Many thanks to an increasingly open market as well as more affordable production methods, nowadays having $500 in your pocket offers you a significant range of quality electric guitars to choose from– whatever your design or passions.
While we have actually seen superb Best Electric Guitars Under $500 , extending your spending plan that little more gives you a broader, more significant range to select from, and also virtually guarantees you will end up with a great electrical guitar.
We‘ve attempted and tested plenty of guitars and, while some fall short of the mark, there are lots of that we simply could not put down. To aid you make the best decision, right here are some of our faves that fall in this cost variety:
Related articles:
Best acoustic guitar amp under $500
Top 10 Best Electric Guitars Under $500
1. Donner 39 Inch Electric Guitar
When Yamaha are feeling inspired you can guarantee a great guitar will shortly follow.
The RS420 is the mid-range version, with gorgeous retro style and superior comfort.
As we mention in the full review of the Yamaha RevStar RS420, the specially made humbuckers are excellent for this price, with a fantastic Dry Switch to offer a quality single-coil tone that adds to the versatility. A great purchase for vintage rock enthusiasts.
2. Donner Concert Ukulele Mahogany 23 Inch
The Telecaster was born at the height of rock and roll in the 50s and the Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster is a modern tribute to the early Teles.
But it offers more than just classic 50s butterscotch blonde looks (which is reason enough to buy this beauty!), with a solid pine body and maple C-shaped neck and 21 medium-jumbo frets, offering excellent playability.
Versatile and well-suited to every style, from rock to pop, jazz to blues.
3. Epiphone Les Paul Criterion.
A timeless classic and one that fails to put a foot wrong. Epiphone offer players authentic Gibson Les Paul looks and sound, at a fraction of the price.
Featuring a mahogany body with a flamed maple top there’s plenty of tone on offer, while the mahogany set neck provides the sustain you’d expect from a well-made Les Paul – especially when you combine it with a locking tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece.
4. Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai Trademark.
Whether you are a diehard fan of Steve Vai, or simply appreciate an iconic and ostentatious guitar, the JEMJR Steve Vai Signature from Ibanez is bound to impress!
With very similar features to the RG450DX, the JEMJR features a solid mahogany superstrat body (available in three cool colors), along with everything that makes a JEM a JEM. This includes the distinctive monkey grip in the body, the tree of life fretboard inlays, and a speedy Wizard III neck.
At under $500, it shows seriously good value for money.
5. Yamaha Pacifica PAC311H.
Yamaha have shown time and again how far they can make a budget go, and the Pacifica 311H is another fine example. With the classic Pacifica double-cutaway body shape, the 311H is made from solid alder, with a reassuringly heavy feel, although remains comfortable to hold and play.
A versatile combo providing a palette of vintage and modern sounds that are perfect for classic rock and blues. We’ve reviewed the Pacifica 311H in full here.
6.Donner DST-100B 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit
Donner DST-100B 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit Solid Body Full Size Black HSS for Starter, with Amplifier, Bag, Digital Tuner, Capo, Strap, String,Cable, Picks
A real winner and a worthy contender for your cash – as we highlight in the complete Contemporary Active Stratocaster review.
7. LyxPro Electric Guitar 39″ inch Complete Beginner Starter kit Full Size with 20w Amp
LyxPro Electric Guitar 39″ inch Complete Beginner Starter kit Full Size with 20w Amp, Package Includes All Accessories, Digital Tuner, Strings, Picks, Tremolo Bar, Shoulder Strap, and Case Bag – Black
It’s light and also comfortable to hold, and the thin U-shaped collection neck is a pleasure to navigate. The body itself is crafted from strong mahogany, with a great-looking maple veneer on the top. There are 22 easily-accessible added jumbo frets which give the lead gamer great string-bending capacities.
When it comes to equipment, there’s nothing too extraordinary, however the ESP-designed humbuckers are really flexible, particularly with coil-splitting. Check out everything you need to know in the complete EC-256FM testimonial!
8. Silvertone Standard 1478.
Searching for some real ’60s fond memories? This Silvertone Classic 1478 might be just what you are trying to find, with vintage style as well as sounds aplenty. Consistently based upon the original 1478 from back in 1963– albeit with some modern upgrades– this reissue has the acquainted asymmetrical double-cutaway mahogany body, with a maple top, a modern-day C-shaped mahogany neck, and rosewood fretboard with 20 nickel-silver frets.
