Electric guitars are a type of stringed instrument that is popular with musicians who want to play a stringed musical instrument.
The price range for beginner electric guitars is usually between $150 and $500, mid-range electric guitars cost anywhere from $500 to over $1,000 while professional-grade electrical guitars are usually priced between $800 and over $2,000.
The price range for electric guitars varies depending on the type of guitar being purchased, with beginner electric guitars costing less than mid-range or professional-grade electrical guitars.
Beginner Level Electric Guitars:
Beginner electric guitars usually only cost between $150 and $500, although there are some available under $100. These types of instruments are typically made in China or Korea and are aimed more at children and people who want to learn how to play the guitar.
The materials used on these types of guitars aren’t very expensive, but there’s still a lot of work and material used to make the instrument.
Mid-Range Electric Guitars:
Electric guitars in the mid-range usually cost between $500 and $1,000. These types of electric guitars from famous brands can cost anywhere from $500 to even over a thousand dollars for a beginner model.
The materials used on these types of guitar are still fairly cheap but there’s more workmanship that goes into making the product and there’s a better tone and feel to them.
A mid-range electric guitar is perfect for beginners as well as people who have been playing for over a decade because it has more quality than an entry level instrument, but doesn’t cost as much as professional grade instruments do.
These types of guitars are good for those who want to try out different playing styles as well.
Professional Grade Electric Guitars:
Electric guitars that are categorized as professional-grade cost over $800 and can price up to over $2,000. These types of instruments have a much better tone and feel compared with mid-range or beginner models because they’re made from more expensive materials.
With these instruments, there’s more quality control and they’re tested for any flaws or damages before they leave the factory. These types of guitars are good for more experienced guitar players who want to use more than one instrument while playing on stage because you can get different tones out of each since it’s made from higher quality materials.
Costs of Electric Guitar Essential Equipment:
When purchasing electric guitars, there are several essential items and gear you should also consider buying at the same time. The purpose of these items is to ensure that you get the most for your money and not waste any money on something unnecessary or useless.
Here are some equipment’s to consider while buying your next guitar:
Guitar amplifier: $100 – $500
An electric guitar doesn’t produce any sound on its own, it requires an amplifier to make the sounds come alive. The type of amplifier you purchase will depend on your budget and requirements.
For example, if you have a lot of money, then it’s possible to purchase a high-end amplifier for over $500. However, this is not necessary and a beginner can get a good quality amplifier in the mid-range for about $100-$200.
Guitar cable: $20 – $200
You will need a cable so you can connect your electric guitar to an amplifier. You can get a basic cable for under $20 but if you want something better where the sound is clear, then it’s best to spend about $100 on a good quality instrument cable. This instrument cable will help prevent any noise or feedback that may come through when using a cheaper cable.
Guitar strap: $20 – $100
A guitar strap is used so you can hold your electric guitar while standing up and playing it on stage or at home. You can buy straps from under $20 but if you want something of better quality which won’t break as easily, then it’s best to spend around $70-$100.
Guitar picks: $5 – $10
Even though you don’t need to purchase guitar picks when buying an electric guitar, it’s still something that’s nice to have because you can change the thickness of your pick depending on what playing style or song you’re playing.
You can buy these types of picks from $5 all the way up to $50 for custom made thin gauge picks which are usually used by guitarists who play jazz or blues.
Guitar tuner: $20 – $50
For beginners, it’s highly recommended that you purchase a guitar tuner so you can tune your instrument before playing and while practicing. You can buy tuners for under $20 but if you want one that has more features, it’s best to spend around $50.
Gig bag (guitar case): $25 – $200
You will need a guitar case so you can carry your electric guitar around with you. The type of gig bag or case you buy will depend on what style of music you want to play and how much money you’re willing to spend.
Wall Hanger Stand: $20 – $40
Once you purchase your electric guitar, it will be nice to hang the instrument on a wall hanger stand. These are not necessary to purchase but they help guitarists display their instruments in their room or house instead of storing them inside a guitar case.
Stand / Stool: $20 – $100
If you want an electric guitar but don’t want to stand while playing, you can get a stand or stool so you can sit down and play. You could spend up to $100 for the best quality stand but there are cheaper versions available for under $20.
Choose the Right Electric Guitar:
No matter what the price range of the instrument is, there’s always a chance that you can get duped. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to accidentally buy a poorly made electric guitar and as such, here are some ways you can ensure that you’re buying an authentic product:
Check out reviews and recommendations from others:
The best way to avoid being tricked is by doing a little bit of research first. Find out what other people have to say about a particular model before actually buying the electric guitar.
There are several websites that offer reviews on different types of guitars, so do a quick search for advice or recommendations before making a purchase.
Get an expert opinion:
Another way to make sure that you are purchasing the right type of electric guitar is by asking for an expert’s opinion. Asking your local music store owner, or any knowledgeable person who might have some experience playing the instrument can give you valuable insight on what to buy and what not to buy.
These people are usually music buffs themselves, so you can guarantee that they know their stuff.
Think about the style of music being played:
Different types of guitars are made for different playing styles, or to give off a particular sound when being used, so think about what will be required before actually buying an instrument.
For instance, if you want to play blues, then you should definitely buy a high quality classic guitar because that type of electric guitar can give off the best blues sound.
Try before buying:
Just like most products today, it’s important for customers to try out an electric guitar before actually purchasing anything. If possible, find out if your local music store offers free trial periods for their instruments.
This allows you to personally test out the electric guitar before buying it. Try to play different types of music, such as hard rock and jazz, to see how well the product plays.
