You can get pretty much anything if you live in the States, from an American Fender Stratocaster through to PRS S2ex and others, but due to transport costs, duties, exchange rate and tax (as well as the fact that shops have to make a profit) we get considerably less bang for our buck here. So what are the options for someone who wants to buy a mid-range guitar with plenty of adaptability, especially when looking for electric guitars under $1000? We have tried to look at the offerings of some of the bigger brands as they come with a lot of history, reliability and often warranty repairs should they be needed. So without further ado here is our list of best electric guitars under $1000 for Australia (some of these are maybe $50 more than the $1000, but make sure you haggle, guitar stores are awesome for this and if you look after them with repeat custom, they will look after you)
PRS SE CE
Price: $1100
Where to buy: Reverb
PRS have always sat comfortably between Fender and Gibson territory — and the SE delivers that hybrid feel perfectly. Dual humbuckers, coil-split for versatility, and one of the most comfortable neck profiles you’ll ever play.
It’s light enough for long gigs (or let’s face it, noodling at home), beautifully balanced, and handles anything from blues to metal. The 24 frets give you room to stretch, while the tremolo bridge feels smooth and reliable.
Why it works: Premium feel, killer tones, and near-perfect build quality for the money. If you are looking for something different than the regular brands, this is a great one.
Fender Standard or Fender Japan Stratocaster
Check out my article on Buying from Japan.
OK, so this is a bit of a cheat..you can easily get a Fender Standard Made in Mexico here in Australia for around the $1000 mark. The good thing is that you will get a good quality instrument at a good price with the for real ‘Fender’ logo on the headstock. You can also pick between the Strat or the Tele version and have the utility for a couple of different styles. But…for around the same price and if you are willing to shop online, you can get yourself a quality Made in Japan strat (they aren’t making them anymore). These are seen as a step up from the MIM models and generally have a bit better workmanship as well. Only problem is that you probably won’t find one locally at the price, so you will probably be looking at having to look at Japanese websites to order, while you can get one for around $750-800 you will also be paying customs fees, postage and potentially getting stuck with CITES issues (if it has a rosewood neck). I did buy a guitar from Japan a few years back and it was arounf $120 in postage at that time.
Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster
Price: Around $900
Where to Buy: Found Sound (often found everywhere)
This is one of those guitars that makes you question how it’s still technically “budget.” (it’s made in China, that’s how) The JM-JM Jazzmaster (named after J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.) captures that surf-meets-grunge energy perfectly. The tone is bold, slightly gritty, and cuts through a mix without losing warmth.
The gold anodised pickguard and vintage white finish scream cool, and the playability is pure comfort. The pickups have more output than traditional Jazzmasters, which makes them brilliant for fuzz and overdrive lovers. Big compliments on the neck and frets of this one, an absolute joy to play and a guitar that I will keep forever.
Why it works: Big sound, effortless playability, and a head-turning look.
Downside: Slightly heavier body and quirky bridge setup (but that’s Jazzmasters for you).
Yamaha Revstar RSS20
Price: Around $1000
Where to buy: Reverb
The Revstar line is Yamaha’s love letter to vintage racers and Japanese design. The RSS20 nails it with dual humbuckers, a push/pull “Dry Switch” for tighter tones, and one of the most playable necks in this price range.
It feels more substantial than a Strat but less bulky than a Les Paul. The tone sits comfortably in indie, rock, and modern alt-genres. This is a guitar that I have seen recommended over and over as a guitar that outperforms expectations (much like all Yamahas in my opinion)
Why it works: Unique styling, top-tier build for the price.
Downside: Slightly darker tone; if you love sparkle, look elsewhere.
My Top Pick
For players chasing something with personality and tone depth, the Revstar is the standout. It’s got soul, it’s got bite, and it’s versatile enough to handle most genres you’ll throw at it and it looks different to anything else that you will find (racing stripe anyone…?)
If you want pure comfort and consistency, the PRS SE Standard 24 is a close second — it just feels “done right” straight from the factory.
If you are looking at lower priced guitars than this, which come highly recommended, I have also done an article on Best Budget Electric Guitars. Also, definitely Check out Artist Guitars, we have previously reviewed their Telecaster and their take on a 335 and both are awesome for the price.
Nah, you cannot pick up an Ibanez S6570Q Prestige for anywhere near a grand. They are more like $2.5 grand.