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!

Five Electric Guitars That Offer the Best Value

Top 5 electric guitars for the money at glance:

Product	Image	Rating	Relative Price
#1 Overall Best Value Pacifica Series PAC12 Electric Guitar			$$
#2 Best Budget Model Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II Electric Guitar			$$
#3 Most Versatile Jackson JS22 Dinky Eelctric Guitar			$$
#4 Fastest Neck C-1 SGR by Schecter Electric Guitar			$$
#5 Best Classic Features Epiphone Les Paul-100 Electric Guitar			$$$

Until you know for sure that guitar is something you want to stick with and want to keep on playing, you want to make sure your money invested goes as far as possible. Luckily, there are many great beginner electric guitars on the market that won’t break the bank.

Below, we have a list of five of the best low priced electric guitars that are definitely worth looking into.

In Review: The Top 5 Electric Guitars for the Money

1. Best Electric Guitar for the Money: Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 Electric Guitar

Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 Electric Guitar

If like most of us, you want to get the best value for your money, it’s essential to do your research such as that which went into this article.

The smooth design of the Yamaha PAC12 includes one of the sleekest external designs on the market. All Pacifica models have a similar design – meaning while the PAC12 is the lower-end model on the market, it benefits from a similar design to some of the more expensive models.

Yamaha’s Pacifica PAC12 is a popular choice for beginner players due to its low price and robust functionality. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door.

This guitar offers quality performance despite being less than $200, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a similar guitar in with the same performance at this price point. This model provides much more sound power and range than other guitars in its market segment.

Considering this model remains a popular stalwart in the industry after almost 30 years, you can trust the Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 is built to last.

Key Features

• Professional Quality at an Entry-Level Price
• Smooth Design
• Variations to choose from
• Plenty of power and internal master controls
• Factory Warranty Included
• Made under strict quality controls during the manufacturing process

Pros and Cons

Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 Electric Guitar Review

What Do Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 Owners Think?

For more details, read our complete comprehensive Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 review here.

2. Best Budget Model: Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II

Epiphone Les Paul Special-II Electric Guitar

If you’re a fan of electric guitars, there’s a high chance you’ve heard of a Les Paul – it’s one of the world’s most popular designs. The Les Paul SPECIAL-II is Epiphone’s most basic offering, but being one of the most affordable electric guitars on the market, it also has plenty to offer.

Choosing the right guitar is a complicated process that should entail plenty of research. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II with an aim to provide a bit of that research for you.

Epiphone is one of the world’s most notable guitar manufacturers. While they originated in Turkey in the 1800s, the current company, Gibson, is best-known as one of America’s most famous musical institutions. The firm is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee.

This particular Epiphone guitar model is also featured as a package in our Best Guitars for Beginners Guide. For a more detailed look at the instrument on it’s own,, you can read our full review here.

Read What Epiphone Les Paul Special-II Users are Saying

Key Features

• Classic Les Paul design
• Electronics that perform
• Warranty that lasts
• One of your best sounding options under $200.
• Built from basswood and a solid option in general.

Pros and Cons

Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II Review

Are Epiphone Les Paul Special-II Owners Happy? >>

Interested in more info? Check out our in-depth Epiphone Les Paul II review here.

3. Most Versatility: Jackson JS22 Dinky

Jackson JS22 Dinky Electric Guitar

Do you want a solid body guitar that is attractive, plays well, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg? If so, look no further than the Jackson JS22 Dinky, with its solid basswood body made with a beautiful finish.

This right-handed guitar from Jackson has a one-piece neck made of solid maple, and it also has graphic reinforcement on the joint. The bolt-on scale length is 25.5 inches, and there is a truss rod. This affordable guitar looks great, and it sounds awesome when you play it through an amp.

If you love the classic Jackson tone, you will enjoy playing the JS22 Dinky. It has all of the things that musicians love about Jackson guitars, but it comes at an affordable price so anyone can have their own awesome Jackson guitar.

