Pyle PEGKT781BK Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Pyle PEGKT781BK is an affordable electric guitar from Pyle Audio, a company known for its budget-friendly audio equipment and musical instruments. Pyle has been manufacturing electronics since the 1960s and sells a wide range of products from speakers and headphones to guitars and audio accessories.

The PEGKT781BK is a full-size electric guitar with a double cutaway body shape. It features a basswood body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, two humbucker pickups, chrome hardware, and a fixed bridge. The guitar comes in a classic black finish and includes the necessary cables to plug into an amplifier.

As an inexpensive entry-level model, the Pyle PEGKT781BK aims to deliver solid sound and playability without breaking the bank. This makes it an accessible option for beginners and casual guitarists looking for an affordable way to start playing electric guitar. In this review, we'll take a detailed look at the design, sound, features, and overall quality of the PEGKT781BK to see how it stacks up for the price.

Appearance

The Pyle Electric Guitar has a classic single cutaway shape that will be familiar to any rock or blues player. The body contours nicely to fit against your torso for playing comfort.

This model comes in a slick black finish with white binding around the body and neck. The black color gives it an edgy rock vibe. There is also a red color option available if you prefer a bold, vibrant look. The black and white color scheme is versatile enough to fit with any musical genre or personal style.

The pickguard has a black and white zebra stripe pattern which contrasts nicely against the solid black body. This zebra pickguard is somewhat unique compared to a standard white or black pickguard you'd find on similar guitars. Overall the guitar has an eye-catching visual style combining classic and modern elements.

The sleek finish and stylish design elements give this electric guitar a lot of aesthetic appeal. It has the vibe of a high-end instrument without the premium price tag. Visually it would look great on stage or in photos and videos. The striking appearance matches the impressive sound and playability this guitar delivers.

If you prefer a slightly different look, check out the Vangoa Basic VDS-13. This model comes in a transparent blue sunburst finish that allows you to see the wood grain underneath. It also has a matching blue headstock and chrome hardware for a cool, coordinated appearance. The transparent blue bursts nicely complements the natural wood while still having a bright, eye-catching effect.

The Vangoa Basic VDS-13 has a similar shape but with slightly more rounded cutaways and body edges. It also has a pickguard with a tortoiseshell pattern rather than the Pyle model's zebra stripes. Both guitars have an elegant yet edgy style, just with different visual accents. It's about finding the look that best fits your personal taste.

No matter which finish or style you prefer, both the Pyle Electric Guitar and Vangoa Basic VDS-13 deliver solid build quality in addition to their attractive designs. They are made with good tonewoods, sturdy hardware, and quality electronics. You get the beauty and playability you want in an affordable electric guitar package.

Hardware

The Pyle PEGKT781BK electric guitar features quality hardware that enables good functionality and playability.

The guitar has a fixed bridge with a chrome finish. Fixed bridges generally provide better tuning stability compared to tremolo bridges. The tuners are diecast with chrome buttons. While not the highest end, they do a decent job at holding the strings in tune.

For pickups, there are two humbuckers - a Pyle PHAT-2 at the neck and a Pyle PHAT at the bridge. Humbuckers tend to have a thicker, warmer sound compared to single coil pickups. The pickups seem decent for the price point with decent output.

Other hardware includes volume and tone knobs, a 3-way pickup selector switch, an input jack, and chrome hardware. Overall the hardware selection is pretty good for a budget guitar at this price range. The components are functional and do their job well.

When looking at electric guitars, it's important to consider the hardware components and how they impact the functionality, playability, and sound. While budget guitars may not have top-tier hardware, brands aim to provide good quality components even at lower price points. This allows the guitar to be playable and usable for new players or those on a tight budget.

In addition to hardware like bridges, tuners, and pickups, examining nut material, fretwork, and electronics can give you a sense of a guitar's quality. Higher end models may boast premium hardware like locking tuners, brass nuts, polished frets, and custom pickups. However, decent hardware that gets the job done can be found without breaking the bank.

One example is the Fender 0372821069 which features a fixed bridge with bent steel saddles, diecast tuners, and standard single-coil Stratocaster pickups. It uses serviceable hardware components to achieve great playability and classic Fender tones at a reasonable price point. This allows more players to experience Fender's signature sound and feel without premium costs.

Overall, examining hardware specifications helps determine if a guitar's components are decent quality and suitable for your needs. While top components are ideal, intermediate players can benefit from guitars with functional, value-oriented hardware. This allows you to focus on improving playing technique without breaking the bank.

Woods & Construction

The Pyle Electric Guitar features quality woods and solid construction that rival guitars costing much more. The body is made from paulownia wood, which is known for being lightweight yet strong and resonant. Paulownia produces a balanced, well-rounded tone with clear and tight bass and pleasant highs.

The maple neck provides stability and sustain, while the rosewood fretboard feels smooth and comfortable under your fingers. Rosewood is a dense, oily wood that brings out the midrange and adds warmth to the overall sound.

The hardware and electronic components are securely mounted into a sturdy, 5-ply pickguard. The tailpiece and tuners keep the strings anchored firmly in place, holding tune through heavy playing. Pyle did not cut corners on materials or craftsmanship, allowing this budget guitar to feel solid and durable for its price range.

