Best P90 Guitars Under $500

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Looking for that unmistakable midrange growl, vintage chime, and raw edge that only a P90 pickup can deliver—without blowing your budget? You’re in luck. There are several fantastic P90-equipped guitars under $500 that offer powerful tone, solid craftsmanship, and serious style.

Whether you’re into blues, punk, classic rock, or indie tones, P90s provide the perfect middle ground between humbuckers and single coils—clear and articulate with a warm punch and a bit of natural grit.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best P90 guitars under $500 so you can find the right axe for your tone and playing style.

Why Choose a P90 Guitar?

P90 pickups offer a unique sound:

  • More midrange punch than typical single coils

  • Brighter and more articulate than humbuckers

  • Great for overdrive and clean tones alike

  • Perfect for blues, punk, alt-rock, garage, soul, and even jazz

They’re incredibly versatile, especially when paired with a good amp or overdrive pedal.

Best P90 Guitars Under $500 (2024 Picks)

1. Epiphone Les Paul Special

Best Overall P90 Guitar Under $500

This stripped-down Les Paul packs two killer Epiphone P90 PRO pickups into a lightweight, vintage-style body. It delivers classic rock, punk, and blues tones with no nonsense.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body and neck

  • Dual Epiphone P90 PRO pickups

  • Wraparound bridge

  • 22 frets, 24.75” scale

  • Vintage-style gloss finish

Why It’s Great:

  • Pure rock attitude with P90 bite

  • Solid construction and vintage feel

  • Great sustain and midrange growl

Best For: Players wanting a classic look and tone with modern playability

Price: ~$449

2. Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster® P90

Best Offset P90 Guitar Under $500

The Paranormal Jazzmaster blends classic offset styling with two fiery P90s, giving you the perfect tool for alternative rock, shoegaze, and indie vibes.

Key Features:

  • Poplar body, maple neck

  • Two Fender-designed alnico P90s

  • String-through-body bridge

  • 25.5” scale length

  • Comfortable “C” shape neck

Why It’s Great:

  • Big, bold, and jangly tone with P90 edge

  • Great for clean chords, gritty riffs, and fuzz

  • Unique style that stands out on any stage

Best For: Indie, alt-rock, and players who love offset designs with punch

Price: ~$429

3. Harley Benton DC Junior

Best Single-Pickup P90 Guitar for Simplicity and Raw Tone

This no-frills rock machine is inspired by the vintage Gibson LP Junior—and it absolutely nails the tone with a single Roswell P90 in the bridge.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body and neck

  • Single Roswell P90 pickup

  • Wraparound tailpiece

  • 22 frets, 24.75” scale

  • Vintage TV Yellow or Pelham Blue finish

Why It’s Great:

  • Raw, gritty tone that cuts through the mix

  • Simplicity = fewer distractions, pure playing

  • Lightweight and fun to play

Best For: Punk, garage, blues, and no-nonsense players

Price: ~$199–$249 (available from Thomann)

4. Epiphone Les Paul Special-I P90

Best Budget P90 Guitar for Beginners

For those just getting started, this is one of the most affordable P90 guitars that still sounds great and feels solid in hand.

Key Features:

  • Basswood body, bolt-on mahogany neck

  • Dual P90 pickups

  • Master volume and tone

  • 24.75” scale length

  • Lightweight and comfortable

Why It’s Great:

  • Great for beginners or modders

  • Surprisingly good tone for the price

  • Ideal platform for upgrades

Best For: New players or those on a tight budget

Price: ~$180–$200

5. Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20

Best Modern P90-Style Guitar Under $500

Though technically loaded with Yamaha’s Alnico V “VP5” single coils, they’re voiced very much like P90s—delivering full, warm, dynamic tone in a modern package.

Key Features:

  • Chambered mahogany body

  • Dual VP5 pickups (P90-style)

  • 24.75” scale, satin neck finish

  • 5-way pickup selector

  • Stylish, sleek aesthetic

Why It’s Great:

  • Vintage P90 punch with modern comfort

  • Amazing build quality for the price

  • Versatile tones across genres

Best For: Players who want P90 tone in a refined, modern format

Price: ~$499

Quick Comparison Table

Guitar Model Pickups Body Style Best For Price
Epiphone Les Paul Special 2x P90 PRO LP-style Classic rock, blues, punk ~$449
Squier Jazzmaster P90 2x Alnico P90s Offset Indie, alternative, clean/fuzz ~$429
Harley Benton DC Junior 1x Roswell P90 Double cut Raw rock, garage, punk ~$199
Epiphone Special-I P90 2x P90 LP-style Beginners, modders, budget tone ~$180
Yamaha Revstar RSE20 2x VP5 (P90-like) Modern LP Blues, pop, rock, clean crunch ~$499

Tips for Choosing the Right P90 Guitar

1. Pickup Configuration

  • Single bridge P90 = raw, cutting, pure rock tones

  • Dual P90s = more versatility for clean, rhythm, and lead tones

2. Body Shape

  • Les Paul-style = warmer, thicker mids

  • Offset/Jazzmaster = more brightness and punch

  • Double cuts = better upper fret access and lighter feel

3. Modding Potential

  • Some of these guitars (like Harley Benton or Epiphone Special-I) are great mod platforms—ideal for upgrades and experimentation

4. Neck Feel and Scale

  • Most are 24.75” scale, making them smooth and bend-friendly

  • Look for a neck profile that suits your hand—slim taper vs. chunkier styles

Final Thoughts

P90 guitars bring a unique, expressive voice that sits perfectly between bright single-coil sparkle and thick humbucker punch. And the best part? You don’t need a massive budget to grab one that sounds amazing.

Here’s the takeaway:

  • Choose the Epiphone Les Paul Special for the best all-around value and vintage tone

  • Pick the Squier Jazzmaster P90 if you want style and versatility

  • Go with the Harley Benton DC Junior for raw, punky attitude on a budget

  • The Epiphone Special-I is perfect for beginners or budget mods

  • Want a sleek, modern feel? Try the Yamaha Revstar RSE20

Ready to embrace that P90 tone? Grab one of these guitars and let the snarling mids, punchy highs, and soulful grit do the talking.

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