In addition to being a private violin teacher and having a degree in music from USC, Alecia started writing music-related articles and product reviews six years ago and has enjoyed this experience greatly. She likes to learn new instruments and write new compositions in her free time.
Marcus has a vast experience in digital audio and sound design. Thanks to his knowledge, he actively helps musicians with technical problems, improving their audio quality and promoting their tracks so that thousands of listeners can enjoy really good music.
Last updated: October 20, 2024
Prime Sound is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
In a band, rhythm guitars are used to provide part or all the rhythmic pulse in sync with other instruments like bass guitar and drum kit. It is also used to provide part or all of the harmony. They are generally used in bands playing within the rock, country, metal, blues, and acoustic genres. Over the years, famous musicians like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Marr, Jimmy Page, Johnny Ramone, used some of the best rhythm guitars to make beautiful and inspiring music that still linger in the minds of many, down to this day.
If you are new to rhythm guitars, it is likely going to be a challenge for you to choose among the many models available on the market. To pick a good one, you are surely going to need all the help you can get. To help you make an informed decision, we considered important features like body type, scale length, body wood, and pickups type that determine the durability, performance, and efficiency of the guitar.
ADVERTISEMENT
We spend tens of hours doing deep and extensive research, studied official manufacturer information, verified buyer’s review, and consulted experts to bring you this concise, comprehensive and unbiased guide. This guide starts with a comparison table that shows the rating of each product. Next, is a detailed review of each product as well as their pros and cons. We finish with a buying guide that contains the intricate information you need to buy a rhythm guitar that will suit your needs.
Fender is one of the heavyweights in the guitar realm and their classic 50’s Stratocaster offers you a chance to have a posh and durable guitar with the aesthetics of a classic that has been brewed to perfection.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster comes with a few vintage style single coil pickups that give it a classic tone. It’s exceptionally made electronics, superb wiring, 5-tone adjuster switch, pickups; knobs are going to leave you in awe.
Holding the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster is going to make you feel like a guitar legend. Its classic design captures the feel of the original models.
The Stratocaster has been in constant production for more than fifty years because it is a gorgeous instrument. The unique styling of the Fender Classic Series ’50s is next to none. Fender, the creator of this excellent guitar went their way to produce special aging effects to provide the instrument with a vintage look and feel.
ADVERTISEMENT
No doubt, the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster is a remarkable instrument but it has a few issues. Some users complained that the tone is not ideal for heavy styles. Also, the single coil pickups can be difficult to control at a higher volume.
So if you are an average or a professional electric guitar player looking for a top-notch instrument that blends substance and style, the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster will be perfect for you.
What are its best features?
Vintage looks
Excellent reputation
Bright sound
Durability
What could be improved?
Its tone is not ideal for heavy metal styles
Its single coil pickups are difficult to control at higher volume
Ibanez is a popular and consistent brand that has made a lot of high-quality guitars over the years. Every now and then, it treats its fans with some extra or fancy top cover on one of their normal models. Their newest offering the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB is decorated with a poplar burl top.
Interestingly, the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB comes in two color versions – Charcoal Brown flat and Sapphire blue flat. Both are finished in premium quality satin. Beneath the fresh paint job and a posh looking top is a workhorse that can withstand continuous use.
Its rugged mahogany body with a bolted 3-piece maple neck as its base is a clear indication that it is durable and comfortable to use for long performance.
The excellent guitar also features set of in-line die-cast tuning machines, 24-fret, ceramic humbuckers, a five-position blade switch, 3-piece neck with a special seven-string version of the wizard II contour.
Needless to say, the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB is an excellent guitar that has a lot of amazing features, but it has one issue. Its pickup selector is not durable. Of course, this takes nothing from the performance of this remarkable electric guitar.
So, if you are a beginner or an intermediate guitarist looking to replacing your present electric guitar, the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB will be a good choice.
Promising a smooth playing experience coupled with a breezy, classic, and robust tones, the Epiphone Les Paul-100 offers everything a professional guitarist aspires for. The brilliant design of this ultra cool electric guitar is certainly going to inspire you. Its reddish golden-brown shade and superior finishing are what set it apart from others out there.
