Planning to buy a new guitar or the very first guitar to learn with on this said price range? If so, well a thousand dollar budget is more than enough for anyone to purchase a high quality guitar, and for a complete beginner to divide the budget to also include a good size guitar amplifier for them to practice on and in the soonest of time, to be used for jam sessions as well.
The coverage of our list is consist of guitars on a variety of price points. The minimum of a thousand dollar to spend on a guitar will only act as a touchstone to help widen the search, because there are many guitars for just a few hundred dollars that are actually excellent and sometimes arguably much better to a full thousand or even to a highly priced guitar.
Each of these guitars presented are well made from a selection of fine woods and are equip with above the average components to offer lasting tone, feel, looks and quality for the needs of professional musicians and more importantly the pricing that even typical musicians can still afford.
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Ibanez RG Series RG470
- Double cutaway superstrat designed ash body
- Legendary comfortable Wizard III maple neck
- 24 jumbo size frets maple fingerboard accented by black inlay dots
- Set of die-cast tuners in cosmo black
- Locking tremolo bridge system
- Quantum passive ceramic humbucker pick-ups for the neck, passive alnico on the middle and passive ceramic humbucker pick-ups for the bridge controlled by master volume, tone and 5-position switch blade
Sought after electric guitar by shredders out there and probably the most recognizable superstrat guitar in the Ibanez line, the Ibanez RG Series RG470 is an exceptionally well balance constructed and awesome sounding guitar built for players to take on those fast crazy licks and melodic sounding riffs without emptying their pocket.
Ibanez RG Series RG470 has a warm toned mid-weight double cutaway superstrat designed ash body in two finishes guitar players can select from without a protective pickguard. It has the thin fast legendary comfortable Wizard III maple neck and fingerboard with 24 jumbo size frets accented by black inlay dots.
Producing the versatile sound of the guitar are Quantum passive ceramic humbucker pick-ups for the neck, passive alnico on the middle and passive ceramic humbucker pick-ups for the bridge controlled by master volume, tone and 5-position switch blade. Completing the main parts of the guitar are the Ibanez own designed locking tremolo bridge system and set of die-cast tuners.
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus-Top Pro
- Single cutaway body made of solid mahogany with a flame AAA maple veneer top protected by a off white scratch plate
- D-profile SlimTaper mahogany neck and angled headstock
- 22 medium jumbo rosewood or pau ferro fingerboard with trapezoid inlays for guide markers
- Set of Grover designed 14:1 machineheads
- Locking Tune-o-matic bridge with Stopbar tailpiece
- Probucker pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by a toggle switch, separate volume and tone knobs for each pick-ups
This Les Paul from Epiphone is an excellent choice of a reasonably priced mid-range guitar for beginners and to be played by advance skilled players as well who loves the overall playability and warm creamy tones produced by a LP design guitar, but on a reasonable price.
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus-Top Pro has a single cutaway body made of solid mahogany with a flame AAA maple veneer top protected by a off white scratch plate. It also features 1-ply cream binding that adds to its vintage feel and consistent beautiful look. The D-profile SlimTaper mahogany neck and angled headstock that gives the guitar longer sustain is set like a classic Les Paul. Then it is top of by a 22 medium jumbo rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlays for guide markers.
Delivering the sound for the Epiphone Les Paul Standard are two coil-splitting Probucker pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge that are controlled by a toggle switch, separate volume and tone knobs for each pick-ups. Other hardware are Locking Tune-o-matic bridge with tailpiece and Grover designed 14:1 machineheads.
Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR
- So-Cal sleekly curved double cutaway body sculpted in alder
- Neck is a rock solid two-piece maple with a pair of graphite reinforcement rods
- 22 jumbo frets maple or ebony fingerboard with black inlay dots
- Set of die-cast machineheads
- Floyd Rose 1000 series recessed tremolo bridge system
- Seymour Duncan distortion humbucking neck and bridge pick-ups controlled by a 3-position switch blade, push/pull coil split volume control knob and a standard tone control
Born for the love of high speed playing and for its smooth classic playability. The Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style is a innovative guitar with all the elements of a high-performance axe to achieve a versatile sound and individuality for its hot rod design and finishes that every guitarist will appreciate.
The So-Cal sleekly curved comfortable double cutaway body is sculpted in alder in assorted color finishes to select, top of by a protective single-ply black pickguard. While the neck is a rock solid two-piece maple with a pair of graphite reinforcement rods and a conveniently located heel-mounted spoke wheel for rapid truss rod tweak. Fingerboard can either be in maple or ebony with 22 jumbo size frets and black inlay dots.
