AudioFu

Best Signature Guitars Under $1,000 2025

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

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Artist Tribute For Professional Performance For Collector Items For Specific Sound For Fan Appeal For Investment
BRANDS: PRS ESP Ibanez Sterling by Music Man Reverend Schecter Music Man
PRS SE Silver Sky Storm Gray - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

PRS SE Silver Sky Storm Gray

by PRS
Professional Performance Fan Appeal Investment
Key Feature:
• Unique features and appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Collectible and investment value
  • • Professional performance capability
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and production
  • • May not suit all playing styles

PRS SE Silver Sky Storm GrayElectric GuitarJohn Mayer Signature ModelBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodSmall...

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 568792
$977
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS SE Zach Myers MB Lefty - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

PRS SE Zach Myers MB Lefty

by PRS
Professional Performance Specific Sound Fan Appeal
Key Feature:
• Unique features and appointments
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality construction and components
  • • Collectible and investment value
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overhyped marketing
  • • Limited availability and production

PRS SE Zach Myers MB LeftyElectric GuitarLeft-handed modeltype: Semi-hollowBody: MahoganyTop: Maple with flamed maple...

⭐ 4.7/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 603311
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS SE Santana SY - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

PRS SE Santana SY

by PRS
Investment Professional Performance Artist Tribute
Key Feature:
• High-quality construction and components
✓ PROS
  • • Collectible and investment value
  • • Professional performance capability
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all playing styles
  • • Premium pricing for signature status

PRS SE Santana SYElectric GuitarCarlos Santana signature modelBody: MahoganyFlamed maple topSet-in neck: MahoganyNeck...

⭐ 4.4/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 401074
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS SE Silver Sky Overland Gray - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

PRS SE Silver Sky Overland Gray

by PRS
Investment Fan Appeal Collector Items
Key Feature:
• Unique features and appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional performance capability
  • • Exact specifications of famous guitarists
✗ CONS
  • • May be too specific for general use
  • • Can be overhyped marketing

PRS SE Silver Sky Overland GrayElectric GuitarJohn Mayer Signature ModelBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 568797
$855
Buy at Thomann View Details
Framus D-Series Townsend Stormbender - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Framus D-Series Townsend Stormbender

by Framus
Specific Sound Fan Appeal Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Exact specifications of famous guitarists
✓ PROS
  • • Collectible and investment value
  • • Exact specifications of famous guitarists
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all playing styles
  • • Limited availability and production

Framus D-Series Townsend StormbenderElectric guitarDevin Townsend Signature ModelRight-handed modelBody: MahoganyArched...

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 518691
$934
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone B.B. King Lucille - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Epiphone B.B. King Lucille

by Epiphone
Fan Appeal Artist Tribute Specific Sound
Key Feature:
• High-quality construction and components
✓ PROS
  • • Exact specifications of famous guitarists
  • • Collectible and investment value
✗ CONS
  • • Premium pricing for signature status
  • • Limited availability and production

Epiphone B.B. King LucilleElectric GuitarB.B. King "Lucille" Signature Model5-Ply body: laminated mapleSet-in...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 525245
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS SE Silver Sky Piano Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

PRS SE Silver Sky Piano Black

by PRS
Fan Appeal Specific Sound Collector Items
Key Feature:
• Unique features and appointments
✓ PROS
  • • Collectible and investment value
  • • Exact specifications of famous guitarists
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all playing styles
  • • May be too specific for general use

PRS SE Silver Sky Piano BlackElectric GuitarJohn Mayer Signature ModelBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodSmall...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 568796
$855
Buy at Thomann View Details
PRS SE Zach Myers MB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

PRS SE Zach Myers MB

by PRS
Specific Sound Professional Performance Artist Tribute
Key Feature:
• Professional performance capability
✓ PROS
  • • Professional performance capability
  • • High-quality construction and components
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all playing styles
  • • Limited availability and production

PRS SE Zach Myers MBElectric GuitarStyle: Semi-HollowBody: MahoganyTop: Maple with flamed maple veneerGlued-in neck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 559316
$945
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Signature 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 signature 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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