What a change: Offset guitars have evolved from neglected pawn-shop bargains into an absolute staple of the indie-rock scene – and beyond! These models remain among the most characterful electric guitars on the market. This list covers the best-value offset guitars in every price range. Which one would you choose?
These Are The Best Value Offset Guitars
Best Value Offset Guitars – What To Consider
If you ask guitarists about offset guitars, they’ll most likely mention Fender Jazzmasters and Jaguars. However, like Strats, Teles or Les Pauls these iconic designs have been emulated and further developed by many guitar brands.
The name “offset” comes from the guitar’s more angled body design, where the top horn sits much farther from the lower bout. While offset guitars were once a bit out of fashion, many are turning to them again today for their looks, sound, and legacy in music history. It’s just a different beast!
Scale length and electronics. Jazzmasters feature the familiar 25.5″ scale, while a Jaguar or Mustang only comes with a 24″ scale, which might make it feel slinkier, but it’s also easier to bend strings. Classic Fender offsets include a separate rhythm circuit, which you activate by a dedicated slide switch and two thumbwheels.
This allows you to dial in a darker neck pickup sound and switch to it without adjusting your main volume and tone controls. Many more affordable, non-Fender offsets omit this feature, which is fine if you just want the shape.
Bridge and vibrato. A floating bridge gives offsets their smooth, more subtle vibrato, but these bridges have a reputation for strings slipping out of the saddles. Using heavier strings, a Mustang-style bridge, or a Tune-O-Matic can help prevent this. Also, check the fretboard radius. A vintage 7.25″ radius might feel more comfortable for playing chords, but can choke on big bends. A 9.5″ radius or flatter can be more forgiving in that regard.
Many associate offsets with alternative rock bands from the 80s and 90s, like Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr., just as much as some of the Grunge greats like Nirvana. It is worth noting, however, that guitarists like Johnny Marr and Elvis Costello and Bands like The Cure and Television also contributed to these guitars’ popularity. Note: This list is strictly ordered by price, from most affordable to most expensive.
Harley Benton JA-60CC: Best Budget Offset Guitar
The Harley Benton JA-60CC line comes in many striking finishes – perfect for any Indie-Pop, Surf-Rock, or Alternative band! As usual with HB, these models are about as affordable as they get, which makes them the perfect entry point to offset guitars.
This series has a Basswood body, a C-profile caramelized Canadian maple neck, a Laurel fretboard with block inlays, and 21 frets. A left-handed model is also available. Each guitar comes with a pair of Roswell Alnico-5 P90 pickups, and the control layout consists of a single volume and tone, plus a three-way pickup selector switch.
One of the best value offset guitars, the Harley Benton JA-60CC is available at Thomann*.
Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster
If you’re after a well-spec’ed offset guitar that doesn’t break the bank, take a closer look at the Squier CV 60s Jazzmaster LRL OWT. Plus, it’s got looks! The Olympic White finish, combined with a four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard and matching hardware, gives it a beautifully vintage vibe.
The guitar comes with a poplar body paired with a maple C-profile neck, plus an Indian Laurel fretboard with 22 narrow-tall frets with Pearloid dots inlays. A pair of Fender-designed Alnico Single-Coil pickups with the traditional control layout for a Jazzmaster, including the original Rhythm Circuit on the top horn is part of the package.
In addition, this Jazzmaster includes the classic floating bridge with a dynamic vibrato tailpiece tremolo, which is something not available with the Harley Benton models, for example. This offset guitar is available at Thomann* and Sweetwater*.
Guild Surfliner Deluxe: Best Budget Non-Fender Offset Guitar
It doesn’t have to be Gibson or Fender! And if you ask around, Guild’s Surfliner series is a bit of an insider tip among the best value offset guitars. Compared to the OG Jazzmasters and Jaguars, it lacks the additional electronics to switch between rhythm and lead tones, but it’s got the vintage looks, great build quality, and three pickups!
The series comes with two DeArmond Aerosonic single coils at the neck and in the middle and a Guild HB-2 Humbucker in the bridge position with a 5-way switch to change and combine the pickups. A poplar body, bolt-on roasted premium maple neck and a rosewood fretboard provide a very solid basis for this beautiful offset.
These offsets are available at Thomann* and Sweetwater*.
Fender Vintera III Mid 60s Jaguar: Best Vintage-Correct Jaguar
The Jaguar is the Jazzmaster’s shorter-scaled sibling, and with the Vintera III series, Fender aims for period-correct details rather than a broad ’60s flavor. This guitar is pure vintage vibes.
The Mid ’60s Jaguar features an alder body, a mid-’60s C-shaped maple neck and round-laminated rosewood fretboard. The offset guitar has a 7.25″ radius and 22 vintage tall frets, with a typical 24″ scale.
Two vintage-style mid-’60s Jaguar single coils are wired to the lead and rhythm circuits, in addition to a bass-cut “strangle” switch, a floating vibrato with tremolo lock, and the Jaguar mute. A deluxe gig bag is included.
You can get it at Thomann* and at Sweetwater*.
Epiphone 1963 Firebird V: Best Offset Guitar for Rock and Blues
I have to admit that it’s a bit of a stretch to call these Firebirds a best value offset guitar. While it’s stunningly beautiful and comes with two Epiphone Custom Shop Alnico 5 Mini-Humbuckers, it’s not exactly cheap. But if you love the looks of offset guitars, and you’re looking for something other then Fender’s dominance in that area, the Firebird is well worth a look.
This model comes with a mahogany body and a mahogany/walnut set-in neck-through-body (1963 Firebird neck profile) and an Indian Laurel fretboard. It also includes original-style Kluson banjo tuners and a redesigned Maestro tremolo.
The Epiphone 1963 Firebird is available at Thomann* and Sweetwater*.
Conclusion
While Fender designs dominate our list of the best value offset guitars, these are far from the only options.
As always, the question now is, which offset models did we miss? Which ones would you have left off the list? Let us know in the comments!
FAQ: Best Value Offset Guitars
What is an offset guitar?
An offset guitar has a body with a shifted waist, so the upper and lower halves aren’t symmetrical.
What’s the difference between a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar?
A Jazzmaster comes with a 25.5″ scale and wide, flat single coils with a warm, full sound. A Jaguar has a shorter 24″ scale, narrower pickups with metal claws, and a brighter tone.
What does the rhythm circuit on an offset guitar do?
The rhythm circuit is a second circuit for the neck pickup with its own volume and tone controls.
What is the best offset guitar for beginners?
The Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Jazzmaster is a very good place to start. It offers you the full Jazzmaster experience at a moderate price.
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