Top 15 Best Electric Guitars Under 400 Reviews in 2023

Electric guitars are one of the best instruments to satisfy musical passion. People can feel the power of music right there in the name: electric. Many people want to play them because their capability is bringing energy and ardor into the world, but there’s one big problem preventing their passion. Oftentimes, these musical instruments cost thousands of dollars, so we know that is our responsibility to find the best electric guitars under 400.

After searching through most videos, blogs and more, we made out a list of the best electric guitars under 400. If you’re in the market, searching for a budget-friendly guitar, then check out our list.

Best Electric Guitars Under 400 Comparison 2023

Epiphone SG-Special Squier Bullet Mustang  Yamaha Pacifica 112V  Squier Affinity Stratocaster
best electric guitar under 400 best electric guitar under 400 best electric guitar under 400 best electric guitar under 400

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** Below, you will find our detailed reviews of theBest Electric Guitars Under 400, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

Detailed Reviews Of Top 15 Best Electric Guitars Under 400

Epiphone SG-Special 

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 42.5 x 17.75 x 3.9 inches
  • Body Material: Nato or Agathis
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Humbucker

This body shape was planned when Gibson chose to form their possessive cut-away strong guitar. The base was the standard Les Paul that was created into this show. The Epiphone SG-Special brings the aesthetics and feels of the first SG to motivate the fledglings to investigate music. The body and neck are Mahogany and colored cherry red. The brand has done everything to hold each highlight that’s cherished around the Gibson SG and pressed it into this model. This Epiphone SG comes with the standard open-coil humbuckers. And the pickups are controlled by a commonplace format. There’s a tone handle and a volume knob, and a Gibson fashion pickup selector switch. Everything is put together flawlessly and dependably to start your melodic travel.

The equipment with this guitar is the standard tune-o-matic bridge that compliments the set of die-cast tuners on the headstock that holds tuning. The dull colour of the guitar emphasizes the chrome wrap up giving it a classy Rockstar see. It moreover has an all-black pickguard just like the unique SG plan.

This Epiphone is implied for difficult shakes filled with overdrive. It handles the tall pick up twisting like a professional and the pickups are flexible for most classes. It does not play an awfully clear tone but contains a certain definition.

YAMAHA Pacifica 012

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 42.5 x 17.75 x 3.9 inches
  • Body Material: Nato or Agathis
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Humbucker

The Pacifica’s body shape is an aggressive Stratocaster with a large pickguard. The guitar sports a vintage tremolo bridge. The headstock has die-cast tuners that hold intonation and tuning. Yamaha chose to use this HSS combination of pickup coils. That is one humbucker clubbed with two single coils.

All these highlights put together, the Yamaha Pacifica Arrangement PAC012 offers the execution of high-end guitars. The humbucker gives you the brunt of its tone; the single coils blur into the foundation.

The Yamaha Pacifica Series are the best guitars that bring outstanding playability and great tone. The tone is balanced and even across the range. You can play various genres with excellent performance. The Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012 has 3 pickup coils – one humbucker and two single coils. There is a vintage style chrome tremolo, a master volume, a master tone and a five-position switch. All these features make it a versatile guitar for beginners who dream of playing all kinds of music to their soul’s content.

Mitchell TD400 Double Cutaway

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 41.5 x 16.75 x 4.5 inches
  • Body Material: Solid Wood
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Single Coil

The Mitchell TD400 electric guitar highlights a conventional twofold cutaway plan with premium birch body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard. A flexible pickup setup incorporates one humbucker and two single-coil paraffin-dipped alnico V pickups that protect against microphonics and undesirable criticism. The slim-taper neck profile will feel immediately comfortable in any player’s hands. The TD400 too highlights staggered-height tuners, which keep the pressure on the nut without the utilize of string trees, whereas the locking tuners give awesome tuning soundness. The ultra-carve heel joint permits get to the upper worries with ease. Include to these a pull-pot coil-tap, giving awesome single-coil sounds from the bridge-position humbucker, and a Wilkinson VS50-II tremolo, and you’ve got an awesome sounding, present-day take on tradition.  All Mitchell electric guitars get a total stateside setup and quality control review to guarantee uncommon playability.

