Answering the question of what the best brands of guitars are may be a highly subjective endeavor. However, it’s often an important question in need of answering, especially for those who are new to the instrument and would like to narrow down their search when looking to buy one. After all, having the right guitar from the best brand will have a significant contribution to how you play, practice, and whether you’ll enjoy your instrument or not. That said, we’ve selected some of the best brands for guitar that you can find on the market. All of them are highly popular and have a great reputation for producing first-rate guitars. So, what are those brands? Here’s the complete list!
Fender
Kicking off our list of the best brands of guitars is none other than Fender. It’s an American guitar company that’s been producing both electric and acoustic guitars since the 1940s. People love this brand because it has been able to remain consistent in terms of coming up with quality models. The artisanship involved in the construction of its acoustic guitars ensures that they sound good and last long. You’ll also be sure to get high, low, and mid-action guitars, which have a balanced sound. No wonder t’s called one of the acoustic guitars best brands.
For the electric guitars, Fender has two famous models, which are the Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars. Both are excellent guitars, and while most musicians argue that the Telecaster is much better, it’s safe to say that all of them have superior electronics and can compete with other instruments from the best brands of electric guitars. And regardless of your skill level, with Fender, you’ll get something that you can play for years and across all genres.
“Everyone from beginners and hobbyists to the world’s most acclaimed artists and performers have used Fender instruments and amps, in the process making the company not only a revered music industry name, but also a cultural icon.”
– Fender
Epiphone
If you’re a guitar enthusiast, you’ll know that Epiphone is a Gibson subsidiary. Thankfully, Gibson still maintains the quality that Epiphone brought to musicians, making it one of the best brands of guitars. When it comes to construction, Epiphone tries to invent aesthetic guitar models. Most of the guitars you’ll find from this iconic brand are extremely appealing that we’re sure you’d feel proud walking with it on stage.
Another unique quality from Epiphone guitars is the humbucker pickups. They provide clean, high-quality tones, which you can tweak to fit your needs whenever on stage. Note that you don’t have to be a jazz guitarist to play this kind of guitars! You can use them to play any genre! Plus, rock stars will appreciate these guitars because of their fret length since they have more room for solos. Best of all, the instruments from this best brand for electric guitar are available at a wide range of prices. That way, you’ll get a high-quality instrument regardless of your budget.
Yamaha
Yamaha’s 130-year-old story humbly began in piano and reed organ manufacture in Japan. It then grew into a multinational conglomerate, with a huge range of products and services. It started constructing its first guitars in the 1940s and since then has consistently produced guitars that have sold in impressive record numbers. And as one of the best brands of guitars, there’s always a Yamaha guitar for every style, musical genre, and sound preference.
Furthermore, this best brand for electric guitar is a great choice for beginners. That’s because Yamaha guitars are comfortable and easy to play, making them one of the best brands for guitar lovers. On top of that, they’re also incredibly durable! With their special designs and high-quality materials, Yamaha guitars are capable of producing superior sound quality that everyone loves.
Guild
Whether you’re looking for the best brands of electric guitars or acoustic guitars best brands, Guild will always pop up. Trusted since 1953, many notable musicians play or have played Guild guitars, including Billy Joe Armstrong, Eva Cassidy, Joan Baez, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and more. The list is endless, and it shows you that Guild guitars are suitable for a wide range of music styles.
As one of the best brands of guitars, Guild has never produced bad guitars. Finding negative comments about Guild guitars is uncommon, or perhaps impossible, and guitar players all around the world love the sound of them. Many also rate them as great value for money. Unlike some acoustic guitars best brands, Guild doesn’t cater to the cheap beginner guitar market. It prefers to make good quality guitars at mid-range prices, which is something we’re not complaining about.
“From the New York jazz scene in the 1950s to Richie Havens’ legendary performance at Woodstock, to Seattle’s Kim Thayil of Soundgarden, Guild guitars helped create some of the greatest music in history. With a tradition built on old world craftsmanship, quality, and value, Guild guitars have and will always be Made to Be Played.”
– Guild
Gibson
Gibson is seen as one of the best brands of guitars by many largely due to its early innovation. This brand was originally founded in 1902. It has invented archtop guitars and produced the first hollow body electric guitars since it first operated. Reaching the status of a household name came during the ’50s with the production of the “Les Paul” design offered in a range of models. Throughout more modern eras, this best brand for electric guitar has made a wide variety of instantly recognizable pieces, including the Gibson SG and Flying V.
“Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands.”
– Gibson
Now, when talking about Gibson guitars, we should also talk about their hefty price tags. The main reason why they’re so costly is that they’re made in the USA. All the three factories are located in cities where the workers have relativity high wages. As the result, the guitars must be sold at a higher price too. Apart from that, Gibson also uses more expensive materials and time-consuming methods when making its guitars. Despite the price tag, we’re confident to say that Gibson guitars are worth the money. They’re one-of-a-kind instruments and having one is something to be proud of.
Which brand of guitar is best for beginners?
We think it’s safe to say that Yamaha is the best brand for beginners. That’s because its guitars aren’t that expensive and are pretty easy to use compared to other best brands for guitar lovers.
What is the most expensive guitar?
The title of the most expensive guitar in the world goes to the “Reach Out To Asia” Fender Stratocaster, which sold for 2.7 million USD in 2015. This guitar was the result of Bryan Adams’ “Reach Out To Asia” project; which was set up to help the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Are expensive guitars easier to play?
Expensive guitars from the best brands of guitars tend to be built with higher quality components and have fewer manufacturing flaws, which makes them easier to play than low-end guitars. However, due to advances in manufacturing and other factors, differences between mid-level and high-level guitars are often unnoticeable to most guitar players.
What is the easiest guitar to play?
Electric guitars from the best brands of electric guitars are arguably the easiest to play. The strings are usually thinner, the ‘action’ is lower, and therefore the strings are easier to press down. The necks are generally narrower too which can help in the early stages.
How much should my first guitar cost?
A good ballpark cost for a beginner guitar from the best brands of guitars is anywhere between 200USD and 800USD. Depending on your means, your previous experience, and your commitment to learning, this is different for every individual.