The Epiphone Les Paul-100 features an open-coil humbucker pickup to ensure premium quality sound, well-finished fretboard, solid mahogany body, comfortable neck with a glossy maple overlay, and a dual volume knob.
The super slim bolted mahogany neck has 22 frets over a scale of 24.75 inches which is super easy to tune and play especially when compared to a full sized guitar.
The overall construction of the Epiphone Les Paul-100 was done keeping in mind the needs and ergonomic requirements of beginners and intermediate players.
With this responsive control knobs, ergonomic finish, and remarkable features of this excellent guitar, you can be sure of producing rich tones without stressing yourself out.
While the Epiphone Les Paul-100 is a top-notch electric guitar, it has a couple of downsides. First, it is not a good fit for beginners. Also, it is more suited for players with medium or shorthand size. Even more, it doesn’t come with a guitar case, amplifier and cable.
So, if you are looking for a professional rhythm guitar, the Epiphone Les Paul-100 will be an option for you.
Why are we impressed?
It is lightweight
Sturdy constructions
It is affordable
Easy to use
What negatives must you be aware of?
It is best suited for players with medium or shorthand size
It doesn’t come with a guitar case, amplifier, and cable
The Schecter OMEN-6 is an affordable, classy and sturdy rhythm guitar that was made from premium quality materials.
The amazing craftsmanship, simple setup and adjustable controls of the Schecter OMEN-6 are what set it apart from others out there.
Schecter, the creator of this excellent guitar has acquired a big name in the metal world. It started out making replacement parts for top-notch brands like Fender and Gipson. However, in 1979, it began making its very own electric guitars. Its latest offering is the Schecter OMEN-6 – a work of art.
The body of the Schecter OMEN-6 is made of high-grade brass wood, a resonant and thick material that is ideal for hard rock and heavy metal. Its fretboard features perloid gothic inlays and 24 extra jumbo frets. It has an impressive 25.5 scale length and a 14-inch radius which boosts its performance.
As you now know, the Schecter OMEN-6 is a high-grade guitar with a lot of remarkable features. But it has a couple of issues. Some customers complained that its fret edges are rough and that it is somewhat heavier than other models similar to it.
Whether you are a beginner testing the water in the metal realm or an average player looking to specializing in heavy metal, the Schecter OMEN-6 will be good for you.
Paul Reed Smith guitars are some of the best models you can find on the market. The company was founded back in 1985 and today, some of the best guitars in the company’s catalogue of guitars are the semi-hollo and hollow models. The PSR Paul Reed Smith SE Semi-hollow guitar is a high-end, vintage inspired model that gives you one of the best experiences with PRS.
Check out the SE Custom Semi-hollow Guitar. With a mahogany back, maple top, wide 22-fret neck and genuine SE humbuckers, the SE Custom makes PRS quality accessible to any guitarist. The hollow chamber in this guitar not only boosts the midrange and reverb, it also makes the instrument light and easy to handle – a comfortable guitar for any player.
The semi-hollo electric guitar is one of the most underrated designs ever, but over the years has played a major part in the arsenal of any serious guitarist. This particular model provides your ears with acoustic-like beauty when cleanly played. However, that isn’t all it can do. The guitar can also make some of the richest and biggest tones with distortion. Therefore, it is certainly one of the most versatile options on the market.
Due to the combination of a bolt-on neck build with a semi-hollow body, you have an exciting and inviting version of the classic semi-hollow guitar. Performance-wise, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a guitar to give trebles as brilliant as what you’d get with this model.
What are its best features?
Comfortable
Durable build
Brilliant bass
Vintage design
What could be improved?
Costly
Things to Consider
As rhythm guitars continue to gain popularity, the market continues to provide a plethora of options with varied features and design. We hope this concise buying guide makes your shopping easier as you learn the fundamental features to look out for when making a purchase.
Rhythm or lead guitar – what’s the difference?
A beginner who knows very little or practically nothing about guitars may conclude that rhythm and lead guitars are the same because they are somewhat similar. But in reality, there is a clear difference between these two.
