A good funk guitar should be versatile, have a good range of sound and have a unique sound.
The question of what is a good guitar for funk has been a topic of discussion in the guitar community for some time. This article looks at the best guitars for funk.
If you’re a funk guitarist and you want to find out what guitars to use for funk, then this article is for you. It will teach you the basics of guitars that are good for funk and how they differ from others.
Throughout this article, we will look at three different types of guitars: acoustic, electric, and semi-acoustic. We’ll examine their pros and cons as well as how they sound. This should give you a good idea of what to look for in a guitar if funk is your thing!
I tested 6 guitars and found Fender Player Stratocaster to be the best funk guitar.
Its exceptional build quality makes it feel like a professional instrument right out of the box!
Played by legendary players such as Nile Rodgers, Stevie Wonder, and Daft Punk, Fender guitars have long been seen as some of the best guitars for funk. The Player Stratocaster continues this legacy of playability and style.
Nothing beats a funky guitar riff, especially one played with a classic funk tone.
While having a great funk sound starts with selecting the best funk guitar, you should also utilize proper techniques. These might include palm-muting and 16th-note strumming, as well as using effects such as wah-wah pedals and compression.
Below, I’ll show you my picks of the best guitars for funk and why!
Alternatively, check out our line-up of the best guitars for beginners, or the best guitars for punk!
Best Funk Guitar in our Tests
- Fender Player Stratocaster
- Fender Player Telecaster
- Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster
- Squier by Fender Bullet Telecaster
- Sawtooth Heritage Series
- Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar With Epi ProBucker Pickup
Best Funk Guitar Reviewed in Detail
There are many factors to consider when finding the best funk guitar for you. The perfect instrument will depend on your style, budget, and skill level!
In this section, I’ll break down my top six funk guitars so that you can select the best one for you:
1. Fender Player Stratocaster
If any guitar is synonymous with funk music, it’s the Fender Stratocaster. The Fender Stratocaster is one of the best-selling electric guitars in the world, and for a good reason. It is a favorite among funk guitarists of all levels and is a must-have for any guitar collection.
The Stratocaster’s sleek, contoured body shape is extremely comfortable to play with, as it fits the natural shape of your body. It features a one-piece maple neck with a slimmer, narrower nut width compared to previous models. The Strat’s smooth, easy playing feel can be attributed to its narrow neck and low action.
The Fender Player Stratocaster is made with a superior build quality. It has a solid alder body and a maple neck with an easy-playing “modern C” profile.
The Player Strat features three Tex-Mex single-coil pickups with staggered pole pieces for increased sustain and an overwound bridge pickup for huge, snappy leads. A 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo system lets you wail away with abandon.
The Fender Player Stratocaster is a great choice for the funk guitarist. It features a maple fingerboard, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and a thicker middle fingerboard radius for an improved playing feel. This instrument has been designed from the ground up with the funk guitarist in mind.
This guitar is versatile enough to handle just about any musical style. It has a traditional three-pickup design with two-tone controls, but it also has a modern six-saddle synchronized tremolo bridge. The Player Stratocaster is the best way to get traditional Fender style and performance with modern features.
The Fender Player Stratocaster is the best way to get traditional Fender style and performance with modern features. This guitar has a traditional feel but is built for modern players.
Product Specifications:
- Body Material: Alder
- Fretboard: 22
- Pickup Configuration: 3 x Single-coil
Pros & Cons:
- Superior Fender build quality.
- Fantastic tone, very versatile pickups.
- Perfect sound for funk.
What Customers Say About The Fender Player Stratocaster
Known for its use by funk legends such as Eddie Hazel, the Fender Player Stratocaster has long been known as one of the quintessential funk guitars.
The modern C-shaped neck sits beautifully in your hand, and the contoured body makes it extremely comfortable to play. Its single-coil pickups give you that rhythmic percussion and chime that is synonymous with great funk guitars.
A real Swiss army knife, the Player Stratocaster is equipped to handle almost every musical setting!
Its 2-point tremolo bridge stays in tune, even after aggressive dive bombs and vibrato. This instrument is the perfect way to get a traditional funk guitar sound with modern playability.
Dubbed as a “quality for cost” equipment, the Player Stratocaster enjoys overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon. It’s well-loved for its impressive sound quality, light and sleek appearance, and overall great performance.
