Best electric guitars 2023: our pick of guitars to suit all budgets

Selecting the best electric guitar is an arduous task. There are so many types, different styles, pickup configurations, hardware layouts, and big brands to choose from. So how do you really narrow it down to what constitutes the absolute finest instruments available today?

In this guide, we’ve collated all the expert advice across the website, from our experienced authors, to put together this list of top electric guitars just for you. From Fender to Gibson, Gretsch to Ibanez, and PRS to ESP, we’ve left no stone unturned in our bid to whittle down the finest instruments that money can buy. So whether you play rock, metal, blues, jazz, or anything else for that matter, you’ll find something here that will bring a smile to your face when you plug it in for the first time.

As there are so many entries, we’ve arranged them in price order to make it easier for you. If you’re a complete beginner, we’d recommend checking out our buying advice section at the bottom of the article to learn more about the electric guitar as an instrument before you make a purchase. If you know your stuff, then just keep scrolling to our top picks.

Best electric guitars: Our top picks

For the beginner guitarist, it’s hard to go wrong with the Yamaha Pacifica 112V (opens in new tab). It’s been one of the most popular starter guitars for a long time now thanks to great build quality, a variety of different tones on offer, and the fantastic price point. We’ve been playing for 20 years and we still have ours!

For the middle of the range, the Fender Player Stratocaster (opens in new tab) is unbeatable value for money. It can do vintage and modern tones and comes with excellent pickups and hardware. With the build quality of one of the biggest guitar brands of all time, it’s a superb choice if you’re looking to move up from a beginner guitar.

Looking to spend a bit more? Then you’ll definitely want to check out the Gibson Les Paul Junior (opens in new tab). Despite its seemingly simple pickup configuration, you can actually cover a lot of ground thanks to that beautiful sounding P-90 pickup. A super choice for rock and punk players.

If you’re wanting to go all out on your next guitar purchase, feast your eyes upon the stunning PRS McCarty 594 (opens in new tab). This stunning instrument is an all-premium model with a fantastic array of tones available and some of the best build quality you can find anywhere.

Best electric guitars: Under $/£500

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

The Yamaha Pacifica has long proved a benchmark for quality and specification, and the 112V remains a top choice for beginners. The 112 is far from fancy and simply concentrates on the bare necessities. Yet the construction is of excellent quality. Trust us, if looked after this will be a guitar for life. 

By design it’s an altogether more modern, brighter and lighter take on a hot-rod Strat. But when we say brighter that doesn’t mean overly shrill. In fact the bridge humbucker will surprise some, it’s beefy without being too mid-range heavy and although the coil-split proves a little bland played clean, with a distortion boost it’s a pretty useful gnarly and wiry rhythm voice. 

It’s good to have the choice too when mixed with the middle pickup – switching between the full and split coil here is subtle but, especially with cleaner ‘class A’ amp voicings, there’s enough character difference to be useable. The solo single-coils impress – plenty of percussion and with a little mid-range beef added from the amp these get you to the correct Texas toneland. Neck and middle combined produces a fine modern Strat-like mix – the added brightness will cut through a multi-FX patch nicely.

Read our full Yamaha Pacifica 112V review

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(Image credit: Harley Benton )

(Image credit: Harley Benton)

(Image credit: Harley Benton)

(Image credit: Harley Benton)

(Image credit: Harley Benton)

(Image credit: Harley Benton)

2. Harley Benton Fusion-II HH FR Roasted FNT

Raising the game for sub-£500 electric guitars

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Sapele with Ultra Flame maple veneer top

Neck:

Canadian maple with satin back finish, Bolt-on

Scale:

25.5″ (648 mm)

Fingerboard:

Roasted flamed maple

Frets:

24 Medium Jumbo stainless steel

Pickups:

Roswell HAF-B Alico-5 (bridge) – Roswell HAF-N Alnico-5 (neck) humbucker

Controls:

1 x master volume and 1 x master tone, 3-way toggle switch, coil-split mini switch

Hardware:

Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo, Grover GH305 6L locking tuners

Left-handed:

No – only as Fusion-II HSH and Fusion-T models

Finish:

Gloss Flame Natural, Flame Bengal Burst, Flame Cherry, Flame Blue

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Very impressive spec for the price

+

Great playability from that roasted maple neck

+

A wide range of tones

Reasons to avoid

–

A little on the heavy side for an s-style guitar

Thomann’s own brand Harley Benton have a growing range of electrics that offer seriously impressive spec for the money. Its Fusion ranges of s- and t-style guitars typify that and this is a shining example.

Roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets… Floyd Rose 1000?! We wouldn’t expect to see this combination of features on a guitar under £/$1000 but here they are. And the end result dazzles in the playability and build stakes for such a reasonable price point.

The Fusion-II is cast in the modern ‘session’ guitar mould; versatility and contemporary appointments are the calling cards here rather than any vintage vibe. And it excels at what it sets out to be. But if Floyd Rose trems aren’t to you tastes, there’s plenty more options to choose from in the Harley Benton Fusion range. 

