AudioFu

Best Alternative Design Guitars Under $1,000 2026

Affordable alternative design guitars under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

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 Epiphone Squier Ibanez Rickenbacker Evh Duesenberg Larry Carlton Traveler Guitar Guild Suhr Höfner DAngelico Steinberger Guitars Sterling by Music Man
Traveler Guitar TR Vaibrant 88 DLX B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Traveler Guitar TR Vaibrant 88 DLX B

by Traveler Guitar
Contemporary Players Modern Design Innovation
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • May not suit traditional players

Traveler Guitar TR VAIBRANT 88 DLX BElectric GuitarTotal length: 845 mmBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck attachment:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 474809
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Deluxe Bedford Solid Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

DAngelico Deluxe Bedford Solid Black

by DAngelico
Unique Style Contemporary Players Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • Higher cost for unique design

DAngelico Deluxe Bedford Solid BlackElectric Guitarback and sides: AlderNeck: Maple/walnut/mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553321
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Stringray 50X Seafoam Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Fender Player II Jazzmaster RW AQB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fender Player II Jazzmaster RW AQB

by Fender
Contemporary Players Modern Design Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Fender Player II Jazzmaster RW AQBElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 4.6/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595317
$897
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Jaguar RW CRR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender Player II Jaguar RW CRR

by Fender
Progressive Music Innovation Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Often improved ergonomics
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone

Fender Player II Jaguar RW CRRElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 5.0/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595464
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Danelectro Sitar White Crackle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Danelectro Sitar White Crackle

by Danelectro
Distinctive Look Contemporary Players Innovation
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Danelectro Sitar White CrackleSitar Electric GuitarStyle: Hollow BodyBody: Composite / PlywoodNeck: Bolt-on...

⭐ 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585233
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Stingray 50X Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Danelectro Sitar Black Crackle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Danelectro Sitar Black Crackle

by Danelectro
Progressive Music Innovation Contemporary Players
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Danelectro Sitar Black CrackleSitar Electric GuitarStyle: Hollow BodyBody: Composite / PlywoodBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598261
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild Surfliner Deluxe Scarlett Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Guild Surfliner Deluxe Scarlett Red

by Guild
Contemporary Players Progressive Music Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Often improved ergonomics
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • May not suit traditional players

Guild Surfliner Deluxe Scarlett RedElectric GuitarBody: PoplarNeck: MapleBolt-on fingerboard: RosewoodMother of pearl...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601301
$846
Buy at Thomann View Details
Danelectro Sitar Red Crackle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Danelectro Sitar Red Crackle

by Danelectro
Modern Design Unique Style Innovation
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • Higher cost for unique design

Danelectro Sitar Red CrackleElectric SitarStyle: Hollow BodyBody: Composite / plywoodBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 342177
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez IC420FM-CRS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ibanez IC420FM-CRS

by Ibanez
Contemporary Players Distinctive Look Modern Design
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • Higher cost for unique design

Ibanez IC420FM-CRSElectric GuitarBody: OkoumeTop: Flamed mapleSet-in 3-piece neck: OkoumeFingerboard: Bound jatobaNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619562
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Charger HB MBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Reverend Charger HB MBK

by Reverend
Contemporary Players Distinctive Look Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Reverend Charger HB MBKT-Style Electric GuitarBody: KorinaNeck: Roasted mapleFretboard: Roasted mapleNeck attachment:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 510984
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Premier Bedford Bob Weir Sig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

DAngelico Premier Bedford Bob Weir Sig

by DAngelico
Modern Design Innovation Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • Higher cost for unique design

DAngelico Premier Bedford Bob Weir SigElectric GuitarBob Weir (Grateful Dead) Signature modelBody: BasswoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 491455
$901
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild Surfliner Deluxe Glacier Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Danelectro 59 Resonator BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Danelectro 59 Resonator BK

by Danelectro
Modern Design Progressive Music Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Danelectro 59 Resonator BKElectric Guitar with ResonatorStyle: Shorthorn HollowbodyBody: Poplar frame and centre block...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 578217
$967
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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