Are you interested in learning how to play the electric guitar, and wonder how much money you’ll have to lay out in order to get started? When in the market for a new electric guitar, one of the first considerations tends to be price, unless of course you know exactly what you want and don’t mind paying whatever it costs to get what you want.

The biggest problem is often not a lack of options, but a lack of the right options for your needs. For instance, you may have very specific needs, but not the budget to be able to meet those needs. Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to pricing. Believe it or not, you can get some pretty good electric guitars for $200 to $300.

Today we are going to look at the cost of a variety of types of guitars. That way, you will have a pretty good idea of what to look for when it comes time to shop for your new electric guitar. Let’s get started.

A Quick Breakdown

Prices for electric guitars can range anywhere from $200 for a beginner model to more than $10,000 for professional models. There are other beginner models that are even cheaper than $200, but we really don’t recommend these, especially if you are serious about playing the guitar.

Basically, you can expect to pay the following prices for electric guitars:

  • Beginner Guitars – $200 to $300 and up
  • Intermediate Guitars – $350 to $700
  • Guitars for Advanced Players – $750 to $1,000
  • Professional Guitars – $1,050 to $5,000 or more

Starter Kits

While we don’t necessarily recommend guitar starter kits, if you have a very small budget and need a guitar, amp, gig bag, and other gear, this may be your best option. These kits are generally geared towards beginning guitar players, and not those who are more experienced and require better quality guitars.

The biggest problem with these kits is that the guitars are very low quality. Sure, they are cheap, but you really do get what you pay for, and with a kit, you won’t be getting much, at least in the way of a decent electric guitar.

If you are considering buying a starter kit for a beginner, try to avoid kits that cost less than $200. Also, avoid brand names you don’t know, no matter how great the reviews are. Chances are the reviews are written by beginners who thought they got a great price because they didn’t realize just how bad the instrument really was.

There are some good kits out there. Be sure to go with reputable brands, such as Fender. You can get some great Fender Squier kits at reasonable prices. Other brands to consider include Epiphone by Gibson, Yamaha, and Ibanez.

Beginner Electric Guitars

A decent beginner electric guitar will cost anywhere from $200 to $300. This is going to get you a decent quality guitar at a price you can actually afford. Anything below $150 is not a good idea, because the quality won’t be good, and you may end up getting a guitar that won’t even stay in tune.

This is likely the best option for someone who is just learning how to play the guitar. We generally recommend spending a minimum of $200 for a first electric guitar, which tends to be a pretty common price point for entry-level guitars from reputable brands.

Once you have learned a bit about guitars and how to play them, it will be time to start looking for something that is better quality. If you choose to not continue playing, the cost of the beginner guitar won’t have set you back too much.

How Much do Electric Guitars Cost

Intermediate Electric Guitars

It likely won’t be long before you are ready to move up from your beginner guitar to one for intermediate players. Again, you shouldn’t have to spend a lot of money, but at the same time, you don’t want to sacrifice on quality.

You can get a pretty decent intermediate guitar for $350 to $700, and in many cases, musicians don’t feel the need to upgrade to something even better. There are plenty of great intermediate guitars out there that are more than suitable for playing at home as well as on stage. If playing the guitar is more of a hobby for you, this is likely the best price range for you.

Some of our favorite guitars in this price range include the Epiphone Les Paul Standard and the Fender MiM Stratocaster. They look just like the American-manufactured instruments, but come at a fraction of the cost.

Advanced Guitars

If you are an advanced guitar player, you will likely be in the market for a high-end guitar. This is going to cost anywhere from $750 to $1,000 or more. These guitars are great for players of all levels, but in most cases, beginners aren’t looking to spend this kind of money.

Many professionals use guitars at this price range because they aren’t too expensive, and they don’t have to worry as much about damage. The guitars in this price range will be the best value in most cases.

You will get a great guitar that won’t break the bank, because even though they are advanced, they are still considered to be budget guitars. Some great options include the Fender American Special Stratocaster and the Ibanez RG Prestige RG6512AHM.

Professional Guitars

Finally, we come to the most expensive guitars for professional use. You can expect to shell out a minimum of $1,500 for a professional guitar, and it isn’t uncommon to see prices of $5,000 and higher. Of course, there are no better guitars on the planet than these more expensive models.

But, there comes a point where you are paying more for the name brand than for the actual instrument.

Keep this in mind when looking at guitar prices. Just because it is expensive and is made by a popular brand, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is any better than a much less expensive guitar.

Conclusion

No matter what level you are at, there is bound to be a guitar that fits your needs, including your budget. It is always best to shop around to get the best deals. Visit your local music store and see what they have to offer. Try out a few guitars, and once you find one you like, you can check Amazon and other websites to see if you can get an even better deal.

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