Read the full Harley Benton Fusion-II HH FR Roasted FNT review (opens in new tab)

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(Image credit: Future)

3. Gretsch G2622 Streamliner

The budget semi-hollow with authentic Gretsch vibe

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Laminated maple, semi-hollow

Neck:

Nato

Scale:

24.75″

Fingerboard:

Rosewood

Frets:

22

Pickups:

2x Broad’Tron humbuckers

Controls:

Neck volume, bridge volume, tone, 3-way pickup selector

Hardware:

Adjusto-Matic bridge, ‘V’ stoptail tailpiece

Left-handed:

Yes: G2622LH

Finish:

Walnut Stain, Black

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Build-to-price ratio is very high

+

Hotter pickups broaden sonic potential

+

Centre block widens use at higher gains

Reasons to avoid

–

Slightly sponge-y tuners

The Streamliner concept is simple: to create more affordable Gretsch guitars without losing their specific DNA. Two new Broad’Tron humbuckers are controlled in classic Gretsch style by a three-way toggle selector switch on the bass side shoulder, a master volume on the treble side horn, and then a trio of controls by the treble-side f-hole for individual-pickup volume and master tone. 

The G2622’s construction gives a different response and resonance to other new releases from Gretsch and, with these pickups, moves further from the Gretsch sound. And while its construction gives it a more solid, or at least ES-335, character, it’s a little more airy and less punchy with a softer, squashier tonality. 

The beefier pickups certainly don’t nail a classic Gretsch tonality – although if that’s what you want, the full-size pickups are easy to replace – but they do broaden the sonic potential, especially for more gained styles, while staying close to the classic iconography. If you want a great-value semi-hollow, this is among the best electric guitars for under $500.

Read our full Gretsch G2622 Streamliner review

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Squier)

(Image credit: Squier )

(Image credit: Squier)

(Image credit: Squier)

4. Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Stratocaster

Squier displaying once again that it’s got the budget category nailed

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

(opens in new tab)

☆

☆

☆

☆

☆

Specifications

Body:

Nyatoh

Neck:

Maple

Scale:

25.5”

Fingerboard:

Indian Laurel

Frets:

21

Pickups:

3x Fender designed Alnico single-coils

Controls:

Master volume, Tone 1, Tone 2, 5-position blade switch

Hardware:

Nickel

Left-handed:

Yes

Finish:

3-colour Sunburst, Lake Placid Blue, Candy Apple Red

Today’s Best Deals

Preorder at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Great build quality

+

Authentic Strat looks and tone

+

Brilliant value for money 

Reasons to avoid

–

Fret edges can be sharp out of the box 

Squier’s Classic Vibe range of electric guitars is one of the most popular budget-friendly series’ on the market today. With Squier able to recreate licensed Fender body shapes and styles at a fraction of the price, your options within the Classic Vibe ranks are vast – but the best, in our opinion, is their ‘60s Strat.

The ‘60s Classic Vibe Stratocaster is essentially a tribute to the original Fender model – recreating the signature Strat tone and feel thanks to a trio of Fender designed single-coil pickups and a slim “C” shaped neck profile. The fingerboard radius is a slightly flatter-than-original 9.5”, but this allows for a more comfortable playing experience, especially for a new player with their first Squier guitar.

This ‘60s inspired model comes with a vintage-tint gloss finish on the neck, to replicate the feel and look of a guitar which is knocking on the door of retirement age, but we firmly believe that the ‘60s Classic Vibe strat has a few years in it yet.

Read the full Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster review

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Epiphone )

(Image credit: Epiphone )

5. Epiphone SG Standard

Let there be rock!

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Mahogany

Neck:

Mahogany

Scale:

24.75″

Fingerboard:

Indian Laurel

Frets:

22

Pickups:

Epiphone Alnico Classic PRO

Controls:

2- Volume, 2- Tone CTS pots

Hardware:

Epiphone LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic

Left-handed:

Yes

Finish:

Heritage Cherry, Ebony, Alpine White

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

View at Gear 4 Music

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Looks fantastic 

+

Surprisingly good pickups  

Reasons to avoid

–

May need a setup straight out of the box 

This pointy-horned devil has its roots so firmly in rock ‘n’ roll that it’s hard to separate them. With iconic players such as Angus Young, Tony Iommi, and Derek Trucks relying on the SG to achieve their sound, it’s no wonder it’s Gibson’s most popular model – yes, it really is more popular than a Les Paul. 

We have decided to feature the Epiphone version on this list for a few reasons. First of all, for its price point, it’s pretty difficult to beat. The level of finishing on the new “inspired by Gibson” range is phenomenal and a definite step forward from the previous incarnation. Secondly, and arguably the most important is the sound. We must say, we were pleasantly surprised by how good this guitar sounds – it really does sound like an SG – and considering it’s around a third of the price of the Gibson version, that is no mean feat. 