Lead Guitar
A lead guitar is played using moderate to heavy distortion. The most common techniques for creating lead parts are slides, vibrato, and bending. These allow for greater expression in the melody and a basic medium for emphasizing notes. Most of the time, lead guitarist employs sweeping pickups to add depth to a song.
Rhythm guitar
Unlike lead guitars, rhythm guitars are subtle and mild and can easily be played on acoustic and electric guitars. Playing a lead guitar is more about chord voicing and choosing a chord that enriches the overall sound.
Rhythm guitar genres explained
Rhythm guitars played an important role in the development of Jazz, rock, blues, bebop, and reggae. The guitar took over the role of the banjo to provide superior rhythmic chordal accomplishment. Jazz guitar legends like Freddie Green emphasized the quality of the instrument.
In funk bands, rhythm guitars are used to play in a percussive style using the wah-wah sound effects to create a percussive sound. It is used in reggae to play the chords beats two and four, which is also known as the bang or skank. It can also be used to play off beats.
Price tag
See, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on a premium quality rhythm guitar like the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster or the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB especially if you are a beginner. The obvious reason for this is that it may be too advanced for you to play. It is wise you opt for budget-friendly models like the Schecter OMEN-6 as they are can make beautiful sounds and are durable and can withstand constant use.
Going for a low-quality rhythm guitar just to save a few bucks is not really a smart move especially if you are a professional player looking to taking your skill to the next level. It is best you opt for top-notch rhythm guitars like the Epiphone Les Paul-100 or the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster.
Features to consider while buying the perfect rhythm guitar
There are a couple of important features that we recommend looking out for when choosing a rhythm guitar. Every rhythm guitar on the market has a unique feature or function that set it apart from others on the market with some offering better sound quality or some unique features. However, though you may be met with the challenge of choosing between the many rhythms guitars on the market. To narrow down the one that will suit your needs, there are some important features you must consider. Below are a few of them;
Pickups
Pickups are the pieces of plastic or metal beneath the strings in an electric guitar. They are designed to pick up the vibrations from the strings and send them to the amplifier. Simply put, they are responsible for the tone of a guitar. This means that a guitar with a faulty or damaged pickup will have very poor sound quality. Below are the two most common types of pickups.
Humbuckers
Humbuckers are mostly found in Gibson-based guitars like the Epiphone Les Paul-100 and are often used for thicker and warmer tones.
As you probably guessed, the scale length is the length of the string and is measured from bridge to nut. A shorter scale length offers a warmer tone and facilitates easier string control or bending. It also offers less tension. A longer scale length, on the other hand, offers a tighter feel in string tension, with a well-defined low end and brighter shimmer.
The neck of a guitar includes the headstock and the fretboards on which the tuners are carefully mounted. It contains a tough metal truss rod that prevents twisting and neck bowing and can be adjusted to increase stability and maintain a consistent pitch.
The fretboard is commonly made from a thin layer of ebony or rosewood. Some guitar models with maple necks have a fretboard that is made of the exact same wood as the neck. Most fretboards have special dots or markers clearly inlaid in the fretboard. Some models have unique markers on the edge of the fretboard offering users easy visibility.
Body feel
There are 3 main body types – semi-hollow body, hollow body, and solid body. What sets them apart is the way they are constructed and the amount of resonance they produce. If you are into metal or punk, or any style of fast or heavy music, then it should be solid body all the way.
Semi-hollow and hollow bodied guitars are perfect for players who prefer jazz, soft rock, country, pop and other softer styles that offer a lot of resonant sounds with bass.
A greenhorn guitarist may conclude that the sound quality of a guitar has nothing to do with the wood it is made from. But that is far from the truth because the wood a guitar is made from can determine how long the strings will vibrate and the shape of their motion. Even more, it allows the pick to move without hindrance.
Below are some common tone wood types;
Mahogany
Mahogany is strong, dense and can be used to manufacture every part of a guitar except bridges and fretboards which requires a much harder wood. The Epiphone Les Paul-100 and the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB are made from this wood type.
Maple
This is a common wood that is usually used in guitar necks. It is dense, hard and often has eye-catching detailed grain patterns. Due to its tonal characteristics, maple is mostly used for making super expensive guitars.
