What is the Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500?

Who else wants to find the best single coil guitar under $500?

Forget everything you’ve heard about single-coil guitars under $500.

Here’s why: It’s often difficult to find the right single-coil guitar.

The different models, features, and options can be confusing and it isn’t often clear what the differences are.

Plus, there’s nothing worse than buying a guitar, only to find out that it’s the wrong one for you.

That’s why we’ve done the research and found the best single-coil guitars available today.

Check it out!

The Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500: Best Overall

Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster

Are you looking for a single-coil guitar that has classic tones, a timeless design, and a vintage playing feel? Then check out the Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster.

It has a body made out of pine with a bolt-on neck, and ’50s inspired headstock markings. As a result, it has a vintage look, is very resonant, and has a timeless tone.

The maple neck is in a “C” shape with a radius of 9.5″ so it’s comfortable in your hand and has a vintage playing feel.

With 21 narrow-tall frets, small dot inlays, and a bone nut, the maple fretboard has a vintage look and feel, adds a classic tone to your sound, and ensures superior resonance and sustain.

Plus, the Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups at the neck and bridge deliver classic Fender tones and are controlled by a 3-way switch, a master volume knob, and a master tone knob.

Finally, the vintage-style string-through-body bridge optimizes resonance and sustain while delivering the classic single-coil Telecaster sound.

As you can see, the Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster delivers distinctive single-coil sounds and an easy playing experience all at an affordable price.

We think you’ll find its ’50s inspired looks and modern features combine for a potent single-coil guitar.

Why wait? Click here and get yours now.

The Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500: Best Budget

Donner DTC-100

Are you looking for a single-coil guitar that has classic single-coil tones, dynamite style, and is very affordable? Then check out the Donner DTC-100.

It has a Telecaster-style body made of poplar with a bolt-on neck so it has a balanced tone with classic styling and plenty of resonance.

The Canadian maple neck has a “C” shape with 22 copper-nickel frets and a perilla fretboard so it adds a classic tone to your sound, has a contemporary look, and delivers an enjoyable and easy playing experience.

With two single-coil pickups at the neck and the bridge positions, it produces everything from bright, quacky tones to full jazzy sounds.
Plus, with a 3-way pickup switch, master volume, and master tone controls you’re always in control of your sound.

Finally, the 6-saddle string-through-body bridge ensures superior sustain, straightforward string changes, and better sustain.

As you can see, the Donner DTC-100 has the looks, features, and playability you’re looking for all at a very affordable price.

We think you’ll agree that it’s perfect for rock, jazz, or blues and delivers some classic single-coil tones.

Why wait? Click here and get yours now.

The Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500: Best Runner-Up

Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster

Are you looking for a single-coil guitar that has versatile tones, easy playability, and a timeless design? Then check out the Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster.

It has a pine body in the classic Stratocaster shape with a bolt-on neck and a gloss polyurethane finish so it has an old-school look, an attractive finish, is very resonant and comfortable to play.

The maple neck has a “C” shape and a radius of 9.5″ so it has a vintage playing feel and a shape that feels comfortable in your hand.

With 21 narrow-tall frets, black dot inlays, and a bone nut, the maple fretboard has a classic look, adds a classic tone to your sound, and delivers more resonance and a vintage playing feel.

The 3 Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil pickups deliver a wide range of classic and versatile tones. They are controlled by a 5-way switch, a master volume knob, and separate tone knobs for the neck pickup and the bridge and middle pickups. As a result, you have full control of your sound at all times.

Finally, the vintage-style tuners and 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo produce the vintage looks and tones of a classic Stratocaster while providing modern tuning stability.

As you can see, the Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster delivers all the tones, looks, and easy playability that has made Stratocasters popular single-coil guitars.

We think you’ll find its versatility, comfortable body shape, and classic looks make for a potent single-coil experience.

Why wait another day? Click here and get yours.

The Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500: Best Under $1000

Fender Deluxe Nashville Tele

Are you looking for a versatile single-coil guitar that has first-rate Fender playability, a wide range of tones, and classic styling? Then check out the Fender Deluxe Nashville Tele.

It has an alder body in the classic Telecaster shape with a bolt-on neck that has a sculpted heel so it’s lightweight, resonant, and easier to play at the higher frets than a classic Telecaster.

