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Want to buy an electric guitar without breaking your bank account? You still have plenty of options out there. Low-budget electric guitars are still a viable option for the beginners to start with.
Here we have brought some of the best low-budget electric guitars ideal for guitar lovers and music enthusiasts seeking a quality instrument under $500.
CHECK THE TOP ELECTRIC GUITARS UNDER $500 NOW!As a beginner, you may find the task of buying a budget-friendly guitar a bit difficult, but this simple guideline features all the information you need to pick the best electric guitar under $500.
Go through the article and learn everything you need before buying the best electric guitar within your budget.
Top 15 Best Electric Guitars Under $500 2022
1. Best Choice Products Starter Package
Buying an electric guitar set is always a profitable deal, as you get all the necessary accessories along with it.
One such option that you can consider is the electric guitar set by Best Choice Products. This 39in full-size electric guitar set for beginners comes with electric guitar, 10W amp, amp cable cord, shoulder strap, amp cable cord, replacement strings, and whammy bar.
The electric guitar costs under $500, and it features a classic hardwood body along with an attractive glossy finish. It comprises 22 fret fingerboard, and players will enjoy the highest convenience while playing it.
The package includes a high-quality nylon gig bag so that one can carry it anywhere, and investment on this guitar will be a good decision no matter what the skill level is.
The amplifier allows the users to control treble, bass, and volume while playing, and this will be a good investment for the buyers.
Pros
- Made with a solid body
- Comes with a single-coil pickup
- It comes with a portable amplifier
Cons
- This guitar is for right-handed, and left-handed people can’t use it.
2. Rockjam Electric Strings
A lot of people are passionate about learning electric guitars, and RockJam has earned the trust of the buyers with their quality products.
RJEG02-SK-SB 6ST style electric guitar is a full-size electric guitar that comes in a super pack, including guitar picks, 10-watt amplifier, whammy bar, gig bag, spare strings, and a guitar strap.
This electric guitar set is considered as one of the best guitars under $500. It comes with all the necessary accessories, which makes investment in this guitar a profitable deal. If you are looking for a good guitar kit, then you must invest in this one.
The ST design and glossy finish give this guitar an eye-catching look. The metalheads and basswood body of this guitar makes it a wonderful instrument to play. Moreover, good quality ensures that it produces great sound as well.
Pros
- It is an excellent quality guitar
- The basswood body aids good sound
- It comes with all useful accessories
- The whammy bar helps in producing good sound
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
3. Lyxpro Eletric
As a beginner, you must have a guitar which is easy to play, and you can use it well. This electric guitar kit by Lyxpro comes with a bundle of accessories that will make guitar playing a pleasurable experience.
The 39-inch electric guitar kit from LyxPro is a lucrative offer for the buyers, who are looking for a complete guitar kit bundle.
This guitar set is an ideal choice for intermediate and beginner players. It is carved from high-quality materials, which makes it produce melodious tunes.
The rosewood fingerboards, Canadian maple neck, and s-s-s pickups provide excellent amplified tone when it is connected to the amplifier.
Coming to verdict, this is a great deal if you are looking for something to practice at your hone or in your studio. The clip-on tuner and guide book will be of great help for the beginners and kids.
This bundle package includes most essential accessories like a 20WATT amplifier with cable, tutorial, battery operated mini clip-on tuner, spare strings, shoulder strap, and picks in the single package.
Pros
- Perfect for beginners
- Clip-on tuners
- Good sound amplifier
Cons
- Fret edges require sanding
4. Donner DST
Playing the guitar is a great way to start your musical journey. You can find a number of brands selling the electric guitar, but when it comes to choosing the one, then Donner needs no introduction. This 39-inch full-size electric guitar is made high-quality material.
The solid basswood ensures great sound. Besides, this guitar comes with chrome tuner key, fine arches, premium quality bass string, and PVV pickguards.
The ebony fingerboard gives this guitar a finer look. The steel tuning pegs offer the highest convenience for easy tuning, and if you are looking for a complete package to start learning, this will be a great product to begin with.
