When buying your first electric guitar, you do not just walk into a guitar shop and place an order on any guitar that you find. For one, that is cumbersome. Second, you could end up with a guitar that is too noisy, or a guitar that does not last long. Hence, you have to think about what you need to achieve first before buying any of the guitars you find online or in a brick and mortar guitar shop.
Before you buy any electric guitar, remember that these guitars are not too audible on their own. You, therefore, have to budget for an amp. The amp acts as a sound amplifier and as a monitor during a live performance. You also need a cable to connect the guitar to the amp.
In this market, you will find a range of electric guitars from different manufacturers. All of them come with different designs, shapes, and prices. Therefore, you have to do proper research if you want a guitar that will satisfy your musical needs as a musician.
Our Top Pick
Top 10 Best Electric Guitars
10 Best Electric Guitars Reviews
- Dual Action Truss Rod : The Henrix ST utilizes a dual action truss rod, a feature commonly found in high-end models from renowned brands like Ibanez, Fender, and PRS. This innovative design allows for adjustments in both humid and dry climates. Whether you’re playing in a tropical paradise or a desert, the truss rod can be tightened in either direction, effectively countering the reverse warp phenomenon that often leads to string buzzing. Say goodbye to fret buzz and hello to smooth playability!
- Die Cast Tuners : The guitar boasts high-quality die-cast tuners with chrome plating. These tuners not only ensure precise tuning but also require minimal maintenance. Spend more time playing and less time tuning. Whether you’re jamming in your bedroom or rocking out on stage, these reliable tuners have you covered.
- Tremolo Bridge : Crafted from industrial-grade steel, the tremolo bridge on the Henrix ST delivers exceptional resonance and sustain. The included Tremolo Bar allows you to dive-bomb, flutter, and create expressive pitch variations. The superior construction of this bridge enhances your overall tone and harmonic response. You won’t believe the sound quality you’re getting at this price point!
- This Product Comes With 2 Year Standard Warranty.
- Number of Frets: 18
- Great looks with an innovative design to produce quality sound, Total Strings: 6
- Fingerboard: Linden wood
- Fretboard: Ebony wood
- Size: Cutaway, 38 inches
- Linden binding and full wood construction with geared tuning, wood frame and steel strings
- Solid agathis body
- Maple neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
- One humbucker/2 single-coil pickups
- Chrome tuners
- White pickguard. Vintage-style chrome tremolo
- Cort Powersound humbuckers are high-output to drive your amps and hard pedals while maintaining excellent articulation.
- The Hardtail bridge provides excellent tuning stability and a rich tone that cuts through the mix.
- Simple 1-volume, 1-tone, and 3-way toggle controls provide a variety of great sounds and let you focus on your playing.
- Proven bolt-on construction produces a big, open sound.
- Jatoba is a very dense and stiff wood which makes it ideal for fretboard use. Jatoba produces strong fundamentals and volume projection with an emphasis on upper mids.
- [S-S-H pickups] Two classic Single-coil pickups /One power 203S Humbcker pickup. S-S-H pickups perfect for a Texas blues/rock sound.
- [Maple neck with “C”shaped profile] Rose Wood fingerboard, Maple neck, Solid basswood body, S-S-H pickups, 5-Ways Pickup switch, 2-Volume & tone controls.
- [22 copper-nickel Frets] The electric guitar features a pick up selector switch, a volume knob, and two different tone knobs. 22 copper-nickelFrets with Fret position Marks on neck and top of fingerboard.
- CUSTOM DESIGN: New model features a quality paint finish, custom black tuning pegs, and accented binding for a sleek, sophisticated electric guitar look
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR SOUND: Rock out and experiment with different styles and genres of music with adjustable sound that lets you play anything from blues to rock; the tremolo bridge system allows you to bend the pitch as you play, and the removable whammy bar produces tremolo effects
- Don't miss!! Full description, images and specifications down the page. Kadence guarantees quality and affordability. Kadence - Lets Music!
- The Vault ST1 Strat Style Electric Guitar is sure to stand out among other instruments in your collection. The chrome plating on the guitar's hardware ensures corrosion resistance and immense durability. The body of the guitar is constructed out of sycamore, which imparts adequate stiffness. This tonewood variety produces clean tones with well-defined treble notes. The maple neck produces bright tones with tight lows. Maple is resistant to climatic changes and longevity.
- The Vault ST1 Strat Style Electric Guitar is sure to stand out among other instruments in your collection. The chrome plating on the guitar's hardware ensures corrosion resistance and immense durability. The body of the guitar is constructed out of sycamore, which imparts adequate stiffness. This tonewood variety produces clean tones with well-defined treble notes. The maple neck produces bright tones with tight lows. Maple is resistant to climatic changes and longevity.
- Double Action Truss Rod : Vault guitars use a double action truss rod, which is only available in high-end guitars from Ibanez, Fender, PRS and the likes. It offers the advantage of adjusting the guitar for humid as well as dry climates. The truss rod can be tightened in both directions and the reverse warp dreaded by guitarists, which causes string buzzing can easily be fixed.
- High-Quality Design Pickups : Low-noise high-output pickups which give you exemplarily sound. All pickups come with saddle adjustment screws.
- High-Quality Tuners : High-quality chrome-plated nickel die cast tuners with a 16:1 tuning ratio, which allows for fine-tuning your instrument. These tuners are only found in high-end guitars.
- This Product Comes With 3 Years Standard Warranty.
