Models

Epiphone Casino

Electric guitar model

Electric guitar

A fully hollow thinline electric with twin P-90 pickups, the Casino is best known for its use by all three guitarists in the Beatles. Its bright, raw, slightly raucous tone made it a favorite for both clean and overdriven playing.

G&L ASAT Classic

T-style solid-body electric guitar model family

Electric guitar

A Telecaster-style electric from G&L, the company Leo Fender founded after Fender. The ASAT Classic uses G&L's Magnetic Field Design single-coil pickups in a familiar single-cutaway body, delivering a bright twang with a fuller low end.

LSL T Bone

T-style electric guitar

The T Bone is LsL Instruments' flagship T-style electric, hand-built in Santa Clarita as a recreation of the best vintage 1950s and 1960s T-style guitars. Each body is hand-detailed with a weather-checked thin nitrocellulose finish and fitted with LsL hand-wound single-coil pickups.

Fender Telecaster

Type of guitar

Electric guitar

Launched in 1950 and renamed the Telecaster in 1951, it was the first commercially successful solid-body electric guitar. Its single-cutaway slab body, bolt-on maple neck, and two single-coil pickups produce a bright, cutting twang that became foundational to country, rock, blues, and pop.

Novo Serus T

Retro-modern solid-body electric guitar model

Electric guitar · United States

The Serus T is a Novo Guitars retro-modern solid-body electric guitar handbuilt in Nashville. It features a tempered pine body, a tempered maple neck with rosewood or maple fingerboard, a 25.5-inch scale, two single-coil pickups (a Fralin high-output Tele in the bridge and a Fralin P-45 in the neck), and a Telecaster-style bridge plate with compensated brass saddles.

Danelectro 59

Double-cut electric guitar model family

Electric guitar

A reissue of Danelectro's classic late-1950s design, built with a Masonite-and-plywood body, a bolt-on neck, and bright-sounding lipstick-tube pickups. Inexpensive yet distinctive, it delivers a jangly, slightly lo-fi tone that has charmed players for decades.

Supro Dual Tone

Solid-body electric guitar model family

Electric guitar · United States

A 1950s and 1960s electric from Valco's Supro brand, fitted with two pickups and known for its raw, gritty tone. Associated with players from Link Wray to Jimmy Page, it has become a sought-after vintage instrument.

Fender Jaguar

Short-scale offset electric guitar model family

Electric guitar

Introduced in 1962 as Fender's top offset model, the Jaguar uses a short 24-inch scale, bright single-coil pickups, an elaborate rhythm/lead switching system, and a floating tremolo. First embraced by surf players, it later became a favorite of alternative and indie guitarists.

Fender Jazzmaster

Offset electric guitar model family

Electric guitar

Introduced in 1958 as Fender's flagship, the Jazzmaster has a large offset body, wide flat single-coil pickups, a dual rhythm/lead circuit, and a floating tremolo with a separate bridge. Originally marketed to jazz players, it instead became a cornerstone of surf, then later alternative and indie rock.

Collings 290

Mahogany solid-body electric guitar with P-90 pickups

Electric guitar · United States

The Collings 290 is a single-cutaway mahogany solid-body electric guitar inspired by the Les Paul Junior, with a solid mahogany body and neck, an East Indian rosewood fingerboard, a hand-set mortise-and-tenon neck joint, and P-90 pickups. It is hand-built in Austin, Texas.

Rickenbacker 4001

Electric bass guitar

Electric bass · United States

Rickenbacker's classic electric bass, the 4001 features through-body neck construction and a bright, cutting tone with strong treble definition. It was played by influential bassists including Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, and Geddy Lee.

Friedman Vintage-T

USA-built T-style electric guitar with P-90 pickups

United States

The Friedman Vintage-T is a single-cutaway, T-style solidbody electric guitar built in the USA by Dave Friedman with luthier Grover Jackson. The reviewed model pairs a mahogany body and a bolt-on maple neck with a pau ferro fingerboard and a set of Friedman Classic 90 (P-90 style) pickups over a fixed hardtail bridge. Thin aged nitrocellulose lacquer, a 10-to-14-inch compound-radius board, and Plek-finished fretwork give it vintage looks with modern playability.

