Best Electric Guitars Under $400

Think you need to drop a fortune to get a great electric guitar? Think again. Today’s market offers awesome electric guitars under $400 that pack serious tone, solid construction, and sleek aesthetics—perfect for beginners, gigging musicians, or anyone building a killer budget rig.

Whether you’re into rock, blues, metal, or funk, this guide will help you find the best electric guitar under $400 that delivers more than its price tag suggests.

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What to Expect from a Sub-$400 Electric Guitar

Don’t let the price fool you—many guitars under $400 offer:

• Solid build quality with comfortable necks and reliable hardware

• Surprisingly good pickups, often ceramic or basic Alnico sets

• Stable tuning with decent tuners and bridges

• Upgradable potential for modders and DIY players

• A wide variety of tones, styles, and finishes

While you might not get premium tonewoods or boutique pickups, these guitars offer incredible value—especially for beginners or players on a budget.

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Best Electric Guitars Under $400 (2024 Picks)

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1. Yamaha Pacifica 112V

Best All-Around Electric Guitar Under $400

The Pacifica 112V is a standout for its build quality, versatility, and clean design. It’s HSS-configured (humbucker + single coils), making it perfect for a wide range of genres.

Key Features:

• Alder body with maple neck

• Rosewood or maple fingerboard

• Alnico V pickups with coil-splitting

• Hardtail bridge or vintage tremolo (112J/112V)

Why It’s Great:

• Comfortable neck and lightweight body

• Clean, articulate tone with great high-end definition

• Excellent for rock, blues, pop, funk

Best For: Beginners, modders, and players needing a reliable, versatile axe

Price: ~$300–$380

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2. Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster or Telecaster (Mini Models)

Best Vintage-Style Guitar Under $400

Squier’s Classic Vibe series nails the vintage look and feel, with solid tone and great playability. While most full-size Classic Vibes are slightly above $400, Mini or discounted models are often under that range.

Key Features:

• Poplar body, vintage-tinted maple neck

• Fender-designed Alnico pickups

• Classic color options and vintage tuners

Why It’s Great:

• Stunning looks and authentic Fender tone

• Great value for vintage-style lovers

• Easily upgradeable if desired

Best For: Fans of classic Fender style, clean tones, surf, blues, indie

Price: ~$370–$400 (watch for deals)

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3. Ibanez GRX70QA GIO

Best Budget Electric for Shredders and Metalheads

If you want a fast neck, sharp design, and high-output tone, the Ibanez GRX70QA is a metal machine at a beginner price.

Key Features:

• Poplar body with quilted maple top

• HSH pickup configuration (ceramic)

• Fast-playing maple neck with treated New Zealand pine fretboard

• Tremolo bridge

Why It’s Great:

• Thin neck ideal for fast riffs and solos

• Punchy tone that handles distortion well

• Eye-catching finish options

Best For: Metal, hard rock, fast soloing

Price: ~$250–$300

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4. Squier Bullet Mustang HH

Best Short-Scale Rock Guitar Under $200

The Bullet Mustang is one of the most fun-to-play guitars under $200. With a short scale and dual humbuckers, it’s punchy, playable, and perfect for small hands or beginners.

Key Features:

• Basswood body, short 24″ scale

• Two standard humbuckers

• Hardtail bridge, no tremolo

• Lightweight and compact

Why It’s Great:

• Excellent for grunge, indie, punk, and garage rock

• Super comfortable for younger or smaller players

• Big tone in a small package

Best For: Beginners, students, alternative/indie fans

Price: ~$180–$200

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5. Epiphone Les Paul Special VE

Best Budget-Friendly Les Paul-Style Guitar

This stripped-down Epiphone Les Paul delivers the iconic single-cut look and humbucker punch without the hefty price tag.

Key Features:

• Poplar body, slim taper neck

• Two open-coil humbuckers

• Vintage worn finish

• Fixed bridge

Why It’s Great:

• Classic rock tone and aesthetics

• Comfortable to play and well balanced

• Great for rhythm players

Best For: Rock, blues, rhythm guitarists, LP fans on a budget

Price: ~$200–$230

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6. Jackson JS22 Dinky Arch Top

Best Budget Guitar for Metal and Shred

Jackson’s JS22 Dinky gives you shred-ready tone and feel, complete with high-output humbuckers and a compound radius fretboard.

Key Features:

• Poplar body with maple neck

• Dual ceramic humbuckers

• Floyd Rose–style tremolo

• 12″–16″ compound-radius fingerboard

Why It’s Great:

• Fast neck for soloing

• Aggressive tone for metal and hard rock

• Built for speed and dive-bombs

Best For: Metal players, heavy rock, fast lead work

Price: ~$280–$320

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Quick Comparison Table

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Final Thoughts

You don’t need to spend a fortune to find a guitar that feels great, sounds awesome, and inspires creativity. The best electric guitars under $400 are more capable than ever, and whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, they offer tons of value and upgrade potential.

Here’s the takeaway:

• Choose the Yamaha Pacifica 112V for the best all-around tone and versatility.

• Go with the Squier Bullet Mustang if you want short scale and punchy simplicity.

• Grab the Ibanez GIO or Jackson Dinky for metal and shredding.

• Pick the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE for vintage rock vibe on a budget.

Ready to plug in and rock without breaking the bank? Find the guitar that speaks to your style—and start playing like you mean it.