Monoprice 625904 Electric Guitar: Full Review

Overview of the Monoprice 625904 Electric Guitar

The Monoprice 625904 is an affordable, beginner-friendly electric guitar offered by the budget gear company Monoprice. This guitar features a classic double cutaway style body made from basswood and a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It comes loaded with three single coil pickups, two tone knobs, one master volume knob, and a 5-way pickup selector switch which provides a good variety of tones. Hardware includes a fulcrum tremolo bridge and vintage-style tuners. This is a great choice for new players looking for a versatile, well-made starter guitar that doesn't break the bank. The Monoprice 625904 offers solid playability and sound at an entry-level price point.

Body & Neck

The Monoprice 625904 features a solid alder body with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard. The body is finished in a glossy polyurethane that provides protection against scratches and wear.

Alder is known for its balanced and articulate tone, making it a versatile choice well-suited for various playing styles and genres. The solid alder build gives the 625904 good sustain and resonance.

The maple neck has a modern C profile that most players find comfortable. It is topped with a 9.5" radius rosewood fretboard featuring 22 medium jumbo frets. The neck has a smooth satin finish that facilitates fast playing by reducing friction. The fretwork from the factory is quite good with nicely finished frets.

Overall the 625904 has a well-made neck and solid body that looks good and feels great to play. The quality woods and construction ensure excellent tone and sustain. The alder body and maple neck are common in mid-range electric guitars and provide a balanced sound. Many guitarists prefer the feel and look of a rosewood fretboard.

Another popular electric guitar choice in a similar price range is the Pyle PEAG99.5. It also features a solid alder body and maple neck for well-balanced tone. The fretboard is made of rosewood. Overall it is comparable to the Monoprice 625904 in terms of build quality and materials. The tone is versatile enough for rock, blues, jazz, and country playing styles.

Some key specs on the PEAG99.5 include a single cutaway body style, two humbucker pickups, a 3-way pickup selector switch, volume and tone controls, chrome hardware, and die-cast tuners. It comes in a variety of color finishes such as black, blue, red, and sunburst. The guitar includes a padded gig bag for protection during transport and storage.

While the PEAG99.5 is very similar in design and features to the 625904, there are some minor differences. The Monoprice appears to use higher quality tuners and some upgraded electronic components. It also has a 5-ply pickguard compared to the 3-ply on the Pyle model. The Monoprice likely has a small edge in build quality and attention to detail.

For players shopping electric guitars around $200, both the Monoprice 625904 and Pyle PEAG99.5 represent excellent value. The all-alder body and maple neck deliver classic tone at an affordable price point. Overall they are very comparable options that come down to personal preference on aesthetics and brand reputation.

Pickups

The Electric Guitar Monoprice 625904 features two humbucker pickups designed by Monoprice. Humbucker pickups use two coils to cancel out background interference and hum, allowing the pickups to focus on the guitar's strings for a stronger, warmer signal. This results in a thick, rich tone that handles distortion well. The bridge pickup provides plenty of bite and crunch, while the neck pickup offers a smooth, mellow sound. Both pickups are made with decent quality components, though don't quite match the quality of name brand pickups. Still, they deliver good dynamics and decent tonal versatility for the price. The pickups combined with the mahogany body produce a balanced, articulate tone across the frequency range. While more advanced players may eventually want to upgrade, the stock pickups offer beginners and intermediate players quality humbucking tone at an affordable price point.

If you're looking for an affordable electric guitar with quality pickups, check out the GLARRY AEG-Black-73. This sleek black electric guitar also features two humbucker pickups for that classic electric guitar sound. The pickups provide a bold, rich tone while minimizing noise. Like the Monoprice model, the GLARRY uses decent pickups that get the job done, especially for beginner and intermediate players. While they may not be the highest end pickups on the market, they offer good bang for your buck. Paired with the basswood body, these pickups can handle rock, blues, metal and more. It's a versatile option if you want an electric guitar with quality pickups without breaking the bank.

When shopping for an electric guitar, the pickups are one of the most important factors that affect tone and playability. You'll want pickups that match your music style and experience level. High output humbuckers are ideal for hard rock and metal to get that fat, saturated crunch. Low output single coils give you cleaner tones perfect for funk, blues and country. The number and type of pickups also determine sound - two humbuckers like the Monoprice or GLARRY will be more versatile than a guitar with just one bridge humbucker. It's also easier to upgrade just the pickups later versus having to replace the entire guitar. So if you're just starting out, decent stock pickups provide a good platform you can build upon as your skills progress.

In addition to the pickups, guitar woods like mahogany or basswood also influence the tone and resonance. Mahogany boosts midrange for a bold, scooped sound, while basswood has a more balanced tonal profile. The quality of the tuning machines, bridge and other hardware are other specs to look at. Make sure they are durable and hold tune well. Little details like the fretwork and neck finish also affect playability. All these factors work together to provide the right tone and feel. Finding the right mix for your budget and needs is key to choosing the best electric guitar. Do your research and test different models to find the perfect fit for you.

Hardware

The Monoprice 625904 electric guitar comes equipped with quality hardware that performs well for the price point.

The guitar has a fixed bridge, which provides stable tuning and intonation. Many budget guitars will have cheaper tremolo bridges, but the fixed bridge on the 625904 eliminates issues with strings going out of tune during heavy use. The saddles are a no-name brand, but seem durable enough.

The tuners are die-cast sealed gear tuners, which keep the strings in tune nicely. Die-cast tuners are an upgrade from the open gear tuners often found on very cheap guitars. They feel solid and turn smoothly. The knobs could be a little bigger, but they get the job done.

