What Is the Best Electric Guitar Under $2000?
If you’re looking for the best electric guitar under $2000 for yourself or someone you love, there are many factors to consider. Tone, size, body style and aesthetic are all relevant factors that vary from player to player. But there’s one factor that matters to just about everyone: price.
The reality is that the absolute best electric guitars available today have price tags that put them out of reach for most players. A $10,000 Gibson Custom is going to look and sound amazing, but it’s just not realistic for most of us.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of ten absolutely solid guitars, all under $2000. Our list contains a variety of styles and price points, and we’re sure you can find a guitar that’s just right for you.
By the way, if electric isn’t quite your style, you might want to check out one of our other guides, such as our guide on the Best Acoustic Guitar Brands for 2020.
Below you’ll see a list of the ten guitars we’re reviewing, in alphabetical order:
- D’Angelico Premier Series EXL-1 Hollowbody Electric Guitar with Stairstep Tailpiece ($749.99)
- ESP LTD KH-602 Signature Series Kirk Hammett Electric Guitar ($899)
- Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster Maple Electric Guitar ($1949.99)
- Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS ($259.99)
- Fender Squier 3/4 Size Kids Mini Strat Electric Guitar Bundle ($199.99)
- Gibson Les Paul Tribute Electric ($1,199)
- Schecter Guitar Research C-1 Platinum Electric ($599)
- Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Solid-Body Electric Guitar ($329.99)
- Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JL YNS Left-Handed Electric Guitar ($247.73)
- Yamaha RevStar Electric with Bigsby Tremolo ($899)
Top Pick: ESP LTD KH-602 Signature Series Kirk Hammett Electric Guitar
Our top pick among these models is the ESP LTD KH-602 Signature Series Kirk Hammett Electric Guitar, perfect for any serious player in rock, metal and any other scenario requiring an intense, aggressive sound. The KH-602 features Metallica member Kirk Hammett’s signature skull and crossbones inlays on the fingerboard as well as a set of EMG Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker Signature pickups.
It’s a quality, aggressive instrument that’s ready to rock, but with the attention to detail and finesse you’d expect from an instrument that’s as at home in the recording studio as it is on the stage.
If you’re looking for a church guitar or one that performs delicate music well, the KH-602 isn’t the best choice. But if you want to rock hard, you’ll love it.
Top 10 Best List: Compared and Reviewed
If our top pick doesn’t seem quite right for you, that’s OK. There are plenty other great options across a wide range of prices. We’ll review all ten models below, starting with the most expensive.
Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster Maple Electric Guitar ($1949.99)
High-end Fender guitars are works of beauty, and one example coming in just shy of $2000 is the Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster Maple Electric Guitar. This guitar is loaded with fantastic features, like custom-voiced pickups and a quarter-sawn maple neck. The 1957-style body harkens to a great period in Fender history. A five-way switch and vintage tremolo round out this instrument’s top features.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quality instrument with top-notch finish
- Classic Stratocaster look
- Custom-voiced Eric Johnson Pickups
Cons:
- Price: barely under $2000
Gibson Les Paul Tribute Electric ($1,199)
Gibsons are notoriously pricey, with numerous Les Paul models landing well over $2,000. But this Gibson Les Paul Tribute Electric hits the sweet spot for us, sacrificing some of the top-end (but arguably unnecessary) features while retaining that beautiful Les Paul look and tone. Dual Alnico II humbuckers produce a strong tone with lots of sustain, and the modern weight-relieved body is an interesting touch.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great Les Paul look and sound at a more reasonable price
- Best midrange Les Paul
- Some players love the weight-relieved body
Cons:
- Still quite expensive and lacks some features found in cheaper (non-Gibson) models
- Some players dislike the weight-relieved body
Yamaha RevStar Electric with Bigsby Tremolo ($899)
Yamaha is famous for its unflinchingly high manufacturing quality, a characteristic that’s seen in the Yamaha RevStar Electric with Bigsby Tremolo. The RevStar’s custom-wound pickups and proprietary Dry Switch give this guitar some serious tech that others can’t match. Enjoy the same punchy sound that a single coil pickup provides but ditch the associated hum. The oversized Bigsby tremolo bar adds a nice flourish and is easy to operate as well.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Refreshing, unique look
- Loaded up with custom tech
- Contoured body for ease of play
Cons:
- Proprietary tech means proprietary sound—be sure you like it before you buy
ESP LTD KH-602 Signature Series Kirk Hammett Electric Guitar ($899)