Sound & Playability

The Pyle Electric Guitar delivers an impressive sound for its price point. The double humbucker pickups provide a warm, rich tone when playing clean and plenty of gain and crunch when driven hard through an amp. There's enough tonal versatility to play anything from blues and classic rock to metal.

The slim neck and contoured body make this guitar comfortable to play while standing up. The action is decent out of the box, though a professional setup can optimize the string height for fast riffing up and down the neck. The rosewood fretboard has a smooth, finished feel. Bending notes and vibrato feel fluid without any sticky drag.

While not as refined in tone and playability as more expensive guitars, the Pyle Electric Guitar punches above its weight in overall sound quality and playing comfort. An amateur will be thrilled, while more advanced players may want to swap out some components over time. But at this amazingly low price point, it's difficult to find any major flaws in its ability to sound good and play well.

Features

The Pyle PEGKT781BK electric guitar comes loaded with great features for the price. Some highlights include:

• Double cutaway design for easy upper fret access
• 2 humbucker pickups for a powerful, rich tone
• Volume and tone knobs plus a 3-way pickup selector switch for versatile sound shaping
• Slim neck profile that's comfortable and fast for lead playing
• 22 medium jumbo frets for great playability across the neck
• Fixed bridge for solid string stability and sustain
• Paulownia body wood that's lightweight yet resonant
• Diecast tuners that hold tuning well
• Treble bleed circuit maintains crisp highs when rolling back the volume

The PEGKT781BK also comes with a few useful accessories like an extra set of strings, pickguard, gig bag, shoulder strap, polishing cloth, and output cable. Having those extras can save you time and money down the road. Overall, the features and included accessories make this an enticing electric guitar package for new players or those on a budget.

Pros of the Pyle PEGKT781BK Electric Guitar

This guitar offers a number of features and benefits that make it appealing for beginner and intermediate players:

Quality Sound

The Pyle PEGKT781BK produces great tone thanks to its dual humbucker pickups and solid wood body construction. It has a warm, rich sound with good sustain and resonance. The pickups are decent quality for the price point.

Playability

Many reviewers mention this guitar is easy and comfortable to play right out of the box. The action is low and the neck has a thin, fast profile that allows for smooth fingering and makes it great for learning.

Hardware

The chrome hardware, including sealed tuning machines and a tremolo bridge, help this guitar stay in tune well. The knobs and switch feel solid. Overall the hardware exceeds expectations for an inexpensive guitar.

Affordability

This electric guitar packs a lot of value at an entry-level price point. Customers feel it provides quality comparable to more expensive guitars. It's a great choice for beginners not looking to spend a lot.

Cons

• The neck and fretboard are made of cheap materials which could wear down quickly with heavy use. The paulownia wood neck and laurel fretboard lack the durability and feel of higher quality woods like maple and rosewood.

• The pickups and electronics have cheap components that likely won't produce a very nuanced or responsive tone. The humbucker pickups have ceramic magnets instead of alnico, which are considered lower quality.

• The hardware including the bridge, tuners, and other parts appear to be very basic and prone to issues staying in tune and intonation problems. Upgrading them could be necessary for optimal playability.

• While functional for a beginner, the overall fit and finish is cheap and toy-like. There are some rough edges and the glossy paint could chip or wear over time with use. The quality control and precision of the manufacturing are likely not to professional instrument standards.

Alternatives

The Pyle PEGKT781BK electric guitar competes with other affordable, entry-level electric guitars. Here are a couple alternative models to consider in a similar price range:

Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II Electric Guitar

The Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II is one of the top competitors of the Pyle PEGKT781BK. Like the Pyle, it features a bolt-on hard maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and two humbucker pickups for that classic rock and blues tone. Hardware includes chrome tuners, toggle switch, and volume/tone controls. It comes in several color options like Vintage Sunburst and Heritage Cherry. Overall it provides a very similar spec'd guitar to the Pyle, with the Epiphone brand name for those seeking a more recognized company.

Squier by Fender Bullet Strat

Another comparable electric guitar choice is the Squier by Fender Bullet Strat. This has the iconic double cutaway Stratocaster body shape. It includes a basswood body, maple neck and Indian laurel fingerboard. The pickups are a bit different - with one humbucker and two single coils. So it provides more of that crisp, bright Strat tone. The hardware is also very good quality for the price. The Squier Bullet Strat is an excellent alternative for those who prefer the feel and look of a Strat.

Conclusion

The Pyle PEGKT781BK electric guitar provides a lot of value for the price point. The mahogany body and maple neck offer a rich, warm tone that works well for a variety of musical genres. The dual humbucker pickups provide plenty of versatility, allowing for both clean and distorted tones.

The hardware and overall construction seem decent, especially considering the budget-friendly price tag. While it may lack some of the refinement and attention to detail of a more expensive instrument, the Pyle offers solid playability and sound.

For beginners or those looking for an affordable second guitar, the Pyle PEGKT781BK is definitely worth considering. While more advanced players may want to invest in something with higher-end components and craftsmanship, this guitar provides impressive quality given the low cost.

Overall, if you're seeking an electric guitar that won't break the bank, the Pyle PEGKT781BK is a great option. It has a classic look and delivers on tone and playability. Just be prepared to potentially need to do some minor setup work out of the box to get it playing its best. But for the price, it provides tremendous bang for your buck.