10 Best Electric Guitars Under $1000 in 2020 [Buying Guide]

When you’re a dedicated and an aspiring guitar player, finding the right electric guitar is a very personal choice. Choosing the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars can be a daunting task. But, given the varied choices and that to in crème de la crème quality, we have listed the top 10 best electric guitars under $1000. 

Here are the Best Electric Guitar under 1000 dollars

You can easily make your choice of your new guitar under 1000 dollars from the list below. You have sorted out the best in the market and put it for you. Dive in to choose the best one.

1. PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

The PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd can be considered as the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars. This guitar is a perfect example of a guitar that is well-built, solid and sounds great. It is a mid-priced, classy looking guitar and adds just the right amount sophistication to your performance.

PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd is made in Korea and is made of maple, rosewood, and mahogany. It has a gloss finish, which makes it look amazing. It has 24 frets and a 25-inch-scale neck. The pickups in the guitar are controlled by a star volume knob, a three-way blade selector, and a quality tone with a coil-splitting function.

The bridge has a low profile that makes palm-muting a pleasant experience for guitarists.  In terms of playability, feel, and tone, the PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd is excellent. It has a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge and is indeed shred-worthy. But, it is equally pleasing to vintage-minded players. The guitar has the best humbucker of the lot and can play dynamic metal tones.

But, the guitar doesn’t just stop there. It can even produce bluesy bite and authentic country twang. It has a clean amplifier setting with coil splits. Left-handed guitarists will love this guitar as it is a diversified guitar that will suit their preferences. PRS has always given importance to the classy look, quality manufacturing, and great sound.

Price:

The price of this beautiful guitar is $879, and that perfectly fits your budget. PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd is an excellent value for the money. 

Pros:

• It has a superb range of tones.
• It has an excellent tremolo.
• Partial coil-splits that deliver bluesy bites.
• Affordable and classy.

Cons:

• PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd has a bit tackiness to the maple neck finish.
• The aesthetic look of the guitar may not please every guitarist.

2. Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro has a mahogany neck with a maple top. The gorgeous and slim neck allows your hand to slide smoothly along the length. The body of the guitar gives high sustainability as well as tone, which is hard to find. It has a classy design and has done wonders over the years. 

The pickups offer a myriad of tone options that makes it worthy of almost every genre. The humbuckers pickup offers terrific lead tones of its time, and the single-coil pickup is an excellent fit for nuanced rhythms. It has 22 frets and a 24.75-inch neck. It produces satisfying low-end frequencies, and the highs offer cherry on the cake for the players. The push-volume pots make you the master of controlling the different kinds of volumes.

Also, you can tap rhythms while you’re rocking on the stage. The guitar is available in different finishes such as trans blue, honey burst, cherry, green burst, wine red, blood orange, iced tea, etc. So, you can easily choose the perfect one for yourself. You can choose the best design that matches your personality and music.

Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro is an ideal guitar for people who want to take their passion to the next level. Whether you are jamming with your friends or being the lead player of your band, this is the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars. This is a versatile guitar. You can play from blues to rock to country. This guitar just fits in all music categories. This guitar also adds the right amount of aesthetic as well as a vintage look to your personality.

Price:

The guitar is super affordable while it offers a covetable tone. This is the most reliable and beautiful guitar according to the price. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro is priced at $599.

Pros:

• Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro offers excellent sustainability.
• Epiphone guarantees it.
• A super-versatile guitar.
• Classic style with affordability on point. 

Cons:

• It fails to offer a studio-quality tone.

3. Chapman Guitars ML3 Pro

Chapman Guitars ML3 Pro has a mahogany body and maple neck. The body is telecaster-influenced. The maple neck is bolt-on with a Macassar ebony fretboard. It has 24 jumbo frets, and on the 12th fret, it has a “pearl infinity” inlay. The design of the guitar is comfortable for any guitarist. The guitar of the body has a lot of curves.

Hence, it’s a win-win situation for any player. There is an arm curve, a back-heel contour, a front and back end lower-spoon cut, and a tail tummy cut. You can easily access all 24 frets on the guitar. The humbucker pickup is relatively hot and has a bridge-pickup resistance.

It has a 3-way switch, and you can select between neck, bridge, and combined settings. The outer coil is activated by splitting the coils and by pulling the tone knob. The guitar is versatile and has modern-sounding pickups. The guitar is loud and fantastic. The individual notes on the guitar are distinct in dissonant, distorted chord figures. The Chapman Guitars ML3 Pro excels in metal styles and modern rock.