Key Features

• This guitar has many upgraded features, including an arched top, high-output ceramic pickups, a graphite-reinforced maple neck, bound fingerboard and headstock, and attractive black hardware, so you get a really great looking guitar
• The bound rosewood fingerboard has 24 jumbo frets. This makes this guitar really stand out from other beginner, low-end guitars that do not have the full fretboard. You can go a long way on this guitar, and it’s going to grow with you
• Enjoy the dual, high-output Jackson humbucking pickups that have ceramic magnets, along with three-way blade switching. There is also a synchronized fulcrum tremolo bridge, as well as die-cast tuners

Pros and Cons

Jackson JS22 Dinky Review

Read What Jackson JS22 Customers are Saying >>

Need more details? Read our comprehensive Jackson JS22 Dinky review here.

4. Fastets Neck: C-1 SGR by Schecter

Schecter C-1 SGR Electric Guitar

Let’s start by discussing the C-1 SGR from Schecter. This is an attractive, uniquely shaped beginner guitar that plays as great as it looks. It has one very unique feature in that it has 24 frets, something that you aren’t going to find in a lot of beginner electric guitars.

Priced very affordably, this SGR guitar from Schecter is an ideal inexpensive instrument you can definitely grow with. The pickups produce clean balanced tones that can easily be colored with a variety of effects.

If you are looking for a cheap guitar that has a decent sound quality, this is one of the models you need to seriously consider. It may be cost-effective, but there really is nothing cheap about this guitar. It looks and plays awesome.

Click Here to Read the Latest C-1 SGR Reviews >>

Key Features

• This electric guitar has a unique looking fretboard. While the pearloid dots aren’t unique to this guitar, they really do stand out against the rosewood fretboard, and there is a unique filigree pattern on the 12^th fret
• The shape of the C-1 SGR is interesting and attractive. It has a smooth, arched top that makes this guitar very comfortable to play, whether you are sitting or standing. This also makes it easy to use both the controls and the fretboard
• The hardware on this guitar is made from polished, black chrome, something else that sets it apart from other entry level guitars that just have regular or polished chrome in silver tone. This is just one more feature that gives this guitar its unique appearance

Pros and Cons

Schecter C-1 SGR Review

What are Schecter C-1 SGR Players Saying? >>

Read our complete expert Schecter C-1 review here

5. Best Classic Features: Epiphone Les Paul-100 Electric Guitar

Epiphone Les Paul 100 Electric Guitar

A lot of musicians enjoy playing on Epiphone guitars, and for some very good reasons. For starters, even the low-end models are fun to play on, and they look and sound terrific. Take the Epiphone Les Paul-100 electric guitar for instance.

This guitar has a mahogany body with a maple top and a rosewood fretboard, and it comes in the traditional sunburst finish. It has all of the features we love about a Les Paul, but comes at a fraction of the price.

One of the things we love about this guitar is the body, because it is slightly slimmer than LP Studio or Standard guitars. It is more lightweight than other models, making it easier to play while standing for extended periods of time.

Key Features

• This guitar has a classic LP tone, thanks to the 700T and 650R open coil, Humbucker pickups. Each pickup has its own separate volume and tone controls, so you can control each one individually to get the sound you really want
• Some of the standard features of all Epiphone guitars, including the Les Paul-100, include 500 Ohms potentiometers, as well as the Epiphone heavy-duty, three-way pickup selector toggle switch and non-rotating heavy duty output jack
• This guitar is going to tune easily, and stay in tune, thanks to the Epiphone Lock-Tone locking Tune-o-Matic bridge. There is also a stop-bar tailpiece that is going to give you more sustain, along with attractive chrome hardware

Pros and Cons

Epiphone Les Paul-100 Electric Guitar Review

What Do Epiphone Les Paul 100 Players Think? >>

For more info, you may be interested in our complete Epiphone Les Paul 100 review.

Our Best Value for the Money Guitars Finalists:

Best Electric Guitar Value

Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC12 Electric Guitar...

Best Budget Model

Epiphone Les Paul Special II, Vintage Sunburst

Most Versatile Guitar

C-1 SGR by Schecter Beginner Electric Guitar...

Conclusion – Which Electric Guitar is the Best Deal?

As you can plainly see, you don’t have to go out and spend hundreds of dollars for a decent beginner electric guitar. This is particularly good when you have children who want to learn, but you aren’t sure if they’re actually going to stick with it.

Any of these guitars will be a great choice for the beginner who wants a quality guitar to learn on, and they come from some of the most trusted guitar manufacturers in the world.