Verdict:
The Fender Player Stratocaster is perfect for guitarists who want a guitar that’s ready to rock! These guitars are generally some of the best out there, although they are known to be a great choice for funk players and have been rocked by some of the biggest names in the genre.
They have a versatile sound but can be sculpted to excel for funk performances. They work well for playing funk chords. The bridge pickup is an iconic sound for funky rhythm guitarists.
Check Price on Amazon2. Fender Player Telecaster
Besides funk, the Fender Player Telecaster is great for those who want a guitar that can be used to play a variety of styles. The Telecaster is a classic and has been sought-after by funk musicians for decades.
The Telecaster first appeared in 1951 and was originally developed as a guitar for country music, jazz, and not rock music styles. The Telecaster has since been adopted by rock and funk musicians because of its unique sound.
The Fender Telecaster, or Tele, is a classic electric guitar that has stood the test of time since the 1950s, with the design remaining largely similar. In later years, the design changed somewhat, with a slimmer neck and some
The Fender Player Telecaster is made of ash and maple with a gloss urethane finish. It has a maple neck with a “modern C” shape.
The Fender Player Telecaster is the guitar for the player who wants to be heard. The Player Telecaster is a great option for blues, country, and funk players. The Player Telecaster features two single-coil pickups, which are great for the country, blues, and funk. The bridge pickup is reverse wound and uses a reversed polarity, which produces a brighter tone.
These have a slightly thinner, more piercing tone than a Stratocaster, which makes them better for some styles of funk. I also think they have a more percussive sound, which adds some bite when playing funky chords.
Product Specifications:
- Body Material: Ash and Maple
- Fretboard: 22 x Maple Frets
- Pickup Configuration: 2 x Single Coil
Pros & Cons:
- Bright, twangy tone.
- Ideal for lead funk guitarists.
- Lighter than Stratocasters.
- Not as versatile as strats.
What Customers Say About The Fender Player Telecaster
In the world of funk guitar, the timeless look of a Stratocaster is matched only by the Telecaster.
The Fender Player Telecaster has found its way onto countless funk records, and – besides sounding great – it is also extremely playable. The new Player Telecaster features a bridge with block saddles that gives you sustain for days.
With its bright single-coil pickups, the Player Telecaster is perfect for being heard over a loud rhythm section without muddying the overall sound!
Finally, its light weight makes it perfect for musicians playing long gigs or those struggling with back or shoulder pain.
Customers loved its strong, sweet, and overall amazing sound, as well as its light frame. It might be a little on the pricey side, but as many reviews say, its quality won’t ever disappoint.
Verdict:
With two single-coil pickups that deliver warm and smooth vintage tones, this is the workhorse electric guitar that delivers classic Fender Fender sound with modern reliability. Whether you are more of a Strat or Tele player, the preference is yours, but these guitars will satisfy any funk player. If you want to play funk in a funk band, this guitar will help you to lay down funky grooves like never before.
Check Price on Amazon3. Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster
The Squier Bullet Stratocaster is the perfect guitar for beginners who are looking for an affordable instrument with a vintage vibe. As we already mentioned, Stratocasters are one of the best guitars for funk, no other guitar is as closely associated with the genre. This Squier model is a more affordable edition of the iconic fender Stratocaster.
The Squier Bullet Stratocaster is the perfect beginner guitar. It’s affordable, has vintage styling, and is easy to play. It has a versatile, relatively decent sound.
The Bullet Strat features three single-coil pickups in the neck, middle, and bridge positions, with a five-way blade switch. The bridge pickup is bright and twangy, the neck pickup is warm and percussive, and the middle pickup is a cross between the two. The selector switch lets you change the combination of pickups to sculpt the perfect tone for your needs.
There are three controls for tone and volume, and the guitar comes fitted with a vintage-style tremolo arm. These features are identical to the original Fender models. For the best feel, I recommend using lighter strings, which help to create a special sound for playing funky tunes.
If you’re looking for a versatile and funky guitar at an affordable price this is a reliable choice. The Squier Bullet Stratocaster is a great guitar for beginners who want a guitar with a little more of a vintage vibe. For the price, all of the included guitar parts feel well-manufactured
Product Specifications:
- Body Material: Poplar
- Fretboard: Laurel
- Pickup Configuration: 3 x Single-coil
Pros & Cons:
- Affordable.
