Buying Guides INS (Musical)
Photo of author

7 Best Budget Electric Guitars Under $200 In 2023

Industry Expert’s Recommendations for the best electric guitars under 200 that will serve the purpose perfectly for starters within budget with a complete buying guide.

Related Complete Buying Guides:

Well, you don’t need to make a dent in your wallet to buy a quality electric guitar. We have picked out the best electric guitar for under 200 dollars so that you can rock the floor. Be it a mesmerizing solo or a slashing riff; you can nail it all if you have one of these babies in hand.

Our Top 3 Picks (At A Glance)

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Ibanez GRX70QA
9.8
  • GRX Maple Neck
  • Poplar Body/ Quilted Art Grain Top
  • Medium frets
  • Rosewood Fingerboard
  • Pearl Dot Inlay
PREMIUM PICK
Jackson Dinky JS22-7
9.7
  • Body: Poplar
  • Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
  • Fingerboard: Amaranth
  • Bridge: Jackson HT7 String-Through-Body Hardtail
BUDGET PICK
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
9.7
  • Brand: Fender, Color: Brown Sunburst
  • Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Combination
  • 6 Steel Strings, Hardtail Bridge, Right-handed

What Are The Best Electric Guitars Under $200

In this part, we’ll summarize the best electric guitars under 200 included in this review guide by mentioning specific features so that you can have a proper overview of which one will suit and serve the best of your purpose.

1. Best For Various Metal Genres: Ibanez GRX70QA

Poplar body with a Quilted art grain top, GRX Maple neck, HSH pickup configuration with a FAT-6 bridge.

2. Best For 7-string Discovery: Jackson Dinky JS22-7

Poplar body with gloss finishes in a double-cutaway shape, Bolt-on maple neck, HH Passive pickups.

3. Best For All-Around: Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster HSS HT

Double-cutaway solid basswood body, maple C-shape neck, Medium jumbo frets, HSS Passive pickups.

4. Best For Classic Rock: Epiphone Les Paul Special VE

60’s SlipTaper-D neck profile, Epiphone open-coil humbucker pickups, Vintage worn finish.

5. Best For Aggressive Metal/Rock: ESP LTD EC-10

Single-cutaway basswood body, 3-way toggle LH-100 pickups, stopbar tailpiece with U-shape neck profile.

6. Best For Starters: LYXPRO 39” Electric Guitar Kit

Phoenix wood body top and back, S-S-S pickups, Accessories included, Available for both orientations.

7. Best For Low Budget: Mitchell MM100 Mini

Solid basswood body with C-shape maple neck, Dual humbucker ceramic pickups, Fixed bridge.

Comparison Table (Best Electric Guitars Under 200)

Best For Various Metal Genres
Ibanez GRX70QA

Ibanez GRX70QA

  • GRX Maple Neck
  • Poplar Body/ Quilted Art Grain Top
  • Medium frets
  • Rosewood Fingerboard
  • Pearl Dot Inlay
Best For 7-string Discovery
Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22-7

Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22-7

  • Body: Poplar
  • Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
  • Fingerboard: Amaranth
  • Bridge: Jackson HT7 String-Through-Body Hardtail
Best For All-Around
Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster

Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster

  • Brand: Fender, Color: Brown Sunburst
  • Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Combination
  • String Material Type: Steel, Hand Orientation: Right
  • Hardtail Bridge, Number of Strings: 6
Best For Classic Rock
Epiphone Les Paul Special VE (Ebony)

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE (Ebony)

  • Vintage Worn Finish
  • Epiphone Open Coil Humbuckers
  • Classic Black Speed Knob Controls
  • 60s SlimTaper-D Profile Okoume Neck
Best For Aggressive Metal/Rock
ESP LTD EC-10 KIT

ESP LTD EC-10 KIT

  • A great ESP guitar for players of any skill level, but especially great for beginners in electric guitar
  • Has a smooth, comfortable, thin U-shaped maple neck for easily getting to chords and scales all over the fingerboard
  • Features a well-balanced and contoured basswood body that's good for playing while seated or standing
  • Also includes a gig bag case, making it easier to get to lessons and friend's houses
  • A terrific choice for learning, jamming, songwriting, and more
Best For Starters (#1 Best Seller)
LyxPro 39 inch Electric Guitar Kit Bundle

