9 Best Electric Guitars Under $500 Reviews – Rock Out for Less in 2024

People who play Yamaha instruments love them for their consistency. No matter what price level you’re buying at, you can count on them for craftsmanship and build quality. This precision definitely shines through in the Yamaha RevStar.

Even better...

You’ll see the Yamaha RevStar is different the moment you look at it. The unique body shape gives you the upper fret access of a double cutaway but with a more elegant contour. With over a dozen color options, you can really be proud to show this baby off on stage.

The sound is as bold and powerful as the design. It’s full in the mid-range with impressive overtones. Yamaha designed these VH3 humbuckers to complement the combination of Nato and maple used in the RevStar. They’re custom-wound with Alnico V magnets and German silver baseplates. There’s also a dry switch that filters your tone so it sounds more like a single-coil pickup, giving you a brighter tone without sacrificing quality.

The RevStar also gets high marks for player comfort. The back of the guitar is contoured so it rests more naturally against your body. The neck is also fairly thin so you won’t have to stretch or strain your fingers. The frets are smooth and consistently well-finished, letting you play fast without losing note definition.

Alternatively:

If you’re looking for something that screams cool—or even just one that straight up screams—the RevStar is the best electric guitar under 500 dollars. It gives you lots of raw power that translates to killer overdrive, and the custom hardware and electronics outperform what you’ll find on guitars at twice the price.

Features:

• Weight: 11.9 pounds
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Frets: 22 medium-jumbo
• Tonewoods: Nato body and neck, maple top
• Body shape: RevStar double cutaway
• Hardware: Die-cast chrome tuners, Tune-o-matic bridge
• Pickups: RS420 custom VH3 humbuckers
• Color options: 14

Squier is to Fender as Epiphone is to Gibson: the low-cost equivalent that gives you the quality the brand is known for without the high price tag. This one is designed to mimic the look and vibe of the classic “blackguard” Telecasters from the ‘50s. It’s a great way to get vintage styling with all the convenience of modern electronics.

Most entry-level guitars use medium frets, but the frets on the Squier ‘50s Telecaster are a bit larger. This is great for genres like rock and country that call for bends and other effects. The neck is one of the places you can really see the blending of vintage and modern in this instrument. It has a classic 21-fret tint gloss look but an updated 9.5” radius that makes it a lot faster to play than old-school Telecasters.

What made us really love this one:

Tone-wise, you’ll love this instrument’s powerful response and front-end bite. The pine used for the body resonates similarly to the ash traditionally used for Telecaster, with a sound that harkens back to early Esquire instruments that used similar tonewoods.

The single-coil Alnico 5 pickups are really what gives the instrument its distinctive Telecaster sound, however. You’ll get impressive clarity and definition on every note, regardless of how much distortion you like to play with.

Telecasters are seen most often in pop and rock, but this guitar isn’t limited to any one genre. It strikes a great balance between mid-range depth and high-end sparkle and has enough tonal flexibility that you can play pretty much anything you have a mind to—and have it sound great.

Features:

• Weight: 14 pounds
• Scale length: 25.5”
• Frets: 21 medium-jumbo
• Tonewoods: Pine body, maple neck
• Body shape: Single cutaway
• Neck shape: 9.5” 1-piece modern “C” shape
• Hardware: Vintage-style chrome tuners, brass string-thru bridge with barrel saddles
• Pickups: Custom Telecaster Alnico 5 (single-coil)
• Color options: Vintage blonde, Butterscotch blonde, Natural, 3-color sunburst

Epiphone is a company you definitely want to keep your eye on when you’re shopping for affordable electric guitars. It’s the “budget branch” of the Gibson company. While they go by a different name, they give you the same design aesthetic and appreciation for quality, which they guarantee with a lifetime warranty.

This is an excellent choice for a beginning player.

Not only because it’s affordable but also because it’s very reliable. The fixed Tune-o-matic bridge is designed to keep your instrument better in tune for longer, great news if you’re just learning how to play. These same characteristics make it great as a backup instrument for pros, as well, since you can count on it to hold up to the rigors of gigs and travel.

The body and neck on this guitar are solid mahogany, with a rosewood fingerboard—a classic combination of tonewoods that gives this guitar a traditional tone. It’s not the most complex or unique sonic texture out there, but it is one of the more versatile options you’ll find, with a tone that’s suitable for a wide range of different styles and genres.

What's more...

The Les Paul Special-II comes with open-coil humbucker pickups at the neck and bridge. The electronics overall are hot and give you a sensitive, responsive tone, with no extra noise regardless of your dynamic level. It also comes with 500k pots for the volume and tone with a three-way toggle for choosing between the pickups.

This is one of the best-known guitar models for a reason. It certainly doesn’t sound cheap, with the rich sustain and quality sound you’d expect from a Gibson for only a fraction of the price.

