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
- ๐ธ Strat-Style Double Cutaway Design: Classic 38" electric guitar with contoured body for comfortable playability and iconic shape โ ideal for beginners and learners
- ๐๏ธ H-S-S Pickup Configuration: Equipped with 1 Humbucker and 2 Single Coil pickups, 5-way selector switch, 1 Volume and 2 Tone controls for versatile tone options
- ๐ถ 21 Frets & Glossy Black Finish:โจFeatures 21 frets and a rich Full Black gloss finish for a vintage look and expressive playing across the fretboard
- ๐ช Quality Build Materials - Full Wood Construction:โจCrafted with Linden wood body, Maple neck, and Rosewood fingerboard, steel strings and wood frame for a warm, resonant tone and reliable performance
- ๐๏ธ Chrome Die-Cast Tuners:โจGeared tuning keys ensures precise and stable tuning even with regular play and string bends with 5-way pickup selector, 1 Volume, and 2 Tone control knobs
- ๐ผ Complete Starter Kit:โจIncludes padded gig bag, guitar cable, 2 picks, tremolo rod, and 2 allen keys โ all essentials to start playing right away
- HSS Pickup Configuration: The Kadence guitar brings together the timeless sound of two single-coil pickups with the power of a humbucker in the bridge position, unlocking a spectrum of tones spanning from crystal-clear cleans to searing high-gain crunch. Seamlessly switch between sonic realms with the versatile five-way pickup selector, while fine-tuning your sound using the conveniently placed volume and dual tone controls.
- Premium wood: Kadence Electric Guitar is built using highly sought-after alder tonewood, providing strong upper-midrange, clear bass, and characteristic scooped mids. Enjoy greater sustain and resonance, resulting in a versatile, well-balanced sound ideal for various genres.
- Truss Rod- Kadence electric guitars use a double action truss rod. 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.
- Stunning Design: The Kadence Astroman Electric Guitar features a striking Black finish, making it a visually captivating instrument that will turn heads wherever you play.
- Gig bag + accessories: Picks, Cable, Strap, Bag, Strings and Amplifier
- HSS Pickup Configuration: The Kadence guitar brings together the timeless sound of two single-coil pickups with the power of a humbucker in the bridge position, unlocking a spectrum of tones spanning from crystal-clear cleans to searing high-gain crunch. Seamlessly switch between sonic realms with the versatile five-way pickup selector, while fine-tuning your sound using the conveniently placed volume and dual tone controls.
- Premium wood: Kadence Electric Guitar is built using highly sought-after alder tonewood, providing strong upper-midrange, clear bass, and characteristic scooped mids. Enjoy greater sustain and resonance, resulting in a versatile, well-balanced sound ideal for various genres.
- Truss Rod- Kadence electric guitars use a double action truss rod. 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.
- Stunning Design: The Kadence Astroman Electric Guitar features a striking Black finish, making it a visually captivating instrument that will turn heads wherever you play.
- Gig bag + Cable
- Strat-Style Double Cutaway Design: Classic Strat-inspired 38" electric guitar with contoured body for comfortable playability and iconic style.
- H-S-S Pickup Configuration: Versatile tone setup with 1 Humbucker and 2 Single Coil pickups, ideal for clean rhythm to overdrive-heavy solos.
