The 7 Best Electric Guitars Under €500: Stratocaster, Telecaster, and SG
Check out these entry-level guitars to start rocking!
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The 7 Best Electric Guitars Under €500: Stratocaster, Telecaster, and SG · Source: Fender
If you’re just starting out on the guitar, are on a tight budget, or simply don’t want to spend a fortune on a new guitar, we’ve got a few suggestions for you. The best electric guitars under €500 in the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and SG categories offer beginners and casual players just the right combination of craftsmanship, sound, and value for money. Let’s take a closer look!
Our Picks:
Preliminary Thoughts on the Best Electric Guitars Under 500 Euros
The more expensive the guitar, the better and cleaner the sound, ie. free of noise and hum. Also, they must feel much smoother, lighter, and more durable, don’t they? That’s a widely held belief. And for a long time, that was true. But many of the electric guitars under €500 released in recent years (Strats, Teles, and SGs) are miles ahead of earlier models in terms of quality.
That’s why, when you’re looking for the best electric guitars under €500, you don’t have to research too long these days. That’s because many “off-the-shelf” models are now much better built. Note, that if you choose a particular model and are planning to play it for a long time, it’s highly recommended to have it set up after purchase, either at a local guitar shop or do it yourself to some extent.
Generally speaking, your our list of the best electric guitars under €500, use it as a starting point. Ask your guitar friends, research what your idols play (or what they started out with), and which model is best suited for which guitar tone. This will help you narrow down your search right away.
Stratocaster: The Best Electric Guitars Under €500 Among ST-Style Models
Stratocasters are practically synonymous with the electric guitar category. Not only did the Strat, introduced by Fender in 1954, celebrate its 70 anniversary in 2024, it’s also far more versatile than Telecasters and SGs when it comes to sound and features. Whether in the classic three-single-coil pickup configuration or with mixed pickup setups, there’s something here for just about every guitar tone.
Fender Squier Sonic Strat
When it comes to price, Fender’s originals are far from affordable for those on a tight budget. So, why not start by checking out Squier? After all, they offer an entire series of Strat models in a wide variety of colors and configurations.
A relatively new addition here is the Sonic series, which features Strat primarily in the classic SSS configuration (three single-coil pickups); shown here is a model in stylish Ultravoilet*.
Harley Benton ST-20
For a long time, many professional musicians rolled their eyes at the sheer mention of Harley Benton. But given the improvements in quality over the past few years, this model has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of when compared to the competition. The manufacturer has incorporated the same expertise found in its higher-priced models into this one, which costs less than 100 euros.
This guitar even features a tremolo (which, as a minor blunder in guitar history, should technically be called vibrato). It also comes with three single-coil pickups and a wide range of colors, led by the classic black ST model*; a real standout in “The Best Electric Guitars Under €500”!
ESP LTD MH-10 Black
If you’re looking for something a bit more of a metal vibe in both look and sound, this Strat is definitely worth a look. That is, if you can find it in a dark rehearsal room. Because it doesn’t get much blacker than the LTD MH-10 Black from ESP*.
Sound-wise, this guitar leans more toward heavy than funky. Two humbucker pickups at the bridge and neck positions deliver creamy solo tones and warm, crunchy chords. Which might be exactly what you’re looking for. Plus, the guitar comes with a gig bag included.
Telecaster
The Tele has always been somewhat overshadowed by the all-mighty Strat. Unfairly so! Not only is this model older and therefore more mature, but it also delivers such a versatile tone that you’ll find it not only in jazz and fusion but also in metal.
Fender Squier Affinity Tele: Best Electric Guitars Under €500
As with ST-style models, there’s a distinction between Fender’s premium models and the budget versions from its subsidiary Squier for Telecasters. And the Affinity series offers some very stylish models here. What’s typical of T-style guitars, aside from the body shape, is the placement of the two single-coil pickups.
And you’ll find that on the Affinity models, too. As an example, we’ve selected out a model here in stylish “Lake Placid Blue”* for you. It doesn’t get much more surf-inspired than this!
Harley Benton TE-52 NA Vintage
This T-model is already 15 years old. And it’s still one of the most popular (and, in my opinion, prettiest) guitars of its kind at Thomann. Completely unpainted, truly natural.
The TA-52 is one of the best budget electric guitars out there, coming surprisingly close to the Tele sound. Those two Alnico 5 single-coil pickups really pack a punch!
Best Electric Guitars Under €500: SG
The SG (short for solid-body guitar) is to Gibson what the Tele is to Fender: always in the shadow of the more famous model, in this case, the Les Paul. But quite a few prefer an SG to a Les Paul, simply because it’s usually a whole lot lighter and often because it has a very distinctive sound. It’s not a Hendrix Strat, not a Slash Les Paul, not a Jeff Buckley Tele.
Epiphone SG Tribute Plus CB
What Squier is for Fender, Epiphone is for Gibson: budget electric versions of iconic guitars. And the SG Tribute Plus* model is stylistically at home in virtually every guitar genre. Its strengths, however, lie most notably in crunchy and distorted sounds. It isn’t quite as affordable as many Squier models, but in return, you get two actual humbuckers.
Then there’s the angular body, a design you either love or hate, both in terms of looks and comfort. But if you’re looking for a guitar sound that’s close to the legendary original, take a closer look at this model.
ESP LTD Viper-10 BLK
To be fair, this model is not a “real” or nearly real SG among the best electric guitars under €500. That’s because, to get as close as possible to the sound, it would need to come with a mahogany body. And that’s pretty hard to find in this price range outside of Epiphone.
But when it comes to looks, other features, and playability, this LTD Viper-10* in menacing black comes pretty close to the original. Sure, the body is shaped a little differently, but combined with the color, it really makes quite an impression!
Conclusion
What’s your favorite electric guitar under €500? What was your first guitar, and how long did you play it?
Let us know in the comments!
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2 responses to “The 7 Best Electric Guitars Under €500: Stratocaster, Telecaster, and SG”
Thanks for the article..I’m 5o and have been the owner of about 14 guitars since I was 15.. I mainly play acoustic. but have just bought an electric guitar (2nd hand) An Ibanez SA series, with a 4 single coil conf..A double at the bridge and 2 singles. I love the neck and for 250 aud It’s really good condition. and he threw In a Squire SP 10 amp.😁my 20’s I had a red squire strat which I loved..I also have a Washburn elec/acoustic cut away.. Among yamaha classical etc Anyway I thought your short sweet summaries on each guitar is perfect for someone with a short span of attention like me . 😁 cheers ✌️🇦🇺🎶
This list is utter bollocks, because the best guitars under $500 USD are neither SGs, Strats or Teles from the big US manufacturers. The best sub-$500 guitars originate from East Asian and Japanese companies.