Guitar World Supplement Series: October 2013
Check out the frugal guitarist's guide to the greatest budget axes. Read it now on any browser!
It's not uncommon for a great guitar to retail for more than $5,000, but killer axes of all types can also be had for $500 or less. And while budget guirars are practical choices for players who don't want to take an expensive ax to bar gigs and house parties, many of them can prove to be treasured all-around performers with great tone, easy playability and killer looks.
“Exceeds in playability, looks, and affordability”: Cort promises the pinnacle of affordable acoustic guitars with its $449 Essence series
“I auditioned for a guitar commission with a carload of basses! I laid them all out on the floor, and he went, ‘OK, let's make a guitar’”: James Hetfield's luthier on how he went from crafting basses to becoming the Metallica guitarist's go-to axe maker
