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Find Out The Best Cheap Electric Guitars 2024
There will always be debate about which is the best cheap guitar. Expert reviewers spend hours testing every model, weighing their pros and cons, but they can’t conclude.
While the choice can’t be narrowed down to a single one, I’ve compiled a list of the cheapest guitars that sound pretty decent despite their economic build. Let’s have a look at the best and most affordable options.
Learn how the electric guitar body evolved throughout the years!
Squier Bullet Telecaster – 200$
The Squier Bullet Telecaster is one of the best inexpensive electric guitars. It offers decent performance for its price point. The guitar features a lightweight basswood body and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck. It also has a very accessible truss rod. So, here is a brief Squier Bullet Telecaster review.
One of the standout features of the Bullet Telecaster is its versatile electronics. Equipped with two single-coil pickups, it delivers that classic Telecaster twang. It is suitable for various musical genres, from country to rock. The three-way pickup selector is positioned conveniently.
This is one of the best cheap guitars. It has a comfortable neck profile and medium jumbo frets, which facilitate smooth and easy fretting. Thanks to the six-saddle hardtail bridge, it stays in tune reasonably well. However, the neck finish tends to be a little rough, and the body is quite plain-looking.
Pros and Cons of The Squier Bullet Telecaster
Pros
- Inexpensive but lasting wood
- The guitar feels more comfortable
- Decent pickups offering signature Tele sound
- Jumbo frets and good playability
- Tune rarely dropping
Cons
- Roughneck finish
- Plain body finish and design
Cheap Electric Guitar Yamaha Pacifica 012DLX – 220$
The Yamaha Pacifica 012 is a beginner’s guitar that combines affordability with solid performance. It is one of the best electric guitars on a budget with its lightweight agathis body and a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fretboard.
Equipped with a trio of single-coil pickups, the Yamaha Pacifica 012 offers a versatile tonal range. It can produce clean, crisp tones for various music styles, from blues to rock. The five-way pickup selector switch allows for easy tonal adjustments.
The Yamaha electric guitar Pacifica 012 boasts a comfortable neck profile and medium-sized frets, making it easy for beginners to navigate. The tremolo bridge adds some whammy bar fun for those experimenting with pitch modulation.
Pros and Cons of The Yamaha Pacifica 012
Pros
- Three single-coil pickups offering tone versatility
- Lightweight body
- Five-way pickup switch
- Comfortable neck profile and fretboard
- Tremolo bridge
- It’s one of the cheapest and best guitars you can buy within the price bracket.
Cons
- Bolt-on neck, not the strongest
- Tune drops because of the tremolo bridge
Ibanez GRG Gio Series Solid Body Guitar – 250$
While buying good cheap guitars, we don’t suggest purchasing any unknown brand. So, to minimize that concern, we have put the Ibanez GRG, one of the best budget guitars for metal, on our list. This features a solid basswood body with a striking finish, making it visually appealing. Its double-cutaway RG-style body design provides easy access to the higher frets.
Equipped with two humbucking pickups, the Ibanez GRG Gio series delivers a wide range of tones. Thanks to its robust, high-output pickups, it excels in rock and metal genres. The five-way pickup selector switch allows for various pickup combinations, enhancing the tonal versatility of one of the best cheap guitars. You can try its versatile sound with various types of pedals and amps.
The mono-unit output jack is made of solid, durable material and is a single piece to avoid unwanted movement and loosening of the jack, which leads to contact failure or disconnection.
Pros and Cons of The Ibanez GRG GIO Series
Pros
- Aesthetic cutaways and finish
- Smooth and comfortable fretboard
- High-output pickups suitable for rock/metal playing
- Semi-Floyd Rose Bridge
Cons
- Unstable tuning
Cort Classic Rock CR100 – 399$
The Cort Classic Rock CR100 is a budget-friendly rock guitar that offers surprisingly good performance. It features a mahogany body and neck, contributing to a warm and resonant tone. Equipped with two humbucking pickups, this guitar produces classic rock tones with a thick and powerful sound.
The maple fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets ensures smooth playability, and the Tune-O-Matic bridge enhances tuning stability. While it may not match the quality of more expensive instruments, the CR100 is an excellent choice for beginners seeking a budget-friendly versatile guitar for rock and similar genres.
Pros and Cons of The Cort Classic Rock CR100
Pros
- Emulates class rock tones well
- Sturdy mahogany body
- Jumbo frets
- Tuning stability
Cons
- Limited tonal range
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V – 330$ – Choose The Best
The Yamaha Pacifica 112V is one of the best cheap guitar models available. It boasts a versatile HSS pickup configuration with a bridge humbucker and two single-coil pickups, offering a wide tonal range for various musical styles. Its vintage-style tremolo bridge allows for expressive pitch modulation.
The “C”-shaped maple neck and 22-fret rosewood fretboard ensure comfortable playability and smooth fretting. The fret sizes are quite small and may not be to everyone’s taste, though. Crafted with a solid alder body, this guitar delivers a balanced and resonant tone, making it great for beginners.