The SG is famous for its warm and punchy mid-range, making it a firm favourite for blues, rock, or even metal, and with Epiphone going the extra mile to improve the quality over the last few years, it had to earn a spot among the best electric guitars on this list. 

Best electric guitars: $/£501 – $/£1,000

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This latest mid-priced take on Fender’s pride and joy features an updated two-point vibrato design, plus three new Alnico V single coils. The satin neck provides a slick playing experience, while there’s little to fault with the build quality other than some slightly jerky tuners. 

There’s a hugely usable set of tones across the five-way selector, which recall Fender’s fat Texas Hot single coils and respond beautifully to gain, and treble loss is minimal when rolling back the volume knob. The bridge pickup, which can be weedy on mid-priced Strats, is rich yet cutting – and if it’s still too spiky, the pleasingly responsive tone knob will enable a fairly precise treble cut. That may not sound like much, but it’s actually a big deal, as the two tone knobs are wired thusly: tone 1 handles neck and middle, while tone 2 adjusts the bridge. 

Then there’s that new two-point vibrato, which is one of the smoothest- operating systems we’ve encountered at this price point, with no problems returning to pitch. The familiar ‘loose arm in the socket’ problem still rears its head, but it’s nothing a bit of tape around the thread can’t fix. By their very nature, Strats will always pay homage to the past, but this particular edition packs tones that span the decades and bring the format bang up to date – making it one of the best Fender Stratocasters on the market.

Read our full Fender Player Stratocaster review

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(Image credit: Future)

The PRS SE range has offered solid, well-built, great-sounding guitars for years now, and the PRS SE Custom 24 2018 is a perfect example. This Korean-built mass of maple, mahogany and rosewood is a classy-looking guitar. It’s a wonderful instrument to play too – PRS’s expertise making eye-wateringly expensive guitars is evident from the moment you pick it up. 

The bridge, for example, has a noticeably low profile. This makes palm-muting a much more pleasant experience, especially if you’re used to chugging away on a Floyd Rose-style bridge. 

A lot has been made of the SE Custom’s pickups; 2017 models added Korean-made versions of the 85/15 pups used on the more expensive American Core line, dubbed “the perfect pickup” by Paul Reed Smith himself. Largely, they live up to that promise; the bridge pickup is capable of some serious chunky metal tones, which retain definition and clarity even at absurd levels of gain. 

Spend some time with the SE Custom 24 and you’ll come to realise that there is no stereotype that fits. And therein lies its beauty. It’s not a guitar or a brand that concerns itself with cultivating a popular image; PRS has always favoured more obvious metrics like quality manufacturing, great sounds and classic looks.

Read our full PRS SE Custom 24 review

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Epiphone)

(Image credit: Epiphone )

8. Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy

The Les Paul’s evil twin

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Mahogany/ Carved Hard Maple Cap with AAA Flame Maple veneer

Neck:

Mahogany

Scale:

24.72

Fingerboard:

Ebony

Frets:

24

Pickups:

Fishman Fluence

Controls:

2 Volume (push/pull coil splits); 2 Tone (push/pull Vintage/Modern pickup)

Hardware:

Brushed Nickel LockTone Tune-O-Matic, Grover Locking Rotomatic

Left-handed:

No

Finish:

Black Aged Gloss, Olive Tiger Aged Gloss, Red Tiger Aged Gloss

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

View at Gear 4 Music

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Great pickups 

+

24 frets 

Reasons to avoid

–

Non metal players may want to go for a standard 

The Les Paul Prophecy is the latest metal-focused offering from Epiphone. This dark take on the famed single-cut has a rather impressive set of specifications that is sure to please even the most discerning metalhead. 

The crowning jewel of this guitar during testing proved to be the Fishman Fluence pickups. As well as offering the bone-crushing high-output needed to make your riffs shake a room, they can also be switched – via push/pull pot – to a vintage PAF sound and even a single-coil, making this a surprisingly versatile guitar. 

We must say this guitar has the look to match the impressive tone. The AAA figured maple adds a level of class to the instrument, with the semi-gloss finish completing the metal aesthetic – as well as giving the neck a phenomenal feel.

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(Image credit: Future)

9. Ibanez RG550

One of the best electric guitars for shredders

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Basswood

Neck:

5-piece maple/walnut

Scale:

25.5″

Fingerboard:

Maple

Frets:

24

Pickups:

Ibanez V8 humbucker (bridge), S1 single coil (middle), V7 neck humbucker

Controls:

Volume, tone, 5-way selector

Hardware:

Edge locking vibrato

Left-handed:

Yes

Finish:

Desert Sun Yellow, Road Flare Red, Purple Neon, White

Today’s Best Deals

View at Gear 4 Music

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Tonally versatile

+

Astoundingly speedy playability

+

A faithful reboot of one of shred’s most iconic guitars

Reasons to avoid

–

Not for players who prefer thicker necks

Introduced in 1987 and discontinued in 1994, the Ibanez RG550 remains the childhood sweetheart of many players. Designed as a mass-appeal version of Steve Vai’s famous JEM777 model, it had character in abundance. For this reboot, Ibanez has skilfully managed to extract the very essence of what was so popular about the original RG550 and piece it back together in a way that enhances its legacy. 