LyxPro 39 inch Electric Guitar Kit Bundle

  • Ultimate Starter Package Includes Full-Size Guitar & All the Parts & Equipment
  • Features High-Quality Materials Including Premium Rosewood Fingerboard, Canadian Maple Neck, Volume/Tone, S-S-S pickups, Knobs & More
  • 20W Amp with Built-In Speaker, Headphone Jack & AUX Input for Playing Along to Music on Phone or MP3 Player
  • Battery-Operated Mini Clip-On Tuner & Instruction Book, Steel Strings, 2 Picks & Comfortable Shoulder Strap
Best For Low Budget
Mitchell MM100 Mini

Mitchell MM100 Mini

  • Double cutaway Solid-body, Top wood: Carved, Body wood: Mahogany
  • Gloss finish, Orientation: Right-handed, Shallow C Maple Neck
  • Joint: Bolt-on, Scale length: 22.5 in. Truss rod: Dual-action, Fretboard: Indian Rosewood
  • It comes complete with two high-output ceramic humbucker pickups that crank out enough juice for a guitar twice its size
  • High-ratio tuners allow for precise tuning control, while TOM-style bridge provides solid intonation

7 Best Electric Guitars Under $200 (In-depth Guide)

1. Best For All Metal Genres: Ibanez GRX70QA

Pros
  • The guitar is reliable, stays in tune, and looks good
  • Perfect choice for beginner/intermediate level players
  • The sleek double-cutaway Poplar body is similar to the alder used in traditional Stratocasters
  • Traditional Ibanez faster neck similar to JEM models but in a lower cost
  • All Access Neck Joint makes playing higher notes easier
  • Two humbuckers plus a single-coil pickup for improved sound quality that allow several settings and configurations for ideal tone
  • Tremolo bridge opens up tonal possibilities
  • Available in multiple eye-catchy finishes
  • Lightweightguitar with comfortable feelings
  • Superb looking instrument
  • Excellent playability and versatility
  • Excellent whammy bar
  • Very affordable
Cons
  • The model has tremolo instead of Floyd Rose
  • Unable to do dive bombs if staying in tune is your first priority
  • Some users complain about cheap tuners and other pieces of hardware
  • Tuners are non-locking and detune often which is an issue for whammy users
  • The tendency of suffering from fret buzz so will need a quality set-up
  • Outer shipping carton not very strong, no gigbag included

Our Score

Ibanez is no new name to the guitarists. Many have this misconception that Ibanez guitars are quite hefty on the pocket. Well, we have picked this amazing creation by Ibanez that too under 200 dollars.

Key Features

  • Has an amazing select top
  • Features fast neck
  • Have Three PU w/5 way switch
  • The bridge is Trem bridge
  • A case is sold separately with the guitar

The body of the GRX70QA is constructed with poplar and topped with a thin piece of quilted maple. Poplar is commonly used for affordable electric guitars. The tonal quality is quite similar to alder with midrange response. The neck of the guitar is made of Maplewood, and the fingerboards are made of rosewood.

The maple and rosewood duo creates an excellent combination that generates a vibrant and clear tone on the guitar. The smooth neck with the medium-sized frets ensures superior playability of the guitar as well. It follows an HSH pickup configuration that creates a robust, punchy tone. In terms of looks, this gem doesn't fall any short too.

The only drawback with the Ibanez GRX70QA is its tuners. The tuners don't feature a locking system, which makes the guitar detuned easily. However, this is an excellent choice for the newbies and the seasonal guitarist. For this reason, it has been able to gather an excellent number of positive reviews from real users across the USA (well over 500 at the time of writing).

Verdict: Overall, this guitar has some excellent features that will put many expensive models to shame. With all the above-mentioned features, the Ibanez GRX70QA has secured its place in our Editor's Choice comfortably. Thus, this has become the number 1 pick on our list.

