15 Greatest Electrical Guitar Manufacturers

The widespread adoption of electrical energy within the Nineteen Thirties catalyzed a number of innovations, together with electrical guitars. Based on the Music Trades Affiliation, electrical guitars account for 58% of all gross sales within the US. You’ll want an instrument from the perfect electrical guitar model to boost your enjoying expertise or expertise. [1]

Statistics point out that Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, Yamaha, and Epiphone are the top-selling guitar manufacturers. Nevertheless, simply because one thing is well-liked doesn’t make it the most suitable choice for you. Each electrical guitar model has strengths and weaknesses. The precise instrument for you need to match your talent degree and enjoying model. However that are the perfect electrical guitar manufacturers?

Here’s a complete evaluation of the 15 greatest electrical guitar manufacturers:

1. Fender

Fender is an iconic title within the musical instrument market. The model gives electrical and acoustic guitars, basses, amplifiers, and public tackle tools. Nevertheless, Fender is understood for its solid-body electrical guitars just like the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Jazzmaster. You should purchase Fender guitars and components on Amazon.

Picture supply: Fender

Fender has served the music trade since 1946. The Fender Stratocaster has retained its recognition for over 70 years. In Jul 2024, the corporate expanded the Squier Affinity Sequence and launched a brand new restricted version California Classic Antigua acoustics vary and equipment. [2]

Professionals: Fender is likely one of the world’s most acknowledged electrical guitar manufacturers. Its electrical guitars cater to gamers throughout genres, from rock to nation and blues. They’ve sturdy building to resist tough dwell performances, apply runs, and studio recordings. Music followers can discover Fender’s signature electrical guitar fashions designed by their favourite artists.

Cons: Fender’s Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Jazzmaster fashions are revolutionary however expensive. Some Telecaster guitars have stability points, growing the danger of neck-dive.

Worth Vary: $500-$3,000

2. Gibson/Epiphone

Gibson is the main American guitar model with a 34% market share. This musical instrument producer was based in 1902 by Orville Gibson. It gives acoustic and electrical guitars in a number of fashions, together with the Les Paul, SG, and ES. Gamers can discover inexpensive Gibson guitar variations beneath Epiphone, a standalone model owned by Gibson. You should purchase Gibson guitar components on Amazon.

Picture supply: Gibson

The Les Paul is Gibson’s most iconic guitar mannequin. Gibson prolonged the Les Paul lineup with the brand new Customized Colour Sequence in Aug 2023. You should purchase traditional Les Paul Normal 50s and 60s fashions with eye-catching customized finishes. [3]

Professionals: Gibson has over 120 years of guitar manufacturing expertise. Its electrical guitars cater to all enjoying kinds and genres. You should use the Les Paul to play blues or the Gibson SG for rock ‘n’ roll.

Cons: Gibson is a high-end electrical guitar model. Its devices are expensive. Nevertheless, you get inexpensive Gibson guitars beneath its sister model, Epiphone.

Worth Vary: $1,500-$10,000

3. Charvel

Charvel is a guitar producer based within the Seventies by Wayne Charvel. It’s the go-to electrical guitar model for discerning gamers in search of high-performance tone machines. In Jan 2024, Charvel unveiled its 2024 Professional-Mod fashions for dedicated shredders. The checklist consists of the alder-bodied Professional-Mod DK24 HH 2PT CM in Bubblegum Pink with a Malibu Sundown gradient end. You should purchase this 2024 Charvel Professional-Mod guitar for $1,199. [4]

Picture supply: Charvel

Professionals: Charvel gives high-performance electrical guitars for discerning shredders.

Cons: Charvel focuses on electrical guitars and doesn’t supply acoustic fashions. Its newest and top-rated variants are expensive. For instance, the 2024 Professional-Mod Relic San Dimas Type 1 sells for $1,599. 

Worth Vary: $500-$2500

4. ESP (Electrical Sound Merchandise)

ESP is a Japanese guitar producer based in 1975 and based mostly in Tokyo and Los Angeles. The model focuses on electrical guitars and basses for steel and heavier kinds. In Jan 2024, ESP unveiled its new Signature Sequence with a number of limited-edition fashions. The model created the 2024 LTD GH SV-200 for Gary Holt, one of many world’s most influential thrash steel gamers. [5]

Picture supply: ESP Guitars

Professionals: ESP is likely one of the greatest guitar manufacturers for steel and heavier kinds. Iconic shredders like James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Mille Petrozza, Alexi Laiho, Invoice Kelliher, George Lynch, and Gary Holt have signature fashions with ESP.