Apart from the built quality, it comes under an affordable price tag. If you are looking for the best guitar under 500$ you should not miss DST-1S Solid Full-Size 39” Electric Guitar Kit from Donner.
Manufacturers have focused on the quality, and they used AAA solid African basswood to get the desired sound. It has S-S-H pickups, and AAA Canadian maple fingerboard gives you smooth playing experience with DST-1S.
Buyers will get a mini amplifier along with other essential items like guitar strings, capo, digital clip-on tuner, and strap in this package.
Pros
- Made from high-quality tonewoods
- Steel tuning pegs
- A complete package
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Amp cable can be problematic
5. Epiphone Les Paul
If you are looking for the feel of playing original Gibson Les Paul guitar, then this one by Epiphone is a great alternative. Les Paul is one of the iconic guitar shapes that produces excellent quality sound. This one by Epiphone comes with high-quality material and comes with downloadable lessons for the beginners.
This guitar sounds just like the original Les Paul, and it is perfect if you want to play rock, jazz, or hard rock music. This guitar features two classic humbucker pickups, 10 ft. guitar cable along with 10 watts guitar amp making it one of the best electric guitars under 500 for first-time buyers.
Buyers will get Electra amp with guitar cable, gig bag, clip-on headstock chromatic tuner, guitar strap, and medium picks in the package, and you should not miss the deal if you are about to invest in a good quality Les Paul guitars.
Pros
- Closer replication to the original Les Paul
- Good playability
- Excellent sound
- Fairly priced
Cons
- A bit heavy
6. Sawtooth ST-RISE-ST-SB-KIT-1
It is important for the buyers to choose the right guitar so that it’s easier to learn the instrument. It won’t be a good idea to invest in an advanced model and new ST-RISE-ST-SB-KIT-1 Rise by Sawtooth. This guitar comes in sunburst color, which makes it have a stylish look.
The built of a guitar plays a key role in making this guitar a must-have. It comes with a maple neck fingerboard and solid basswood. The scale length is 25.5” and it has humbucker pickup to provide the best playing experience, whether it’s a class or a gig.
Coming to its features, then this guitar comes with chromatic machine heads, adjustable bridge, basswood body.
This is a complete package that comes with all the essential accessories that makes it a perfect pick for beginners. The kit comes with a portable amplifier, guitar cable, pitch pipe, 3 pick sampler, high-quality gig bag, and excellent quality guitar strap.
If you are looking for the best electric guitar under 500, you should take a look at the guitar pack.
Pros
- Smaller size which is perfect for kids and beginners
- Comes with amp
- Produces decent tone
- Fairly priced
Cons
- Tuning pipe is difficult to use
7. Fender Stratocaster
Some companies don’t require an introduction, and Fender guitars have always represented optimum built quality and extraordinary sound that has never failed to meet the expectations of the buyers.
This guitar by Fender is a perfect choice for beginners. It features a bass-guitar design that makes it visually attractive. It provides a fast feel and powerful tone that you can’t get elsewhere.
The punchy and crisp tone will result in satisfying playing experience, and it comes with flexible features, making it a perfect choice for everyone.
Fender has focused on the quality, and the body is made of maple neck with C shaped profile. The guitar comes with dual single-coil Jazz Bass pickups, white pickguard, and 21-fret rosewood fingerboard, and if you want, you can also opt for Laurel fret-board according to personal preference.
The HSS Stratocaster is available in four different colors, and if you want to invest in a good quality guitar that has a vintage-inspired hardtail bridge, it will be a lightning deal for you.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Durable build
- Excellent tonewoods
Cons
- Expensive
8. Glarry 39″ Full Size
If playing rock music on guitar has been your fascination, then its time to make it come true. This guitar comes with a complete package, which makes it perfect for beginners.
The 39″ full-size electric guitar from GLARRY features quality construction, and the body is made of basswood that gives you heavy and warm sound, which is most important in rock music.
This guitar has two Plectrums, a tremolo arm, a small 20-watt amp, and a shoulder strap. All-in-all, it is a complete package for those who are looking for a perfect guitar for beginners.
The excellent built quality ensures durability, and it will be a perfect choice for beginners who dream about playing like Mr. Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page.