The Japanese-made 2018 vintage is, essentially, a masterclass in everything that is good about shred and metal guitars. The neck feels lithe – our hand glided pretty effortlessly, rather than simply moving – while the Edge vibrato is rock-solid and the overall craftsmanship is exemplary. Tonally, the RG550 covers a lot of bases. It always did, despite its pointy appearance, meaning you could comfortably stray into all kinds of genres without too much fuss. 

The US-designed V7 bridge humbucker delivers the razor-sharp riff platform you’d hope it would, while the V8 neck ’pup offers a hint of compression at higher gain settings, which levels lead lines nicely. It is, in the best way possible, everything you remembered from the original, and that makes it one of the best shred guitars available today.

Read our full Ibanez RG550 review

Best electric guitars: $/£1,000+

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

10. LTD EC-1000 EverTune

A svelte rock single-cut that never goes out of tune

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

(opens in new tab)

☆

☆

☆

☆

☆

Specifications

Body:

Mahogany with maple cap

Neck:

3-piece mahogany

Scale:

24.75″

Fingerboard:

Ebony

Frets:

24

Pickups:

Seymour Duncan JB humbucker, Seymour Duncan Jazz humbucker (EMG 81/60 reviewed)

Controls:

2x volume, tone, 3-way selector switch

Hardware:

EverTune bridge, Grover tuners

Left-handed:

Yes (without EverTune)

Finish:

See Thru Black, Dark Brown Sunburst

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

EverTune bridge ensures constant tuning

+

Great metal and rock guitar

+

Unobtrusive bridge design

Reasons to avoid

–

EverTune is complex to get to grips with initially

The EC-1000ET is an all-mahogany single-cut loaded with an set of EMG 81 and 60 active humbuckers, a comfortably modern neck and a high level of construction quality. Its key selling point, however, is a fitted EverTune bridge –  unlike other tuning systems, it doesn’t tune your guitar for you or offer altered tunings. Instead, once set and tuned, it simply aims to stay there, thanks to a series of tension-calibrated springs and levers. 

We tried everything we could to knock it out of whack: huge, three-step bends, wildly exaggerated string stretching… we even put the guitar into a freezer. It came back perfectly in tune every single time.  What’s more, a guitar that’s perfectly tuned and intonated up and down the neck seems to play much more musically. We’re not aware of any tone compromises, either. 

The EC sounds as full and aggressive as ever, with the more mellow tones of the neck EMG being pleasantly rounded, and all bereft of any metallic spring clank. If never going out of tune is important to you, this is one of the best electric guitars going.

Read our full LTD EC-1000 EverTune review

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11. Fender American Performer Stratocaster

The lowest-priced USA-built Strat with a wealth of tonal riches

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:

(opens in new tab)

☆

☆

☆

☆

☆

Specifications

Body:

Alder

Neck:

Maple

Scale:

25.5″

Fingerboard:

Rosewood/maple (dependent on finish)

Frets:

22

Pickups:

3x Yosemite Single-Coil Stratocaster

Controls:

Volume, neck and middle tone, bridge tone, 5-way selector switch

Hardware:

6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo, Fender ClassicGear tuners

Left-handed:

No

Finish:

Penny, Arctic White, Honey Burst, Satin Lake Placid Blue

Today’s Best Deals

View at Gear 4 Music

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Extra switching options

+

Great all-rounder playability

+

Build and upgrades from American Special specification

Reasons to avoid

–

Limited colour choice

The newly launched American Performer Series represents the most affordable entry point to bona fide USA Fenders, and marks the Big F’s first refresh at this price point in over 10 years. The big changes lie in the all-new pickups that come fitted to all models in the range, in this case Yosemite single coils and the associated electronics. 

Pulling up on the bridge tone control engages the neck pickup along with the bridge and middle pickups for two additional tones, while a reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup allows for hum cancellation in positions two and four. Make no mistake, a blendable neck pickup is a hugely welcome addition to the Strat’s tonal arsenal, and these are some of the best single coils we’ve ever heard, with a beautiful sense of compression that gives them the edge over cheaper models. 

If you’re after a workhorse Strat with a bevy of additional tonal options, not to mention rock-solid, smooth-operating hardware, this is a strong Performer indeed.

Read our full Fender American Performer Stratocaster review

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(Image credit: Gibson )

(Image credit: Gibson)

It doesn’t get much simpler than this – a slab of mahogany with a solitary P-90 pickup drilled directly into the top. It may be basic, but man, does it sound good! Initially designed for students, this no-nonsense guitar quickly became a firm favorite of many rock and punk players.  

