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Electric Guitar Reviews Reviews

The Best Electric Guitars Under $400

It’s no secret that finding the best electric guitars under $400 can be frustrating.

It can be hard to know which features are the most important ones, or even which guitar is best for your playing style!

Fortunately, we’ve done the research and found the best electric guitars that’ll fit your budget.

Why settle for an okay electric guitar when you can have the best for under $400?

Best Electric Guitars Under $400: Best Overall

Ibanez Artcore AS73 Semi-Hollow

Are you interested in a versatile guitar that’s suitable for a wide range of music? Then check out the Ibanez Artcore AS73.

It has a semi-hollow body composed of linden with a set-in neck ensuring a solid tone, matchless resonance, peerless sustain.

The neck is made of nyatoh in an Artcore AS shape with a radius of 12″ ensuring top-notch playability.

With a bound walnut fretboard that has acrylic block inlays and 22 medium-sized frets, you can enjoy playing jazz, rock, or blues.

Two Classic Elite humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions give you a rich, nuanced tone with a fat low-end. Plus, separate volume and tone knobs for each pickup let you effortlessly dial in your preferred tone.

Finally, the Gibraltar Performer bridge gives you first-class sustain while the Quick Change III tailpiece guarantees faster, and easier string changes.

Pros

  • Available in 3 Colors

Cons

  • Plastic Nut

The Ibanez Artcore AS73 is a quality semi-hollow body guitar that has a bright, expressive tone, that’s suitable for a wide variety of sounds and playing styles.

If you’re looking for a guitar with acoustic resonance, but don’t want the hassles of a hollowbody guitar, the Artcore AS73 is a great contender.

You’ve waited long enough. Click here and get yours now

Best Electric Guitars Under $400: Best Budget

Schecter Omen-6

If you’re looking for a metal machine, a good place to start is with Schecter Guitar Research. Their Omen-6 electric guitar is a shred-ready metal machine, at a great price.

It has a lightweight and resonant body made of basswood and is arched with a binding, so it looks as cool as it sounds.

The bolt-on maple neck has a thin “C” shape and a radius of 14″ enabling a hassle-free shredding experience.

Additionally, the fretboard is made of rosewood, with 24 X-Jumbo frets so you can play riffs all the way up the scale. It also has Pearloid semi-goth inlays, for a sleek metal look.

The Schecter Diamond Plus pickups in the neck and bridge position have a solid, clear clean tone as well as a crunchy low end that sings through distortion.

Finally, a Graph Tech XL Tusq nut and a Tune-O-Matic bridge with string through body design ensure high-performance tuning stability, as well as enhanced sustain.

Pros

  • Available in 3 Colors
  • TUSQ Nut
  • Left Hand Model Available

Cons

  • Left Hand Model More Expensive

On the whole, the Schecter Omen-6 has a sophisticated look that is enhanced by its unique fretboard inlays and headstock shape.

It’s an electric guitar meant for heavy metal shredding, but its shred-friendly neck and versatile pickups mean that if you just like the looks, you can use this guitar for lots of other tones.

Intrigued? Click here to get yours today.

Best Electric Guitars Under $400: Best Runner-Up

Ibanez RGA42FM

The Ibanez RGA42FM is part of the RGA series of precision-made instruments, that are designed to “handle the heaviest, most physically demanding music you can conjure up.”

The solid mahogany body has a bolt-on neck as well as contouring that offers you unhampered playability, without fear of damaging the body.

Plus, it has a flamed maple top, available in 3 different colors, that gives you some really iconic looks.

The 3-piece maple neck is in Ibanez’s Wizard III shape and makes playing easy whether crunching through power chords or flying up and down the neck.

Additionally, the Jatoba fretboard has offset dots and 24 jumbo frets so it’s perfect for shredding, as well as playing jazz or even blues.

The Ibanez Quantum humbucker pickups in the neck and bridge positions give you amazingly simple access to an exciting range of tones.

Additionally, the neck humbucker can be set to Parallel Mode, giving you a clean sound with lower output. The neck and bridge pickups can also be split-coiled and played together for a jazzy sound.

Finally, the F10 fixed bridge ensures tuning stability while the string-through-body design ensures plenty of resonance and sustain.

Pros

  • Available in 3 Colors

Cons

  • Plastic Nut

As you can see, the Ibanez RGA42FM has a neck that’s effortless to shred on, as well as a look that says rock and roll.

Whether you’re after a more aggressive-looking shred guitar, or just want a guitar with a neck that’s easy to play, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Why wait another day? Click here to get yours now.

Best Electric Guitars Under $400: Best Under $300

Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club

Are you ready to play an affordable Gretsch guitar that has a classic and timeless design? Then you’re ready for the Gretsch G2210 Streamline Junior Jet Club.

With a resonant solid nato wood body and a bolt-on neck, this Gretsch delivers a classic sound and easy playability.

The nato neck has the smooth playability Gretsch is known for thanks to its 12″ radius and thin “U” shape.

Additionally, the laurel fretboard has 22 medium jumbo frets, and Pearloid Neo-Classic thumbnail inlays for a classic look and easy playing feel.

Two Broad’Tron humbucking pickups ensure the classic Gretsch look and sound while providing a bright, snappy tone.

With vintage-style control knobs and nickel hardware, you can effortlessly dial in your tone in style.

Finally, the anchored compensated wraparound bridge is an elegant solution to tuning stability and intonation issues that also enhances your tone.

Pros

  • Available in Four Finishes

Cons

No Left Handed Model
Plastic Nut

By and large, the Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club is a stripped-down Gretsch workhorse that’s resonant and stylish.

It delivers everything you’re looking for, at an amazingly affordable price.

Click here to order now while there’s still time!

Best Electric Guitars Under $400: Best Under $200

Squier Bullet Strat HT

What’s the most effective way to get a great-sounding electric guitar for under $200? The Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT!

It has a Stratocaster-shaped Poplar body with comfort cutouts and a bolt-on neck so it has a classic tone and is comfortable to play.

The neck is maple and has a “C” shape with a radius of 9.5″. As a result, it’s suitable for a wide range of playing styles.

Additionally, the fretboard is Indian laurel with 21 medium jumbo frets and white Pearloid dot inlays so it has a simple, timeless look and easy playability.

With three single-coil pickups at the neck middle and bridge positions, this Stratocaster plays a wide variety of timeless tones as well as sounding dynamic and responsive.

Plus, it’s easy to dial in your sound with a 5-way pickup selection switch, a master volume knob, and a tone control for the neck pickup, and one for the middle pickup. No tone control for the bridge, in old-school Fender style.

Lastly, the hardtail bridge has six individual saddles allowing easy intonation of your guitar, and plenty of resonance and sustain.

Pros

  • Comes in 5 Colors
  • Also Available With a Humbucker Bridge Pickup

Cons

  • Plastic Nut
  • No Tremolo

All in all, the Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT is a budget-friendly Stratocaster packed with world-class features and tones, perfect for a beginner or anyone looking for a Strat.

There’s no time like the present, so click here and get yours now.

Tips and Tricks

You’ve got your new guitar! Congratulations! Now what?

Change the Strings on Your New Guitar for Better Sound

The strings on your new guitar may be a year old, which means your guitar won’t sound its best. Changing the strings will improve your sound. For more, see this post here.

Only Adjust the Truss Rod After Letting the Guitar Acclimate

After receiving your guitar, give it at least 24 hours for the wood to fully reach the temperature of your home. Oftentimes, a guitar that has fret buzz, or dead spots hasn’t fully warmed/cooled from travel, and will “self adjust” once the wood has a chance to fully expand/contract.