Cons: ESP primarily caters to steel and heavy shredders.

Worth Vary: $300-$2,800

5. Jackson Guitars

Jackson began as a small guitar restore store within the Seventies in Southern California. By the mid-80s, the model had established itself as a number one guitar producer. Jackson’s guitar fashions embrace the Soloist, Rhoads, and Dinky. The Soloist is ideal for shredders in search of a smooth guitar with a quick neck and versatile tonal choices. In Jan 2024, Jackson unveiled 4 Idea Sequence shred guitars for steel gamers. You should purchase the Idea Sequence Rhoads, Soloist, King Kelly, and eight-string Dinky for $1,899-$2,199. [6]

Picture supply: Jackson Guitars

Professionals: Jackson gives high-quality guitars with world-class craftsmanship, distinctive sound, and smooth designs. These sturdy devices are versatile, catering to varied music genres.

Cons: Jackson guitars are dearer than most alternate options. Some individuals complain about Jackson’s vary of tones and sounds as a result of they don’t swimsuit their enjoying kinds.

Worth Vary: $500-$3,200

6. Gretsch

Gretsch is a musical instrument producer based in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York. The model is well-liked amongst rockabilly, nation, and jazz guitarists, singers, and followers. Prime-selling Gretsch fashions embrace the G6120, White Falcon, and Electromatic. In Jan 2024, Gretsch launched a new limited-edition Pristine Electromatic sequence. The lineup has the Pristine LTD Jet Single-Reduce for $749 and the Pristine Middle Block Double-Reduce for $899. You should purchase Gretsch guitars on Amazon. [7]

Picture supply: Gretsch Guitars

Professionals: Gretsch gives guitars with distinctive and distinctive sounds. The model has been crafting high-quality musical devices for over 140 years. Most of its guitars are inexpensive.  

Cons: Gretsch’s guitars are good for genres with a classic twist. They might not match your enjoying model in case your masterpiece isn’t jazz, nation, or rockabilly.

Worth Vary: $200-$900

7. Schecter Guitars

Schecter began as a guitar alternative components producer in 1976. The model expanded into an end-to-end musical instrument producer providing electrical and acoustic guitars, amplifiers, basses, and results models. In Apr 2024, Schecter collaborated with artists Nadja Peulen and Meegs Rascon to design the new Coal Chamber Signature fashions. These electrical guitars ship the final word expression of steel mastery. [8]

Picture supply: Schecter

Professionals: Schecter gives electrical guitars with energy and precision, just like the Hellraiser, C-1, and Apocalypse. It’s the go-to electrical guitar model for heavy steel and exhausting rock gamers.

Cons: Schecter mass-produces its guitars by means of its in-house label and subsidiaries. This one-fits-all method impedes customization.

Worth Vary: $449-$3,499  

8. Ernie Ball Music Man

Ernie Ball Music Man is a family-owned instrument producer based mostly in San Luis Obispo, California. It was based in 1974 as Music Man and offered to Ernie Ball in 1984. This model helped form the electrical guitar and bass scene. In Jun 2024, Ernie Ball Music Man unveiled 5 new finishes – Blue Silk, Gravity Inexperienced, Black Frosting, Her Majesty’s Request, and Amaranth. You should purchase the John Petrucci Majesty signature guitars beginning at $3,999. [9]

Picture supply: Ernie Ball Music Man

Professionals: Ernie Ball Music Man is the perfect electrical guitar model for gamers in search of easy playability and distinctive kinds. It has signature fashions with iconic artists.

Cons: Music Man electrical guitars are expensive. For instance, the 2024 signature fashions with new finishes will value you at the very least $3,999.99. The model targets execs, not learners.

Worth Vary: $500-$7,500

9. Kramer Guitars

Kramer is an American electrical guitar producer and a part of the Gibson Household of Manufacturers. The corporate revolutionized the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties music scene with its aluminum-necked and wooden-necked electrical guitars and basses. In Nov 2023, Kramer launched a brand new Made in Japan Assortment to rejoice its contribution to music historical past. The set consists of the 1983 Baretta Reissue for $2,199. [10]

Picture supply: Kramer Guitars

Professionals: Kramer is an iconic electrical guitar model endorsed by legendary bands, together with Bon Jovi and Judas Priest.

Cons: Kramer at the moment focuses on reissuing its legacy guitars, that are in-built Indonesia. The brand new reissues don’t match the capabilities of the unique Kramer guitars.

