Are you looking for the perfect electric guitar to bring your open chords to life?
Open chords are the hidden secret to many great songs, but it may be a daunting task to find a good guitar to complement your style.
In this article, we explore the best electric guitars for open chords. Grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in.
Best Electric Guitar for Open Chords – Reviewed
Ibanez 6 String Solid-Body
Ibanez 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar is a high-quality guitar, ideal for all players including beginners and professional guitar players. It features a transparent green burst finish that gives it a unique look. In addition, its solid body construction ensures durability and excellent sound quality for open chords.
This guitar is designed with a maple neck and fretboard, and a poplar body. The neck is sleek and comfortable, offering smooth playability and an excellent tone for beginners. This guitar features a double-cutaway design that gives easy access to the upper frets, making it ideal for soloing.
The guitar is equipped with excellent and original high-output Infinity R pickups, which provide a full, rich sound that is perfect for a wide range of musical styles. In addition, this guitar has a 5-way pickup switch that delivers tonal versatility.
The guitar does not only deliver high-quality workmanship with great tone but does this at an affordable price for all levels of guitar players.
Pros
- It comes in tune
- Beautiful green color
- Beginner friendly
- It is affordable
Cons
- It looks small
Squier Mini Stratocaster
If you are a beginner looking for an electric guitar to play open chords, the Squier mini Stratocaster is a perfect option for you. The Mini Stratocaster is about 3/4 the size of a regular Stratocaster, which makes it easy to play for those who prefer a more compact instrument.
The guitar has a solid body construction, and the black finish gives it a sleek and stylish appearance. The Laurel fingerboard feels smooth and comfortable under the fingers making it a great guitar if you desire playability, and the C-shape neck is incredible.
Another unique feature of this guitar is its thin and lightweight body. If you are affected by the body strains of playing a heavy guitar, this one is ideal for you.
This guitar features single-coil pickups that deliver a classic Stratocaster sound. Furthermore, the guitar produces a range of different sounds depending on how the player adjusts the tone and volume controls. The tone is bright, crisp, and rich, perfect for playing chords.
Pros
- Small and compact
- Great crisp tone
- Comfortable fingerboard
- Sleek design
Cons
- Frets are a little sharp
ESP LTD KH-602 Signature Series
This guitar features an alder body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. It is perfectly designed with a sleek black look. The guitar is designed with a three-layer piece of maple and has Kirk’s skull-and-bones design on the fingerboard.
If the priority for your electric guitar for the open chord is comfort, this guitar has an extra thin U-shape neck profile with a smooth finish to keep you comfortable when playing.
This guitar is designed for professional players who do serious live performances and recordings. It features a powerful bridge and a set of Signature pickups to deliver the best tone when playing new chords.
This guitar is built with hardiness for any professional to go on tour for performances. It features a hard case, perfect for storing your guitar in high temperatures and humidity.
Pros
- Great for shredding
- Features a hard case
- Smooth finishing
- Unique skull and bone design
- Incredible for professionals
Cons
- It is expensive
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Thinline Telecaster
The Squier Classic Vibe 70s Thinline Telecaster Electric Guitar features a Maple Fingerboard, neck, and body and is a great guitar for those who want a vintage sound with modern playability. The fingerboard features a beautiful vintage gloss finish.
The 9.5’’ neck has a highly desirable gloss look and is C-shaped to provide comfort when playing open chords. The guitar comes with Fender-Designed humbucking pickups for an authentic Fender tone. The humbucker pickups deliver a warm and fat sound perfect for a wide range of music genres.
This guitar is designed with tuning machines that deliver great tuning stability. If you want an affordable vintage-looking guitar for open chords, this is the ideal option.
Pros
- Vintage look
- Comfortable neck
- Great tuning stability
- Excellent pickups
Cons
- The input jack is loose when inserting the cable
Buyer’s Guide for Best Guitar for Open Chords
Body Shape
It is important to consider the body shape of the guitar as it affects how comfortably you can play open chords. Some guitar shapes are easier to play certain chords on, so it’s essential to consider which body shape suits your playing style.
Pickups
The type of pickups on an electric guitar affects the tone and sound quality of the guitar. Single-coil pickups deliver bright tones. Humbucker pickups produce warmer and better-distorted tones. It is important to consider which pickup will suit the sound you’re looking for when playing open chords.
Bridge type
The bridge of an electric guitar affects the sustain, intonation, and tuning stability. There are different types of bridges, including fixed, tremolo, and Floyd Rose-style bridges. The best bridge type suits your needs when playing open chords.
FAQs
Can you play open chords with an electric guitar?
Although open chords do not sound as great on an electric guitar as they do on an acoustic guitar, it is possible to play with an electric guitar.
Which is the hardest chord to play?
Many guitar players struggle to play the 6th string F chord.
Why do my chords sound odd on an electric guitar?
Chords sound bad when the guitar’s intonation is bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do open chords sound good on electric guitar?
Interestingly, open chords may not always sound as pleasing on an electric guitar, but it’s important to note that there isn’t anything inherently wrong with playing open chords on an electric. The discrepancy in sound quality typically arises due to the string thickness. Electric guitar strings tend to be thinner in comparison to their acoustic counterparts, resulting in lower string tension. As a guitarist with years of experience, I’ve noticed that this lower tension can cause open chords to sound less satisfying on an electric guitar, especially when compared to the resonant tones of an acoustic. However, don’t let this discourage you, as with experimentation and adjustments in your playing technique, you can achieve great sounding open chords on an electric guitar too.
What is a good all-around electric guitar?
Choosing a good, all-around electric guitar often comes down to personal preference and playing style, but there are some well-regarded models that have proven to be versatile and user-friendly for various genres and techniques. Brands such as Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, and PRS have a broad range of guitars that are loved by both beginners and seasoned professionals. In my personal journey with electric guitars, I’ve leaned towards the Fender Stratocaster for its versatility. It’s capable of producing a wide array of tones, making it suitable for rock, pop, blues, and even jazz. However, remember that your guitar should feel comfortable in your hands and inspire you to play, so it’s vital to try out a few models before settling on one.
What is the best electric guitar to learn how do you play?
When it comes to learning the electric guitar, it’s essential to start on an instrument that is comfortable to play and offers a good quality sound within your budget. Some popular choices among beginners are the Yamaha Pacifica series, the Epiphone Les Paul series, and the Squier by Fender Stratocaster series. These guitars are known for their playability, good tone, durability, and affordable price tag. Speaking from experience, starting on a good quality instrument can make the learning process more enjoyable and rewarding. A well-set-up guitar can facilitate easy chord formation and faster progress on your playing skills. Some tutors also recommend Justin Guitar for a comprehensive, step-by-step guitar course that will guide you through the basics and beyond.