Despite the limited setup, the new “original collection” Les Paul Junior delivers plenty of retro tones. By simply using the volume or tone controls, you can go from sparkling clean sounds to in your face rock tones and everything in between. The 50s neck – although not the most comfortable for everyone – does lend a sense of authenticity to the Les Paul Junior, making it feel remarkably close to a vintage example. Other features like the vintage white button machine heads and glossy nitro finish also help to make it look like it came straight from the 1950s. 

So, if you are looking for a simple guitar that gets straight to the point, you could do far worse than the Gibson Les Paul Junior.

Read the full Gibson Les Paul Junior review

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: PRS)

(Image credit: PRS)

(Image credit: PRS)

13. PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo

Electric, meet acoustic

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Carved Maple (top and back), Mahogany (sides)

Neck:

Mahogany

Scale:

25”

Fingerboard:

Rosewood

Frets:

22

Pickups:

2x 58/15 humbuckers, PRS/LR Baggs bridge piezo

Controls:

Volume (Magnetic), Volume (Piezo), Tone Control, 3-Way toggle pickup selector

Hardware:

Nickel PRS adjustable ‘Piezo’ stoptail, PRS designed tuners

Left-handed:

No

Finish:

Black Gold Burst, Peacock Blue Burst

Today’s Best Deals

Preorder at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Fantastic hollowbody tones

+

Build quality is exceptional 

+

The most versatile PRS SE to date? 

Reasons to avoid

–

Doesn’t sound as good as a regular acoustic 

Now on the whole, hollowbody guitars can look a little bit outdated. We’ve all seen the super deep Jazz-boxes with floating neck pickups, and, especially if you want to explore the gain channels on your amp, these won’t do. It’s with great pleasure then, that PRS released the SE Hollowbody II Piezo – which can cover the last seven decades’ worth of tones, while keeping up with the aesthetic of todays’ most popular guitars.

The SE Hollowbody II Piezo combines the natural, rich tone of magnetic pickups with the crisp, acoustic-like punch of a piezo, to provide the player with a vast tonal palette. The piezo is co-designed by PRS and LR Baggs, and provides some thoroughly authentic acoustic tones, and the pair of 58/15 S humbuckers take care of the rest. The humbuckers deliver a rich, warm tone which – when combined with the hollow construction of the guitar – can put this SE into the jazz, blues or rock wheelhouse – depending on the mood.

For those who just want one pickup type or the other, there’s no need to worry. This SE has two outputs – one for the piezo, the other for the magnetic pickups. If you’re feeling creative, send them to two separate amps or down two different signal paths. Yeah – it’s potentially a wildcard – but the versatility is totally unmatched at this price point.

Read the full PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo review

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Fender)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

14. Fender American Ultra Telecaster

A 21st century Telecaster

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Alder Or Ash With Gloss Polyurethane Finish

Neck:

Maple With Satin Urethane (Gloss Urethane On Headstock Face), Bolt-on

Scale:

25.5″ (648 mm)

Fingerboard:

Maple Or Rosewood

Frets:

22 Medium Jumbo

Pickups:

2 x Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele Single Coils

Controls:

Master Volume With S-1 Switch, Master Tone, Three-Way Pickup Selector Switch

Hardware:

Nickel/Chrome Six-Saddle American Tele With Chromed Brass Saddles, Deluxe Locking Tuners

Left-handed:

No

Finish:

Arctic Pearl, Cobra Blue, Mocha Burst, Ultraburst (With Maple Fingerboard); Texas Tea, Ultraburst (With Rosewood Fingerboard)

Today’s Best Deals

View at Gear 4 Music

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Thoughtful spec upgrades

+

Compound radius ‘board will please shredders

+

Modern D neck profile is addictive

Reasons to avoid

–

No vintage mojo here…

Fender’s Ultra series arrived in 2019 as a follow-up to its acclaimed Elite models and again successfully balanced innovation with tradition for timeless guitar designs. There’s some great upgraded features for here that genuinely enhance the playing experience… 

The rear of the Tele Ultra’s body is contoured to allow players easy access to the top frets. The 10″ to 14″ compound radius fingerboard to allow for the lowest possible action above the 12th fret on the modern D neck profile (currently exclusive to this series and deserving of wider use), while still delivering easy chording in the open positions. 

The fourth generation of Fender’s Ultra Noiseless Vintage single coils feature here – and we felt the tones they offer up were suitably fat, with plenty of clarity – without the hum – and there’s the Fender S-1 circuit to switch between series and parallel mode for additional tonal voices. 

Other contemporary features include locking tuners and Ultra-exclusive finish options (including the wonderful Texas Tea shown above), but the nod back to the 60s with body binding is most welcome. 