Worth Vary: $230-$2,199

10. Rickenbacker

Rickenbacker manufactured the world’s first electrical guitar in 1932. The model produces hollow-body and solid-body electrical guitars and basses by hand in its Santa Ana, California, manufacturing facility. Each Rickenbacker guitar begins within the wooden store with high-tech CNC machines. Then, the parts are hand-assembled and polished with a proprietary end system.

Picture supply: Rickenbacker Guitars

Professionals: Rickenbacker gives handcrafted electrical guitars. Every Rickenbacker guitar is exclusive and attention-grabbing.

Cons: Rickenbacker’s CNC machining and hand meeting are pricey and labor intensive, growing its electrical guitars’ costs.

Worth Vary: $1,900-$3,900

11. B.C. Wealthy

B.C. Wealthy is a guitar model well-known for its Warlock mannequin. Its outlandish guitar designs look extra like medieval weapons than devices. Nevertheless, the model encountered monetary challenges in recent times. In 2023, B.C. Wealthy failed to meet a $120k commissioned order for 400 Stranger Issues Warlock guitars. This deal almost bankrupted Iconic Guitars. [11]

Picture supply: B.C. Guitars

Professionals: B.C. Wealthy’s guitars have skinny necks for quick enjoying and produce thick and loud tones. These options enchantment to steel guitarists and bands. The model gives inexpensive entry-level guitars for round $300.

Cons: B.C. Wealthy’s guitars have irregular shapes, steepening the training curve. You’ll want extra time to get used to a B.C. Wealthy electrical guitar.

Worth Vary: $300-$1,500

12. Cort Guitars

Cort is a premium electrical guitar model providing high-quality devices at accessible costs. Its top-selling fashions embrace the Cort X, Cort Earth, and Artisan Sequence. In Jul 2024, Cort launched the brand new Artisan C4/C5 Deluxe bass guitars. You should purchase the Artisan C4 Deluxe for $449 or C5 Deluxe for $499. [12]

Picture supply: Cort Guitars

Professionals: Cort gives dependable, inexpensive premium electrical guitars and basses. The model caters to gamers with totally different kinds and talent ranges. You should purchase Cort X electrical guitars for rock and steel or Cort Earth acoustics for nation and blues.   

Cons: Cort electrical guitars will not be the most suitable choice for learners. You can begin with Cort acoustic guitars to grasp the fundamentals earlier than upgrading to the Cort X Sequence.

Worth Vary: $300-$900

13. Strandberg

Strandberg is a Swedish electrical guitar model catering to headless fanatics. Legends like Ben Kenney, Randy McStine, and Per Nilsson play Strandberg electrical guitars and basses. In Jan 2024, Strandberg unveiled the Boden Important at NAMM 2024. This Indonesia-made guitar has a Strandberg signature EndurNeck profile and a strong Meranti physique. You should purchase the Strandberg Boden Important for $999. [13]

Picture supply: Strandberg Guitars

Professionals: Strandberg is the go-to model for high-performance headless guitars. Its devices are revolutionary, attention-grabbing, and light-weight. For instance, the Strandberg Boden Important weighs round 2.15 kg (4.7 lbs).

Cons: Strandberg is a high-end model providing costly headless guitars. At $999, the Boden Important is essentially the most inexpensive Strandberg guitar vary.

Worth Vary: $999-$9,000

14. SubZero

SubZero is a British music instrument model based in 2003. The corporate gives electrical guitars, amps, woofers, and different music techniques. Its electrical guitar fashions embrace the Rogue VI and Paradigm. SubZero sells its guitars and musical devices on Amazon.

Picture supply: SubZero Amazon Retailer

Professionals: SubZero guitars are high-quality and inexpensive. They’re good for learners. The SubZero Rogue VI has been featured in lots of songs because the Nineteen Sixties, together with heavy rock, steel, traditional pop, indie, and pop punk.

Cons: SubZero gives restricted electrical guitar choices.

Worth Vary: $200-$500

15. SX Guitars

SX is an electrical guitar model based in 1998. Nevertheless, its historical past started within the early Nineteen Sixties when guitar manufacturing migrated from the US to Taiwan. The founders established Workforce Worldwide Music within the Nineties to distribute guitars from different manufacturers. They closed the distribution enterprise in Taiwan and launched Essex (SX) to make authentic in-house guitars. SX gives inexpensive electrical guitars. [14]

Picture supply: SX Guitars

Professionals: SX gives high-quality and inexpensive electrical guitars. Its devices value lower than $1000.

Cons: SX has restricted selection. It gives the Ash, Alder, Classic, Pirate, Jazz, EF, EH, and EE sequence with 1-3 electrical guitar fashions.

Worth Vary: $250-$1,000

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