Do you dream of shredding solos but your wallet is singing the blues? Buying your first electric guitar can feel overwhelming. So many brands, so many features, and the prices can jump quickly! It’s tough to find an awesome-sounding guitar that won’t empty your bank account.
Many beginners worry that cheap guitars sound bad or break easily. You want a reliable instrument that inspires you to practice, not one that makes you want to quit. Finding that sweet spot between quality and cost is the real challenge.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will show you exactly which budget-friendly electric guitars offer the best bang for your buck. You will learn what features truly matter, even on a tight budget, so you can buy with confidence.
Keep reading to discover the top affordable electric guitars that sound amazing and feel great to play!
Top Cheap Guitars Electric Recommendations
- BURNING FLAME SHAPED: This electric guitar has an attractive flame shape looks like buring fire. Pattern on 24-fret fingerboard surface has a very appealing effect to make your guitar distinct.
- H-S-H PICKUP: The flame electric guitar features humbucker-single-humbucker pickup and together with 5-ways pickup switch, which offers a great range of tones. You can achieve the effect of meeting most of the music style.
- SHAKE YOUR TONE: The tremolo bridge system allows you to bend the pitch, and the removable whammy bar provides synchronised tremolo effect. The guitar is quipped with 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob to suit different music.
- Right-handed electric guitar with accessories is ideal for beginners and is ready to use out of the box
- Comes with a nylon carrying case perfect for traveling musicians and easy storage
- Made of an all wood construction, steel strings, and an attractive, smooth finish
- All-in-one Guitar Kit: No need to buy any additional accessories. This Electric guitar kit comes with a cable cord, convenient amp strap, guitar picks, and a mini amp (5 watt) that can be clipped on to your kid’s clothing; Portable amp needs only one 9 volt battery ,battery is not included
- Portable Guitar Bag: Equipped with this portable guitar bag, you can take your beloved bass guitar to class, perform, and play music with your band friends
- Superior Material: The body of this guitar is made of hardwood body and rosewood fretboard (22 frets) which makes the guitar sound bright and comfortable. The cutting design of guitar also brings rich and full sound. The edge of the guitar is smooth, so you don't have to worry about scratching your fingers while playing
- Crafted from solid wood, the body delivers a warm and resonant tone, perfect for various styles.
- The maple neck offers smooth playability, ensuring effortless transitions between frets.
- A maple fretboard enhances tonal clarity, producing bright and crisp sounds with every note.
- One Squier Debut Series Stratocaster electric guitar – a perfect beginner guitar for all ages
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar comes with a subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love, all with no additional cost
- 39 Inch DC Solid Body Electric Guitar，Bolt-on Neck.
- Poplar Wood Body，Maple Neck and Laurel Wood Fretboard
- 22 frets, 24.75 inch scale, 14 inch radius.
- Newbies-Friendly Playability - Ergonomic Thin C-shaped maple neck with polished frets ensures easier handling during chord transitions - ideal for teens & alduts mastering first power chords while maintaining proper wrist posture
- Versatile HSS Pickup Advantage - Hybrid humbucker-single-single configuration delivers wider tonal range than standard SSS setups - switch from crisp lead tones to warm rhythm textures ideal for learning multiple music genres llike iconic rock/pop styles
- Premium Tonewood Resonance - Solid ash body construction with open-pore finish delivers enhanced high-frequency response and extended sustain compared to laminate bodies - matte finish resists fingerprints while showcasing natural woodgrain patterns that interact beautifully with stage lighting
- Built with a smooth maple neck for comfortable fretting and enhanced tone clarity.
- Features a solid poplar body that provides warm, resonant sound with a lightweight feel.
- Classic LP-style design with a flat top and single cutaway, perfect for both rhythm and lead playing.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Snagging the Best Cheap Electric Guitar
Thinking about diving into the world of electric guitar but don’t want to spend a fortune? You’re in the right place! Cheap electric guitars are fantastic for beginners or seasoned players needing a backup. Here is what you need to know before you buy.
Key Features to Look For
Even budget guitars need essential features to sound good and feel playable. Don’t skip these checks!