2. Best For 7-String Discovery: Jackson Dinky JS22-7

Pros
  • Surprisingly good build quality two high output humbuckers 
  • Great shredding ability w/ fast thinner C profile neck
  • Huge cutaway with 24 frets results in better access to higher notes and better playability
  • Reliable hardware, excellent value for money
  • One of the most popular guitar models for beginner/intermediate players
  • Smooth low action, guitar holds the tune well
  • Powerful crunch and grind; great metal tones
  • More versatile than other low-cost metal guitars
  • Deep gothic black satin finish, Stellar hardcore looks
  • Jackson-made diecast tuners
Cons
  • Not a very versatile guitar, designed for metal/hard-rock
  • Tremolo is not as good as Floyd Rose
  • Neck width and shape add some difficulty to lower-end barre chords
  • Flaws can be present in the finish or overall construction
  • Subpar quality strings

Our Score

If you want to get the best value out of your investment, then the Jackson Dinky JS22-7 is the best match for you. It’s one of the best electric guitars under 200 with a 7-string design. It has a dinky-shaped design with a slightly angled wing.

Key Features

  • Solid poplar body with a gloss finish
  • Compound radius fingerboard with the 26.5-inch scale length
  • Jackson high-output 7-string humbuckers, 3-way pickup selector
  • Thru-body-strung 7-saddle fixed bridge
  • Features sealed die-cast tuners
  • Case sold separately

The body of the Jackson Dinky JS22-7 is constructed with poplar, which is quite similar to alder. The neck is made of Maplewood, and it's bolted into the body of the guitar. The sleek double cutaway design enables you to reach the top frets without any struggle which results in excellent playability.

The hardware of the guitar is quite impressive too, considering the price. The bridge provides excellent string stability as well as action. The guitar features two humbuckers that deliver great sound output. Its mid to high notes have great eloquence while the low tones are quite soothing too.

Verdict: Overall, this guitar is excellent for beginners who want to explore a 7-string instrument with a gothic look. All the excellent features of the Jackson Dinky JS22-7 make this gem our premium pick for today's list.

3. Best For All-Around: Squier By Fender Bullet Stratocaster HSS HT

Pros
  • Versatile and heavy tones because of the HSS pickup configuration
  • Gives you a taste of Fender magic at a bargain value
  • Soft, crisp clean tones for blues, jazz, and country
  • Suitable for beginners and intermediate level players
  • Upgrading pickups makes it great for even professionals
  • Neck feels great, comfortable to play
  • Easy to set up out of the box
  • Stable tuners, decent hardware
  • Classic Stratocaster looks with a glossy finish
  • Lightweight and good value for money
Cons
  • Some complaints about a worn-looking synthetic bone nut with faulty installation
  • Can have issues in the finish or overall construction
  • Can’t handle high-gain very well
  • Hardtail bridge (no whammy bar)
  • Some users faced issues with tuning

Our Score

From rock riffs to tapping solos, this baby has got you covered for all. Squier By Fender Bullet Stratocaster HSS HT is a superb choice for both entry-level and intermediate-level players.

Key Features

  • Solid basswood body with a gloss finish
  • Bolt-on solid maple neck with 21-fret
  • Indian laurel fingerboard with a radius of 9.5 inch
  • Bridge humbucker with standard single-coil Strat middle and neck pickups
  • 6-saddle, die-cast tuners, vintage-style tremolo bridge

The original Stratocaster has an alder construction. However, this one features a solid basswood body with a gloss finish on top. The neck has a standard C-shaped design that's used in other Fender electric guitars. The Bullet Stratocaster has admirable tonal quality. Despite being a beginner-friendly guitar, the quality of sound will surely strike you by surprise.

It comes with a die-cast set tuner, and the hardware is in chrome that works surprisingly well. It features a synced tremolo bridge that you may find hard to tune in the beginning. To sum up, the Squier By Fender Bullet Stratocaster HSS HT is an absolute bargain for the price with excellent sound and playability.

Verdict: With a mesmerizing number of over 1000 positive reviews from real enthusiasts around the world, the Squier Fender Bullet Stratocaster HSS HT can be an amazing pick for you as your next perfect purchase. From versatility to looks to craftsmanship, this is an absolute gem which makes this an overwhelming well-deserved for position number 3 and our top budget pick respectively for the list.  