So, if you are looking for the best electric guitar under 500 dollars, then invest in this guitar.
Pros
- Durable body
- Comes with bonus accessories
- Highly functional tremolo
Cons
- Bassy tone
9. Fender Solid-Body
First-time buyers seem to be highly concerned about various factors while buying guitars. If you are looking for the best and quality guitar that would give the sound of a Stratocaster, then take a look at this solid-body electric guitar by Fender.
New Squier from Fender comes with advanced features making it an iconic choice for the buyers.
The six-string solid-body electric guitar comes with 3 Single-coil Stratocaster style pickups that result in extraordinary output when it is plugged it. Whether you are a beginner or a highly skilled guitarist, the quality of the slid body won’t disappoint with its signature tone and style.
Manufacturers have tried to give it a unique look with six-saddle vintage-style floating tremolo design to draw the attention of the buyers.
The C shaped neck is designed to give you the highest convenience while playing, and if you are in search of the best electric guitars under 500, you should take a look at Right Handed 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar From Fender- 0310602506.
Pros
- Perfect for beginners
- Made from good quality material
- Excellent for right-hand players
Cons
- The Squier is a bit hefty
10. Stedman Pro EG39-TGRB-10W
Stedman is a reputed guitar manufacturer, and they have a wide range of products under affordable price. The complete guitar package from Stedman includes everything that you need to start playing right after unboxing. The 39” inch guitar comes with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard.
There are 21 frets, and the guitar comprises a three-pickup configuration to provide excellent tonal support. It makes this guitar perfect for playing rock music.
The electric guitar will be a perfect choice for beginners, and the complete package will help save your money at the same time. Besides, This guitar comes as a complete package.
The buyers will get a 10-watt amplifier, guitar case, shoulder strap, high-quality electronic tuner, cable, string winder and polish cloth, capo, and pick in the package. People who are searching for the best electric guitar under 500$, should not miss it.
Pros
- 21 frets and fully adjustable truss rod
- The body is made from basswood
- It comes as a complete package
- Excellent sound
- Perfect for playing rock music
Cons
- The guitar strap is of cheap quality
11. Z ZTDM Full Size 39″
The guitar is the one, and the only instrument that has become a style statement, and many buyers tend to invest in a stylish guitar. For first-timers, it is not necessary to invest in an expensive instrument, and people can simply opt for a classic style full-size electric guitar to start playing.
Full Size 39″ rosewood fingerboard electric guitar from Z ZTDM features excellent construction and attractive design that won’t fail to draw the attention. Players will get crystal clear sound and best craftsmanship at the same time.
The guitar has 22 frets, and the cutaway design provides easier access while playing upper frets. There are 2 knobs for tone control and 1 knob for volume control.
The package includes necessary accessories like tremolo arm, cord, strap, gig bag, amp wire in this package, and if you don’t want to miss a lightening deal on electric guitar, you should not miss this deal.
Pros
- Excellent construction and style
- Good sound quality
- Perfect for beginners
- The guitar comes with cutaway body design.
Cons
- Problem with adjustment screws
12. Glarry Full Size
Glarry has earned the trust of the buyers with good quality musical instruments in recent years. They ensure optimum built quality and look that satisfy every buyer.
This full-size electric guitar is equipped with all the features and is made with good quality material ensuring durability and excellent sound. If you are looking for the best guitar under 500, this will be a good choice.
Some people prefer investing in a complete package, so you can consider buying this guitar. It comes with a shoulder strap, guitar bag, amplifier, power cord, and plectrum in this package.
The complete body is constructed with basswood, and the neck is made of maple wood. The bridge and nut material is plastic, and the model is presently available in one single color.
The complete package comes with an affordable price tag, and it will help save your money in a unique way.
Pros
- Good built quality and stunning design
- Basswood body
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Only one color available
13. Display4top 39”
Nowadays, buyers come across plenty of manufacturers, and it often results in confusion. Suppose, you have a tight budget for the investment, you need to research about manufacturers who have made a difference with their quality products.
New 39” full-size electric guitar from Display4top offers quality construction. It has a classic hardwood body; beautiful glossy finish makes it an instant attraction for the guitarist. This guitar has steel strings and easy to use design makes it a good choice for first-time buyers.