The split-coil sounds are flexible. They are transparent, sustainable, muscular with a hint of rawness. They sound excellent in all the combinations. When you are playing, you can easily switch to a humbucker from a split-bridge pickup in the climax. The guitar is versatile and is a must for all rock players.

Price:

When it comes to affordability, it is priced at $900 but offers a lot more than it costs. Unlike any mid-priced guitar, it enhances tuning stability and playability. The guitar will give you a rock-solid feeling.

Pros:

• Chapman Guitars ML3 Pro is exceptionally resonant.
• The finish is superb.
• The curves on the guitar are like icing on the cake.
• Sonic versatility that makes it an all-rounder. 

Cons:

• Chapman Guitars ML3 Pro has minor fretwork issues.

4. Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster

Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster has a large “CBS-era” headstock. The guitar has a maple neck with 22 frets. The bent steel saddles have a hint of vintage, and the tremolo is synchronized. Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster is a classic Strat and gives off the sixty’s vibes. The guitar has some significant performance upgrades such as noiseless pickups, tuning machines locking, and an outlines neck heel. This guitar also features custom electronics.

The custom electronics are engaged with a built-in push button in the master volume knob. It also consists of a preamp and a 6-position rotary switch that replaces the middle tone knob. When the S-1 pushbutton switch captivates the preamp, then six distinct and different tone settings are obtainable. The tone ranges from enhanced midrange lead tones to glimmering rhythm tones with the willowy treble. The model has an alder body.

It delivers a classic Strat punch and body. And, the maple neck offers a similar of the satin polyurethane finish. Apart from the V6 tone switch and the preamp, the guitar features a standard 5-position pickup selector switch. It also has the usual tone knobs and master volume. You are just a push away to switch from conventional Strat sounds to a lot more varieties.

You can easily do that bypassing the preamp and adjusting the tone settings. Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster has a midrange honk, percussive, round bass, and treble spark. When the S-1 switch is above, then the output levels lift by a few dB. The midrange is enhanced and fat, and all thanks go to the V6 switch. When the settings are turned slightly down, the midrange is scooped down, leading to more prominent bass and treble frequencies. 

Price:

If you’re looking for a Strat, then Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster is the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars. It is priced at $799 and is worth the value.

Pros:

• Dramatic tone variation by the S-1 and V-6 switches.
• The guitar provides 3X traditional muted single-coil pickups.
• Provides a myriad of Strat tone at fingertips.
• Amazingly affordable Start.

Cons:

• This may not please guitarists who are looking for traditional Strat.

5. ESP LTD EC-1000

ESP LTD EC-1000 offers a bold tone and an exclusive design. It is arguably the best electric guitar for playing metal. It has beefy humbuckers and a slim neck profile. The guitar has a mahogany body and a 24.75” scale length. There are varied colors, from glossy vintage black to amber sunburst. The black ESP LTD EC-1000 finish and fit high-end. It has remarkable abalone purfling around the apex.

The guitar has 24 frets and a Pau Ferro fretboard. For lucid string bending and incredible grip, it has jumbo frets. The neck has an exclusive design with abalone purfling and inlays running along the length. Therefore, the guitar looks fantastic and is smooth, comfortable, and fast.

The guitar has two active EMG humbuckers. It is 81 at the bridge and 60 at the neck. It is purely classic of metal. The pickups come with a 3-way toggle switch, tone knob, and independent volume control for each of the pickups. ESP LTD EC-1000 has a TonePros locking tailpiece and bridge. It offers major tuning sustainability and stability. It also provides a hint of glamour with the gold finish.

ESP LTD EC-1000 can quickly produce clean and balanced tones. When you stamp the distortion pedal, you’re blown with the power. The EMGs provide great detail and intensity that can get past through any mix. The EMG-60 is a superb fit for the neck. The solos sound eloquent, and the pinch harmonic just gives a piercing cry.

Price:

As said earlier, it arguably the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars for playing metal. It is available for $999 and is the best and cheapest metal electric guitar. The guitar has excellent value. And you should go for it if you love playing metals.

Pros:

• A fantastic metal guitar.
• One of the most pleasing ergonomics.
• It has a wide range of pickups.
• Best price and super-affordable metal guitar.

Cons:

• ESP LTD EC-1000 is not suitable for guitarists who do not play metal.

6. Sterling by Music Man JP160

What can be said about Sterling by Music Man JP160 when it has been designed by none other than Guitar God John Petrucci. If you are starting to shred and done with the scales, then this guitar is just the right choice. This guitar has high-octane riffs and will satisfy your need for speed.