The high output warm sound of the guitar is produced by Seymour Duncan distortion humbucking neck and bridge pick-ups controlled by a 3-position switch blade, push/pull coil split volume control knob for even highly useful tonal variations, and a standard tone control. For the tuners and bridge, the So-Cal has Charvel’s branded die-cast machineheads and Floyd Rose 1000 series recessed tremolo bridge system that screams and rumbles without sacrificing tuning stability.
EVH Striped Series
- Made of basswood with the famed Frankenstein stripes graphics
- Graphite-reinforced quartersawn maple neck with a smooth hand-rubbed oil finish
- 22 jumbo frets maple fingerboard and black dot inlays
- Set of chrome die-cast tuning machines
- EVH-branded Floyd Rose tremolo system with locking nut
- Wolfgang humbucking pick-up placed near the bridge controlled by a master volume knob
Pretty simple guitar to use that lets your playing does all the talking is the EVH Striped Series Stratocaster. This guitar is a crying machine and is built to make listeners to drop their jaw on how it sounds. Especially when you have the chops to perform fast licks and riffs like EVH himself.
The body of the guitar is made of basswood with the famed Frankenstein stripes graphics in red with black stripes, black with yellow stripes and the white with black stripes is the only version with a protective scratch plate. The guitar also has a graphite-reinforced quartersawn maple neck with a smooth hand-rubbed oil finish and thumbwheel truss rod adjustment. Fingerboard is of the same wood material with 22 jumbo frets and black dot inlays.
Producing the sound for this guitar is a single directly mounted EVH designed Wolfgang humbucking pick-up placed near the bridge controlled by a master volume knob. Then to deliver those huge divebombs and crying pulls, it is equip with a EVH-branded Floyd Rose tremolo system with locking nut and EVH D-Tuna to drop D tune the low E-string. Other hardware included are die-cast tuners, vintage-style strap buttons and EVH neck plate.
Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus
- Crafted using pine wood with a belly cut protected by a 3-ply pickguard
- Comfortable modern C-shape maple neck
- 22 jumbo frets maple fingerboard with black dot inlays
- Set of Vintage-Style Tuning Machines
- 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Strat Strings-Through-Body Hardtail bridge
- Modern Tele neck pick-up, single-coil Strat for the middle and Humbucker with a mini toggle coil split switch placed on the bridge controlled by a 5-position blade, master volume and tone
Another great sounding and awesomely playable electric guitar on this list to look into just under the thousand hundred dollar range is Fender’s Modern Player Tele Plus. Whats new about this Tele is the introduction of a belly cut for comfort. Along side its pick-up configuration HSS which is away from the traditional two single-coil that adds more tones to it and not to forget mention, the bridge design to set the string height easily and intonate the guitar properly.
The guitar body is crafted using pine wood with a gloss polyester finish protected by a 3-ply pickguard. It has a tinted gloss finish maple neck and fingerboard with 22 jumbo fret garnished by inlay dots. Keeping the strings in perfect pitch are chrome finish vintage-style tuners and 6-saddle vintage style Strat strings through body hardtail bridge.
The Fender Telecaster Plus is equip with three pick-ups. Modern tele single-coil for the neck, single-coil Strat on the middle and humbuker for the bridge controlled by toggle switch to split becoming a single-coil, 5-way pick-up selector, master volume and tone knobs.
Schecter Hellraiser C-1
- Arch top double cutaway mahogany and quilted maple body
- Thin C-shape set 3-piece mahogany neck
- 24 extra jumbo frets and abalone gothic crosses inlays rosewood fingerboard
- Set of chrome die-cast locking tuners
- TonePros T3BT Tom string thru body black chrome bridge
- 9v battery charge EMG split-coil pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by a push/pull volume, push/pull tone knob and 3-way switch blade
Right out of the box, the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 is a one of a kind of shredding and rhythm machine to let players go out there and play. It is a comfortable all around guitar for its stunning premium features starting from its edgy body to neck design, aesthetic finish, and for having split-coil pick-ups that makes it capable for players of summoning dynamic tones on just one guitar.
This particular model in the Schecter Hellraiser family has a warm sounding medium weight arch top double cutaway mahogany and quilted maple body garnished with pearl binding extending to the headstock. The thin C-shape set 3-piece mahogany neck with 24 extra jumbo frets and abalone gothic crosses inlays rosewood fingerboard is seamlessly design to access all those hard to reach high notes and play them with speed compared on a bolt-on neck.
