AudioFu

Best Alternative Design Guitars Under $2,000 2025

Affordable alternative design guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

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
Epiphone USA Coronet Vintage Cherry - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Epiphone USA Coronet Vintage Cherry

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

Epiphone USA Coronet Vintage CherryElectric GuitarEpiphone USA CollectionWilshire body designBody: MahagonyNeck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588970
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Double Agent W MSF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Reverend Double Agent W MSF

by Reverend
Contemporary Players Unique Style Innovation
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Reverend Double Agent W MSFElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 615424
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Deluxe Bedford DG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DAngelico Deluxe Bedford DG

by DAngelico
Progressive Music Distinctive Look Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone

DAngelico Deluxe Bedford DGElectric Guitarback and sides: AlderMaple/Walnut/Maple neckFingerboard: EbonyFingerboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553381
$1,484
Buy at Thomann View Details
Danelectro Sitar Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Danelectro Sitar Bundle

by Danelectro
Innovation Contemporary Players Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • Higher cost for unique design

Danelectro Sitar Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Danelectro Sitar Red Crackle*Electric Sitar*Style: Hollow BodyBody:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 372270
$1,084
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Charger 290 Bigsby Chron. Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Reverend Charger 290 Bigsby Chron. Blue

by Reverend
Distinctive Look Progressive Music Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Reverend Charger 290 Bigsby Chron. BlueElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: RosewoodBlack...

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612691
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez Q52PB-COL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ibanez Q52PB-COL

by Ibanez
Distinctive Look Modern Design Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone

Ibanez Q52PB-COLElectric GuitarBody: Nyatoh3-Piece bolt-on neck: roasted maple / bubingaFingerboard: Roasted birdseye...

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 604069
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Ron Asheton Jetstream 390 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Reverend Ron Asheton Jetstream 390

by Reverend
Unique Style Distinctive Look Contemporary Players
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Reverend Ron Asheton Jetstream 390Electric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 5.0/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 617610
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Ember Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Ember Red

by Epiphone
Contemporary Players Unique Style Innovation
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone

Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Ember RedElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck-thru-body: Mahogany / WalnutFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 569522
$1,711
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jazzmaster WPL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jazzmaster WPL

by Fender
Contemporary Players Progressive Music Modern Design
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • May not suit traditional players

Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jazzmaster WPLElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodPearl dot...

⭐ 4.4/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615229
$1,682
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 70s Mustang CPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender Vintera II 70s Mustang CPB

by Fender
Progressive Music Modern Design Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Fender Vintera II 70s Mustang CPBElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 571458
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 50s Jazzmaster SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender Vintera II 50s Jazzmaster SB

by Fender
Unique Style Contemporary Players Innovation
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Higher cost for unique design

Fender Vintera II 50s Jazzmaster SBElectric GuitarVintera II SeriesBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck profile: Late 50s...

⭐ 4.4/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 571441
$1,296
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Double Agent OG MA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Reverend Double Agent OG MA

by Reverend
Innovation Progressive Music Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Reverend Double Agent OG MAElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 460457
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Double Agent W CB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Reverend Double Agent W CB

by Reverend
Progressive Music Innovation Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Reverend Double Agent W CBElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 5.0/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 592238
$1,077
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Double Agent OG VP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Reverend Double Agent OG VP

by Reverend
Distinctive Look Unique Style Contemporary Players
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Reverend Double Agent OG VPElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 590110
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jaguar RW BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jaguar RW BLK

by Fender
Innovation Unique Style Contemporary Players
Key Feature:
• Innovative and modern design
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mainstream appeal
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Fender MIJ Trad II 60s Jaguar RW BLKElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite pearloid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621707
$1,704
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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