Electric Guitar roundup
Electric Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying an electric guitar involves several key decisions. Here are the most important choices and specific model recommendations at each budget level.
Buying an electric guitar involves several decisions — body type, pickup configuration, tremolo system and price tier — that together determine whether the instrument suits your style and budget. This guide covers the key choices and recommends specific models at each level.
What to Prioritise
The most important decision is the pickup configuration, because it determines the instrument's tonal character more than any other single factor. A single-coil pickup setup (Fender Stratocaster) gives a bright, clean sound suited to blues, funk and clean rock. A humbucker setup (Gibson Les Paul, Epiphone Les Paul Standard) gives a warmer, thicker sound suited to rock and heavier styles. An electric guitar with a combination of both (HSS: humbucker at the bridge, single-coils at neck and middle) is the most versatile option for players who want range across multiple styles.
Budget-Level Recommendations
For a beginner, Squier (Fender's budget brand) and Epiphone (Gibson's budget brand) offer the best value at entry level. The Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster and Telecaster are the best entry-level electric guitar options for players interested in those body styles — they play and sound significantly better than the basic Affinity models. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s is the best budget humbucker guitar at this tier. At mid-range, the Fender Player Stratocaster, Gibson SG Standard and PRS SE range all represent significant step-ups in build quality and hardware.
Tremolo Systems
If you want a whammy bar, decide before buying whether a floating tremolo is right for you. A standard Fender synchronised tremolo is moderately stable with light use but goes out of tune with heavy use. A Floyd Rose locking tremolo stays in tune reliably under heavy use but is significantly more difficult to set up and change strings on. A hardtail electric guitar — no tremolo — is simpler to maintain, stays in tune more reliably and suits players who do not need pitch modulation. For beginners, a hardtail or simple vintage tremolo is recommended. For the best models at each price point, see our best-value guide.
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