Guitarists reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 143 Reddit reviews across 4 subreddits and 6 posts to rank the best Guitarists brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/electricguitar, r/Guitar, r/Djent, r/iems. Top-rated brands include Squier (4.3/5), Fender (4.4/5), Ibanez (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews143
Subreddits4
Posts6
Brands41
Products86
143 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Squier
4.3
(22)
"A SQUIER CLASSIC VIBE is a good “price/quality” compromise."
"Squier makes great stuff. Especially the Classic Vibe line."
"J Mascis Squier Jazzmaster"
"Used Fender Squier fat strat (HSS configuration) with a setup at a local shop."
"Vintage squires, specifically those made in Japan are a great choice"
"Squire’s Classic Vibe series are great bang for the price."
"Classic Vibe Squier"
"Squire Strat or Tele"
"Squier strat, then if you stick with it for a couple of months you'll figure out exactly what you want for your second one."
"Squier Sonic Telecaster Laurel Fingerboard Limited-Edition Electric Guitar Surf Green at guitarcenter on sale right now for $160"
#2
Fender
4.4
(19)
"I’ve built several different Strats with high quality parts for under $1000. Loved them all."
"My 90s HM (Heavy Metal) Strat kicks ass. Replaced the single coils with hot rail and hot stack."
"2014 mim strat. About 300 gigs, no failures"
"My #1 is a 1997 Tele. I got it used a few years ago for $650, and especially after throwing in a set of Lollar’s (P90, Strat middle, Tele bridge) which brought the price to $950, it’s the best guitar I’ve ever owned."
"There's really only 4 of these companies that you’ll get the bang for the buck in your price range. Yamaha, Fender, Jackson, and Harley Benton."
"A used Fender Standard or Player strat on GC. These are made in Mexico, and the latest models are $800 new, so buying used for half the price is a great value."
"You can also find used Fender "Player" series guitars in your price range."
"Fender mini p bass. I love mine."
"I think the player 2 is a great value. I got one at $600 for cyber Monday which is a great price, but $700 is not bad."
"Honestly the MiM Fenders are excellent guitars. They aren't quite the value that they were at $700, but the Mexico shop makes very nice necks."
#3
Ibanez
4.3
(15)
"My Ibanez ARZ200EX-BKF is the best guitar I've ever played and it was $599. Build quality is absolutely flawless."
"Ibanez AZES40 is a good option."
"I found a used, but pretty much brand new, Ibanez AZES40 a while ago for 250$ (CAD) and I'm more than happy with it."
"This, the Gio is a very badass and easy to play guitar"
"Ibanez GIO. Only about $200 and it will keep you rocking well beyond the beginner phase."
"Ibanez AZES, RG421, RGA42, S521"
"Also a fan of Ibanez"
"Some of the ibanez stuff is good."
"Ibanez Gio is a solid choice, not only guitars but bass guitars as well."
"You can’t go wrong with either Epiphone, Squire, or Ibanez."
#4
Epiphone
4.1
(14)
"I have a 2001 Korean Epi LP and I absolutely love it, wouldn't trade it for anything."
"Epiphone Casino. It’s lightweight, high-quality, has a very comfortable neck, and the P90s sound phenomenal."
"I have an Epiphone Les Paul that I paid 175 $ for used, around ten yrs ago and it's around 20 years old, that plays better than a Gibson Les Paul I bought new for around 1000$."
"Epiphone SG I picked up for $450 at some little music shop. Thing felt and sounded better than some of the Gibson's I've owned and paid much, much more for."
"For rock get a Epiphone Les Paul or Squier Strat"
"ELECTRIC: Epiphone LP or SG"
"Epiphone is making some quality stuff lately."
"I'm partial to the Epiphone G400 (an SG). I like it more than my Gibson SGs."
"I would go with an Epiphone Lp"
"You can’t go wrong with either Epiphone, Squire, or Ibanez."
#5
Yamaha
4.4
(10)
"Yamaha Pacifica is where I went and I’m really happy with it."
"I Highly recommend a pacifica."
"See if you can get a Yamaha 612 or any model of that brand for under $500 on Reverb."
"There's really only 4 of these companies that you’ll get the bang for the buck in your price range. Yamaha, Fender, Jackson, and Harley Benton."
"I recommend the revstar professional with p90s"
"Yamaha revstar right now. If I was working at the shop and had a surprise gig and couldn’t go home for gear. I could take a revstar off the shelf."
"Strat style: Yamaha Pacifica"
"Someone else said yamaha pacifica, id agree. they are better than squie"
"The Yamaha Pacifica’s are also pretty good all round."
"Squiers and Yamaha Pacificas are commonly recommended first guitars for good reason."
#6
Harley Benton
4.6
(8)
"Harley Benton Fusion. Amazing sound, great intonation and setup"
"Harley benton from thomann for that price range is bloody outstanding i must say."
"I would highly recommend Jackson JS22 series or a Harley Benton."
"I think Harley Benton has the best specs/price ratio."
"Harley Benton makes really nice starter guitars."
"Played a harley benton tele that was gifted to a friend and played great."
"If you’re in Europe, check out Harley Benton."
"Harley Benton also do pretty fantastic entry level guitars if you want to spend even less."
#7
Ernie Ball
4.8
(6)
"Iv’e had the best experience with Ernie Ball 0.10-0.62 slinky Cobalt. Precise highs and evil lows, even with my new Fishman pickups."
"Mammoth slinky’s are fire you’ll love them"
"Ernie Ball’s Mammoth Slinky .012-.062 is awesome as well"
"I just accommodate with thicker strings. I tune it AEADGBE amd the low string is a 64. 62 can work, but it felt a teeny bit floppy ao found a site that sells single strings and got a bunch of Ernie Ball Cobalt 64s. It's perfect for me."
