For Humbucker guitars we’re going to look at three different options. 

Epiphone are another company that used to be build there own guitars, until Gibson bought them in 1957, and began using them for there own budget guitars. The first guitar we’re going to look at is the Epiphone Les Paul Special https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/electric-guitars/epiphone-les-paul-special-ve-vintage-worn-sunburst-ensvvsvch1 This is a great guitar for the money, it plays and feels great out the box and I actually think the cost cutting finish looks really good, and there is a couple of different colours available. The pickups sound okay, but can be again a bit harsh sounding or a bit muddy depending on your amp settings, but for the money this can’t really be beaten. 

The next company we’re going to look at is Ibanez, who were founded in 1957, but really rose to prominence around the 80s. The Ibanez RC220 https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/electric-guitars/ibanez-rc220-aam-electric-guitar-in-aam-aged-amber-rc220-aam has a cool unique look to it, plays great and for the money sounds brilliant. Personally I’m a big fan of Ibanez guitars, I think you get brilliant value for money that other companies can’t match. 

The final guitar we’re going to look out in this category is the Epiphone Vintage G400 Sg, https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/electric-guitars/epiphone-vintage-g400-sg-worn-cherry-ch-eggvwcch1 again a bit more expensive than the other two, but it’s a guitar, like the Vintage Modified, that would last you years without needing any upgrades, I’m a big fan of SGs because of the double cutaway, which makes the access to higher frets easy! They also sound great and clear whether they’re overdriven for a rock tone or a clean bright tone! 

My personal favourite budget guitar..

My personal favourite budget guitar, and one that I recommend to most students, is the Yamaha Pacifica 112v https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/electric-guitars/yamaha-pacifica-112v-old-violin-sunburst-pacif112vovs at £229, this sits in the middle range of beginners guitars, but I think it’s easily as good as guitars twice it’s price. The neck feels great and is quite thin so it makes it easy to play, the tremolo system works really well and stays in tune, the pickups sound good and the finish looks brilliant! There is also lots of colour options and again this is a guitar that will last you years without needing upgrading!