Sterling by Music Man JP160 has a mahogany body and a forearm scoop. It has a rosewood fretboard and a shield logo of John Petrucci himself. It is the first guitar model featuring a low profile pull/push Floyd Rose tremolo system. You will be able to access all the 24 frets with ease. 

The noiseless active pickup is like a cherry on the top. The guitar has powerful pickups. It has master tone, master volume, two humbuckers pickups, and a 3-way switch. It also has a double-locking tremolo. The model comes in Black metallic and pearl white. The powerful humbuckers sound great.

Whether distorted or clean, the humbuckers constitute a significant beauty. The guitar’s volume control also has an attached active boost, offering an extra 12 dB. This is an all-rounder guitar as it has elegiac and elongated overtones. Hence, the guitar is sure to impress your audience with its magic.

Price:

The guitar costs $899. It is popular among guitarists. It has some pickups problem, but players still go for it for the other notable features.

Pros:

• Sterling by Music Man JP160 has a mahogany body.
• It offers two humbucker pickups, switchable 12 dB, and active electronics.
• It has a double-locking tremolo.

Cons:

• The guitar has some issues with the pickups.

7. Jackson X Series Marty Friedman MF-1

Jackson X Series Marty Friedman MF-1 is an effortlessly cool guitar. The guitar has a smooth monochrome palette and a single-cut razor-sharp body. The outshining white edges add a playful taste to the guitar. You just cannot take your eyes off the guitar and the design. The guitar body is made up of nato instead of mahogany. It provides the same tonal quality as of mahogany.

It has a super slim body, and its bottom horn is precisely carved for absolutely amazing upper-fret access. The neck is rosewood board. The neck is black gloss and familiar-feeling, comfortable C shape. This guitar has the maximum tuning stability, all credits to the AT-1 headstock.

The fingers will quickly run up and down the strings producing very little friction. The fretboard’s radius is 12” provides a comfortable curvature for chord work. The pickups of the guitar are tuneful and amazing to sound. The pick attack is bang on, as it dominates over the sonic landscape. The humbuckers provide arpeggiated chords.

The EMG humbuckers are quite dynamic if you rightfully know how to set your amplifier. It also has a versatile clean tone. Hence, this guitar is an all-rounder and a must-have. Friedman is famous for playing unconventionally, but you don’t have to be Friedman to play this guitar. Jackson X Series Marty Friedman MF-1 is an absolute metal workhouse.

Price:

This guitar costs $519. And, it is affordable when you are looking for the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars.

Pros:

• Good value and reliable workhouse for metalheads.
• The EMG pickups are a bonus for this guitar.
• The price is substantially low, and anyone can afford it.

Cons:

• The monochromatic palette may not please everyone.

8. Ibanez Iron Label RGIX27FESM

Ibanez Iron Label RGIX27FESM is designed explicitly for metalheads. This guitar is the updated and most unique version of the Iron Label series. It is exceptionally lightweight. It is designed in a basswood body with a spalted maple peak. This guitar is not only stylish but also has a sound that beautifully resonates. The Ibanez Iron Label RGIX27FESM has a myriad of features.

It has three pieces of Bubinga neck, 24 jumbo frets, and an ebony fretboard. The guitar is designed for metal. It emits a complex, thick distortion that can carve out and dish the perfect sound. Ibanez Iron Label RGIX27FESM has a super control. It comes with a killswitch that enhances your performance in a significant way. The foggy stained finish and the Gibraltar Standard II-7 bridge makes the guitar super impressive. It has an EMG 707 and pickups.

Price:

The Ibanez Iron Label RGIX27FESM costs at $879.

Pros:

• The guitar has a kill switch that gives the player optimal control.
• Has a stylish and comfortable ebony keyboard.
• The guitar has a Standard II-7 bridge.

Cons:

• The color of the guitar may be an issue with some guitarists. 

9. Schecter Hellraiser C-1 – Black Cherry

Schecter Hellraiser C-1 – Black Cherry is a show-stealer. It lives up to its name, and its design is superb. Schecter Hellraiser C-1 – Black Cherry has a mahogany body and a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. It has inlays of the gothic cross and has two active EMG humbucker pickups. The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 – Black Cherry is a treat for the metal and rock players.

It comes with a bridge position of EMG 81TW and an EMG 89R in the neck portion. The push-pull switch gives the pickups a dual-mode. Hence, they can be either used a single-coil or as humbuckers. The scale is 25.5” long and is relatively standard. For heavy tunings, the bridge pickup is top-notch.

