The 25 Best Electric Guitars under $1000 In 2024 

If you are looking to get yourself a new electric guitar, you are probably already aware that there are plenty of different options on the market. And the main question is which one to pick. Fortunately, there are plenty of different options for you to find. The only thing that matters is how much you are willing to spend. 

Of course, the more money you have, the better the guitar will be. At least to a point. Here, I will go through some of the best options for guitars under $1000. This will give you plenty of options for models, price, and quality. 

Ibanez RGD61ALA-MTR

• Body: Ash
• Neck: Panga panga/walnut (5-piece)
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 26.5” (673 mm)
• Frets: 24, jumbo
• Pickups: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers Ceramic humbuckers
• Bridge: Mono-Rail bridge
• Finish: Midnight Tropical Rainforest

Ibanez has been a go-to brand for many players in the past couple of decades, especially if they are into heavier genres. These models have a unique shape, but it bears a resemblance to Stratocaster or Super Strat guitars. There is a double cutaway, two humbuckers, and a three-way switch.

The guitar is versatile and powerful, and with the Midnight Tropical Rainforest finish, it looks incredible. There are many different Ibanez models you can find, but this one is one of the best models in this price range. 

Fender Player Series Strat MN TPL

• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Maple
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: New Player AlNiCo V single coils
• Bridge: 2-Point tremolo
• Finish: Tidepool

If you are a fan of Fender and looking for something traditional, Fender’s Player Series might be just the right thing for you. The guitar looks amazing. It has a maple neck and fretboard, alnico pickups, and a standard vintage tremolo. 

The color is Tidepool, and it is a nice combination of modern and traditional. The model (as well as the entire series) is made in Mexico, which is why the price is significantly lower compared to other Stratocasters. This also means that you will have a hard time finding anything better in this price range. 

Evh Frankie ‘78 Eruption

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Quartersawn maple
• Fretboard: Maple
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 22, jumbo
• Pickups: EVH Wolfgang humbucker
• Bridge: 6-Saddle vintage style Fender Strat synchronized tremolo with 43 mm brass block
• Finish: White with black stripes

The guitar is based on the model played by Eddie Van Halen, and it is a brand he started. The company is part of Fender, and it offers numerous models built based on Eddie’s specifications. The most iconic guitar he played was Frankenstrat, and this is a black and white version of it. 

It has a single humbucker, one knob, and a six-point tremolo. It’s easy to use, and you will be able to get a powerful tone from it. Frankie includes all modern features you can find on Fender and Jackson guitars, like easier access to the truss rod. 

Cort G-300

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Roasted maple
• Fretboard: Roasted Maple
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH2N (neck) and TB4 (bridge) humbuckers
• Bridge: Cort CFA-III tremolo with stainless steel base plate & block
• Finish: Black

Cort offers a great selection of mid-priced instruments, and G-300 is a great example. It has two Seymour Duncan humbuckers, a standard tremolo, and a maple neck. It’s comfortable, and two cutaways make it easy to play even on higher frets. 

The bolt-on neck has a rounded edge on the body, which makes playing a bit simpler compared to traditional Stratocasters. And Seymour Duncan pickups are quite versatile, and you won’t need to replace them since the quality is already amazing. 

Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas HH LGM

• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 22, jumbo
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 (bridge) and Seymour Duncan ’59 SH-1N (neck) humbuckers
• Bridge: Recessed Floyd Rose 1000 series double-locking tremolo
• Finish: Lime Green Metallic

Charvel was founded in 1974, and the company focused on modding Stratocasters. The brand was rather popular among metal players like Jake E. Lee, Eddie Van Halen, Satchel, and others. Over the years, the company started making incredible instruments, and today, they are owned by Fender. 

This model here is the iconic San Dimas guitar, and it has two Seymour Duncan humbuckers, Floyd Rose, and a beautiful Lime Green Metallic finish. It is a powerful guitar, and it sounds amazing. 

Chapman Guitars ML1

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (bridge) and Seymour Duncan Sentient (neck) humbuckers
• Bridge: Chapman hardtail bridge
• Finish: Rainstorm Blue

Chapman Guitars is a company founded by Rob Chapman, who is known for his incredible videos made with Captain Lee Anderton. For years they made amazing reviews of instruments and guitar equipment, and the duo decided to make something new and unique. 

