Are you interested in the best cheap electric guitar for beginners?
Today, more than ever, finding the best cheap electric guitar for beginners can be frustrating.
It’s difficult to know which model or brand is best.
Plus, beginners often have a hard time understanding what features they really need.
Nothing’s worse than buying a guitar only to find out it’s the wrong one for you.
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work and found the best cheap electric guitars out there that are great for beginners.
Check it out!
Best Cheap Electric Guitar for Beginners: Best Overall
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster
Are you looking for a cheap electric guitar that’s got great quality, versatile tones, and is perfect for beginners? Then check out the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster.
It features a poplar body in the timeless Stratocaster shape with a bolt-on neck and a gloss polyurethane finish so it’s resonant, easy to play, and delivers the classic Stratocaster experience.
The maple neck has a slim “C” shape and a radius of 9.5″ so it has a comfortable feel in your hand, a vintage playing feel, and adds a classic tone to your sound.
With 21 medium jumbo frets and Pearloid dot inlays, the Indian laurel fretboard has the classic Strat look, modern playing improvements, and adds a warmer tone to your sound.
The 3 Standard Single-Coil Strat pickups at the neck, middle, and bridge positions deliver all the Stratocaster tones Fender is famous for. Plus, the master volume control and separate tone controls for the neck pickup and the middle pickup give you complete control over your sound.
Finally, the 6-saddle vintage-style tremolo will let you add some vibrato to your playing while providing easy intonation and solid tuning stability.
Pros
- Available in Multiple Colors
- Also Available with Maple Fretboard
- Comes with Free Guitar Lessons
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster is a cheap electric guitar that’s perfect for beginners.
We think you’ll agree that it delivers versatile tones and an easy playing experience.
Why wait? Click here to get yours now.
Best Cheap Electric Guitar for Beginners: Best Budget
Glarry 39″ GTL Electric Guitar
Are you looking for a cheap electric guitar that is very easy on your budget and still delivers a classic electric guitar? Then check out the Glarry GTL Electric Guitar.
It features a Tele-style body made of basswood with a bolt-on neck and a scale length of 25.5″ so it’s lightweight, has a classic look, and produces a rich tone with a great low end.
The maple neck has a comfortable profile and adds a classic look and tone to your sound while also providing stability.
With 22 frets and dot inlays, the maple fretboard delivers an easy playing experience as well as a timeless tone.
The 2 single-coil pickups are controlled by a 3-way pickup switch, a master volume control, and a master tone control.
As a result, it delivers the classic Tele-sounds that are perfect for beginners.
Finally, the bridge features classic barrel saddles for a sharper tone and a more vintage tone.
Pros
- Available in Multiple Colors
- Includes Gig Bat, Guitar Strap, and Picks
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Glarry GTL Electric Guitar delivers a classic electric guitar design at a bargain price.
We think you’ll find it’s perfect for a beginner on a budget who still wants a quality electric guitar.
Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.
Best Cheap Electric Guitar for Beginners: Best Runner-Up
Ibanez Gio GRG131DX
Are you interested in a cheap electric guitar that has awesome metal looks, has great quality, and modern features? Then check out the Ibanez Gio GRG131DX.
It features a poplar body in Ibanez’s RG shape and a bolt-on neck so it’s lightweight, has a snappy tone, and is very comfortable to play.
The maple neck has Ibanez’s GRG shape and a radius of 15.75″ so it’s very stable, has a comfortable shape, and is easy to play fast leads on.
With 24 jumbo frets and red Sharktooth inlays, the bound purpleheart fretboard delivers a heavy metal aesthetic, a full 2-octave playing range, and is easy to play.
The Ibanez Infinity humbuckers at the neck and bridge deliver full, warm tones and are wired to deliver a wide variety of sounds including split-coil tones.
Plus, your tone is easily controlled thanks to a master volume control, a master tone control, and a 5-way switch.
Finally, the fixed bridge features a string-through-body design that ensures easy intonation and rock-solid tuning stability.
