Solid-Body
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Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS
The American Ultra II HSS is about as far from “just another Strat” as you can get. The new stainless steel frets make bending effortless and will likely last decades. The compound radius fretboard feels fast without being clinical, while the Modern “D” neck with rolled edges is smooth and broken-in from day one. -
Harley Benton R-446
Overall, for $133 plus $60 shipping, you will be hard pressed to find a guitar that competes with the Harley Benton R-446. This is a great beginner guitar, but as I also say about the lower priced Harley Benton guitars: The R-446 is a great mod platform for experienced guitarists. If you gave me $100 and a couple of hours, I could mod this guitar to be BEAST. -
Harley Benton Fusion-T HT EMG
Honestly? This guitar plays like a mid-tier Schecter, something like the Sun Valley Super Shredder, but at less than half the price. And I’m not just talking about the specs; I mean the actual feel. If you covered up the headstock and handed it to me blindfolded, I’d swear it was a $1,000+ guitar from Schecter or Charvel. -
Harley Benton SC Custom VBK
Overall, the Harley Benton SC Custom is an absolute monster of a guitar. It has just about every upgrade you could want, and it even comes with a gig bag for $369! This is a lot of guitar for the money, and I would totally gig this guitar. The SC Custom is one of the best Harley Benton guitars for Metal, Rock, or just about any genre! -
Manson Meta Series Matt Bellamy MBM-2H
The MBM-2H stands out as one of the most creative and player-focused guitars in its price range. From the stutter-ready kill button to the sleek compound radius neck and rock-solid locking tuners, it’s clearly designed for musicians who want more than just another entry-level instrument. While it doesn’t have every premium detail of Matt Bellamy’s custom builds, it captures the spirit and functionality in a package that’s actually affordable. -
Jackson JS22 Dinky
I didn’t even have to crank the amp, this thing came alive as soon as I hit a power chord. The neck feels almost unfairly fast for this price point, and once I got used to the 12″-16″ compound radius, runs and legato felt effortless. You’re not getting boutique appointments here, but what you do get is a focused, aggressive guitar that begs for distortion pedals and tight palm mutes. -
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS Maple Fingerboard
This guitar doesn’t try to reinvent the Strat wheel, and that’s a good thing. It sticks to the fundamentals and executes them well. The HSS pickup combo makes it more flexible than your average beginner Strat, and the neck? Super smooth. I played some blues licks, pop chord progressions and some speedier metal riffs back-to-back and didn’t feel like I was out of bounds tone-wise. Sure, it’s basic but it plays better than it should at this price. Pretty typical of what you get with Squier’s these days. They’re damn impressive. -
Fender Standard Telecaster
This is the Telecaster to grab if you want that signature tone without spending Custom Shop money. It’s got all the essentials—bright bridge snap, mellow neck warmth, and a neck that feels good for hours of play. Are the ceramic pickups a little hotter than vintage types? Sure. But they cut through a mix like a hot knife through butter. And that gloss body with a maple board? Just looks right. -
Fender Jack White Triplecaster Telecaster
This isn’t just a “signature model.” It’s an idea machine. The pickup mix is totally unique, the stutter switch is addictive, and the “Direct-To-Jack” mode turns this thing into a sonic sledgehammer. The soft V neck is surprisingly comfortable, and the maple board feels slick. I don’t always get hyped about signature guitars, but this one’s different: it’s not built to copy Jack White’s tone, it’s built to encourage you to make your own. -
Epiphone Les Paul Custom Quilt Limited-Edition
This one’s a total sleeper hit. The quilted mahogany top looks boutique-level from a few feet away, and when I plugged it in, the ProBuckers impressed me right out of the gate. You get that Les Paul growl in the bridge and a smooth, creamy neck tone for leads and cleans. It feels solid, plays fast, and doesn’t skimp on the fancy details. It’s not a Gibson—but if you’re not trying to drop three grand, you won’t care. -
Schecter Demon-6 FR-S
This guitar surprised me. I expected “budget metal guitar,” but what I got was a legit shredder with real tone and tight playability. The Floyd stayed in tune even after some brutal divebombs, and the active pickups delivered a crisp, defined attack through high-gain amps. The neck? Fast. Really fast. Is it perfect? No—but for under $600, it’s got everything a metalhead needs to get started or gig confidently. -
Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s Double Trouble
This one hits like a proper Les Paul should—chunky low end, thick mids, and that upper-mid clarity that sings when you roll the tone back. But the real standout is the feel: the SlimTaper neck is lightning-quick without being too thin, and the faded nitro finish makes it feel like an old friend. The Double Trouble may be a limited run, but it plays like something you’d gig and record with every day. -
PRS SE Studio Standard
I wasn’t sure what to expect when PRS dropped this model into the SE line, but wow—it’s legit. The pickup layout is a refreshing break from the usual HH or HSS suspects, and the tones are wide open. The neck is instantly comfortable, and I didn’t want to put it down. Honestly? It feels like a Studio Session MVP that just happens to cost under a grand. -
Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Jazzmaster
I was ready to love the looks and tolerate the rest but this thing genuinely feels great. That neck is silky, and the tones you get with the rhythm circuit engaged? Warm and rounded in all the right ways. Sure, the trem isn’t built for dive bombs, but for expressive swells and subtle wiggles, it’s more than enough. It’s not just a beginner’s Jazzmaster; it’s a real Jazzmaster that just happens to be under $400. -
Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Custom Telecaster SH
This one surprised me. I expected it to be a looker, but it’s more than just a pretty face. The SH setup gives you that sweet Tele snap and a mellow neck warmth you don’t usually get from a stock Squier. Sure, the electronics are barebones, but the guitar itself plays beautifully—and the tone out of the box is way better than you’d expect for this price. -
Jackson Pro Series Signature Lee Malia LM-87
I didn’t know what to expect going in. Offset shapes aren’t usually my thing—but after ten minutes with the LM-87, I forgot all about that. This guitar balances bite and body in a way that most metal guitars just don’t. It’s comfy, snappy, and, honestly, way more versatile than it looks. Jackson’s onto something with this one.
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