This ESP LTD KH-602 Signature Series Kirk Hammett Electric Guitar was our top pick discussed above. It’s a quality instrument that fits comfortably into any genre requiring a degree of intensity. This ESP electric is money well spent.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique Kirk Hammett skull and crossbones fret inlays
- Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker pickups
- Whammy bar
Cons:
- Tone a little aggressive for some
- “Angry” aesthetic might not play well in certain genres (or church)
D’Angelico Premier Series EXL-1 Hollowbody Electric Guitar with Stairstep Tailpiece ($749.99)
The D’Angelico Premier Series EXL-1 Hollowbody Electric with Stairstep Tailpiece is a fine guitar for any jazz guitarist. This guitar is the company’s flagship archtop design, and it produces a balanced, organic tone perfect for jazz or any similar genre. The single floating humbucker provides adequate volume with a warm acoustic edge, but far less volume and intensity than the rock-oriented guitars on this list.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Perfect setup for beautiful jazz tones
- Great vintage D’Angelico look that’s perfect for the jazz scene
Cons:
- Limited use outside jazz and related genres
- Lower sound output as is typical for hollow-body instruments
Schecter Guitar Research C-1 Platinum Electric ($449.99-$599.99)
The Schecter C-1 Platinum Electric is another great rock guitar. This no-nonsense guitar has everything you need in a mid range electric guitar, including the classic dual-cutaway “two-horn” look. Subtle details set this model apart, like platinum fingerboard inlays. A solid mahogany body and EMG Active 81/85 pickups give life and vibrancy to the instrument.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Rotomatic Grover Tuners
- Rosewood fingerboard
- EMG Active 81/85 pickups
Cons:
- A bit understated in appearance compared to some rock guitars
- Midrange price means it’s neither budget-friendly nor loaded with advanced features
Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Solid-Body Electric Guitar ($329.99)
For the performer on the go, you can’t go wrong with the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Solid-Body Electric. The look is unique and minimalistic. At around three pounds, this may be the lightest guitar you’ve ever held. And it fits in the overhead storage compartment on commercial airplanes!
By moving the tuning mechanism into the (small) body of the guitar, Traveler saves a good six inches by deleting the headstock. The Ultra-Light is an indispensable choice for the frequent traveler who can’t compromise on tone.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Tiny footprint travels easily
- Fits in airplane overhead compartment
- Weighs just three pounds
- Full-size and powerful sound
Cons:
- Is primarily a backup instrument
- Some players find it awkward to hold
Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS ($259.99)
If you’re looking for a bundle for a beginning guitarist, the Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS Bundle is a great choice. It’s a budget entry into the storied Stratocaster body style. Of course, it lacks the higher-end tech and finishes of the first entry on our list, but it’s still an iconic instrument that plays well.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Solid entry-level guitar
- Great aesthetic
- Good tone for the price
- Tremolo bar included
Cons:
- Lacks features of higher level Strats
- Soft case is ineffective
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JL YNS Left-Handed Electric Guitar ($247.73)
Many guitars come in just one orientation: right-handed. Left-handed guitarists often get overlooked or get forced to try to play right-handed. But with the Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JL YNS Left-Handed Electric Guitar, lefties finally get a great — and affordable — choice.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Left-handed configuration
- Quality Yamaha manufacturing
- Gorgeous vintage natural look
Cons:
- Lacks the proprietary tech of higher-end Yamahas
- Less desirable pickup configuration
Fender Squier 3/4 Size Kids Mini Strat Electric Guitar Bundle ($199.99)
So your kid is ready to start guitar. The only problem? Kiddo isn’t big enough to handle the instrument yet. With a 3/4 size guitar, you don’t have to wait for your child’s hands to grow. They can start right now and transition to a full-size instrument when the time is right.
In this category, our recommendation is the Fender Squier 3/4 Size Kids Mini Strat Electric Guitar Bundle. It contains everything your child needs to get started
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Bundle gives you what you need to start
- Small size is perfect for young players
Cons:
- Your child will grow out of it in a few years
- Fairly basic setup
What’s the Best Electric Guitar Under $2000 for You?
In the end, only you can decide which model is your choice for the best electric guitar under $2000. Your preferred genres and your level of ability or instruction will guide you in that choice, and our top 10 list should help as well. Enjoy the journey!
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Looking for the best electric guitar under $2000? Check out our top 10 picks
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