What is the Best Cheap Guitar Brand? [2024] 🎸

Are you a budding guitarist on a budget? Or maybe you’re just looking for a reliable backup guitar that won’t break the bank. Whatever the case may be, finding the best cheap guitar brand can be a daunting task. With so many options out there, it’s hard to know which ones are worth your time and money.

But fear not! We, the expert team of musicians at Guitar Brands™, are here to help. We’ve scoured the market, tested numerous guitars, and gathered feedback from real consumers to bring you this comprehensive guide to the best cheap guitar brands. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dive in and find the perfect affordable guitar for you!

Quick Answer

Looking for a quick answer? Here are some of the best cheap guitar brands in 2024:

1. Fender Squier ✅
2. Yamaha ✅
3. Epiphone ✅
4. Ibanez ✅
5. Gretsch ✅
6. PRS SE ✅
7. Gibson ✅
8. Schecter ✅
9. ESP LTD ✅
10. Jackson ✅

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these brands and what makes them stand out.

Quick Tips and Facts

Before we dive into the details, here are some quick tips and facts to keep in mind when searching for the best cheap guitar brand:

✅ Quality Matters: Just because a guitar is affordable doesn’t mean it has to be poorly made. Many reputable brands offer budget-friendly options that still deliver great quality and playability.

✅ Consider Your Needs: Think about your playing style, musical preferences, and skill level. Different guitars excel in different genres, so choose one that suits your needs.

✅ Try Before You Buy: If possible, visit a local music store and try out different guitars. This will give you a better sense of how they feel and sound in your hands.

✅ Read User Reviews: Don’t just take our word for it. Check out user reviews online to get a sense of what other guitarists think about a particular brand or model.

✅ Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it. There are great options available at various price points, so you don’t have to break the bank.

Now that you have these tips in mind, let’s explore the best cheap guitar brands in more detail.

Background: Affordable Guitars for Every Player

Affordable guitars have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days when cheap guitars were synonymous with poor quality and lackluster performance. Today, many manufacturers offer budget-friendly options that rival their more expensive counterparts in terms of build quality, playability, and sound.

The rise of affordable guitar brands can be attributed to advancements in manufacturing techniques, improved quality control, and the globalization of the music industry. These factors have allowed manufacturers to produce high-quality instruments at lower price points, making them accessible to a wider range of players.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first guitar or an experienced player in need of a backup instrument, there are plenty of affordable options available. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best cheap guitar brands that offer exceptional value for money.

1. Fender Squier

When it comes to affordable guitars, Fender Squier is a name that needs no introduction. Squier is Fender’s budget-friendly brand, offering a wide range of guitars that capture the essence of their more expensive counterparts at a fraction of the price.

✅ Squier Affinity Series Telecaster:

• Design: Classic Telecaster design with a comfortable C-shaped neck.
• Sound: Versatile tones thanks to the two single-coil pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable to play, suitable for beginners and intermediate players.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster ’60s:

• Design: Vintage-inspired Stratocaster design with a slim C-shaped neck.
• Sound: Authentic Stratocaster tones with three single-coil pickups.
• Build Quality: Well-built with attention to detail.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

2. Yamaha

Yamaha is a brand known for its commitment to quality and innovation. While they are primarily known for their pianos and keyboards, Yamaha also produces a wide range of affordable guitars that are highly regarded by players of all levels.

✅ Yamaha Pacifica 112V:

• Design: Classic double-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Versatile tones thanks to the HSS pickup configuration.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for beginners and intermediate players.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Yamaha FG800:

• Design: Traditional dreadnought acoustic guitar design.
• Sound: Rich and balanced tone with great projection.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Comfortable neck and low action, suitable for beginners and intermediate players.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

3. Epiphone

Epiphone is a brand that has been making affordable guitars since the early 20th century. Originally founded as a competitor to Gibson, Epiphone has carved out its own niche in the market by offering high-quality instruments at more affordable price points.

✅ Epiphone Les Paul Standard:

• Design: Iconic Les Paul design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Classic Les Paul tones thanks to the humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Epiphone SG Special:

• Design: Classic SG design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Punchy and aggressive tones thanks to the humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

4. Ibanez

Ibanez is a brand that is synonymous with rock and metal. Known for their sleek designs, fast necks, and high-performance pickups, Ibanez guitars are a favorite among shredders and heavy music enthusiasts.

✅ Ibanez RG450DX:

• Design: Modern double-cutaway design with a slim and fast neck.
• Sound: Versatile tones thanks to the HSH pickup configuration.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Fast and comfortable neck, suitable for advanced players.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Ibanez Artcore AS53:

• Design: Semi-hollowbody design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Warm and resonant tones thanks to the humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

5. Gretsch

Gretsch is a brand that is synonymous with vintage vibes and rockabilly tones. While their more expensive models can be quite pricey, Gretsch also offers affordable options that capture the essence of their iconic designs.

