Best Genre-Specific
Guitar
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Overall: 10
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Best Feature: Beautiful tonewoods
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best Guitar
For Everyone
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Overall: 10
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Best Feature: All around guitar use
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best Guitar
Design
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Overall: 8
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Best Feature: Strong Progressive Sound and Tone
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TedScore™: 8/10
Choosing the best guitar brand can be challenging, and for good reason. In this guide, I’ll look at the Best Guitar Brands to help you find the perfect instrument for your musical journey.
From classic favorites like Fender and Gretsch, there’s a guitar out there that matches your style and budget. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting, knowing the top brands can make a big difference in your musical goals.
Are you ready to play your way to the perfect guitar? Let’s get started!
Evaluating the Best Guitar Brands
To find the best guitar for you, it’s crucial to consider factors such as quality, sound, playability, and price.
But not all guitars are created equal, and the needs of acoustic electric guitars and acoustic guitar players can differ significantly.
Let’s explore the very best electric guitars and best acoustic guitar brands that cater to these unique requirements.
Electric Guitar Brands
A few big names dominate the scene when it comes to electric guitars.
Fender, Gibson, and Ibanez are among the top electric guitar brands. Their most iconic guitars alone, such as Fender’s Telecaster and Stratocaster, Gibson’s Les Paul and SG, and Ibanez’s RG and S series, have shaped the sound of countless musicians and genres over the years.
Fender’s American Performer Stratocaster is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality instrument without budget constraints.
DESIGNED FOR: Outstanding Performance & High-Quality Components
FEATURES: Technical Feature: Maple Neck w/ Posiflex Graphite Rods
OTHER INFO: Solid alder body
Fender Player Plus Stratocaster HSS PF
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- High-quality components
- Versatile tones from classic rock to modern metal styles.
- Stylish design with classic Fender player Stratocaster looks.
- Affordable price tag for an American-made instrument.
- Two additional single coils provide enhanced tonal possibilities.
- Some mid-range frequencies may not sound as strong as expected.
- Tremolo arm doesn't stay in place after prolonged use.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Alternatively, the more affordable Player Series Strat offers reliable performance and a classic Fender tone.
Gibson’s Les Paul and SG models provide warmth, power, and versatility, while Ibanez is favored by shredders and metal players for its fast necks and edgy designs.
Other notable electric guitar brands include Squier, Benedetto, Charvel, Schecter, Harley Benton, Musicman, PRS, Gretsch, Eastman, Rickenbacker, and D’Angelico.
While these brands may not be as widely recognized as the “big three,” they offer diverse options for players of all genres, from jazz to metal and everything in between.
Here are some great guitars we recommend from these manufacturers:
Acoustic Guitar Brands
In the realm of acoustic guitar brands, Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, and Seagull stand out as highly regarded choices.
Other acoustic guitar brands worth considering include PRS, Fender, Gretsch, Guild, and Epiphone, each offering unique features and aesthetics that cater to different playing styles and preferences.
Selecting the right acoustic guitar brand for you requires careful consideration of your playing style, budget, and personal preferences.
Best Guitar Brands for Various Skill Levels
Your skill level plays a significant role in determining which guitar brand is best suited for you.
Beginner-friendly brands like Fender, Epiphone, and Yamaha offer versatile guitars and excellent value for money, providing quality instruments at accessible prices.
On the other hand, intermediate to advanced players should look for higher-quality guitars that cater to their specific needs and playing styles.
Beginner-Friendly Brands
Fender, Squier, Epiphone, Yamaha, Martin, and Ibanez are some of the most recommended guitar brands for beginners.
These brands offer cost-effective, user-friendly and affordable instruments that deliver high-quality sound and are built to last.
By choosing a beginner-friendly brand, new players can focus on honing their skills without breaking the bank.
DESIGNED FOR: The Epiphone J-45 Studio is ideal for both beginner and seasoned players seeking great value for money.
COMES WITH: D’Addario strings 12-53 gauge
FEATURES: Features a solid Sitka spruce top, in turn, allowing you to achieve a dynamic and well-balanced sound.
Epiphone J-45 Studio Acoustic (AJ-220S), Natural
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Dynamic tonal quality
- Solid construction design
- Simple natural finish
- Lacks rich and complex tones
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Intermediate to Advanced Players
For intermediate to advanced players, brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Martin, and Ibanez are highly recommended.
These brands offer a wide range of guitars with key features that cater to more experienced players. They are renowned for their quality and craftsmanship and boast a long history of producing guitars with exceptional quality.
Popular models from these brands include Fender’s Stratocaster and Telecaster, Gibson’s Les Paul and SG, PRS’s SE and Core models, Martin’s D-45 and D-28, and Ibanez’s RG and S series.