1. Playability (The Feel)
- Neck Comfort: The neck should feel smooth in your hand. Run your hand up and down the neck. Are there sharp edges where the frets meet the side of the neck? If so, that needs fixing later.
- Action: This is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. Low action makes it easy to press the strings down. High action makes your fingers hurt quickly. Good cheap guitars usually have decent, though not always perfect, action.
2. Pickups
Pickups capture the string vibration and turn it into sound. Cheap guitars often use “Humbuckers” or “Single Coils.”
- Humbuckers: These are usually thicker and give a louder, fuller sound, great for rock music.
- Single Coils: These offer a brighter, thinner sound, good for blues or clean tones.
3. Tuners (Machine Heads)
Tuners hold the string tension. Cheap tuners often slip. If the tuners feel loose or sticky when you turn them, the guitar will constantly go out of tune. This frustrates beginners the most!
Important Materials Matter
The wood used in a guitar affects its sound and weight. You won’t find expensive woods here, but some are better than others.
Body Wood
Most budget guitars use **Basswood** or **Poplar**. These woods are light and take paint well. They are perfectly acceptable for starting out.
Fretboard Material
Look for **Rosewood** or **Maple** (often painted). Avoid very cheap, unfinished plastic-feeling fretboards, as they can feel rough on your fingers.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What separates a decent cheap guitar from a frustrating one?
Quality Boosters:
- Good Setup: A professional setup (adjusting the neck, string height, and intonation) makes even a cheap guitar play much better. Some retailers include this.
- Solid Hardware: Metal bridge pieces that look sturdy, not flimsy plastic, help keep the guitar sounding right.
Quality Reducers:
- Fret Sprout: This happens when the metal frets stick out sharply past the edge of the neck wood. It scratches your hand. This is a common issue in very low-cost instruments.
- Poor Wiring: Sometimes, the knobs (volume/tone) crackle or stop working early on. This usually requires simple soldering work to fix.
User Experience and Use Cases
Who should buy a cheap electric guitar, and what should they use it for?
Beginners (The Primary User)
This is the perfect tool for learning chords, scales, and basic songs. A cheap guitar lets you test the hobby without big risk. If you quit after three months, you haven’t lost much money.
Practice and Travel
These guitars are great for taking to a friend’s house or practicing in a dorm room where you worry about damaging an expensive instrument. They handle knocks better mentally, if not physically.
Modding Projects
Many guitar enthusiasts buy cheap guitars specifically to upgrade them. You can swap out the pickups or tuners later on, turning a $150 guitar into something that plays like a $400 one.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cheap Electric Guitars
Q: How cheap is “cheap”?
A: Generally, cheap electric guitars fall in the $100 to $250 range new. You can sometimes find decent used ones even cheaper.
Q: Do I need an amplifier with a cheap electric guitar?
A: Yes, absolutely. Electric guitars make almost no sound without an amplifier and a cable connecting them.
Q: Will a cheap guitar sound bad?
A: It might not sound as rich or clear as an expensive one, but it will definitely sound like an electric guitar. The tone is often very usable for practice.
Q: Are the included accessories (like bags or picks) any good?
A: Usually, no. The free “starter pack” items are often the lowest quality. Invest in a separate, decent gig bag and better picks.
Q: What is the most important thing to check when buying used?
A: Check the neck. Ensure it is straight (not bowed up or down) and that the electronics turn on without loud buzzing.
Q: Can I learn faster on an expensive guitar?
A: No. Skill comes from practice, not price. A playable cheap guitar is better than an unplayable expensive one.
Q: What scale length do most cheap guitars use?
A: Most budget guitars use the standard Fender or Gibson scale lengths (around 25.5 inches or 24.75 inches), which are comfortable for most beginners.
Q: Are the frets on cheap guitars painful?
A: Sometimes they are rough. You might need to file or sand the sharp edges down slightly, a process called “fret crowning.”
Q: Should I buy a known brand’s budget line or an unknown brand?
A: Buying the budget line from a well-known maker (like Squier by Fender or Epiphone by Gibson) usually gives you better quality control than a completely no-name brand.
Q: How often should I tune a new cheap guitar?
A: Very often at first! New strings stretch a lot. Tune it every time you pick it up for the first week or two until the strings settle.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!