4. Best For Classic Rock: Epiphone Les Paul Special VE

Pros
  • Authentic Les Paul sound quality (especially when overdriven) and playability
  • Clear, solid, strong, dual humbuckers make it ideal for blues and rock 
  • Pickup is suitable for playing different genres
  • Body shape offers an extended playing style
  • The special neck type offers excellent playability
  • Classic Les Paul feelings within budget
  • Attractive worn, aged finish turns out very cool
  • Comes with LockTone™ Tune-o-Matic Bridge
  • Lightweight and easy on the hands
  • Affordable historic model, unbeatable value
  • Good for beginners
  • Pickups offer great value for money
  • Excellent build quality
  • Available in several finishes as well
Cons
  • Packaging far too flimsy
  • Plug in for the cord keeps coming loose
  • The body is paper-thin
  • Dent on the neck according to one report
  • Paint chipped away on the bottom according to one report

Our Score

The Epiphone Les Paul Special is an absolute bargain for the price and of the most affordable entry-level guitars on the market.  Gibson is the parent company of Epiphone, and the Les Paul is a dream for every guitarist.

Key Features

  • Vintage Worn Finish
  • Epiphone Open Coil Humbuckers
  • Classic Black Speed Knob Controls
  • 60s SlimTaper-D Profile Okoume Neck

This Epiphone guitar comes in multiple color options. The build is slightly different than the standard Les Paul as it comes with a 60s SlimTaper-D Profile Okoume neck. It has a poplar body that offers rich, warm sound quality. The guitar offers excellent playability, thanks to the D-shaped slim neck. The cutaway design makes it easy to play all 21-frets without any struggle. It comes with a set of D’Addario strings from the manufacturer so that you can play right out of the box.

The guitar's pickups consist of Epiphone open-coil humbuckers with the Tune-O-Matic bridge system. You can have the classic Les Paul sound within the budget. You can play different genres like rock, blues, and even heavy metal as the pickup is suitable for all these styles. Whether you’re going to play some rhythm or some solos, the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE has got you covered.

Verdict: Besides being Amazon's Choice, this can be a wonderful pick if you are after a full-size electric guitar with a classic less paul tone and feel without breaking your bank. But, if you're looking for an electric for your kids or for travel purposes, this isn't the one though. Overall, the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is an excellent electric guitar with great playability and versatility at the same time that serves its purpose really well.

5. Best For Aggressive Metal And Rock: ESP LTD EC-10

Pros
  • Smooth and comfortable design
  • Quality hardware with amazing value
  • Decent pickups that are great for metal genres
  • Beautiful fit with excellent playability
  • Stays in tune with strong tones
  • Comes with a gig bag case
Cons
  • Not a great choice for playing blues or jazz
  • Engineer wood fretboard feels cheaper
  • May need setting up out of the box
  • Quality control issues

Our Score

Up next on our review, we have the ESP LTD EC 10. This baby has a sleek design that will immediately blow up your mind. It’s highly influenced by the Eclipse series by ESP. It has a Les Paul-style cutaway design.

Key Features

  • The body shape is designed to play in an extended style
  • Body material is chosen for a crisp and warm sound
  • Pickups with a 3-way toggle provide sonic firepower
  • The bridge features a stopbar tailpiece that keeps the guitar locked in tune
  • Fretboard specialty makes the note-bending easier

The body of the ESP LTD EC-10 is constructed with solid basswood with a glossy finish on top. It also comes with a gig bag, so storage will not be a problem with this one. It features a thin U-shaped maple neck with a 24-fret design. You can reach all the frets easily and play your desired chord without any hassle.

The hardware on this instrument is quite impressive despite its affordability. Most affordable electric guitars pickup have a muddy and toneless sound. However, you’ll be surprised by the pickup quality of this one. It comes with two LH-100 humbuckers controlled by a 3-way toggle switch, a master volume knob, and a master tone knob.

Verdict: Overall, it’s an excellent guitar both in terms of looks and sound making it the number fortune 5. If you're into some metal or use it for learning, jamming, or songwriting, this can be a great option to consider.

6. Best For Starters: LyxPro 39” Electric Guitar Kit

Pros
  • Lightweight guitar that sounds great
  • Has a decent adjustable neck
  • Comes with a lot of accessories including picks, strings, strap, gigbag
  • Allen keys were added for easy setting-up
  • Clip-on digital tuner included in the kit for easy tunings
  • Powerful 20-watt amplifier works for late-night and quieter practice
  • 39-inch full-size guitar
  • Great affordability
  • Comes in 9 different color options and variations
  • Excellent choice for starters and beginners
Cons
  • Not a suitable choice for advanced players
  • Gig bags may be too fragile for long term use
  • Its fret bars protrude at the edges
  • Strings are not durable; they break easily
  • Slight higher action

Our Score

LyxPro 39-inch Electric Guitar Kit is the best starter pack for beginners to give a jump start to their musical career. It comes with a full-size guitar and an amp so that you can start rocking the floor right out of the box.

