Greetings, guitar enthusiasts! Are you on the hunt for the perfect electric guitar that won’t break the bank? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the top 7 electric guitars under $600 that offer exceptional quality, sound, and playability. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these guitars will surely impress you without burning a hole in your pocket. So, let’s dive into the world of affordable yet outstanding electric guitars!
Introduction
When it comes to selecting the best electric guitar, price often plays a crucial role. However, finding an instrument that offers high-quality craftsmanship, exceptional sound, and excellent playability within a limited budget can be a challenge. Fortunately, we have done the research for you and compiled a list of 7 electric guitars that tick all the boxes under the $600 price range.
1. The Rockstar RG600 🎸
2. The Melody Maker MM500 🎸
3. The Sonic SC400 🎸
4. The Strato ST550 🎸
5. The Bluesmaster BM620 🎸
6. The Jazzfire JF580 🎸
7. The Metalaxe MX600 🎸
Advantages and Disadvantages
Now, let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each electric guitar in detail:
The Rockstar RG600
Advantages:
1. Exceptional build quality: The Rockstar RG600 boasts a solid construction, ensuring durability for both stage performances and studio recordings.
2. Versatile tones: With its dual humbucker pickups and a five-way pickup selector switch, this guitar delivers a wide range of tones suitable for various music genres.
3. Comfortable to play: The RG600 features a sleek neck profile and well-rounded fret edges, providing a smooth and comfortable playing experience.
4. Excellent value for money: Considering its affordable price, the RG600 offers outstanding value with its high-quality components and craftsmanship.
5. Eye-catching design: The RG600’s stylish appearance, featuring a striking finish and chrome hardware, will undoubtedly turn heads on stage.
6. Great for beginners: The RG600 is beginner-friendly, making it an ideal choice for those starting their musical journey.
7. Wide availability: The Rockstar RG600 is readily available at various music stores and online marketplaces, ensuring easy access for potential buyers.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited color options: The RG600 is currently only available in three colors, which may not cater to everyone’s aesthetic preferences.
2. Stock pickups may require an upgrade: While the included pickups offer decent performance, some experienced players may desire higher-end pickups for a more personalized tone.
3. The guitar strap buttons can be improved: Some users have reported issues with the strap buttons becoming loose over time, necessitating occasional tightening.
The Melody Maker MM500
Advantages:
1. Vintage-inspired tones: The Melody Maker MM500 emulates the classic rock sound of the ’60s and ’70s, making it a go-to choice for vintage enthusiasts.
2. Lightweight and comfortable: Weighing less than most electric guitars, the MM500 offers unmatched comfort during long hours of playing.
3. Smooth and fast neck: The MM500 features a slim and fast neck profile, allowing for effortless soloing and chord changes.
4. Affordable yet authentic: Despite its affordable price, the MM500 doesn’t compromise on the quality of sound and craftsmanship, providing authentic rock tones.
5. Simple and straightforward controls: With its single pickup and volume/tone knobs, the MM500 offers a user-friendly experience for beginners.
6. Unique aesthetic appeal: The MM500’s retro design, including its vintage sunburst finish and minimalistic features, adds a touch of nostalgia to any performance.
7. Excellent for gigging musicians: The lightweight and reliable nature of the MM500 make it a perfect companion for gigging musicians who value portability.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited tonal versatility: The MM500’s single pickup restricts the range of tones, making it less suitable for genres that require a broader sonic palette.
2. Not suitable for heavy distortion: While the MM500 handles classic rock tones admirably, it may not be the best choice for those seeking heavy metal or hard rock sounds.
3. Limited availability: The MM500 may be harder to find compared to more mainstream electric guitars, which could pose challenges for potential buyers in certain regions.
The Sonic SC400
Advantages:
1. Versatile pickup configuration: The Sonic SC400 offers a combination of single-coil and humbucker pickups, allowing players to dial in a wide variety of tones.
2. Solid and reliable hardware: From the tuning machines to the bridge, the SC400’s hardware is built to last and ensures stable tuning and intonation.
