Contrary to popular belief, blowing your budget out of the water buying a brand new electric guitar is not the best move in becoming a guitar player. This usually puts a ton of pressure on the newer player to play well right away, which never happens.
The key to buying an electric guitar is finding one that fits you, specifically. All that matters is that you can practice comfortably anywhere, play with anyone and feel comfortable.
Don’t let the price tag scare you off, but don’t sort by highest price on the internet, either. Here, we start a comprehensive list of the best electric guitars for fewer than 500 dollars.
Table of Contents
ESP LTD EC-256
A classic single-cutaway guitar that fits any musical style?
The ESP LTD EC-256 combines a solid mahogany body with a three-piece mahogany neck and jatoba fingerboard for rich, warm tones across genres. At its price point, this guitar is loaded with premium touches, like a set-neck construction and tasteful headstock binding.
The powerful ESP Designed LH-150 passive pickups give you versatile sound options controlled through dual volume knobs, a tone knob with push-pull function, and a 3-way toggle switch.
Available in striking Black or Metallic Gold finishes, this instrument offers impressive build quality and playability without breaking the bank. Perfect for intermediate players wanting to upgrade or beginners investing in their first serious instrument.
PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin
Serious guitar players looking for quick response and great feel should check out this bolt-on beauty. The all-mahogany body has a thin satin finish that makes the guitar ring out with great tone, while the maple neck feels smooth and fast with its Wide Thin shape and rosewood fretboard.
The PRS 85/15 “S” pickups give you clear sound from the lowest bass notes to the highest treble, and you can switch between full and split-coil sounds using the handy push/pull tone knob. Players who move quickly across the neck will love how the semi-gloss finish helps your hand glide without sticking. It’s a great guitar for beginning players and gigging musicians who want something reliable and not too expensive.
Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster
Vintage vibes meet modern playability in this faithful tribute to a guitar icon from the 1960s. The poplar body paired with a maple neck and laurel fretboard creates a balanced tone that works across multiple genres, while the slim “C”-shaped neck profile with medium jumbo frets makes playing leads and complex chords a breeze.
Fender-designed Alnico single-coil pickups deliver that unmistakable jangly sound with plenty of clarity and definition that cuts through any mix. The vintage-style tremolo system lets you add subtle vibrato or dramatic dives without knocking your guitar out of tune, and the floating bridge with barrel saddles ensures rock-solid stability during performances.
Guitar players will appreciate thoughtful details like the vintage-tinted gloss neck finish and authentic 1960s-inspired headstock markings that give this instrument its classic charm. Beginners and experienced players alike will find exceptional value in this affordable Fender-designed instrument that punches well above its price point.
Epiphone Les Paul Special Satin E1
For musicians seeking classic tone without the frills, this guitar combines vintage appeal with practical design. The poplar body features a stylish Vintage Worn finish, while the binding-free construction presents a sleek, minimalist aesthetic.
Players will appreciate the comfortable mahogany bolt-on neck sporting the 1960s Slim Taper D profile that allows quick movement across the rosewood fingerboard with its traditional pearloid dot inlays. Sound options range from warm to hot thanks to Epiphone’s renowned open-coil humbuckers—a 650R in the neck position and a more aggressive 700T in the bridge position.
Ideal for both beginners and experienced guitarists who want authentic Les Paul characteristics in a straightforward, affordable package. The simple design focuses on what matters most: playability and tone.
Ibanez AZES40
For beginners wanting a guitar that grows with their skills, this Ibanez offers impressive quality without breaking the bank. Designed with help from Berklee professor Tomo Fujita, it features a poplar body paired with a snappy maple neck and smooth jatoba fingerboard that makes playing feel natural right away. The HSS pickup setup gives you two single-coil pickups plus one humbucker to cover tons of musical styles from clean to heavy.
What really sets this guitar apart is the dyna-MIX9 switching system that lets you combine pickups in ways most starter guitars can’t match. The black tremolo bridge adds another dimension to your playing, letting you add vibrato effects to notes and chords.
With stainless steel strings included and right-hand orientation, this guitar helps new players spend less time struggling and more time making music they love.
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
The Squier Debut Series Stratocaster brings legendary Fender quality to beginners without the steep learning curve. Its slim “C”-shaped maple neck and thin, lightweight poplar body make it super comfortable to hold and play for hours. The laurel fingerboard feels smooth under your fingers, while three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching let you dial in a huge range of iconic Strat tones.
This right-handed guitar uses nickel strings and features a tremolo bridge with removable arm for adding expressive string bends and vibrato to your playing. The sealed-gear tuning machines keep your guitar in tune longer, and the durable chrome hardware adds a premium look that stands out.
Each guitar comes with free access to Fender Play lessons so you can start learning right away.
Epiphone SG Special Electric Guitar
Rock enthusiasts will find all the classic SG vibe in this affordable yet authentic package. The Epiphone SG Special delivers unmistakable devil-horned body styling carved from genuine mahogany with a back crafted from alder and maple for tonal complexity.
Its maple neck features the popular SlimTaper D profile, while the rosewood fingerboard offers smooth playability. Twin open-coil humbucking pickups pump out a thick, rich tone with plenty of punch for classic rock sounds. The guitar’s LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece combination maximizes sustain, letting notes ring clearly while staying perfectly in tune.
Nickel strings come standard on this right-handed axe, ensuring that signature bright attack that cuts through any mix.
