More often than not, we always find it interesting to see and hear if there is any possible way an entry level electric guitar can outshine or even just come close with an expensive guitar model. These comparisons would mainly starts on looking at how they are built, time spent making them, where it is made and components used on the whole guitar. Having those as criteria in mind and as reality of it. So far it is given that it is going to be all in favor of the expensive models by a margin.
How about comparing the guitars only by the sound alone. Especially when overdriven playing in the realms rock and plug on the same amplifier or using the same set-up. Arguably there are many guitarist would find less expensive guitars are not bad at all. That they are also very much capable of producing the needed dirty tones and also able to produce a decent smooth clean sound to let players go out there and play.
The term cheap electric guitars doesn’t necessarily mean bad sounding and unplayable. It is a misnomer of a name given to affordable guitars, because they are still solid enough to fulfill most of the needs of a guitar player on sound, playability and be happy with the level of quality for its price. So without digging deep and emptying the pocket, here’s our list of the best electric guitars under two hundred dollars.
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C-1 SGR by Schecter
- Double cutaway body with an arch top is crafted in basswood
- Comfortable C-shape bolt-on maple neck
- 24 medium size frets rosewood fingerboard with inlay dots and gothic cross in the 12th fret
- Set of Schecter designed tuners
- String-through Tune-o-Matic bridge
- Schecter Diamond Plus humbucker pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by a 3-way toggle switch, a master volume and master tone knob
This electric guitar from Schecter has an awesomely low price for beginners out there with a genre of music in mind is to play rock and lots of heavy metal. The Schecter C-1 SGR superstrat guitar has similarities in aesthetic design with the Schecter Omen 6 series which is a more higher model and also has the humbuckers for its pick-ups controlled by master volume, single tone control and a 3-way toggle to switch between pick-ups to get near on what the higher models can do.
The C-1 SGR has a beautiful arch top double cutaway body made of basswood in different colors to choose from without the protection of a pickguard. Neck is thin C-shape carve out in maple, then overlaid by a 24 medium frets rosewood fingerboard top of by perloid dots and gothic cross at the twelve fret.
Hardware completing the guitar are 2-way adjustable truss rod for neck adjustment, Tune-O-Matic string thru body bridge and Schecter designed covered tuners.
Dean Vendetta XMT
- Double cutaway basswood body presented in different finishes namely classic black, red, blue and satin
- C-shape neck is bolt-on made of maple
- 24 frets medium jumbo black walnut fingerboard marked by inlay dots
- Set of sealed die-cast tuning machines
- Vintage tremolo bridge for vibrato effect
- 2 hum canceling DMT pick-ups which are controlled using a toggle switch for pick-up selection, master volume and master tone
Filling the need for a beginner guitar that can deliver awesome rock and heavy metal sounds without breaking the bank is the Dean Vendetta XMT. It is a nice affordable starter guitar for a beginner to pair with a decent size amplifier to turn their bedroom or any room at home into a personal studio.
This guitar features a comfortable lightweight superstrat basswood body that comes in different finishes matching the hardware of the guitar. It has a satin finish bolt-on maple neck attached to the body using four screws without a plate, then top of by 24 medium jumbo frets black walnut fingerboard guided by dot inlays.
Powering the guitar are two warm sounding humbucking pick-ups designed by Dean placed on the neck and bridge controlled by a master volume, master tone and a 3-way toggle switch to select the pick-up to use or play both the humbucks at the same time.
Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012
- Agathis body in violin sunburst, black, metallic blue and metallic red
- Comfortable C-shape maple neck
- 22 frets sonokeling fingerboard with dot inlays
- Set of die-cast tuning machines
- 6-saddle tremolo style bridge
- SSH pick-ups configuration controlled by a 5-way pick-up selector switch, master volume and push/pull tone knob
It’s amazing to see a company that excels in all the products and services they offer, while other companies are struggling and scratching their heads to find a way to break through in the market. The best example of such success on Yamaha is with their long line of guitars and two of those guitars they have are considered by many is best for beginners. These guitars I’m taking about is the Pacifica Series PAC112 together with the PAC012 featured here, which is also available on a GigMaker package.
