Are you a beginner or an experienced player looking for a quality guitar that won’t break the bank? Look no further! In this article, we will be exploring the best guitars under 200.
While you might think that you need to spend a lot of money to get a good guitar, there are many great options available at a more affordable price point. Whether you’re interested in an acoustic or electric guitar, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll be looking at various brands, models, and features to help you make an informed decision and find the perfect guitar for your needs and budget. So, let’s dive in and discover the best guitars under 200! But first, let’s check out whether you should get an electric or acoustic guitar.
Should I Get an Acoustic or Electric Guitar?
Deciding whether to get an acoustic or electric guitar depends on your personal preferences and playing style. Here are some things to consider that may help you make a decision:
Music Genre – What type of music do you want to play? Acoustic guitars are generally better for playing folk, country, bluegrass, and singer-songwriter style music. Electric guitars are better suited for rock, blues, jazz, and metal genres. Of course, there are exceptions to these generalizations, but it’s important to keep in mind the type of music you’re interested in playing when making a decision.
Playability – Acoustic guitars tend to have thicker necks and higher action, which can make them more challenging to play for beginners. Electric guitars usually have thinner necks and lower action, making them easier to play. If you’re a beginner, you may find it easier to learn on an electric guitar. However, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to practice, an acoustic guitar can be a great choice too.
Portability – Acoustic guitars are generally larger and less portable than electric guitars. If you plan on traveling with your guitar or playing gigs, an electric guitar may be a better choice.
Amplification – If you want to play in a band or perform live, you’ll need to amplify your guitar. While acoustic guitars can be amplified using microphones or pickups, electric guitars are designed to be played through an amplifier, making them a better choice for live performances.
Cost – Generally speaking, acoustic guitars tend to be less expensive than electric guitars, but there are exceptions depending on the brand and model. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to purchase an amplifier and other accessories if you choose an electric guitar, which can add to the overall cost.
5 Best Electric Guitars for Under £200
Before we check out our acoustic selection, let’s take a look at the best electric guitars under £200.
1. Ibanez GSA SA Series GSA60-BKN
The Ibanez GSA SA Series GSA60-BKN is an excellent guitar for beginners and intermediate players. It features a lightweight mahogany body with a sleek black finish, and a comfortable bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard.
The guitar also features a trio of Ibanez Infinity pickups that provide a wide range of tonal options. The HSH configuration allows for versatile sounds, and the SAT Pro II tremolo bridge adds a nice touch of vibrato.
Overall, the Ibanez GSA SA Series GSA60-BKN is an excellent guitar for those who want a versatile and affordable instrument.
Pros:
- Excellent playability
- Easy on the hands
- Great for any level
- High durability
2. Fender Squier
Fender is one of the most recognizable guitar brands, and their Squier line is designed for beginners and budget-conscious players. The Squier comes in various shapes and styles, but they all feature the same high-quality craftsmanship that Fender is known for.
The Squier’s body is made of lightweight agathis, and the neck is made of maple with a rosewood fingerboard. The guitar features a trio of single-coil pickups that produce the classic Fender sound. The Squier also has a synchronized tremolo bridge that allows for subtle vibrato effects.
Overall, the Fender Squier is an excellent choice for beginners or players on a budget who want a high-quality guitar that’s easy to play and produces the classic Fender sound.
Pros:
- Incredible value for money
- Thin lightweight body
- Crisp and rich tone
- Classic design
3. Epiphone Les Paul SL Sunset Yellow
The Les Paul is one of the most iconic guitars of all time, and this Epiphone Les Paul SL Sunset Yellow is a sleek and stylish guitar that’s perfect for beginners and intermediate players.
The guitar features a lightweight poplar body with a bolt-on mahogany neck and a rosewood fingerboard. The Les Paul SL has a single humbucker pickup that provides a rich and warm sound, and the wrap-around bridge adds to the guitar’s overall simplicity.
The Les Paul SL has a simple but stylish design, and the sunset yellow finish is sure to turn heads. It’s also one of the most affordable guitars on this list, making it an excellent choice for those on a tight budget.
Pros:
- Lightweight body
- Highly affordable
- Slim neck
- Rich and warm sound
4. Yamaha Pacifica
The Yamaha Pacifica is a versatile guitar that’s perfect for beginners and intermediate players. The guitar features a lightweight alder body with a bolt-on maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard.
The Pacifica has a trio of single-coil pickups that produce a wide range of sounds, and the vintage-style tremolo bridge allows for subtle vibrato effects.
The Pacifica also has a sleek and modern design, with a contoured body that’s comfortable to play for extended periods. The guitar is available in various colors, including black, white, and metallic red.
Overall, the Yamaha Pacifica is an excellent guitar for those who want a versatile instrument that’s easy to play and produces a wide range of sounds.
Pros:
- Sublime sound quality
- Perfect for begineers
- Excellent range of sounds
- Wide colour selection
5. Donner Solid Body Electric Guitar DMT-100
The Donner Solid Body Electric Guitar, DMT-100 is an affordable and high-quality guitar that’s perfect for beginners and intermediate players.
The guitar features a lightweight basswood body with a bolt-on maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. The DMT-100 has a trio of single-coil pickups that provide a bright and clear sound, and the vintage-style tremolo bridge allows for subtle vibrato effects.
The DMT-100 also has a stylish design, with a contoured body that’s comfortable to play for extended periods. It’s available in various colors, including black, sunburst, and blue.
Pros:
- Aggressive styling
- Easy to play
- Incredible durability
- Accurate tone
5 Best Acoustic Guitars Under £200
Now we’ve looked at the best cheap electric guitars, let’s check out the best acoustic guitar under £200.
