In this review and rundown we’re looking at the Mitchell MS450. This guitar is a versatile and affordable instrument that delivers a wide range of tones, classic looks, and modern playability. Crafted with attention to detail, this single-cutaway beauty provides an enjoyable playing experience for beginners and intermediate guitarists alike.
Is It Possible to Find a Quality Budget Electric Guitar?
It is absolutely possible to find a quality and price-friendly electric guitar. Numerous manufacturers offer budget options that still provide decent sound and playability. While they may not have all the premium features of higher-end models, they can still be great instruments for beginners or those on a tight budget.
One thing to remember is that proper set-up initially, and maintenance as time goes on, will drastically enhance your experience with a budget guitar. You’d be surprised how well a lot of these instruments can play if you just hand it over to a guitar tech to do some refining work on it out of the box. Again, the inexpensive guitar won’t have the nicest name-brand hardware or pickups, but it can still be a satisfying instrument to play day in and day out.
What to Look for in a Budget Guitar
Some of the most important features to keep an eye on are build quality, playability, and, of course, sound. Trying a guitar yourself will give you invaluable first-hand experience, but if you can’t do so for whatever reason, reading reviews and watching demos online can be helpful as well.
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With budget restrictions in mind, style is still something to consider also, as you’re much more likely to play a guitar you enjoy looking at and are proud to own. It isn’t everything, but it’s worth giving some weight to, because you’re likely going to be more drawn to an attractive guitar regardless.
Mitchell MS450 Review: The Perfect Entry-Level Electric Guitar?
Body & Materials
The MS450’s body is made of a high-quality tonewood found in many guitars — mahogany. This contributes to its balanced tone and resonance that you’d typically only find in much more expensive instruments. It also features an attractive flame maple top, mahogany set neck, and pau ferro fretboard. The body features a slim modern carve, and the neck boasts a ’60s-style slim taper that’s extremely comfortable to play. Mitchell also made the cutaway extra deep for complete access up to the 22nd fret.
Hardware
One of the main ingredients in the single-cutaway, Les Paul-style MS450 are a pair of high-output Alnico V humbuckers. These have been potted with a wax coating to reduce microphonic interference and unruly feedback.
Not often found in guitars at this price, Mitchell made sure to include high-ratio locking tuners. These work well with the dependable tune-o-matic style bridge for optimal tuning stability and quick string changes. The control layout includes two volumes, one tone, a three-way pickup selector, and push-pull coil tapping for an additional set of tones at your disposal.
How Does It Sound?
The Mitchell MS450 is, not surprisingly, a highly versatile guitar. Dual humbuckers with coil splitting and two volume controls give players a wide tonal palette to explore. Players can pull off everything from rock and blues to jazz and beyond. You can do harder, more aggressive rock/metal sounds with the humbucker bridge, then split the coils for spanky/jangly clean or mid-gain tones suitable to numerous genres. If the pickups aren’t to taste, you can always upgrade down the line with some of the extra cash you saved on the guitar itself.
Price
At the time of writing, the Mitchell MS450 is on sale for $249.99, down from the regular MSRP of $399.99. It’s a bargain at full price and a steal on sale. Something to be aware of is that there are usually several colors to choose from at any given time, and their prices sometimes fluctuate based on finish.
Who Makes Mitchell Guitars?
Mitchell guitars are manufactured and distributed by Guitar Center. These instruments are specifically developed and branded as a private label by the retailer, borrowing their name from Wayne Mitchell, who founded the company.
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Mitchell offers a range of electric, acoustic, and bass guitars catering to both beginners and intermediate players. Value and playability are among the core principles of the brand, providing musicians access to high-quality, affordable instruments to learn and develop on.
Mitchell MS400 vs MS450: How Do They Compare?
The Mitchell MS400 vs. MS450 are virtually the same. The former is a now-discontinued precursor to the current generation MS450. Looking at old spec sheets, the MS400 offered rosewood fretboards instead of pau ferro. However, the guitars are practically indistinguishable.
There’s a chance you could score a really good deal on a secondhand MS400 if you’re bargain-hunting to the extreme. However, the latest brand new MS450s are quite affordable themselves.
Bottom Line: Mitchell MS450 Is a Remarkably Affordable & Playable Entry-Level Electric Guitar
At a glance, the Mitchell MS450 combines affordability, quality craftsmanship, and versatility. It serves as a reliable companion for aspiring musicians seeking an entry-level option without compromising on sound and playability. Mitchell as a name is less recognizable than the bigger fish out there, but that’s not because their instruments are lacking. The MS450 is an impressive piece considering how cost-effective it is.