Best guitars for blues guitarists

Buying a guitar for blues can be harder than it should be. There are plenty of good guitars out there, but the tricky part is knowing which one is right for you. If you’re spending decent money, you don’t want to end up with something that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel right when you actually play it.

That’s usually where people get stuck. Do you go for something bright and lively, or thicker and smoother? Single coils or humbuckers? New or used? Spend under a grand, or stretch for something special?

The truth is, there isn’t one perfect blues guitar. It comes down to the sort of sound you like, how you play, and what feels right in your hands.

At MusicStreet, we’ve always felt the best way to buy a guitar is to get proper advice from people who actually play. We stock a wide range of guitars that suit blues players, including Fender, Gibson, PRS, Epiphone, and Yamaha.

If you already know roughly what you’re after, have a look through our electric guitars. If you’re not sure, just get in touch and ask. A quick conversation can often save a lot of second-guessing.

What makes a good blues guitar

For blues, I’m usually looking at feel first. Specs matter, of course, but the way a guitar responds is what really makes the difference.

A good blues guitar usually gives you:

clear note definition
enough sustain to let notes sing
a comfortable neck
pickups that suit the sound you want
a proper setup so bends and vibrato feel easy

That last bit is a big one. A guitar can look great on paper, but if it hasn’t been set up properly, it won’t feel anywhere near as good as it should. That’s one of the reasons we make such a point of checking and setting guitars up before they go out.

Single coils or humbuckers

This is usually the first thing to think about.

Single coils tend to sound clearer, sharper, and more open. If you like plenty of touch response, cleaner tones, and that lively edge when the amp starts to break up, single coils are a great place to start. That’s why a lot of blues players end up looking at Fender guitars.

Humbuckers usually sound thicker, warmer, and smoother, with more push and sustain. If you want a bigger lead sound or your playing leans more into blues-rock, they can be a better fit. In that case, I’d be looking at Gibson electric guitars or Epiphone guitars.

Neither is right or wrong. It just depends whether you want more bite and sparkle or more warmth and body.

If you’re torn between the two, the easiest thing is to speak to us and tell us the sort of players or tones you like. We can usually point you in the right direction pretty quickly.

Not sure which way to go

If you’re stuck between a few options, don’t guess. Get in touch with us and tell us your budget, the sort of blues you play, and whether you want more bite, warmth, or versatility. We’d much rather help you choose the right guitar first than have you buy the wrong one and still be wondering.

You can start by browsing our electric guitars, used guitars, or brand collections like Fender, Gibson, and PRS.

The best guitar styles for blues

Strat-style guitars

If you want something expressive, versatile, and full of character, a Strat-style guitar is always worth a look. They’re great for players who want plenty of feel and like to shape the sound with their hands.

They’re especially good for:

clean to edge-of-breakup tones
articulate lead playing
blues, soul, funk, and classic rock

A good place to start is our Fender guitars collection.

Les Paul-style guitars

If you want a thicker, richer sound with lots of sustain, a Les Paul-style guitar makes a lot of sense. These are brilliant for players who want a fuller neck-pickup sound and a bit more weight behind lead lines.

They’re especially good for:

warm lead tones
thicker mids
smooth sustain
pushed amp sounds

Have a look at our Gibson electric guitars or Epiphone guitars.

PRS and more versatile modern options

If you want something that sits nicely between vintage character and modern reliability, PRS guitars are well worth a look. They can be a really good option if you want one guitar that will cover a lot of ground.

Best blues guitars by budget

Under £1000

This is a really important price point because there are some excellent guitars here that do not feel like a compromise. If you want value without ending up with something uninspiring, I’d start with Epiphone guitars, Yamaha guitars, and selected Fender guitars.

If you’re shopping around this level, it’s worth taking your time and choosing the guitar that feels right rather than just chasing a spec list.

Premium options

If you’re after something special that you plan to keep for years, it’s worth looking at Gibson electric guitars, PRS guitars, and our wider electric guitars collection.

A really good guitar is something you enjoy every time you pick it up, so if you’re making a proper investment, it’s worth getting the right one. And if budget is part of the decision, we do offer Klarna and PayPal split payment options on guitars over £1000, which can make things a bit easier without rushing into the wrong choice.

Used blues guitars

Used guitars can be a brilliant shout for blues players. Sometimes you can get a better guitar for the money, and sometimes you just find something with a bit more personality. It’s always worth checking our used guitars collection.

If you like the idea of getting more for your money, or you want something a bit different, used is well worth a look.

Why buying from MusicStreet makes a difference

This is where we really do things properly. Every guitar is professionally set up before sale by experienced musicians. We check action, intonation, fretwork, electrics, and overall playability before it goes out.

That matters with any guitar, but especially for blues. You want bends to feel smooth, notes to ring properly, and the guitar to feel right from the off.

You’re also not just buying from a box shifter. If you need advice, you can ask and get a proper answer from people who know what they’re talking about.

Where to start

If you already have a rough idea of what you want, start here:

If you’re still not sure, get in touch with us before you buy. Tell us your budget, the sort of blues you like, and whether you want more bite or more warmth, and we’ll help point you toward the right guitar.

If you’ve seen something on the site and want to know whether it’s the right fit, give us a ring or drop us an email and ask. We’d always rather help you choose properly than have you guessing from a product page.

And if you see a used piece you like, don’t leave it too long. The good ones don’t usually hang around.

Conclusion

The best guitar for blues is the one that feels right in your hands and gives you the sound you’re hearing in your head. For some players that will be a bright, expressive Fender-style guitar. For others it will be a warmer, thicker Gibson-style model. If you want one guitar that covers a lot of ground, PRS is well worth a look too. If you’re unsure, the best thing to do is get in touch with us by phone or email and let us help you narrow it down properly.

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