The electric guitar gives you volume control, two-tone controls, and overdrive boost function to get the desired distortion tone. If you are looking for making a purchase of the best electric guitar under 500 dollars, then invest in this guitar.
The package doesn’t only include the guitar, but it also includes other necessary accessories like spare strings, tuners, gig bag, 10-watt amplifier, picks, and connector cable in this package.
Investing in this super kit package will be highly beneficial, and it will save further investment in a unique way.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Superb built quality
- Classic hardwood body
Cons
- Problem with the amplifier
14. ADM
This quality item is from ADM and made for the buyers seeking full-sized traditional electric guitars. It features a solid-wood body, double-cutaway style with a classic black finish. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, this can be a great choice for you.
The instrument features smooth neck and frets, quality varnish, 5-way toggle switch, Variable S-S-H pick up, sealed-gear tuners, and dual-action truss rod that altogether will make your playing experience amazing.
The product comes with all the accessories you will need to perform. You will get accessories like a 5W amplifier, tuner, strap, electric padded bag, cable, extra strings, guitar picks, and hander with the product.
This budget-friendly electric guitar can be a perfect choice for a beginner seeking the best electric guitar under 500. Experienced or intermediate users can also pick the instrument as a budget-friendly option. The product comes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Full-size guitar
- Solid-wood body
- Budget-friendly
- Comes with 5W Amp
Cons
- Available in black color only
15. Leo Jaymz
If you are searching for a budget-friendly electric guitar, this double-cutaway stylish electric guitar from Leo Jaymz can be a perfect solution for you.
The guitar features a beautiful skull sticker that makes it simply amazing. The ST style guitar comes with S-S-H pickup, basswood body, maple neck, and 0.23” abalone dot engrave.
The guitar measures 39” in length, 25.51” scale, 1 volume 1 tone, and 22 frets. It is available in two variants; the black skull and the US flag. This can be one of the best electric guitars under 500.
Pros
- Basswood body
- Rosewood fingerboard
- Excellent quality sound
Cons
- It does not come with accessories
Factors To Look For When Buying The Best Electric Guitar Under 500
Since the guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world, you will get plenty of options when you decide to buy one. The experience can be daunting.
Knowing about the features and factors will help you buy the best guitar under 500. Here, we have tried to make the task easy for you by highlighting some of the factors you need to look at when investing in an electric guitar.
1. The Tone
The tone is one of the key aspects of a guitar, and you must check it when buying a budget-friendly electric guitar. Whether it is a soil-body guitar or a hollowed one, it must generate a cleaner and brighter tone. If you are looking for a guitar within $500 dollars you can prefer guitars made of basswood and alder.
If you are planning to buy a guitar with a solid body, you can pay less attention to the wood, as the material will have no impact on the sound in such models. The quality of note often determined by the quality and set up of strings. The guitar strings should come with the perfect girth, weight, and tension to generate quality sound.
One of the types that you need to consider is the semi-hollow guitars. These are similar to hollow-body ones and offer more resonance than a solid body. Semi-hollow guitars have a solid center wood block that makes the guitar more stable.
2. Pickups
Magnetic pickups are one of the most important parts of an electric guitar, and you must learn about its functionality before buying the instrument.
Non-amplified strings in the electric guitars generate low-volume sounds. The pickup translates the vibration of sounds and transmits them to the amplifier to make them louder.
The pickup must be well-crafted and placed perfectly on the front side. The quality and placement of the pickup often determine the quality of tone. A guitar can feature more than one pickup at a time.
3. Neck Construction
Another factor that you need to take into consideration is the neck construction. It includes fretboard and headstock, which has tuners. There are three types of neck construction, bolt-on, set neck, neck through.
- Bolt-on- These are bolted on the guitars. It offers less resonance.
- Set-neck- These set onto the body of the guitar and are glued onto a place. The more stable it is, the better is the resonance.
- Neck-through- It features neck running through the body of the guitar. It gives more stability to the guitar.
4. Internal Component
Internal components like knobs, selectors, and switches are also some of the most important parts of an electric guitar, as such components control the pickups.
