As a part-time gigging musician, I can't always afford the top-of-the-line gear. But I still want my stuff to sound good! Here are the electric guitar brands that I have found to deliver way above their price points for those of us performing live “i...
Sections
3
For Classic Tones
For Modders
For Shredders
For Classic Tones
Need a classic tone for your live gig? These guitars are worth a look.
IYV, from Vietnam, is by far my fave budget guitar brand. All of their models sound great, play great, and look great.
IYV Tobacco Sunburst IPF-300 TSB
Made in China and set up in the USA, Tease Guitars provide extraordinary playability and tone for the money.
Tease Guitars
Not be left out of the budget guitar mix, Fender has real winner with the recently-released Debut series: low on cost and big on tone and value.
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
Westcreek's Racer is a looker and a great player!
WestCreek RACER Solid Body Double Cut Guitar
EART's Telecaster copy has topped several gear reviewers' list of best budget guitars, for good reason.
EART E-TT72 Semi-Hollow-Body Electric Guitar
For Modders
If you enjoy customizing your axe, these brands provide great platforms on the cheap.
GEARIt guitars are often steeply discounted, and provide great versatility right out of the box. They are easy to modify, too!
GEARit: Electric guitar
Monoprice has a TON of options in its inexpensive Indio line, one of the best platforms for modders out there right now.
Monoprice
GLARRY makes a lightweight Sratocaster clone that is advertised to beginners, but is actually much better suited for modders.
GLARRY
Donner is known for their guitar effects pedals, but they offer a wide range of guitars, too.
Donner
Guitar modders rave about this brand, which offers several body types and pickup combos.
Fesley
Grote provides a fantastic budget guitar for modifications; just don't change those cool colors or that awesome dual-tone headstock!
Grote
For Shredders
Crank it up and let the arpeggios commence!
Ibanez brings their higher-end expertise to the budget GIO line, and it shows!
Ibanez GIO RX
The original budget shredder is still one of the best!
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top
I don't know ANYONE who owns a Pacifica who doesn't love the way that it plays.
Yamaha Pacifica Series
This brand offers many different models, and pretty much all of them are smooth players.