Upgraded hardware includes a fully flexible chrome bridge, with an authentic Bigsby tremolo tailpiece, in addition to sealed chrome vintage-style receivers.
The vintage sound originates from 2 Silvertone-designed chrome-covered single-coil pick-ups, which make use of similar materials to the originals, and offer intense and also punchy tones that are flexible for anything from surf rock to blues. Check out our full review for even more information.
8. Schecter Prophecy Extreme 6.
Schecter is associated with premium quality at small cost. And Also the Omen Extreme 6 is the best instance of this, with looks, audio and playability at a cost everyone can manage.
The guitar is fantastic to hold, with a sculpted quilted maple top on a mahogany body, and the finish– whatever shade you select– is second-to-none. The bolt-on maple neck is quick to stand up as well as down, while 24 additional big worries enable very easy string-bending.
2 Schecter Ruby Plus alnico humbuckers offer a high-output audio that holds clearness when dipped into the loudest quantities, while the black chrome controls as well as string-thru bridge finish this guitar well. An actual costs really feel for a fantastic cost.
10. ESP LTD KH-202 Kirk Hammett.
The KH-202 from ESP’s more budget-friendly branch LTD is an excellent reproduction of the higher-end versions of Kirk Hammett’s trademark axes, full with reverse headstock, unique skull as well as crossbones inlays, and also an excellent shot of timeless Metallica tone.
With a significant but comfortable build, this renowned axe features a black basswood body as well as an extremely thin U-shaped maple neck with 24 stresses– bolted on as Hammett likes. This results in superb playability and great maintain.
The pair of ESP-designed passive humbuckers supply a powerful, clear and also detailed tone, making the limitless hours exercising Metallica covers very rewarding undoubtedly! Be sure to review our complete review of the LTD KH-202 for all the information.
Where to Buy Your $500 Guitar.
Acquiring a brand-new guitar is hardly ever done on an impulse– especially when you’re dropping around $500. And whether it’s your initial or twenty-first, you want it to be trustworthy, comfy, and look and appear fantastic.
After checking out some evaluations on this site, narrow down a pair you such as, after that go as well as check them out when possible. Head to your regional guitar shop and see what they have in supply. Nevertheless, unless it’s a big store, you may not get to see everything you want.
Should You Choose Made Use Of or New?
Both have their benefits. With a new guitar you know you’re the first owner, and also possibly have a warranty in addition to a couple of weeks reimbursement duration in situation you change your mind.
Getting a made use of guitar can exercise more affordable, yet it features some potential pitfalls. Treat it like you would purchasing a made use of cars and truck.
If you are opting for made use of, prevent thrift shops or flea markets. Adhere to on-line shops or dedicated-guitar stores that can advise you, and also accept returns– particularly in this price range.
What You Should be Seeking In a $500 Electric Guitar.
There really is no one-size-fits-all answer, as different guitars will appeal to you based on your influences, style and aspirations. I’m not a fan of vintage, so the Danelectro D59 doesn’t really appeal to me (even though it looks pretty cool). On the other hand, Led Zeppelin may well be your idols and that’s the first guitar on your list. Everyone is different.
One thing you shouldn’t care too much about in this price range is the brand. Everyone wants to owns a genuine Fender or Gibson, but struggling to afford one when a Squier or Epiphone provide similar looks and sound quality for half the price, really doesn’t make sense.
Are The Reviewed Guitars For Beginners or Professionals?
Short answer: both! Of course, some of the models that we’ve featured are more newbie friendly than others, but in this price range you’ll find a good mix of guitars available that will suit any level of experience and any style of playing from Jazz to Metal.
Remember that every model we present in our Top 10 Charts will have their own page with a detailed review that gives you the lowdown on its features, along with its pros and cons.
The Final Word
The guitars included on this listing are all excellent and also our top selections for the under $500 cost range.
However there are hundreds of others that might fit you better. Whether you’re spending $100 or $2000 on a guitar, you’ll intend to make a Best Electric Guitars Under $500.
Alternatively, you can learn more about acoustic guitars from our ” best acoustic guitar under 500 ” article if you’re interested.