Features:

• Weight: 10 pounds
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Frets: 22
• Tonewood: Okoume mahogany
• Body shape: Single cutaway
• Neck shape: ‘60s SlimTaper D
• Hardware: Enclosed nickel tuners, fixed Tune-o-matic bridge
• Pickups: Epiphone humbuckers (650R neck, 700T bridge)
• Color options: Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Vintage Sunburst

The Fender Stratocaster is another iconic guitar design, so well-known that even people who have never played an instrument know about the Strat. What you might not know, however, is how this model differs from the Telecaster above—especially considering they’re the same price and very similar in terms of both their history and their appearance.

But don't rush to conclusions.

There are slight differences in the design of these two instruments. The Strat headstock is larger. That added weight lengthens and deepens the sustain. The Strat also features a double cutaway design, as opposed to the Telecaster’s single cutaway, which can make it easier to reach the upper frets—especially for those fast solo lines.

But that's not all:

You’ll also notice a difference in the electronics. The Stratocaster uses three pickups with a 5-way position switch, giving you more options when it comes to customizing your tone. While both use a single-coil pickup, the use of Alnico III magnets in the Stratocaster gives it a softer, more nuanced tone, as opposed to the raw power of a Tele.

Perhaps the most distinctive thing about a Stratocaster, though, is the hardware. It uses a six-saddle tremolo bridge that includes a whammy bar for wide pitch bends and variations. This makes it great for players who like to add more effects to their tone, especially players in the rock and funk genres. All of the hardware is made of high-quality chrome for durability and long-lasting intonation.

Features:

• Weight: 11.02 pounds
• Scale length: 25.5”
• Frets: 21 medium-jumbo
• Tonewoods: Alder body, maple neck
• Body shape: Double cutaway
• Hardware: vintage-style chrome tuners, 6-saddle synchronized tremolo bridge
• Pickups: Custom Stratocaster single-coil Alnico III (neck, middle, and bridge)
• Color options: 2-color sunburst, 3-color sunburst, Sherwood Green Metallic

While they’re best-known as a great brand for beginners, also makes instruments that you could consider to be in the mid-range or intermediate price-point, like this Les Paul Standard. It brings you the same design aesthetic and craftsmanship but takes the quality of the materials up a notch over their entry-level options, making it a popular choice as a backup guitar for professionals.

The profile of the Gibson Les Paul is the classic look most people think of when they think about electric guitars. With the classic white pickguard, narrow waist, and single cutaway design, the Les Paul Standard has an attractive vintage look that you’ll be proud to show off on stage. Even small details like the trapezoid inlays on the fretboard are designed to give you that classic rock look.

Most remarkably...

The sound quality of a Les Paul Standard is noticeably higher than what you’ll get from other versions of the guitar. The headstock is designed to put more pressure on the nut, improving the sustain of the notes as well as smoothing out the intonation. The pickups on this model are also different from what you’ll find on other Epiphones. They use Alnico magnets for a warmer tone with more complex overtones.

What a lot of players like the best about a Les Paul, though, is the feel of it. The slim neck and low action make it a very fast-playing guitar, perfect for shredding solos. This is also enhanced by the quality of the hardware, which not only makes it easier to play but also simplifies the tuning and changing of strings.

Simply put:

If you’re looking for the best guitar under 500 bucks in terms of sound, the Les Paul Standard is an awesome choice.

Features:

• Weight: 10 pounds
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Frets: 22 medium
• Tonewoods: Mahogany body and neck, maple top
• Body shape: single cutaway
• Neck shape: SlimTaper
• Hardware: Chrome deluxe sealed tuners, fixed Tune-o-matic bridge
• Pickups: Epiphone Alnico Classic (neck and bridge)
• Color options: Ebony, Metallic Gold, Red, Pelham Blue

ESP isn’t as well-known a brand as Fender or Gibson, but if you’re in the market for an affordable guitar it’s definitely a brand worth checking out. Across their product line, they provide high quality for a lower cost. With the Amazon Exclusive EC100AT, they push the value they offer to the next level, with fantastic sound and a sleek look.

On that note:

The profile of the EC100AT is a familiar single cutaway design, but if you turn it to the side you’ll see one way it’s unique. It uses an arch top, a feature you’d find on higher-end electric guitars. This improves the resonance and tone quality across the range. The waist also narrows further on the back than on the front so it’s more comfortable to play.

This is also a very responsive guitar with a high dynamic potential. The pickups have designated volume controls, with a master tone control to further adjust your sound. This tonal versatility makes it especially great for a beginner on a budget who isn’t quite sure yet what style of music they want to play.

Another thing that makes this model great for beginners is its ease of use. It’s quick to tune and stays in tune well, unlike some super-budget options. Some players also find the larger frets and robust neck easier to play, since you won’t have to press quite as hard to make the notes sound.

The downside of this is:

The notes will be more likely to go out of tune. The neck is also on the wider side, so it’s not the best choice for players with small hands.