The ML1 guitar features a Strat-shaped body but with many differences and changes, you won’t see on a regular Fender. It has two Seymour Duncan pickups, a hardtail bridge, and a beautiful finish. Chapman guitars are quite good for the price range, and they are worth checking out. 

Ibanez RG420HPFM-BRG

• Body: Nyatoh
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Jatoba
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 24, jumbo
• Pickups: DiMarzio The Tone Zone (bridge) and 1 DiMarzio Air Norton (neck) humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose
• Finish: Blue Reef Gradation

If you are looking to get yourself a metal guitar in the mid-price range, the RG420 by Ibanez might be a perfect choice. The guitar has all the features you would expect from an Ibanez guitar, including a powerful set of DiMarzio pickups, Floyd Rose, and two cutaways. 

One of the main advantages of Ibanez guitars is that they are so versatile, and the RG420 is no different. You can play anything on it, and the humbuckers will allow you to push it as hard as you want. 

ESP LTD EC-1000 Vintage Black

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 24.72” (628 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: EMG 81 & EMG 60 humbuckers
• Bridge: TonePros T3B-T & T1Z locking bridge
• Finish: Black

ESP is a Japanese company founded in 1975. It mostly focuses on guitars and basses, and the models are inspired by well-known guitars. However, there are enough new features that will make the models worth checking out. The ESP LTD EC-1000 shares a lot of features with Les Paul, but it is a metal guitar. 

It features two EMG pickups, 81 and 60, which means that it has active electronics. The bridge is the standard fixed bridge you’d find on Les Paul guitars, and the entire guitar looks amazing. Thanks to its active pickups, you will be able to push the tone quite hard and play any genre you can imagine. 

Fender Jimi Hendrix Strat OWH

• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Maple
• Scale length: 25.5” (648 mm)
• Frets: 21, medium jumbo
• Pickups: American Vintage 65 single coils
• Bridge: Synchronised tremolo
• Finish: Olympic White

Many people consider Jimi Hendrix to be one of the best guitar players in history. And if you share this point of view, you might want to check out his signature Fender. The guitar is inspired by one of Jimi’s models, and it has an Olympic White finish. 

The main feature is the reverse headstock. Unlike the original model, this is a right-handed guitar, and it has vintage-sounding single-coil pickups. It is one of the best Stratocasters you can find in this price range, and it’s worth the price. 

Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Prophecy

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 24.76” (629 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: Fishman Fluence humbuckers
• Bridge: LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge with LockTone Stop Bar
• Finish: Bone White

Epiphone is a part of Gibson, and the company offers cheaper versions of Gibson guitars. But at the same time, there are unique models you won’t be able to find elsewhere. One of the examples is Epiphone Prophecy, which is Jerry Cantrell’s signature model. Needless to say, this is a great choice if you are a fan of Alice in Chains, but even if you aren’t, it is still worth checking out. 

The guitar is based on Les Paul, and it has a couple of interesting features. These include Fishman Fluence pickups, push/pull pots, and a unique neck profile. All things considered, it is a great guitar and one of the best Epiphone models you can find. 

Gibson Les Paul Tribute STB

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Scale length: 24.76” (628 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: 490 R and 490 T humbuckers
• Bridge: Aluminium Tuneomatic bridge
• Finish: Satin Tobacco Burst

Of course, if you are looking to get a Les Paul, there isn’t a better option than Gibson. While Gibson guitars can be quite expensive and well over our budget limit, you can still find cheaper models like the Tribute series. It has a mahogany body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard. 

It also has two humbuckers designed by Gibson and a standard fixed bridge. Those that can afford to buy on the edge of this price range will love this Les Paul, and it is an excellent guitar. 

PRS SE Santana SY

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Scale length: 24.5” (622 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: PRS SE Santana humbuckers
• Bridge: PRS Tremolo
• Finish: Yellow Santana

PRS gained popularity thanks to the beautiful design and unique looks of each model. But the most popular series is the one designed for Santana. It has custom pickups, a beautiful flame maple top, and a PRS tremolo system. 

The shape of the guitar is similar to other PRS models, but there are a few differences in design. It also has two potentiometers for volume and tone, and it sounds amazing. It is one of the best guitars by PRS, and it is not as expensive as some other models on the list. 