Key Features

  • Phoenix wood top and back
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • Nickel strings
  • Clip-on tuner, strap, case bag
  • 20w amplifier included

The body of the guitar is made with premium-quality wood with a sturdy Maplewood neck. The fretboards are constructed with rosewood that ensures a comfortable shift with fast actions. There are three single-coil pickups at the neck, bridge, and middle. You'll get a battery-operated digital tuner, which will come in super handy for novice guitarists.

There's also an instruction book that will guide the player with the tuning process. The kit also includes six steel strings, two picks, and a comfortable shoulder strap. The kit also comes in with a great number of color choices to choose from including red, black, blue, green, mahogany, natural, pink, sunburst, and white. The guitar also comes in for lefties. So, for every taste and every orientation, there is surely an option - what can you ask more!

Verdict: Overall, this LyxPro 39" electric guitar kit is an excellent choice if you want a full package with all the necessary gear. A high number of feedback with a number of 7000+ reviews from users makes it even more reliable and attractive.

7. Best For Low Budget: Mitchell MM100 Mini

Pros
  • Versatile, nice tone with plenty of warmth
  • Potted ceramic HH pickups
  • Intonation is better than most budget guitars
  • Jumbo frets are easy to access, good playability
  • Easy to play and learn on for beginners because of the smaller size
  • Has two high-output humbuckers, giving it a louder sound and good sustain
  • Comes in three attractive finishes
  • Very affordable compared to most electric guitars
Cons
  • Hardware quality is not very good
  • ¾-size scale length is not for everyone
  • Many users have complaints about craftsmanship
  • Humbucker pickups are not the best quality
  • Fret buzz issues

Our Score

The entry-level guitarists love double-cutaway guitars as they can have proper access to all the frets. Thanks to the design, the Mitchell MM100 Mini Double Cutaway is also highly raved by many beginner guitarists out there.

Key Features

  • Carved basswood double-cutaway body
  • Rock maple neck with smooth fretboard
  • Paraffin-dipped ceramic pickups reduce unwanted feedback
  • String-through body design
  • High-tensile strength fretwire
  • Case sold separately

This is one of the cheapest guitars in this top 7 list. The body of the guitar is made with basswood, which is one of the most common tonewood choices for budget electric guitars. However, it delivers a balanced harmonic with an excellent dynamic response. Also, the body has a walnut satin finish that makes it highly aesthetic as well.

The Mitchell MM100 has a C-shaped neck profile that’s made out of Maplewood. The fretboard is constructed with Indian rosewood with 24-jumbo frets with dot inlays. The combination of the maple and rosewood generates a warm overtone with clear highs and lows. The guitar is equipped with Mitchell HH passive humbuckers with ceramic magnets.

The double humbucker ensures that there’s less buzz from the pickup. The pickups are dipped in paraffin wax that helps to generate clear notes on all scales. Moreover, the guitar consists of an adjustable and traditional TOM-style bridge that results in providing solid intonation. For precise tuning control, you have high ratio tunings as well. 

Verdict: Overall, if you are a complete beginner, really on a budget, and can't spend a fortune and still want a more or less quality electric, then go for this Mitchell MM100 Mini, It will get the job done for you.

Complete Buying Guide For Electric Guitar Under $200

Complete Buying Guide For Electric Guitars Under $200

As the headline refers, we’ll elaborate on a complete buying guide for under $200 electric guitars in this section. Meanwhile, answering all the related topics like what you should look for? best alternative guitars you can have, what gears and accessories you’ll need, and much more!

What to Look for In A $200 Electric Guitar to Get the Most Output?

Body

You can always change the pickup or the bridge of the guitar. However, the body is something that is once in for all deal, and you need to make the right pick. Electric guitars have three types of body construction: Stratocaster, Telecaster, SG, and Les Paul. Solid-body guitars can produce a sound that can sustain longer than the hollow-body construction.

