Best Mid-Tier Guitars Under $850

If you’re searching for a guitar that strikes the perfect balance between quality, versatility, and affordability, the mid-tier range—around $850 USD (roughly £675 or €820)—is where the magic happens. In this price bracket, you can find outstanding instruments that deliver exceptional performance without the steep cost of premium models. In this article, I’ll dive into a comparison of four standout guitars in this range: the Yamaha Revstar Standard, Epiphone Les Paul Custom, PRS SE Custom 24, and PRS SE DGT.

I’ll look at what kind of players might be drawn to this range, the key pros and cons of each model, and help you decide which one is best suited for your style. Let’s dive into the battle of the mid-tier guitars!

Why the $850 Range Matters for Guitar Players

Guitarists at various levels of experience often look for a balance between affordability and quality. If you’re a serious hobbyist or semi-pro player, you want a guitar that delivers professional-level features without the custom-shop price. The $850 range is ideal for:

Intermediate players looking for their first serious guitar after starting with budget models.
Gigging musicians who need reliable instruments without risking expensive high-end gear at shows.
Modders and customizers who want a solid base guitar to upgrade with premium components.

These guitars are perfect for anyone who wants a balance of tone, craftsmanship, and features at a price that’s reasonable for the quality they offer.

The Contenders

Let’s break down what each of these guitars has to offer, along with their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Yamaha Revstar Standard

Overview:The Yamaha Revstar Standard, part of the renowned Revstar lineup, blends vintage charm with modern innovation, making it a standout for players seeking both. With its dual-humbucker setup, set-in neck, and distinct chambered body design, it offers a unique twist that sets it apart from the competition.

Pros:

Chambered Body Design: Reduces weight and increases resonance, making it lighter and more comfortable for long playing sessions.
Innovative Electronics: With a 5-way pickup selector and a Focus Switch, the Revstar offers a broader tonal range than typical dual-humbucker guitars.
Build Quality: The mahogany body, set-in neck, dual shiny urethane body finish, satin neck finish, and stainless steel frets combine to provide excellent durability, sustain, and overall high-quality craftsmanship.
Rosewood Fretboard and Carbon-Reinforced Neck: Features often missing from guitars at this price point.

Cons:

Basic Hardware: The bridge and tuners are functional but lack the refinement of locking tuners or a more advanced bridge system.
No Tremolo: The fixed bridge limits the type of techniques you can use, unlike the PRS models which come with tremolo systems.

Epiphone Les Paul Custom

Overview: The Epiphone Les Paul Custom offers a slice of Gibson’s legacy at a fraction of the price. With its classic single-cut design, dual humbuckers, and rich tone, this is the guitar for traditionalists who want that iconic Les Paul look and sound without breaking the bank.

Pros:

Classic Les Paul Sound and Look: Perfect for players seeking that warm, powerful tone associated with Gibson Les Pauls.
Aesthetics: The black-and-gold “Black Beauty” design, multi-ply binding, and pearloid inlays give it a high-end look.
ProBucker Pickups: The ProBuckers emulate vintage Gibson PAF pickups, delivering a full, rich sound ideal for blues, rock, and jazz.
Solid Build Quality: Mahogany body and ebony fretboard add warmth to the tone and durability.

Cons:

Heavy: Like most Les Pauls, the weight can be a drawback, especially for players who need something more comfortable for long sessions.
Limited Versatility: Compared to the Yamaha Revstar and PRS models, the Epiphone is less versatile in terms of tonal range.
Fretwork: Some units suffer from poorly finished frets, requiring extra setup or polish.
Pickups: While the ProBuckers perform well, upgrading to Gibson Burstbuckers can elevate your tone to the next level.
Made in China: The Epiphone Les Paul Custom stands apart, and not for good, from its Indonesian-made competitors. Despite being handcrafted, its fretwork, though decent, lacks the refinement of rivals like the Revstar with its stainless steel frets.

