21 Jan Best Electric Guitars under £1000 in 2026
There are loads of sub £1k guitars to choose from
Whilst a few of our previous choices have dropped off the list due to rising prices – the PRS SE Silver Sky and Gibson SG Tribute for example – you can still get a fantastic guitar for less then £1000, including a couple of handmade UK guitars!
Build quality, playability, prestige and value are all top notch now in the sub £1000 electric guitar sector and you can choose from many solid, semi and hollow body models from a large range of manufacturers.
Here are our top ten picks for 2026:
- PRS SE Custom 24 Semi-hollow c£999
- Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster c£899
- Ibanez RG 550 Genesis c£899
- EVH Wolfgang Special c£749 – £999
- Gretsch G5420T Electromatic c£799
- Cort G300 Pro c£649 – £699
- PJD St John Apprentice c£899
- Gordon Smith GS c£999
- Epiphone IGC 1959 Les Paul Standard c£999
- Shergold Masquerader Classic SM02 c£835
Whilst you can no longer get a US Gibson for under £1000, you should check out the superb Epiphone Inspired by Gibson range which includes the 1959 Les Paul Standard at £999 and the 1959 ES-355 in Cherry Red at £999. Both are high quality and have had rave reviews…
Whatever your passion – rock, blues, indie, jazz, metal and shred – there is a quality guitar out there with your name on it.
These are our 2026 choices, in no particular order, from across a number of shapes, sounds, genres and finishes:
PRS SE Custom 24 Semi-hollow £999
The PRS SE Custom 24 Semi-Hollow Piezo is an incredibly versatile instrument.
The Custom 24 was originally a solidbody and this semi-hollow version adds natural resonance and a vibrant, organic tone.
The humbuckers in this model are PRS 85/15 “S” pickups, which can be tapped via the push/pull tone control for more sounds. The addition of the LR Baggs/PRS Piezo system furthers the instrument’s versatility by offering electric and acoustic tones in one guitar.
Check it out and purchase at Gear4music
Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster £899
Seems Fender update their ranges and release new guitars every other week at the moment, adding to vast range of Strat’s, Tele’s and other classics to choose from.
This is a classic Stratocaster with noiseless pickups and modern specs, such as the fast and fluid Modern C neck, 2-point tremolo, locking tuners and TUSQ nut. It should be great to play!
Some cool colours too!
Check it out and purchase at Gear4music
Ibanez RG 550 Genesis c£899
Rock and metal at your fingertips with a Super Wizard 5pc Maple/Walnut extra-smooth neck and a range of tones from the V7 neck pickup, S1 middle pickup and V8 bridge pickup combination giving great tone, from crystal clear to searing and nasty!
Add in a masterpiece Edge bridge and Gotoh tuners and you get a brilliant guitar for the money.
Visit the Ibanez store on Amazon
EVH Wolfgang Special c£749 – £999
This is a purebred music-making machine, designed with stunning style, giant sound and high-speed playability – primed for high performance, energetic riffing and blazing leads,
The pickups provide dynamic yet articulate voicing, as well as endless sustain for powerful chords and melody lines.
Check out EVH Wolfgang at Gear4music
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic c£799
Gretsch make a large range of single-cut and double cut semis and hollows with that signature look and sound. Here is a classic for a great price.
With this G5420T you can get classic ’50s & ’60s inspired Gretsch sound and style.
Crafted with essential Gretsch hollow-body sound, style and playability, these no-nonsense guitars are your next-step Gretsch. Features a laminated maple body with vintage-inspired perimeters and refined arches, as well as all-new trestle block bracing to help reduce unwanted feedback.
Check out the G5420T at Gear4music
Cort G300 Pro £649 to £699
The G300 Pro is the flagship model of the iconic G Series, a boutique-style guitar with modern enhancements that represents the best of what Cort can offer.
Superb playability, sonic versatility and aesthetic design all in a great value for money guitar.
Features include a top-grade American Basswood body with maple top, roasted maple neck and fretboard.
More information at Cort Guitars
PJD St John Apprentice c£899
Yes, from £899 for a UK-crafted offset with bold tone and clean style. The St. John Apprentice delivers comfort, reliability, and punch from a single bridge pickup.
Built in the UK, this solid body instrument is perfect for players seeking a reliable, comfortable, and cool-looking guitar to kickstart their musical journey or add a unique voice to their collection.
Who needs a Gibson Les Paul Junior!?
Order yours now at PJD guitars
Gordon Smith GSG c£999
A classic design with the distinctive GS build quality. Choose between a wide range of options to create your custom GSG.
Mahogany neck and body, rosewood fingerboard, humbucker pup – what’s not to like? Also comes complete with a custom GSG gig bag.
Order yours now at Gordon Smith Guitars
Epiphone IGC 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue c£999
Can’t afford the US Gibson Les Paul? Don’t fret this will get you close in terms of tone, style and presence!
Mahogany body, maple top with AAA figured maple veneer, one piece mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard and 1959 Rounded Medium C profile, Custombucker pickups, CTS pots and Bumblebee paper-in-oil caps, Gibson open book headstock.
Topped off with an Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case.
Check it out and purchase at Gear4music
Shergold Masquerader Classic SM02 c£835
Still on our list after three years since it is a great guitar!
The Shergold SM02-SD Masquerader 2 has its solid mahogany body loaded with USA-made Seymour Duncan SSL-6 and SSL6Rw Single Coils and a TB4 Humbucker pickup to deliver wide ranging tonal options from fat, powerful lows to crisp, punchy highs.
Designed in the UK and handmade in their workshops in Indonesia, they are designed to capture the essence of British rock ‘n’ roll, updated for the 21st century.
Buy now on Amazon
Links to other Guides and Guitar Manufacturers
Electric Guitars
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Mojo on a budget: £200 electrics
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