The humbucker pickups give a full and meaty chord while the single-coil provides a clean and resonant chord. For solos, you should go for 89R on the neck. It offers a sweeter tone. The guitar has locking tuners. This provides stability in tuning, and you can play at your best. The strings on the guitar have excellent compatibility with the body giving great resonance and tone.

The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 – Black Cherry is played by Jeff Loomis, Avenged Sevenfold, Black Veil Brides, JD from Black Label Society, Danzig’s Steve Zing, and Papa Roach. Therefore, it is a must-have if you also love to play rock and metal. It is priced at $799, so this is absolutely the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars if you love to play rock.

Pros:

• The tone clarity and natural sustain make this guitar the best.
• The guitar is on the tune for days. Thanks to the mahogany neck and locking tuners.
• The bridge pickup is fantastic.

Cons:

• The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 – Black Cherry lacks the qualities of some passive pickups.

10. Schecter Synyster Gates

Schecter Synyster Gates is a beauty for guitarists who love to play punk, hard rock, and metal. The guitar has a bolt-on mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard. It has Grover tuners giving more excellent stability and finer tuning. 

The oily rosewood fretboard is a beauty as it works excellently. The sound is richer compared to maple fretboards. The HB-108 detonator and humbucker pickups are built for aggressive and rough playing styles.

This guitar is highly recommended for punk, metal, thrash, garage, and other heavy styles. The Schecter Synyster Gates has a Floyd Rose tremolo system that is made exclusively for Floyd Rose. The glossy black finish and silver pinstripes make the guitar even more drool-worthy. The guitar also features DeathBat inlays and “SYN.”

The guitar is excellent in clean playing. But, it also shines in cranked up distortion. This guitar is the affordable version of Synyster Gates Custom. It is available for $800. Therefore, you should go for it if you are totally into punk and heavy metal.

Pros:

• Unique design with a black gloss finish and silver pinstripes.
• Rosewood fretboard which is excellent for playing punk and rock.
• The guitar comes with a high-quality case.
• Schecter Synyster Gates comes with a Floyd Rose tremolo.

Cons:

• Not suitable for guitarists who do not like punk or heavy rock.

How to Buy the Best Electric Guitar for Under $1000?

When you are sorted with your budget and preferences, buying a new shining guitar is not much trouble. Your personal preferences should be at the top while you look for your new asset. When you are a professional player, it becomes obvious what you want in your new guitar, whether it be the quality pickups sound or a buttery smooth fretboard. 

When you have a budget of 1000 dollars, you need not compromise much. To suit your demands, there must be a higher-spec option. With the new guitar, you can think of upgrading yourself from a beginner to an expert. You can also expand your horizons and indulge more in music. 

The prime variables while looking for a guitar are pickups, fretboard, bridge, and electronics. Guitar brands are creative when it comes down to the components. It is where they can widen their horizon and win the heart of guitar players. 

1. Pickups:

One of the critical choices that you have to make while choosing the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars is what kind of pickup you will opt for. Whether it is single-coil pickups, humbuckers, or active EMG pickups, single-coil pickups give you funky, bright, and crisp music, just like blues. Fender’s Stratocaster gives you funky vibes and the best of the line. Humbuckers cancel out the electromagnetic interference like the hum created from single-coil pickups.

So, humbuckers give you heavier and darker tones. PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd and Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro give you the best humbucker pickup.
An Active pickup is used for a more consistent tone, which humbuckers fail to provide. It adds more power than passive pickups. Check out Ibanez Iron Label RGIX27FESM for the best active pickup performance.

2. Bridge:

One more critical component while choosing one of the best electric guitars under 1000 dollars is the right choice of guitar bridge. A good bridge will not let the tuning to fall and let the strings vibrate freely. There are mainly two types of bridges that have been considered in this thread: Fixed bridge and floating bridge (aka Tremolo Bridge). For a great fixed bridge, you can go for Chapman Guitars ML3 Pro, and for floating, go for Sterling by Music Man JP160.

You can play wonderfully when you have your favorite guitar in your hands. Having a budget of 1000 dollars opens many doors for you to choose from the right one. You will get exceptionally supreme standards at your affordable budget. Therefore, we have listed below some of the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars. They are great to play and will surely enhance your style as well as music. Read along to know more.

Final Thoughts!

Buying a perfect guitar for a new start can be daunting. But, when you are ready and wholly sorted with your preferences, styles, and design, it becomes super easy. There should be no more confusion while buying the best electric guitar under 1000 dollars, as we have listed only the very best. So, what are you waiting for? Go and get your favorite guitar now!