✅ Gretsch G2622 Streamliner:

• Design: Classic hollowbody design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Vintage-inspired tones thanks to the Broad’Tron humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Gretsch G2420 Streamliner:

• Design: Classic hollowbody design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Warm and resonant tones thanks to the Broad’Tron humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

6. PRS SE

PRS SE guitars are the more affordable counterparts to Paul Reed Smith’s high-end instruments. Despite their lower price tags, PRS SE guitars still offer exceptional build quality, playability, and tone.

✅ PRS SE Standard 24:

• Design: Classic double-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Versatile tones thanks to the PRS-designed humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ PRS SE Custom 22:

• Design: Classic double-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Versatile tones thanks to the PRS-designed humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

7. Gibson

While Gibson is primarily known for their high-end guitars, they also offer more affordable options under their Epiphone brand. Epiphone guitars capture the essence of Gibson’s iconic designs at a fraction of the price.

✅ Epiphone Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro:

• Design: Iconic Les Paul design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Classic Les Paul tones thanks to the humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Epiphone SG Standard:

• Design: Classic SG design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Punchy and aggressive tones thanks to the humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

8. Schecter

Schecter guitars are known for their sleek designs, high-performance pickups, and rock and metal tones. While they offer a range of high-end instruments, Schecter also produces affordable guitars that deliver great value for the price.

✅ Schecter Omen-6:

• Design: Modern double-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Versatile tones thanks to the high-output pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Fast and comfortable neck, suitable for advanced players.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Schecter C-6 Plus:

• Design: Modern double-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Powerful tones thanks to the high-output pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Fast and comfortable neck, suitable for advanced players.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

9. ESP LTD

ESP LTD guitars are the more affordable counterparts to ESP’s high-end instruments. Designed for rock and metal players, ESP LTD guitars offer exceptional build quality, playability, and tone at a more accessible price point.

✅ ESP LTD EC-256:

• Design: Classic single-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Versatile tones thanks to the ESP-designed humbucker pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Smooth and comfortable neck, suitable for various playing styles.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ ESP LTD MH-10:

• Design: Modern double-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Powerful tones thanks to the high-output pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Fast and comfortable neck, suitable for advanced players.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

10. Jackson

Jackson guitars are known for their aggressive designs, fast necks, and high-performance pickups. While they offer a range of high-end instruments, Jackson also produces affordable guitars that cater to rock and metal players on a budget.

✅ Jackson JS22 Dinky:

• Design: Modern double-cutaway design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Powerful tones thanks to the high-output pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with attention to detail.
• Playability: Fast and comfortable neck, suitable for advanced players.
• Value for Money: Excellent value for the price.

✅ Jackson JS32 Rhoads:

• Design: Iconic Rhoads V design with a comfortable neck.
• Sound: Aggressive tones thanks to the high-output pickups.
• Build Quality: Solid construction with a durable finish.
• Playability: Fast and comfortable neck, suitable for advanced players.
• Value for Money: Great value for the price.

FAQ

What is the #1 guitar brand?

Choosing the #1 guitar brand is subjective and depends on individual preferences. However, some of the most highly regarded guitar brands include Fender, Gibson, PRS, and Ibanez.

Read more about “What is the #1 guitar brand?”

Is a cheap guitar OK?

Yes, a cheap guitar can be perfectly fine, especially for beginners or players on a budget. Many affordable guitar brands offer great quality and playability, allowing you to enjoy playing without breaking the bank.

Which guitars are cheap?

There are many affordable guitar options available, ranging from electric guitars to acoustic guitars. Some popular cheap guitar brands include Fender Squier, Yamaha, Epiphone, and Ibanez.

Read more about “The 5 Best Ukuleles for Beginners in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide”

What is the most recommended guitar brand?

The most recommended guitar brand depends on individual preferences and playing styles. However, Fender, Gibson, PRS, and Ibanez are often highly regarded by guitarists of all levels.

Read more about “What is the most recommended guitar brand?”

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding the best cheap guitar brand doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With so many reputable options available, you can find a high-quality instrument that suits your needs and budget. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, brands like Fender Squier, Yamaha, Epiphone, and Ibanez offer exceptional value for money.

Remember to consider your playing style, musical preferences, and skill level when choosing a guitar. Try out different models if possible and read user reviews to get a sense of what other guitarists think. Set a budget and stick to it, as there are great options available at various price points.

So go ahead, pick up that affordable guitar and start rocking out! Happy playing!

Recommended Links

• Guitar Brands Showcase
• Guitar Buying Guide
• Acoustic Guitars
• Guitar Brand Guides
• The 15 Best Acoustic Guitar Brands 2024 🎸

Reference Links

• Best cheap electric guitars: 11 epic budget electrics