20 Best Guitar For 500 Dollars (2023 Updated)

The FG850 Dreadnought is all-mahogany with mahogany body binding which gives it a warm, woody design to match the distinctive richness in the middle frequencies. Like all of Yamaha’s newer FG models, it is louder and stronger in the low- to mid-ranges, thanks to cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology developed by the Yamaha R&D Division.

Yamaha’s engineers have achieved this sound by utilizing analysis and simulation to arrive at the best bracing design without depending on tradition or guesswork. This analysis led to the development of a new scalloped bracing pattern that maintains the durability of the top board while bringing out the most sound the Yamaha FG850 has to offer.

Case sold separately. Yamaha FG Guitars The history of Yamaha‘s FG Series started in 1966 with the release of the FG180 and FG150. Over the 50 years since its introduction, they have developed and produced several generations of FG – all of which have made FG an ideal acoustic for contemporary players.

In all, there have been over 200 FG models since 1966.

Ibanez builds guitars for all levels of players – from beginners to the most demanding masters of the instrument. Regardless of price, Ibanez always strives to offer the absolute best sound, style, and playability in its class.

It all started in 1987, as the debut of the Ibanez RG was a milestone in rock guitar history. With its spartan look, supreme playability and versatility due to innovative specs, the RG made a big impact then, and is still evolving today.

The Ibanez Genesis Collection brings back vibe of the “good old days” with precise construction by Japanese craftsmanship, proving that this iconic guitar has always led the rock guitar scene. A prominent feature of the original RG is the ultra thin Super Wizard neck – constructed of five solid pieces of Maple & Walnut for absolute rock solid stability to provide extra-smooth playing.

With the classic Edge tremolo bridge, the most extreme sonic acrobatics can be fearlessly performed with confidence that the guitar will effortlessly return to perfect tuning. The original Ibanez V7, S1, and V8 pickups offer a wide range of sound and attack when combined with the 5-way pickup switch.

Additionally, incredible tuning stability is achieved through the use of the Gotoh machine heads.

The inspiring sound of a Stratocaster is one of the foundations of Fender. Featuring this classic sound–bell-like high end, punchy mids and robust low end, combined with crystal-clear articulation–the Player Stratocaster is packed with authentic Fender feel and style.

It’s ready to serve your musical vision, it’s versatile enough to handle any style of music and it’s the perfect platform for creating your own sound. Respecting Fender’s heritage while maintaining their innovative spirit, the power trio of Player Series single-coil pickups are crisp and articulate–it’s authentic Fender tone with a modern edge.

The “Modern C”-shaped maple neck’s comfortable contours and smooth finish are ideal for almost any playing style. By adding a 22nd medium jumbo fret to the contemporary 9. 5”-radius fingerboard they’ve made it easier to express yourself musically.

The updated 2-point tremolo design has smoother travel for enhanced playing feel while simultaneously giving you rock-solid tuning stability since there’s less friction against the posts. Other features include master volume and tone controls, a 5-way pickup switch, 3-ply pickguard, synthetic bone nut, dual-wing string tree, sealed tuning machines and four-bolt “F”-stamped neck plate that marks this instrument as the real deal–as Fender as it gets.

Own your tone and create something new with the Player Stratocaster.

Real Deal Sound Bold, innovative and rugged, the Player Telecaster is pure Fender, through and through. The feel, the style and, most importantly, the soundtheyre all there, waiting for you to make them whisper or wail for your music.

Versatile enough to handle almost anything you can create and durable enough to survive any gig, this workhorse is a trusty sidekick for your musical vision. Player Series Pickups Designed for authentic Fender tonewith a bit of an edgethe Player Series pickups keep a foot in the past while looking to the future.

Block-Steel Bridge Saddles This string-through-body Telecaster bridge features block-steel saddles to add a bit of zing to your tone. Modern C Neck Profile This neck is designed for comfort and performance, with a Modern C-shaped profile and a smooth back finishideal for almost any playing style.

22 Frets Adding another fret lets you bend the highest D up to an E, giving you access to four octaves of musical possibilities. More Traditional Body RADII The Player Telecaster body is hand-shaped to original specifications.

F-Stamped Neck Plate Each Player Telecaster includes an F-stamped neck plate, leaving no doubt as to the instruments pedigree.

