Best electric guitars 2024
1. Squier Bullet Mustang
SPECIFICATIONS
When choosing an electric guitar for a child, there are a number of things to consider. The guitar itself has to be reasonably light to ensure smaller shoulders can cope. It needs to be easy enough to play for small hands, with an appropriately sized neck. And it needs to look cool. Because, let’s face it, at that age the look of the guitar arguably trumps its ability to traverse multiple tonal areas.
There are a few dedicated mini versions of regular guitars, but we’ve gone for one that is full-sized, fully equipped and affordable. The Squier Bullet Mustang features a slightly smaller scale length which, combined with the basswood body, makes it easy to get to grips with. But, importantly, its double humbuckers ensure it can keep up with most grown-up guitars. It is one of the most badass Squier guitars we’ve played in a long while and easily one of the best beginner electric guitars on the market.
2. PRS SE Custom 24
SPECIFICATIONS
To many, the Custom 24 presents the pinnacle of PRS design, and the thing about great guitar design is that it translates well at different price points. The SE Custom 24 is stunning in anyone’s book.
The Wide Thin neck profile strikes a neat balance between comfort and speed. The flame maple veneer strikes a neat balance between opulence and ostentatious. Everything about this guitar’s design seems to exist in perfect equilibrium.
Other options in the SE Custom 24 line include the eye-popping Burled Ash and big-ticket 35th Anniversary models. Whichever you choose, you’ll be rewarded with a super-stable vibrato, bridge pickup that can handle everything from southern rock snarl to metal chunk, with neck humbucker tones that are inherently suited to blues, rock and showing off your comping skills. The coil-taps open up a whole range of possibilities – country, funk, you name it. Better yet, you can grab this do-it-all axe for a lot less, with these PRS SE Custom 24 deals.
3. Ibanez Genesis Collection RG550
The best electric guitar for shredders
SPECIFICATIONS
Within guitar styles, there are certain sub-genres. Arguably the biggest niche is guitars made for heavy styles of music. This manifests itself in the body styling, ergonomics and hardware, with certain brands – like ESP and Schecter – dominating this world. But it’s arguably the biggest name in metal guitars we’ve opted for here, and in one of their most iconic models.
Step forward the Ibanez RG550. Reissued last year, and based on an absolute legend of the genre, the RG550 is engineered specifically with metal in mind. The wafer-thin neck, locking trem, locking nut and high-output humbuckers give this guitar everything it needs to shred.
4. Fender Vintera ’60s Telecaster Modified
SPECIFICATIONS
Vibe is a somewhat nebulous concept. Essentially, it’s a guitar which evokes a certain mood or level of cool. While any number of axes could fit the bill, we’ve gone for the excellent Fender Vintera ’60s Telecaster Modified, as frankly, we love it.
The Vintera combines a simple Tele layout with some clever tweaks under the hood and oodles of aforementioned vibe.
Underneath the standard alder body, you get access to some pretty unique pickup options. A special four-way switch offers both single coil pickups in series, while the S-1 switch on the volume knob inverts the phase giving you plenty of usable tones to choose from.
5. Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM
SPECIFICATIONS
The original Superstrat returns and we think it’s never looked better. This is one where we are best ignoring the name on the headstock and getting our heads around a guitar that offers lightning-quick playability, heavy-duty humbucker tones, the snap and twang of a Strat, and a boutique feel, all for around a grand.
Everything about this is geared towards the player. Firstly to performance, with Luminlay side-markers helpful in onstage conditions, rolled fretboard edges and a 12″-16″ compound fingerboard radius helpful to anyone who wants to give their chops a workout.
Tone-wise, this is what you make it. The stacked bridge ‘bucker is a modern classic that’ll eat up high-gain and squeal when needed, but is also rich in detail. The Strat pickups in the middle and neck positions allow you to sell the illusion that it really does say Fender on that Stratocaster headstock.
6. Gibson ES-335 Satin
SPECIFICATIONS
And now for something completely different. When you think about jazz guitars, you think large bodies, semi-hollow construction and warm humbuckers. Combine these things together and you get an instrument capable of producing those silky smooth, rounded tones which form the cornerstone of jazz guitar.
The Gibson ES-335 is a heavyweight in this field. It marries up a range of exceptional tones, with the highest levels of build quality and silky-smooth playability. Gibson has been producing variants of the ES-335 for over 70 years, and that heritage is evident in every note, trill and legato.
It’s not cheap, but that tells its own story. Jazz guitars don’t get much better than this.
7. Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster
SPECIFICATIONS
The entry-level guitar market is in a much healthier place than it was even 10 years ago. Now, manufacturers and brands are employing far higher levels of quality control than they did. This means even ‘cheaper’ guitars deliver tones, construction and playability previously reserved for mid and higher level models.
The Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster is the perfect example of this. Previously, an entry-level guitar would tend to last a couple of years, have string action like playing razor wire, and tones like a horde of bees in a tin can. Not so any more.
This Classic Vibe looks, feels and sounds incredible, and even gives some of the cheaper Fender models a run for their money. Style and playability at a price that won’t make your eyes water. Progress is a wonderful thing.
8. Gretsch G5222 Electromatic Double Jet
SPECIFICATIONS
The Double Jet is one of the best all-purpose rock ’n’ roll electric guitars that Gretsch makes. You could play blues, rock, indie, rock ’n’ roll, jazz or country on it and we’d guarantee you a big fun time.
This Electromatic edition presents ridiculous value and comes in a variety of quite exquisite finishes. Choose Natural for that Malcolm Young vibe, Walnut Stain because it’s the classiest, or either of the metallic primer-style finishes because you’re a badass.
With two Black Top Broad’Trons, the Double Jet is quick to show its teeth, and there’s a treble bleed circuit to wring as much tone as you can out of them. The thin U-profile neck is super quick, with the comfortable 24.6” scale and12” fretboard radius offering a real contemporary feel, and that chambered mahogany makes it easy on the back. So cool.
