The day that a guitarist finds that it’s time to move beyond entry-level axes into a more sophisticated category is a good day.
And the great news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a well-crafted guitar anymore. Almost every company offers at least a few models that can provide a significant improvement over ones with beginner specs.
Stepping into this price range means an upgrade in pretty much every aspect of the guitar design. From better cuts of tonewoods, higher-quality hardware (tuners, bridges, et al), to the pickups and electronics.
Here are some of the best guitars under $1,000.
Best guitar under $1,000 overall: Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard
All of the classic Les Paul aesthetics and some modern appointments are included in the 1959 Les Paul Standard.
The chambered mahogany body and flamed maple top give you the warmth and sustain Les Pauls are known for without the back-breaking weight. The mahogany neck with Indian laurel fretboard makes every lick roll off of your fingertips. It comes with two classic covered humbuckers.
While the guitar gets pretty close to that $1,000 budget, if you can afford it, it’s worth the cash.
Best vintage Strat reissue under $,1000: Fender Vintera 60’s Statocaster Modified
Fender’s Vintera line is pushing forward while paying respect to the classic designs of the company’s past models. The 60’s Strat includes everything you would expect – contoured body, C-shape neck, and Tim Shaw Hot ’65 pickups that provide a little more juice than the traditional trio of single-coils.
There is 5-way switching. And the addition of the S1 system adds the neck pickup to positions 1 and 2 for additional bottom end.
Best guitar under $1,000 for heavy styles: Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR
“SuperStrat” guitars are still alive and well, decades after they rose to popularity in the 80s. This model from Charvel is one of the best.
It sports Seymour Duncan SH-6N and TB-6 pickups and 6-way switching. This provides the best of both worlds in humbucker or coil-split single-coil tones.
The compound radius fretboard provides comfort whether you’re playing chords on the lower frets or blistering solos at the top.
And the Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo can handle any abuse you throw at it while maintaining perfect intonation and tuning.
Best semi-hollow under $1,000: Epiphone Dot Deluxe
There aren’t too many ES-335 style guitars in the sub $1,000 price range. But Epiphone nails it with the Dot Deluxe – and at half the price point.
The slimmer D-style neck works well with the larger body frame. Alnico Classic pickups provide the tone you want from a semi-hollow design and minimize feedback.
Best vintage Telecaster reissue under $1,000: Fender Vintera ‘50s Telecaster Modified
The Vintera series catapults Fender’s classic mid 20th century designs into the 21st century with the 50’s Telecaster. With it you get period-correct body color and neck tint on the V-shaped neck.
The Custom Shop series-wired pickups are a little hotter than usually come in a Telecaster. Four-way switching with the S-1 system that provides out-of-phase tones. The traditional barrel saddle bridge rounds out the traditional 50s aesthetic.
Best guitar under $1,000 for metal: Jackson X Series Soloist SL3X
Classic metal style combines with a build design with enough dexterity to cover a gamut of heavy music genres in this model from Jackson’s X Series.
The compound radius fretboard ranges from 12” at the lower frets to 16” at the higher part of the neck to accommodate sludgy low riffs and searing solo work.
The trio of Duncan Designed pickups include Hot Rails in the neck and middle position, and a humbucker in the bridge. The Floyd Rose double locking tremolo lets you dive bomb away without fear of flying out of tune.
Most versatile guitar under $1,000: Yamaha PAC612VII Pacifica
Yamaha guitars seem to fly under the radar for some reason, but their Pacifica line is one of the more versatile options for best guitars under $1,000.
The C-shaped neck is very playable, and the alder body with flame maple top crank out some great tones. The three Seymour Duncan pickups are wired with 5-way switching, and the bridge humbucker can be coil split for accessing single-coil tones.
Best guitar under $1,000 with active pickups: ESP LTD EC-1000
The LTD line might be best known as ESP’s more affordable models, but no corner was cut with the quality of the EC-1000.
Choice tonewoods and a set neck give it its blazing sounds while EMG 60/81 pickups can take you anywhere from warm cleans to the heaviest of heavy. Gold hardware adds to the classic/modern aesthetic.
Best guitar under $1,000 with vibrato: Schecter Hellraiser C-1
This guitar is meant to raise hell while giving access to some heavenly tones.
The EMG 81/89 pickup combination has optional single-coil sounds that gives it a spectrum of variation. A combination of mahogany body/maple neck is great for the heavy styles that will likely be inspired by picking up the C-1.
The sleek doublecut body and tune-o-matic bridge offer a modern look. It comes in a hardtail and Floyd Rose version.
Best budget guitar under $1,000: Gretsch G2215-P90
This guitar designed for beginners and junior players is a great way to step into the world of electrics. It’s a mashup of tonewoods and electronics that creates a unique playing and tonal experience that’s distinctly Gretsch.
The body and neck are made of Nato, with a thin U-profile that accommodates most players’ hands well. A laurel fretboard rounds out the tonewoods. These aren’t ideal, but they are eco-friendly and a way to keep costs in line for the consumers.
Electronics are just as off-the-wall, with a mix of P-90 pickup in the neck position and Broad’Tron BT-2S humbucker in the bridge. Three-way switching is on deck and both pickups are connected through master volume and tone controls – even if they are spaced out inconveniently.
FAQ
Are guitars under $1,000 good for beginners?
Guitars in this price range are great for all levels of players. It allows you to enter in at a low price point (without necessarily sacrificing quality) and scale up as your skills improve and your needs change.
Do guitars under $1,000 suit all genres?
Yes! Regardless of what style of music you play you’ll be able to find a guitar that’s well-built and sounds good to complement your playing.
How can I maintain a guitar under $1,000?
Take care of it and make sure regular maintenance is performed. Keep it in a case when traveling, and on a stand or guitar rack when it’s out. If you don’t know how to perform a proper setup, take it to a professional every now and then to make sure all parts are functioning properly.
