The quest for a high-quality electric guitar doesn’t have to break the bank. In today’s market, the landscape of affordable electric guitars is richer and more impressive than ever before. Beginner musicians and seasoned players alike can find incredible value, with budget-friendly instruments offering features and quality that were once reserved for much pricier models. As financial pressures increase and the cost of many mid-range guitars rises, identifying truly great-value instruments becomes crucial.
What exactly defines “value” in a guitar? It’s not just about the lowest price tag. A guitar around the $500 mark can represent exceptional value if it delivers reliability and performance comparable to a guitar costing twice as much. This guide explores a curated selection of outstanding value electric guitars, ranging from entry-level instruments perfect for beginners to robust, affordable workhorses ready for the stage – all exceeding expectations for their price. Let’s explore these gems.
At a Glance:
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PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin Electric Guitar](/products/prs-se-ce-24-standard-satin-electric-guitar/)Learn More
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar
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Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar](/products/squier-sonic-stratocaster-hss-electric-guitar/)Learn More
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Epiphone Les Paul Special Electric Guitar](/products/epiphone-les-paul-special-electric-guitar/)Learn More
Our Top Pick: The Best Overall Good Cheap Electric Guitar: PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin
Close-up of the PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin electric guitar in a satin finish, showcasing its double-cutaway body and humbucker pickups
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PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin Electric Guitar](/products/prs-se-ce-24-standard-satin-electric-guitar/)Learn More
The PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin stands out as an exceptional example of a Good Cheap Electric Guitar, delivering incredible value for money. In a market where Fender and Gibson have moved away from truly mid-priced offerings, this guitar fills a crucial gap. For around $500, players get an instrument that rivals guitars at twice the price from these iconic brands. It boasts an impressive feature set, including two articulate PRS humbuckers with coil-splitting capabilities for versatile single-coil tones, a reliable PRS vibrato system, and a comfortable, fast neck.
The satin finish provides a sophisticated aesthetic, perhaps more understated than some traditional PRS designs, which many players will appreciate. Adding to the value, it includes a high-quality gig bag, saving further expense. While cheaper guitars exist, the PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin’s specifications, sound quality, and overall performance are unmatched in its price range. It’s a smart investment, capable of serving players well into their gigging careers. Its sonic versatility, included gig bag, and robust build quality also make it an excellent, affordable touring guitar for working musicians.
Want to delve deeper? Read our comprehensive PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin review.
Best Affordable Stratocaster: Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS – A Fantastic Cheap Electric Guitar for Beginners
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS electric guitar in a vibrant blue finish, highlighting its classic Stratocaster body shape and HSS pickup configuration
[
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar](/products/squier-sonic-stratocaster-hss-electric-guitar/)Learn More
A good cheap electric guitar for beginners needs to be more than just inexpensive; it must be inviting and easy to play. The Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS excels in this regard. While undeniably budget-friendly, it avoids common pitfalls of cheap instruments. Uncomfortable sharp fret ends, poor sound, and excessively high string action can quickly discourage new players. The Sonic Stratocaster HSS offers a welcoming playing experience with a comfortable satin-finished neck and surprisingly good-sounding pickups for its price point. Whether your Strat inspiration comes from the wild vibrato of Hendrix or more subtle techniques, the vintage-style tremolo unit allows for expressive playing. This is a truly great cheap electric guitar to start your musical journey.
Interested in more details? Explore our in-depth Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS review.
Best Affordable Les Paul: Epiphone Les Paul Special – A Cheap Electric Guitar with Classic Tone
[
Epiphone Les Paul Special Electric Guitar](/products/epiphone-les-paul-special-electric-guitar/)Learn More
In contrast to Epiphone’s high-end Custom Shop collaborations, the standard Les Paul Special, reintroduced in 2020 as part of the Inspired By Gibson range, provides an incredibly affordable and reliable workhorse. Unless you strongly dislike the Epiphone headstock shape, this cheap electric guitar presents virtually no compromises in terms of quality and tone. The neck profile is on the thicker side, yet remains playable, avoiding the extreme “baseball bat” feel of some Les Pauls. Crucially, the pickups are authentic P90s, delivering the signature vocal midrange and punch these pickups are known for. For players seeking that classic Les Paul vibe on a budget, the Epiphone Les Paul Special is a fantastic choice and a truly good cheap electric guitar option.
