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So you’re looking for the best electric guitars in the world right now? Then that can only mean one thing: you’ve decided to learn how to play guitar, and we couldn’t be more stoked to welcome you! Learning the guitar is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do, and we should know, as between all of us here are Guitar World we’ve been playing guitar for a very, very long time.
In our simple, straightforward guide to electric guitars for, we’ll give you a comprehensive overview of what you should be looking for when searching for your first ever electric guitar.
From the different styles available, to the specific features and functions that matter most when you’re first starting out, our round-up has you fully covered.
Contents
- 1 Best Electric Guitars For Beginners
- 2
- 3 Best Electric Guitars Under $1000
- 4 Best Electric Guitars Under $300
- 5
- 6 Best Cheap Electric Guitars
- 7 Best Electric Guitars Under $500
- 8
- 9 Best Electric Guitars Under $200
- 10 Best Beginner Electric Guitars
- 11
- 12 Best Electric Guitars Of All Time
- 13
- 14 Best Budget Electric Guitars
- 15
- 16 Best Electric Guitars For Small Hands
- 17
- 18 Best Mini Electric Guitars
- 19
- 20 FAQs
Best Electric Guitars For Beginners
![Best Electric Guitars [2020] - Buyer's Guide & Review](images/lazy_placeholder.gif)
1. Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster
While there are slightly cheaper models in their catalogue, the Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster takes our vote as the best electric guitar. It’s well-made, so able to withstand your formative playing years, and is cost-effective too. Both important ingredients when choosing your first electric.
If the Strat itself doesn’t appeal to you, the beginner-friendly range extends to include Telecasters, Jaguars and Jazzmasters, so there is bound to be a guitar that suits you at this early stage in your guitar playing journey.
2. Yamaha Pacifica 112V
First introduced in 1993, the Yamaha Pacifica 112V has earned its place at the table of quality best electric guitars for beginners. While it doesn’t bring with it quite the same mojo as a Fender or a Gibson, the Pacifica range makes up for that with levels of playability and build quality that far exceed expectations from its smaller price tag.
A juicy-sounding humbucker at the bridge ensures overdriven sounds are well within reach, while the two single coils pickups provide a superb breadth of tones. While there are undoubtedly ‘cheap’ guitars you’ll outgrow in no time, the Pacifica has enough interest to remain a staple in your roster for years to come.
3. Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro III
Chances are, if you’ve heard any recorded music from the past 60 years you’ve heard the sounds of a Gibson Les Paul. Played by some of music’s biggest and best names, these iconic guitars are synonymous with rock and heavy music. So what better place for a beginner to begin than with their own slice of musical history?
The Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro III is the Gibson offshoot brand’s best electric guitar, and it packs all that knowledge and understanding into a near-perfect package here. Two humbuckers deliver a great palette of tones, while the mahogany body ensures sustain that goes for hours.
4. Gretsch G2420 Streamliner
If country, folk and jazz are more your style, the Gretsch G2420 Streamliner could be the best electric guitar for you. Coming from a brand with a rich heritage, this hollow-body electric delivers a much different playing experience to the other guitars featured in this list.
For a start, the tones it produces are much more vibrant and expressive on account of its semi-acoustic nature. Where other guitars require an amp to mould and shape a tone, this guitar simply requires its inherent tonality to be made louder, such is the richness on offer. Don’t be put off by its size either – the G2420 has curves in all the right places and playing it is no more difficult than any other guitar.
Best Electric Guitars Under $1000
1. Fender Vintera 50s Stratocaster
Fender’s much-talked about Vintera series for 2019 offers tremendous value for the quality it delivers. So it’s no surprise that the ’50s Stratocaster is only one of three Vintera guitars that have made this list. But first, let’s take a look at why this S-type is a serious contender when it comes to the best electric guitars under $1,000.
The ’50s Stratocaster is one of our favourite Strats at the moment simply because it just oozes old-school cool. From its three vintage-style 50s Strat single-coil pickups to its period-correct Soft V neck profile to its vintage-leaning frets and tremolo system, this guitar looks, sounds and feels the part.
Where tone is concerned, the ’50s Stratocaster delivers a tremendously forward lead tone in the neck. Switching over to bridge, however, will give you brighter and twangier tones. Combine these with a six-point vintage-leaning tremolo and you have a rock ’n’ roll-ready axe that’ll only set you back $900.
2. Sterling by Music Man JP160
If you’re done learning the scales and are looking for a Super Strat to start shredding, the Sterling by Music Man JP160 might just be your best bet. Designed in collaboration with guitar god John Petrucci himself, this best electric guitar will fulfil your need for speed. Look elsewhere though, if high-octane riffs are not your thing.
The most notable design feature on the guitar is the forearm scoop on the mahogany body. We don’t need to tell you that shredding takes hours upon hours of practice – this ergonomic design will make that slightly more bearable. The fast roasted hard maple neck and 16-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard are also geared for blistering fretwork.
For electronics, the JP160 features a pair of hot humbuckers that sound great whether clean or distorted. A volume and tone knob and a three-way pup selector govern the guitar’s sound, so dialling in your desired setting won’t take very long. There’s also an active boost, attached to the volume control, that offers an additional 12 dB of gain.
3. Fender Vintera 50s Telecaster
If you can’t be dissuaded to try anything other than a Telecaster, then your best bet for a T-style under $1,000 is the Fender Vintera 50s Telecaster. Arguably the best instrument in the Vintera line-up, this best electric guitar is a no-nonsense, vintage-leaning Tele with a superb neck.
Honing in on our favourite feature, the U-shaped maple neck – with 7.25-inch-radius fretboard – feels big, but not uncomfortably so. The shape is particularly suited to those who play with their thumbs over the top. The neck is also well-lacquered, so there’s no “stickiness”, and it blends gorgeously into the headstock.
Plugging the 50s Tele in, you’ll find the pickups deliver nothing short of pristine clarity. The constantly criticised Telecaster neck pickup excels here, delivering excellent articulation and decay. This best electric guitar is not all chime, though. Stomping on a Tube Screamer will show you it’s equally adept at raunch. We’ll concede that the three-saddle bridge isn’t great for intonation, but for day-to-day usage, it’ll be just fine.