The maple neck is in a modern “C” shape and has a radius of 12″ so it’s perfect for players who need a faster-playing neck than a traditional Tele, but still desire the “chunky” feel of an old-school neck.

Plus, with 22 narrow-tall frets and white Pearloid dot inlays, the Pau Ferro fretboard adds a warmer tone to your sound and has a vintage playing feel.

Breaking with tradition, there are two Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Tele pickups at the neck and bridge and a Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat pickup in the middle position. This means it produces the classic single-coil tones of a Tele while adding even more sonic choices.

Lastly, the bridge is a 6-saddle string-through-body Tele design with block steel saddles. When coupled with the locking tuners, they ensure rock-solid tuning stability and superior sustain.

As you can see, the Fender Deluxe Nashville Tele is a versatile single-coil guitar with a unique pickup design.

We think you’ll find that its modern playability and unique tones make for a powerful and versatile single-coil guitar.

Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.

The Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500: Best Under $700

Schecter PT Special

Are you looking for a single-coil guitar that combines versatile and powerful tones with a classic design and features intended to please modern players? Then check out the Schecter PT Special.

It’s got a Tele-style body made of swamp ash, with comfort cuts and a contoured bolt-on neck so it’s very comfortable to play and has a warm and resonant tone.

The maple neck is in a “C” shape and has a 12″ radius so it’s stable, versatile, and comfortable in your hand.

With black dot inlays, 22 extra-jumbo frets, and a Graph Tech XL Ivory Tusq nut, the maple fretboard ensures a superior tone, modern playability, and a classic tone.

A P-90 style Schecter Diamond V-90 pickup is at the neck positions, while the Schecter Diamond VT-1 at the bridge has a more vintage sound. This means you have a wide range of tones to choose from, from clear and twangy to snarly and growling.

Plus, the push/pull tone knob lets you choose between series and parallel wiring, giving you even more tone options.

Finally, the vintage ashtray bridge features staggered brass saddles while the headstock has Grover vintage tuners. Combined, they give you classic sustain, superior resonance, solid tuning stability, and an excellent tone.

As you can see, the Schecter PT Special is a very versatile single-coil guitar that benefits from modern enhancements.

We think you’ll agree, this isn’t your average Tele even though it’s capable of delivering classic tones.

Why forego the pleasure? Click here and get yours now.

The Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500: Best Under $400

Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster

Are you looking for a single-coil guitar that’s affordable, high quality, and great for a beginner? Then check out the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster.

It has a poplar body in the classic Stratocaster shape with a bolt-on neck and a gloss polyurethane finish which means it’s resonant, comfortable to play, and has the classic Stratocaster look and sound.

The maple neck is in a slim “C” shape and has a radius of 9.5″ so it’s comfortable in your hand, has 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 adds modern playing improvements, a warm tone to your sound, and a classy look.

The 3 Standard Single-Coil Strat pickups at the neck, middle, and bridge positions deliver all the classic single-coil tones you’re looking for, from bright, spanky sounds to crunchy overdriven tones. Plus, with a master volume control, and separate tone controls for the neck pickup, and one for the middle pickup you have complete control over your sound.

Lastly, the 6-saddle vintage-style tremolo lets you add some vibrato to your sound while also providing straightforward intonation and solid tuning stability.

As you can see, the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster is an affordable single-coil guitar that has the classic single-coil sounds and modern playing experience you’re after.

We think you’ll find it’s a great guitar for a beginner who’s after versatile single-coil tones.

Why wait? Click here to get yours now.

The Best Single Coil Guitar Under $500: FAQ

• What is the best $500 electric guitar?
  • Please see our Best Overall and Best Budget recommendations. Also, see this post for more recommendations on some good guitar under $500, this post has some 7-string recommendations, and this post is on Telecasters under $500.
• What is the best guitar under $400?
  • Please see our Best Under $400 recommendation as well as this post on the Best Guitars under $400 and this post on the Best Electric Guitars under $400.
• What’s the best electric guitar for the money?
  • Please see our Best Overall and Best Budget recommendations. These are two of the best options for electric guitar beginners and have been well-reviewed.
  • Also, see this post with Squier Telecaster recommendations.
• What is the best inexpensive electric guitar?
  • A Squier Telecaster or Tele-style electric guitar is often available inexpensively and can be very versatile. Please see our Best Overall and Best Budget recommendations.