Derived from the FG830 which has a solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides, the FGX830C has a cutaway body and the electric system. Yamaha’s proprietary under-saddle piezo pickup and System66 analog preamp ensure the solid plugged-in performance.

Yamaha Scalloped Bracing This FG has louder and stronger sound in the low- to mid-ranges, thanks to cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology developed by the Yamaha R&D Division. Yamaha’s engineers have achieved this sound by utilizing analysis and simulation to arrive at the best bracing design without depending on tradition or guesswork.

This analysis led to the development of a new scalloped bracing pattern, a new and ideal acoustic structure that maintains the durability of the top board while bringing out the most sound the Yamaha FG has to offer.

System66 Preamp/Pickup System System 66 feature an under-saddle piezo pickup developed by Yamaha. Controls include a 3-band EQ, an adjustable mid-range frequency control, and a precision chromatic tuner for optimum sound tailoring.

The system is powered by easy to obtain AA-size batteries that provide a stable power supply for improved sound quality. Case sold separately.

Dreadnought body style Solid mahogany top with scalloped “X”-bracing Mahogany back and sides Easy-to-play neck with rolled fingerboard edges The CD-60S All-Mahogany adds a solid mahogany top to one of most popular models for a distinctly organic flavor.

It is for players looking for dreadnought with great tone and excellent playability. Featuring the easy-to-play neck and mahogany back and sides the CD-60S All-Mahogany is perfect for the couch the beach or the coffeehouse anywhere you want classic playability and sound.

Features all Mahogany Body Dreadnought Shape 25. 3 Scale mahogany neck Chrome Die-Cast Tuners Case.

The Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar gives you all the essential elements of a Les Paul at great price. Made with a mahogany body, bolt-on mahogany neck, smooth 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, this baby is every bit as handsome as its uptown cousins.

It features 700T/650R open-coil humbucking pickups that deliver long, singing sustain and true Les Paul tones. Like all of Epiphone’s electric guitars, it comes standard-equipped with 500K potentiometers for the master volume and master tone controls, plus Epiphone’s heavy-duty 3-way pickup selector toggle switch and exclusive non-rotating heavy-duty output jack.

The Lock-Tone tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece add more sustain and make string changing easier.

Revitalizing the best elements from the past, the G2622T Streamliner Center Block Double-Cut with Bigsby bursts into the modern music era with powerful sound and style. Brash and feedback-resistant, the sleek G2622T is designed for the guitarist who demands more than the mundane from an instrument—more performance, more style and most importantly, more volume—while retaining all you expect from a Gretsch.

The secret to the Streamliner’s sound is twofold—the Broad’Tron BT-2S humbucking pickup and the spruce center block. Designed specifically for the Streamliner Collection, the high-output Broad’Tron BT-2S pickup spawns improved definition with tighter bass response for robust lows, pristine highs and a throaty midrange.

A lightweight spruce center block runs the length of the body, reinforcing the top while eliminating undesired feedback for volume-friendly performance on rocking stages. The Streamliner’s sonic power is harnessed and shaped by the traditional control layout—neck and bridge pickup volume controls, a master tone control, master volume control and three-way pickup switching.

A fast-playing 12”-radius laurel fingerboard with elegant pearloid Big Block inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets sits atop the white-bound nato neck with a thin “U”-shaped profile—ideal for chord work or fiery riffing.

Add some shimmer and expression to your playing with the Bigsby-licensed B70 vibrato tailpiece, while the anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge and synthetic bone nut grant astounding tuning stability and accurate, slip-free intonation.

All the classic eye-catching style you’ve come to expect from Gretsch is here—vintage-style black control knobs, enlarged F-holes for increased acoustic projection, elegant aged white binding with upgraded purfling, slick-looking nickel hardware, three-ply black pickguard and arched laminated maple construction.

Discover pureness in sound. Because no musician should have to suffer with a guitar that doesn’t deliver their music exactly as they want it to. The Gretsch G2622T Streamliner CB will bring exquisite clarity to your music, ensuring whatever you play sounds precise and clear.

A spruce centre block eliminates feedback, meaning you can play at high volumes with worrying about noise interference. You’ll have electronics that’ll suit any genre. Designed specifically for the Streamliner collection, Broad’Tron BT-2S pickups can handle whatever playing style you throw at them.

