AudioFu

Best Alternative Design Guitars for Intermediate 2025

Perfect alternative design guitars for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Modern Design For Unique Style For Progressive Music For Contemporary Players For Innovation For Distinctive Look
BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Danelectro Reverend Squier Epiphone Rickenbacker Ibanez Evh Traveler Guitar Larry Carlton Duesenberg Suhr Guild Höfner Sterling by Music Man Steinberger Guitars DAngelico
Sterling by Music Man Stingray 50X Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man Stingray 50X Black

by Sterling by Music Man
Contemporary Players Unique Style Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mainstream appeal
  • • May not suit traditional players

Sterling by Music Man Stringray 50X BlackElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609725
$956
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Stringray 50X Seafoam Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sterling by Music Man Stringray 50X Seafoam Green

by Sterling by Music Man
Contemporary Players Innovation Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Often improved ergonomics
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Sterling by Music Man Stringray 50X Seafoam GreenElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609728
$956
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Axis AX 3 Neptune Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Axis AX 3 Neptune Blue

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Style Innovation Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Often improved ergonomics
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mainstream appeal
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Axis AX 3 Neptune BlueElectric GuitarBody: JabonTop: Flamed maple veneerBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610640
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
Squier CV 60s Jazzmaster LRL TSPG TCO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Squier CV 60s Jazzmaster LRL TSPG TCO

by Squier
Modern Design Unique Style Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mainstream appeal
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Squier CV 60s Jazzmaster LRL TSPG TCOElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelWhite dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619731
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson RD Custom Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gibson RD Custom Ebony

by Gibson
Unique Style Progressive Music Contemporary Players
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Gibson RD Custom EbonyElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyMother of pearl fingerboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604611
$5,489
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jazzmaster BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jazzmaster BLK

by Fender
Innovation Modern Design Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jazzmaster BLKElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite pearloid block...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621705
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CR

by Epiphone
Progressive Music Unique Style Modern Design
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mainstream appeal
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone

Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CRElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Collection (2025)Body:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614966
$1,484
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD CS-II QM Vintage Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

ESP LTD CS-II QM Vintage Natural

by ESP
Innovation Unique Style Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • Resale value uncertainty

ESP LTD CS-II QM Vintage NaturalElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted mapleNeck: Set-in 3-ply mahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608689
$2,419
Buy at Thomann View Details
Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M GBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M GBK

by Evh
Innovation Unique Style Contemporary Players
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M GBKElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted mapleBlack...

⭐ 4.9/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609264
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild Surfliner Deluxe Glacier Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Guild Surfliner Deluxe Glacier Blue

by Guild
Modern Design Unique Style Contemporary Players
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Guild Surfliner Deluxe Glacier BlueElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodMother-of-Pearl...

⭐ 4.8/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601295
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Jetstream 390 CBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Reverend Jetstream 390 CBL

by Reverend
Distinctive Look Modern Design Innovation
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • Higher cost for unique design

Reverend Jetstream 390 CBLElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted mapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 602257
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Jetstream HB High Tide Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Reverend Jetstream HB High Tide Blue

by Reverend
Innovation Modern Design Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Reverend Jetstream HB High Tide BlueElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 602424
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Vibrola PW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Vibrola PW

by Epiphone
Contemporary Players Progressive Music Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Often improved ergonomics
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • May not suit traditional players

Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Vibrola PWElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Collection (2025)Body:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614969
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M HWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M HWH

by Evh
Progressive Music Innovation Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • May not suit traditional players

Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M HWHElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleRoasted maple fingerboardBlack...

⭐ 5.0/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609260
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M OXB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M OXB

by Evh
Innovation Progressive Music Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Higher cost for unique design

Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M OXBElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted mapleBlack...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609256
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Alternative Design Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced alternative design guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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