10 Outstanding Electric Guitars Under $1000 – Perfect Sound for Any Occasion

For the best all around electric guitar, the SE Custom 24 has the features to be one of the most sought-out designs on a high-quality platform. It is also extremely affordable even with all the features included.

This is undoubtedly one of the best PRS guitars that endorses quality and is also backed by the line of credibility through internationally-touring artists, musicians, and even those who aren’t exactly on the highest point of their careers, the amateur, aspiring players.

The SE Custom 24 has a maple top finish with a mahogany back. Layered with a wide, thin maple neck and topped with rosewood fretboard with bird inlays, this guitar is one of the best of the best on the market in its class.

The PRS patented molded tremolo bridge not only offers an improvement on sound but also on visually-appealing substance. The sounds are directly sourced from the 85/15 “S” pickups and paired with a multiple sound features, including the volume and push or pull tone control. You can also enjoy a unique sound from the 3-way blade switch controller and pickup selector. The SE Custom 24 is backed by nickel hardware and tailored to a modern classic sound with road-worthy durability.

What makes it stand out?

• Known as the workhouse guitar
• Interactive playability
• Visually appealing with top craftsmanship
• High-quality tones

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• The color may not suit to everone’s taste

The double cutaway shape of the Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS02T is not the only feature that makes this guitar at the top of our list. It’s also the solid body of its build and the solid wood material that it is constructed with.

The Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS02T is made with maple flame for its top frame and mahogany for the wood. To finish out the design, this electric guitar is then finished with a classic gloss body finish and a standard truss rod.

The design is also unique with the various wood types. From a Rosewood fretboard to its mahogany neck.

The Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS02T is designed to rev up, with master volume and tone, making it possible to control your play to the utmost degree, as well as the 3-way pickup switch, this guitar can be played by beginners and experts.

This model of Yamaha has the VT5+ passive pickups and can be found as P90 guitar also. The music line has 22 frets to its name. What makes another feature great in this guitar is also the gig bag that is included.

Why are we impressed?

• Really well designed and built with the binding
• The feel with the wrap around bridge is great in the hands
• The finish matt top is unique with subtle maple under charcoal
• You can feel the top vibrate powerfully

What negatives must you be aware of?

• The guitar has a plastic nut
• The frets are under-pronounced under the neck binding
• The pickups are a little too vintage

Designed for metal rock specifically, the Ibanez GRG 7 String is the most unique and updated version of the Iron Label Series.

It is not only lightweight, it is made with a designed body to last with the basswood body and a spalted maple top.

Not only does it look good, but it also has a sound that resonates, too with rich sustenance. The Ibanez GRG 7 String has a variety of features, with a 3-piece maple/bubinga Nitro Wizard fast neck, jumbo features, and a bound ebony fingerboard. It was made for metal, emitting a thick, complex distortion to be able to dish and carve out the perfect sound.

Fortunately, with all this sound also comes control. The Ibanez GRG 7 String comes with a performance-enhancing killswitch that puts—and keeps—you in command.

The foggy stained finish, the jumbo frets, and the Gibraltar Standard II-7 bridge not only make this guitar unique but also impressive.

What makes it stand out?

• Comes with a Standard II-7 bridge
• Kill switch for optimal control
• Ebony fingerboard

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Some artists may not like the colors of the guitar

Under the $1,000 price range mark, the Gretsch 5420T is a great buy for those looking for a traditional design and an even better play. The single-cutaway hollow body guitar comes backed by a 1-year limited warranty and is designed with incredibly affordable yet professional features to blow the price tag out of the water.

The Gretsch twang is not only vintage but also contains humbucking pickups. The

Gretsch G5420T also has an adjusto-matic bridge and a Bigsby B60 tailpiece so that you can best control your pitches while you play.

The guitar also has a three-way pickup switching and four controls for optimal performance and settings that you can switch on-demand. The master volume is also another feature that you will enjoy, whether a beginning player or a more advanced instrumentalist.

In the spotlight, you will be able to land your perfect solo with tonal tricks and its electromatic, unique skillset.

The tailpiece is another feature of the Gretsch G5420T that makes it unique and well-worth adding to your instrumental stock.

What makes it special?

• Has great quality design and looks good
• The sound is quality—right out of the box
• Great beginner guitar because it can be modified

What cons did we find?

• You will probably benefit from a wiring upgraded.
• Nut are not the best cut
• Bridge is rather noisy

If you’re wanting to load your instrumental arsenal with a workhorse that also changed the way the world plays guitar, the Fender Standard Stratocaster should be your go-to instrument.

For the design on its own, the Fender Standard Stratocaster, like its name, comes with a select alder body and is lined with a 21-fret gloss maple neck. This not only gives it a unique look but also a musical style that is great for solo or band playing.

The guitar also has a maple fretboard, 2 single-coil pickups, and a humbucker bridge pickup. Some other features also include a vintage-style tremolo and die-cast tuning keys.

Although it has a vintage style tremolo, it is finished with chrome hardware and a modern, C-shaped gloss maple neck. The maple fretboard also is a great part of the guitar, with its unique design and reputable build.

The Fender Standard Stratocaster also boasts die-cast tuning keys and two standard, single-coil pickups with ceramic magnets.

Although the case and gig bag are sold separately, the guitar is under full pro coverage that not only backs up the guitar but also has protection for your gear.

What makes it stand out?