The simplicity and ergonomic design of the Pacifica PAC012 body mirrors that of the PAC112 models. It is also available in exciting colors to match it perfectly to the player preference. Tonewood for PA012 as specified on the Yamaha catalog can either be in alder, nato or agathis, while the PAC112 is only made in alder wood. Neck for both guitars are made in maple with a satin finish then it is overlaid by a 22 medium frets rosewood fingerboard marked by inlay dots.
For pick-ups the PAC112V version has alnico V for its single-coil and humbucker compared to the PAC112J which has the same pick-ups as the PA012, having the ceramic single-coil and humbucker for the bridge. Controls for all three guitars are the same consisting of a master volume, master tone and a 5-way pick-ups selector switch.
Hardware is another thing to look at between these guitars. Again the PAC112J and PA012 has vintage style tremolo bridge against the vintage style tremolo with block saddle equip on the PAC112V.
Ibanez GRX70QA
- Poplar body with a quilted maple top in a number of finish to choose from
- Comfortable bolt-on GRX maple neck
- 22 jumbo frets New Zealand treated pine fingerboard complete with inlay dots as markers
- Set of standard Ibanez tuners
- Chrome finished Ibanez Fat-6 tremolo bridge with whammy bar for vibrato effect
- HSH Ibanez passive ceramic Infinity pick-ups controlled by 5-way position blade, master volume and master tone
If the ambition is to become a shred guitarist. Want to play a lot of solos in the future. A fast action guitar that has a lightweight body with a slim neck profile will be essential, and the best brand that comes first into mind to look for such guitars is with Ibanez.
Unlike the Gio model of Ibanez included in their JumpStart guitar package that only has two humbuckers for pick-ups. The Ibanez GRX70QA has the three pick-ups configuration made popular by Ibanez consisting of neck humbucker, middle single-coil, and humbucker for the bridge. This pick-up combination goes well with the 5-way switching controls, volume and tone to harness the sound esteemed for the kind of play.
Another thing to look forward into when buying an Ibanez guitar aside from the tones you will get. The guitars offered by them has a different kind of feel from body to neck overall and the sporty look which again is ideal for fast licks and riffs.
Epiphone Les Paul Special II
- Single cutaway okoume body in sunburst and ebony finish
- Bolt-on D-shape neck made of okoume
- 22 medium jumbo frets rosewood or pau ferro fingerboard
- 14:1 ratio chrome die-cast tuners
- Tune-o-matic bridge with stop-bar tail-piece
- Epiphone 650R Humbucker for the neck and Epiphone 700T Humbucker in the bridge controlled by a master volume, tone and toggle switch for pick up selection
This electric guitar offered by Epiphone is absolutely on the budget when it comes to and looking for a markdown price decent sounding Les Paul style electric guitar. The guitar can be bought individually to pair it with an amplifier of choice or as part of the Epiphone Les Paul Special II guitar package that comes complete with a strap, guitar cable, plectrums, gig bag and a small 10 watts Electar amplifier to already begin playing right out of the box.
The entry level Epiphone Les Paul Special II features a solidly constructed LP shape body made from okoume wood. It is available in three finishes namely vintage sunburst, cherry sunburst and ebony. Neck is bolt-on having a slim tapered profile made of okoume. Top of by rosewood or pau ferro fingerboard with inlay dots and medium size frets.
Like most models of Les Paul guitar, the Special II is also equipped with humbucker pick-ups that delivers the sound of a classic LP model controlled by a 3-way toggle switch and black rotary knobs for volume and tone controls.
