Best Electric Guitars - Your Guide To A Great Sounding Instrument

Last Updated: November 19, 2019 As usual we saw a huge change in what’s hot and what’s not in the electric guitar market, so we set about reflecting those changes with new additions to our mega chart. We removed a handful of models that were harder to find, and instead replaced them with new for 2019 models, including the high-end Gibson Les Paul Standard 2019 and Ibanez RG5121. Two high-end signature models we also added in the EVH Striped Series 5150 and Fender Rory Gallagher Signature Stratocaster, while metal was well represented with inclusions of the Ibanez S Series Iron Label SIX6FDFM, the Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSH 2PT CM and the menacing ESP LTD EC-Black Metal. Elsewhere, we saw several additions of Strats and Teles, including the Fender Modern Player Telecaster, the Squier Affinity Stratocaster SSS and the Squier Standard Stratocaster, while two retro Gretsch models arrived – the Gretsch Electromatic G5425 and Gretsch G100CE. Finally, we added some new affordable models with the Jackson JS32 Rhoads, the Ibanez RG421, and the Squier Bullet Mustang HH.

Buying an electric guitar is a very personal process, with many things to consider before you make your final choice. It’s not just a case of picking something with a nice color – you are usually parting with a substantial chunk of hard-earned cash, ranging anywhere from $100 to $2000 – or more – for some guitars, and therefore patience is required to find something that really suits you. Whatever level you’re at and whatever budget you’re on, check out our chart below, where we highlight some of the very best guitars on the market today spanning many levels and price ranges, before more detailed summaries of each instrument.

Top 10 Best Electric Guitars:

Guitars For Beginners:

Under $1000:

Under $500:

Under $300:

Under $200:

Expensive Guitars:

Hollow Guitars:

7 String Guitars:

8 String Guitars:

Jazz Guitars:

Blues Guitars:

Metal Guitars:

While this has been a long list packed with excellent guitars to suit any requirement or budget, it’s by no means comprehensive – or final for that matter. Things change, and so too do our favorite guitars. As more models are released we review and update our charts, so keep checking back to see what’s new.

What Is The Best Guitar For You?

Before you start looking around at different models, you should define your level, and what you are hoping to achieve with the guitar. Are you a beginner, just starting out? Or an intermediate player, looking for an upgrade to take you to the next level? Perhaps you’re a professional who needs a new electric guitar for the stage? Or maybe an enthusiastic collector on the hunt for your next prized possession. Every guitarist has a different story and, as such, demands a different guitar. A $200 Epiphone – no matter how great it plays for a beginner – just won’t cut it with a professional looking for depth in tone for his next studio album. Just like a $5000 masterpiece won’t really be the best guitar for your child who’s only just learning the instrument. But rest assured, there’s always a guitar available to suit you – you just have to know where to look.

What We Look For When Reviewing Electric Guitars?

When we review guitars we scrutinize everything from the quality of the materials used to construct the instrument, to the hardware and the sound. We will also rate the looks and the style, even though this is generally a matter of personal taste. The value of the guitar will also be an important factor that will contribute to the overall score – because spending $200 on a model that sounds like a $2000 guitar is always something that can’t be ignored! We rate the best acoustic guitars and the best bass guitar list in the same way. With every new model we add and review, we update the top 10 rankings. If you want to stay up-to-date, then make sure you visit this page on a regular basis to see what’s hot in the world of guitar!

Buying An Electric Guitar For Your Level

With so many guitars on the market, it’s no surprise that there are truly great options available for every level of player at every price range. If you’re a beginner, there’s no need to go expensive – something from Epiphone, Squier, Yamaha’s Pacifica series, or one from our list of the best affordable electric axes will suit you well, whatever style of music you play. If you’re more experienced – and have the budget – the choice of mid-range guitars with a more premium feel is unbelievable. However if you have the big bucks, and are looking for something flashy, make sure check out this list of some of the best expensive axes. Instant envy in all your friends!

A Guitar Is Only As Good As Its Amp

It’s true! When buying a guitar – whatever your level and budget – never forget that the amplifier you use is of equal importance. An expensive guitar with a cheap amp won’t let you explore that guitar’s potential. On the flip side, playing a $100 guitar through a Marshall stack is a bit of a waste of time. While there’s no strict rules, looking to match the cost of your guitar with the cost of an amp is sensible. So spending $300 on a Les Paul and matching it with a decent $200 amp will give you a superb platform on which to learn and grow. Make sure to check out our list of recommended top-rated guitar amps and reviews to get an idea on what may suit you. And if you are ready to spend a little extra feel free to check out the recommended guitar pedals and effects article.

What is Considered a Good Electric Guitar?

A good question! However, it completely depends on your budget. If money is no object, then you can’t go far wrong with something like an American-made Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul, although those will set you back a hefty chunk of cash. With so many styles, types and genres of guitar and guitar music, what may be ‘good’ to you, may not be ‘good’ to the guy next to you. For example, an amazing metal guitar with active pickups is not likely to be classed as a good guitar for a vintage jazz enthusiast. However, a broadly defined ‘good guitar’ will share a few characteristics that you should look out for when purchasing your next electric. Reliability is one of these. There are many different parts to an electric guitar. In addition to the body and neck being put together solidly, there are the components to consider. The pickups, controls, circuitry and output jack all need to be well made and connected securely, while the bridge and tuners should function correctly, with nothing too loose or too stiff. Playability is another characteristic that is shared between electric guitars spanning all price ranges. A good guitar shouldn’t feel like a chore to play. In fact, a great guitar is one you want to pick up and play all the time!

How Much Does a Good Electric Guitar Cost?

You can certainly find good guitars in the budget price ranges, which are perfect for beginners. In fact, you don’t need to spend much more than $200 to find a really good electric guitar that will suit beginner and intermediates alike (something from Squier, or Yamaha’s Pacifica series for example). However, many guitarists will define a ‘good electric guitar’ as one which is more than an entry-level model. It won’t be a premium guitar, but still one that will be able to cope with both home practice and stage performance (for most people, this will be a second or third guitar). We are talking about an attractive body, a smooth neck, upgraded pickups and possibly extras such as locking tremolo systems or special electronics. If this is the case, you will need to look in the $400 to $600 price range to find something of this quality.

Which Brand of Electric Guitar is The Best?

It’s hard to determine the best brand as everybody has different opinions. However, you cannot talk about the best electric guitar brands without immediately mentioning Fender and Gibson. Established in 1946 and 1902 respectively, these two iconic American companies are the undisputed kings when it comes to electric guitar, with Fender’s legendary Telecaster and Stratocaster rivalled by Gibson’s famous Les Paul and SG models. However, there are some other manufacturers that cannot be overlooked when discussing the best brands. For example, in the world of heavy rock and metal, manufacturers such as Dean, Ibanez, ESP and PRS are all heavyweights of the electric guitar world and a premium guitar from one of these brands is as good as a high-end Fender or Gibson. Then you have brands such as Yamaha and Epiphone, who consistently impress in the budget market as much as they do the higher-end.

You Have The Guitar – Now What?

If you’re already an experienced guitarist, you’ll want to carry on as you are! However, if you are a beginner and have just bought your first guitar, you may want to take some lessons to help you learn how to play. Online videos, such as those you’d find on YouTube, are a great source of free tuition. However you may want to find a local pro or guitar teacher who can give you face-to-face instruction, which can be very valuable when first starting out. Or you could look at some well-structured online lessons for electric guitar, which may work out more cost effective in the long run. Whatever you choose, good luck with your purchases and enjoy your new guitar!