Overall, the hardware on the 625904 isn't amazing, but it's perfectly functional and reliable. The upgrades from the cheapest hardware show that care was taken to provide a playable instrument. For beginners, the hardware is more than adequate. More advanced players may eventually wish to upgrade, but the stock hardware is certainly serviceable. Considering the affordable price point, the hardware exceeds expectations.

Sound

The Monoprice 625904 electric guitar produces versatile rock and metal tones that punch well above its price point. The dual humbucker pickups provide a thick, saturated distortion when cranked through a high-gain amp. There's enough output and midrange growl to get crunchy rhythm tones as well as searing lead sounds.

The bridge pickup packs plenty of bite for aggressive riffing or solos. The neck pickup rounds off the treble for a smoother, warmer tone when playing chords. There's good tonal balance across the lows, mids, and highs.

With some tweaking of the amp EQ, the Monoprice can cover classic rock, blues, grunge, metalcore, and various contemporary high-gain styles. The pickups aren't very hi-fi but they capture the raw, aggressive spirit of rock. Effects like reverb, delay, and modulation can be used to craft additional textures.

Overall, the Monoprice punches far above typical budget guitars for high-gain versatility. Bedroom shredders will appreciate the array of energetic rock and metal voices on tap.

Playability

The Monoprice electric guitar has a fast, thin maple neck that promotes great playability. The neck has a modern C shape that provides comfort and allows for easy chord changes and lead playing.

The rosewood fretboard is nicely finished and smooth, without sharp fret ends that can cause discomfort. It has a 25.5" scale length, giving it a tight and responsive feel. The narrow 1.65" nut width also facilitates intricate lead work and quick runs up the neck.

Overall, the lightweight body, thin neck profile, and smooth fretboard make this an easy to play and enjoyable guitar, whether you're a beginner or more advanced player. The design lends itself well to versatility across many styles of playing.

Quality

The overall quality and workmanship of the Monoprice Stratocaster is quite good for the price. The guitar features a solid wood body made from basswood which is light in weight yet resonant. The neck is crafted from maple with a rosewood fretboard which are typical woods used on mid-range electric guitars.

The fretwork on the neck is described by many owners as smooth and comfortable to play. The neck has a modern C-shape profile that allows for easy access to higher frets. Some users have commented that the fret ends are finished nicely with no sharp edges.

The tuners and other hardware seem to be decent quality and function properly for keeping the guitar in tune. The pickguard and control knobs also have a solid construction.

While it may lack some of the fine attention to detail of more expensive instruments, the Monoprice Stratocaster certainly delivers on quality and playability at this very affordable price point. Considering the price, most users have been very pleased with the workmanship and quality of materials used in its construction.

Value

The Monoprice Modern 625904 electric guitar offers exceptional value given its budget-friendly price point. While not the cheapest starter electric on the market, it packs impressive quality and features into an accessible package.

At around $150, this Monoprice model costs significantly less than big name brand alternatives like Fender or Gibson. However, its solid agathis body and bolt-on maple neck still provide great tone and playability. The dual humbucker pickups and fixed bridge also allow for versatility across genres like rock, metal, blues, and more.

Considering the hardware and electronics included, the Monoprice 625904 punches far above typical budget guitars. It's a great option for beginners not looking to break the bank, while still getting a durable and reliable instrument. The quality is suitable for practice, jamming, home recording, and even live performance.

More advanced players can also appreciate the Monoprice 625904 as an affordable backup option. It may lack some bells and whistles of premium instruments, but gets all of the core features right. Overall, this guitar delivers outstanding value at a very reasonable price point.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great value for the price - costs significantly less than most electric guitars but doesn't compromise much on quality
• Solid wood construction with basswood body and maple neck provides good resonance and sustain
• Humbucker and single coil pickups offer versatility for rock, blues, jazz, etc.
• Tremolo bridge allows for expressive playing with whammy bar
• Classic style and design is comfortable to play in most genres
• Comes with gig bag, strap, cable, picks, etc. so it's ready to play out of the box

Cons:

• Electronics and hardware are budget level, so may need upgrades over time
• No brand name prestige or collectability like Fender or Gibson
• Lack of cutaway limits upper fret access
• Pickups are decent but an upgrade would bring out the full potential
• Some may prefer a thinner, faster neck profile for shredding
• Gig bag offers minimal protection compared to a hard case

Overall, this guitar punches above its weight class considering the affordable price point. The construction quality and versatile pickups make it a great choice for beginners and budget-conscious musicians. While an upgrade or two could unlock the full potential, it provides fantastic value straight out of the box.

Conclusion

The Monoprice 625904 is a solid entry-level electric guitar that provides a lot of bang for your buck. With its dual humbucker pickups, alder body, maple neck, chrome hardware, and 22 medium jumbo frets, it has the key specs and components you would expect to find on more expensive guitars.

The guitar feels well-constructed for the price point. The hardware and electronics are decent quality, and the pickups provide a versatile range of tones from sparkling cleans to high-gain distortion. Intonation and tuning stability is quite good once the guitar is properly set up. The cutaway and contoured body provides comfortable access to the higher frets.

In terms of drawbacks, the pickups and hardware are generic, import-quality components that don't match USA-made versions. The tuners can feel a bit loose at times. There are some minor fit and finish flaws that you'd expect at this price range. And the tone isn't as rich and nuanced compared to premium instruments.

Overall, the Monoprice 625904 is an excellent choice as a first electric guitar or extra axe for the money. It has the essential specs to handle rock, blues, metal and other genres. The playability and tone rival guitars costing 2-3x as much. While not flawless, it's incredibly hard to find a better electric guitar value under $200. The Monoprice 625904 earns an enthusiastic recommendation for budget-minded beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable, well-rounded electric guitar.