D'Angelico Deluxe Bedford

Solid-body electric guitar model

South Korea

The Deluxe Bedford is an offset-body solid-body electric guitar with an alder body, a three-piece maple-and-walnut neck with a satin C-shaped profile, an ebony fingerboard with split-block inlays, and a 24.75-inch scale. Two Seymour Duncan stacked P-90 pickups feed a gold Wilkinson six-point tremolo bridge. It is part of D'Angelico's premium Deluxe series.

Fender Telecaster Thinline

Fender Telecaster Thinline

Electric guitar

A semi-hollow Telecaster introduced in 1968 with a routed body and a single f-hole that reduce weight and add airiness. The original kept two single-coils, while the 1972 Thinline adopted a pair of Fender Wide Range humbuckers for a thicker tone.

Gibson Les Paul Faded DC

Electric guitar model

Electric guitar · United States

A double-cutaway Les Paul finished in a satin, worn-looking "faded" nitrocellulose finish. The stripped-back cosmetics keep the price down while the twin-cutaway body improves access to the upper frets.

Höfner Verythin

Twin-cutaway ultra-thin semi-hollow electric guitar

Electric guitar

A very thin twin-cutaway semi-hollow electric guitar made by the German maker Höfner. The original Verithin debuted in 1960 with a body depth of about 1.5 inches; the modern Verythin (revived in 2000, renamed for trademark reasons) adds a solid centre block making it a true semi-acoustic. Known for its slim body and pair of pickups.

Fender Player II Jaguar

Player II Jaguar electric guitar model

Mexico

A Mexican-built Jaguar from Fender's Player II line, the 2024 refresh of the mid-priced Player series. It offers the offset short-scale body with updated appointments such as a rolled fingerboard edge, aimed at players wanting the Jaguar format at a working-musician price.

Danelectro '56

Single-cutaway Masonite-body electric guitar

Electric guitar

A single-cutaway electric guitar made by the American brand Danelectro, a reissue of Nathan Daniel's original 1956 U2 design. Like all classic Danos it uses a lightweight Masonite-and-poplar semi-hollow body, lipstick-tube pickups and a Coke-bottle/dolphin-nose headstock, delivering the bright, hollow Danelectro voice.

Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster

Electric guitar model

Electric guitar · United States

A faithful reissue recreating the specifications of the 1952 Telecaster, with an ash body, one-piece maple neck, and a pair of vintage-voiced single-coil pickups through a traditional three-way circuit. It is built for players who want the bright, twangy character and feel of an early-fifties Tele.

Fender Player II Jazzmaster

Player II Jazzmaster electric guitar model

Mexico

A Mexican-built Jazzmaster from Fender's Player II line, the 2024 update of the Player series. It delivers the large offset body and classic Jazzmaster voice with modern playability upgrades at an accessible price point.

Silvertone 1303

Danelectro-built 'U2'-style electric guitar

Electric guitar · United States

A Danelectro-built electric guitar sold under Sears' Silvertone house brand, based on Danelectro's 'U2' design with a Masonite body and a pair of lipstick pickups. The 1303/U2 was reissued in 2013 as part of the Silvertone Classic series.

Supro Westbury

Dual-pickup solid-body electric guitar

Electric guitar

A dual-pickup solid-body electric guitar from the American brand Supro, descended from the two-pickup Res-O-Glas designs that paired with the Dual Tone. Reissued in Supro's modern Island Series, the Westbury combines a beveled solidbody and twin vintage-style pickups with the brand's classic art-deco styling cues.

Fender Mustang

Solid body electric guitar

Electric guitar

A short-scale student model introduced in 1964, the Mustang has an offset body, two single-coil pickups with distinctive slide-switch wiring, and a floating tremolo. Affordable and easy to play, it found lasting popularity with punk and alternative musicians.

Yamaha Pacifica 1511MS

Mike Stern signature guitar model

Electric guitar · Japan

The signature Pacifica model of jazz-fusion guitarist Mike Stern, modeled on his well-worn Telecaster-style instrument. It features an alder body, a maple neck, and a pair of single-coil pickups voiced for his clean, articulate tone.

Macmull T-Classic

T-style electric guitar

The T-Classic is Macmull Custom Guitars' T-style model, hand-built in Israel using the brand's high-quality components and hand-wound pickups. It uses Macmull's T-Classic hardtail bridge with the option of top-loading or string-through stringing.