Each of these instruments offers a unique combination of sound, playability, and aesthetic appeal, ensuring that intermediate to advanced players can find the perfect guitar to suit their needs.
In conclusion, the top guitar brands for intermediate to advanced players are Fender, Gibson, PRS, Martin, and Ibanez.
These brands provide a diverse selection of high quality acoustic guitars that cater to different playing styles, genres, and skill levels, ensuring that every player can find their ideal instrument.
PERFECT FOR: Beginner To Advance
FEATURES: Scale Length: 25"
OTHER INFO: 24-frets
PRS SE Custom 24/08, Vintage Sunburst
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Maple and mahogany tonewoods for warmth, projection and definition
- Thin wide neck for comfortable playability
- Great for rhythmic styles and percussive playing
- Can handle high distortion and gain with ease
- Exceptional tone quality for its price range
- Versatile and suitable for various musical styles
- Some people may not like the flat body design
- The tremolo version may have issues with tuning stability
- Limited color options for those who prefer a more traditional appearance
- There is no left-handed version available.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Genre-Specific Guitar Brands
Certain guitar brands are tailored to specific genres of music, making them the go-to choice for players passionate about a particular style.
Jazz guitarists, for example, often gravitate towards brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Squier, Gretsch, Epiphone, and Cort, while rock and metal players prefer aggressive designs and high-output pickups found in brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, and Ibanez.
Jazz Guitar Brands
Fender, Gibson guitars, PRS, Squier, Gretsch, Epiphone, and Cort are all respected jazz guitar brands, offering fine instruments with warm tones, versatile sounds, and vintage aesthetics.
The Gibson ES-175, for example, is the most popular jazz guitar; known for its rich tone and smooth playability.
Meanwhile, Gretsch G5420T Electromatic’s warm, hollow body and Filter’Tron pickups deliver rich, resonant tones, ideal for the smooth, mellow sound of jazz.
Peerless guitars provide an excellent jazz tone at a more affordable price, with models like the Cremona featuring a carved maple top, laminated back and sides, and mounted humbucker pickup.
Heritage guitars, on the other hand, offer a balanced tone and a unique alternative to Gibson guitars, appealing to jazz guitarists who seek the quality of an American-made instrument with a distinct identity.
By exploring these jazz guitar brands, players can find the perfect instrument to capture the smooth, soulful sound and classic vibe of their favorite genre.
PERFECT FOR: Intermediate to Advance
FEATURES: Electromatic Hollow Body
OTHER INFO: Comes with nickel plated steel strings (.011 - .049).
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Single-Cut with Bigsby, Airline Silver
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Solid construction and smooth playability.
- Classic design with a vintage feel and beautiful finish.
- Well-balanced guitar with a perfect neck.
- Reliable tuning stability, even for aggressive playing styles.
- Crafted with premium materials and excellent craftsmanship.
- Occasional slight buzzing or rattling noises.
- Challenging to adjust the bridge, especially during string changes.
- Requires some time to adjust to the guitar's nuances.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Rock and Metal Guitar Brands
Rock and metal guitarists often turn to brands like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Squier, Gretsch, Epiphone, and Cort for their aggressive designs and high-output pickups.
While not as well-known as Fender, Schecter excels in the metal genre, providing instruments with high-output pickups and aggressive aesthetics.
By choosing a guitar brand specializing in metal and rock guitars, players can ensure that their instrument is designed to handle the high-energy demands of their preferred genre.
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate and advanced players
FEATURES: Six-saddle string-through-body Tele bridge
OTHER INFO: Knurled flat-top control knobs
Fender Player Telecaster HH MN, Tidepool
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Versatile and classic sound, perfect for rock or blues
- Unbeatable build quality and reliable hardware
- Beautiful finish adds an extra touch of class to this guitar
- Tall frets make it easier to play complex chords, riffs, and solos
- Easy-to-use bridge makes string changes and adjustments a breeze
- Short scale length could be a limitation for some players
- Cheap Fret Wire
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Niche Guitar Brands
Beyond the mainstream guitar brands, niche guitar brands like Seagull and Strandberg offer guitars with unique features and designs catered to specific genres and playing styles.
These brands may not be as well-known as their mainstream counterparts, but they provide musicians with innovative and specialized musical instruments that can help them stand out in a crowded market.
These niche guitar brands offer a variety of features and designs to create high quality instruments that can help musicians find the perfect instrument for their style.
From unique body shapes to custom pickups and electronics, these good guitar brands can provide musicians with the tools they need to create their own unique sound.