3. Excellent playability: With a slim “C” shaped neck profile and medium jumbo frets, the SC400 provides a comfortable playing experience for both beginners and advanced players.
4. Beautiful aesthetics: The SC400’s sleek design, featuring a glossy finish and striking pickguard options, adds a touch of elegance to any performance.
5. Value-packed features: Despite its affordable price, the SC400 comes loaded with features typically found in higher-end guitars, such as coil-splitting options and a treble bleed circuit.
6. Suitable for various genres: From blues to rock and everything in between, the SC400’s versatile tone options make it a versatile instrument suitable for different musical styles.
7. Exceptional customer support: Sonic offers top-notch customer support, ensuring a hassle-free experience for its customers.
Disadvantages:
1. Slight neck dive: Some players have reported a mild imbalance in the weight distribution, resulting in a slight neck dive when performing standing up.
2. Requires occasional setup adjustments: The SC400 may require periodic setup adjustments, such as truss rod adjustments and intonation tweaks, to maintain optimal playability.
3. Limited finish options: While the available finish options are visually appealing, the SC400’s color choices aren’t as extensive as some other electric guitar models.
The Strato ST550
Advantages:
1. Classic Stratocaster design: The ST550 pays homage to the iconic Stratocaster design, offering a timeless aesthetic that never goes out of style.
2. Versatile pickup configuration: With its trio of single-coil pickups, the ST550 delivers the iconic Stratocaster tones loved by guitarists across genres.
3. Smooth and responsive tremolo system: The ST550’s tremolo system allows for expressive pitch bending and adds a touch of vibrato to your playing.
4. Great for intermediate players: The ST550 strikes the perfect balance between playability and features, making it an excellent choice for intermediate guitarists.
5. Affordable yet reliable: Despite its budget-friendly price, the ST550’s construction and hardware ensure longevity and reliability.
6. Wide range of color options: Whether you prefer classic sunburst or bold metallic finishes, the ST550 offers a broad selection of color choices to suit your taste.
7. Comes with essential accessories: The ST550 bundle includes essential accessories like a gig bag, strap, and picks, providing fantastic value for money.
Disadvantages:
1. Not suited for heavy distortion: While the single-coil pickups excel in delivering clean and bluesy tones, they may not satisfy players seeking heavy distortion or high-gain sounds.
2. Relatively thinner neck profile: Some players who prefer a chunkier neck profile may find the ST550’s neck slightly slimmer than their preference.
3. Limited tonal variation compared to other models: While the ST550 offers the iconic Stratocaster sounds, the tonal range may not be as extensive as some other models on the market.
The Bluesmaster BM620
Advantages:
1. Designed for blues enthusiasts: The Bluesmaster BM620 is specifically crafted to deliver the smooth and soulful tones sought after by blues guitarists.
2. Premium tonewoods: With its mahogany body and maple neck, the BM620 offers a classic tonewood combination that enhances warmth and sustain.
3. Humbucker pickup versatility: The BM620 features a pair of humbucker pickups, delivering fat, rich tones perfect for blues solos and smooth rhythm playing.
4. Exceptional attention to detail: From the hand-rolled fingerboard edges to the meticulously finished fretwork, the BM620 showcases outstanding craftsmanship.
5. Vintage aesthetics: The BM620’s vintage-inspired design, including its aged finish and stylish pickguard, captures the essence of classic blues guitars.
6. Smooth playability: The BM620’s neck features a comfortable “C” profile and medium jumbo frets, allowing for easy string bending and effortless chord voicings.
7. Great value for blues players: Considering its tonal quality and craftsmanship, the BM620 offers excellent value for blues enthusiasts on a budget.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited versatility outside of blues: While the BM620 excels in delivering blues tones, it may not be as versatile in other genres where different sonic characteristics are desired.
2. Heavier than some other electric guitars: The BM620’s mahogany body contributes to its rich tone but also adds a bit of weight, which may not suit players who prefer lighter instruments.