They perform remarkably well at high output levels, making them perfect for venues of any size. And you can experiment with awesome, distinctive tremolo using a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece. Built for the modern performer.

Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster, Maple, White Blonde Overview. A celebration of the birth of the Strat in the 1950s, the Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster creates incredible tone courtesy of a trio of Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups.

Player-friendly features include a slim, comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile with an easy-playing 9. 5”-radius fingerboard and narrow-tall frets, as well as a vintage-style tremolo system for expressive string bending effects.

This throwback Squier model also features 1950s-inspired headstock markings, rich-looking nickel-plated hardware and a slick vintage-tint gloss neck finish for an old-school vibe.

The Yamaha Pacifica is one of Yamahas most important models, since its inception back in the late 80s and early 90s it has become one of the most popular guitars on the market. The Pacifica PA612VIIX is one of the flagship models and offers some great specs! The Alder body is typically comfortable, as all Pacifica’s are.

The Maple neck features a Rosewood fingerboard, designed for easy fretting and comfort; it’s equally at home playing big chords or intricate lead work. 22 Medium frets, a 13. 34″ radius and 25. 5″ scale length make this Pacifica feel familiar and supremely comfortable.

With a powerhouse pickup configuration, the Pacifica offers great tonal variation. With a bitey low end from the Seymour Duncan TB-14 humbucker and a sweet sparkle from the Seymour Duncan SSL-1’s, it is comfortable playing a wide range of styles.

The tone control doubles as a coil split for even greater depth and texture. The Pacifica is a great option for gigging musicians and complete beginners alike.

The Epiphone Brendon Small Ghost Horse Explorer is a guitar built for world domination. Inspired by Small’s hit series Metalocalypse, it’s capable of producing some searing sounds – enough to make Skwisgaar Skwigelf’s jaw drop.

It features world-class twin BurstBucker USA humbuckers, which are capable of delivering ultra-destructive, high-octane tone in a heartbeat. They’ll bring the same level of sonic death and destruction to the stage as Dethklok themselves.

But this guitar is about so much more than sound. The iconic Explorer shape strikes a sharp, weapon-like pose, whilst proving incredibly easy to wield. A SlimTaper mahogany neck enables you to shred along the slick ebony fretboard with pinpoint precision.

And a legendary Floyd Rose tremolo system ensures you can throw as many divebombs into the mix as you can muster – without going out of tune. Coming with a sturdy EpiLite case and inimitable charisma, you can take this guitar anywhere and be sure that it’ll turn heads.

Guild electric guitar S-100 Polara CHR Cherry Red with case The Guild style of the 70s is back and better than ever with the return of the S-100 solid body guitar. With its solid, slightly offset mahogany body, the new S-100 Polara evokes its esteemed, hard-rocking predecessor of over 40 years ago.

Responsive and versatile, it also features a distinctive 24 2/4 “scale, classic solid mahogany neck and a powerful pair of Guild HB-1 pickups. Cherry finish. The welcome return of a true guild classic.

With a fat, thick sound all its own and sleek, elegant style, the Player Jazzmaster stands out under the spotlight. It’s an inspiring instrument with a flexible, authentic Fender tone and voice that works with any kind of music.

The Jazzmaster keeps turning up in the hands of musical visionaries and rebels; it’s the ideal foundation for your sound. Rugged, raw and powerful, this guitar is ready to throw down. Respecting Fender heritage while maintaining innovative spirit, the pair of Player Series humbucking pickups sound huge and warmit’s authentic Fender tone with a modern edge.

For even more tone-shaping included a push/pull potentiometer to split the coils of the bridge pickup, unlocking authentic Fender single-coil sound. The “Modern C”-shaped maple neck’s comfortable contours and smooth finish are ideal for almost any playing style.

By adding a 22nd medium jumbo fret to the contemporary 9. 5″-radius fingerboard made it easier to express yourself musically. The six-saddle, vintage-style adjustable bridge sports a floating tremolo tailpiece and screw-in arm, perfect for adding an extra bit of personal expression to your sound.