Epiphone SG Special
- Double cutaway body with a 2-layer pickguard made of mahogany
- Comfortable bolt-on slim tapered D-shape neck crafted using mahogany
- 22 frets medium jumbo rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay markers
- Set of 14:1 ratio premium tuners
- Locktone Tune-o-Matic bridge with Stopbar
- Epiphone 650R humbucker for the neck and 700T humbucker in the bridge controlled by 3-way toggle switch, master volume, and master tone
If you’re looking for a lightweight guitar aside from a Stratocaster. You prefer the quality of tone produced using humbuckers than a single-coil can deliver. This SG model from Epiphone meets that requirements on the overall sound, playabilty and price that fits the under two hundred dollar budget of a beginner as well to include seasoned players looking at the market for an affordable studio or back-up guitar to bring on stage.
Like the Les Paul, the SG guitar models has an iconic status and it is another guitar coming from Gibson that has been passed-on to Epiphone to cater a wider audience because it carries a much friendlier price. This SG Special has the famous devilish cutaway body made from mahogany and has a bolt-on mahogany neck with a comfortable to play slim tapered D-profile having 22 frets rosewood fingerboard.
Delivering the sound for the guitar are pair of hot open-coil noise free humbuckers positioned at the neck and bridge area controlled by a 3-way toggle switch, master volume, and master tone.
Jackson JS22 Dinky DKA
- Superstrat designed body with an arch top crafted in poplar wood
- Slim speed neck is bolt-on made in maple with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint
- 24 jumbo frets amaranth fingerboard garnish in perloid sharfin inlays
- Set of sealed die-cast tuners
- 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge
- Jackson Designed Humbucker pick-ups with ceramic magnets in the neck and bridge controlled by a 3-position switch blade, a master volume and master tone in dome style knobs
The JS22 Dinky DKA comes in a long line of series of good quality guitars made by Jackson. It comes different colors to choose from made of poplar with an aggressive and edgy looking double cutaway arch top body. That in design overall is comfortable and pragmatic.
Neck of the guitar is bolt-on made from maple with a scarf joint for an angled back headstock. Which in turn increases the tension behind the nut eliminating the need for string trees or string retainer bars. Also on the neck are 24 jumbo frets placed on a amaranth fingerboard garnish by sharks fin inlays for the looks and performance of the guitar.
Responsible for its main sound are two high-output Jackson humbuker pick-ups located on the neck and on the bridge controlled by a master volume, tone and 3-way pick-ups selector. Sealed die-cast tuners and 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge completes the main features of the guitar.
ESP LTD MH Series MH-10
- Superstrat guitar that has a comfortable arch top body made of basswood
- Neck is thin-U shape crafted in maple
- 24 extra jumbo frets engineered hardwood fingerboard complete with inlay dots
- Set of chrome die-cast tuners
- Bridge is TOM string through body
- Hum canceling LH-100 humbuker pick-ups controlled by a master volume, master tone and 3-way blade
Here is another superstrat design electric guitar on the list that is well recommended for a budding guitarist. While for veteran player’s out there who is on a hunt of buying an all around electric guitar on a minimum prescribe budget. The ESP LTD MH-10 could be that affordable gem of a guitar you’ve been looking for and always wanted.
The sleek all black body has the necessary cuts for comfort and made light to carry for long hours of playing made of basswood. Then the guitar has a ergonomically shaped bolt-on maple neck with 22 extra jumbo frets engineered hardwood fingerboard to press lightly and fast for shredding.
Warm fat hum free tones is produced using two ESP designed LH-100 humbucker pick-ups placed at the neck and bridge controlled by a 3-way blade style switch, master volume and tone. Hardware are TOM string through body bridge and ESP tuner in black takes care of tuning.
ESP LTD EC Series EC-10
- LP design body is crafted in basswood with bevels on the edges, a scalloped back, and available in different color finishes
- U-shape bolt-on neck made of maple
- 24 fret extra jumbo engineered hardwood fingerboard complimented by inlay dots
- Set of LTD tuners in chrome
- Tom & Tailpiece bridge
- ESP Designed LH-100 humbucker pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge controlled by a toggle switch for pick-ups selection, master volume and master tone
The brand ESP that we all know today started its roots as a shop in Tokyo Japan selling custom replacement parts for guitars that quickly gained a good reputation for its high quality. Soon came after the brand manufactured fully assembled guitars that burst in the trash metal seen of the 80’s signing in big name bands to carry their guitars and basses.
