Best Electric Guitars With Nickel Hardware in 2026
Here are the top electric guitars with Nickel hardware.
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. Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster
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| Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender | |
| Year: | 2025 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | American Ultra Luxe Vintage | |
| Colors: | White, Yellow | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Ash | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle American Tele with Brass Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Modern "D" | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 10" to 14" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 42.8mm (1.685'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Pure Vintage 51 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Pure Vintage 51 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | S-1 Switch | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster
Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- S-1 Switch Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Strap Lock
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Tremolo
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
2. Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: V (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
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| Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gretsch | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Artist Signature Edition | |
| Colors: | Orange | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Arched Laminated Maple | |
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Laminated Maple | |
| Bridge: | Bigsby B6CGH | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail | |
| Scale Size: | 24.6" | |
| Shape: | Vintage V | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.84'' (21.3mm) - 12th Fret: 0.96'' (24.4mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" to 12" | |
| Nut: | Delrin | |
| Nut Width: | 42.8mm (1.685'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Gretsch TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Gretsch TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Pickup Mods: | Multi-Voicing | |
| Volume Controls: | 3 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville
Gretsch G6120T-BSSMK Brian Setzer Signature Nashville
- Locking Tuners
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Top Brand Pickups
- Multi-Voicing Pickups
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
3. 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
4. Gibson Custom Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe Aged
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| Gibson Custom Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe Aged | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson Custom | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | P90P90 | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artist | |
| Colors: | Gold | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tone Pros Stop Bar | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Nickel, Single Band | |
| Fretboard: | Indian Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Trapezoid, Rounded Corners | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Mike Ness | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) - 12th Fret: 1'' (25.4mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Nylon | |
| Nut Width: | 42.3mm (1.664'') | |
| 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 Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe Aged
Gibson Custom Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe Aged
- 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
5. Dean USA Thoroughbred Flame Top
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (5 votes)
Show All Specs
| Dean USA Thoroughbred Flame Top | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Dean | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | USA | |
| Colors: | Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Flame Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tune-O-Matic | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Pearl Block | |
| Scale Size: | 24.6" | |
| Shape: | C | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | USA DMT Equalizer (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | USA DMT Nostalgia (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean USA Thoroughbred Flame Top
Dean USA Thoroughbred Flame Top
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq 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
6. Fender Custom Postmodern Strat Journeyman Relic Rosewood
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| Fender Custom Postmodern Strat Journeyman Relic Rosewood | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Postmodern | |
| Colors: | White, Sunburst, Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | 2-Piece Select Alder | |
| Bridge: | Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage-Style | |
| Fretboard: | Round-Laminated Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Rift Sawn Maple | |
| Decoration: | Vintage Clay Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | 1959 D | |
| 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 Dual-Mag II Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound RWRP Dual-Mag II Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Dual-Mag II Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Pickup Mods: | Parallel Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Postmodern Strat Journeyman Relic Rosewood
Fender Custom Postmodern Strat Journeyman Relic Rosewood
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Parallel Split Pickups
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (6 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (8 votes)
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| Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Reverend | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | South Korea | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black Satin | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Chambered Korina | |
| Bridge: | Wilkinson WV6 SB (Steel Block) Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Reverend Pin-Lock | |
| Fretboard: | Roasted Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 28.625" | |
| Shape: | Medium Oval | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 10" to 14" | |
| Nut: | Boneite | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Talnico Bridge (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Salnico Middle (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Salnico Neck (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Series Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone
Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Boneite Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Series Split Pickups
- Weight Relief
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in South Korea
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. Schecter Jake Pitts E-1 FR
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (29 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (24 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| Schecter Jake Pitts E-1 FR | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Schecter | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | South Korea | |
| Series: | Artist | |
| Colors: | White | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose 1500 Series | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Rotomatic 18:1 | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Maple 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Ultra Thin C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 14" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 85 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Jake Pitts E-1 FR
Schecter Jake Pitts E-1 FR
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Retainer Bar
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in South Korea
- 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
9. Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Gibson | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Modern | |
| Colors: | White, Blue, Brown, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Aluminum Stop Bar | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover Rotomatic with Keystone Button | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Acrylic Trapezoid | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | SlimTaper with Modern Contoured Heel | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 10" to 16" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 43.1mm (1.695'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | 498T (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | 490R (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split, Phase Out | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio
Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split, Phase Out Pickups
- Weight Relief
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. ESP LTD Royal Shiva
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Show All Specs
| ESP LTD Royal Shiva | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP LTD | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | South Korea | |
| Series: | Artist | |
| Colors: | Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany w/ Maple Cap | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | LTD Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Macassar Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 3Pc Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Blocks | |
| Scale Size: | 25" | |
| Shape: | U | |
| Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | MojoTone Hell Bender Neck w/ Nickel Cover *(Pull Volume for Split) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | MojoTone Hell Bender Neck w/ Nickel Cover *(Pull Tone for Split) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split, Coil Tap | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Royal Shiva
ESP LTD Royal Shiva
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split, Coil Tap Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in South Korea
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