Such features will allow you to control the tone and volume of the instrument. If you are planning to buy the best guitar under 500, you must pay attention to the quality of such components.
Buyers often complain about poor quality components and shoddy craftsmanship in low-end guitars, and that is why you have to check everything precisely before investing in your favorite instrument.
The amplifier requires steady and constant signals to function efficiently, and your guitar should be good at it.
5. Mechanical Heads
Like acoustic guitars, the tuning pegs of your electric guitar will play a major role in the overall functionality. The heads will be there to hold the strings and make them tight against the frets.
The rotating knobs will allow you to tune each of the strings according to your choice. The volume of tension on the string will determine the level of pitch, and the heads will play an important role in it.
If your budget is less than 500, make sure the heads are strong and durable, as poor quality heads will not last for a long period. If you have chosen a particular product, never forget to read the reviews and learn more about the quality of its key components.
6. The Bridge
Whether it is an acoustic or electric guitar, you must pay attention to the bridge. The bridge holds the strings and maintains the gap between the string-set and fret-board. The bridge plays an important in the overall performance and playability of the guitar.
7. The Weight
One of the factors that you need to consider is the weight of the electric guitar. It must not strain you or put you in trouble. If you choose a heavy guitar, it might become difficult to hold it for long and will eventually impact your playing. So, choose a guitar which is light and comfortable to hold.
In electric guitars, the bridge is made of metal or any other composite material. Most of the strings in electric guitars come with a ball in the end, and it gives protection from slipping.
Remember, a well-crafted and perfectly placed bridge can determine the overall quality of the guitar, and you must take care of the fact if you are planning to buy the best electric guitar under 500.
Everything You Need To Know About An Electric Guitar
The electric guitar is a variant of acoustic guitar, and it features dozens of elements like mechanics, easel, microphones, windings, batteries, etc. Each of the elements plays a major in sound production, and that is why you should take care of each of the elements when investing in a new guitar.
As an amateur or beginner, you must have some ideas about an electric guitar. Remember, an electric guitar will allow you to play with the sound produced by the strings.
You can also create new sounds and make it more interesting when playing genres like jazz, rock, blues, classics, pop, heavy metal, and more. Let us stress on some of the key aspects of electric guitars.
History Of Electric Guitars
Electric guitars are the advanced variants of dry guitars that were invented more than 3000 years ago. According to some historians, the concept of dry guitars was first developed in the Egyptian civilizations.
The development of electric guitars was made in the early 20s when engineer Lloyd Lord attached electric devices like a microphone and chord in a dry guitar to amplify its sound and make it louder.
The introduction of modern-day electric guitars was made in the 1950s, and since then, we have witnessed a lot of development in their design, style, mechanism, and other features.
Many talented singers and instrumentalists like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, BB King, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, and more have used this instrument to enthral millions of music lovers across the world.
Key Parts Of An Electric Guitar
Though you may find many similarities between an acoustic and electric guitar, they work differently. Since the electric guitars produce sounds using different methods, they come with some unique features. Have a look at some of the key parts of an electric guitar.
- Tone control
- Volume control
- Front pickup
- Rear pickup
- Headstock
- Magnets in pickups
- Tuning pegs
- Output jack
Steps To Follow Before Buying An Electric Guitar
- Shortlist the brands- One of the first things that you need to do is to shortlist the brands of the electric guitar. There are many manufacturers, so you need to first check their reviews and ratings and then narrow down your list to a few options. Once you have the list in front of you, jump to the next point.
- Check the features- It is very important that you check the features of the electric guitar before buying. You cannot compromise on the quality as it will impact the sound quality and ease of learning. Besides, you also need to know whether the guitar comes with a complete set of accessories or not.
- Know about the neck of the guitar- There are three basic shapes of guitar, namely: C-shape, U-shape, and V-shape. The fretboard is the next thing that you need to take into consideration.
- Look at your budget- Once you have run through the important features, you also need to check on the price. Good quality guitars can come at a higher price tag. But, if you wish to save from spending extra, then you must check the price of the guitar. You must look for the features. If you are a beginner, then you must look for guitars under $500.