Other features include master volume and tone controls, a 5-way pickup switch, 3-ply pickguard, synthetic bone nut, dual-wing string tree, sealed tuning machines and four-bolt “F”-stamped neck plate that marks this instrument as the real dealas Fender as it gets.

The ESP EC1000 Electric Guitar reaches new heights of quality. Stocked with top quality seymour duncan pickups right from ESP, its tone will push the envelope of sound and quality. It features a mahogany body, sperzel locking tuning keys, and a bound neck and headstock.

The neck is a 3-piece mahogany set neck with a rosewood fingerboard, 24 Xtra Jumbo frets, and a 24-3/4 inch scale length with abalone flag inlays. All ESP/LTD guitars and basses feature a double-action truss rod design.

Unlike a normal (single) truss rod, this one is adjustable in two different directions. This means that you’ll never run into a situation where the neck has run out of adjustment. Regardless of which ESP model you choose, you’ll get years and years of playing enjoyment.

High-quality sperzel tuning machines are well known for their precise gear ratio, tuning stability and durability.

Aristocrat P90 in Vintage SunburstLooking for a solid body guitar that won’t weigh you down? The Aristocrat P90 is here to keep you playing in comfort for hours! Featuring a chambered solid body, the Aristocrat P90 provides the same stability and tone as a typical solid body but without the heaviness.

Franz P90 pickups give this guitar a low, gritty growl perfect for rock, R&B and every genre in between. Other premium features include a classic Vintage Sunburst finish, comfortable and rock-solid three-piece neck and stunning Guild harp tailpiece.

Looking for elegance, power, and an abundance of versatility? Meet the Gretsch G2410TG Streamliner Hollow SC. Just one glance at this magnificent instrument and it is sure to captivate you. But its wondrous tone will take you to a different world.

Boasting a pair of Broad’Tron BT-2S pickups, this guitar projects a tone that has glorious, tight lows and sparkling highs. They are the ultimate pickups for memorable gigs. Crafted from maple, a stunning hollow body delivers amazing resonance and brightness in good measure.

The mahogany neck and laurel fretboard then ensure you can slide across the frets effortlessly. Let every single note fly with glistening definition. And with a Bigsby B70 vibrato tailpiece, you will be sure to enthrall everyone listening.

Saying that the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204N is a versatile solidbody electric guitar is massive understatement. Its Seymour Duncan Fortuna pickups tackle bluesy licks and metal riffage with equal aplomb, while its dyna-MIX9 switching system provides nine different pickup combinations for an endless supply of tones.

It looks great as well, boasting a balanced-sounding alder body framed by an eye-catching tortoiseshell pickguard. Enjoy unprecedented comfort and stability, thanks to an ergonomic rear body contour, S-Tech roasted maple neck, and a slick-playing compound-radius rosewood fingerboard.

Bend, twist, and dive-bomb with perfect intonation thanks to the AZ2204N’s Gotoh T1702 tremolo. Gotoh Magnum Lock tuners, an oil-impregnated bone nut, and luminescent side dots round out the AZ2204N’s top-shelf feature set.

Revstar II refines the look, sound, and feel of Yamaha’s original Revstar guitar series. The RSS20T is available in four café racer-inspired finishes and features a custom tailpiece. Its chambered body and carbon-reinforced neck were developed using Yamaha’s exclusive Acoustic Design process to enhance tone, reduce weight, and ensure optimal balance without sacrificing resonance.

P90-style pickups combined with a 5-position pickup selector and a passive push/pull Focus Switch provide uncommon versatility for a two-pickup guitar. The RSS20L model for left-handed players is also available.

A deluxe gig bag is included.

The Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT Left Handed showcases the durable, reliable, sparkling quality that Gretsch are known for. It features a chambered mahogany body with a maple top for magnificently rich tones and plenty of well-defined clarity.

And to drive the sound further than ever, you have two Broad’Tron pickups. From gleaming cleans to gritty, overdriven tones, these humbuckers offer superior voicings every single time. Sublime playability comes in the form of a thin “U”-shaped mahogany neck.

Slide from fret to fret effortlessly, seamlessly, and most importantly, flawlessly. Afterall, if you’re playing comfortably, then you can be sure that each note will ring out in pristine fashion. A treble bleed circuit then ensures those glorious high frequencies always shine through, even when the volume is turned down.