Educate yourself:
One way to avoid being duped is by educating yourself with regards to what makes a quality electric guitar. There are several factors that can determine the price of an instrument such as the type and quality of wood used.
For instance, a maple neck is considered to be a higher quality product compared to rosewood. Maple creates a brighter tone, while rosewood creates a darker and mellower sound.
You can also find electric guitars that have been assembled from scraps instead of being created from scratch which means that the instrument isn’t made from the highest quality materials.
These are just some of the things that you can consider before buying an electric guitar, but there’s no question that these instruments come at a price.
Some brands may offer cheaper prices than what you would normally spend for a beginner or pro model, so it pays to take your time and do some research before actually making any purchases especially when you plan on using the electric guitar mainly for performing onstage.
A little time spent in research can go a long way in making sure that you have the right type of instrument so always keep in mind to take your time before buying anything. And remember, if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!
Best Electric Guitars For Beginners:
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
The newly redesigned Squier Bullet Strat is ideal for first-time players looking for an easy-to-play, affordable electric guitar. The slim “C”-shaped neck profile offers a comfortable playing experience that is perfect for players with smaller hands.
Equipped with a fat-sounding humbucking bridge pickup, two single-coil Stratocaster pickups in the middle and neck positions and five-way switching, the Bullet Strat has the classic Fender sound heard on countless hit records. Its sleek neck provides fast and smooth playability, while the improved tuning machines ensure solid intonation.
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V
The Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar is a versatile and good quality beginner electric guitar that comes at a budget price. It features a solid Agathis body with a maple neck, 21 frets and single coil pickups to deliver the classic tone.
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V electric guitar is another obvious choice, if you are looking for the best electric guitars for beginners. This model stands out thanks to the superb build quality and nice set of features it comes with.
It is a simple yet versatile beginner electric guitar that suits different musical genres and playing styles. The body is made from agathis – a type of wood similar to mahogany, usually seen in much more expensive guitars.
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought
The Fender CD-60SCE dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric guitar is a well built and extremely versatile guitar that would work great for a beginner. It features scalloped and forward shifted X-bracing, mahogany back and sides, a spruce top and 20 frets which makes it perfect for both strumming and fingerpicking styles.
The guitar is very resistant to feedback and has a warm clear tone that’s ideal for beginners. It comes with an onboard preamp with a built-in tuner.
Best Electric Guitars For Intermediate:
Martin Guitar D-X2E
The Martin D-X2E electric guitar is perfect for the intermediate guitarist that’s looking for a great sounding and versatile instrument. It features a cutaway body which allows easier access to the upper frets, an onboard Fishman preamp and 3 band EQ which provides plenty of control over your tone.
The guitar feels nice and sturdy, and it’s also very comfortable to play. It sounds great for both clean and distorted playing styles and comes at a great price considering the quality of the instrument.
ESP LTD KH-202
The ESP LTD KH-202 electric guitar is a simple and affordable instrument that’s great for intermediate players. It features a thin U shape maple neck with 22 extra jumbo frets and a rosewood fretboard which provides plenty of control over the sound and makes string bends easier.
The body has a gorgeous gloss finish and it weighs around 9 pounds which adds to the playing comfort. The KH-202 comes with 2 passive ESP LH-150 pickups for a crisp tone that’s suitable for any style of music, from blues to heavy metal.
It has everything you need as an intermediate player, without unnecessary features that will only complicate things. While it may lack some more advanced features found on more expensive instruments, you can be sure that it’s reliable and sounds great.
Gretsch Guitars G5420T
The Gretsch Guitars G5420T Electromatic is an affordable, well made guitar which is perfect for the intermediate player. It features a double cutaway hollow body with dual Blacktop Filter’Tron pickups that deliver plenty of sustain and tone.
The set neck allows for fast playability while the 24.6″ scale keeps string tension nice and low. The guitar comes with a Bigsby B60 vibrato tailpiece which allows for ultra smooth pitch bends, as well as a master volume and master tone control.
Gretsch is a well respected brand that has been producing guitars for over a hundred years, and they still manage to impress with their current range of reasonably priced guitars.
Best Electric Guitars for Pros:
Takamine EF341SC
The Takamine EF341SC electric guitar is a real beauty. It features a single cutaway body with a spruce top and mahogany back, sides and neck. The rosewood fingerboard has a full 25 1/2″ scale length as well as 22 frets which means you’ll have no problem making your way up the neck.
The SlimTaper profile is perfect for those that want a comfortable neck width and the NEX body style looks great.
There are two powerful Takamine TN-54SC split coil pickups which deliver plenty of punch and clarity. It’s a bit more expensive than most mid-range models, but it justifies its price tag by providing you with an instrument that’s capable of sounding fantastic in any genre.
Deluxe KLOS Black
The Deluxe KLOS Black electric guitar is a high-end model that comes packed with features. It uses Silver Leaf Maple for the neck and body, giving it a fast feel and making string bends easier.
The rosewood fretboard has jumbo frets which makes it perfect for highly technical playing styles thanks to the easy access.
There are two Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups that achieve a warm tone while retaining plenty of clarity. It also features an Original Floyd Rose tremolo bridge and a kill switch for tonal variety.
It’s not exactly cheap, but it does offer you everything you’d want from a high end guitar at a very reasonable price.
After reading the above article, you’ve learned how to make sure that you choose an authentic electric guitar. Do your research by checking out what other people think about the product, ask for help from an expert or read up on reviews before actually making a purchase.
Also know the kind of sound you want and whether it would be better if you got a guitar with two pickups or more. In the end you’ll get an instrument that’s perfect for your needs and style of playing, which will make playing a lot more fun for you!
