The best gigging guitars should be usable, reliable and versatile. Here, we’ve got all of those qualities, and we’ve also considered value for money.
Considerations:Fender FSR CA STDTelecastersSGs Harley Benton MAX Fusion SignatureFender AM Acoustasonic
Key Information about Gigging Guitars
The best gigging guitars combine reliability, tuning stability, and versatile tones that work across multiple live music styles.
You need to look for comfortable necks, durable hardware, and dependable electronics that can handle regular touring and rehearsals.
When choosing the best gigging guitars, players should consider weight, pickup configuration, stage comfort, and how easily the guitar fits into a live mix.
Best Gigging Guitars: What Music Do You Play?
The guitar you use for live performances will vary in so many ways. Whether it’s music type or budget, your six-stringed stage companion could be anything. Obviously, some guitars work better than others depending on the application.
If you’re in a Metallica tribute band, then you’re less likely to need a bright-sounding acoustic guitar. Likewise, if you’re in a country duo, you probably don’t need a 7-string Super Strat with locking tuners.
Moreover, if you’re just starting to get out there performing live, you might only have one tool for the job. Which is fine! However, this list of gigging guitars should hopefully point you in the right direction if you have the time and money to hand-pick a dedicated guitar for your shows. Let’s see what we’re working with.
Fender FSR CA STD
In our first look at the best gigging guitars, we’re going acoustic. Specifically, this Auditorium acoustic from *Fender. Ideal for your first open mic nights and busking sessions.
Best Gigging Guitars – Fender Concert Size · Source: Thomann
Unlike dreadnought or jumbo acoustic guitars, this 000 is smaller than its counterparts. The smaller size makes it more comfortable and usable for players, especially when coming from an electric guitar.
The comfort theme continues with a C-profile neck behind a walnut fingerboard. A set of sealed die-cast machine heads guarantees reliable intonation for your sets. Personally, I think that the only limitation with this specific guitar is that it cannot be amplified, unless with a microphone.
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Fender FSR CA STD Monterey IPG BLK
No customer rating available yet
$177.00 / £156.00 / 179.00€ at
Fender CA STD Monterey E IPG SFG
Customer rating: (1)
$216.00 / £190.00 / 219.00€ at
Fender CA STD Monterey E IPG NAT SAP
No customer rating available yet
$216.00 / £190.00 / 219.00€ at
Telecasters
The next logical step for a gigging guitar is to go electric. Telecasters are famed for being one of the most versatile guitars out there. Now in their 75th year, they’re loved and appreciated by thousands.
Best Gigging Guitars – Telecasters · Source: Fender
What I love most about the Telecaster is how easy they are to modify, making it one of the best gigging guitars. You could add a fancy pickguard after removing just a couple of screws. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be too difficult to add a rail humbucker in the bridge, also.
Although they’re big lumps of wood, a Telecaster has a solid and resonant tone that will capture virtually anything that you throw at it. Plus, there are so many to choose from, whether you go for *Harley Benton, *Squier, *Fender or even *Schecter!
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Schecter PT BK
Customer rating: (26)
$869.00 / £766.00 / 879.00€ at
Fender Player II Mod Tele MN OLP
Customer rating: (2)
$985.00 / £869.00 / 999.00€ at
Squier CV 60s Custom Tele 3-SB
Customer rating: (99)
$399.00 / £359.00 / 409.00€ at
Harley Benton TE-62 CC Tremolo LPB
Customer rating: (7)
$166.00 / £145.00 / 169.00€ at
SGs
From the reputable 1950s charm of the Telecaster, we’re jumping to the early 1960s for Gibson’s mean-looking Solid Guitar. The SG was developed to provide a lighter option over the Les Paul, and this is just one reason it makes a fantastic gigging guitar.
Best Gigging Guitars – Double Cut Examples · Source: Thomann
When gigging, there’s a lot of standing around, and a heavy guitar can have a huge physical impact on a player. Therefore, why not consider an SG? These Mahogany and Rosewood riff machine features 22 stainless steel frets, and thanks to the overall design, you can access pretty much all of them.
Stainless frets allow for accurate bends, along with the soaring power of twin humbucking pickups, offering you twice the power of the Teles that we looked at earlier. However, like the Teles, you can get hold of an SG without breaking the bank. Take some time deciding which price range is best for you.
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Harley Benton DC-Custom II Cherry
Customer rating: (62)
$266.00 / £233.00 / 269.00€ at
Epiphone SG Standard Cherry IBG
Customer rating: (4)
$589.00 / £522.00 / 599.00€ at
Gibson SG 61 Standard VC
Customer rating: (78)
$1,799.00 / £1,599.00 / 1,819.00€ at
Harley Benton MAX Fusion Signature
Onto a personal recommendation in our pick for the best gigging guitars. Although this *signature super strat looks all mean and aggressive, it also has a lighter side. Let’s check it out.
Best Gigging Guitars – Harley Benton MAX Fusion Holographic · Source: Harley Benton
I’ve picked this specific guitar because it features a coil tap function, whereby you can split the humbucking pickups in half to give you the spank of a single coil. Therefore, this guitar will carry all of the gain you give it, whilst also being able to provide legendary slinky Strat tones.
Plus, for less than £500 / €500, you get a solidly reliable Floyd Rose 1000 series tremolo system. As a gigging guitarist, I can use this guitar for heavy rock, as well as clean acoustic stuff. Making it the most versatile in this list. Definatley one to consider, especially with all of the finishes avaliable.
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Harley Benton Guitar MAX Fusion Signature HO
Customer rating: (29)
$489.00 / £435.00 / 499.00€ at
Harley Benton Guitar MAX Fusion Signature PF
Customer rating: (16)
$489.00 / £435.00 / 499.00€ at
Harley Benton Guitar MAX Fusion Signature WN
Customer rating: (22)
$444.00 / £389.00 / 449.00€ at
I also love the MAX Fusion signature because of the lightweight body, giving me the confidence to play it for hours and hours. One of the most comfortable guitars that I own.
Fender AM Acoustasonic
Concluding our look at the best gigging guitars is a guitar that continues to divide opinion. However, for soft rock and acoustic style playing, one of these could be what you’ve been looking for.
Best Gigging Guitars – Fender Acoustasonic · Source: Fender
A lot like the Fusion from before, these Acoustasonics are essentially two guitars in one. Despite having a Telecaster-style body, these feature a sound hole, allowing you to play it acoustically. However, why not plug in and use the piezo system under the bridge, along with the magnetic N4 pickup?
These also come with 0.11 gauge strings, making them the perfect halfway point between electric and acoustic. I’m not sure how well they carry heavy gains, but for pure and clean amplified guitar, these are the business. Status Quo’s Francis Rossi now uses one of these as his main gigging guitar.
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Fender Acoustasonic Standard Tele HSB
Customer rating: (4)
$639.00 / £555.00 / 649.00€ at
Fender Acoustasonic Standard Tele BLK
Customer rating: (4)
$639.00 / £555.00 / 649.00€ at
Compared to when they were first released, these are coming down in price. So, the idea of purchasing one for gigging is becoming increasingly tempting, given how affordable they’ve become.
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Further Information
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Beginner Guitar Pedals
Guitar Gig Bag Essentials
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