Best Electric Guitar Under $600 (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Grote LPYS-006 leads this search for the best electric guitar under 600 as Best Overall: it pairs an H-H pickup layout with a maple neck and a gig bag in the box. If you want a 5-position switch and a vintage tremolo, the Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 is the pick.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want H-H pickups with a maple neck: Grote Electric Guitar Solid Body LPYS-006 Maple See pick 1
- Players who want a 5-position pickup switch: Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC12 Electric Guitar; Metallic See pick 2
- New players who want a complete starter kit: Ktaxon 39 Inch Solid Body Electric Guitar See pick 3More picks: Best Electric Guitar for Starters
- Beginners and intermediate players wanting a poplar body: Ibanez GRGA 6-String Solid-Body Electric Guitar See pick 4More picks: Best Electric Guitar for Intermediate Players
- Players who want Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster Electric Guitar See pick 5
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Grote Electric Guitar Solid Body LPYS-006 Maple
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: H-H
It earns Best Overall with an H-H pickup layout, a maple neck and a gig bag included in the box.
Who it suits
- Players who want H-H pickups with a maple neck
- Guitarists who want a gig bag in the box
Skip it if
- You want a 6-string guitar; this has 7 strings
- You want a tremolo bridge; this has a fixed bridge
The Grote LPYS-006 has a solid maple body with a maple print on the front, a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard. It has steel frets and a fixed bridge, and it comes with a gig bag. It has 7 strings and weighs 7.5 lb.
2Runner-Up
Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC12 Electric Guitar; Metallic
- Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
- Pickup layout: Humbucker
- 1 year warranty stated
The Runner-Up pairs a 5-position switch with a vintage tremolo and a maple bolt-on neck.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 5-position pickup switch
- Buyers who want an agathis body guitar
Skip it if
- You want two humbuckers; this has only one
- You want a fixed bridge; this has a tremolo
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC12 has an agathis body, a maple bolt-on neck and a sonokeling fingerboard. A 5-position switch selects between two single-coil pickups and one humbucker, with a vintage tremolo bridge and covered tuners. It weighs 10.4 lb and has a 1-year warranty.
3Also Great
Ktaxon 39 Inch Solid Body Electric Guitar
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: Humbucker
- 1-year warranty stated
The starter kit leads here: gig bag, strap, cable, tremolo arm and picks all come in the box.
Who it suits
- New players who want a complete starter kit
- Players who want high output humbucker pickups
Skip it if
- You want a shorter scale than 25.5 inches
- You want a 5-position switch; this has a 3-way switch
The Ktaxon 39 inch guitar has a solid paulownia body, a maple neck and an engineered wood fingerboard, with a 25.5 inch scale. Two classic humbucker pickups pair with the 3-ways pickup switch, 1 volume and 1 tone controls. The box holds a gig bag, strap, cable, tremolo arm and picks.
4Also Great
Ibanez GRGA 6-String Solid-Body Electric Guitar
- Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
- Pickup layout: H
- 1-year warranty stated
High output Infinity R pickups and a GRGA maple neck fit beginners and intermediate players here.
Who it suits
- Beginners and intermediate players wanting a poplar body
- Players who want high output Infinity R pickups
Skip it if
- You want two pickups; this has one H pickup
- You want a nut over 1.65 inches; this is 1.6
The Ibanez GRGA120 has a poplar body, a GRGA maple neck and a New Zealand Pine fingerboard. High output Infinity R pickups pair with a 1/4 inch audio jack and a 25.5 scale. It weighs 10.1 lb and has a 1-year warranty.
5Also Great
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster Electric Guitar
- Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
- Pickup layout: Single-Coil
- 2-year warranty stated
Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups and a 1960s-era offset body earn this pick the Also Great label.
Who it suits
- Players who want Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups
- Fans of a vintage 1960s offset body shape
Skip it if
- You want humbuckers; this has alnico single-coils
- You want a 7-string guitar; this has 6
The Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster has a poplar body, a maple neck with a vintage-tinted gloss finish and a laurel fingerboard. It has Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups in a vintage 1960s offset body with nickel-plated hardware. It carries a 2-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Amp included | Frets | Case or gig bag included | Tuner included | Pickup layout | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grote Electric Guitar Solid Body LPYS-006 Maple | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | H-H | 7.5 lb | Not stated |
| Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC12 Electric Guitar; Metallic | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Humbucker | 10.4 lb | 1 year |
| Ktaxon 39 Inch Solid Body Electric Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Humbucker | Not stated | 1-year |
| Ibanez GRGA 6-String Solid-Body Electric Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | H | 10.1 lb | 1-year |
| Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster Electric Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Single-Coil | Not stated | 2-year |
How we ranked these electric guitars
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Amp included weight 2
- Frets weight 1
- Case or gig bag included weight 1
- Tuner included weight 1
Buying advice: electric guitar under 600
Match the pickup layout to your need
A pickup layout is the map of what the guitar can do. H-H means two humbuckers, like on the Grote and the Ktaxon. The Yamaha has two single coils and one humbucker behind a 5-position switch, and the Squier has two Fender-designed alnico single-coils. More pickups and switch positions give more combinations, so match the layout to the switching you will actually use.
Check what comes in the box
The Grote and the Ktaxon both come with a gig bag. The Ktaxon adds a strap, a cable, a tremolo arm and picks, which covers the accessories a new setup needs. A gig bag protects the guitar during transport, and a strap, cable and picks are the minimum for plugging in and playing.
Weigh the warranty before you buy
The Yamaha and the Ibanez both have a 1-year warranty, and the Ktaxon has one too. The Squier carries a 2-year warranty. Warranty terms describe how long the maker stands behind the guitar, so read the exact wording for your pick and keep your receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 7-string guitar good for a beginner?
The Grote LPYS-006 has 7 strings and is built for players of all levels, from beginners to experienced musicians. The other four picks have 6 strings.
What does a 5-position switch do on a guitar?
On the Yamaha Pacifica PAC12, the 5-position switch selects between its two single-coil pickups and one humbucker. Each position gives a different pickup combination, so you can change the guitar's output without touching the amp.
Do these guitars come with a gig bag?
The Grote and the Ktaxon come with a gig bag, so they are the picks with a case included.
What is the difference between H-H and single-coil pickups?
H-H means two humbuckers, like on the Grote and the Ktaxon. The Squier has two single-coil pickups instead. Both layouts appear on this list, so match the layout to the guitars you already like.
Gear that goes with it
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.