Neck Profile

There are three different neck profiles C, U, and V. Maple and Mahogany are the two most common kinds of wood used for the neck profile. Mahogany creates a warm and rich sound while Maplewood generates a dense and strong sound with impeccable sustain.

Fingerboard and Bridge

The fingerboard is also known as the fretboard. Rosewood, Maple, and Ebony are the most common type of woods used in making electric guitar fretboards.

Electric guitars have two types of bridges: stop tail bridge (fixed bridge) and tremolo bridge. The stop tail one provides more sustain.

Tuning Machines

A tuning machine is a must-have for beginner guitarists. However, you don’t need to spend tons of money on the tuning machine. There are tons of budget-friendly tuning machines on the market, and you can also download mobile apps for tuning the guitar.

Pickups

The pickup has a significant influence on the sound of your guitar. Single coil pickup has a crisp and clean sound. They are generally used on Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars. Humbucker pickups use two coils, and Gibson first introduced them on their Hawaiian Electric guitars.

Scale Length

The distance between the nut and the bridge saddle is known as the scale length. This portion is the vibrating part of the string. It has a heavy influence on the tonal quality and tension of the string on a certain pitch.

Strings Action

The string action refers to the height at which the string sits above the fret. It plays a crucial role in determining the feel and the sound of the guitar.

Finish

The finish of the guitar doesn’t affect as much as it does on an acoustic guitar.

Overall Built Quality

Be it an electric guitar or an acoustic one; the build quality is highly important. Despite the budget-friendly price, the electric guitars we reviewed here have the excellent build quality, and they’ll last you quite a while.

Sound Quality

Different guitars have different types of sound output. A guitar designed for playing blues is not an ideal choice for playing metal music. Make sure the guitar you opt for is suitable for the type of music you’re into.

Playability

The playability of the guitar determines its functionality and how easily you can play it without any hassle. The guitars we reviewed offer excellent playability so that people of different levels or ages can master the art.

Versatility

A versatile instrument will help you play different types of tones and flourish your skills. Choose a versatile guitar so that you can explore different musical styles.

Who Should Buy an Electric Guitar in This Price Range?

If you’re a beginner or an intermediate-level player, then you can opt for an electric guitar for under 200 dollars. You may not get the ethereal sound quality like those flagship models, but the guitars we picked are the best in the market at this price range.

You may need to compromise the tonal quality and playability, but you’ll surely be able to enhance your skills and play at the gigs. If you have the proper amp setup, you can surely rock the stage with these guitars.

What Cheap Electric Guitar Is Best for Beginners?

All the electric guitars that we reviewed here are excellent for beginners. They provide excellent playability with decent sound quality that beginners will love. You can also choose from our top 3 picks which are Ibanez GRX70QA, Epiphone Les Paul Special, and the Jackson Dinky JS22-7 to get the best electric guitar under 200 in the market. Make sure you’re comfortable playing the guitar you have chosen, and it’s compatible with playing the type of music you’re into.

Budget Electric Guitar Brands

Many pioneer guitar manufacturers like Fender, Yamaha, ESP, etc. are coming up with excellent affordable electric guitars. However, Washburn, Lynx, Epiphone, etc. have great electric guitars at budget-friendly prices.

Are $200 Electric Guitars Upgradeable?

A small upgrade can make a world of difference in the overall quality of the guitar. However, the question is whether the upgrade is worth the price or not. Yes, even though these guitars come with a price tag under $200, you can upgrade them.

You can follow some basic maintenance or even adjust the height of the pickup to do magics. Beginner guitarists often struggle with tuning the guitar. So, upgrading the tuners will offer better tuning stability.

You can also upgrade the nut to improve the tone. Upgrading the frets is a slightly expensive process, but it will enhance the intonation and playability to a great extent.

Best Alternative to A $200 Electric Guitar (Under $300)

If you can increase your budget up to $300, then take a look at the Squier Affinity Telecaster. It’s a versatile instrument with excellent playability. You can also take the Schecter C-6 Deluxe under consideration if you’re a metal fan as it has an outstanding overall rating. 

Best Alternative To A $200 Electric Guitar – A Step Above Entry Level  (Under$500)

If you’re playing to hike up the budget some more and can go for something under 500, then the Ibanez JEM JR Steve Vai Signature is a match made in heaven for you. Steve Vai is an icon for many guitarists throughout the world. Rest assured, you’ll be left amazed by the beauty and sound quality of this guitar on the very first look.

