Are you intrigued by the best inexpensive electric guitars?
Today more than ever, choosing an inexpensive electric guitar can be a challenging experience.
With so many different brands, models and options, it can be frustrating to find the electric guitar that’s right for you.
Plus, you don’t want to purchase a guitar, only to find out it’s not a good fit for you.
Fortunately, we’ve taken the guesswork out of it!
We’ve done all the research, weighed the different options and compared all of the models, and found the best inexpensive electric guitars available today.
Check it out!
The Best Inexpensive Electric Guitars: Best Overall
Squier Classic Vibe 70’s Stratocaster
Are you looking for an inexpensive electric guitar with classic looks, versatile features, and versatile tones? Then check out the Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Stratocaster.
It has a poplar body in classic Stratocaster shape and a bolt-on neck so it’s got a classic, resonant tone and is very comfortable to play.
The maple neck is in a “C” shape with a 9.5″ radius so it adds a classic tone to your sound, and has a vintage-style playing feel.
Adding a sophisticated look, and a more resonant tone to your sound, the Indian laurel fretboard features 21 narrow-tall frets, classic dot inlays, and a bone nut.
Plus, with Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil pickups at the neck, middle, and bridge positions it has an authentic Fender sound that’s versatile enough to play a wide variety of styles.
Additionally, your sound is controlled by the master volume knob, a tone knob for the neck pickup, and a tone knob for the bridge and middle pickups, giving you complete control over your sound.
Lastly, the 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo adds vintage vibrato to your sound and makes intonation a breeze.
Pros
- Available in 3 Colors
- Bone Nut
- 100% Designed by Fender
Cons
- Single Coil Sounds not Everybody’s Cup of Tea
All in all, the Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Stratocaster is an inexpensive electric guitar that’s high-quality with a timeless design and versatile tones.
We think you’ll find that it’s a timeless guitar that will last a lifetime of playing.
Why wait another day? Click here and get yours now.
The Best Inexpensive Electric Guitars: Best Budget
Ibanez Gio GRG121DX
If you’re looking for an inexpensive electric guitar that’s got versatile features and compelling looks, then check out the Ibanez GIO GRG121DX.
It has a poplar body in Ibanez’s RG shape so it has contours that make it easy to play and comfortable to hold as well as a powerful and resonant tone.
The GRG-shaped maple neck is fast-playing with a radius of 15.74″ making it very flat and easy to play leads on.
With 24 jumbo frets and white Sharktooth inlays, the bound purpleheart fretboard adds a rich tonal character, an aggressive look, and frets that are easy to bend on.
Plus, the two IBZ-6 ceramic humbuckers at the neck and the bridge add full, crisp tones and are wired for split-coil tones. As a result, this guitar has a great range of sounds and styles.
Finally, the F106 hardtail bridge makes intonation easy and straightforward while also enhancing your sustain thanks to its string-through-body design.
Pros
- Available in 2 Colors
- Versatile Switching Setup
Cons
- Plastic Nut
All in all, the Ibanez GIO GRG121DX is a very inexpensive electric guitar that delivers a wide variety of tones, and features.
We think you’ll agree that it’s got great looks and is easy to play, while also being an excellent value.
Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Inexpensive Electric Guitars: Best Runner-Up
Squier Classic Vibe 60’s Jazzmaster
Are you looking for a modern homage to a classic vintage electric guitar? Then check out the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Jazzmaster.
It has a poplar body in a comfy Jazzmaster shape with a bolt-on neck so it’s light, resonant, and very playable.
The maple neck is in a “C” shape with a radius of 9.5″ so it has a very vintage playing feel that’s still easy to play.
With 21 narrow-tall frets, white dot inlays, and a bone nut the Indian laurel fretboard adds a warmer more resonant tone to your sound.
Two Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil pickups feature vintage-correct dual-channel Jazzmaster switching so they have an authentic Fender tone.
Plus, the specially-voiced rhythm and lead circuit controls mean you can explore a wide range of tones.
Lastly, the 6-Saddle Vintage-Style non-locking floating vibrato bridge ensures expressive string bending and great string stability
Pros
- Available in 3 Colors
- Vintage Style Tuners
Cons
- Switching System can be Confusing
All in all, the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Jazzmaster has classic tones and a vintage vibe.
We think you’ll agree that it’s Perfect for playing surf music or jazz.
Why wait? Click here and get yours today.
The Best Inexpensive Electric Guitars: Best Under $400
Ibanez RGA42FM
Are you looking for an inexpensive electric guitar that has high-powered looks, quality, and performance? Then check out the Ibanez RGA42FM.
It has a sculpted RGA-shaped body that’s made out of meranti with a flamed maple top. As a result, it’s comfy to play, has a warm and full tone, and a dynamite look.
The maple neck is in Ibanez’s Wizard III shape with an easy-to-play radius of 15.74″. This ensures the neck is flat, fast, and very stable.
Plus, the jatoba fretboard adds a rich mid-range and crisp high end to your sound while providing a full 2-octave range thanks to its 24 jumbo frets.
The Ibanez Quantum humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions provide an accelerated bass response that helps to track high-speed staccato riffing with high-end articulation and no muddy mid-range. As a result, your notes will be clear and easy to hear through distortion.
Additionally, the 5-way pickup switch lets you set the neck humbucker in parallel mode, as well as split-coil for both pickups. This gives you a wide variety of tones that are perfect for a wide range of musical styles.
Finally, the F106 hardtail bridge enhances resonance and sustain while ensuring reliable tuning stability.
Pros
- Plastic Nut
Cons
- Available in 3 Finishes
All in all, the Ibanez RGA42FM delivers unique looks, lots of different tones, and enhanced playability at a budget-friendly price.
We think you’ll agree that it’s an inexpensive electric guitar that delivers an immense amount of value.
Why wait another day? Click here and get yours now.
The Best Inexpensive Electric Guitars: Best Under $300
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster
Are you looking for an inexpensive electric guitar that has a classic look, versatile tones, and vintage-style playability? Then check out the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster.
It has a poplar body in the classic Stratocaster shape with a bolt-on neck and so it delivers timeless Strat-tones, solid playability, and timeless looks.
The maple neck has a slim “C” shape with a radius of 9.5″ so it has the playing feel of a vintage Strat and a comfortable shape for your hand.
Additionally, the Indian laurel fretboard delivers the classic looks and tone of a Strat thanks to its 21 medium jumbo frets and Pearloid dot inlays.
With Standard Single-Coil Strat pickups at the neck, middle, and bridge positions you can play all the versatile Stratocaster tones that have served guitarists for decades.
Finally, the 6-saddle vintage-style tremolo lets you add vibrato to your playing and ensures easy string intonation.
Pros
- Also Available with Maple Fretboard
- Available in Multiple Colors
Cons
- Plastic Nut
- 9.5″ Radius Fretboard isn’t as versatile as 12″
As you can see, the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster has the classic looks and timeless features that you need to play a wide variety of music.
We think you’ll agree that it’s an inexpensive electric guitar that will serve you for years to come.
Why wait? Click here and get yours now.
FAQ
- What is the best inexpensive electric guitar?
- See our Best Overall and Best Budget recommendations.
- What is the best electric guitar for the money?
- For the money, see our Best Overall and Best Runner-Up Recommendations. This post has some recommendations that might be helpful.
- What are the best electric guitars under $500?
- See this post for our recommendations.
- What is the best entry level electric guitar?
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.