- Black Glossy Finish, Number of Frets: 18, Acoustic Guitar with strap, Bag, Strings and 2 Picks
- Great looks with an innovative design to produce good quality sound
- Finger board: Linden Wood, Fretboard - Ebony Wood, Size: 38 inches, Cutaway
- Included components: Acoustic Guitar with strap, Bag, Strings and 2 Picks
- Linden Binding and Full Wood Construction with Geared Tuning, Wood Frame and Steel Strings
- Solid agathis body
- Maple neck, Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
- Rosewood fingerboard
- One humbucker/2 single-coil pickups
- The Vault RG1 Soloist Electric Guitar exhibits shark-tooth inlays, which add an exquisite appeal to the instrument. Includes a whammy bar for extended playing styles. The chrome plating on the hardware offers the ultimate protection from corrosion, tarnishing and guarantees extreme durability. The basswood construction of the body helps dampen the highs, thus offering smooth and well-rounded tones. This instrument is modelled on the RG-style electric guitars
- Double Action Truss Rod : Vault guitars use a double action truss rod, which is only available in high-end guitars from Ibanez, Fender, PRS and the likes. It offers the advantage of adjusting the guitar for humid as well as dry climates. The truss rod can be tightened in both directions and the reverse warp dreaded by guitarists, which causes string buzzing, can easily be fixed.
- High-Quality Design Pickups : Low-noise high-output pickups which give you exemplary sound. All pickups come with saddle adjustment screws.
- High-Quality Tuners : High-quality chrome-plated nickel die-cast tuners with a 16:1 tuning ratio, which allows for fine-tuning your instrument. These tuners are only found in high-end guitars.
- Jumbo Frets : Jumbo frets used in Vault are only found in premium guitars. Jumbo frets are made with a thicker gauge wire, and consequently, the top of the fret is further away from the fretboard. Advantages include- you can get your fretting-hand fingers further down in the gap to the side of the string, allowing you to put sideward pressure on the string more easily.
- Tremolo Bridge with Whammy Bar : High-quality Tremolo bridge with Whammy Bar for better resonance and sustain. Made of industrial grade steel, the tremolo gives a better tone and harmonic response than any of the guitars.
- You'll want to play the ibanez GSA60 electric guitar for hours on end.
- Bundled package includes ibanez GSA60 solid body electric guitar (black), an SKB hard-shell flight case, one Ernie ball strap, a korg gt-1 tuner (w/backlight)and a patch cable.
- The tremelo is also included
- A tremendous value for the price and this guitar is ideal for any playing level
Buyer’s Guide : Things That Help
What style of music do you want to play?
Manufacturers understand the aspect of producing guitars that fit a particular set of musicians. That’s why when you are buying any guitar, whether electric or acoustic, the salesperson may ask you want kind of style do you want to play.
For instance, if you desire to be a blues guitarist, then any semi-hollow guitar would suit the purpose. However, for a metal player, the range on semi-hollow guitars would be too small for you. Going for an electric guitar for rock aesthetics and extended range is what you should buy. And trust me, there’s a vast range of guitar for rock players in this range.
Electric guitar type to buy
You’ll hear the salesperson mention certain guitar types such as Stratocasters, Telecasters, and semi-hollow electric guitars. Both Stratocasters and telecasters depend on the electronics only to produce the sound. On the other hand, a semi-hollow guitar has F-shaped holes on the body, which work together with the electronics to affect the overall tone of the guitar.
Another thing: if you are a lead guitarist, and you would like to major on metal rock, look for a guitar with an extended range for extra room for your solos. If you are a blues guitarist, this may not really matter, since you’ll play a mix of rhythm and solos.
How the electronics function?
Obviously, you’ll need to test the sound. And one thing you’ll have to examine is how the electronics function.
Electric guitars have two types of pickups, active and passive pickups. Both are different in that active pickups rely on a battery to boost the amp, while passive pickups don’t need any batteries.
Also, manufacturers typically manufacture two types of pickups. The first one is a single-coil, and the other is the humbucker. Both are excellent choices. Note, however, humbucker pickups tend to be very loud and produce humming, which you need to learn to configure as a musician.
You also need to consider the pickup arrangement. Most strats use single-coil pickups on the bridge, middle, and neck position. Telecasters use two wide range single-coil pickups, but telecasters provide clear signals than strats, according to most musicians.
Tone shaping options
As a musician, you need to know how you want to sound right of the bat. So, depending on your needs, choose a guitar that suits you.
Most electric guitars in the 500$ price range will come with a volume, several tone knobs, and a toggle switch. The toggle switch helps the player alter the pickup position depending on what kind of sound they would like to achieve.
Some brands, such as the Epiphone, also include a coil-tap option on one of the tone control knobs. They also offer extra tone-shaping options on the pickups, such that you can use several at the same time.
The electric guitar’s construction
Many beginners may not consider this option. But in our experience, elite players are very sensitive when choosing an electric guitar that’s easy to play, and one that’s not.
So, ensure that you know the quality of materials used to make the guitar, the finish on the neck, the headstock, the tuning machines, and the fretboard material.
Note: as much as the finish on the neck is vital for the guitar’s appeal, it affects the comfort of the guitar, and the ease of transitioning across the fretboard and neck.
Final Words
From the list above, we noticed that selecting the best guitars was a task. And so, we’ve made it easy for you. Note, however, as we were listing the above ten guitars, each had its strength and weaknesses. Therefore, while buying, make sure to notice the strengths and weaknesses to avoid purchasing a guitar that doesn’t sound the way you desire.
Also, it is essential to understand that guitars within the 500-dollar range are quality guitar. They are not for beginners only. Hence, you can use such a guitar even when you go up the skill level or even during live performances.
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