Pros and Cons of The Yamaha Pacifica 112V
Pros
- Combination of humbucker and single-coil pickups
- Tremolo bridge
- C-shaped neck
- Smooth rosewood fretboard
- Renowned guitar brand
Cons
- Small frets
Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 – 269$
The Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 is a versatile electric guitar designed to deliver classic Les Paul tones with modern features. Its solid mahogany body and glossy finish provide durability. The mahogany neck has a comfortable “SlimTaper D” profile and a rosewood fretboard featuring 22 medium jumbo frets. It is one of the best electric guitars under $400 and ensures excellent bending capabilities.
The E1 features a pair of powerful humbuckers in the electronics department. There is a 650R in the neck position, and a 700T in the bridge position. These pickups offer a wide tonal range, suitable for both heavy and mellow music. The guitar’s chrome hardware, including the tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece, enhances tuning stability and sustain.
Pros and Cons of The Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1
Pros
- The gloss finish looks good
- Slin and comfortable neck
- Better pickups compared to other guitars in the price range.
- Tuning reliability
Cons
- Short scale length leading to a dark tone
Squier Bullet Mustang HH – 199$
Inspired by the Fender Stratocaster, the Squier Bullet Mustang HH is one of the best budget guitars with a stylish electric guitar that blends retro charm with contemporary performance. Its solid basswood body provides a balanced tonal foundation, and it’s available in an array of eye-catching finishes to suit different tastes.
The guitar’s maple neck, with its “C”-shaped profile, ensures comfortable playability, making it suitable for players of all levels. The rosewood fretboard features 22 medium jumbo frets. The fretboard accommodates light gauge strings very well.
Equipped with a pair of humbucking pickups, this Mustang offers a versatile tonal palette, delivering everything from warm and mellow sounds to punchy, overdriven tones. The guitar is especially suitable for pop, classic rock, jazz, etc genres. And, all these features make it a great guitar to start your musical journey.
Pros and Cons of The Squier Bullet Mustang HH
Pros
- Versatile humbucking pickups
- Good with light gauge strings
- Fixed bridge
- Good tuning stability
- Gives you a Fender Strat vibe.
Cons
- Rough finishing of frets
Donner DST-152R Electric Guitar-200$
If you’re a beginner and looking for an affordable guitar, you can choose the Donner DST-152R Electric Guitar guitars without any doubt. It’s a model that has been gaining attention for its affordability and features that cater to both beginners and intermediate guitar players.
The guitar is equipped with two single-coil pickups and one humbucker, allowing for a diverse tonal palette from bright, clean tones to warm, rich distortions. The DST-152R also boasts a 5-way switch, providing extensive sound customization options.
Its aesthetic appeal is heightened by its vibrant red finish and classic body shape, making it not only a pleasure to play but also a standout piece in any guitar collection. With added player-friendly features such as a synchronized tremolo bridge for expressive vibrato effects and a comprehensive accessory pack, the DST-152R represents a remarkable blend of functionality, style, and value.
Pros & Cons of Donner DST-152R Electric Guitar
Pros
- Guitar comes with a bundle of useful accessories, including a gig bag, strap, and picks.
- The guitar has a classic look with vintage-style tuning machines and overall detailing.
- Versatile Sound.
- Budget electric guitar.
Cons
- Limited upgrade potential
Jackson Dinky JS22 DKA Electric Guitar -200$
The Jackson Dinky JS22 DKA Electric Guitar is a model celebrated for its sleek design, playability, and affordability, making it one of the best budget guitar for metal and hard rock guitarists in particular. The JS22 DKA features a lightweight, arch-topped poplar body with a natural finish that highlights the wood’s grain, giving it a striking appearance. The Dinky body shape is renowned for its ergonomic contours and balance.
The guitar features a 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge for smooth whammy bar action and die-cast tuners, ensuring reliable tuning stability and precise intonation. The neck’s speed profile and the amaranth fretboard with 24 jumbo frets facilitate fast playing and easy access to the upper frets.
Pros & Cons of Jackson Dinky JS22 DKA Electric Guitar
Pros
- High-output guitar pickups.
- The guitar benefits from solid construction and materials ensuring it can withstand the rigors of regular use.
- The natural wood finish and arch top design make it visually appealing.
Cons
- While the pickups offer high output, they may also introduce some noise, particularly at high gain settings.
Donner Solid Body Electric Guitar – 180$
The Donner Solid Body Electric Guitar is one of the best cheap electric guitars offering a blend of quality, affordability, and versatility. This instrument features a solid basswood body, maple neck, and a comfortable fretboard that together provide a smooth playing experience and durability.
It is equipped with two single-coil pickups and one humbucker, allowing for a wide range of tones from clean and bright to rich and distorted, suitable for various music genres. The guitar also boasts a classic design with a modern twist, available in several finishes to suit different aesthetic preferences.
Pros & Cons of Donner Solid Body Electric Guitar
Pros
- The maple neck and ergonomic body design make the guitar comfortable and easy to play.
- Players can choose a guitar that visually appeals to them in multiple finishes.
- Versatility
Cons
- While versatile, the pickups may not offer the depth and clarity of higher-end expensive guitars.
The List Goes On
We made this list based on what we believe to be the most suitable value guitars. But choosing the best one is tricky as many guitars are on the market now. Here are some additional guitars, such as Gibson, Gretsch G2622, PRS SE Standard 24, etc. Please consider these options when making your decision.
Conclusion
There is no singular best cheap guitar out there. But there is one that suits you the most, considering all the factors like playstyle, tone preference, and budget. See what models suit your needs, and go for it!
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