Best Alternative Design Guitars Under $300 2025

Affordable alternative design guitars under $300 - 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

Harley Benton RB-612CS Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton RB-612CS Classic Series

by Harley Benton

Innovation Progressive Music Distinctive Look

Key Feature:

• Unique visual appeal

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Often improved ergonomics

✗ CONS

• Limited mainstream appeal
• May sacrifice traditional tone

Harley Benton RB-612CS Classic Series12-String Electric GuitarType: Semi-hollowBody: OkoumeSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 308769

$296

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Custom Line ResoKing BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton Custom Line ResoKing BK

by Harley Benton

Innovation Progressive Music Distinctive Look

Key Feature:

• Innovative and modern design

✓ PROS

• Unique visual appeal
• Innovative and modern design

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• Limited mainstream appeal

Harley Benton Custom Line ResoKing BKElectric GuitarBluegrass SeriesBody: BasswoodSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 308774

$274

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Case

by Harley Benton

Modern Design Contemporary Players Innovation

Key Feature:

• Innovative and modern design

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Unique visual appeal

✗ CONS

• May sacrifice traditional tone
• Higher cost for unique design

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JA-60 OW*Electric Guitar*Vintage SeriesBody:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 540757

$259

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton RB-612BK Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton RB-612BK Classic Series

by Harley Benton

Contemporary Players Unique Style Modern Design

Key Feature:

• Contemporary aesthetics

✓ PROS

• Often improved ergonomics
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• Limited mainstream appeal
• May sacrifice traditional tone

Harley Benton RB-612BK Classic Series12-String Electric GuitarStyle: Semi-HollowBody: OkoumeSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 428801

$296

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW Bundle

by Harley Benton

Distinctive Look Innovation Progressive Music

Key Feature:

• Innovative and modern design

✓ PROS

• Unique visual appeal
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• May sacrifice traditional tone

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JA-60 OW*Electric Guitar*Vintage SeriesBody:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 540766

$207

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JA-60CC Seafoam Green Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton JA-60CC Seafoam Green Bundle

by Harley Benton

Innovation Modern Design Unique Style

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Unique visual appeal
• Innovative and modern design

✗ CONS

• May sacrifice traditional tone
• Higher cost for unique design

Harley Benton JA-60CC Seafoam Green Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JA-60CC Seafoam Green*Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 558455

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Traveler Guitar Travelcaster Deluxe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Traveler Guitar Travelcaster Deluxe

by Traveler Guitar

Modern Design Unique Style Progressive Music

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Contemporary aesthetics
• Conversation starter

✗ CONS

• Limited mainstream appeal
• Higher cost for unique design

Traveler Guitar Travelcaster DeluxeTraveler Electric GuitarTotal length: 857 mmBody: PoplarBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 439228

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JA-60CC Lake Placid Blu Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton JA-60CC Lake Placid Blu Bundle

by Harley Benton

Innovation Unique Style Distinctive Look

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Unique visual appeal
• Innovative and modern design

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• Higher cost for unique design

Harley Benton JA-60CC Lake Placid Blu Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JA-60CC Lake Placid Blue*Electric...

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 558449

$226

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Contemporary Players Distinctive Look Modern Design

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Unique visual appeal

✗ CONS

• May sacrifice traditional tone
• Resale value uncertainty

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JA-60 OW*Electric Guitar*Vintage SeriesBody:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 540755

$206

Buy at Thomann View Details

Vox Mark V mini Phantom BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Vox Mark V mini Phantom BK

by Vox

Distinctive Look Contemporary Players Innovation

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Often improved ergonomics
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• Higher cost for unique design

Vox Mark V mini Phantom BKElectric Guitarin legendary Phantom designStandard E-tuningBody: PoplarNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 578772

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.4/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink Bundle

by Harley Benton

Unique Style Distinctive Look Contemporary Players

Key Feature:

• Innovative and modern design

✓ PROS

• Unique visual appeal
• Often improved ergonomics

✗ CONS

• May not suit traditional players
• Resale value uncertainty

Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink*Electric...

⭐ 4.4/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 558467

$226

Buy at Thomann View Details

Jackson JS22 Surfcaster HT SN WHT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Jackson JS22 Surfcaster HT SN WHT

by Jackson

Distinctive Look Progressive Music Innovation

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Often improved ergonomics
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• May sacrifice traditional tone
• Higher cost for unique design

Jackson JS22 Surfcaster HT SN WHTElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: AmaranthWhite dot...

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 609144

$275

Buy at Thomann View Details

Vox Mark V mini Phantom WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Vox Mark V mini Phantom WH

by Vox

Progressive Music Modern Design Distinctive Look

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Conversation starter

✗ CONS

• May sacrifice traditional tone
• Limited mainstream appeal

Vox Mark V mini Phantom WHElectric GuitarIn legendary Phantom designStandard E-tuningBody: PoplarNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 578778

$274

Buy at Thomann View Details

Höfner Shorty Deluxe BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Höfner Shorty Deluxe BK

by Höfner

Innovation Unique Style Progressive Music

Key Feature:

• Unique visual appeal

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• May not suit traditional players
• Resale value uncertainty

Höfner Shorty Deluxe BKElectric GuitarClassic from the '80sBody: BasswoodBolt-on maple neckBlackwood fretboard24...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 462981

$208

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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Best Alternative Design Guitars Under $300 2025

Harley Benton RB-612CS Classic Series

Harley Benton Custom Line ResoKing BK

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Case

Harley Benton RB-612BK Classic Series

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW Bundle

Harley Benton JA-60CC Seafoam Green Bundle

Traveler Guitar Travelcaster Deluxe

Harley Benton JA-60CC Lake Placid Blu Bundle

Harley Benton HB JA-60 OW w/Bag

Vox Mark V mini Phantom BK

Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink Bundle

Jackson JS22 Surfcaster HT SN WHT

Vox Mark V mini Phantom WH

Höfner Shorty Deluxe BK

How to Choose the Best Alternative Design Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying alternative design guitars?

How much should I spend on alternative design guitars?

Are expensive alternative design guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for alternative design guitars?

Should I buy alternative design guitars online or in-store?

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