All told, considering fit, finish, cosmetics, playability, and bundled accessories, we’d have to say the overall winner in this shootout is the Yamaha Pacifica PAC12. Simply put, it represent the overall best electric guitar for the money.

EDITOR’S PICK

Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 Electric Guitar

Check Yamaha Pacifica Availability! >>

Remember the Guitar Accessories!

OnStage XCG4 Black Tripod Guitar Stand, Single

Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner for Guitar, Bass & Violin...

Pick Punch - The Original Guitar Pick Punch SAME...

D'Addario Accessories Pro-Winder Guitar String...

The post Best Electric Guitar For The Money [Reviews & Buying Guide] first appeared on GuitarNiche.

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!

Find the Best Electric Guitar to Start With!

Great Beginner Electric Guitars at a Glance:

Rank	Feature Image	Rating	Relative Price
#1 Best Beginner Guitar Squier Affinity Stratocaster Beginner Pack		(4.7)	$$$
#2 Best Budget Package LyxPro Electric Guitar Complete Beginner Starter kit		(4.4)	$$
#3 Best for Hard Rock Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package		(4.4)	$$$
#4 Best Vintage Starter Pack Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package		(3.9)	$$
#5 Best Standalone Instrument Ibanez GRX70 Electric Guitar		(4.4)	$$$

Purchasing your very first electric guitar, either for yourself or for your child, can be very exciting. It can also get a little confusing if you’re not familiar with some of the terminologies, or simply don’t know what to look for.

Luckily for you, seeking out the best electric guitar for beginners has resulted in a few good choices available in today’s market, coming in a variety of prices to fit various budgets.

In Review: The Top 5 Electric Guitars for Beginners

1. Overall Best Beginner Guitar: Squier Affinity Stratocaster Beginner Pack

Best balance of build quality, playability, sound versatility and reputation.

AFFINITY SERIES STRATOCASTER HSS PACK (371824009)

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to have the look and feel of a Fender Stratocaster. In fact, you can get a low-end version of this guitar, and it is made by Fender, so you know it is going to be a quality instrument, even if it is inexpensive.

The Fender Squier was introduced to the world in 1982, and is mainly produced overseas, at factories that are mainly located in China and other parts of Asia. They are able to manufacture these guitars with cost-efficient materials, and bring the savings to you.

This is a bundle package, so not only do you get the Squier Affinity guitar, you also get everything needed, including virtual lessons, to jump right in and start playing. All the student needs to do is tune it up and it is ready to play, right out of the box.

Read What Squier Starter Strat Pack Customers are Saying >>

Key Features

• This bundle package comes with the Squier electric guitar, and all of the necessary accessories. The bundle includes the guitar, a 15G practice amp, instrument cable, shoulder strap, and extra guitar picks
• This guitar has a lightweight body making it a great choice. It has one humbucking pickup and two single-coil pickups, which provide a broad range of sounds plus that classic Stratocaster tone
• The Squier Affinity Stratocaster has a master volume control and a master tone control, with chrome finish hardware. The tuning machines are standard die-cast, and there is a three-ply, white pick guard

Squier Affinity Stratocaster Pack Review

What Do Squier Affinity Strat Owners Think? >>

Summary

Most kids would love to start out on a real Strat, but this is just way too much money to spend on a beginner. The Squier Affinity Strat Starter Pack is the ideal compromise, because you still get the Fender quality, and the Strat style, without the regular Strat price.

This bundle package is a great deal, with everything the student needs, and it is a guitar that they can learn and grow with.

2. Best Budget Package: LyxPro Electric Guitar with 20w Amp Package

Offers the most complete range of included accessories.

LyxPro 39 inch Electric Guitar Kit Bundle with 20w Amplifier, All Accessories, Digital Clip On Tuner, Six Strings, Two Picks, Tremolo Bar, Shoulder Strap, Case Bag Starter kit Full Size - Red

Let’s face it. One of the coolest guitars on the planet is the Fender Stratocaster, but who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a guitar for a kid who is just starting out, and might not even stay interested in playing?

Get them a great little guitar that looks just like a Strat, but comes in a bundle kit that costs less than $200? That guitar is the LyxPro electric guitar, and it comes in a bundle package with everything they need to open the box and start playing.