Seagull Guitars
Seagull guitars, a sub-brand of Godin, are renowned for their unique sound and craftsmanship.
These Canadian-made acoustic guitars are popular among folk and blues musicians, offering tonewoods and sophisticated construction techniques that result in a quality sound.
Their commitment to solid top construction, hand-built craftsmanship, and eco-friendly production processes make Seagull guitars appealing for musicians who value quality and sustainability.
The Seagull S6 Original, for example, features a solid cedar top, wild cherry back and sides, and a smooth-playing silver leaf maple neck. This combination of tonewoods and craftsmanship delivers a rich, warm tone that has made seagull guitar become a favorite among acoustic guitar players worldwide.
COMES WITH: Tonal Sound
FEATURES: Tonal Acoustic sound
Seagull S6 Original Acoustic Guitar, Natural
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Solid cedar top, wild cherry back and sides, and a smooth-playing silver leaf maple neck
- None
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Strandberg Guitars
Strandberg Guitars, a Swedish guitar company founded by Ola Strandberg in 2007, specializes in electric guitars and basses with inventive designs and ergonomic features.
Strandberg guitars are particularly popular among progressive metal and jazz musicians who appreciate their unique aesthetics and technology-driven approach to guitar design.
Strandberg has just released the Boden Meloria, a new concept travel guitar designed in partnership with NAMM. While pricing for this innovative model is not yet available, it is expected to be at least $1500, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality and cutting-edge design for high-end guitars.
COMES WITH: Strong Progressive Sound
FEATURES: Progressive Tone
Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 Nat Flame
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Lightweight concept guitar, designed in partnership with NAMM
- Pricey
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Iconic Signature Models
Iconic signature models from famous guitarists are highly sought by collectors and players.
These models offer a unique combination of sound and style that is often difficult to find in other guitars, making them a valuable addition to any musician’s collection.
Some of the most iconic signature electric guitar models from brands like Ibanez, ESP, Guild, Ernie Ball Music Man, and Gretsch will be available.
For example, Ibanez’s signature dream guitar models for Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Lari Basilio, Paul Stanley, and Martin Miller offer a diverse range of options for musicians looking to emulate the sound and style of their favorite artists.
Each instrument has unique aesthetics and design elements that set them apart from standard guitar models, providing players with a distinct and memorable guitar playing experience.
Whether you’re a new guitar collector seeking a rare piece of musical history or a player looking to capture the essence of your favorite guitarist, iconic models offer an unparalleled blend of sound and style that is sure to inspire and impress.
COMES WITH: unique "Bloom" fingerboard inlay design and DiMarzio UtoPIA pickups
FEATURES: An eclectic tonal palette courtesy of two DiMarzio humbuckers and a single coil
Ibanez PIA3761 Steve Vai Signature Pia, Onyx Black
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Features Steve Vai's personal design touches
- Professional-grade instrument that meets the demands of experienced players
- DiMarzio UtoPIA pickups offer a range of tones suitable for various genres
- Signature and premium features of the PIA3761 contribute to a higher price
- Features might be overwhelming for beginners
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Discover the Best Guitar Brands
Summary
In conclusion, guitars are vast and diverse, with great guitar brands catering to various skill levels, genres, and playing styles.
From the most highly regarded brands of electric and acoustic guitars like Fender, Gibson, and Martin to niche and genre-specific brands like Seagull and Strandberg, there is a perfect guitar for every musician.
By understanding your unique needs and preferences, you can confidently journey to discover the best guitar brands and find the instrument that will truly resonate with your heart and soul.
When you find the right guitar, you just know…
Before you go – take a look at our fabulous list of 21 Essential Guitar Accessories to make your life easier and your playing more enjoyable!
I see you didn’t dive much into the specifics of what makes a guitar brand better for metal. I guess it’s a broad topic, but things like build quality, pickup types, and even neck profile can massively influence playability and tone in metal genres.
Niche brands like Seagull and Strandberg definitely deserve more spotlight for their innovation. Although, I think the term ‘niche’ might undersell their appeal. Anyone else think that these brands are becoming more mainstream, or is it just me noticing more of them around?
Totally agree with you. Been seeing Seagulls everywhere. It’s like once you know about them, you start noticing them more.
Loved the section on acoustic brands! Found my first guitar based on a similar guide. It’s been a game-changer for my songwriting sessions.
Hey Lewis Turner, really appreciate the deep dive into the guitar brands, especially the bits about genre-specific ones. I’ve been wondering, do you think certain guitar brands are better suited for an individual’s playing style, or is it more about the specific model? I find myself leaning towards the versatility of certain brands but always curious about others’ takes.