While the guitar world is full of wonderful instruments at every conceivable price point, we wanted to take some time today to highlight a few high-quality yet affordable guitars.
In the video above, Andy Martin shows off five cool guitars you can find for under $500 USD. Each guitar is plugged into a Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb, with some dirt tones being generated by a Fulltone OCD.
First up is the Epiphone 339 Pro.
Many of you will know Epiphone as the budget-minded brand under the Gibson umbrella—and, while Epiphone does make its own independent models, this 339 Pro is modeled after the Gibson ES-339, which is itself a slimmed-down take on the company's classic ES-335.
The Epiphone 339 Pro features a laminate maple body, a set mahogany neck, and alnico humbucker pickups. A push-pull pot allows you to split the pickup coils for a single-coil sound.
Similarly, the Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom is Fender's budget-minded brand's take on one of its parent company's classic designs.
But as Andy says, "If you haven't played a Squier in a long time, like myself, you'll be pleasantly surprised with what they're coming out with these days." The Vintage Modified Tele Custom has a humbucker in the neck position and a Seymour Duncan TE-101B single-coil in the bridge.
By blending the pickups together, Andy says it's possible to get that classic Tele twang, while the humbucker alone boasts a fat, warm tone.
The Gretsch G2655 Streamliner Center Block Jr. is another affordable option, a new guitar in Gretsch's lineup that adds a bit of flair to distinguish it from the company's classic models.
The small, semi-hollow instrument features a laminate maple body with a spruce block down the center, as well as Gretsch's new, high-output Broad'Tron pickups. According to Gretsch, these are "designed specifically for the Streamliner Collection" and offer "tighter bass response for robust lows, pristine highs, and a throaty midrange."
The V-shaped stop tailpiece and big block inlays make this a visually appealing piece, while a master volume and master knob, in addition to individual volume knobs for each pickup, give a versatile range of sounds.
The Danelectro "Stock 59" DC is the company's contemporary take on one of its most famous guitars—the classic double-cutaway used Jimmy Page and countless other players.
Its lipstick pickups offer bite and sustain, while the shorthorn cutaways give ample vintage vibes. Like the original, the body is masonite and the neck is a bolt-on maple.
Danelectro has many great, funky models that you can find for under $500 on Reverb, including the similar '59M NOS. Take a look here to see all of the affordable Danelectros currently available.
Rounding out Andy's video is the Ibanez AS73G Artcore Semi-Hollowbody.
Available in a range of colors, include black and mint blue, Andy is demonstrating with one finished in ivory. The body is semi-hollow, but is wider than others featured in the video, offering a bit more of the classic "jazz box" tone.
With large block inlays, Elite humbucking pickups, and stylish binding around the headstock, it's a classy-looking guitar. But the bridge pickup also offers plenty of bite and a singing lead tone.
Do you have a favorite under-$500 model we haven't featured? Let us know in the comments. And if you'd like to browse Reverb for even more affordable finds, click below to see all of the sub-$500 axes currently for sale on the site.