Looking to snag a worthy guitar on a sub-$1000 dollar budget? Your guitar money can go further today than in the past.
Compared to the budget category (under $500), you’ll find upgraded hardware and electronics, and better body woods. The best guitars under $1000 category is where you can find a lot of value. In one of our picks you’ll even find Stainless Steel Frets (what’s the big deal on SS frets? Read more about stainless steel frets.) Some of our selections specialize in rock, some do metal, some love country pickin’, and a couple love smokey jazz tones. Whatever your sound, they’re all great values. Check out these 10 cool electric guitars for under a grand from Fender, PRS, Schecter, Yamaha, and more.
Our picks for Best Guitars Under $1000
1. Fender Player Stratocaster HSS
Why we like it:
With an alder body, modern C neck, and Alnico 5 magnet single coils, Fender’s Player Stratocaster plays it right down the middle—and that’s a good thing. The one twist to the traditional formula is the Player Series Alnico II Humbucker in the bridge, which allows for fat and rich rock tones. The Player series features a Pau Ferro or maple fretboard. Personally, we think the Silver color—which resembles Fender’s vintage Firemist Silver— looks amazing with the Pau Ferro.
2. PRS SE Custom 24
Why we like it:
One of the benefits of buying a guitar from a top maker is that workmanship and innovation trickle down to their less expensive lines. The PRS SE Custom 24 is a testament to that: It takes it’s illustrious Custom 24 Core model and translates it into a more affordable instrument. The carved top of the SE now has curves that more closely resemble its big brother, and the 85/15 “S” pickups deliver the PRS tone. And since it’s a PRS, you get bird inlays on a real rosewood fretboard. Leave it to PRS to make a guitar that looks waaaay more expensive than it is.
3. Yamaha Revstar Standard
Why we like it:
The Revstar has been getting incredible reviews, and it’s no surprise when you consider what you get for under a grand: Chambered mahogany body, maple top, rosewood fretboard, Stainless Steel frets, and two Yamaha VH5n humbucking pickups. Yamaha has come up with what they call a “Focus switch”, which is a push pull switch that fattens up the tone. The Revstar balances well due to its chambered body, which is icing on the cake for this versatile and original design.
4. Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s
Why we like it:
Everyone wants a Les Paul, but if you don’t have the budget to go full-hog Gibson, this the Epiphone Standard 60s is the way to go. It’s got the same timeless features as the real deal: Mahogany body with flamed maple cap, Slim Taper ’60s “C profile” neck, and an ABR Tune-o-matic bridge. ProBucker humbucking pickups and quality CTS pots are evidence of the thoughtful hardware selection that Epiphone put into this guitar.
5. Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT
Why we like it:
This special edition Telecaster definitely doesn’t play it down the middle! However, that doesn’t stop it from being both classy and versatile. It’s Telecaster meets PRS: Start with a T-style body shape, but make it out of mahogany and give it set neck construction. Then top it with a carved, flamed maple top! And if that weren’t enough bling, the bound 15.75” radius fretboard features abalone dot markers.
6. Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin P90
Why we like it:
Looking for a jazzbox under $1000? And one made in North America? Godin has you covered. The Kingpin II can do classic jazz tones, but is also at home with earthy rock and blues. The tone of the Kingpin is surprisingly good unplugged, and the P90 has a polite vintage sound without being too midrangy. The Godin Kingpin II is thoughtfully put together in a smart way that prioritizes features that contribute towards tone and playability.
See our full review of the Godin Kingpin.
7. Ibanez RG550
Why we like it:
No Top 10 list would be complete without a pick for our hard rocking friends. The Ibanez RG550 is back as a reissue, and it’s as good as it ever was. Sometimes you don’t need to change a classic formula: A super fast Wizard neck with Jumbo frets and a flat fretboard means this guitar won’t hold you back when you are shredding. We particularly like the HSH pickup configuration, because the added S1 single coil in the mid position is good to have for clean passages. As you would expect, it’s got a Basswood body with a locking tremolo, making the RG550 a top contender for the best Floyd-Rose equipped guitar, as well as one of the best metal guitars under $1000.
8. Ibanez AS93FM Artcore
Why we like it:
Now for another Ibanez, but in a completely different galaxy than the RG550. The AS93FM is part of Ibanez’s Artcore family of semi-hollowbody guitars. Both the body and top are made of laminated flame maple. The neck features an ebony fingerboard with block inlays. The Super 58 pickups and laminated body construction make it the perfect tool for rock, jazz, and everything in between.
9. Sterling By Music Man John Petrucci Signature JP60
Why we like it:
We covered John Petrucci’s signature MAJ100 guitar in our Best Metal Guitars picks. While the JP60 is a more traditional flavor, it keeps the important parts: Full 24-fret neck with a 16-inch fingerboard radius, a modern tremolo, locking tuners, and active pickups. The neck is hard maple with a rosewood fingerboard. The JP60 is the least expensive way to get into the Petrucci tonal arena.
10. Schecter PT Special
Why we like it:
There’s no way we could leave out the venerable “T-style” guitar, and we think Schecter nails it in this price category. First off, Schecter gives you a real Ash body, which is getting a lot harder to find, especially in the electric guitars under 1000 bracket. (See our article on Ash vs. Alder). The finish is top notch, and features a vintage 3-saddle bridge for true Telecaster tone. The neck features a P90, which is a less common but great choice in a Tele: Think Tele neck tone with increased beef and snarl. The TUSQ nut is a premium nut material and is an awesome choice. Schecter has long been known for its excellent necks and overall build quality.