PRS SE Custom 24

Overview: The PRS SE Custom 24 is a versatile powerhouse, offering a dual-humbucker setup with coil-splitting, 24 frets, and a smooth, comfortable neck. Its reliable tremolo bridge ensures excellent tuning stability, while its stunning design turns heads in any color. Perfect for players who demand a guitar capable of handling diverse genres, this model embodies the PRS ethos: it sounds great, plays effortlessly, and looks amazing.

Pros:

Versatile Pickups: The 85/15 “S” pickups with coil-splitting provide a huge tonal range, from thick humbucker sounds to bright single-coil tones.
Tremolo System: The PRS-designed tremolo adds more options for expressive playing without sacrificing tuning stability.
Comfortable Playability: The 25-inch scale length and thin neck profile make it very comfortable to play, especially for lead players.
Beautiful Finish: Flame maple veneer and PRS bird inlays give it a stunning look, rivaling more expensive guitars.

Cons:

Hardware Could Be Improved: The tuners work well, but upgrading to locking tuners would add extra tuning stability, especially for heavy tremolo users.
Glossy Neck: While the neck is comfortable, the glossy finish might feel sticky for players used to satin necks.
Birds Inlay: The iconic PRS birds inlay is a signature design element that divides opinions—adored by some and less appreciated by others. Sadly, non-bird enthusiasts won’t find a moon-shaped inlay option here.

PRS SE DGT

Overview: The PRS SE DGT, David Grissom’s signature model, blends vintage charm with modern versatility. Equipped with coil-tap pickups and a reliable tremolo system, it delivers rich tones suited for vintage-inspired rock, sultry high-gain styles, and contemporary country or blues. While not as all-encompassing as its sibling, the SE Custom 24, the DGT focuses on vintage-oriented sounds with a chunky, classic-feeling neck that will delight players seeking old-school vibes with modern playability.

Pros:

DGT Pickups: Designed for Grissom’s blues and rock style, these pickups have great bite and warmth, with excellent clarity even under heavy gain.
Coil-Tap Functionality: Allows for switching between humbucker and single-coil tones without losing much output, offering great versatility.
Comfortable Neck: The thicker, vintage-style neck makes it ideal for players who prefer a more substantial feel.
Great Value for Money: The craftsmanship and versatility are top-notch for a guitar in this price range.

Cons:

Limited to Rock and Blues: While the DGT excels in rock and blues, it might not be ideal for metal or funk players who need different tonal characteristics.
No Bird Inlays (Goldtop Version): Fans of the iconic PRS bird inlays might feel their absence on the Goldtop version, which features subtle half-moon inlays. However, a Tobacco Sunburst option with bird inlays is available.

Comparison Table: Pros, Cons, and Who Each Guitar is Suited For

Model	Pros	Cons	Best Suited For
Yamaha Revstar Standard	– Lightweight chambered body for comfort and resonance. – Innovative 5-way switch and Focus Switch for tonal variety. – Durable build with stainless steel frets.	– Basic hardware lacking refinements like locking tuners. – No tremolo system, limiting expressive techniques.	Experimenters seeking a unique design, broad tonal range, and innovative electronics.
Epiphone Les Paul Custom	– Iconic Les Paul tone and aesthetics. – ProBucker pickups emulate classic Gibson PAF sound. – Durable build with mahogany body and ebony fretboard.	– Heavy and less comfortable for long sessions. – Limited versatility compared to others. – Occasional fretwork issues on some units.	Traditionalists wanting rich, classic Les Paul tone and vintage-inspired looks.
PRS SE Custom 24	– Wide tonal range with 85/15 “S” pickups and coil-splitting. – Comfortable playability with 24 frets and thin neck. – Stunning flame maple finish.	– Standard hardware could benefit from upgrades, like locking tuners. – Glossy neck finish may feel sticky to some players.	Players seeking a versatile all-rounder for handling multiple genres and styles.
PRS SE DGT	– Vintage-voiced DGT pickups with great clarity. – Coil-tap adds tonal versatility. – Comfortable, chunky vintage-style neck. – Excellent value.	– Limited versatility, less suited for metal or funk. – Goldtop version lacks bird inlays, featuring half-moon inlays instead.	Blues and rock enthusiasts who value vintage tones and modern features.