Want a more detailed breakdown? Read our Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Les Paul Special review.
Best Affordable Rock Guitar: Guild Polara – A Cheap Electric Guitar Ready to Rock
Guild Polara electric guitar in a striking yellow finish, angled to show its SG-inspired body shape and dual humbucker pickups
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Guild Polara Standard Electric Guitar](/products/guild-polara-standard-electric-guitar/)Learn More
The Guild Polara is a visually captivating and sonically powerful rock machine, offered at a surprisingly approachable price. This cheap electric guitar is equipped with two HB-2+ humbucker pickups that are genuine fire-breathers, capable of producing massive tones through virtually any amplifier setup. The design, a robust and slightly offset take on the classic SG shape, is comfortable to play, offering excellent upper fret access for lead work and minimal neck dive. Equally important for rock performance, the tuning stability is excellent, allowing for extended solos with confident string bending. If you’re searching for a cheap electric guitar built for rock, the Guild Polara deserves serious consideration.
Curious for more insights? Check out our Guild Polara review.
Best Affordable Vintage-Style Guitar: Squier 40th Anniversary Telecaster Vintage Edition – A Cheap Electric Guitar with Retro Charm
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Squier 40th Anniversary Vintage Edition Telecaster](/products/squier-40-th-anniversary-vintage-edition-telecaster/)Learn More
Vintage-inspired instruments don’t always have to be meticulously crafted reissues or expensive custom shop collector’s items. The Squier 40th Anniversary Telecaster Vintage Edition offers a retro Telecaster experience at an accessible price. This cheap electric guitar features a subtly worn finish and hardware, evoking the feel of a well-loved gem from the 1980s, possibly made by Fender Japan. It earns extra points for its excellent playability for the price and the striking black anodized pickguard. Visually appealing and comfortable to play, this Squier Telecaster proves you can get vintage vibe without a vintage price tag, making it a great cheap electric guitar for retro enthusiasts.
Want to know more? Read our Squier 40th Anniversary Telecaster Vintage Edition review.
Best Versatile Affordable Guitar: Ibanez AZES40 – A Cheap Electric Guitar for Any Genre
Ibanez AZES40 electric guitar in black, highlighting its modern body shape and HSS pickup configuration, suitable for diverse musical styles
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Ibanez AZES40-BK Electric Guitar](/products/ibanez-azes-40-bk-electric-guitar/)Learn More
Priced around £279, the Ibanez AZES40 is remarkably affordable for the level of playability and build quality it delivers. This cheap electric guitar rivals instruments costing five times as much. The comfortable C-shaped neck is fast and easy to play—true to Ibanez’s reputation. The vibrato system is stable and reliable, and the HSS pickup configuration with a five-way selector switch offers a wide array of tonal options. For beginner guitarists interested in exploring blues to death metal and everything in between, the AZES40’s fast neck and versatile pickups are a perfect match, all at a very reasonable price. This Ibanez is a truly versatile and good cheap electric guitar.
Eager for a deeper dive? Explore our Ibanez AZES40 review.