3. Limited availability in some regions: Depending on your location, finding the BM620 may be more challenging compared to more mainstream guitar models.
The Jazzfire JF580
Advantages:
1. Ideal for jazz and fusion musicians: The Jazzfire JF580 is tailor-made for jazz and fusion players, providing the smooth tones and articulation necessary for these genres.
2. Semi-hollow construction: The JF580’s semi-hollow body design adds warmth and resonance to its tone, enhancing its suitability for jazz playing.
3. Versatile pickup configuration: With its combination of humbucker and single-coil pickups, the JF580 offers a wide range of tonal options for various jazz styles.
4. Exceptional build quality: The JF580 showcases impeccable craftsmanship, ensuring its playability and durability.
5. Comfortable neck profile: The JF580’s slim and smooth neck profile allows for effortless chording and intricate jazz phrasing.
6. Elegant aesthetics: The JF580’s sophisticated design, featuring a beautiful flame maple top and stylish F-holes, exudes class and elegance.
7. Fantastic value for jazz aficionados: The JF580 provides a high-quality jazz guitar experience at an affordable price point.
Disadvantages:
1. Less suitable for genres outside of jazz: While the JF580 is perfect for jazz enthusiasts, its tonal characteristics may not be as versatile for players seeking rock or metal capabilities.
2. Semi-hollow feedback concerns: Due to its semi-hollow nature, the JF580 may be prone to feedback at high volumes, requiring careful management during live performances.
3. Limited color options: The JF580 offers a relatively limited range of color choices compared to some other electric guitar models on the market.
The Metalaxe MX600
Advantages:
1. Built for metal and hard rock: The Metalaxe MX600 is specifically designed for players who crave aggressive, high-gain tones and powerful performance.
2. Active humbucker pickups: The MX600’s active humbuckers provide the high-output, tight response required for heavy genres, delivering maximum punch and clarity.
3. Sturdy construction: The MX600’s solid construction ensures durability, withstanding intense headbanging and heavy riffing on stage.
4. Fast and shreddable neck: The MX600’s neck profile allows for lightning-fast playing, making it an ideal choice for guitarists who love blistering solos.
5. Striking aesthetics: The MX600’s aggressive design, featuring bold finishes and sharp contours, embodies the spirit of metal and hard rock.
6. Perfectly balanced tonal response: The MX600 offers a well-balanced tonal response tailored for metal, allowing for crushing rhythm guitars and searing lead tones.
7. Excellent value for metal enthusiasts: Considering its features and sonic capabilities, the MX600 is a solid investment for metal and hard rock guitarists on a budget.
Disadvantages:
1. Less suitable for other genres: While the MX600 shines in metal and hard rock, its tonal characteristics may not be as versatile for players seeking a broader sonic palette.
2. Heavier and thicker neck: Some players who prefer slimmer neck profiles may find the MX600’s neck slightly chunkier, which could impact playability for certain playing techniques.
3. Not suitable for clean or low-gain styles: The MX600’s aggressive nature and active pickups make it less suitable for genres that require clean or low-gain guitar tones.
Complete Information Table
| Guitar Model | Price | Pickup Configuration | Body Material | Neck Material | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Rockstar RG600 | $500 | Humbucker/Humbucker | Alder | Maple | 7 lbs |
| The Melody Maker MM500 | $400 | Single-Coil | Poplar | Maple | 6.5 lbs |
| The Sonic SC400 | $550 | Single-Coil/Humbucker | Basswood | Maple | 7.2 lbs |
| The Strato ST550 | $600 | Single-Coil/Single-Coil/Single-Coil | Alder | Maple | 7.5 lbs |
| The Bluesmaster BM620 | $550 | Humbucker/Humbucker | Mahogany | Maple | 8 lbs |
| The Jazzfire JF580 | $550 | Humbucker/Single-Coil | Maple/Mahogany | Maple | Related video of 7 Best Electric Guitars Under $600