Gibson SG Tribute NW

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Scale length: 24.72” (628 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) humbucker
• Bridge: Aluminium Tuneomatic bridge
• Finish: Natural Walnut

Les Paul and SG are two of the most popular guitars by Gibson, and both are available in the Tribute series. The guitar looks great, it shares pickups with the Les Paul model, and it’s quite versatile. The SG Tribute also has dot inlays instead of pearloids you would find on more expensive instruments. 

One of the main advantages of the Gibson SG is that it is quite comfortable and lightweight, and it’s easy to play on higher frets. This makes it an excellent option for all skill levels and music genres. 

ESP LTD H-1001 

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 24, X-jumbo
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan Sentient (neck) and 1 Seymour Duncan Pegasus (bridge) passive humbuckers
• Bridge: Hipshot String Thru bridge
• Finish: See Thru Black Cherry

ESP LTD H-1001 is a real treat. The guitar has a Strat shape but with sharper edges and binding. The body is made of mahogany, with a flame maple top that gives the instrument a gorgeous look. There is one volume and one tone knob, which makes everything a lot simpler. 

When it comes to the sound, the Sentient/Pegasus combo by Seymour Duncan makes the instrument quite versatile, and you can easily play any genre you like. At the same time, the pickups are passive, and you won’t need to worry about batteries. 

PRS SE Silver Sky Stone Blue

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: 635JM “S” single coils
• Bridge: PRS tremolo
• Finish: Stone Blue

PRS offers a huge range of guitars, and you can undoubtedly find one that’s perfect for you. One of the models you can check out is PRS SE Silver Sky. The model is a signature guitar made for John Mayer, and it has three single-coil pickups. 

Unlike the majority of PRS guitars, this one has a simpler color without the flame maple top. In fact, the model is quite similar to Stratocasters, and it is PRS’ take on the well-known guitar. 

Schecter C-6 Pro

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Wenge
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 24, X-jumbo
• Pickups: Schecter Diamond Decimator humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Special Hot Rod locking tremolo
• Finish: Aurora Burst

Those that are looking for something traditional will probably enjoy C-6. The guitar is a classic, and it is a perfect example of what Schecter has to offer. It has a Super Strat shape, two humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose. Both pickups are designed by Schecter, and they can be quite powerful. 

And if you love guitars with unusual colors, you will adore Aurora Burst and how it looks on this Schecter. All things considered, Schecter C-6 is a great model, and it’s worth the price. 

Jackson SL2Q Pro Soloist

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 24, jumbo
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 (bridge) and Seymour Duncan Distortion SH-6N (neck) humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 Double-Locking Tremolo
• Finish: Transparent Purple

Jackson has been a go-to brand for many players, especially beginners. You can find models that are quite affordable, and the brand is highly versatile. At the same time, there are pricier models for those that want something a bit better. 

This model here is a Super Strat, it has two humbuckers and both are designed by Seymour Duncan. It also has a Floyd Rose and a beautiful purple finish. Needless to say, the model is available in different colors as well. 

Epiphone Flying V Prophecy Black

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 24.72” (628 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: Fishman Fluence humbuckers
• Bridge: LockTone Tune.o.matic bridge and stopbar
• Finish: Black Aged Gloss

Flying V is a legendary guitar that gained popularity thanks to metal musicians. And if you always dreamed of having one for yourself, you should check out this Epiphone. The guitar is based on Gibson Flying V, but it has all the benefits of modern instruments. 

The body is made of mahogany, it has a maple neck with ebony fretboard, and it features a duo of Fishman Fluence pickups. One thing you will notice is that this is one of the pricier Epiphone guitars, which just shows how high the quality is.

Schecter Omen Extreme 6 

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 24, X-jumbo
• Pickups: Diamond Plus humbuckers
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic bridge
• Finish: See-Thru Black

Omen is another great series by Schecter, and it is perfect for heavier genres. The guitar has a fixed Tune-O-Matic bridge and two Diamond Plus pickups. It is a beautiful combination of traditional and modern, and it has a beautiful See-Thru Black finish. 

While the pickups are great for metal, it doesn’t mean that it is the only genre you can play on it. It works great on any since these pickups are quite versatile. One of the main advantages of Schecter Omen is its simplicity since there is no tremolo or anything else to distract you from playing. 

