 Dinky provides an affordable gateway into the world of high-performance guitars. This guitar boasts a stylish design, comfortable playability, versatile pickups, and a tremolo system, making it suitable for different musical genres and styles. Get this budget-friendly guitar for only $199.99.
Other guitars in the Jackson JS Series are also available at affordable prices, fitting within most budgets.
KRAMER Beginner Electric Guitars
Kramer, known for being “Made to Rock Hard,” was founded by Gary Kramer in the late 1970s. The brand swiftly captured the attention of rock and metal guitarists with its groundbreaking designs and top-notch instruments.
Kramer guitars are known for their striking aesthetics, featuring unique body shapes, eye-catching finishes, and bold graphics. These guitars not only look impressive but also deliver outstanding playability and performance.
With their Floyd Rose tremolo systems, Kramer guitars allow for precise dive bombs, whammy bar action, and reliable tuning stability. This feature enables guitarists to add expressive techniques and dynamic effects to their playing.
Throughout their history, Kramer guitars have been favored by renowned guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen, Richie Sambora, and Vivian Campbell, among others.
Here are some beginner electric guitars available in this collection.
- Kramer Focus VT-211S $199
- Kramer Baretta Special $179, $229
- Kramer Striker HSS $349
GRETSCH Beginner Electric Guitars
Gretsch Guitars has a rich history in music, known for its distinctive designs and iconic sound. The company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a German immigrant, and quickly gained recognition for crafting high-quality instruments. Over the years, Gretsch guitars have become synonymous with rockabilly, country, and rock ‘n’ roll, thanks to their unique aesthetic and vintage-inspired tone.
The guitars often feature hollow or semi-hollow bodies. It uses premium tonewoods such as maple and mahogany, ensuring excellent sustain and warmth.
The Gretsch Streamliner Collection is a series of guitars that offers players a taste of vintage-inspired style and sound at an affordable price point.
The Streamliner Collection features a range of electric guitars with semi-hollow or solid-body designs. The guitars in the collection feature premium materials such as maple bodies, nato necks, and laurel fingerboards. The two Broad’Tron humbucking pickups ensure a well-balanced tone.
You can explore the Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club, Gretsch G2622 Streamliner Center Block, and Gretsch G2622T Streamliner Center Block Double Cut guitars, priced at $349.99, $399.99, and $499.99 respectively.
GUILD Beginner Electric Guitars
Guild Guitars has a rich heritage that spans over six decades. The company was established in 1952 in the United States and quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality instruments with exceptional craftsmanship.
One of the standout features of Guild guitars is their attention to detail. From the precise fretwork to the elegant bindings and inlays, each instrument is meticulously crafted to deliver optimal performance and visual appeal. Guild guitars are known for their excellent playability, thanks to comfortable neck profiles and smooth fretboards that facilitate effortless playing.
Their electric guitar lineup offers a range of versatile instruments suitable for various genres. From the iconic Starfire series with its semi-hollow design to the sleek and powerful S-200 T-Bird, Guild electric guitars are crafted to deliver great tone and performance.
Guild continues to innovate and uphold its legacy by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern advancements. The brand’s commitment to quality ensures that each guitar meets the highest standards of excellence.
In the Guild Surfliner family, you may begin with the standard or HH models at $499.00. Both models feature a poplar body, maple neck, and fingerboard. The standard version has two single-coil pickups and one humbucking pickup, while the HH model boasts two humbucking pickups. Grab this budget-friendly guitar at $499.00.
SCHECTER Beginner Electric Guitars
With a history spanning over four decades, Schecter has built a solid reputation for delivering exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs, and versatile tones.
Schecter Guitar Research was established in 1976 by crafting replacement parts for various guitar brands. Drawing on their experience in producing top-notch components, Schecter made a groundbreaking move by introducing their first fully assembled electric guitars in 1979. These instruments quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional quality and were highly regarded in the industry.
However, due to their premium craftsmanship, they were also priced at a higher range, making them exclusive and available only through a select network of twenty retailers across the United States. This marked the beginning of the shift from being a repair shop to a custom shop.
As time passed, Schecter continued to evolve and expand its product offerings. The brand’s commitment to innovation led to new models tailored to different musical styles and preferences. Schecter’s diverse lineup included guitars suitable for rock, metal, jazz, blues, and other genres.
With their relentless pursuit of excellence, Schecter gradually expanded its distribution network, making their guitars more accessible to a broader audience. Today, Schecter guitars can be found in music stores worldwide, enjoyed by guitarists of all levels and musical backgrounds.
Impressive, Budget-Friendly Shredder!
You can get a Schecter guitar for $499.00, significantly more affordable than some pricier models. It features a poplar top, mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and two humbucking pickups.
STERLING BY MUSIC MAN Beginner Electric Guitars
As part of the prestigious Ernie Ball Family Brand, Sterling by Music Man carries forward a legacy of industry leadership in crafting top-notch guitars and basses. With a reputation for exceptional quality, Sterling guitars exemplify the commitment to excellence that runs deep in the Ernie Ball heritage.
Ernie Ball Music Man launched Sterling by Music Man in 2008 to provide musicians at all levels with access to the exceptional innovation and design for which Ernie Ball Music Man is renowned. All Sterling by Music Man instruments are built in Indonesia with the utmost attention to detail and quality and are designed by Ernie Ball’s world-class team of engineers. This ensures that every Sterling guitar delivers the exceptional playability and superior tone that musicians have come to expect from the Ernie Ball family of brands.
In this collection, you’ll find two low-budget electric guitars priced at only $349.99: the Sterling By Music Man Cutlass CT30SSS and the Sterling By Music Man Cutlass CT30HSS.
Both guitars feature a poplar body with a maple neck and fingerboard. The CT30SSS model has three single-coil pickups, while the CT30HSS variant offers two single-coil pickups and one humbucking pickup.
Rocking the Deals
Rocking the deals isn’t just about affordability; it’s about finding an instrument that inspires you to create music and enhances your playing experience. Each guitar on our list has been carefully chosen to cater to different playing styles, genres, and levels of expertise.
There are two essential factors that reign supreme:
- great sound
- comfort and playability
These elements combine to create an instrument that not only delivers impressive tones but also feels like an extension of your body, allowing you to play effortlessly and expressively.
Remember, affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing your dream guitar. With careful consideration of factors like body type, pickups, neck profile, and brand reputation, you can find an electric guitar that matches your style and preferences. Be open to exploring both well-established and emerging brands, as they often offer unique features and innovative designs at affordable prices.
Just be sure to inspect the instrument thoroughly or consult an experienced guitarist to ensure you’re getting a reliable and playable guitar.
So, take the knowledge you’ve gained from this guide, explore the diverse options available, and let your passion for music guide you to the perfect budget electric guitar.
It’s not about the price tag; it’s about the joy and creativity that comes from strumming those strings and rocking the deals. Happy playing!