Ebony
Ebony is a dense wood that is usually used on fretboards of expensive guitars.
Alder
Alder has special tonal characteristics that are somewhat similar to ash but is less expensive. It is one of the most commonly used top-notch electric guitars. The body of the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster is made from this wood type.
Bridge
The bridge is a very important component of an electric guitar that influences playability and tone. It is usually mounted to the lower part of the guitar body. Bridges are specifically designed to compensate for varying metals, string lengths, and gauges to ensure that the strings remain in perfect tune with each other.
Some bridges allow users to introduce vibrato into their performance of a whammy bar or a vibrato arm that moves the bridge up and down. Bridges with this function are commonly known as tremolos. A tremolo system allows players to move the bridge back and forth with relative ease.
Accessories
Regardless of the rhythm guitar model you are going for, it is wise you check if it comes with accessories like an amp, a cord, a carrying case and so on before making a purchase. Buying an electric guitar that doesn’t come with accessories means that you will have to buy them separately. So, if you are on a budget, it is smart to opt for a guitar that comes with important accessories you need to play. This will save you from splashing extra cash on accessories.
Warranty
This is a very important feature you must give thoughts when buying a rhythm guitar. Some manufacturers offer aftercare and warranties after you have made a purchase. Do well to check the terms of each supplier before making a final decision. Buying a rhythm guitar that has no warranty is not really a smart move because if something happens to it while you are using it the way it was meant to, you will bear the cost of repairing it. Thankfully, the rhythm guitars reviewed in this article are warranty protected.
Rhythm guitar playing tips
To become an expert rhythm guitar player, you have to be hardworking, consistent, patient, and have a burning desire to do whatever it takes to reach your goal. In your journey to becoming a good player, you are inevitably going to face some challenges, to scale through them; you have to be consistent in your efforts.
Below are some tips that may come in handy in your journey to becoming a better guitarist:
Become a studious student of music
To become a good rhythm guitar player, you need to have a great ear and understand everything that is happening with each and every instrument in the band both melodically and rhythmically. To do that, you have to banish your distractions and listen to everything you can.
Play along with the rhythm guitar legends
Playing alongside famous rhythm guitar legends like James Hetfield, Malcolm Young, Chuck Berry and many more will not only strengthen your foundation but will also help you understand how they blend their notes and rhythms perfectly.
Timing
To become a top-notch rhythm guitarist, your timing needs to be on point. To do this, you have to be ready to practice for long hours every day. If you are able to do this consistently, in the long run, you will have a precise and solid sense of rhythm.
Yes, every band needs a rhythm guitarist – this part in the band ties all the music parts and instruments into one solid tune.
Our Verdict
While all the rhythm guitars reviewed in this guide are of premium quality and has a lot of impressive features, here are our top picks.
The Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster is our best pick because of its stylish look; rugged alder body wood, 21 vintage-style frets, V-shaped neck, 25.5-inch scale length, solid body, and excellent sound quality.
Our second best pick, the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB is a brilliant rhythm guitar with a handful of amazing features. Its super sleek design, solid mahogany body wood, and premium rosewood fingerboard are what set it apart from other models similar to it.
Rhythm guitars played an important role in the development of Jazz, rock, blues, bebop, and reggae. The guitar took over the role of the banjo to provide superior rhythmic chordal accomplishment. Jazz guitar legends like Freddie Green emphasized the quality of the instrument.
As you probably guessed, the scale length is the length of the string and is measured from bridge to nut. A shorter scale length offers a warmer tone and facilitates easier string control or bending. It also offers less tension. A longer scale length, on the other hand, offers a tighter feel in string tension, with a well-defined low end and brighter shimmer.
A greenhorn guitarist may conclude that the sound quality of a guitar has nothing to do with the wood it is made from. But that is far from the truth because the wood a guitar is made from can determine how long the strings will vibrate and the shape of their motion. Even more, it allows the pick to move without hindrance.
The bridge is a very important component of an electric guitar that influences playability and tone. It is usually mounted to the lower part of the guitar body. Bridges are specifically designed to compensate for varying metals, string lengths, and gauges to ensure that the strings remain in perfect tune with each other.