- Versatile sound, lots of tones available.
- Reliable guitar, suitable for many situations.
- Some unrefined feeling parts.
What Customers Say About The Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster
As a daughter company of Fender, Squier has been able to provide timeless designs at a more affordable price.
Referencing the golden era of funk, the Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster is a 70s-inspired entry-level electric guitar – perfect for anyone just beginning their journey into the world of funk guitar.
With its five-way toggle switch and poplar body, the Bullet Stratocaster is a tonal chameleon that can take on any musical personality with ease.
The neck pickup is warm and smooth, the bridge much more percussive and twangy, while the middle pickup lies somewhere in between the two.
This is a great funk guitar for anyone looking for their first guitar, or just a reliable workhorse to add to their arsenal.
For entry-level guitars, customers agree the Bullet Strat is a decent choice. It might not have the same sound quality as higher-end guitars, but it still holds its ground for those still learning to strum.
Other users also recommend the guitar if you’re crazy about modding. Go ahead and get creative with it!
Verdict:
The Squier Bullet Stratocaster is the perfect guitar for beginner players who want to get their hands on a Stratocaster at an affordable price. No guitar is funkier than the Strat!
Check Price on Amazon4. Squier by Fender Bullet Telecaster
The Squier Bullet Telecaster is the perfect guitar for the player looking to get started on a budget or to replace a well-worn ax. These are a more affordable version of the Fender Telecaster. These are equally as good for funk, and more suitable for beginners and intermediate guitarists.
The Squier Bullet Telecaster is a guitar that’s been a mainstay in guitar shops for decades. In fact, it’s one of the most popular electric guitars in the world.
Featuring a comfortable maple neck, a single-coil pickup in the neck position, and a humbucking pickup in the bridge position, this guitar is perfect for funk. It’s also a great investment for beginner guitarists looking for a high-quality instrument at an affordable price.
This Telecaster electric guitar features a single-coil pickup in the neck position and either a single coil or humbucking pickup in the bridge position. (Based on the model variety).
The 3-way pickup switch chooses between the two pickups. In terms of sound, the Squier Bullet Telecaster delivers a good balance of warmth and bite.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate player on a budget, the Squier Bullet Telecaster is a great choice. This guitar gives you access to the iconic Telecaster design, at a price point much lower than Fender offers.
Product Specifications:
- Body Material: Poplar
- Fretboard: Laurel
- Pickup Configuration: 2 x Single Coil
Pros & Cons:
- Affordable telecaster guitar.
- Decent sound for the price.
- Needed some setting up to perform well.
What Customers Say About The Squier by Fender Bullet Telecaster
As with the Bullet Stratocaster, the Squier by Fender Bullet Telecaster is a more affordable version of its full-blown Fender sibling!
The comfortable maple neck has smooth, refined edges that provide a seamless playing experience. Switching between the pickups gives the choice between a bitey lead circuit and a smooth neck pickup sound.
The Bullet Telecaster gives you that classic funky telecaster sound at a fraction of the price of a full-blown Fender.
It’s a great guitar for students just starting out or those wanting a daily driver that they know will perform.
As with the Bullet Stratocaster, customers love that the Squier by Fender Bullet Telecaster is a more affordable version of its full-blown Fender sibling!
Guitar players consider the Bullet Telecaster as doing a pretty fine job if all you need is a guitar you can casually play. That’s why this model is perfect for beginners who want an authentic electric guitar experience without spending a ton from the get-go.
It might not have the most mind-blowing sound, but it’s a reliable partner for practice sessions and then some.
Verdict:
The Squier Bullet Telecaster is the perfect guitar for any student, beginner, or gigging musician with a passion for funk. The Bullet is affordable, has a solid sound, and is easy to play. It has a traditional Telecaster look and sound. If you’re looking for an affordable guitar that will give you a funky telecaster sound, this is it.
Check Price on Amazon5. Sawtooth Heritage Series
The Sawtooth Heritage Series is a series of electric guitars that offer a vintage tonal vibe for an unbeatable price. The Sawtooth Heritage Series is an affordable guitar with a funky sound. The design is based on the legendary Gibson Les Paul, with a few alterations.