This is a full-size, 39-inch electric guitar that is ideal for both beginner and intermediate players, so it is a guitar that is going to grow with your young learner. It has a solid wood body, with a neck made from Canadian maple and a rosewood fretboard.

Check LyxPro Electric Guitar Customer Reviews >>

Key Features

• This guitar has S-S-S pickups, along with a one-way tremolo and a pickup switch. It also has separate volume and tone controls. All of the controls are laid out as they are on a Strat, so they are familiar and easy to reach and manipulate
• The bundle package includes the full-size, 39-inche electric LyxPro electric guitar, a 20-watt amplifier, a digital clip-on tuner, two picks, a set of extra strings, a shoulder strap, a tremolo bar, and a gig bag
• The 20-watt amp is great for beginners. It is just loud enough for them to be able to practice, and not so loud that it is going to drive everyone in the house crazy. It offers a quality sound, which is important for ear training

LyxPro Electric Guitar with 20w Amp Review

What Do LyxPro Customers Think? >>

Summary

It isn’t often that we find a guitar that we have no complaints about, especially one in this price range, but this is one of those rarities.

We like pretty much everything about this guitar. As far as the price goes, this bundle package is costlier than others we are looking at today, but when you consider the quality of the instrument and accessories, you really are getting a pretty great deal.

3. Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package

For heavier rock tones, this is the package for you.

Epiphone has been creating innovative guitar designs for the past century and they are well known for producing fine crafted instruments.

This Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package is known for the great sound quality, which it produces due to the open-coil humbucker and the solid wood body. This produces a great quality of sound without buzz, whether you use it for clean tones or on overdrive.

It may be more expensive than the others listed here but it offers a better quality guitar with additional useful accessories that beginners will certainly use. It is the best electric guitar for beginners who are really picky with the sound quality that their guitar produces.

It is a less expensive alternative that is great for beginners to practice on before they upgrade into the more expensive Fender or Gibson guitars.

The complete package contains the guitar, an amp, a guitar cable, a tuner, picks, gig bag, and a clip-on tuner. It comes in various colors to suit your preference and it is also available in different game configurations for compatibility to your game console.

Click Here to Check Epiphone Les Paul Player Package Availability >>

Key Features

• The player package includes a Les Paul Special-II LTD guitar
• The guitar has two classic humbucker pickups
• The package includes a 10-watt amp, 10’ guitar cable, gig bag, guitar strap, picks, and clip-on tuner
• Solid wood guitar body and mahogany neck
• Fretboard is made from rosewood
• Right-handed guitar
• Has the Les Paul signature to easily identify it as a great quality guitar

Epiphone Les Paul Guitar Player Pack Review

Are Epiphone Customers Happy? >>

Summary

The Epiphone Les Paul certainly offers up strong tones and great playability backed by a top brand name manufacturer. For more information on the guitar itself, read our full review here.

4. Best Vintage Style Starter Package: Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar

Classic Gibson style priced for entry level beginners.

Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package, Vintage Sunburst

Everyone wants to play a Gibson or a Fender guitar, but many people think that they can’t have a quality guitar from either of these manufacturers without having to spend a ton of money. If this is what you’ve been thinking, it’s time to think again.

Both manufacturers offer some great quality, low-end guitars, including the Maestro by Gibson. This electric guitar comes with a starter package, so you have everything you need to start playing right away.

This is a 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, and it offers an ideal tone for anyone 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

Maestro Electric Guitar Starter Pack Review

Do Maestro Customers Like the Guitar? >>

Summary

If you really want to play on a Gibson guitar, it is definitely within your reach with the Maestro. This starter package has everything you need to begin learning and playing right away, including a lesson DVD that will help you to get started.

You can buy this guitar for much less than it’s upper-priced counterparts, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money before you decide if you are going to continue learning and playing.

5. Best Standalone Beginner Guitar: Ibanez GRX70 Electric Guitar

If want to start with learning heavier modern tunes, this guitar is your best choice.

Ibanez GIO Series GRX70QA - Transparent Black Sunburst

An affordable take on the many high performance models from the Ibanez company, the GRX70 is an aesthetically pleasing and fun to play guitar.

The Ibanez GRX70 is a guitar designed for beginners and veterans alike who prioritize playability and modern styling above vintage specs.