The range of thinner single-coil and fat humbuking tones the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 can deliver is made possible by a 9v battery charge EMG split-coil pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge controlled by a push/pull volume, push/pull tone knob and 3-way switch blade. Hardware components to set-up and tune the guitar is a TonePros T3BT Tom string thru body black chrome bridge and machineheads.
Jackson X Seires Soloist SLX Crackle
- Crafted using basswood without a pickguard in assortment of color finishes that players can choose from
- Set through neck to body design made of maple with scarf joint and graphite reinforced
- Set of die-cast tuning machines
- Floyd Rose Special double locking tremolo bridge system
- Duncan designed humbucker pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge controlled by a master volume, master tone and 3-position switch blade for pick-up selection
Are you looking for an 80’s sounding superstrat guitar with an affordable mid-range price? The Jackson X Series Soloist SLX could be the perfect 80’s style guitar you’ve been looking for. This guitar has the quintessential 80’s electric guitar look and feel for its body design, having a set through body neck with a tilt-back scarf joint headstock and a Floyd Rose Special system bridge with locking knot to incorporate huge divebombs and squealing pulls on the way a guitarist can play.
The Soloist SLX tonewood is warm with a bit of brightness sounding basswood without a pickguard in assortment of color finishes that players can choose from. The set through neck to body design with 24 jumbo frets and shark fin inlays laurel fingerboard is seamless to work all the frets, reaching those high notes with ease compared to a bolt-on.
Powering the guitar are set of Duncan designed humbucker pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge controlled by a master volume, master tone and 3-position switch blade for pick-up selection.
PRS SE 245
- Single cutaway body is made of mahogany with a flame beveled maple top
- Comfortable profile mahogany set neck
- 22 medium frets rosewood fingerboard with bird inlays
- Set of PRS Designed-Tuners in chrome
- PRS Designed-Stop-Tail Bridge
- PRS humbucker pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by a 3-way toggle switch for pick-up selection, a separate volume and tone knobs for each pick-ups
From top to bottom, the PRS SE 245 is a finely crafted and well geared electric guitar to supply all a player need in tones. The SE written on the headstock stands for student edition, despite the greater fact that it is a stage ready guitar for its stunning look, and the playability which will surely impress those guitar enthusiast that are a bit critical on the guitars they collect and play.
PRS SE 245 is a LP inspired guitar made of mahogany with a flame beveled maple top without a protection of a scratch plate. It has a wide fat dove-tail set neck, also made of mahogany. Fingerboard is rosewood with 22 medium jumbo size frets and bird inlays.
The guitar gets its overall sound using PRS designed humbucker pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge controlled by a 3-way toggle switch, separate volume and tone knobs for each pick-ups. Holding the string and keeping in the right pitch is a wrap around stop-tail bridge, adjustable in height and intonation. Then on the other side are chrome machine heads to tune.
Gretsch G2420T Streamliner Hollow Body with Bigsby
- Made of laminated maple all around with bindings in different eye catching gloss colored finishes guarded by a protective shield
- Comfortable thin U-profile nato neck
- 22 medium jumbo frets laurel fingerboard with pearloid block inlays
- Set of chrome die-cast tuning machines
- Licensed B60 Bigsby vibrato tailpiece and Adjusto-matic bridge
- High output pristine sounding Broad’Tron humbucking pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by neck/bridge volume controls, a master tone control, master volume control and a 3-way pick-up switching
An original to the brand and one of the founding guitars that started it all, the Gretsch G2420T Streamliner with Bigsby flavor of tones and hollow body design is for both modern and old school guitarist who lives to play jazz, blues, country up to the classic rock n’ roll.
This slim hallow built guitar is made of laminated maple all around with bindings in different eye catching gloss colored finishes guarded by a protective shield. It has thin U-profile nato neck top of by 22 medium jumbo frets laurel fingerboard with pearloid block inlays, and also has the same gloss finishes of the body.
This particular model of Streamliner has a specially designed high output pristine sounding Broad’Tron humbucking pick-ups on the neck and bridge with traditional control layout. Neck and bridge pick-up volume controls, a master tone control, master volume control and a 3-way pick-up switching.
Adding another expression and shimmer to the sound of the guitar is the licensed B60 Bigsby vibrato tailpiece and Adjusto-matic bridge with secured base and synthetic bone nut.