The Heritage Series was created to celebrate Gibson’s long and storied history. With this in mind, the Sawtooth Heritage Series is an affordable guitar for funk that encompasses the best of Gibson’s past.
The Sawtooth Heritage Series offers a vintage sound with a modern feel. The neck and fretboard are made of maple and ebony and the body is made of mahogany. It also features a single-coil Alnico pickup in the bridge position for an authentic vintage sound.
The Sawtooth Heritage Series is available in a variety of models, from the Sawtooth II to the Sawtooth III. The Heritage Series Sawtooth may be the perfect guitar for players who are looking for that authentic funk sound for less than $500.
The Sawtooth Heritage Series is a set of guitars created to be affordable, fun, and most importantly, super versatile. These guitars are made with the same quality components as some more expensive models, so you can rest assured that they are durable instruments.You can find a Sawtooth guitar in many different shapes, sizes, and colors.
The Sawtooth Heritage Series features a mahogany back and mahogany neck, which is then topped with a flame maple veneer. Weighing in at 10 pounds, this guitar is light enough for gigging but also durable enough for the studio. The guitar
Product Specifications:
- Body Material: Mahogany and Maple
- Fretboard: 23 x Rosewood
- Pickup Configuration: 2 x Humbuckers
Pros & Cons:
- Beginner-friendly recreation of the Gibson Les Paul
- Punchy humbucker pickups.
- Easy tone sculpting with selector switch and 4 control knobs.
What Customers Say About The Sawtooth Heritage Series
For those looking for a beefier funk guitar sound, look no further than the Sawtooth Heritage Series!
Its dual humbucker setup provides warmth and clarity that is perfect for lead lines or funk/fusion guitar. Furthermore, its beautiful flame maple top lends itself to a timeless style that is synonymous with the very best funk guitars.
For those on a budget, fear not! The Sawtooth Heritage Series is very reasonably priced at just under $400.
One of the best funk guitars for the price, it is sure to take your funk tone to the next level!
This guitar has a cult following. From its classic aesthetic and notably solid built to needing no setup right out the box, the Sawtooth Heritage has captured many guitarists out there.
Customers rave about its beefier funk guitar sound and remarkable craftsmanship that’ll make you feel right at home spending hours playing to your heart’s content.
Not to mention, it’s one of the best funk guitars for the price, so it’s sure to take your funk tone to the next level!
Verdict:
Overall, the Sawtooth Heritage Series is a great funk guitar in the budget price range. You won’t see this many features on other guitars at the same price. This guitar is in the design of the classic Gibson Les Paul model and has a fairly faithful sound to the original. The pickups and electronics give this a flexible sound, which is great for creating funk tones.
Check Price on Amazon6. Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar With Epi ProBucker Pickup
The Museo LP-Style Electric Guitar is an affordable, budget-friendly electric guitar that offers excellent quality at a low price.
If you are looking for an affordable way to get into the world of guitar playing, then the Museo LP-Style Electric Guitar is for you.
With its single-cutaway shape, the Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar is great for any beginning guitar player. The guitar also features a 3-way pickup selector switch, making it easy to change tone depending on your mood. A tune-o-Matic bridge and 22 frets make this instrument easy to play.
The Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar is an affordable guitar that is perfect for beginners.The body of the guitar has a traditional LP-style cutaway, which not only gives you access to the upper frets but also allows for easier access to the higher notes.
The Musoo LP Style Electric Guitar features a powerful and versatile Epi ProBucker pickup that provides a unique tone. This guitar will be perfect for funk and blues styles and other genres at the same time. This is one of the best examples of how budget brands can compete with larger competitors.
Product Specifications:
- Body Material: Mahogany and Maple.
- Fretboard: 23 x Rosewood.
- Pickup Configuration: 2 x Epi ProBucker Humbuckers.
Pros & Cons:
- Affordable, well featured Epiphone Les Paul style guitar.
- Great sound for the price, the standard pickups sound good from the start.
- Feels well made.
- Lacks tone clarity compared to superior guitars.
What Customers Say About The Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar With Epi ProBucker Pickup
For players on a tight budget wanting a great Les Paul-style guitar, the Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar With Epi ProBucker Pickup is the perfect guitar for you.
Its ProBucker pickups give you additional compression to help give you the rhythmic clarity that funk guitar playing requires.
