Budget guitars: how to pick a great cheap guitar

Want a guitar that sounds good without breaking the bank? You can. This guide walks you through what to look for, where to buy, and small fixes that turn a cheap guitar into something you’ll love to play.

What to check in person

Bring a tuner and a friend if you can. First, inspect the neck: hold the guitar at playing height and press each fret up the neck. Look for buzzing, dead frets, or a twisted neck. Check the action (string height) at the 12th fret—very high action makes playing hard, very low can buzz.

Look at the frets and nut: sharp fret ends or a cracked nut are repair items that add cost. For electrics, plug into an amp and tap the pickup selector—no sound or crackling pots mean electronics work is needed. For acoustics, strum and listen for clear bass and bright trebles; a thin, lifeless tone often points to poor top wood or loose bracing.

Smell the guitar—mildew or old glue smells are a red flag. Finally, check hardware: tuners should turn smoothly, and the bridge should sit tight. Ask about returns or setup deals—many shops will set a guitar up for a small fee.

Simple upgrades that fix most problems

New strings are the cheapest upgrade and change tone immediately. A proper setup (truss rod adjustment, action, intonation) from a tech makes an inexpensive guitar play like a much pricier one. For acoustics, upgrading the saddle or nut to bone or TUSQ helps tone. For electrics, swapping stock pickups for a mid-range set can transform sound, but only after the guitar is set up.

Other useful buys: a clip-on tuner, a decent padded gig bag or used hard case, and a strap-lock if you gig. Buy quality picks and a small maintenance kit (allen wrenches, spare bridge pins, string winder). These small items protect your investment and improve playability.

Where to buy: local music stores give hands-on testing and setup advice. Reverb, Guitar Center used, and local classifieds often have good used deals—meet in public, test fully, and ask for a short demo. If you’re buying new online, read reviews and factor in return shipping and setup costs.

Brands to watch: Yamaha (acoustics like FG series), Squier (Fender’s budget line), Epiphone (affordable Les Paul and SGs), Ibanez (good value electrics), and Alvarez or Takamine for nicer budget acoustics. Prices under $300 can be excellent for beginners; used guitars can push quality higher for the same money.

Bottom line: focus on playability first, tone second. A well-set-up, inexpensive guitar with fresh strings will feel better and sound better than a neglected expensive one. Test, compare, and don’t be shy about asking a tech for a quick setup after purchase.