The mahogany neck feels thin, fast, and insanely playable. Get the latest news, reviews and product advice straight to your inbox. While not as overtly modern as the Player Plus Telecaster offerings, the standard Player Telecaster keeps things stripped-back yet not overly vintage. Build: Alder body, roasted maple bolt-on neck with 12/305mm radius, roasted maple fretboard, 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets, 12 radius Fender applies the Ultra treatment to this underground classic, turning it into the ultimate modern Jazzmaster. So, if youre looking for a versatile LP style axe, thats extremely friendly on your wallet, then look no further than the ESP LTD EC-256. If youre adding a new guitar to an existing collection, then perhaps consider something different to what youve already got - that way, you can cover more ground, sonically. Electronics: 2x gold-foil mini-humbuckers, one volume, one tone Daryl Robertson From Charcoal Burst and Faded Whale Blue to the delicious Dark Cherry Sunburst there really is a finish to suit every players tastes. The dual Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups and string-through bridge design ensure you get the classic Tele twang you are looking for, while the slim neck - with gloss finish - is effortless to play for beginners or pros. Not for those who need a full semi-hollow. Hence why both have earned a spot on our list. You never need to worry about excess noise, as the Jazzmaster comes loaded with a set of Ultra Noiseless Vintage Jazzmaster pickups, bringing all the vintage flavor you'd ever want, just without the hum! The fretboard is also carved to a relatively flat 12-inch radius, meaning playing all the way up the board is a breeze. published 19 May 22, We run down the best electric guitars for all budgets currently available from the likes of Gibson, Fender, PRS, Reverend and more. Wont convert Strat purists. Its enough for chunky metal tones, but dynamic and responsive enough for blues, rock, soul - even pop. (Bridge Pickup), 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles, Pop-In Tremolo Arm and Cold-Rolled Steel Block, Miami Blue, Black, Dark Night, Mercury, Mystic Surf Green, Olympic White, Roasted Pine, Sienna Sunburst, 3-Color Sunburst, Laminated Sycamore / Soft Maple Center Block, Front Volume, Rear Volume, Front Tone, Rear Tone, 3-Position Toggle Switch, Volume 1. I'm a firm believer that most of the world's problems can be solved with a Gibson SG and a catastrophically loud amp. Price: 1,359 / $1,599.99 This might be in the form of coil split, or tapped humbuckers, as seen on the LTD EC-256, different pickup styles like on the Reverend, or clever switching systems, like the one on board the Fender Ultra Jazzmaster. This solid mahogany guitar has not just been a firm favorite of Angus Young, but also Derek Truck, Tony Iommi, and Frank Zappa. Electronics: 2x Seymour Duncan STR52-1 single-cooils (neck and middle), 1x Seymour Duncan SM-1b mini-humbucker (bridge), 5-way blade switch, one volume, one tone. Think about what sound youre after. Bringing the noise is a set of Burstbucker 61R/61T pickups. Pickups are also excellent, voiced for plenty of articulate sparkle on the cleans. If the other semi-hollows on this list have been a little too modern, then perhaps Gibsons ES-339 is the one for you. Might be too stripped-back for some. This kept everything players loved about its big brother but shrunk the body down to a more manageable size. From rock, to pop, to R&B, to country, metal, soul, jazz and beyond, youll likely hear the sound of an electric guitar somewhere in the mix. The ESP Eclipse may have started life as a tribute to another very famous single-cut - and the guitar that takes our number one slot - but it has gone on to develop a following all of its own. Hardware: Either a two-piece hardtail bridge and tailpiece or a Wilkinson Stratocaster vibrato, Tusq nut, Grover locking tuners +Excellent pickups Suppose you are in the market for a reliable, well-built, gorgeous semi-hollow guitar. The electric guitar is one of the most ubiquitous instruments in music. All three pickup positions offer plenty of spank. Hardware: ABR-1 tune-o-matic bridge and aluminium hardtail, Grover Rotomatic tuners, Hardware: 2-point six-saddle vibrato, Fender rear-locking tuners Scale Length: 25.5 / 648mm, + Killer offset looks This has to be one of the most unique-looking guitars on the market today. Electronics: 490R humbucker (neck) 498T humbucker (bridge), two push-pull (coil-split) volume controls, two tone controls High quality hardware, including locking tuners ensure great tuning stability and plenty of resonance. Like the original St Vincent, these pickups are actually mini-humbuckers, not true gold-foils. For example, a guitar with two humbuckers and a three-way pickup selector might have everything you need. The slim and comfortable C-shaped neck profile is incredibly playable and is a great jumping-off point for most players. Slightly divisive Bisby is only vibrato option. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. Scale Length: 24.75 / 629mm, + Affordable entry point into the world of the Silver Sky The neck is notably an excellent-feeling one, with a rather unique 8.5-inch radius fretboard that splits the difference between the rounded, vintage feel of a 7.25-inch early Strat and a more modern board. However, all the instruments on this list sound great, are reliable and will tick a range of metaphorical boxes for players with a specific set of needs. The chambered mahogany body is light and resonant so is ideal for gigging, while the reshaped neck profile is a joy to play. That said, youll often see some of the biggest rock guitarists in the world favouring the likes of a Gibson Les Paul or SG; country players are often drawn to the twang of a Fender Telecaster; semi-hollow and hollowbody guitars are great for jazz and blues, and the likes of the Fender Strat is great for pretty much anything. I also have a passion for live sound; I'm a fully qualified sound engineer with experience working in various venues in Scotland. What might be the best for one person, wont necessarily be right for another. Scale Length: 25.5 / 648mm, + Timeless Telecaster design Build: Weight-relieved mahogany body, maple top, Slim Taper profile mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, 22 frets The semi-hollow construction as ever is a good combination with a lower-gain sound. This years version of the iconic guitar features a 60s rounded neck profile, bound rosewood fingerboard, long tenon, and of course a solid mahogany body. Super high-output pickups are more likely to present problems for the rest of the signal chain, and thats because ts easier to get sparkling cleans when your pickups arent hammering the front of your pedals or amplifier. If you wanted to start playing the electric guitar back in the day, your choice of weapons was very limited. Price: $699.99 / 569 Whats best for you boils down to personal preference, though many fast lead or shred-style players feel more at home with a thinner neck profile, while others find a chunkier, more vintage or rounded profile better. The dedicated bridge tone control is a nice touch, too, letting you tame the ice-pick attack that can occur with a single-coil in the bridge position. Fenders Player Plus range is all about modernising classic designs. Scale Length: 24.72/628mm, + Classic looks with modern specs Scale Length: 24.75 / 629mm, + Sleek, speedy playability It's hard to deny how good an ES-335 sounds. In case that wasn't enough, the 5-way position switch, and dual toggle switches mean you can have 12 different tones! So if a traditional guitar simply wont cut it, then its worth considering this surprisingly budget-friendly offset. - and the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster might just be the most technologically advanced the offset has ever been. + Versatile electronics Modern, ergonomic touches such as all-access neck heels, flatter fretboard radii and so on are also going to be more common on this list than vintage-correct specs just because of the sheer amount of fretboard acrobatics neo soul requires. Depending on your preferences, the guitar is available in HSS and SSS configurations. Our pick for the best beginner option has to be the Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe. The rest of the guitar is standard Telecaster fare: and theres a reason the designs stuck around since the 1950s. Its everything a Strat should be, without having to spend an extortionate amount. Shredders will rejoice at the hand-rubbed, speed neck profile and heel cut, while its more traditional body style and overall aesthetic appeal to a much wider audience. The key takeaway is to look for a guitar that can convey harmonies well. The November 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! The guitar boasts a period-correct and comfortable early 60s C neck profile, vintage style frets and a 7.25 fingerboard radius lending it a vintage-style feel. Featuring Gibson's tried and true combination of a solid mahogany body, an elegant flame-maple top, and a highly playable slim taper neck. The Gibson SG - the horned devil that has been the best-selling Gibson Guitar of all time. At the heart of the guitar sits the PRS Narrowfield, sandwiched between two 58/15 LT humbuckers - a deadly combination that certainly delivers a massive range of tones. This new and improved entry-level Yamaha is as simple as it comes, choosing to forgo fancy features in favor of a fairly no-nonsense approach. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This striking guitar has a pretty impressive list of specs. Well, maybe dive-bombs but they arent particularly common in neo soul. Initially, you might think that the best electric guitar has to be expensive - this isnt the case, as proven by some of the great, more budget-friendly options on our list. Whether Yamaha is making guitars, pianos, trumpets, mixing desks, or motorbikes they do it to the absolute highest standard - and nothing showcases this more than the Yamaha SA2200. Neo soul guitar tones are most often clean and articulate, with a focus on clarity so those beautifully complex chord voicings really sing rather than power. New York, + Three voices for the neck pickup This guitar doesnt just look the part, but its also primed for neo soul playing. Today, however, there are more entry-level guitars than you can shake a stick at - with lots of them looking almost identical to their more expensive counterparts. By The HSS arrangement is also handy, offering a wide selection of sounds. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). The pickups here are actually mini-humbuckers, which have their own very unique tonality thanks to their smaller footprint along the length of the string. + Noiseless pickups Electronics: 3 635JM S single-coil pickups, volume and two tone controls, 5-way blade pickup switch The Jazzmaster hasn't changed all that much since it made its debut in 1958 - quite the year for the electric guitar! This guitar is a breeze to play, featuring an incredibly comfortable "modern D" profile neck with a 10"-14" compound-radius fingerboard. It's not all about the looks, though. NY 10036. The Charvel DK24 is super versatile and boasts amazing playability and great looks, earning its place on our list of the best electric guitars. Players; beginners and pros alike, often ponder on what is the best electric guitar, if there is one at all. + Coil-splittable humbuckers + More ergonomic than a full 335 While the tapered neck heel allows unprecedented access to the higher frets. Pickups play the biggest part in your guitars sound. Hardware: Telecaster-style three-saddle bridge, locking tuners Like most second installments, this guitar is very similar to its predecessor, with a few minor changes. Electronics: Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbucker (bridge) and 2x Hyperion single-coils (middle and neck), 5-Way Super Switch with coil-split, volume, tone, dyna-MIX9 switching system with Alter switch These Alnico V pickups are dripping with vintage mojo and offer a clear, punchy tone that can't help but invoke sounds of rock royalty. The best electric guitar might also look different to a professional player with a few decades worth of experience under their belt, than it will to a beginner seeking their first entry into the world of guitars. Both the V60LPs and the SSVs are renowned for their dynamic, lively take on the sounds of vintage pickups: perfect for articulate cleans and warm, singing drive sounds. + Unique features If youre just starting out playing, then you probably wont benefit from some of the features on many top-end models, so you neednt spend loads to get a great electric guitar. One of the most popular from this range is the G5622T - and its easy to see why. In that case, Yamaha SA2200 is one of the best around. Watch: Metallica and Stranger Things star play Master Of Puppets backstage at Lollapalooza 2022. First and foremost, I'm a guitar enthusiast a fanatic, some might say. Electronics: 2x or 3x V60LP single coils, SSV humbucker if HSS chosen, 5-way blade switch, one volume, two tone controls Build: Alder body with 3-piece set maple neck, ebony fretboard, It's easy to think we've seen every possible shape for an electric guitar, but then along comes Reverend with the Double Agent. Superfast S-type look might not be for you. The love child of a Telecaster and Les Paul, with maybe a little offset thrown in there for good measure, this is a truly striking looking guitar. So if you are looking for a modern take on a classic, then this guitar is definitely worth considering. The Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers do a surprisingly good job at recreating the PAF tone, and the rounded neck profile is incredibly satisfying to play. Price: 939 / $1,099.99 Well, in fact, the feel and - more importantly - sound completely different. GuitarPlayer is supported by its audience. This absolutely gorgeous guitar is Ibanezs take on the double-cut hollowbody. Its hard to believe just how affordable this stylish guitar is. It may have a wallet-friendly price, but it certainly doesnt scrimp on quality - or playability for that matter. Hardware: Tusq nut, Suhr locking tuners, Gotoh 510 vibrato Epiphone now offers the pint-sized hollow-body at a far more affordable price and doesn't scrimp on the quality. Gibson has taken a back-to-basics approach with the Les Paul Standard '60s and released a guitar that harkens back to the golden era of this stunning single-cut. Price: 1,799 / $1,999.99 The ebony fingerboard carries on the theme of high-end and luxury, while the split block inlays clearly take inspiration from the likes of the ES-345. To find the best electric guitar for you, its worth making a few careful considerations before parting with your cash. Hardware: VT06 floating tailpiece, Ibanez tuners Looking for a new axe to make some neo soul? Its hour-glass figure is reminiscent of the Gibson Firebird but more angular and futuristic - maybe if Ray Dietrich designed hover cars, this is the guitar he would have made. Electronics: Two Super 58 humbuckers, individual tone and volume controls, Tri Sound split/series/parallel