A tune-o-matic bridge helps you to stay in tune when it matters most, while the cutaway gives you room to reach those high bends.
This is known to be a great affordable funk guitar for beginners, intermediates, and experts!
Players on a tight budget wanting a great Les Paul-style guitar love how the Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar With Epi ProBucker produces impressive sound quality, so you can rock it out whether you’re in a casual or professional setting.
If you’re a customer who loves a guitar that looks great, this Musoo guitar has you covered. Its gloss finish is captivating and you’ll have a grand time with its solid build.
Verdict:
With a lightweight design and comfortable, easy-to-play neck, the Musoo LP-Style Electric Guitar is perfect for anyone just starting out in funk guitar playing. This guitar mimics the design of Les Pauls and provides as much versatility and power. With great, sustaining notes, this guitar sings clear and true for funk and will help you to craft your own signature style.
Check Price on AmazonWhy the Right Guitar Matters in Funk
When playing funk, your choice of guitar can greatly affect whether or not you successfully achieve a funk sound.
Unlike other styles of guitar playing, funk guitar puts you at the center of the rhythm section.
This means it is extremely important to purchase a guitar that provides you with the clarity to be heard without drawing everyone else!
Playing a guitar with a sound that is too dark can muddy the overall sound, making it difficult to lock into a clear groove.
Instead, it’s important to choose a guitar that is responsive, well-articulated, and easy to play to achieve the best funk guitar sound possible.
FAQs
What makes a good funk guitar?
A good funk guitar starts with the body. The dimensions of the body should allow enough space to fit all necessary components, such as pickups, controls, and strings. The type of wood used should be light in weight but heavy in density to give it full sound quality.
The neck is then put into place before adding tuners that will allow the guitar to stay in tune while playing any chord or note on the instrument. Most importantly, it is important to find an electric guitar that suits your own personal playing style so you can create your own signature sound.
One of the most important things about funk guitar is its versatility. A good funk guitar should be able to play a wide variety of songs and note changes. This allows it to be a great all-around instrument for any type of music, not just funk albums. The best funk guitars have an extensive range of sound, from deep basses to high-pitched notes that are easy on the ear. In addition to being versatile and having an excellent range of sound, a good funk guitar has a unique tone that sets it apart from other instruments in the same genre.
Is a Les Paul good for funk?
A guitar with these qualities is perfect for playing funk music because funk music usually consists of rhythmic bass lines and danceable drum beats. Besides its excellent tone, the Les Paul also has a very fast attack and decay rates, which make it easy to play chords with quick chord changes or hit notes quickly at high velocity.
The guitar is an essential instrument for any funk musician. There are many different types of guitars and electric guitars for funk. But with the Les Paul guitar, you can play any type of music and it is a great choice for funk players.
The Les Paul guitar is generally most often used in heavy metal but it is also a good choice for funk players because the electronic circuit is versatile enough to be sculpted for most genres.
Conclusion
Overall, I thought the best Best funk guitar was the Fender Player Stratocaster
The Stratocaster is synonymous with funk music! If you’ve ever watched a funk band, you’ll have seen one of these in action.
Nile Rodgers, funk guitar legend of “Le Freak” fame has been known to favor these guitars, as have other funk icons like Bruno Mars and Jimmy Nolen. These guitarists have heavily influenced the genre of funk, and the tone of a Stratocaster is part of the lifeblood of the genre.
Stratocasters are perfect for funk due to their tone, fast-playing action, and versatility. They always excel when playing a rhythmic groove, and have a snappy, articulated tone. These sound fantastic when you play funk chords on them. It depends on your playing style, some may prefer semi-hollow guitars for funk, but you can’t go wrong with a Strat.
Many great songs in the funk genre will have been recorded on one of these guitars. The list of names who used them goes on and on, John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones, and of course, if you listen to any James Brown songs, such as Cold Sweat or Sex Machine, you’re guaranteed to hear one.
Check out the Fender Player Stratocaster today!
Are you still looking for the guitar of your dreams? Well, check out our guide about the best Epiphone Les Pauls, for a list of powerful and affordable classic guitars.
Noah is an accomplished audio engineer with several years of experience producing music for major companies and independent artists. He enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of audio engineering topics to help musicians and music producers create great music.