Best 3/4-Scale Beginner’s Guitar: Epiphone Power Players Les Paul – A Perfect Cheap Electric Guitar for Young Learners
Epiphone Power Players Les Paul electric guitar in a cherry sunburst finish, showcasing its smaller 3/4 scale size and classic Les Paul body shape, ideal for younger players
[
Epiphone Power Players Les Paul Electric Guitar](/products/epiphone-power-players-les-paul-electric-guitar/)Learn More
For younger musicians, 3/4-scale guitars are invaluable, making it easier to learn the fundamentals of the fretboard with smaller hands. The Epiphone Power Players series excels in the short-scale starter guitar category. This cheap electric guitar strikes a great balance between beginner-friendly features and quality components. While it features a bolt-on neck, common for starter guitars, the electronics are comparable to full-size Epiphones. This ensures that aspiring players are introduced to the world of guitar with decent pickups, avoiding the frustration of poor sound quality often found in ultra-budget instruments. The Epiphone Power Players Les Paul is a fantastic, good cheap electric guitar for young beginners.
Want more information? Read our Epiphone Power Players Les Paul review.
Best Affordable Guitar for Budding Modders: Gear4Music Knoxville Select Legacy – A Cheap Electric Guitar for Customization Projects
Gear4Music Knoxville Select Legacy electric guitar in a natural finish, highlighting its Telecaster-style body and hardware, suitable for guitar modification projects
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Gear4Music Knoxville Electric Guitar](/products/gear4music-knoxville-electric-guitar/)Learn More
The Gear4Music Knoxville Select Legacy is an intriguing option, offering a full-fledged T-type guitar for around £150. This cheap electric guitar shares hardware similarities with Squier and Fender models, even including a square neck pocket. One advantage of ultra-affordable guitars is their potential as platforms for fun modification projects or as low-stakes instruments for practicing setup, modding, and repair skills. If you’re interested in learning guitar maintenance, from pickup swaps to fretwork, the Knoxville Select Legacy is an excellent and forgiving test subject. The best part? Minor cosmetic mishaps during your learning process won’t be a major concern! This makes it a perfect good cheap electric guitar for aspiring modders.
Interested in the details? Read our Gear4Music Knoxville Select Legacy review.
Best Starter Offset Guitar: Guild Surfliner Deluxe – A Cheap Electric Guitar with Offset Style
Guild Surfliner Deluxe electric guitar in a seafoam green finish, showcasing its offset body shape and unique vibrato system, appealing to players interested in offset guitars
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Guild Surfliner Deluxe Electric Guitar](/products/guild-surfliner-deluxe-electric-guitar/)Learn More
Offset guitars possess a unique allure, both captivating and sometimes daunting. Their distinctive cool factor is undeniable, but the offset vibrato systems, while sonically rich, can be tricky to set up, particularly on more affordable models. The Guild Surfliner Deluxe strikes a balance between accessibility and performance with its unique vibrato design, omitting the traditional rocking bridge. This cheap electric guitar delivers smooth surfy vibrato and shoegaze-esque glide effects, making it a joy to play. Combined with an approachable price for its build quality, a stylish shape, and a versatile HSS pickup arrangement, the Surfliner Deluxe could be your entry point into the exciting world of offset guitars. It’s a stylish and good cheap electric guitar option.
Want to explore further? Read our Guild Surfliner Deluxe review.
Best Value Electric Guitar for Gigging: Yamaha Revstar RSS02T – A Stage-Ready Good Cheap Electric Guitar
Yamaha Revstar RSS02T electric guitar in a vintage white finish, highlighting its double-cutaway body and P90 pickups, designed for stage performance and reliability
[
Yamaha Revstar RSS02T Electric Guitar](/products/yamaha-revstar-rss02t-electric-guitar/)Learn More
The latest addition to Yamaha’s Revstar series is another strong contender in the mid-priced electric guitar market. This cheap electric guitar features a stylish double-cut design, blending elements of SG and double-cut Les Paul Special aesthetics while maintaining its own unique identity. The Revstar RSS02T is equipped with features typically found on guitars twice its price, and its sound lives up to the promise. Stainless steel jumbo frets offer a premium feel and resist wear, while the dual P90 pickups are versatile enough for virtually any musical style. While a more affordable version exists, the RSS02T perfectly balances performance and value, making it an excellent gig-ready good cheap electric guitar.
Hungry for more details? Read our Yamaha Revstar RSS02T review.
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