Pros
- Available in 2 Colors
- Cool Inlays and Color Scheme
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Ibanez Gio GRG131DX is one of the best cheap electric guitars for beginners.
We think you’ll find it delivers quality features, dynamic looks, and versatile tones that make it an excellent purchase.
Why wait? Click here and get yours now.
Best Cheap Electric Guitar for Beginners: Best Under $200
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA
Are you looking for a cheap electric guitar that delivers serious looks, tones, and playability? Then check out the Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA.
It features an arched top body made of poplar and is in Jackson’s dynamic Dinky shape with a bolt-on neck. As a result, it has a snappy tone, is comfortable to play, and has a superior look.
The neck is made of maple and has a “Speed” shape along with graphite reinforcement, a scarf joint, and a compound radius of12″-16″. All this means it delivers rock-solid stability, a natural feel in your hand, and is as easy to play at the first fret as the last.
With 24 jumbo frets and Pearloid sharkfin inlays, the amaranth fretboard has the classic Jackson looks and adds a warmer tone to your sound, as well as delivering a full 2-octave playing range.
The Jackson High-Output ceramic humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions deliver full, rich tones that allow you to play with lots of power and aggressiveness while never getting muddy.
The pickups are controlled by a 3-way switch, a master volume control, and a master tone control so you’re always in total control of your tone.
Finally, the 2-point fulcrum tremolo lets you add vibrato to your playing while helping to keep your tuning stable, and the intonation process straightforward.
Pros
- Also Available in Left Hand Model
- Available in Multiple Colors
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA has a dynamic look, versatile features, and potent playability.
We think you’ll find it’s a great option for anyone looking for a cheap electric guitar that’s easy for a beginner to play.
Don’t miss this out! Click here to get yours now.
Best Cheap Electric Guitar for Beginners: Best Under $150
Ibanez Gio GRX20Z
Are you interested in a cheap electric guitar that has a versatile design, easy playability, and is great for a beginner? Then check out the Ibanez Gio GRX20Z.
It features a poplar body in Ibanez’s classic RG shape and a bolt-on neck so it delivers a snappier tone, has a comfortable shape, and is easy for beginners to play.
The maple neck is in Ibanez’s GRX shape and features a radius of 12″. As a result, it adds warmth to your tone, has versatile playability, and is very stable.
With simple dot inlays and 22 medium frets, the jatoba fretboard is easy for beginners to play, has a timeless look, and adds a rich mid-range and a crisp high-end tone to your sound.
The Ibanez Infinity humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions deliver a full range of tones that are perfect for beginners to learn and experiment with.
Plus, with a master volume control, a master tone control, and a 5-way switch it’s easy to dial in your preferred sound.
Additionally, the humbucker pickups are wired for split-coil tones so you have a wide variety of tones to experiment with.
Finally, the T106 tremolo lets you add some vibrato to your playing while ensuring easy intonation and plenty of tuning stability.
Pros
- Available in 2 Colors
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Ibanez Gio GRX20Z is a cheap electric guitar that delivers all the features and tones a beginner needs to master the electric guitar.
We think you’ll find its quality features and easy playability make it perfect for the beginner on a budget.
Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.
Best Cheap Electric Guitar for Beginners: FAQ
- Which guitar is best for beginners?
- A simple setup and a classic design work well for beginners. Please see our Best Overall and Best Budget recommendations.
- What is the most affordable electric guitar?
- Please see our Best Budget recommendation. It’s very affordable and well-reviewed online.
- What is a good price for a beginner electric guitar?
- An electric guitar can run anywhere from under $100 to $1000. If you plan to spend $200 to $300 you should come away with a good electric guitar that you’ll be happy with.
- Can I play electric guitar without amp?
- Yes, absolutely. You won’t have the volume you’ll get with an amp, but if you’re just starting and want to buy an amp later, this is a good way to get started.
- Can I learn electric guitar on my own?
- Absolutely. If you’re an adult, see this post for more information.
JT currently resides in Southern California and has been playing the guitar since he was 13. He enjoys baking French pastries, drinking loose-leaf tea, and running Slackware Linux.