Read the full Fender American Ultra Telecaster review

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Gibson)

(Image credit: Gibson)

(Image credit: Gibson)

15. Gibson Les Paul ‘70s Deluxe

This ’70s throwback LP is a seriously cool guitar

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

1-piece mahogany (no weight relief) with carved plain maple top

Neck:

1-piece mahogany, rounded ‘C’ profile, glued-in

Scale:

24.6”

Fingerboard:

Single-bound Indian rosewood

Frets:

22

Pickups:

2x Gibson Mini Humbucker

Controls:

3-way toggle pickup selector switch, individual volume and tone controls

Hardware:

Tune-o-matic bridge, aluminium stud tailpiece, vintage style ‘Gibson Deluxe’ keystone tuners – chrome plated

Left-handed:

No

Finish:

‘70s Cherry sunburst, Goldtop

Today’s Best Deals

View at Andertons

(opens in new tab)

View at Gear 4 Music

(opens in new tab)

View at Thomann

(opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+

Classic LP finishes

+

Mini humbuckers are surprisingly rich

+

Not as expensive as we thought

Reasons to avoid

–

It’s not ‘traditional’

The Gibson Les Paul ’70s Deluxe is a much overlooked member of the LP family – but we think it could be one of the best. Blending the classic aspects of the well-loved Les Paul with some slightly less predictable accouterments, we think this ’70s Deluxe delivers tones aplenty – and looks awesome, too.

Gibson’s Mini Humbuckers offer up a new take on the Les Paul tone. It’s not the first time we’ve seen them in a ‘Paul, but the added brightness and tonal precision took us by surprise during testing. If you’re looking for a LP that will deliver when called upon to cut through a mix though, this guitar should be at the top of your shortlist. The tone and feel both scream ’70s with this model – with a fairly fat neck profile and non-weight relieved body providing the heft we all associate with a Les Paul. 

There’s unfortunately no way that all this Mahogany, Maple and Rosewood comes cheap, but in comparison to some of recent history’s LPs, you get a lot for your money with this one. This guitar should be a definite contender if you’re searching for your new 6-string companion.

Read the full Gibson Les Paul ’70s Deluxe review

(Image credit: Gibson)

16. Gibson ES-335

One of the finest ES-335 electric guitars money can buy

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

3-piece maple/poplar/maple

Neck:

Mahogany

Scale:

24.75″

Fingerboard:

Rosewood

Frets:

22

Pickups:

2x Calibrated T-Type

Controls:

2x volume, 2x tone, 3-way selector switch

Hardware:

ABR-1 bridge with titanium inserts and stopbar tailpiece

Left-handed:

Yes

Finish:

Sixties Cherry, Vintage Burst, Vintage Ebony

Today’s Best Deals

View at Thomann

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View at Gear 4 Music

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Preorder at Andertons

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Reasons to buy

+

Possibly the best non-historic ES-335

+

Warm tone

+

Very versatile 

Reasons to avoid

–

Too big for some players 

–

A serious investment

The ES-335 is one of the most beloved electric guitars of all time – and for good reason! Its timeless appearance, effortless playability and out-of-this-world tone have melted the hearts of every type of guitarist imaginable. From blues enthusiasts to riff-rock connoisseurs, jazz cats and cowboy chord strummers, everyone loves this larger-than-life semi-hollow. 

Gibson’s latest ES-335 features everything you’d want from this classic guitar, from a hand-rolled mahogany neck, Gibson’s Calibrated T-Type humbucking pickups and hand-wired control assembly, as well as Vintage Deluxe tuners and lightweight Aluminum ABR-1 bridge and stop bar tailpiece. This guitar delivers bags vintage styling and tone with modern construction, resulting in one of the best ES-335s Gibson has put out in years. 

Yes, we are very aware that this is an expensive instrument, but with a guitar this good, it could be the only one you ever need. 

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

17. PRS McCarty 594

A 1959 Sunburst LP reimagined as a double-cut

Our expert review:

Specifications

Body:

Mahogany with carved figured maple top

Neck:

Mahogany

Scale:

24.594″

Fingerboard:

Rosewood

Frets:

22

Pickups:

58/15 LT Treble humbucker, 58/15 LT Bass humbucker

Controls:

2x volume, 2x tone (with push-pull coil-splits), 3-way selector switch

Hardware:

PRS two-piece bridge, Phase III locking tuners

Left-handed:

No

Finish:

McCarty Sunburst, McCarty Tobacco Sunburst, Orange Tiger, Trampas Green, Violet, Antique White, Black, Black Gold Burst, Blood Orange, Champagne Gold Metallic, Charcoal Burst, Emerald, Faded Whale Blue, Fire Red Burst, Frost Green Metallic, Gold Top, Gray Black

Today’s Best Deals

View at Andertons

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View at Thomann

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View at Thomann

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Reasons to buy

+

Four-control classic layout and shoulder-placed toggle switch

+

Superb build

+

Oh-so-classic vintage single-cut tones

Reasons to avoid

–

Not cheap

The McCarty Model – named after Theodore ‘Ted’ McCarty, Gibson’s president during its 1950s to 1960s heyday and, much later, ‘mentor’ to Paul Reed Smith – originally appeared in the early 1990s and was the company’s first attempt at a more vintage-informed guitar. It takes its name, primarily, from its scale length of 24.594 inches. However, the focus of the 594 is not just that scale length but a desire to recreate, as closely as possible, the ‘holy grail’ of vintage Gibson tone – a 1959 Sunburst, but in a modern double-cut guitar. 

