1. PRS SE Custom 24 ($879–$999)
PRS SE Custom comes in at number one for its versatility and stunning craftsmanship. The PRS SE Custom 24 has been called a “Swiss Army knife” of guitars, featuring a mahogany body, maple top, and rosewood fretboard, and known for rich, articulate tones.
This guitar’s dual PRS 85/15 “S” humbuckers with coil-splitting offer sounds spanning warm cleans to biting leads, making it adaptable for rock, blues, pop, and also heavier styles.
The PRS neck is smooth and fast, adorned with the brand’s iconic bird inlays. The guitar receives positive views about playability and build, and sometimes gets compared to guitars twice its price.
If you’re looking for a do-it-all guitar with pro-level aesthetics and tone, you love versatility and want to play multiple genres, this guitar could be the right fit for you.
Some players report that the tremolo system can feel flimsy, so you might want to have the guitar setup upon purchase.
2. Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard
This SG is a collaboration with Gibson Custom Shop, and is as close as you will get to a vintage Gibson without forking over thousands of dollars. It is built with a mahogany body and neck, Gibson USA BurstBucker pickups, and a SlimTaper neck, allowing for fast playing.
The thunderous tone works for rock, blues, and hard rock, and the lightweight double-cut design and iconic bevels give it a premium feel and iconic look.
This guitar is made for fans of classic rock, such as AC/DC or Cream, who are striving for that Gibson tone.
This guitar is great for those looking for a lighter guitar with a punchy midrange, but not so perfect for those in need of single-coil tones.
3. Fender Player II Stratocaster ($799–$999)
The Stratocaster is the well-known guitar behind the sounds of Hendrix and Clapton. And the Player II series offers modern upgrades on a classic design. Alnico V single-coil pickups deliver bright, snappy tones perfect for blues, rock, country, and pop. The modern C-shaped neck and rolled fretboard edges make for an ease of playing with bright and versatile tones. Not the best choice for metal.
4. Yamaha Revstar RSS02T ($749–$849)
This double-cut guitar combines vintage vibes with modern technology. A mahogany body and maple top are paired with Yamaha’s P-90 pickups and a Dry switch for cutting lows. The tone of the Yamaha Revstar RSS02T is punchy and clear with a tight low-end, ideal for rock, blues, and funk. The stainless steel frets and jumbo size ensure durability and smooth playability. Its unique design stands out from the usual Strat or Les Paul clones.
This guitar is best for players who want a distinctive guitar with a vintage-modern hybrid sound. It is a great guitar if you are looking for P-90 tones and unique aesthetics, though some consider the neck to be a little long.
5. Ibanez RG550 Genesis ($999)
The perfect guitar for shredders. This reissue of the 1987 classic RG550 is built for playing speed and precision.
The basswood body, maple neck, and Edge locking tremolo are perfect for technical playing. The HSH pickup configuration (V7 humbucker, S1 single-coil, V8 humbucker) offers tonal versatility, from clean to high-gain metal.
This guitar is best for metal, hard rock, or technical players who love dive bombs and fast necks.
It is a great guitar if you value speed and versatility. Non-locking tremolo users might need time to adjust to the guitar.
6. Gretsch G5420T Electromatic ($849)
This retro style hollowbody guitar offers warm, resonant tones. Its BlackTop Filter’Tron pickups deliver chime and sparkle, perfect for rockabilly, jazz, blues, or classic rock. The Bigsby tailpiece adds expressive vibrato. It’s resonant and versatile, with a big, comfortable body.
This guitar is perfect for players who want a semi-hollow vibe for blues, jazz, and rockabilly, but might be one to avoid if you want high-gain sounds.
In summary, the PRS and Fender are versatile; Ibanez leans metal; Epiphone and Gretsch suit rock and vintage tones.
When buying a guitar, comfort is key. The pickups will also determine the sound to a great extent, so choose from brand name pickups, like Gibson BurstBuckers, Seymour Duncan and quality hardware, such as locking tuners, stable bridges.
You might want to also invest in a professional set up for $50-$100 to improve playability, especially for tremolo-equipped guitars like the Ibanez or PRS.
If you’re going to buy online, check out trusted retailers like Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Reverb, or Thomann for deals, especially during Black Friday. Used options on Reverb can also stretch your budget.
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