Macmull Heartbreaker

Single-cutaway electric guitar

The Heartbreaker is a Macmull Custom Guitars single-cutaway electric with a bound one-piece alder body, bolt-on hard maple neck and Madagascar rosewood 9.5-inch radius fingerboard with 21 Dunlop 6105 frets. The Heartbreaker Custom variant is fitted with two of Macmull's matched RVT P-90 pickups.

BilT S.S. Zaftig

Offset semi-solid electric guitar

The S.S. Zaftig is a BilT Guitars offset, double-cutaway semi-solid electric with a semi-acoustic alder body, a hard-maple neck and bound rosewood fingerboard with 21 vintage-style frets. It is fitted with Lollar Staple P-90 pickups for a distinctive voice.

Fender American Professional II Jaguar

American Professional II Jaguar electric guitar model

United States

Part of Fender's American Professional II line launched in 2020, this U.S.-built Jaguar modernizes the offset classic with an updated neck profile, rolled fingerboard edges, and V-Mod II single-coil pickups. It keeps the short-scale offset body and the model's distinctive multi-switch control layout while aiming at contemporary playability.

Fender Vintera II '50s Jazzmaster

Vintera II 1950s-style Jazzmaster model

Mexico

A Mexican-built reissue from Fender's Vintera II series that recreates the look and feel of a 1950s Jazzmaster, with vintage-style single-coils, period-correct switching, and an offset body. It offers vintage character at a mid-tier price.

Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster

American Professional II Jazzmaster electric guitar model

United States

A U.S.-built Jazzmaster from Fender's American Professional II series, introduced in 2020. It retains the large offset body, floating tremolo, and rhythm/lead switching of the original while adding a refined neck, rolled fingerboard edges, and V-Mod II single-coil pickups for a more focused modern voice.

Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster

Telecaster-style solid-body electric guitar model

Electric guitar

The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster recreates the look and tone of a 1950s Telecaster, with a pine body, a maple neck and fingerboard, a 25.5-inch scale, 21 narrow-tall frets, two Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups in an SS layout, and a vintage-style string-through-body Telecaster bridge with barrel saddles.

Squier Affinity Series Telecaster

Telecaster-style solid-body electric guitar model

Electric guitar

The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster is an affordable, lightweight Telecaster, with a thin poplar body, a slim C-shaped maple neck, a 25.5-inch scale, 21 frets, two Squier single-coil Telecaster pickups in an SS layout with three-way switching, and a string-through-body bridge.

G&L ASAT Special

T-style solid-body electric guitar model family

Electric guitar

A T-style sibling to the ASAT Classic, the ASAT Special swaps in two jumbo G&L MFD single-coil pickups with a wide, shallow coil for a fatter, P-90-like voice with punchy lows and sparkling highs. It uses the Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock bridge and is often called the quintessential G&L guitar.

Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster XII

Offset 12-string solid-body electric guitar model

Electric guitar

The Squier Paranormal Jazzmaster XII is a twelve-string electric guitar with the offset Jazzmaster body shape, a poplar body, a graphite-reinforced C-shaped maple neck, a 25.5-inch scale, 21 frets, two Fender-Designed alnico single-coil Jazzmaster pickups with three-way switching, and a hybrid string-through-body/top-load bridge with a vintage-inspired hockey-stick twelve-string headstock.

Rickenbacker 4003

Neck-through electric bass model family

Electric bass · United States

The long-running successor to the 4001, introduced around 1979 and still in production, the 4003 is Rickenbacker's signature neck-through 'cresting wave' bass. It carries two single-coil pickups, a maple body and neck, full-length skunk-stripe neck-through construction, deluxe triangular inlays, and mono/stereo output, delivering the ringing sustain and treble punch heard on countless rock recordings.

Nash T-63

Aged T-style solid-body electric guitar model

Electric guitar · United States

The Nash T-63 is a T-style solid-body electric guitar built by Nash Guitars with aged, relic nitrocellulose finishes. It features an ash or alder body with a rosewood fingerboard, two single-coil pickups, a hardtail bridge, and a three-ply pickguard, following the classic American single-coil solid-body design.