Aside from the superstrat ESP MH-10 shown earlier. The ESP LTD EC-10 is also an affordable guitar fro ESP LTD but with a different body design derived this time from the Les Paul. The single cutaway body has bevels, belly cut for comfort and is powered by humbucker pick-ups controlled by a 3-way toggle switch located beteen the master volume and tone knobs.Bridge design is LP to its core for having a stopbar and tom bridge without a whammy bar.
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster
- Double cutaway body made of alder
- Bolt-on maple neck has a C-shape profile
- 21 medium jumbo frets maple, rosewood or laurel fingerboard marked by inlay dots
- Set of vintage-style tuning machines
- 6-saddle synchronize tremolo bridge
- SSS or HSS pick-up configuration controlled by a 5-way selector switch for pick-ups selection, master volume, and two tone knobs
When talking about classic guitar designs, the Starocaster is one of two designs that sky rocketed the popularity of Fender in the music industry. In the category of the best guitars ever made, it is always mentioned and many guitarist will do agree.
Fender’s arm when it comes to affordable quality guitars is the Squier. The Affinity Stratocaster is no push over. It has an ergonomically design contoured double cutaway body made of alder and has the C-shape maple neck with 21 medium jumbo maple, rosewood or laurel fingerboard with dot inlays.
For pick-ups. The Affinity Stratocaster could either have a three single-coil pick-ups or an HSS pick-up configuration consisting of a two single-coil and humbucker for the bridge controlled by master volume, two tone knobs and 5-way position pick-ups switch.
The Squier strat guitar featured on this list is the SSS type. This guitar will be awesome for beginners to work their way of getting better each day and the pick-ups is a classic making it easy for them on finding their own individual tones.
Squier Affinity Series Telecaster
- Single cutaway body crafted in alder wood
- Bolt-on C-shape maple neck
- 21 medium jumbo frets maple, rosewood or laurel fingerboard complete with inlay dots
- Set of standard die-cast tuning machines
- Chrome 6-saddle top-load tele bridge
- Vintage-style single-coil tele pick-ups for the neck and bridge controlled by a 3-position blade pick-ups selector, master volume and master tone
The telecaster is another great guitar in the Squier line recommended to those who are just starting out and also for experience guitarist to play as well. Its simplicity in body design and pick-ups configuration made this guitar popular and gained the iconic stature it has today for being an easy and good sounding guitar to play.
The Affinity Series models of Telecaster has alder body for tonewood and comes in with 21 medium jumbo frets maple, rosewood, or laurel fingerboard marked by dot inlays for playability. When talking about the sound it can produce. The Affinity Telecaster can muster classic rock, rock, hard rock, jazz, and blues just to name a few of the genre that you can play using the Tele style single-coils and simple volume, tone and pick-ups switch controls.
Squier Affinity Stratocaster Electric Guitar Pack
- Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS Pack
- Body made of alder in brown sunburst or candy apple protected by a 1 ply scratch plate
- C- profile bolt-on maple neck
- 21 fret rosewood or laurel fingerboard complete with inlays
- Chrome die-cast tuner and vintage style tremolo bridge
- Single-coil pick-ups are placed one for the neck, middle and humbucker bridge pick-up controlled by a master volume, two tone knobs and a 5-way switch for pick-up selection
- Fender Frontman 15G 15 watt amplifier, cable, gig bag, strap and free 3 months Fender play guitar lesson to start playing in no time
Electric guitar package is a start up kit that has all the basic gear needed to begin the journey of being a guitarist. The guitar on the package is an entry level guitar that comes with a small amplifier, tuner, gig bag, guitar cable, strap, plectrums and instructional DVD or an online guitar lesson.
There are lot of brands that offers their guitar on a package and some are mentioned on a list we made that you can look at. So if you’re not picky or critical on the guitar to play and to learn well with. Your kind of thinking is you only need a decent sounding guitar paired with a small amp to use for practice. A guitar package is the right one for you.
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