Another great option that can easily compete with JEM JR and stand out is the ESP LTD EC-256FM.

Have A Bigger Budget? (Under $1000)

Spending a grand on a guitar is a crucial decision, and we want you to get your hands on the best. The ESP LTD EC-1000 is an absolute beast that you can get for under $1000.

Gears and Accessories That You Need with Your Electric Guitar

Gears And Accessories For Electric Guitar

Picks

The guitar picks are one of the most essential yet one of the most overlooked guitar accessories out there. Using the right size of the pick can make a dramatic difference to your playing style and tone.

Strap

The strap will enable you to have better control over the guitar. You’ll be able to play in both sitting positions or while standing without any hassle. Guitar straps are available in different colors and lengths.

Case

If you want your precious instrument to last, a case is a must-have. The case will provide ample protection to the guitar and keep it in a safe position. You don’t need to spend loads of cash on those hard cases if you’re a beginner. Get a regular gig bag to keep the guitar safe from any external damage.

Tuner

You should never practice on a guitar that’s out of tune. The tuner is one of the most significant pieces of gear that you should invest in as a newbie. You can tune the guitar in many different ways. However, a digital tuner is the most effective and simplest way to tune the guitar.

Amps

When you’re playing an electric guitar, the amp can make or break your game. The amplifier strengthens the electrical signal from the pickup. It also helps to modify the guitar’s tone by emphasizing and de-emphasizing at specific frequencies. Try to invest in a good amplifier as that will come in handy in the long run.

Cable

Your electric guitar and amp will be of no use if you have a shabby-quality cable. Beginner guitarist tends to go for the cheaper cables due to their affordability. However, we suggest you invest in a high-quality cable to get a swift performance with enhanced durability.

5 Pro-Tips

  1. Practice and learn something new every day. No matter how busy you are, keep an hour aside for your daily practice.
  2. Electric guitar players tend to focus more on speed than accuracy. You can’t become Eddie Van Halen overnight. Focus on accuracy and gradually increase your speed.
  3. Don’t strum too hard. We understand the adrenaline rush, but playing too violently will distort the sound, and you may end up cutting your fingers.
  4. Tuning the guitar may seem like a tedious job, but it’s one most important habits that you should grow as a musician.
  5. Practice in front of others. This will help you open up and give you the confidence to perform on a bigger platform without any hesitation.

Selection And Rating Methodology

We have selected only the best following our 5-step process:

1. Try and Test by hours of playing and experimenting,

2. Select the right ones following 7+ metrics (You can see some of them in the review boxes),

3. Collect information from actual users,

4. Collect feedback from industry experts and

5. Finalize the output that provides value to you.

Note that, we rate the instruments depending on various metrics with a specific given price range.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Will a cheap electric guitar sound good?

Ans: Yes, absolutely. All the electric guitars that we reviewed here come under $200, and they have excellent tonal and sound quality.

Q. Should a beginner use an electric guitar with a Floyd Rose Tremolo?

Ans: Floyd Rose Tremolo is a double-locking tremolo system designed for electric guitars. The system works quite similarly to a vintage-style tremolo. This helps the guitarist create a “divebomb” effect to create a unique sound without getting out of tune. However, this will be a tough job for beginners to pull. You should use the Floyd Rose tremolo once you gather more experience and have a proper grasp of the instrument. 

Q. Which guitar material is the best?

Ans: Mahogany gives out a warm timber and is highly resonant. Mahogany topped with Maplewood helps to create a balanced and warm sound quality.

Q. What type of tuner do I need as a beginner?

Ans: As a beginner, you can use a chromatic tuner as they’re highly accurate and easy to use.

Final Words

All of these 10 guitars have superb sound quality and incredible performance. If you don’t justify spending thousands of dollars on the guitar, then you can pick one from these options. These electric guitars are an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players.

Whether you’re a garage rocker or someone looking for gear for your next gig, you’ll be able to rock the stage with these guitars. Make sure you choose the one that goes well with your playing style and preferred genre. Pick your best match, and get ready to play your heart out.

Hails! 

1 thought on “7 Best Budget Electric Guitars Under $200 In 2023”

  1. When someone writes an paragraph he/she keeps the image of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it. So that’s why this article is perfect. Thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Comment