  • Pros
  • Cons

Things we liked

  • Conventional balanced double-cutaway plan in premium birch and a maple neck and rosewood fretboard
  • H/S/S Alnico V pickup arrangement with paraffin-dipped pickups decrease microphonics and feedback
  • Ultra-carve heel joint permits simple get to upper frets Pull coil-tap humbucker work gives single-coil sounds
  • The ultra-comfortable slim-taper neck feels comfortable in any player’s hands
  • Staggered-height, locking tuners, and Chart Tech TUSQ XL reduced-friction nut improve tuning stability
  • Wilkinson VS50-II with locking saddles and overwhelming bridge piece includes tone and sustain
  • High-tensile quality fretwire gives toughness and smooth playability

Things we did not like

  • Case sold separately

Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS

best electric guitar under 400

This Affinity Series Stratocaster has a glorious outlook with a humbucking bridge pickup, an attractive rosewood fingerboard with 21 frets. It has a humbucker bridge pickups and two standard single-coil strat in middle & neck, and a tremolo bridge.

This Stratocaster impresses people by its barnstorming tone and swift, effortless playing, so you can possibly practice for many hours. It has a Master Volume knob and two separate tone knobs for Neck Pickup and Middle Pickup, enabling you to dial in any music you favoured. If you pursue the quality which comes from Fender at a budget-friendly price, then you absolutely love this one.

The neck of this Stratocaster is aimed to create a perfect tone from hard, sturdy maple with a rosewood fingerboard. This electric guitar prides itself by having an amazing fretboard that guarantees once you’ve picked it up, you definitely won’t want to put it down.

Focusing on bringing the music that the Stratocaster is extremely well-known for, this guitar is built with two regular single-coil Strat pickups. By adjusting two tone knobs for the middle pickup and the neck one will help you to get your own musical color. With a unique sound that comes from this Stratocaster, it will develop your sense of music.

  • Pros
  • Cons

Things we liked

  • This guitar has high satisfaction levels with both beginners and even experienced guitarists.
  • There were several people who said it holds its tune well, one even went as far as to say better than other entry level guitars. The Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS also gets a lot of compliments for its finish. Longevity is also reportedly high, with some owners reporting years of satisfied use.

Things we did not like

  • Some string action related issues are reported, including fret buzz.
  • There are also a few who are not too happy with the tuners, a common issue found in guitars in this price range.

Davison Full-Size Electric Guitar with Beginners Pack

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 46.5 x 18.4 x 5.4 inches
  • Body Material: Wood
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Humbucker

This bundle contains everything you wish to begin shaking out of the box. The guitar is additionally consistent with the most recent guitar computer program. There’s a full measured 39-inch electric guitar with a tall gleam wrap up. The strong wood absorbs the feedback. The maple neck had a rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets.

There is a humbucker pickup coil perfect to play shake music and another sort of music. There’s a yield on the underside of the guitar that interfaces it to the enhancer. This model has no pickup protection and there are as it were two handles – one for volume and one for tone.

This Davison unit has been planned by musicians and affirmed by music instructors. All you must do is get yourself one and begin practicing. It is perfect for apprentices and middle students.

This Davison is a full-sized guitar with one volume and one tone handle. The enhancer has the volume and tone handles. There are two input jacks and one earphone jack. The input loans a wide field for experimentation to play at the side numerous classes of music. While the headphone output lets you keep your practice sessions quiet. The pack is consistent with the well-known guitar program on the computer and gaming consoles.

Daisy Rock Stardust Retro-H Semi-Hollow

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 52 x 13.5 x 1.75 inches
  • Body Material: Basswood
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Humbucker

Stardust Arrangement Retro-H De-Luxe is a vintage-styled double-cut with semi-hollow body development. This model has a place in the Stardust Retro arrangement, which is pointed at young ladies who like their guitars looking and sounding as in case they came from fifty, sixty years prior. Stardust Arrangement Retro-H De-Luxe encompasses a body made of basswood in its aggregate. The best is level and carved with one “f” gap on the bass side of the bridge. White Lightning color conspire is wrapped up in gleam and coordinated with dark chrome equipment. Tune-o-matic bridge and Bigsby vibrato rear end contain the bridge unit. Two dynamic humbuckers are introduced within the front. Bolt-on maple neck is made of shake maple. It is topped with a standard 22-fret rosewood fingerboard.

The G&L ASAT Classic Bluesboy

best electric guitar under 400

From Daisy Rock Guitars, the world’s first company to make guitars designed especially for girls comes the Stardust Retro-H Guitar, but even the boys can’t resist this one’s scrappy tones. Features a thin semi-hollow basswood body and a 22-fret, 24 ¾ scale bolt-on, slim profile, rock maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays. Includes compensated wraparound bridge, vintage mini-humbuckers, master volume, master tone, 3-way selector control, and Grover tuners. All Daisy Rock guitars include a limited lifetime warranty and arrive set up and ready to play.

Check out this hip guitar that possesses, “lively, scrappy sound, and excellent playability,” according to Guitar Player magazine. The Stardust Retro-H looks as delicious today as it would have in the 1950s, with its vintage edge and classic quality. Featuring Daisy Rock’s trademark lightweight body and slim, easy-to-hold neck, the Stardust Retro-H comes complete with a rock maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, compensated wraparound bridge, vintage mini-humbuckers, 3-way selector, and Grover tuners. Plus, all Daisy Rock guitars arrive fully set up and ready to play, and include a limited lifetime warranty. Looking for a unique image with the highest caliber of quality? Pick up a Stardust Retro-H.

Squier Bullet Mustang 

best electric guitar under 400

Accessible in Dark or Royal Blue with a natty metallic wrap up, typically certainly an alluring little guitar. In keeping with Squier’s other entry-level models, the Bullet Bronco features a basswood body which gives it an inconceivably flexible, lightweight feel. In the event that you’re utilized to the masculine haul of a Les Paul at that point this, combined with its 24-inch scale length, can provide the Bronco a nearly toy-like feel when you begin with choosing it up.

The two humbuckers are the foremost obvious departure from the initial, giving precise coarseness within the bridge position and a satisfying, earthy warmth in the neck. Reasonably, you’re not going to be extricating much within the way of classic vintage tones on account of the basswood body, but the Mustang’s pickups hold their claim over the extends of classes.

The bolt-on maple neck and six saddle hardtail bridge feel reassuringly rigid, while the tuners did a sterling job in our tests of holding their pitch without too much hassle. The volume and tone knobs, often a clear indicator of quality control in budget guitars, are installed firmly enough with no evident wobble, while the pickup selector switch is angled so it won’t get knocked if your playing becomes too enthusiastic.

Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 44.5 x 15 x 4 inches
  • Body Material: Nato wood
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Single Coil

The Squier Classic Vibe arrangement captures the genuineness of unique Fender plans in a “greatest hits” collection of models that are simple on the eyes and ears, simple to play, and impossible to put down. All Classic Vibe models are motivated by chronicled illustrations of Bumper backbones and include Fender-Designed pickups, period-correct colors, and headstock markings, a vintage-tinted sparkle neck wrap up and nickel-plated hardware.

A tribute to the 1960s advancement of the Stratocaster, the Classic Vibe ‘60s Stratocaster makes extraordinary tone affability of a trio of Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups. Player-friendly highlights incorporate a thin, comfortable C -molded neck profile with an easy-playing 9.5 -span fingerboard and narrow-tall worries, as well as a vintage-style tremolo framework for expressive string bowing impacts.This throwback Squier model also features 1960s-inspired headstock markings, rich-looking nickel-plated hardware and a slick vintage-tint gloss neck finish for an old-school vibe.

Yamaha Pacifica 112V – perfect for small hands

best electric guitar under 400

Having scaled the popularity charts despite the presence of other hardcore musical niche competitors like Fender and Gibson, the Yamaha Pacifica Series is definitely praiseworthy. From scoring high on playability, maintenance and dashing looks, to displaying versatility to cater to varied musical preferences, the Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar undoubtedly offers one of the best stepping stones for amateurs to kick-start their musical journey in style.

  • Pros
  • Cons

Things we liked

  • Variety of Pickup Configurations to enhance your learning and creativity as a musician.
  • Good feel, fun to play and low string tension to grasp the initial concepts well.
  • Solid Electronics and technical acumen of Yamaha as a brand, add on to the reliability of this electric guitar.
  • High on versatility and ideal for an unending range of music genres for jamming, practicing and even for small gigs and recording.

