Electric Guitars

Electric Guitars for Sale

The electric guitar is one of the most iconic instruments in modern music, shaping the sound of rock, country, metal, electric blues, pop, R&B, jazz and many other styles. Known for its sweeping sonic variety, the electric guitar can conjure up a vast spectrum of tones — from sparkling, natural cleans to otherworldly textures when paired with electronic effects. Perhaps most importantly, the electric guitar embraces a great breadth of skill levels, from fast-and-loud punk players to virtuosos with mind-blowing technique.

Whether you’re picking up your first guitar or adding to your collection, Music & Arts offers a wide selection of electric guitars for sale.

Types of Electric Guitars

Electric guitars come in a variety of styles, each with their own tone and feel. Solidbody electric guitars offer vibrant tone, powerful sustain and minimal feedback, and have defined the sound of rock, electric blues, country, pop and other styles. Hollowbody electric guitars produce a darker, richer and more resonant sound than solidbody guitars, making them great for jazz, blues, R&B and other lower-volume situations. (At high volumes, and with overdrive or distortion, hollowbodies feed back.) Semi-hollow electric guitars offer a balanced blend of warmth and clarity, with a center block that minimizes feedback — ideal for jazz fusion, blues and classic rock, among other genres.

How to Pick the Right Electric Guitar

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when shopping for a new electric guitar:

• What kind of music do I want to play? If you love blues-rock, check out a Stratocaster-style or Les Paul-style guitar used by the great players of the 1960s and ’70s. Are you a total metalhead? A “Superstrat”-style guitar, loaded with high-output pickups and manufactured by brands like Ibanez and Jackson, should serve you well. Jazz players will want to check out a hollowbody or semi-hollowbody to get a warm, round tone.
• How does this guitar feel to hold and play? This is where it’s helpful to drop by one of Music & Arts’ 250+ neighborhood locations when shopping for an electric guitar. Our expert associates are guitar-crazy and will be glad to take any instrument down off the wall and let you plug it in. How does the instrument feel to lift, hold and fret? Play it sitting down as well as standing up. What about the neck? Does it feel thin and fast — and do you like that? Or would you rather it feel thicker and more substantial?

For more info on core electric guitar models, pickups, tonewoods and features, check out our Electric Guitar Buyer’s Guide.

Here are some basic things to look for when buying your first electric guitar:

Pickups

• Single-coils: Electric guitars come equipped with either single-coil or humbucking pickups, or some combination of the two. Single-coils have a clear, bright sound with sparkling treble and a tight, punchy low end; the downside is that these pickups can be noisy, or produce “hum.” Single-coil pickups are preferred by players in a wide range of styles. For example, it’s impossible to imagine country music or surf rock without the twang and shimmer of single-coil pickups.
• Humbuckers: These pickups cancel external noise and hum by using two coils rather than one — “humbucker,” get it? — and they offer thick, rich, powerful tones with higher output. They’re popular in rock and metal because they handle overdriven amps and distortion especially well, but they’re also prized by jazz and blues guitarists for their warmth.
• P-90s: Other pickups you’ll encounter include the P-90, which is technically a single-coil, with a single-coil’s inherent hum. But the P-90’s sound — thick but clear, focused but loud — lies at the midpoint between the iconic single-coil sound, introduced by Fender, and the classic humbucker tone, associated with Gibson guitars.

Scale Length

One of the most important characteristics of an electric guitar’s playability and sound is its scale length — or the vibrating length of the strings from the nut to the bridge saddles (measured as twice the distance from the nut to the 12th fret). Short scale lengths generally result in less space between the frets, which can mean more comfort and facility for players with smaller hands. String bending also tends to be easier on guitars with shorter scale lengths, because a shorter scale length means less string tension. Longer scale lengths offer wider fret spacing, which can feel more comfortable for players with larger hands, though string bending will require more effort.

Fender and Squier models — including Stratocasters, Telecasters and Jazzmasters — feature a 25.5-inch scale length. Many “Superstrat”-style guitars from brands like Ibanez share this same measurement. Gibson and Epiphone instruments, such as the Les Paul, SG and ES-335, have a slightly shorter 24.75-inch scale length. PRS guitars fall in between, with a 25-inch scale length that balances the feel of Fender and Gibson instruments.

In terms of sound, longer scale lengths are associated with brighter, punchier and more articulate tones, with a more focused low end, while shorter scale lengths yield more tonal warmth and thickness.

What gear and accessories do I need to play an electric guitar?

To start, you’ll need an amplifier and a cable. Read our in-depth buyer’s guide to learn about the various amp options available, including the key differences between tube and solid-state amps, as well as combo amps versus separate heads and speaker cabinets. If you want a distorted, overdriven rock sound, make sure your amp has a gain or overdrive channel, or check out electronic effects pedals that can give you that sound (and countless others).

Key accessories include picks, a digital tuner, a strap, extra strings and cleaning and maintenance supplies, like guitar polish and a polishing cloth.

Several manufacturers offer electric guitar value packages that include everything a new player needs to get started: an instrument, an amplifier, a cable and other accessories.

Shop Electric Guitars at Music & Arts

Explore the large selection of electric guitars for sale at Music & Arts, featuring iconic models from top brands including Fender, Squier, Gibson, Epiphone, PRS, Ibanez and more. Shop online for fast, free delivery, or visit one of our 250+ local stores to compare models in person. Our team can help you find an instrument with the perfect sound and feel.

Electric Guitar Buying FAQs

Is an electric guitar good for beginners?

The electric guitar is great for beginners, offering easier playability as well as contemporary sounds that will excite them and inspire practice. Many parents have insisted their young learners begin on the acoustic guitar before switching to the electric, but this is often a mistake. Beginners should choose the guitar that’s common in the music they’re passionate about — and if that music is classic rock, metal, electric blues and other high-volume styles, the electric guitar is the way to go.

Is the electric guitar easier to play than the acoustic?

In many ways, yes. Electric guitars generally have thinner strings, less string tension and lower action — the distance between the strings and the fingerboard — making them easier to fret. The thinner, more compact body of many electrics can also feel more comfortable to hold, which beginners often appreciate.

Can I take electric guitar lessons at Music & Arts?

Yes! Music & Arts is the nation’s #1 provider of music lessons, and the guitar is a cornerstone of our program. No matter your age, skill level or favorite style of music, Music & Arts has expert instructors ready to help you learn your favorite songs. Visit our Guitar Lessons page to find an instructor at a location near you — over 250 stores nationwide.

What are the most popular electric guitar brands?

Some of the most popular electric guitar brands include Fender, Squier, Gibson, Epiphone, PRS, Ibanez, Jackson, Yamaha, Gretsch, ESP, Schecter, Charvel and Ernie Ball Music Man — all of which are available through Music & Arts.

Does Music & Arts offer financing or payment plans for electric guitars?

Yes! Music & Arts offers generous financing options on electric guitar purchases, so you can start playing today and pay on a schedule that fits your life and budget. To learn more, visit our Financing page.