Best Electric Guitars Under $5000 in 2025
Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $5000. Here you'll find the best electric guitars under $5000.
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. Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 7
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
Show All Specs
| Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 7 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Jackson | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 7 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artist Signature | |
| Colors: | White, Black, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | 1/8 Quilt Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Pro (Recessed) | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Planet Waves Auto-Trim | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Quartersawn Maple | |
| Decoration: | ||
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Jackson Standard | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 47.6mm (1.875'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Direct Mount Chris Broderick Designed Custom DiMarzio (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Direct Mount Chris Broderick Designed Custom DiMarzio (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split, Killswitch | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 7
Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 7
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Coil Split, Killswitch Pickups
- Tremolo
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Retainer Bar
All Prices
2. Music Man Majesty 8
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Herman Li fast (3 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
Show All Specs
| Music Man Majesty 8 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Music Man | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 8 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | John Petrucci | |
| Colors: | Green | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Basswood Wings, Mahogany through neck | |
| Bridge: | Music Man Custom piezo hardtail | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Schaller M6-IND locking (Chrome) | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Atlante Majesty Inlays | |
| Scale Size: | 27" to 25.5" | |
| Shape: | John Petrucci | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 17" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 57.2mm (2.252'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | DiMarzio Dreamcatcher (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | DiMarzio Rainmaker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split, Multi-Voicing | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Music Man Majesty 8
Music Man Majesty 8
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Compensated Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
3. ESP Horizon-III
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| ESP Horizon-III | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Horizon-III | |
| Colors: | White | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Offset Blocks | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Custom Shop JB/Custom Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Horizon-III
ESP Horizon-III
- Locking Tuners
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Gibson ES Supreme
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Show All Specs
| Gibson ES Supreme | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Modern | |
| Colors: | Sunburst, Blue | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | 3-ply AAA Maple/Poplar/Maple | |
| Type: | Semi-Hollow | |
| Body Material: | 3-ply AAA Maple/Poplar/Maple | |
| Bridge: | Aluminum Stop Bar | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Locking Keystone | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl Super Split Block | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Rounded "C" | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 10" to 16" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 43.1mm (1.695'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Burstbucker Lead Pro (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Burstbucker Rhythm Pro (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Tap | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson ES Supreme
Gibson ES Supreme
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Tap Pickups
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (6 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (5 votes)
Show All Specs
| EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | EVH | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Wolfgang USA | |
| Colors: | White | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Big Leaf Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Basswood | |
| Bridge: | EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | EVH-Branded Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Quartersawn Maple | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Block | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Wolfgang Backshape | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Vintage Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" to 16" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang AL3 Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Killswitch | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Killswitch Pickups
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Retainer Bar
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. PRS Santana Retro
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| PRS Santana Retro | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | PRS | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Core | |
| Colors: | Gold, White, Black, Blue, Green, Black Burst, Orange, Purple, Yellow, Red Burst, Gold Burst, Dark Cherry Sunburst, McCarty Sunburst, McCarty Tobacco Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Carved Figured Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | PRS Patented Tremolo, Gen III | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | PRS Phase III Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Birds | |
| Scale Size: | 24.5" | |
| Shape: | Santana Retro | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 11.5" | |
| Nut: | PRS Propietary | |
| Nut Width: | 42.1mm (1.656'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | PRS Santana (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | PRS Santana (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS Santana Retro
PRS Santana Retro
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- PRS Propietary Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
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Show All Specs
| Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artisan | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Spalted Maple | |
| Type: | Semi-Hollow | |
| Body Material: | Roasted Ash with Spalted Maple Top | |
| Bridge: | Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Round-Lam Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 3A Roasted Birdseye Maple | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | '60s Oval C | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" to 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound RWRP Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. Ibanez JS1CR
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Ibanez JS1CR | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Ibanez | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | HS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | JS | |
| Colors: | Gray | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Edge tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh machine heads | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple/Bubinga | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | JS | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 10" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | DiMarzio Satchur8 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sustainiac (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Sustainer | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez JS1CR
Ibanez JS1CR
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Sustainer Pickups
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. Gibson Custom Theodore
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Show All Specs
| Gibson Custom Theodore | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | P90P90 | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Historic Collection | |
| Colors: | Black, Red, Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Wraparound | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Kluson Six In-Line with Cream Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Indian Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | C-profile | |
| Frets: | 22 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Nylon | |
| Nut Width: | 42.9mm (1.688'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Custom Soapbar P90 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Custom Soapbar P90 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom Theodore
Gibson Custom Theodore
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Nylon Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- 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
10. Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 6
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
Show All Specs
| Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 6 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Jackson | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artist Signature | |
| Colors: | White, Black, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | 1/8 Plain Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Pro (Recessed) | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Planet Waves Auto-Trim | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Quartersawn Maple | |
| Decoration: | ||
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Jackson Standard | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42.9mm (1.688'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Direct Mount Chris Broderick Designed Custom DiMarzio (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Direct Mount Chris Broderick Designed Custom DiMarzio (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split, Killswitch | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 6
Jackson USA Signature Chris Broderick Soloist 6
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Coil Split, Killswitch Pickups
- Tremolo
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Retainer Bar
