Best Electric Guitars Under $500 in 2023
Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $500. Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $500.
Out of the more than 2000 guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones. 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.
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1. Harley Benton Guitar MAX Fusion Signature
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Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2023 Signature series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Ultra Flame flamed maple veneer top
- Nyatoh body
- Roasted Maple neck
- Roasted Maple fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Tesla Plasma-X1 (Humbucker/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Tesla Plasma-RS2 (Humbucker/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 3-way Switch
- Floyd Rose bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- Gold-plated Jinho J03 Mini Rotomatic style tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Guitar MAX Fusion Signature
Harley Benton Guitar MAX Fusion Signature
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Retainer Bar
- No Strap Lock
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2. Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
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Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2022 Pro series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Nyatoh body
- Roasted Maple neck
- Roasted Maple fretboard
- Bridge pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
- Neck pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 3-way Switch
- WSC Hipshot style hardtail bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Tremolo
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
3. Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted
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Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2022 Pro series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Nyatoh body
- Roasted Maple neck
- Roasted Maple fretboard
- Bridge pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
- Neck pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 3-way Switch
- WSC Hipshot style hardtail bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted
Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Black Tusq XL Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Tremolo
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Harley Benton MR-Modern Baritone
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Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (17 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (14 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2022 Vintage series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 27"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Alder body
- Maple neck
- Ebony fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Artec AHC-90 Soapbar (Single Coil/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Artec AHC-90 Soapbar (Single Coil/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
- 3-way Switch
- Wilkinson VS-50 II Precision Tremolo bridge
- Harley Benton C Bolt-On neck
- 22 Medium Stainless Steel frets
- Kluson-style Wilkinson locking tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton MR-Modern Baritone
Harley Benton MR-Modern Baritone
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Tap Pickups
- Tremolo
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Harley Benton MR-Modern
Compare
Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (17 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (14 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2022 Vintage series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Alder body
- Maple neck
- Ebony fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Artec AHC-90 Soapbar (Single Coil/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Artec AHC-90 Soapbar (Single Coil/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
- 3-way Switch
- Wilkinson VS-50 II Precision Tremolo bridge
- Harley Benton C Bolt-On neck
- 22 Medium Stainless Steel frets
- Kluson-style Wilkinson locking tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton MR-Modern
Harley Benton MR-Modern
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Black Tusq XL Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Tap Pickups
- Tremolo
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted
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Player Feedback
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2021 Pro series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Nyatoh body
- Roasted Maple neck
- Roasted Maple fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- Middle pickup: Roswell S74-M AlNiCo-5 (Single Coil/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Roswell S74-N AlNiCo-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 5-way Switch
- Wilkinson Tremolo bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSS Roasted
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Harley Benton Fusion-III HH HT Roasted
Compare
Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2021 Pro series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Nyatoh body
- Roasted Maple neck
- Roasted Maple fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Roswell S74-N AlNiCo-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 3-way Switch
- Hipshot style HT bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH HT Roasted
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH HT Roasted
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Tremolo
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB
Compare
Player Feedback
- Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2021 Pro series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Flame Maple Veneer top
- Nyatoh body
- Maple neck
- Ebony fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Roswell HAF-N Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 3-way Switch
- Floyd Rose bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- Grover GH305 6L tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR EB
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Retainer Bar
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
Compare
Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2021 Pro series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Ultra Flame Maple Veneer top
- Nyatoh body
- Maple neck
- Ebony fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- Middle pickup: Roswell S74-C BK Alnico-5 (Single Coil/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Roswell HAF-N Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 5-way Switch
- Wilkinson Tremolo bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
Harley Benton Fusion-III HSH EB
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- Made in Indonesia
- 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. Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR Roasted
Compare
Player Feedback
- Neck profile shape: C (9 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (5 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
- From Harley Benton's 2021 Pro series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Ultra Flame Maple Veneer top
- Nyatoh body
- Roasted Maple neck
- Roasted Maple fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- Neck pickup: Roswell HAF-N Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
- 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 3-way Switch
- Floyd Rose bridge
- Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
- 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- Grover GH305 6L tuners
- Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR Roasted
Harley Benton Fusion-III HH FR Roasted
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Retainer Bar
- No Strap Lock