switch for the neck pickup Might be too simple for some. Read more on how we test gear and service at Guitar Player. Most important for this list however are the pickups a pair of Player Series Alnico VTelecaster pickups, which have a slightly softer voicing than the most modern single-coils on this list, but are by no means underpowered. However, traditionalists will be happy to hear that there is a maple center block present at the heart of this classy guitar, and it provides the much-needed mid-range push and feedback-busting qualities you'd expect from an ES-style guitar. + Lots of ergonomic touches. Build: Alder body with bolt-on maple neck, 9.5 radius maple fretboard, 22 frets Hardware: Tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece, GraphTech nut, Grover tuners The three-pickups and five-way switch offer a range of tones you simply can't achieve on other guitars - with clever switching and parlor tricks, you can get close, but you can't nail those Strat tones perfectly without a genuine Stratocaster. GuitarPlayer is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It just wouldnt be a Gretsch if it didnt sport the iconic Bigsby, and the one on offer here works very well-staying in tune beautifully - and adds just the right amount of wobble to your chords and lead lines. Expect plenty of bite and twang from the bridge pickup, alongside mellow warmth in the neck pickup position, with some great sounds in between too. This guitar is available in a jaw-dropping 19 finishes! Electronics: 3x Player Plus Noiseless Strat pickups, five-way blade selector switch, volume, tone (middle and neck), push/pull bridge tone (adds neck pickup to positions one and two) This Squier not only offers superb value for money but also a fun take on a classic. + Affordable Having a pickup with a restrained sound will help the audience focus on the playing better than a muddy, distorted tone. Build: Linden hollow double-cutaway body, three-piece nyatoh and maple set neck You will receive a verification email shortly. Build: 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple top and back, set mahogany neck, spruce bracing, maple centreblock, 12 rosewood fretboard, 22 frets It really does have it all - the sound, the look, the feel - and certainly gives the Gibson a run for its money. Yes, Gretsch does the country thing better than most, but they can do so much more - go ask Billy Duffy. No coil-split for the humbuckers. This isnt a metal-focused shredder, but the generous heel carve, the 22 jumbo frets and the relatively-flat 12-inch radius make this a fast-playing dream. If youre more into humbuckers, then you dont need to look much further than the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s. While it can absolutely nail traditional jazz tones, it still has some tricks up its sleeve: mainly, the Tri-Sound switch, which operates on the neck pickup only. Theres also a Dry switch that enhances the top end a little, and controls the low end. John Mayers Strat-inspired PRS Signature model caused a stir when it was released, and another even bigger stir when the affordable SE version was announced. This Mex-made Vintera Tele is a great replication of the renowned 60s models, with the addition of a Bigsby tailpiece (though if that trem unit isnt your thing, its also available as a hardtail). That's why Gibson introduced the ES-339 in 2007. The humbucker is medium output, with strong bass frequencies and a slight mid-scoop. From forward-thinking modern guitars to vintage classics. You have to constantly remind yourself that this guitar is under $/500 while playing it. So if you are looking for a truly unique guitar that's deceptively versatile and effortless to play, then this might be the guitar for you. The AZ-2204-HRMs combination of the sleek, thin design approach Ibanez is known for, and the more vintage take on the S-type make this an excellent choice for neo soul. There are no hard and fast rules about using certain guitars for specific types of music; in a nutshell, any guitar can be used for anything - its all down to the player. This lightweight starter guitar draws inspiration from the classic 72 Fender Deluxe Telecaster and is loaded with a set of Squier humbuckers, delivering bags of rich, rock tones. + Gorgeous aesthetics There are various different styles of pickup, all with their own unique tonal characteristics, but they can largely be split up into single-coils, humbuckers and P-90s. Might be aimed too far towards traditional jazz for some. Build: Alder body, bolt-on maple neck, ebony fretboard, 12 fretboard radius, 22 frets As such, weve covered a lot of ground in our list of the best electric guitars currently available. Price: 2,399 / $2,999 When humbuckers do appear, theyre more often voiced more on the vintage end of the spectrum, with mellow brightness from the bridge pickup and warm woodiness from the neck pickup. Its a classic for a reason and Gibsons Original series harks back to the companys golden era, with vintage style tones, looks and feel.
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