• The guitar is easy to play and bend
• Emits a dark and soft tone
• Great for a lighter touch and faster play
• If you have bigger hands, this guitar is perfect

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• The upper register is too tight

The ESP LTD D-5 is a 5-string bass guitar that is designed with a 5-piece maple and mahogany neck and a roasted jatoba neck. The guitar is also finalized with natural satin finish and a string thru bridge.

The natural merbau body and neck-through design can help provide the body you need for the electronic, high-quality performance you’re looking for. This guitar, the ESP LTD D-5 has the sustain and resonance you need for it to sound high-quality—no matter the style.

The neck-through construction and particular woods used in this guitar will help keep the volume in balance.

The scale of the ESP LTD D-5 is measured at 34″ and contains a rosewood fingerboard with 24 XJ frets. The hardware is made of black nickel with grover tuners and a 3-band active EQ.

The ESP LTD D-5 doesn’t come with a case included but still has a lifetime limited warranty.

What are its best features?

• Comes with a lifetime limited warranty
• Designed with multiple woods in the build of the design

What could be improved?

• Doesn’t include a case

The Schecter 430 C-6 is a great entry level guitar for not only beginners but those looking to switch to the Diamond Series name.

The Schecter name is not only a high-quality brand backed by years of experience and brand-building, the C-6 Deluxe also has features that are found on much more expensive guitars.

Its design, new, sleep contours of the C-6 are a high upgrade from the C-6, and combines tone, good looks, and a resonating sound.

The Schecter 430 C-6 is made with Basswood Body with a maple neck, a Tune-O-Matic Bridge with a string-thru body, and Schechter Diamond Plus Pickups. The fretboard is made out of rosewood and the nut is made of graphite.

The Schecter 430 C-6 has two humbuckers and a speed-built neck. This guitar is also made for rock and roll and various types of music. The neck is much thicker, woodier, and offers clean and reverberating tones.

Extremely functional, although this guitar may lack in a bit of personality, this is a perfect “budget guitar” that can handle the sound and playing hard.

The maple, bolted on neck is built smooth with a jaundiced yellow feature and a svelte C-profile.

Why did it make our list?

• Has chrome Schecter tuners
• It is a stable, fuss-free guitar
• Comes in a great price

What is not ideal about it?

• The design has no frills

The Takamine GC5CE-NAT has not only a solid-top construction but it sounds great, too. The Venetian-style cutaway and Takamine electronics system produces the great sound that only an acoustic-electric classical guitar can do.

The Takamine GC5CE-NAT is a fantastic guitar for not only solo performance but also on-stage band-playing. The GC5CE is built with a fan-braced solid spruce top and a black walnut back and sides. These particular woods make it possible to produce warm and rich sound. Especially with the nylon strings, you’ll get quality sound with every pluck.

The Takamine GC5CE-NAT also has a slim mahogany neck and a laurel fingerboard so that it can feel and play with high-quality performance. The onboard TP-4T preamp system comes with a built-in tuner.

The guitar also has great features including a dovetail neck joint, an inlaid mosaic rosette, a synthetic bone nut and bridge saddle, a laurel head cap, gold tuners with white pearl buttons, and a gloss finish.

What makes it special?

• The high-quality construction of the guitar and the wood
• It is extremely easy and comfortable to use
• Has a high-quality sound profile

What cons did we find?

• Comes with only 20 frets

The Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II has an okoume back and is backed with a lifetime-limited warranty.

Especially for those who are looking to play on an expert level, the musical prowess of the Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II is adequate for the most advanced players.

The features of this guitar make it possible to access high-quality components on a “budget guitar” (if your budget is under $1,000).

The great thing about this guitar is the fact that it is simplistically designed. It is one of the most basic-designed electric guitar on the market, perfect for your standard guitar-playing skills.

The Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II, with the overall build, truss-rod stringing, and periodic maintenance aspects put it at a budget price but high-quality performance level.

This particularly sassy electric guitar, the Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II, weighs only 7.9 lbs, which is extremely lightweight.

The mahogany body is designed with a 1960s Slim Taper ‘D’ Profile Bolt-On Neck. The fretboard is made with rosewood and the humbucker neck and bridge pickups are made with signature Epiphone 650R.

What are its best features?

• Well designed and aesthetically appealing
• Backed by a lifetime warranty
• Extremely ergonmoic and easy to play
• Rich on features and display a high-quality tone and performance
• The slim bolt-on neck makes for fuss-free maintenance

What could be improved?

• You might think it‘s harder to play with bigger hands
• The string length is short
• Need to buy amplifier and cable separately

The Oscar Schmidt OE30 is build with a classic semi-hollow body and is backed by multiple, versatile tone options.

The high-quality construction and components make the instrument unique and high-performing. Great for rock, blues, and jazz, the Oscar Schmidt OE30 can tailor to any type of music.

Especially if you’re looking for that hollow body or semi-hollow body sound, the mahogany double cutaway comes with a maple bolt-on neck for optimum design and build.

The Oscar Schmidt OE30 also has a rosewood fingerboard and comes built with a Tune-o-matic bridge with stop tailpiece. You can control your music and sound through two volume and two tone controls, as well as a 3-way pickup selector.

This is a perfect beginner electric guitar and it also comes with chrome die cast tuners and 2 humbucker pickups. The entire guitar is backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

If you want to perform a rich, clear, and distinct sound, with well-adjusted tuners for manipulation, the Oscar Schmidt OE30 is a great buy.

Why is it special?

• Clear sound with well-adjusted tuners
• Comfortable and convenient to play seated or standing up
• With a hollow body or semi-hollow body build

What are the flaws?

• If you are a more advanced player, it might be too basic