Top 5 Electric Guitars: Must-Have Models

Want to treat yourself to an electric guitar but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! Between the different body types, pickups, and hardware, choosing the right electric guitar can seem complicated. This guide helps you see clearly to find the instrument that truly suits you — whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician.

The first solidbody ever mass-produced, the Telecaster hasn’t aged a bit. While there are much more expensive electric guitar versions at Fender, Squier’s parent company, it’s important to remember that originally, it’s a budget-friendly electric guitar designed to be as simple as accessible. A flat body with nothing superfluous, a neck, some screws, and you’re set. Finding this model at a reasonable price is ultimately consistent and in line with the spirit of the original Fender electric guitar. While the hardware could use some adjustments (sometimes the saddle height needs tweaking, tightening some screws), the overall feel is pleasant to play thanks to a satin neck that doesn’t catch the hand. Sound-wise, it’s quite bright and allows you to capture the twang, that characteristic sound of the “Tele” with its slightly metallic resonances that work wonders in country and surf music. The rest of this Squier electric guitar offers a solid, clean base that’s easy to upgrade thanks to neat craftsmanship. Simple and straightforward.

Discover the Woodbrass ST100 electric guitar, your passport to musical excellence! This guitar stands out for its robustness inherited from traditional construction and its ability to produce a range of tones. Whether for enchanting melodies or sharp metal riffs, its versatile pickups put you right in the heart of the action. With the ST100, every note played becomes a true sonic journey, ideal for enriching your compositions with mastery. The Woodbrass GE1040 electric guitar amp, compact and versatile, is the perfect companion for both beginners and seasoned guitarists. Enjoy powerful sound during group sessions or precise control at moderate volume for solo practice. Thanks to its exceptional versatility, the GE1040 inspires your creativity and supports your musical progress across all genres. Embark on the Woodbrass adventure and make your strings vibrate with passion and confidence.

One of the best electric guitars for beginners, this “superstrat” features two humbuckers (neck and bridge) and a single coil in the middle. This Ibanez electric guitar follows the design of the famous RG from the Japanese brand, highly appreciated by shredders and fans of fast fretwork. It shines best in the hard rock and metal styles thanks to its two pickups which, while not the most precise on the market, adapt well to heavy distortion with ease. The single coil helps develop clearer, more manageable tones on the amp’s clean channel. Don’t push the vibrato too hard as it struggles to keep tuning stable if used too aggressively. Overall, you’re set to explore several sound facets with a single electric guitar whose playability (a strength of Ibanez thanks to a well-crafted neck and easy access to the high frets due to body cutaways) will help you start electric guitar without fatigue.

❌The vibrato is not always stable

Undoubtedly the most famous electric guitar in the world, and the most copied (and the one that inspired the most variations on the same theme). When you look closely at modern two-cutaway models, you instantly recognize the Strat-type silhouette that inspired them. Whatever model you choose, the Strat is often praised for its incredible clean tones and the dynamics of its single-coil pickups which work wonders on crunchy sounds or with slight overdrive. This is certainly the case with this accessible American model whose electronics offer even more possibilities thanks to a push-pull tone system that allows adding the neck pickup in various positions (you can, for example, use all 3 pickups at once). These handmade Yosemite pickups from the USA respect the original sound while adding a touch of modernity that matches the modern C neck profile, facilitating faster playing on a Fender electric guitar known for its excellent ergonomics for decades. A must-have.

❌Not much

How to Choose the Right Electric Guitar

Consider the Different Body Types

While this selection focuses on solidbody electric guitars (solid bodies, versatile), it’s important to know that beyond the different body designs (which can appeal to musicians or provide different playing comfort), their nature also varies. For example, there are hollow body types (hollow bodies with a more airy sound, very popular in jazz) and semi-hollow (partially hollowed, often favored in blues-rock). However, the solidbody dominates thanks to a wider range and an ultra-reduced sensitivity to feedback compared to other bodies that are more prone to resonances and feedback caused by distorted sounds.

Choosing the Electronics

While craftsmanship matters (body type, choice of woods for the body and neck…), the electronics (especially pickups) play a crucial role in the sound of the electric guitar. For instance, single-coil pickups offer a clearer, more crystalline tone, while humbuckers provide a darker sound with a higher output. There are also less common pickups (P90, DeArmond type, Filter’Tron…). You can also find active pickups that operate with a preamp built into the guitar, usually powered by a 9V battery. The sound is more modern, more powerful, and less sensitive to buzz and noise, but also less dynamic and rarely suited for vintage styles.

The Rest of the Equipment

Good pickups alone don’t make a guitar sound great. If it doesn’t hold tuning, the sound will be disastrous. Beyond potential adjustments by a luthier, the hardware must be reliable. Take a close look at the bridge. A solid mount will reassure you. For vibrato fans, there are many options, from the vintage but sensitive Bigsby (be careful not to press too hard) to the Floyd Rose with its many locking systems (which can also be a nightmare when changing strings), everything is possible. Also check the nut and the quality of the tuners. These small accessories are anything but superficial details!