Interested in a guitar under $300? The good news is there are great inexpensive brand name electric guitar packages that are quite affordable.
What are the Best Guitars Under $300?
Top 3 Electric Guitars Under $300 Reviewed
1. Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package
2. Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster Bundle
3. Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package
Important things to consider when buying a budget electric guitar
What about the sound or tone?
Comfort
Appearance
Buying a used electric guitar
Compare your best choices for electric guitars under $300:
Wrapping Up: Which Inexpensive Electric Guitar is Best for You?
We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!
What are the Best Guitars Under $300?
Value Priced Electric Guitars at a Glance:
Product |
Image |
Rating |
Relative Price |
#1 Best Overall Value |
|
|
$$$ |
#2 Most Complete Bundle |
|
|
$$$ |
#3 Best Bargain Package |
|
|
$$ |
Top 3 Electric Guitars Under $300 Reviewed
We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!
1. Overall Best Value: Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package
The Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package comes complete with the guitar and accessories that you need to play.
This is the best electric guitar under $300 for those who want a guitar package from one of the well-known brands in producing fine electric guitars – Epiphone.
With the single coil pickup, the tone produced and amplified is buzz free. It also enables you to have a clean tone or to have it in overdrive.
The rosewood fingerboard, which has dot inlays, is bolted on the durable maple neck. It has the classic Les Paul signature on the headstock for that appealing look.
Included in the set is the 10-watt amp that beginners as well as more experienced guitar players can use. It also includes an easy-to-use chromatic tuner that easily helps keep the guitar in tune.
Click Here to Check Epiphone Les Paul Package Availability >>
Key Features
- Player pack package includes other accessories such as the 10-watt amp, 10’ guitar cable, clip-on headstock chromatic tuner, guitar strap, gig bag and picks
- Also included in the pack are free downloadable guitar lessons for beginners
- Available in different colors: ebony, heritage cherry sunburst and vintage sunburst
- Available in different configurations for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 or Xbox One
- Makes use of a humbucker guitar pickup
- Rosewood is used for the fretboard
- The body is made of solid-wood and the neck is made from maple
Pros and Cons
Epiphone Les Paul Player Package Review
What We Like
-
-
- The guitar itself is of good quality and additional accessories are included to help beginners start playing
- The open-coil humbuckers combined with the solid wood body enables this electric guitar to produce a unique and great tone
- Small sized amp is loud
- The guitar has a warm tone and it sounds as great as other more expensive guitars
- Cost- and beginner-friendly package
- This doesn’t only sound good but it looks good as well
-
What We Don’t Like
-
-
- The tuner doesn’t come with instructions
- Machine heads and strings may need replacement to further improve the quality and make it last longer
-
What Do Epiphone Player Pack Customers Think? >>
2. Most Complete Bundle: Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster
The Squier Short Scale Stratocaster has the look and feel of a real Strat, the biggest difference is its size. This is a guitar that is ideal for beginners or anyone who has smaller hands.
Manufactured by parent company Fender, this Squier guitar comes out of the box with low action. This means that the strings are rather high off the fret board, so you have to press down harder on them in order to get a sound.
This can be not only difficult for beginners, but also pretty painful, because they are not used to having to grip and press so hard.
While it is not uncommon to see girls playing the guitar these days, in the past, it was often something that was scoffed at, and even if they had any skills, they would hear, “You’re pretty good, for a girl!”
Also available in Olympic White and standard Black versions, there will be something for everyone, no matter what their color preference.
What Do Squier Short Scale Stratocaster Bundle Users Think?
Key Features
- This smaller version of the Bullet Strat is perfect for beginners. It has a slimmer body and neck profile, making it easier to play than a full-size Strat. It also has the same features you would expect on a regular Strat, including three, single-coil Stratocaster pickups and five-way switching
- The Squier Short Scale has new and improved tuning machines, as well as a hardtail bridge. It also has smaller strap pins than the Bullet Strat, and it has a side-mounted output jack for plugging it into an amplifier
- This guitar comes with a bundle package, so there is everything needed for the beginner to pick it up and start learning right away. This is an Austin Bazaar deal that comes with a clip-on tuner, a guitar strap, picks, an aux cable, a polishing cloth, and a DVD that is loaded with tips for the beginner
Pros and Cons
Squier Short Scale Stratocaster Bundle Review
What We Like
-
-
- This guitar is small in size, but big in sound quality. No matter what type of amplifier you plug it into, it is going to give you that classic Fender sound, and it sounds like a regular Stratocaster, and has a universal sound quality for all types of music
- The Fender Squier Short Scale sports a body made from poplar. The neck is C-shaped, and made from maple, and is a 24 inch scale length. The rosewood fingerboard has 20 frets with cream dot markers
-
What We Don’t Like
-
-
- Be sure to open the box as soon as your guitar bundle arrives. Due to packing errors, sometimes not all of the accessories are included
- We have found that in some cases, this guitar can actually be quite difficult to tune, and to keep in tune
-
What are Squier Short Scale Strat Bundle Owners Saying? >>
3. Best Bargain Pack: Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package
If you want to play a Gibson or a Fender guitar, many people think that they can’t have a quality guitar from either of these manufacturers without having a ton of money. If this is what you’ve been thinking, it’s time to think again.
