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Best Alternative Design Guitars Under $2,000 2026

Affordable alternative design guitars under $2,000 - 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
Epiphone USA Coronet Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Epiphone USA Coronet Ebony

by Epiphone
Contemporary Players Progressive Music Unique Style
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

Epiphone USA Coronet EbonyElectric GuitarEpiphone USA CollectionWilshire body designBody: MahagonyNeck: MahoganyNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588968
$1,833
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Silver Mist - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Silver Mist

by Epiphone
Distinctive Look Innovation Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Conversation starter
✓ PROS
  • • Conversation starter
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • Resale value uncertainty

Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Silver MistElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck-thru-body: Mahogany/WalnutFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 569518
$1,187
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLK

by Fender
Contemporary Players Innovation Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Contemporary aesthetics
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit traditional players
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone

Fender LTD MIJ Starmaster RW BLKElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612980
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 70s Jaguar VW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fender Vintera II 70s Jaguar VW

by Fender
Distinctive Look Contemporary Players Modern Design
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual appeal
  • • Often improved ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • May not suit traditional players

Fender Vintera II 70s Jaguar VWElectric GuitarVintera II SeriesBody: AlderNeck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 571455
$1,407
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Double Agent OG MSF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Reverend Double Agent OG MSF

by Reverend
Unique Style Modern Design Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Contemporary aesthetics
✓ PROS
  • • Often improved ergonomics
  • • Innovative and modern design
✗ CONS
  • • May sacrifice traditional tone
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

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

⭐ 4.9/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 491005
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Evh Wolfgang Special T.O.M OXB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Reverend Charger HB GM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Reverend Charger HB GM

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

Reverend Charger HB GMElectric guitarBody: CorinaBolted neck: Roasted mapleFretboard: Roasted mapleNeck profile: Medium...

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 460477
$1,077
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Hybrid II Jazzmaster RW Q AQM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Fender Hybrid II Jazzmaster RW Q AQM

by Fender
Modern Design Unique Style Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Often improved ergonomics
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • Resale value uncertainty
  • • May not suit traditional players

Fender Hybrid II Jazzmaster RW Q AQMElectric GuitarBody: AlderTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598128
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
DAngelico Deluxe Bedford DG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Fender Vintera II 50s Jazzmaster DS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender Vintera II 50s Jazzmaster DS

by Fender
Unique Style Modern Design Distinctive Look
Key Feature:
• Often improved ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Innovative and modern design
  • • Unique visual appeal
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for unique design
  • • Limited mainstream appeal

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

⭐ 4.7/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571444
$1,220
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Double Agent OG VP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Reverend Ron Asheton Jetstream 390 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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 I InvernessGreen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Epiphone 1963 Firebird I InvernessGreen

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

Epiphone 1963 Firebird I InvernessGreenElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck-thru-body: Mahogany /...

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 569517
$1,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Charger 290 Deep Sea Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Reverend Charger 290 Deep Sea Blue

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

Reverend Charger 290 Deep Sea BlueElectric GuitarBody: KorinaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted mapleBlack...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592122
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez Q52PB-COL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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