Features:

• Weight: 9 pounds
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Frets: 24 jumbo
• Tonewoods: Basswood body, maple neck
• Body shape: Single cutaway
• Neck shape: Thin U
• Hardware: Tune-o-matic bridge
• Pickups: Passive ESP

The Les Paul Studio falls in between the Special and the Standard, both in terms of price and material quality. The Goth Les Paul, meanwhile, features a black satin finish and black chrome hardware, for a look that’s just as powerful as the sound.

The black chrome hardware doesn’t just look great, either.

It keeps your instrument perfectly in tune while you’re playing, and it’s easy to adjust and change the strings. Pressing on the master tone knob activates the kill switch. Like other mid- and high-end Les Pauls, it has two knobs each for the tone and volume for more detailed adjustment.

Alnico 5 magnets are the most powerful of the common pickup materials. They give the Les Paul Studio a huge bold sound with an absolutely killer sustain, especially when you’re playing clean. The combination of Alnico humbuckers and mahogany construction gives you a full, warm, and resonant tone, with absolutely no buzzing or pickup hum.

The Studio version of the Les Paul was originally designed to be a lighter, more streamlined version of the instrument aimed at studio musicians looking for an instrument that’s easy to play and still sounds great. Since it’s one of the lightest instruments on this list, it’s perfect for younger players, players with back problems, and professionals who just want an option that’s easier to carry to gigs.

The bottom line?

The Les Paul Studio is the best electric guitar under 500 dollars if you want an instrument that looks as good as it sounds, and is easy on both your body and your budget. Paired with the right amp, it can really scream, too, especially when you push it into overdrive.

Features:

• Weight: 8.4 pounds
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Frets: 22
• Tonewood: Mahogany
• Body shape: Single cutaway
• Hardware: Black chrome LocTone tuners, Tune-o-matic bridge
• Pickups: Alnico 5 Classic Plus humbuckers

If you’re looking for the most unique guitar on the list, the Gretsch Pro Jet is a strong contender. From headstock to the tailpiece, it has features you won’t find on most (or any) of the other options in the price range.

Fans of Gretsch guitars love the brand’s distinctive sound. The Pro Jet uses Filter’Tron humbuckers for a rich tone with a lot of overdrive power. The sound is definitely on the brighter side, especially for a humbucker. If you prefer a biting guitar tone but don’t want any extra noise, you’ll especially appreciate the Filter’Tron pickups.

Of course,

The construction contributes to the tone too. The combination of the archtop with the chambered body greatly enhances the resonance, letting you get more of that Basswood mahogany warmth into your tone. The maple top balances the tone so it doesn’t get too heavy. The end result is a full tone with lots of high-end shimmer.

The Pro Jet is also just a blast to play. The neck is pretty quick, and the solid hardware makes it highly responsive across the strings. And of course, there’s the tailpiece and the option of a whammy bar for those extra bends and effects. It is on the higher end of the budget spectrum, but for players in jazz, blues, and similar genres, that extra couple hundred bucks you’ll spend on this over an LP-Special, for example, is well worth it.

Features:

• Weight: 25 pounds
• Scale length: 24.6”
• Frets: 22 medium-jumbo
• Tonewoods: Basswood body, maple top and neck
• Body shape: Chambered single cutaway, Jet style
• Hardware: Bigsby B50 tailpiece, anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge
• Pickups: Black Top Filter’Tron humbuckers

Another great affordable option from Epiphone is the SG-Special. It costs a bit more than the Les Paul Special II, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for a screaming rock tone with powerful overdrive in the under $200 range.

In terms of the electronics and hardware, the SG-Special is very similar to the Les Paul special. It uses the same humbucking pickups and tone pot. It also includes an integrated kill switch, which you can activate just by pushing in on the master tone knob. It also comes with the Tune-o-matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece for precise control over your intonation.

Getting into the details...

Where the SG-Special differs from the Les Paul Special is primarily in the shape and construction of the guitar itself. The body uses a double cutaway design which both gives it the iconic classic rock look and makes it easier to play the upper frets. The tonewoods used in both the neck and body are also different, which is what makes it a better choice specifically for rock musicians since it has a bright, full sound that holds its tone when you push the gain.

Like other Epiphone guitars, you can count on the SG-Special to be well-built and long-lasting despite its incredibly low price tag. From the bolt-on neck joint to the wiring of the pickups, every detail is designed to be easy for a beginner to sound good playing.

It’s also a very playable guitar.

The medium-sized frets are easy on the fingertips, and the action is set comfortably right out of the box.

Features:

• Weight: 11 pounds
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Frets: 22 medium
• Tonewoods: Mahogany body, maple neck
• Body shape: Double cutaway
• Neck shape: SlimTaper D
• Hardware: Nickel deluxe sealed tuners, fixed Tune-o-matic bridge
• Pickups: Epiphone humbuckers (650R neck, 700T bridge)
• Color options: Cherry and Ebony