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Do you want to find the best Guitars Under $300? If that’s the case, you might feel a little overwhelmed by your options. Choosing the correct guitar for you can be difficult, especially when so many criteria must be considered. However, things have just gotten a lot easier now that we’ve done the hard job of sorting through this congested market. And we compiled this list of the top contenders on the market right now! But is a $300 guitar truly worth buying?
We believe the guitars on this list are well worth purchasing after evaluating them. Despite being at the ‘beginning’ end of the guitar cost scale, modern guitar manufacturing technology allows manufacturers to provide exceptional value for money. You’ll discover many pickup types and configurations, hardtail bridges and tremolos, as well as a plethora of stunning finishes, so you won’t be short of options. We’ve chosen the best of the lot to let you see the forest for the trees.
Best Guitars Under $300
Epiphone Slash AFD Les Paul Special-II
The Epiphone Slash AFD Les Paul Special-II offers a lot of guitar at a low price. This compact bundle, which includes a gig bag, strap, cord, and picks, is ideal for guitarists who want to perform immediately. The neck has a SlimTaper ‘D’ profile, which provides a super quick playing platform for those powerful rock lead licks.
It will also feel excellent to more experienced players, particularly those transitioning from the more popular ‘C’ form. Hard rock, blues, and even metal benefit from the pickups. The volume and control knobs easily regulate the high output, allowing you to build superb blues and even jazz tones. The bridge pickup also has a built-in tuner, ensuring that always ready to rock.
Ibanez Gio GRG121DX
The Ibanez Gio series is ideal for players who prefer to get heavy. The GRG121DX has two powerful humbucking pickups and, despite being geared at rock and metal guitarists, is versatile enough to handle milder types as well. The neck is a joy to play, with an extra-slim ‘D’ shape that makes lead guitar lines and complicated metal riffs a breeze.
The 25.5-inch scale length also lends itself perfectly to down-tuning. As expected, a pair of humbucking electric guitar pickups produce powerful rock and metal tones, but they also clear up nicely for clean-picked parts. The hardtail bridge provides outstanding tuning stability and sustain, resulting in an enjoyable playing experience.
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J had an S-style alder body, but it was much more than a carbon copy, as with everything Yamaha makes. The Pacifica’s dimensions were considerably different from those of a Stratocaster, giving it its own distinct flair. Our test model has an Old Violin Burst finish that looked beautiful and was applied flawlessly.
The Maple neck featured a highly comfortable C profile and a gorgeous smooth finish on the back for friction-free playing pleasure. It also had a rosewood fretboard, which is a major feature considering the price, and it was a huge benefit both in terms of feel and appearance. The fretwork was exquisite from top to bottom, and we were quite impressed.
Kramer Focus VT-211S
The list of premium materials used in the construction of the Kramer Focus VT-211S is one of its most outstanding features. This is by far the most affordable guitar on this list, yet it still has a solid mahogany body. Because it’s a Strat-style guitar, we expected it to be pleasant to play in any scenario. It had a beautiful maple neck with a maple fretboard.
The profile was tiny yet solid, and the back finish was a wonderful satin that made getting up and down the neck a genuine pleasure. When it came to fretwork, we were one again blown away by this Kramer. It was really well constructed for a guitar that cost less than $150. Everything was aligned properly, with no dead areas, buzzing, or harsh edges.
Squier Standard Telecaster
The Telecaster is the other big dog in the Fender lineup. The Telecaster actually appeared first, but players have been comparing the Stratocaster and Telecaster and disputing about which is better since the arrival of the younger brother Strat over 50 years ago. You sort of figure it out after a period of playing guitar.
Both of these instruments have classic designs that have endured the test of time, and while they each fill a slightly distinct niche, it really boils down to personal opinion. The Telecaster isn’t as versatile as the Strat but has a distinct tone. And if you’re seeking for the best option around $300, the Squier portfolio has a few of options.
Jackson JS32 Rhoads
Jackson guitar has long been associated with heavy metal guitar. Jackson guitars are sleek and fast, and have long been regarded as among the best guitars for shredders. The King V, Warrior, Rhoads, Dinky, and Kelly are all fantastic Jackson body designs, but the high-end models are out of reach for many players. Fortunately, Jackson does not exclude us financially constrained guitarists from the conversation.
The Jackson JS Series is a collection of classic Jackson guitars designed for beginners and intermediate musicians. They come standard with hot Jackson pickups, double-locking tremolos, quick necks, and the distinctive Jackson “shark fin” fret marks. If you like rock or metal, the Jackson JS series has some of the most cheap electric guitars on the market.
Epiphone SG Special VE Electric Guitar
The actual SG is expensive, but the Epiphone SG VE isn’t. Despite the fact that Epiphone is known for producing low-cost electric guitars, this model is loaded with features and is the best under $300. This is a good starting electric guitar with a mahogany body and neck, a slim-taper ‘D’ neck shape, and a scale length of 24.75 inches.
It has two open-coil humbuckers that produce a warm and powerful tone with deep and rich mids. The Tune-o-Matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece aid in improving sustain and intonation. Finally, the antique atmosphere and fully-carved SG body provide devilish looks that are difficult to resist.
Yamaha FG830
The Yamaha FG830 is a redesigned version of the iconic 1966 Yamaha FG180, and Yamaha has done an excellent job. This superb dreadnought boasts a fit and finish that much exceeds its price tag, with a solid Sitka spruce top, Nato back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard bridge combination. The FG830 is part of the well-known FG800 series, which is known for its rich and powerfully warm mids and lows.
This is something that is frequently absent in guitars at this price bracket. The rosewood fingerboard and bridge contribute significantly to the sustain that many guitarists seek. It has a beautiful narrow neck, which makes playing easier, faster, and smoother. In addition to being extremely adaptable, you can play almost any genre on this guitar and it will shine.
Final Words
Investing in the greatest electric guitar can make all the difference in the world, whether you’re a beginning guitarist or looking to amp up your solo. You’re not alone if you’re looking for a new electric guitar. Electric guitars are very popular instruments to purchase, whether you are a beginner, a teacher, or a rock star! Especially with our list of best guitars under $300, the cheaper guitars can be reasonable and of decent quality, offering outstanding performance.