Known for its fast neck and versatile Humbucker-Single-Humbucker configuration, you can coax a lot of sounds from the GRX70.

Like most guitars in this price range, Ibanez does its best to provide a quality product at a more affordable price. Much like their prized and pricey Joe Satriani and Steve Vai signatures, the GRX70 is all about performance.

This guitar is definitely more to the shred or metal side of the guitar world, but is comfortable and versatile thanks to the fast neck. While the GRX70 isn’t perfect, it should inspire the next wave of lead guitarists and is a great value.

Click Here to Check Davison Guitars Availability >>

Key Features

• Very versatile HSH pickup configuration
• Sports a thin, fast modern neck
• Dive bomb-ready whammy bar
• Can come paired with practice amp
• Ultra affordable guitar for what it is
• Consistently great reviews

Ibanez GRX70 Electric Guitar Review

What Do Ibanez GRX70 Guitar Owners Think? >>

Summary

For a standalone beginner electric guitar, the Ibanez GRX70 represent a superior deal.

If you’re into the heavier side of guitar music, the neck and whammy bar are built for shredding, and the Powersound pickups provide a good bit of tonal versatility.

Having a comfortable neck is one of the most important features in a beginner guitar, and the GRX70 excels in that department.

For more info, read our complete Ibanez GRX70 Electric Guitar review.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Beginner Electric Guitar

Considering the wide range of manufacturers, styles, and options available to those who want to start with a good electric guitar, the choices can be overwhelming and intimidating.

When shopping for the best option that ticks all the boxes for you personally, here are a few key points you should consider:

Budget

First, you should set a budget for the guitar you are purchasing. Just be careful about guitars that seem to be overly cheap. The market is flooded with inferior instruments that we classify as GSOs – Guitar Shaped Objects.

They may not be of the good quality and you can end up wasting your money with them. It is important to also see the quality of the guitar in relation to the price.

Brand

Another thing to consider is the brand. This can help determine whether a guitar is a great choice or not. Most brands that produce professional grade guitar models for performers will also have sub-brands that are targeted towards the entry level beginners.

For example; Gibson use the Epiphone name, Fender uses the Squier name and so on for the lower cost versions of their best guitar designs.

Style

It is also important to consider how you are going to use the guitar. Are you just purchasing a guitar for a game or do you want to really play music with it? You should also think about the certain genre that you are going to play and match your guitar with it.

Our Top 3 Choices for Beginner Electric Guitars:

Best Beginner Electric

AFFINITY SERIES STRATOCASTER HSS PACK (371824009)

Best Budget Package

LyxPro 39 inch Electric Guitar Kit Bundle with 20w...

Best Hard Rock Guitar

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack, Ebony

Final Verdict on Choosing the Best Electric Guitar For Beginners

Of all the five guitar sets reviewed here, our favourite pick is the Squier Affinity Starter Strat Pack is the best electric guitar for beginners who are looking for a longer lasting guitar made by a reputable manufacturer.

Although it may be a little bit more expensive than some of the others, the quality is that much better.

It also comes with a great set of accessories that beginners will find useful and essential. It’s a great step in purchasing a guitar and learning how to play it. With a good quality brand, you can also expect a good quality product.

EDITOR’S PICK

Squier Affinity Stratocaster Beginner Pack

What Do Squier Affinity Strat Pack Owners Think? >>

The post Best Electric Guitar For Beginners (How To Start Rocking Right) first appeared on GuitarNiche.

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 Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package			$$$
#2 Most Complete Bundle Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster Bundle			$$$
#3 Best Bargain Package Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter 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

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack, Vintage Sunburst

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

Epiphone Les Paul Player Package in Review

What Do Epiphone Player Pack Customers Think? >>

2. Most Complete Bundle: Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster

Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster - Transparent Blue Bundle with...

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

Squier Short Scale Stratocaster Bundle in Review

What are Squier Short Scale Strat Bundle Owners Saying? >>

3. Best Bargain Pack: Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package

Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package, Vintage Sunburst

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

Maestro Electric Guitar Starter Package in Review

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:

 Best Value Under $300

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack, Vintage Sunburst

Most Complete Bundle

Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster...

Best Bargain Package

Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package...

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

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