Best Electric Guitar Under $1000 of 2020
If you are planning on spending anywhere up to $1000 on a guitar, it goes without saying that you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. The sub-$1000 price-bracket opens up a world of possibility, with a range of amazing guitars, including some timeless classics.
However, the amount of choice available can feel a little bewildering and when you’re spending big bucks, you want to get it right. To help you out we’ve hand-picked our top 6 choice to help you find the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars.
Things to Take into Consideration
- Assess Your Personal Requirements. Although the thought of owning a custom Les Paul might be your ultimate dream, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy an expensive guitar if you don’t know the difference between a pick and a plectrum!
Consider your own individual requirements and abilities, especially before purchasing a guitar at the higher end of the scale!
- Do Your Research. When you look at the sub-$1000 price-range, it is unlikely you will come across a bad guitar. However, what you will find is that some guitars sound and feel better than others.
You’ll already have an idea about what interests you, but ask friends for their recommendations and do your research online, then go and try as many guitars as you can in person.
- The Price-tag. The sub-$1000 range his definitely one arena where you are going to get a lot for your money, and then some. Think of your guitar as an investment and don’t be tempted to go for the cheapest option.
That said, don’t go for a certain model just because it is the most expensive, as there are some great bargains out there with very affordable price-tags.
Top Six Electric Guitars Under $1000 Comparison
| Picture | Name | Accessories | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Fender American Special Telecaster, Maple Fretboard | Deluxe Gig-bag | 4.8 |
 | 2. Gibson 2016 Les Paul Studio Faded | Hard Shell Case | 4.7 |
 | 3. Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Single Cutaway Hollow Body Guitar | None | 4.7 |
 | 4. Fender American Special Stratocaster, Maple Fretboard | Deluxe Gig-bag | 4.7 |
 | 5. Schecter Hellraiser C-1 Electric Guitar | None | 4.3 |
 | 6. Paul Reed Smith Guitars CM4TS PRS Exclusive Limited Edition Custom SE 24 Electric Guitar | PRS Gig-bag | 4.3 |
Three Best Electric Guitar Under $1000 Reviews
1. Fender American Special Telecaster
Standing majestically in our top spot for best guitar under $1000, this little belter from Fender is nothing less than a work of art.
The Tele is made to a high standard and built to last, it feels comfortable to play and is fairly light-weight. It is visually impressive, with a smooth, maple neck, a retro-style bridge that has three brass saddles, jumbo frets and an immaculate finish in a choice of Sunburst or Olympic White colors. This model also comes complete with its own deluxe gig-bag.
The guitar stays in tune well and with two Texas Special Tele pickups, it has a massive range and is equipped to handle pretty much any genre, whether you are cranking out rock or strumming the blues. The sound delivered has the distinctive Telecaster twang, and as you might expect, has a resonance that is polished, clean and bright.
Often considered one of the best affordable American-made guitars in production, the Fender American Telecaster delivers an inimitable tone and amazing sound quality, looks great and feels comfortable to play, and certainly won’t disappoint.
2. Gibson 2016 Les Paul
The immensely popular and highly-acclaimed Gibson Les Paul Studio is a class-act guitar at an incredibly affordable price.
It’s fair to say that the Les Paul is Gibson’s flagship, and the name equates to quality and deliverability. It has the easily-identifiable Les Paul body shape with gold and black hardware and a flawless finish. The guitar is somewhat heavy, with a thick neck, but this adds to its durability, giving it the ability to withstand bumps and bangs along the way.
The Les Paul is reliable, stays in tune well, with a low action and perfectly adjusted Burstbucker Pro pickups. It has a versatile tone that ranges from rumbling lows to piercing highs, producing a sound that is meaty and chunky, as well as mellow, warm and rich. This makes it well-suited to most music styles (although you may struggle to shred on it, due to its thick neck).
If you are in the market for a dependable, trustworthy electric guitar that has a well-thought out design, enhanced features, and produces excellent sound quality, then look no further!
3. Gretsch G5420T
Sneaking up and nudging at the shoulders of the Les Paul and the American Telecaster is the G5420T model from Gretsch.
Everything about this guitar is big, from its build, to its twang and most definitely its appeal. It has an immaculate finish with a single cutaway, and is available in a range of gorgeous colors. Quite simply, it has a beauty that you can’t take your eyes off and will leave your friends green with envy.
With a smooth action, a solid design and hollow body, the guitar produces a distinctive, full-bodied resonance that is perfect for jazz, the blues and country. It has a rosewood fingerboard with medium-jumbo frets, chrome-plated hardware, along with a maple neck and a three- position pickup switch.
The guitar does have a couple of noticeable drawbacks, such as its large size and wide neck and somewhat limited ability (it is not particularly well-suited for hard rock). That said, it is a great all-rounder that looks the business and produces a quality sound.