"I like going 12-62, I recommend going for Ernie Ball's Mammoth Slinky set"
"I use Ernie Ball not so slinky"
#8
Gibson
5.0
(4)
"Well, the best for me is my #1. It’s a Gibson SG standard I bought used in 2006 for $800."
"96 Gibson Les Paul Studio with Ebony frets, played like a custom"
"I picked up a used 2022 Gibson LP Studio for $650 off eBay and it is now my favorite guitar that I play."
"My brand new 1978 Gibson Goldtop Les Paul Deluxe was only $800. It was a monster with the mini humbuckers back then."
#9
Jackson
4.8
(4)
"I always recommend the Jackson Dinky models. Very affordable and the reason I love Jackson Guitars so much!"
"I would highly recommend Jackson JS22 series or a Harley Benton."
"Jackson JS22!"
"I played a Jackson Rhoads in natural finish that was under $200 and it blew my mind!"
#10
PRS
4.0
(3)
"My PRS SE Custom 24. Used for $615, plays better than my $1k dean and $900 player strat. More flexible than either and is gorgeous."
"Used PRS SE"
"PRS Custom series SE"
#11
Gretsch
4.0
(3)
"Mt Gretsch G5230T, PRS SE Custom Semi-hollow with Seth Lovers, and my parts caster with G&L S-500 wiring and Lace Rainbow pickups."
"Gretsch G5220 - well suited to rock, with humbuckers, and a chambered body"
"Gretsch 2215 - not necessarily that one, but inexpensive and has all the tones."
#12
Reverend
4.5
(2)
"My Reverend Sensei Jr $(500 used), which I modded to add in a Firebird neck pickup and 3-way witch."
"Vest value in guitardom right now might be Reverend. Boutiqueish at far from boutique prices."
#13
Schecter
4.5
(2)
"You can get a Schecter Omen Extreme brand new for 500 flat. I have one myself and it’s an amazing and beautiful guitar for the money."
"Buy used. Find one of those FMT set neck Teles. Or a used Schecter."
#14
Washburn
4.5
(2)
"My Washburn MG-74 Mercury series. Still have it to this day, since 1993, and love it."
"Washburn HB 35"
#15
ESP
4.0
(2)
"I've got a LTD Ec401QM (bought for 600, now 999 new) and a grestch g5420tg which is new just under a grand."
"Esp ltd ec-256. Been seeing them around fb market between $250-$300. They’re great"
#16
Charvel
4.0
(2)
"A old charvel 650xl"
"Charvel 🤘🏼"
#17
Hils
5.0
(1)
"The HN3 is about 400 bucks and it's insane quality."
#18
Sire
5.0
(1)
"I have a Sire H7 Larry Carlton model, which is a Gibson ES335 knock off made in Korea. At around $700, the build quality, sound and playability are excellent."
#19
Eastman
5.0
(1)
"The new line from Eastman, Fullertones, really impressed me. Wiped the floor with everything under a grand when I tried them last week."
#20
Hagstrom
5.0
(1)
"If someone was asking for a recommendation for under $1000, I think most of the Hagstrom line up can be had for that price and I've owned 3."
#21
Neal Morse Band
5.0
(1)
"Played some of the most incredible innovative guitar solos."
#22
Rory Gallagher
5.0
(1)
"Do yourself a favour and look up Rory Gallagher "Tattoo'd Lady"."
#23
Plini
5.0
(1)
"Start with the album Handmade Cities."
#24
Angel Vivaldi
5.0
(1)
"His newer stuff is more fusion-y and incorporating some Latin influences."
#25
Will Swan
5.0
(1)
"Any track with him on it is a banger."
#26
Martin
4.0
(1)
"ACOUSTIC: Martin x series"
#27
Airline
4.0
(1)
"Airline stratotone and a Harmony h78...prices on those have skyrocketed though"
#28
Danelectro
4.0
(1)
"I’d look at a Danelectro Stock 59. They are going for about 450 brand new but they are great for beginners and vets alike."
#29
Music Man
4.0
(1)
"I've got a stingray and a ubass (rubber string). I use both and love them."
#30
D’Angelico
4.0
(1)
"Got a d’Angelico premier bedford for about 500, 3 good pickups and an amazing feeling neck"
#31
Jet
4.0
(1)
"Jet JS-400, great build, rolled edge, pickups perfectly usable, could go to a gig straight from the store"
#32
Taylor
4.0
(1)
"ACOUSTIC: Taylor SG mini"
#33
Hexa
4.0
(1)
"Cheaper options, but I’ve enjoyed Hexa and Simgot em6l playing guitar in a band."
#34
Sterling
4.0
(1)
"Sterling has several Cutlass models that are solid in that price range."
#35
Kramer
4.0
(1)
"Kramer Barletta Special. I expected to hate mine but it's one of my most fun to play guitars and it's the cheapest!"
#36
Elixir
4.0
(1)
"I’ve been using elixirs baritone set (.012-.068) on my 6s to get that tuning."
#37
TRN
4.0
(1)
"If I have 200 Euro, my wishlist to spend goes to TRN BA16."
#38
Aria Pro II
4.0
(1)
"My first electric was a 1980's Aria Pro II that still plays as well as any of my "nice" guitars."
#39
Cort
4.0
(1)
"Cort, as much as you'll get for your money."
#40
Hamer
3.0
(1)
"Hamer xt series"
#41
Monoprice
3.0
(1)
"I have bought a handful of guitars from Monoprice over the years. They are usually fairly decent out of the box for the price."
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