From beginner status to the next level, or could turn out to be the type of guitar player who got all what it takes to become tomorrow’s pro. It is no secret that to guarantee success in playing the guitar is always going to be centered on practicing, a bit of knowledge about theory and when proper gear is the concern in terms of budget. A guitar that fits the bill and works well no matter the price.
If shaken by the price of a high-end guitar. As well to save some money to buy a practice amp to begin with. This awesome instrument has series of models which are made affordable, and in a level considered decent to a potentially gem of a find in delivering the needed playability, clean and overdriven sounds to unlock a beginner’s potential, or even be use by seasoned players quite oftenly for their main or back-up guitar to rock the stage.
Choosing an electric guitar under $300 is a good start. It offers a much better set of pick-ups when compared to entry level guitars under the $200 range. Tonewood, hardware and finish are also better for the extra you money pay.
However, tone is not found on gear specs alone. The reason why it’s still hard to say that a guitar is excellent without backing it up with talent in playing and the so called ”personal touch” coming from your hands producing the main tones. Other factors also that affects the overall sound of the guitar is the guitar amplifier used, effects, and again tone shaping coming from these equipments.
The list we have is a selection of what we believe are the obvious choices on the said range. Moreover, they are coming from brands well-known for guitars, other instruments and equipment they make. Making it easier to commence the process of picking a guitar.
Affiliate Disclosure
constantinecruz.com is a participant of Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. It is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide websites a means to earn money by advertising products by linking to Amazon.com.
This post contains paid links: If visitors of the site uses the links to buy items. “As an Amazon Associates I earn from qualifying purchases” at no extra cost to you. Learn more
ESP LTD MH-Series MH-10
- Superstrat guitar that has a comfortable arch top body made of basswood
- Neck is thin-U shape crafted in maple
- 24 extra jumbo frets engineered hardwood fingerboard complete with inlay dots
- Set of chrome die-cast tuners
- Bridge is TOM string through body
- Hum canceling LH-100 humbuker pick-ups controlled by a master volume, master tone and 3-way blade
Starting out our top list is an electric guitar coming from ESP LTD and part of their MH Series of guitars. The ESP LTD MH-10 is an entry level superstrat guitar of the brand that has a comfortable arch top body made of basswood without a protective pickguard to show all its gloss black finish. Neck is thin-U shape crafted in maple, then top of by a 24 extra jumbo frets engineered hardwood fingerboard complete with inlay dots.
Pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge area are hum canceling LH-100 humbuker pick-ups designed by ESP. Controls for the humbucks are straight forward consisting of a master volume, master tone, and 3-way blade to play both or switch between pick-ups. Bridge is TOM with string through body and tuners are all die-cast.
Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V
- Double cutaway alder tonewood body
- Neck is bolt-on made in solid maple
- 22 frets rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays
- Set of chrome die-cast tuners
- Bridge is vintage style tremolo system with block saddle
- HSS alnico V pick-ups controlled by a master volume, tone push/pull coil-split and 5-way switch pick-ups selector
Many budding and seasoned players consider the Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V as the best beginner and affordable back up electric guitar available in the market today. Also the PAC112V is considerably a much higher model of the well received Pacifica PAC112J and PA012 electric guitar included on the Yamaha GigMaker package for having alnico V single-coil and humbucker bridge pick-ups controlled by 5-position lever switch, master volume, and push-pull coil split tone control.
The Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V has a double cutaway alder tonewood body with a pickguard and in a number of gloss finishes to match the every players preference. Neck is bolt-on made in solid maple and has a 22 frets rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays. Bridge for the PAC112V is vintage style tremolo paired with chrome die-cast tuners.
Dean VX Classic Black
- V shape basswood body
- Bolt-on C-shape maple neck
- 22 jumbo frets granadillo fingerboard with dot inlays as markers
- Set of sealed die-cast tuners
- String-through-body Tune-o-Matic bridge
- DMT Designed humbuckers at the neck and bridge controlled by 3-way toggle switch, separate volume knobs for each humbuckers and a master tone
Some might suggest that a V-shape guitar is not an ideal guitar to start with because of the design. However that is not true, it’s actually like just playing a classical guitar when in sitting position to practice by placing the guitar at the center and having the V part of the guitar anchored in your thigh. Which by the way is awesome to look at and a cool style of playing.
The V-shape design is really more of an advantage than a disadvantage. Considering the guitar becomes even more lighter in weight and can give a full access on the higher frets when you come up the neck for playing lead riffs and solos.
The Dean VX Classic Black tonewood body is made of basswood in classic black finish with a bolt-on maple neck, 22 extra jumbo frets granadillo fingerboard complete with white dot markers and has a V-shape headstock. For pick-ups, the Dean VX is then equipped with DMT designed humbuckers on the neck and bridge to muster a rich warn fat tone controlled by 3-way toggle switch, 2 volumes and a tone knob. Bridge is Tune-o-Matic with Stopbar tail piece and the tuners are all sealed die-cast.