Conclusion

Ultimately, each of these guitars provides outstanding value, so the decision comes down to which one aligns best with your playing style and preferences. Whether it’s the Yamaha Revstar, Epiphone Les Paul, PRS SE Custom 24, or PRS SE DGT, your choice will reflect the features you prioritize most in a guitar.

The Yamaha Revstar Standard is perfect for players who value innovation and a unique design that combines classic appeal with modern flair. Its chambered body and advanced electronics make it an excellent choice for tone enthusiasts who love to experiment, especially those who don’t need a tremolo bridge.
The Epiphone Les Paul Custom is perfect for traditionalists who crave the iconic Les Paul tone and look without the high price tag, especially those who prefer a fixed bridge. While its weight and limited versatility may not suit everyone, its timeless sound more than compensates. And, let’s be honest— the Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty” is not just a guitar; it’s a work of art. With its sleek black finish, gold hardware, and exquisite detailing, it’s truly one of the most beautiful and visually striking guitars ever crafted.
The PRS SE Custom 24 is the most versatile in this lineup, offering great sound options with its coil-splitting and tremolo system. It’s a great all-rounder for players who need a guitar that can handle multiple genres.
The PRS SE DGT is the choice for blues and rock players who appreciate vintage tones but want modern functionality, like coil-tapping, tremolo and a comfortable neck profile.

In the end, choosing the right guitar comes down to your specific needs as a player. While each of these contenders is an excellent instrument that won’t miss the mark, it’s really about finding the features that matter most to you. Hopefully, this article has given you the insight to make an informed decision that fits your playing style and preferences. And if you’re looking for even more detailed information, don’t forget to check out my in-depth reviews of each of these guitars to help guide your choice further.

In Depth Reviews:

Bonus: Specs Comparison

Here’s a comparison of the specifications for the Yamaha Revstar Standard, Epiphone Les Paul Custom, PRS SE Custom 24, and PRS SE DGT:

Feature	Yamaha Revstar Standard	Epiphone Les Paul Custom	PRS SE Custom 24	PRS SE DGT
Mahogany body	Chambered design for reduced weight and increased resonance.	Carved maple top.	Flame maple veneer top.	Carved maple top.
Set-in Neck	Satin finish.	Les Paul 60’s style	The maple neck has a glossy finish and a wide, thin profile.	Vintage-style profile.
Fretboard	Rosewood with 22 frets.	Ebony with 22 frets.	Rosewood with 24 frets	Rosewood with 22 frets.
Scale Length	24.75 inches.	24.75 inches.	25 inches.	25 inches.
Pickups	Dual Yamaha Revstar Custom humbuckers with 5-way pickup selector and Focus Switch for tonal variety.	Dual Epiphone ProBucker humbuckers.	PRS proprietary 85/15 “S” humbuckers with coil-splitting via push/pull tone control.	DGT humbuckers with coil-tap functionality.
Bridge	Fixed bridge.	LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece.	PRS Patented Tremolo, Molded.	PRS Patented Tremolo, Molded.
Hardware	Nickel hardware.	Gold hardware.	Nickel hardware.	Nickel hardware.
Finish Options	Various café racer-inspired finishes, including black, green, and blue with sporty racing-style stripes.	Alpine White with gold hardware	Multiple finishes including Black Gold Burst, Charcoal Cherry Burst, and Turquoise .	Goldtop with moons inlay and Tobacco Sunburst with PRS birds inlay.
Additional Features	Stainless steel frets for durability. Focus switch for tonal options.	Grover tuners, multi-ply binding, golden finished hardware, Epiphone ProBucker pickups.	PRS-designed tuners, patented tremolo bridge and proprietary PRS nut. Coil-splitting capabilites.	PRS-designed tuners, patented tremolo bridge, and proprietary PRS nut. Coil-tapping capabilities.

Note: Specifications may vary slightly depending on the specific model and year of manufacture.

Best Mid-Tier Guitars Under $850