A change comes, to our ears,  with the pickups, which are PRS’s latest date-series 58/15 humbuckers but with an ‘LT’ (Low Turns) suffix, which on a meter shows the bridge unit to have a lower DC resistance than the standard McCarty’s 58/15, although the neck pickup seems virtually identical. The four-control layout (the first PRS double-cut guitar to use it) possesses the classic LP setup and feels immediately comfortable to any player used to the much-copied Gibson layout.  

Full humbucking, or with the partial coil splits engaged, full volume, half volume, tones rolled off – not to mention the shades with both pickups on – there’s not a duff sound that we can find. Dynamic, expressive – it purrs, it roars, it’s one of the best electric guitars.

Read our full PRS McCarty 594 review

Best electric guitars: Buying advice

(Image credit: Future)

When was the electric guitar invented?

Like all great inventions, the electric guitar was born from a desire to fix a problem – that problem being the lack of volume from an acoustic guitar. Although the timeline is a little murky, most historians agree that the first-ever electric guitar made its debut in the hands of Charlie Christian in 1936. The prominent jazz musician needed his acoustic guitar to be louder so his guitar solos could be heard over the band. He would go on to add what we now think of as a pickup to the body of his guitar, and voila – the electric guitar was born.

What about the solid-body electric guitar? Well, there are many different accounts out there about who invented the first-ever solid-body electric guitar. Was it Rickenbacker’s Frying Pan lap steel or Les Paul’s log? The truth is, no one really knows who came up with the concept, but what we can all agree on is the first mass-produced electric guitar – as we know it today – was the Fender Esquire and Broadcaster in 1950. 

What’s quite remarkable is, the Broadcaster hasn’t changed that much since it was released at the start of the fifties. Okay, it did get a rebrand in 1952, after Gretsch pointed out they had a drum kit by the same name. However, the basics that made the guitar so revolutionary are still present today. Of course, this goes for all the guitars of America’s golden age; the Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, and ES-335 are all practically unchanged 70 years on.

Do electric guitar body shapes matter?

As we said above – the electric guitar hasn’t really changed since the fifties and sixties. Even new modern designs still harken back to the guitars of the past. So, let’s break down the most common guitar shapes. 

You can fit most electric guitars into two distinct camps – single-cutaway and double-cutaway guitars. The Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul are arguably the most popular single-cut guitars out there. While they can offer superior sustain – due to the increased mass – the absence of the second cutaway can leave you with problems accessing the higher frets. 

The Stratocaster and Gibson SG, on the other hand, offer two cutouts, giving greater access to the higher notes. They also tend to be lighter and come with more comfortable carves. As to which one is right for you, it’s really a matter of personal preference. 

The materials used on electric guitars can vary between models and brands. Still, the most common are mahogany, maple, alder, and ash. Each type of wood offers its own unique characteristics in tone and weight. Want a darker, warm-sounding guitar? Then perhaps mahogany is the wood for you. On the other hand, maybe you are looking for a brighter tone that won’t break your back? In that case, it’s worth keeping ash in mind. 

Hollowbody guitars – by their nature – are built in a completely different fashion. Most are constructed using laminates – most commonly maple – and often feature a center block for added sustain and feedback control.   

(Image credit: Future)

What do I need to know about guitar hardware?

The hardware on an electric guitar is more important than some players think, and it pays to ensure your new guitar has the best hardware you can afford. When we talk about hardware, we, of course, are referring to the bridge, machine heads, nut, and strap buttons

While at the beginner end of the spectrum, the hardware is serviceable and works perfectly fine for the most part. The more we increase the budget, the better the quality gets. For example, you may find a basic set of machine heads on an entry-level guitar. Whereas, on a high-end instrument, you are likely to find a set of locking machine heads that have a higher gear ratio and aid in string slippage, ultimately resulting in more stable tuning.

How do electric guitar pickups work?

Electric guitar pickups are the main tonal generators of the electric guitar and come in many different shapes and sizes. The two most common are the single coil and humbucker. Single coil pickups are generally brighter, more dynamic, and perfect for clean sounds – although if you asked Hendrix, he would’ve told you they can rock as well. There is a downside to the humble single coil, though, and that’s noise. Single coils suffer from a problem called 60-cycle hum, and it can be rather irritating, especially at high volumes or excess gain. 

Humbuckers, on the other hand, as the name suggests, buck the hum, eradicating the issue. Although in doing so, it does change the tonal characteristics of the pickup. Humbuckers tend to be fuller, warmer, and more aggressive sounding – perfect for blues, rock, and metal. 