Epiphone Les Paul-100
- Combination of mahogany with maple top for the body
- Bolt-on SlimTaper mahogany neck
- 22 medium jumbo frets rosewood fingerboard marked by inlay dots
- Set of sealed chrome tuners
- Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece
- Pair of humbucker pick-ups are placed at the neck 650R and bridge 700T controlled by a 3-way toggle switch, 2 volume and 2 tone knobs
If looking for a budget friendly Les Paul guitar on this price range, the Les Paul-100 from Epiphone is always a favorite choice by many arguably because of its LP design closest to a Gibson model and the punchy warm tones of its humbuckers. The LP-100 has a single cutaway mahogany body less the arch maple top then protected by a scratch plate. Neck is bolt-on unlike the higher models made of maple with 22 medium size frets rosewood fingerboard marked by dot inlays.
Tones coming from the guitar is supplied by 650R humbucker for the neck and 700T Humbucker on the bridge. Pick-up controls mimics the original Les Paul for having 2 tone, 2 master volume for each pick-ups and a 3-way toggle switch placed on the top side of the guitar. Hardware are nickel Tune-o-Matic bridge with StopBar tail piece and 14:1 ratio die-cast machine heads.
Squier Standard Telecaster
- Classic T-type design agathis body
- Bolt-on neck is C-shape made of maple
- 22 frets medium jumbo rosewood or laurel fingerboard
- Set of tuning machines are standard die-cast
- Bridge design is 6-saddle standard strings-through-body Tele with block saddles
- Pick-ups are Alnico magnet single-coil Tele for the neck and bridge controlled by 3-position blade for pick-up selection, master volume and tone
Music wouldn’t be the same without the birth of the Telecaster. This guitar is a big part of music and cultural revolution. It already has been used by countless players since it debut in the 1950’s. Never missing a step up to this era for its timeless design and great tones it always provide to be enjoyed by guitar hobbyist, or to those who are really determined to make it, launch a career as an artist.
The Squier Standard Telecaster and its other models mimics the design of the original Fender telecaster models. The specs may not be comparable to a Fender made for the money paid for, but they are not that bad at all to deliver the sought after Fender Tele sound and feel of the guitar.
Tonewood for this Telecaster model from Squier is agathis. This wood has some similar sonic properties to mahogany for comparison with a vintage blond and antique burst polyurethane finish partially covered by a 3-ply pickguard. Bolt-on neck is C-shape made of maple with a 22 frets medium jumbo rosewood or laurel fingerboard.
Pick-ups are Alnico magnet single-coil Tele for the neck and bridge controlled by 3-position blade for pick-up selection, master volume and tone. Bridge design is 6-saddle standard strings-through-body Tele with block saddles. Easier to set up the height and intonation compared to the 3-saddle vintage-style strings-through-body Tele bridge. Tuning machines are standard die-cast.
Squier Standard Stratocaster
- S-type body made of agathis in solid color finish, antique burst or with a flame maple veneer top
- Comfortable C-profile maple neck
- Available in 22 medium jumbo frets rosewood, laurel or maple fingerboard marked by dot inlays
- Set of chrome die-cast machineheads
- Vintage style 6-saddle tremolo bridge for vibrato effect
- SSS or HSS pick-up configuration controlled by a 5-way pick-up selector switch, master volume, and 2 tone knobs
Squier by Fender has a number of Strat guitars that are spot-on this budget. They differ on specs, but all are nicely made and the kind of reasonably priced electric guitars to be desired. The Stratocaster guitar is coveted for the southern twangy bright sound it brings to the table, and not to forget to mention, the iconic double cutaway body shape and headstock which other guitars of not the same brand try to pattern their design.
On the Squier Standard Series, players can choose from the Standard SSS or HSS with alnico pick-ups, large headstock, agathis body in a variety of finishes, available in 22 medium jumbo frets rosewood, laurel or maple fingerboard and the Standard FMT model that highlights an agathis body with flame maple top, rosewood fingerboard only and alnico single-coil pick-ups.
For hardware to take care tuning and intonation, all the Squier Standard Stratocaster has a vintage style 6-saddle tremolo bridge for vibrato effect and set of chrome die-cast machineheads.
Schecter C-6 Deluxe
- Double cutaway beveled edge body made out of basswood
- Bolt-on maple neck is thin C-shape with a 2-way truss-rod
- 24 extra jumbo frets rosewood fingerboard complete with dot inlays
- Set of die-cast machineheads
- Bridge is Tune-o-Matic string thru bodyt
- Schecter Diamond Plus humbucker pick-ups at the neck and bridge controlled by 3-way pick-up selector toggle switch, master volume and tone knobs
Schecter is another brand on the list to look into if fond of a Superstrat and other design of guitars. They cater to all newbie and Pros alike for the many models they make and their price points are open to any budget. Some of the guitar series they offer aside from the Schecter C-6 Deluxe and C-6 Plus with a flame maple veneer top that will surely give chills for such names like the Synister, Demon, Hellraiser, Damien, and Banshee etc.
