Best Electric Guitars
19 products ranked across 214 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 11 Sept 2026
On the stierproducts electric guitars board, PRS SE Custom 24 ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Fender American Ultra II Tele (#2, S tier) and Fender Vintera III Stratocaster (#3, A tier). The board ranks 19 electric guitars from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 11 Sept 2026, drawing on 214 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Gibson Les Paul Standard 50-60, Jackson Dinky JS11, Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe, and 7 others.
Moved down from C to D on 14 Sept 2026 #10 4 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Gibson Les Paul Standard 50-60
#11 1 of 2 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Jackson Dinky JS11
#12 2 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe
#13 1 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Gibson SG Standard
#14 3 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Ibanez GRGM21M-BLT
#15 2 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Ibanez RG550
#16 5 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster
What moved on this board
16 tier changes recorded between 28 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 14 Sept 2026 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50-60 moved down from C to D. From the ranking, not from new evidence.
- 10 Sept 2026 Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster moved up from F to D. 2 more research games. 5 sources added, 3 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Ibanez GRGM21M-BLT moved down from C to D. 2 more research games. 5 sources added, 3 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe moved down from C to D. 1 more research game. 2 sources added, 1 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50-60 moved down from B to C. 3 more research games. 4 sources added, 2 removed.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
PRS SE Custom 24 sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 214 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Guitar World's expert verdict and the same QC culture as the Core line at accessible money. The best reliability-per-dollar deal on the board.
Fender American Ultra II Tele ranks #2 (S tier). GuitarMetrics' best-overall for 2026. Current-generation US hardware and Fender's dealer network make long-term ownership close to frictionless.
Our research places Gibson Les Paul Standard 50-60, Jackson Dinky JS11, Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe, Gibson SG Standard, Ibanez GRGM21M-BLT, Ibanez RG550, Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster, Jackson JS-7B LTD, Yamaha PAC Series, ESP LTD Phoenix-200DX in the bottom tiers (D/F). Gibson Les Paul Standard 50-60: Genuinely well-built, which is why it edges a weak pick here, but the weight, angled-headstock fracture risk, and the heaviest brand tax in the category make the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s or PRS Custom 24 the smarter ownership decision.
More in Audio
Cite this board as stierproducts, “Best Electric Guitars”, 11 Sept 2026. Free to quote with attribution and a link (terms).
Machine-readable: markdown · JSON · how we rank
Embed this board on your own site. The frame links back here, which is the attribution the terms ask for:
<iframe src="https://stierproducts.com/embed/electric-guitars" title="Best Electric Guitars, ranked by stierproducts" width="100%" height="456" loading="lazy" style="border:0"></iframe>