- 21 Frets & Glossy 3TS Finish: Features 21 frets and a rich 3-Tone Sunburst gloss finish for a vintage look and expressive playing across the fretboard
- Quality Build Materials: Features a Linden wood body, Maple neck, and Rosewood fingerboard for a warm, resonant tone and reliable performance
- Chrome Die-Cast Tuners: Ensures precise and stable tuning with 5-way pickup selector, 1 Volume, and 2 Tone control knobs
- Complete Starter Kit: Includes padded gig bag, Tremolo Rod, guitar cable, 2 picks, and a hex key โ everything you need to start playing immediately
- Strat-Style Double Cutaway Design: Classic Strat-inspired 38" electric guitar with contoured body for comfortable playability and iconic style
- H-S-S Pickup Configuration: Versatile tone setup with 1 Humbucker and 2 Single Coil pickups, ideal for clean rhythm to overdrive-heavy solos
- 21 Frets & Glossy Black Finish: Features 21 frets and a rich black gloss finish for a vintage look and expressive playing across the fretboard
- Quality Build Materials: Features a Linden wood body, Maple neck, and Rosewood fingerboard for a warm, resonant tone and reliable performance
- Chrome Die-Cast Tuners: Ensures precise and stable tuning with 5-way pickup selector, 1 Volume, and 2 Tone control knobs
- Complete Starter Kit: Includes padded gig bag, guitar cable, 2 picks, and a hex key โ everything you need to start playing immediately
- ๐ธ Strat-Style Double Cutaway Design:โจClassic Strat-inspired 38" electric guitar with contoured body for comfortable playability and iconic style
- ๐๏ธ H-S-S Pickup Configuration:โจVersatile tone setup with 1 Humbucker and 2 Single Coil pickups, ideal for clean rhythm to overdrive-heavy solos
- ๐ถ 21 Frets & Glossy Red Finish:โจFeatures 21 frets and a rich Red gloss finish for a vintage look and expressive playing across the fretboard
- ๐ช Quality Build Materials:โจFeatures a Linden wood body, Maple neck, and Rosewood fingerboard for a warm, resonant tone and reliable performance
- ๐๏ธ Chrome Die-Cast Tuners:โจEnsures precise and stable tuning with 5-way pickup selector, 1 Volume, and 2 Tone control knobs
- ๐ผ Complete Starter Kit:โจIncludes padded gig bag, shoulder strap, guitar cable, 2 picks, and a hex key โ everything you need to start playing immediately
- Fast, slim Maple neck
- Beautiful quilted Maple art grain top
- High output Infinity R pickups
- ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ-๐๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ: The PAC012 features a double-cutaway Strat-style body, offering easy upper fret access and a lightweight, balanced feel for beginner-friendly playability.
- ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ค๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฌ: Equipped with one humbucker and two single-coil pickups, this guitar covers a wide range of tones ideal for rock, blues, jazz, and clean pop sounds.
- ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐: Combining a smooth maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, the guitar ensures fast, comfortable play for beginners and intermediate players alike.
- ๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ ๐-๐๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฅ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐: Add expressive vibrato to your playing with the vintage-style tremolo system, perfect for dynamic leads and creative playing.
- ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ-๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ: Designed for students and aspiring guitarists, the PAC012 delivers excellent tone, playability, and Yamahaโs reliable craftsmanship at an affordable price.
- ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฒ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ก: The bold black finish gives the PAC012 a sleek, modern look that stands out on stage while maintaining Yamahaโs signature quality and durability.
- ๐ธ Strat-Style Double Cutaway Design: Classic 38" electric guitar with contoured body for comfortable playability and iconic shape โ ideal for beginners and learners
- ๐๏ธ H-S-S Pickup Configuration: Equipped with 1 Humbucker and 2 Single Coil pickups, 5-way selector switch, 1 Volume and 2 Tone controls for versatile tone options
- ๐ถ 21 Frets & Glossy Lake Placid Metallic Blue Finish:โจFeatures 21 frets and a rich Lake Placid Metallic Blue gloss finish for a vintage look and expressive playing across the fretboard
- ๐ช Quality Build Materials - Full Wood Construction:โจCrafted with Linden wood body, Maple neck, and Rosewood fingerboard, steel strings and wood frame for a warm, resonant tone and reliable performance
- ๐๏ธ Chrome Die-Cast Tuners:โจGeared tuning keys ensures precise and stable tuning even with regular play and string bends with 5-way pickup selector, 1 Volume, and 2 Tone control knobs
- ๐ผ Complete Starter Kit:โจIncludes padded gig bag, guitar cable, 2 picks, tremolo rod, and 2 allen keys โ all essentials to start playing right away
- Ceramic Single Coil Pickups : Features three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching that offers a wide range of classic Strat tones, and the tremolo bridge and removable arm allows for exciting string-bending effects.
Buyerโs 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. Thatโs 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, thereโs a vast range of guitar for rock players in this range.
Electric guitar type to buy
Youโll 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 youโll play a mix of rhythm and solos.
How the electronics function?
Obviously, youโll need to test the sound. And one thing youโll 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 donโt 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 guitarโs construction
Many beginners may not consider this option. But in our experience, elite players are very sensitive when choosing an electric guitar thatโs easy to play, and one thatโs 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 guitarโs 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, weโve 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 doesnโt 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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