Choosing the right guitar is an important decision for any musician. When you find the instrument you love and personally connect with, you will start to enjoy the art of music so much more! Needless to say, the quality of the sound of your guitar will vastly improve.
This is why after some careful research and listening to insight from notable artists across the world, I have put together a detailed list that will help you in your guitar selection process!
Keep in mind that we all have different tastes and look for distinct things in our instruments! Some instruments have strong characteristics in certain areas but weaker ones in others. This is why I have labeled each guitar according to its unique aspect.
Price Range = $1499-$1999
The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster is known to be one of the best Stratocasters and has been frequently ranked as the best overall electric guitar. It is recognized for its incredible sound production, quality, and sweet pick-up tones. It produces a very warm and smooth tone with sensitive tremolo. Once tuned, this electric guitar also maintains its intonation very well. It is also notable for its heel cut, which provides easy access to the higher range of the guitar and can make playing overall feel much more effortless.
Price Range = $499-$1099
The Fender Player Plus Telecaster is an amazing choice for warm and sweet in-between tones. The noiseless pick-ups make the instrument easily playable, and the modern 6-saddle Tele bridge offers a touch of brightness with precise intonation. The electric guitar is loved by many intermediate players as the locking tuners also make tuning effortless and allow for quick string changes. It is known to be a particularly wonderful instrument for a relatively low cost, making it a popular electric guitar.
Price Range = $2299-$2799
The Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s is a popular choice for country, jazz, and pop music as its tonal range and sustain make it suitable for various musical styles. The pickup sounds are absolutely phenomenal, and there are a variety of different combinations. It is also recognized as one of the best Les Pauls in centuries as it is slightly different from the rest of them. The Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60 has a much slimmer neck allowing for easier fast solos and intricate fingerwork. Overall, the electric guitar is crafted with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, which contributes to its remarkable sound quality and playability.
Special Characteristics
Price Range = $199-$329
The Fender CD-60s All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar offers the whole package. It is great for numerous genres of music, has easy playability, and produces an open and projective tone. While many professional guitarists own this guitar, it is also known to be a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable playability.
Price Range = $439-$549
The Martin LX1E Little Martin Acoustic Guitar is internationally recognized as singer/songwriter, Ed Sheeran, uses this guitar in his performances and recordings. This guitar is also known for its travel-friendly size and smaller body shape, which contribute to its comfortable playability and resonant, well-balanced sound. Another of the model’s specialties is that it comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone pickup system. This makes it a versatile choice for live concerts as well.