Mistakes That You Should Avoid While Buying Electric Guitars
Buying guitars requires a lot of knowledge and information. The good quality guitar comes with a great price, so you must avoid certain mistakes before making a purchase. Here are the mistakes that you need to avoid.
1. Know What You Want To Play
Before going out to purchase, you must know what kind of music you want to play. For example, if you are willing to play rock or metallic music, then you must choose an electric guitar. If you are looking for a guitar for a kid under 12 years of age, then you must choose nylon string as its easier to use, and if the kids have a tougher hand, then you must choose steel string.
2. Wrong Size
You must choose the right sized guitar if you want to paly it comfortable and learn well. The wrong size will not only make it difficult for you to play the guitar, but it will make you feel uncomfortable. If you are buying an electric guitar, take note of the following :
- If you are aged between 5 and 12 years and height between 80 cm- 125 cm, then you must choose ½ size.
- If you are 12 years and above, and height more than 125 centimeters, then you must choose a full-size guitar
3. Buying Strings That Are Hard To Play
String action plays a key role in playing the guitar. String action is a gap from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret. For a beginner, you must choose an electric guitar with a string action of 2-2.3 mm.
4. Choosing A Popular Brand Undermining The Features
It’s true that good brand offers good features and quality. But that’s not the fact every time. If you are planning to buy a guitar, then you must not solely rely on a good brand. You must always choose features over brand names.
We have already discussed above, what are some of the key features that you need to take into consideration while purchasing a guitar. Another point that I need to mention here is that you must play and then purchase. What if you are making an offline purchase?
In that case, you must check the reviews and ratings. Also, don’t miss to check the return and replacement policies.
5. Comprising On Quality And Missing The Features
Yes, this is also commonly observed in the buyers. People often get tricked into the price deal, and they purchase a guitar, which is cheap and ignores the pricing. This will eventually affect the quality of sound. You must always choose the best guitar with great features.
FAQs on Electric Guitars Under $500
1. What Is The Difference Between Acoustic And Electric Guitars?
Traditional acoustic guitars come with hollowed bodies. You can find a sound hole in their bodies through which the sound transmits. Electric guitars, on the other hand, come with a thinner and solid body with no hole under the strings. The solid body of an electric guitar cannot transmit sound; it rather uses electronic components to amplify the sound and make it louder before the audience.
2. Should I Buy An Electric Guitar Under $500?
If you are starting to learn to play guitar, then its good to invest in low-end electric guitars under $500. You can get good options under $500. All you need to do is to consider the features before making a purchase. You can get many buying options to go with.
We suggest buyers check the brands and the quality of all the components before choosing a product. Reading reviews and checking the product ratings can be a good option to verify a product online.
3. Is There Any Specific Size Recommended For Beginners?
If you are more than 12 years old, you can use a full size (125cm) guitar. Learners who are below 12 years of age can prefer 80-125 cm size.
4. Will I Get A Tuner With The Guitar?
Some sellers offer free tuner along with other accessories like capo, amplifier, bags, etc. However, you must read the product description carefully, as not all the sellers offer free accessories with the guitar.
5. Which Are Some Of The Best Choices For Electric Guitar?
An electric guitar can be made of alder, maple, korina, rosewood, ash, ebony, mahogany, or any other type of wood. Each type of wood comes with some unique characteristics, and you should learn about them before choosing one. The kind of wood also impacts the quality of sound.
The electric guitar of great quality will make playing guitar a pleasurable experience. By now, you would have gained a complete insight into the features while buying an electric guitar.
Also, avoid making certain mistakes that one makes while buying a guitar. These are some of the simple tips you can follow to bring the best product home.
As a beginner buying a low-budget guitar can be a good decision if you are not ready to invest hugely for the instrument.
Playing the guitar is a great hobby, and you can start learning all by yourself. All you need to do is to choose the right kind of guitar that offers ease of playing, is of good quality and provides pleasurable playing experience.
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned player, as a buyer, you must take care of all the factors before investing in the best electric guitar 500$. Read out the description and go through the reviews and ratings to learn what others say about the product before you make the final decision.