1. Yamaha F310
The Yamaha F310 is a budget-friendly acoustic guitar that’s perfect for beginners. It has a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and a nato neck, which provides a warm and balanced tone. The guitar has a dreadnought body shape that offers excellent projection and volume.
One of the standout features of the Yamaha F310 is its playability. The guitar has a slim and comfortable neck that’s easy to play, even for beginners. The guitar also has a smooth rosewood fretboard that allows for quick and easy fretting.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Excellent playability
- Warm and balanced tone
- Dreadnought body shape offers excellent projection and volume
2. Fender CD-60 Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar
The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought is a popular acoustic guitar that offers excellent value for money. It has a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, and a nato neck. The guitar has a dreadnought body shape that produces a balanced and full sound.
The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought has a comfortable and easy-to-play neck that’s perfect for beginners. The guitar also has a rosewood fretboard that allows for smooth and precise fretting.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Full and balanced sound
- Comfortable and easy-to-play neck
- Rosewood fretboard allows for smooth and precise fretting
3. Washburn BTS9CH-D Bella Tono Novo S9 6-String Acoustic Guitar
The Washburn BTS9CH-D Bella Tono Novo S9 is a high-end acoustic guitar that’s perfect for intermediate and advanced players. It has a solid spruce top, ovangkol back and sides, and a mahogany neck. The guitar has a compact and comfortable Novo body shape that produces a clear and balanced tone.
One of the standout features of the Washburn BTS9CH-D Bella Tono Novo S9 is its attention to detail. The guitar has a beautiful design that’s inspired by the natural world, and it’s finished with a stunning high gloss finish.
Pros:
- High-end construction and materials
- Clear and balanced tone
- Compact and comfortable Novo body shape
- Beautiful design and high gloss finish
4. Ibanez Jam Pack V50NJP-VS Acoustic Guitar
The Ibanez Jam Pack V50NJP-VS is a budget-friendly acoustic guitar that’s perfect for beginners. It has a spruce top, agathis back and sides, and a mahogany neck. The guitar has a dreadnought body shape that produces a warm and full sound.
One of the standout features of the Ibanez Jam Pack V50NJP-VS is its accessories. The guitar comes with a gig bag, electronic tuner, strap, and picks, making it an excellent value for money. The guitar is also easy to play, with a comfortable neck and smooth rosewood fretboard.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Comes with accessories, including gig bag, electronic tuner, strap, and picks
- Warm and full sound
- Comfortable neck and smooth fretboard
5. Fender FA-125 Acoustic Guitar
The Fender FA-125 is a mid-range acoustic guitar that offers excellent value for money. It has a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, and a nato neck. The guitar has a dreadnought body shape that produces a warm and full sound.
One of the standout features of the Fender FA-125 is its build quality. The guitar is well-made and sturdy, with a high-quality finish that looks great. The guitar also has a comfortable and easy-to-play neck that’s perfect for beginners.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Well-made and sturdy construction
- Warm and full sound
- Comfortable and easy-to-play neck
Best Guitar Under £200 – Buying Guide
Buying a guitar can be a daunting task, especially if you’re on a budget. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to look for.
However, with a little bit of knowledge, you can find a high-quality guitar for under £200 that meets your needs and sounds great. In this buying guide, we’ll go over some key factors to consider when shopping for a budget-friendly guitar.
Determine Your Needs
The first step in choosing a guitar is to determine your needs. Are you a beginner looking for a guitar to learn on, or an intermediate player looking for an upgrade? Do you want an electric or acoustic guitar? What type of music do you want to play?
By answering these questions, you can narrow down your options and find a guitar that meets your specific needs.
Consider the Brand
When shopping for a budget-friendly guitar, it’s essential to consider the brand. While there are many lesser-known brands on the market that offer low prices, it’s usually better to stick with well-known brands that have a reputation for quality.
Brands like Yamaha, Fender, and Ibanez offer a range of guitars at affordable prices that are known for their durability and sound quality.
Check the Build Quality
The build quality of a guitar is an important factor to consider when shopping for a budget-friendly instrument. Look for a guitar with solid construction and a high-quality finish.
The neck should be straight and smooth, and the frets should be level and well-seated. Check the tuning stability by tuning the guitar and playing a few chords to see if it stays in tune.
Look for Good Sound Quality
The sound quality of a guitar is another crucial factor to consider when shopping on a budget. While you may not get the same sound quality as a high-end guitar, you can still find a guitar that produces a good tone.
Acoustic guitars with a solid wood top tend to produce a warmer and more natural sound, while electric guitars with a solid wood body produce a more resonant tone. Try out different guitars and play a few chords to get a sense of the sound quality.
Consider Additional Features
Many budget-friendly guitars come with additional features that can add value and make playing more enjoyable.
Look for a guitar that comes with accessories such as a gig bag, strap, picks, and tuner. Some guitars also come with built-in electronics, allowing you to plug into an amplifier and play at higher volumes.
Read Reviews
Finally, before making a purchase, it’s always a good idea to read reviews from other guitar players. Look for reviews on the guitar you’re considering to see what others have to say about its playability, sound quality, and overall value. This can give you valuable insight and help you make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts
When shopping for a budget-friendly guitar, it’s important to consider your needs, check the build quality, look for good sound quality, and consider additional features.
By keeping these factors in mind and doing your research, you can find a high-quality guitar for under £200 that meets your needs and sounds great.
Remember to take your time and try out different guitars before making a purchase, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice from experienced players or guitar shop staff.