Schecter C-6 Deluxe has a double cutaway beveled edge body made out of basswood with an eye catching finishes. The bolt-on maple neck is thin C-shape with a 2-way truss rod for adjustment when needed. Overlaying the maple neck is a 24 extra jumbo frets rosewood fingerboard complete with dot inlays which is ideal for fast play.
Instigating the warm fat tones of the guitar are two Schecter Diamond Plus humbucker pick-ups placed at the neck and bridge, controlled by 3-way pick-up selector toggle switch, metal knurl master volume and tone knobs. Bridge is Tune-o-Matic string thru body while the machine heads are all die-cast.
Gretsch Electromatic Jet Club
- Made of a chambered basswood with an arched laminated maple top protected by a scratch plate
- Bolt-on neck is constructed using maple
- 22 medium jumbo frets rosewood fingerboard with neo-classic thumbnail position inlays
- Set of die-cast tuning machineheads
- Adjusto-matic bridge with stop-tailpiece
- Gretsch dual-coil humbuckers controlled by a master volume, master tone and a 3-position toggle switch for pick-up selection
After pioneering hollow body guitars and its long rich history of making other instruments. Gretsch as one of the top companies in the instrument industry diversified their reach by giving full control of the distribution of their famed guitars to Fender Musical Instrument Corporation while still owning the brand name. The merge between the two has develop new models that includes a number of solid body chambered guitars and Gretsch Electromatic Jet Club is a part of that.
The guitar single cutaway chambered body is made of basswood with an arch maple top protected by a scratch plate in three exciting finishes players can choose from. The design is similar to an LP, but has a distinct quality in the look that separates it and to know it is a Gretsch model. Neck is bolt-on constructed using maple top of by a rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo fret wires and neo-classic thumbnail inlays.
Pick-ups for the neck and bridge of the guitar are Gretsch designed dual-coil humbuckers controlled by a master volume, master tone and a 3-position toggle switch for pick-up selection. Holding and keeping the strings in place and steadily tuned are die-cast tuning machine heads and adjusto-matic bridge with stop tail-piece.
Ibanez RG421
- Superstrat double cutaway body made of meranti
- Wizard III slim maple neck
- 24 jumbo frets jatoba fingerboard with dot inlay markers
- Set of cosmo black sealed tuning machines
- Adjustable fixed bridge system
- Passive ceramic quantum humbuckers pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by 5-way switch blade, master volume and tone knob
The Ibanez RG421 is the basic model in the RG line. This particular RG model from Ibanez lets your playing do all the talking for its no nonsense design and control features to carve out tones. Unlike the RG450DX and RG470AHM with an HSH pick-ups configuration and locking tremolo bridge, the Ibanez RG421 is placed with two humbucker pick-ups and has a simpler adjustable fixed bridge system to take care of tuning and intonation.
The tonewood of the double cutaway body of the RG421 is solid meranti without the protection of a pickguard. Best feature of this guitar is the shred ready wizard III slim maple neck top of by a 24 jumbo size frets jatoba fingerboard. Another unique design on this guitar is the rounded junction where the body and neck is joined. This adds comfort and better positioning of the fretting hand to reach the high frets.
Supplying the guitar its wide range of tones are Ibanez passive ceramic Quantum humbuckers pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge controlled by 5-way switch blade, master volume and tone knobs. The set of tuners are in cosmo black same as the bridge.
Jackson JS32 Dinky
- Arch top double cutaway body design made from poplar in a number of finish to choose from
- Slim speed neck is bolt-on made in maple with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint
- 24 jumbo frets maple or amaranth fingerboard garnish in perloid sharfin inlays
- Set of sealed die-cast tuners
- License double locking Floyd Rose tremolo bridge
- High output humbukers pick-ups on the neck and bridge controlled by a master volume, tone and a 3-position blade to select pick-ups
Closing on our list of best electric guitars under the three hundred dollar range that guitar players can find on the market today is the Jackson JS32 Dinky. This guitar coming from Jackson is swift, hot sounding and easy on the pocket. The JS32 Dinky is highlighted by perloid shark fin inlays and a license double locking Floyd Rose tremolo bridge for players who would want to apply divebombs and squealing pulls on the way they play. The Floyd Rose System is a bit tricky to set-up and tune at first, but when mastered, it is a huge upside on the way a guitarist can play.
The guitar has an arch top double cutaway body design made from poplar wood in different color finishes with no pickguard. Neck is bolt-on crafted in one-piece maple and has a scarf joint for its angled back headstock to increase tension. The junction of the body to neck has a rounded design unlike the traditional for easy access on the higher frets. 24 jumbo frets maple or amaranth fingerboard with shark fin inlays complete the neck.
Giving this lightweight guitar its full-bodied sound are Jackson’s designed high output humbukers pick-ups placed on the neck and bridge controlled by a master volume, tone and a 3-position blade to select pick-ups.
Related Topic: