Best Electric Guitars Under $300 in 2026
Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $300. Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $300.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (22 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Custom Line | |
| Colors: | White, Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Meranti | |
| Bridge: | Wsc Tune-O-Matic | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Jatoba | |
| Neck Material: | Meranti | |
| Decoration: | White pearloid crown | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Modern C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Tesla TM AH-5 Active Humbuckers (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Tesla TM AH-5 Active Humbuckers (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active
Harley Benton SC-Custom III Active
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
2. Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (63 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (62 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (27 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (16 votes)
Show All Specs
| Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Jackson | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | JS | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Gray | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Jackson Sealed Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Amaranth | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Sharkfin | |
| Scale Size: | 22.5" | |
| Shape: | Speed | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" to 16" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X
Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1X
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in China
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
3. Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (6 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (8 votes)
Show All Specs
| Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Squier | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Beginner Electric Guitars & Basses | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle Hardtail | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Standard Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Indian Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 22.75" | |
| Shape: | C | |
| Frets: | 20 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 40.6mm (1.6'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster
Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (3 votes)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (3 votes)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (13 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (17 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gretsch | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Streamliner | |
| Colors: | Gold, White, Blue, Brown | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Nato | |
| Bridge: | Wrap-Around | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Nato | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42.8mm (1.685'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Gretsch Broad'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
Gretsch G2210 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Ibanez GRGM21M
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (16 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (19 votes)
Show All Specs
| Ibanez GRGM21M | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Ibanez | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | miKro | |
| Colors: | White, Black, Red, Purple | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | F106 | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Ibanez | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black dot inlay | |
| Scale Size: | 22.2" | |
| Shape: | GRGM | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.768'' (19.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.846'' (21.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.748" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 41mm (1.614'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Infinity R (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Infinity R (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez GRGM21M
Ibanez GRGM21M
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. ESP LTD Viper-10
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Hard (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
- Weight: Slightly heavy (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: D (41 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (51 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (6 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (6 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP LTD Viper-10 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP LTD | |
| Year: | 2015 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Viper | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Basswood | |
| Bridge: | TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | LTD | |
| Fretboard: | Engineered Hardwood | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | ESP Designed LH-100B (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | ESP Designed LH-100N (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-10
ESP LTD Viper-10
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Harley Benton DC-Custom II
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (3 votes)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (3 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (3 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (33 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (26 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton DC-Custom II | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Custom Line | |
| Colors: | White, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Meranti | |
| Bridge: | Wsc Tune-O-Matic | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Jatoba | |
| Neck Material: | Meranti | |
| Decoration: | Perloid headstock inlay | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.898'' (22.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.931'' (23.6mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Tesla TM VR-Nitro (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Tesla TM VR-Nitro (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton DC-Custom II
Harley Benton DC-Custom II
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. Harley Benton SC-Custom III
Compare
What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (22 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton SC-Custom III | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Custom Line | |
| Colors: | Gold, Black, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Meranti | |
| Bridge: | Wsc Tune-O-Matic | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Jatoba | |
| Neck Material: | Meranti | |
| Decoration: | White pearloid crown | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Modern C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Tesla TM VR-Nitro Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Tesla TM VR-Nitro Alnico-5 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton SC-Custom III
Harley Benton SC-Custom III
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. Harley Benton MS-60
Compare
What our users think
- Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (33 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (26 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton MS-60 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2015 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Vintage | |
| Colors: | White | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Basswood | |
| Bridge: | Tune-O-Matic And Dlx Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Deluxe Die-Cast Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Purpleheart | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Fretboard Inlays | |
| Scale Size: | 24" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.898'' (22.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.931'' (23.6mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 41mm (1.614'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Roswell STA Alnico 5 Vintage Style (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Roswell STA Alnico 5 Vintage Style (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Phase Out | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton MS-60
Harley Benton MS-60
- Top Brand Pickups
- Phase Out Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1XM
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (63 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (62 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (27 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (16 votes)
Show All Specs
| Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1XM | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Jackson | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | JS | |
| Colors: | White | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Jackson Sealed Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Sharkfin | |
| Scale Size: | 22.5" | |
| Shape: | Speed | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1XM
Jackson JS Series RR Minion JS1XM
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in China
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
