Best Electric Guitars 2021: 10 guitars that rocked our world this year!
The Best Guitars of 2021 by Fender, Epiphone, Ibanez, Ivison, Duesenberg, Eastman, Gretsch and Squier
Time to look back to the last 12 months and share our favourite guitars from 2021. Our list contains all the top guitars from all price points and contains the models that impressed us the most – these guitars stood out from the crowd and offered something a bit off the beaten path (well, mostly)…
Ibanez Paul Gilbert PGM FRM300
This purple incarnation of an Ibanez signature model was a great way to kick off 2021 – the Paul Gilbert PGM FRM300 just had to be on this list. Loaded with three DiMarzio PG-13 mini humbuckers in chrome covers, this hardtail model looks like a weapon, and if you want something that stands out from the crowd, this purple beast is it!


Ibanez FRM300-PR Paul Gilbert
Gretsch Vintage Select โ89 Jet
A beautiful looking guitar! With this stunning finish it’s certainly no wallflower. The Gretsch Vintage Select โ89 Jet was based on the guitar used by the late Chris Cornell and is available in three colours, Gold Sparkle, Silver Sparkleย orย Black. This model comes loaded with a TV Jones Classic Plus in the bridge and aย Classic in the neck position. Visually stunning, all told, and judging by the demos we’ve heard, tonally as well.


Gretsch G6129T-89VS 89 SJ Bgsby SSP
Eastman Romeo LA
This semi-hollow Eastmanย Romeo LA caught my eye earlier in 2021. It’s got a spruce laminate top with mahogany laminate back and sides, and is paired with a set maple neck with a 22-fret ebony fretboard. I really love the stunning nitrocellulose Celestine Blue finish as well.
A pair of Seymour Duncan Radiator Gold Foil P-90 pickups look perfect against that sumptuous blue finish, and they should also sound as good as they look. Then the nickel-plated Gรถldo TLT2N vibrato tailpiece andย Gรถldo three-point Vario bridge with stainless steel saddles is paired with a set of Gรถldo locking tuners for ability – you should be able to shimmer your chords nicely whilst staying in tune!
Duesenberg The Falken
Much like the Eastman above, ย Duesenberg’s The Falken stood out to be through a combination of stunning looks and an interesting body shape. I feel this one’s a real winner. All that brushed aluminium against a black finish gives it a touch ย of class.
Plus, it has a pair of ย Split/King pickups capable of producing real single-coil and humbucker tones. So you get the best of both worlds with this model. Available as either a hardtail or with a vibrato, you get some nice choices as well.


Duesenberg Falken Tremolo BK
Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth
This Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealthย offers some great features, and also looks pretty amazing. And all for well under a grand!
This model comes fitted with a pair of Epiphone Alnico Classic ProBuckers 1 and 2 humbuckers, and I’m really liking the gold/black vibe of the guitar, plus those diamond shape f-holes look great, too.


Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth
Ivison Guitars The Dakota
The Dakota from Ivison Guitarsย was a standout model for me. This UK builder is making some absolutely killer hand-made instruments, and is fast gaining a worldwide reputation for his work. This guitar features a a three-piece Premium African Mahoganyย body with a raised centre block and โwingsโ, plus a one piece Honduran mahogany neck, with a bound Indian rosewood fingerboard.
You also get a pairย hand wound Sunbear Sunbird pickups, so it will sound as good as it looks.
Epiphone Jared James Nichols Gold Glory
At the other end of the price scale, this single P90 tone machine is a winner. I think the Epiphone Jared James Nichols Gold Gloryย deserves to be played by everyone at some point in their lifetime. It’s a great guitar – do not be fooled by that single Seymour Duncan P90. This beast is full of awesome tones!


Epiphone Jared James Nichols Gold Glory
Fenderย J Mascis Telecaster
The Fenderย J Mascisย Telecaster signature model is based on the Dinosaur Jr. frontmanโs own refinished โ58 Telecaster he acquired from a recording studio. It features a Road Worn maple neck, top-loader bridge, mirrored chrome pickguard and a pair of custom wound J Mascis Telecaster pickups. I love how that Bottle Rocket Blue Flake finish and mirror pickguard take this Telecaster to another level visually. And I love top loader Teles!
Ibanez AZES
Why did Ibanez not make guitars this good when I was a kid? I think Ibanez has hit a home run with these new AZES models, and the price is spot on. Based on the more expensive Premium and Prestige ranges, I think these are pretty stunning guitars given the price.
The AZES40 HSS model is available in Purist Blue, Black, and Mint Green, while the AZES31 SSS models areย available in Vermilion and Ivory.


Ibanez AZES40-MGR
Squier CV Late 50s Jazzmaster
Another great affordable model in 2021 was the new Squier CV Late 50s Jazzmaster – and it looks great, as well. Available in a ย 2-tone sunburst or aย white blonde finish, this offset model is based on the original Jazzmasters of the late 1950s.
Loaded with a pair of Fender Designed Alnico single-coils, it should get you close to those classic Jazzmaster tones without breaking the bank. I’m a big fan of the Squier Classic Vibe models and this one should be on your list of budget guitars to check out.
What were your favourite new guitars this year? Let us know in the comments below.
- Ibanez Paul Gilbert PGM FRM300 a luscious purple shredder with style: Ibanez
- Gretsch Vintage Select โ89 Jet: Gretsch
- Eastman Romeo LA thinline semi-hollow: Eastman
- Duesenberg The Falken: Duesenberg
- Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth: Thomann
- Ivison Guitars announces The Dakota: Ivison Guitars
- Epiphone Jared James Nichols Gold Glory: Facebook/Jared James Nichols
- Fender J Mascis Telecaster: Fender
- Ibanez AZES40 in Purist Blue: Ibanez
- Squier CV Late 50s Jazzmaster a quality budget offset?: Thomann