Things we did not like

  • No accessories like amplifier, cable or case/stand included with the purchase.
  • Only for those who pursue music as a hobby; not for professionals and advanced players.

Squier Affinity Stratocaster – easy for newbies to grasp

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 44.5 x 4 x 14.5 inches
  • Body Material: Rosewood
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Single Coil

A superb gateway into the time-honored Fender® family, the Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® delivers legendary design and quintessential tone for today’s aspiring guitar hero. This Strat® features several player-friendly refinements such as a slim and comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile, a vintage-style tremolo bridge for expressive string-bending effects and sealed die-cast tuning machines for smooth, accurate tuning. Loaded with a trio of Squier single-coil Strat pickups with 5-way switching for genre-defying sonic variety, this model is ready to accompany any player at any stage.

Epiphone Les Paul Studio LT

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 40 x 3.5 x 14 inches
  • Body Material: Mahogany
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Humbucker

The Les Paul Studio LT has all the classic “Les Paul” features including a carved Mahogany top, powerful Zebra-Coil Ceramic humbuckers, and a Mahogany neck with an easy-to-play tapered neck joint.

Classic Les Paul Style: The Les Paul Studio LT has everything new players need to get that one-of-a-kind Les Paul sound without breaking the bank. The all-Mahogany body has a carved top and is slightly lighter and slimmer than full-size Les Pauls so it’s easy to hold for long practices and gigs. The bolt-on Mahogany neck has a “Les Paul” scale length of 24.75” with a 1.68” nut, a 2-way adjustable truss rod for a perfect setup, a Rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays, and a smooth tapered neck joint for easy reach to upper frets.

Gretsch G5425 Electromatic

best electric guitar under 400

The G5425 Jet Club has a single-cutaway solid basswood body with a maple wood top that resonates easy-breezy, with a two-tone body color scheme (Black or Silver top with Walnut-stained back and sides). This item has two Gretsch dual-coil humbucking pickups that let you dial in classic Gretsch chime or overdriven dirt tones, 22 medium jumbo frets, Adjust-o-Matic bridge and stop tailpiece that make sure passionate sustain, half-moon thumbnail inlays, the unique G-arrow knobs from Gretsch and Gretsch-logo pickguard.

Ibanez Artcore AS53TKF

best electric guitar under 400

Specifications:

  • Product Dimensions: 42.25 x 15.63 x 2.5 inches
  • Body Material: Sapele Wood
  • Number of string: 6
  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: Humbucker

Whether you’re a solid body player looking to expand your tonal palate, or an acoustic player who wants to transition to electric, The AS53 is an affordable way to ease into the classic sounds of the semi-hollow guitar. The warm tone of the AS53 is built around two Infinity R humbucker pickups, mounted on a solid block of wood for increased Sustain and reduced feedback. The set-in mahogany art core neck joins the sample body at the 17th fret for easy access to higher notes. Rock, country, jazz or blues, the AS53 will handle it all.

Epiphone SG Standard ’61

best electric guitar under 400

With its instantly recognizable body shape and top-shelf rock ‘n’ roll sound, the SG has found its place in the pantheon of iconic electric guitars. The Epiphone SG standard ’61 takes all of the qualities that made the SG a classic and fits them into a high-quality, neatly priced guitar that you’re sure to love. The Epiphone SG Standard ’61’s inimitable tone begins with a solid mahogany body and mahogany neck that provide warmth and depth, then it adds an Indian laurel fretboard for clarity and punch.

The Epiphone SG Standard ’61’s all-mahogany body has a rich and warm resonance with incredible depth, which belies the comfortable weight of the SG. From there, the SlimTaper mahogany neck extends the sonic depth of the guitar, and it’s capped with an Indian laurel fretboard that spices up the mix with brilliant highs and vibrant overtones.

What to look for in an electric guitar

Body Style

best electric guitar under 400

These guitars include three main body styles: solid body, semi-hollow body, and hollow body.

  • Solid-body guitars are an ideal decision if you need to sustain, make effects, or loud amplification.

  • If your requirement is the high stages of amplification, a semi-hollow body is the best choice.

  • Hollow-body, or “jazz” guitars, receive the responses of higher levels of amplification.

Wood

best electric guitar under 400

The tone and weight of a guitar depend on the various types of wood. A better-sounding guitar does not require the expensive woods. The key question for you to choose an electric guitar is your decision on its sound.

Neck

best electric guitar under 400

The size of your hand is the primary factor for you to select which types of guitar’s neck. There are many shapes of necks, namely C-shaped, thin, wide-thin, and so on.

Set Neck vs Bolt-on

best electric guitar under 400

It is said that  the sustain of a set neck (or glued-in) is better than that of a neck that is bolted on instead. If you want a Fender Stratocaster, you should choose the bolt-on neck. However, a set neck would be the perfect choice for a Gibson Les Paul.

Scale Length

best electric guitar under 400

The tone of the notes and the tension of the string at a particular pitch are based on the scale length. Scale length is the vibrating length of the string that is the distance between the “nut” and the “saddle.” Fret placement is reliant on scale length so the longer scales have, the longer frets are.

Many electric guitars use one of three common scale lengths:

  • The “Gibson” at the scale of 24.75″ gives the Les Paul its round attack and thick bass

  • The “Fender” scale at 25.5″ gives the Strat its clear and cutting quality.

  • The 25″ scale, as known by Paul Reed Smith, is not a compromise between “Gibson” and “Fender.”

Intonation

best electric guitar under 400

Intonation examines whether or not the notes play in tune when you move to the neck. If the distance between the frets (usually above the 12th fret) is off, the guitar cannot play in tune and become useless.

Number of Frets

best electric guitar under 400

Most electric guitars have 22 frets, however, if you want to play in the higher register, you would need a 24-fret neck for the full octave above the twelfth fret.

Finish

best electric guitar under 400

The type of finish with electrics does not influence on sound as much as it does on acoustics. However, it is not the problem because producers take this into account during the producing process.

Bridge

best electric guitar under 400

Bridges for guitars include two main types: tremolo bridge and stoptail bridge.

  • The tremolo bridge (or whammy bar) is useful for Metal styles. Although they allow you to bend all the strings at the same time, they can throw strings out of tune.

  • The stop tail bridge is more stable in terms of tuning. Some players say that it is more sustainable than the tremolo bridge since it is fixed into the body.

Pickups

best electric guitar under 400

Most guitars have two pickups:

  • The first one is closed to the neck, which makes the sound become thicker.

  • The other is near the bridge, which makes the more treble “twangy” sound.

You can choose between pickups or blend them through a 3-position switch. Sometimes, electric guitars have a five-position switch to produce “glassy” tones by blending the pickups and changing their phase relationship.

Tuning machines

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The tuning machine of a guitar is very vital, which helps you to fine-tune and hold pitch. Enclosed machine heads don’t require as much maintenance or replacement as opened tuning machines due to their resistance to rust and airborne corrosives.

Final Thoughts of best electric guitar under 400

It is not so difficult to own an electric guitar that meets your needs. There is a numerous amount  of information about electric guitars and you can easily discover them. However, playing this musical instrument requires a lot of effort in the beginning stage.

It will be ideal if you would like more information in detail. Search for levels of electric guitars and consider which sort of them is the most suitable for you.

You could return to the list of the electric guitars above and choose the one which satisfies your requirement!

This table summaries the best products for various purposes :

Epiphone SG-Special 

Squier Bullet Mustang 

Yamaha Pacifica 112V 

Squier Affinity Stratocaster 

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Best Electric Guitar for Beginners

Best Kayak for Children

Best Electric Guitar for Small Hands

Best Electric Guitar for Newbies to Grasp

I believe this guide will help you to choose the best electric guitars under 400. If you have any questions, please use my contact form to get in contact for more details.Have fun with your musical passion!

See more best seller of electric guitar on Amazon and find the best option for you here!

Thank you for reading this far! I hope that the information provided in this article will be helpful to you.

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Read also:

Best Electric Guitars Under 500 Reviews In 2023

Top 17 Best Short Scale Electric Guitar Reviews In 2023

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