Both manufacturers offer great quality, entry-level guitars, including the instrument in this Maestro by Gibson Starter Package. This electric guitar comes with a starter package, so you have everything you need to start playing right away.
This is a single cutaway guitar that’s similar in design to the early Les Paul body style Gibson guitars that are so sought-after.
The classic design lets you play comfortably, both while sitting and standing. It also offers a signature tone for those who wants to play rock and roll.
Read What Maestro Customers are Saying >>
Key Features
- The Maestro by Gibson has a Linden wood body, along with a solid maple neck and rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, making it look as great as it sounds. You will love the classic sunburst pattern that is common in Gibson guitars
- This guitar has a 24.75-inch scale length. This means that there is a lot less tension on the strings, so you don’t have to press on the strings as hard as you would with other guitars. This is great for beginners who haven’t toughened up their fingertips yet
- The tailpiece on this guitar is a traditional, wrap-around design that allows you to enjoy extra sustain, and the precision tuners are die-cast, so the guitar is going to stay in tune longer than other cheap guitars
Pros and Cons
Maestro Electric Guitar Starter Package Review
What We Like
-
-
- This is a starter package that comes with everything you need to start playing, including a practice amp, an aux cord, a strap, extra strings, picks, and a DVD with beginner guitar lessons
- The Humbucker pickup is a Gibson design, and it delivers a strong and powerful tone that is perfect for rock and roll
- There are separate volume and tone controls, and a headphone output jack that cuts out speakers when you are practicing with headphones
-
What We Don’t Like
-
-
- Check the package when it arrives, as not all of the accessories that are promised are always included due to packing errors
- Some people find that this is not a comfortable guitar to play, especially while sitting, because it has many sharp edges
-
What Do Maestro Package Customers Think? >>
Important things to consider when buying a budget electric guitar
When buying an inexpensive electric guitar, particularly on a budget, there are some other factors to keep in mind. It’s not enough that the electric guitar you find simply fits your budget, you should also look at the quality of the instrument as well as how it looks and feels when you play it.
What about the sound or tone?
The tone produced by an electric guitar is due to several things, among them is the kind of pickup it has combined with the type of wood the guitar’s made of.
For those who are just learning how to play and are just purchasing for personal use, you might want to skip investing guitars that cost hundreds, or thousands of dollars, just because the pedigree attests that they sound fantastic.
It may sound obvious, but you probably won’t have an ear developed enough to tell the difference – yet.
This can save you money but it doesn’t mean that you should buy just any guitar. You still have to make sure that the guitar can be tuned and that it produces a decent sound.
Finding the right guitar under $300 that fits your needs will help you enjoy your serious musical efforts, even if you’re just practicing.
You should look into the specific wood that the guitar is made of. Lower priced guitars may produce a tighter, brighter tone as compared to more expensive instruments known for producing a richer pallet.
As mentioned, it’s not just the wood that determines the overall tone, the pickups used greatly affect the sound you hear. If the guitar has a single coil pickup, expect to have a cleaner tone.
On the other hand, humbucker pickups offer tones with less interference or electronic buzzing. Fortunately, it’s possible to change the pickups if you’re not satisfied with them, but the extra parts and labor come at a price.
Comfort
How the guitar feels when you hold it or how comfortable you are while playing it should also be considered when buying. Electric guitars come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Thicknesses of the necks also vary, which can make or break the enjoyment factor.That’s why it’s best if you can try to hold the guitar at a local guitar store before buying.
Appearance
The appearance or cosmetic elements of the electric guitar should also be considered. Although this is personal, you would certainly be happier if your guitar matches your style.
Electric guitars come in a variety of colors and stylistic finishes. There are also some that have different shapes that not only affect the comfort while using it, but also its overall appearance.
Guitars come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and designs to attract you to buy them. Although one guitar may look flawless and beautiful, it is still important to consider how they play over how they look. Guitars are meant to be played and not just displayed.
Buying a used electric guitar
In order to save some money on the purchase of an electric guitar, some may decide to purchase a used one. It’s risky to buy a used electric guitar or any other item that was previously used. Although some deals are great, some may also be too good to be true.
When looking for used guitars to purchase, you have to be sure about the quality. The description may sound good, but sometimes it really isn’t. You also have to consider the price of the parts that you may need to replace.
Compare the overall cost of a used guitar plus the parts you need to replace with the price of a new guitar.
Ultimately it’s up to you how comfortable you are in spending your money, and your time, sourcing out a great deal.
Compare best choices for electric guitars under $300:
Wrapping Up: Which Inexpensive Electric Guitar is Best for You?
The three electric guitars reviewed here are all great for starting out under $300. But if you are looking for a particularly good value, the Epiphone Les Paul Electric Player Package would be our recommendation.
It has a better tuner that can easily be used even by beginners. It holds a tune better so that you won’t have to tune it all the time. It may require a proper setup at first, but when you’ve successfully made the adjustments, it’ll sound and play wonderful.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package
Are Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack Owners Happy? >>
- Build Quality
- Sound Quality
- Value Factor
Summary
Overall Score:
Great New Guitars Deserve Great Lessons. Try GuitarTricks for FREE Today!
Leave a Reply