ESP LTD GH-200 Gary Holt

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Jatoba
• Scale length: 24.72” (628 mm)
• Frets: 22, X-jumbo
• Pickups: ESP-designed LH-301N (neck) / LH-301B (bridge) humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Special Tremolo
• Finish: Black with three red stripes circumferencing the body and neck

GH-200 is Gary Holt’s signature model, and if you love Slayer and Exodus, this might be a perfect guitar for you. The model looks like a metal version of Les Paul with Floyd Rose and ESP pickups. It’s powerful, heavy, and looks amazing.

There is something unique about the all-black guitar with red pickups, and it is quite affordable. Of course, the model is designed for metal, and it works great on high gain. 

Gretsch G5422TG Electromatic SW

• Body: Maple
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Laurel
• Scale length: 24.6” (625 mm)
• Frets: 22, medium jumbo
• Pickups: FT-5E FilterTron humbuckers
• Bridge: Adjusto-Matic bridge with secured Laurel base
• Finish: Snowcrest White

Now it’s time for something different. Gretsch G5422TG is a hollow-body guitar from the Electromatic series. The body is made of maple, with a maple neck and laurel fretboard. It has two FilterTron pickups and a Bigsby. 

The guitar looks similar to other Gretsch models, which means that the quality is exceptional. Additionally, the Snowcrest White finish looks gorgeous paired with gold hardware, and it is perfect for any genre. 

Yamaha Revstar RSS02T Sunset Burst

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Scale length: 24.76” (629 mm)
• Frets: 22, jumbo
• Pickups: P90 AlNiCo 5 single coils
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic bridge with racing tailpiece
• Finish: Sunset Burst

Yamaha is another excellent brand, and while it is known for its incredible acoustic guitar repertoire, there are still a couple of electric ones worth mentioning. Yamaha Revstar is one of the most popular models by this Japanese company. 

It is a solid-body guitar with a unique shape, and it has two single-coil pickups. But unlike Fender, these two pickups are based on the P90. The guitar is versatile, easy to use, and sounds great. 

Kramer Guitars Jersey Star AW

• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Maple
• Scale length: 25.51” (648 mm)
• Frets: 22, medium jumbo
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH-2 (neck) and 2 SH-4 (bridge & middle) humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 Series
• Finish: Alpine White

Kramer was founded in the seventies, and the company made guitars with aluminum necks. In the eighties, Kramer started focusing on metal guitars, and it is one of the biggest metal brands. The brand is a part of Gibson, and it offers guitars, unlike any other brand. 

The model here is Jersey Star, and the first thing you will notice is that it has three humbuckers. All three are made by Seymour Duncan, and they are SH-2 in the neck and SH-4 in the middle and bridge positions. The guitar also features Floyd Rose and star inlays on the fretboard. It is also worth mentioning that this is Richie Sambora’s signature model. 

Dean Guitars Dimebag Far Beyond Driven

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Pau Ferro
• Scale length: 24.76” (629 mm)
• Frets: 22, jumbo
• Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH13 Dimebucker (Bridge) – DMT Design (neck)
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Locking R3
• Finish: Blue Bolt Graphic

Every metal player knows Dimebag, and if you are a fan of his playstyle, this guitar will be perfect for you. The model is based on the guitar Dimebag used to play, and it is incredible. It has DMT Design pickup in the neck position and SH6 Seymour Duncan in the bridge position.

It also has a Floyd Rose and a unique shape. Needless to say, the guitar is designed for all Pantera lovers out there, but others can check it out as well. 

Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth

• Body: Maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Indian Laurel
• Scale length: 24.72” (628 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: Epiphone Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers
• Bridge: Epiphone LockTone Tune-o-Matic bridge and StopBar
• Finish: Black Aged Gloss

Getting a Gibson ES-335 for under $1000 is impossible. But you can get an Epiphone instead. This model is Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth, and it is a unique guitar. It is a semi-hollow body guitar with a couple of new features.

Instead of the traditional f-shaped holes on the sides of the body, this model has two parallelograms. The combination of the black finish and gold hardware always looks good, and the guitar is gorgeous. 

Conclusion

For under $1000, you can find plenty of great guitars. While the price range won’t allow you to go for a professional instrument, you can find incredible models for any genre. The main question is what kind of instrument do you want to buy.

Do you want a metal guitar? Semi-hollow? Or a traditional Stratocaster? Fortunately, all of these models are available, and the only thing you will need to do is choose which one to buy. Keep in mind that this price range is a bit higher, which means that the quality is amazing. 

The closer you are to the budget limit, the better the instrument will be, and the only thing that sets them apart is your personal preference.

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