Fender Player Stratocaster
- Available in black, sunburst, polar white, sonic red and tidepool finish
- Legendary S-type alder body
- Comfortable C-profile maple neck
- 22 medium jumbo frets maple or pau ferro fingerboard
- Sealed die-cast tuning machines
- Standard 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge
- SSS alnico V single-coils controlled by a 5-way switch blade, master volume and two tone knobs
Always highly rated across all reviews you can find for its outstanding workhorse built quality, and for the tones it has provided throughout the years which in a sense all can agree that together with the Telecaster has single handedly revolutionize how we listen and appreciate music today. The Fender Stratocaster is a must have guitar whatsoever the model and given price range.
The Fender Player Stratocaster has the classic double cutaway body design made of alder in polyester finish protected by a 3-ply scratch plate. The C-profile neck and the modern designed headstock is made of maple, while the fingerboard can be also in maple or pau ferro with 22 medium jumbo frets.
Pick-up configurations on the Fender Player Stratocaster may vary depending on the model. Players can pick from 3 single-coil SSS, or HSS pick-up configuration controlled by a 5-way switch blade, master volume and two tone knobs. Hardware is standard 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo paired with a set of chrome die-cast tuners.
G&L Tribute Tribute Legacy
- Double cutaway basswood or swawp ash body in a number of color finishes protected by a 3-ply pickguard (Solid finish basswood/translucent and burst finishes swamp ash)
- Neck is medium C-profile and bolt-on to the body made of hard rock maple
- Fingerboard can either be in maple or Brazillian cherry with 22 medium jumbo size frets accented by inlay dots
- Set of 18:1 ratio sealed chrome die-cast tuners
- Innovative Dual-Fulcrum vibrato bridge system
- SSS G&L CLF-100 Alnico V single-coils pick-ups made in Fullerton California controlled by a master volume, a treble cut and bass cut
After Leo Fender sold his beloved Fender brand to CBS with a 10 years no involvement contract to any company that basically banning him on creating an instrument. It somehow benefited Leo to regain his full good health again, and to team up for the final time with his old buddy George Fulerton, working their magic on what they do best which is creating guitars. The Tribute Legacy is just one of the many guitars they have build, but this time under a new brand baring their name G&L that obviously stands for George and Leo.
The G&L Tribute Legacy is an evolution of the famous Stratocaster. It has a tighter looking double cutaway basswood or ash body in a number of color finishes protected by a 3-ply pickguard. Neck is medium C-profile and bolt-on to the body made of hard rock maple. Fingerboard can either be in maple or Brazillian cherry with 22 medium jumbo size frets accented by inlay dots.
To get plenty of punch over the tones, the Tribute Legacy is equipped with a Leo Fender designed G&L CLF alnino V single-coils for the neck, middle and bridge manufactured in Fullerton, California. The pick-ups are controlled by a 5-position pick-up selector, volume, treble and bass.
Another innovation on the G&L S-type guitars is the Dual-Fulcrum vibrato. This piece of engineering allows bending the bridge up or down with great stability to produce an unmatched vibrato effect.
ESP LTD EC-1000
- LP type arch top mahogany body in a number of finish to choose from
- Comforatble thin-U shape set mahogany neck
- 24 extra jumbo frets pau ferro fingerboard with a flowing flag style abalone inlays
- Equipped with LTD designed locking tuners
- Tonepros locking Tom & Tailpiece bridge system
- Active hum canceling EMG hunbucker pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by a separate volume knobs for each pick-ups, 3-position toggle switch and a master tone
The ESP LTD EC-1000 is a pick sensitive, hot sounding LP inspired guitar. Cosmetically and for tone mastery, it is a high quality piece of craftsmanship on a guitar and the overall sound the EC-1000 is capable of is something exceptional. Whether playing it totally clean or overdriven, you’ll get the most and best possible tones out of it.
The arch top LP body of the EC-1000 is mahogany in solid and see thru quilted maple finishes with a mother of pearl binding that also included the neck and headstock to impress players and be appreciated by onlookers when played on stage. For its neck, it has a thin-U shape set mahogany neck with a flowing flag style abalone inlays and 24 extra jumbo frets in pau ferro fingerboard.
Its aggressive and articulate punch on the tones are produced by a pair of active hum canceling EMG hunbucker pick-ups installed on the neck and bridge controlled by a separate volume knobs for each pick-ups, 3-position toggle switch and a master tone. Keeping the guitar in optimal tuning and for easy set-up, the EC-1000 is equipped with LTD designed locking tuners and Tonepros locking Tom & Tailpiece bridge.
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