Other things to consider  

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There are a few other things to consider when choosing the best electric guitar. For example, it’s worth paying close attention to the neck profile. At the end of the day, your new guitar needs to be comfortable and appropriate for the style of music you wish to play. There’s a reason many shredders gravitate towards the thin flat profile of an Ibanez, as it forces your hand to sit at the perfect angle for lightning-fast legato lines. On the other hand, some players love the fuller feel of a 50s-style “baseball bat” neck, as they prefer to tightly grip the guitar and dig in. Like most things on the guitar, it’s a personal preference. So experiment with different types. 

It’s also worth considering the scale length of your new guitar. Generally speaking, the shorter the scale length, the slinkier feeling the guitar. Drop tunings benefit from a longer scale length, as the increased distance between the bridge and the nut results in increased tension.  

(Image credit: Future)

How much should I spend on an electric guitar?

So how much can you expect to pay for one of the best electric guitars? Well, it really depends on the level of the guitar you’re looking for and your current ability. 

Usually, with guitars – or any instrument for that matter – the more you spend, the more you get. This is because premium instruments are lovingly handmade using the best materials by masters of the craft. This usually results in a better playing and sounding guitar – although this comes at a price. So we would say if you’re looking for a pro-level guitar, then you’ll want to spend $/£1,500+. 

Now, spending that level of cash as a beginner simply isn’t worth it. If you are just starting out, you can pick up a fantastic instrument for as little as $/£150, which is more than serviceable. Once you reach the intermediate stage, you’ll want to advance to a higher quality guitar, and anything from $/£500 upwards will make an excellent upgrade. 

Should I buy a guitar online?

There was a time when buying a guitar online was considered by many as a risky practice, but that’s certainly not the case anymore. 

Yes, while it’s preferable to try a guitar out at a local guitar store before making a purchase, it’s not always practical. Sometimes certain brands aren’t available in your local store, so you may not have the time to actually go shopping, or as a beginner, you could just be nervous about playing in the shop – well, buying online might be for you. 

Online music instrument retailers like Thomann, Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend, and Sweetwater offer hassle-free returns as standard, so you can purchase a guitar, play it in the privacy of your own home and send it back if it’s not right. Most offer between 30-45 days to return an item, as long as it’s in original condition.

How do I care for my electric guitar?

It’s essential to regularly restring your new guitar. Not only will this ensure it sounds its best, but it will also prolong the life of the frets. Before you use any cleaning solutions, it’s worth checking what type of finish you have on your guitar. It’s safe to use most types of guitar polishes on polyurethane finishes – although it’s worth checking with the manufacturer beforehand.

For nitrocellulose – found on Gibson and PRS guitars – you need to be far more careful which polish you use as you can damage the lacquer. Therefore it’s crucial to check that the polish you are using is nitro-friendly. With nitrocellulose, you also have to be careful which guitar stand you use, as it can react with certain rubber and foam materials.

(Image credit: Future)

How we test electric guitars

As electric guitars are very subjective instruments, we must put our personal preferences aside in order to test them fully. Any electric guitar we get our hands on, whether it costs $100 or $10,000, must meet a certain set of criteria before we recommend it to you.

When we receive a new electric guitar, the first thing we do is check the build quality of the instrument. We check every area of the guitar, making sure that it feels strong, sturdy and well put together. If the guitar has a bolt-on neck – such as a Stratocaster or Telecaster – we’ll take some time to make sure that this joint is tight and that everything fits as it should. 

We also look over the hardware of the guitar – most notably the tuners, electronics and bridge. This is to make sure that the tuners move smoothly, and that they offer a suitable amount of resistance. We’ll check the volume and tone pots to make sure they move as they should, and we’ll check the bridge and saddles to make sure there are no flaws, sharp edges or fitment issues. If the guitar has a tremolo, we’ll check that the action of the tremolo isn’t too soft or too difficult to use, too. At this point, we’ll also look over the finish of the guitar and make sure there are no flaws, and that the finish of the guitar suits the price point of which it sits at.

We’ll then put the guitar through its paces with a playing test. For this test, we’re looking specifically at how the guitar plays straight out of the box – as this is the most common playing experience that someone who buys a guitar online would have. We’re checking to see how comfortable the neck is in our hand, but also how well the neck and frets are finished. We’re looking out for sharp fret ends and any frets that are taller than the others, but also looking for any intonation issues or truss rod issues. Does the guitar need another setup, or is it playing the best it can already?

Finally, we test to see how the guitar sounds. This is, again, pretty subjective, but usually a manufacturer will design a guitar to have a specific sound and purpose. We check to see  not only whether the guitar lives up to the manufacturer’s intentions, but also whether it has any other tricks up its sleeve. We’ll always test an instrument to its strengths first of all, but we like to test them in a range of musical scenarios and styles to see what they can do.

Read more about how we test music making gear and services at MusicRadar.

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