Under $1,000 on the used market, you are in American Fender territory. This is where you start finding Made in USA Stratocasters, Telecasters, and Jazzmasters that originally cost $1,200-$1,800 new. You will also find Gibson Les Paul Studios, SG Standards, and PRS S2 models.
The difference between a $500 and $1,000 used guitar is significant: better pickups, more resonant tonewoods, superior hardware, and the intangible "feel" that comes from higher-end manufacturing. These are the guitars that professional musicians actually play on stage.
At this price point, vintage guitars start appearing too. 1990s and early 2000s Fender American Standards, Japanese-made Fenders, and Gibson Les Paul Studios from this era are excellent values — they were built during peak production quality periods.
Always factor in the cost of a professional setup ($50-$80) when budgeting. A $900 guitar that plays perfectly after a setup is a better deal than a $700 guitar that needs $200 in fretwork.
