Looking to buy an electric guitar? You’re probably wondering how much your budget needs to spend. With a ton of brands, models, and styles to choose from, the single biggest factor concerning most people looking to buy an electric guitar is cost. Electric guitars are often thought to be expensive, but there is quite a price range from budget-friendly to top level.
In this article, Eguitarmania promises to explain the financial layout of “How much does an electric guitar cost?”. We’ll explore everything from the budget-friendly options to the high-end models that might require you to break the bank. Let’s find a harmony of tips on getting the best value for your money.
Understanding Electric Guitar Pricing
Electrical guitar pricing is complicated, influenced by everything from the instrument’s technical specs to the brand name on the headstock.
How Much Does Electric Guitar Cost?
Let’s break down what makes some guitars cost more than others and what extra costs you should keep in mind.
Scale Length, Shape, and What It’s Made Of
The price of an electric guitar can change based on its size, shape, and the materials used to make it. Scale length, the distance between the bridge and the nut, affects not only the tension of the strings but also the overall sound and playability of the guitar.
For example, the length of the guitar (scale length) and whether it’s solid or has a hollow part inside (body type) can change how it sounds and how much it costs. The price and tone of a guitar are both influenced by its construction, which can range from mahogany to maple wood. Better materials usually mean a higher price.
Pickups and Brand Names
Pickups are the heart of an electric guitar’s voice. They pick up the sound of the strings. Single-coils are known for their bright, clear tones, and humbuckers are valued for their rich, full sounds. The type of pickups and the brand of the guitar can really change the price.
Rosewood, mahogany, and maple are some of the most popular woods due to their beautiful grain patterns and warm tones. Moreover, brands with a long history, like Fender and Gibson, often cost more because they’re well-known and many famous musicians use them.
Extra Costs to Think About
Accessories
Things like a case to protect your guitar, a strap to hold it while you play, and picks can add up. A good case might cost between $50 and $200, a strap around $10 to $50, and picks are usually pretty cheap, but you might want to try out a few different kinds to see what you like.
Amplifiers
You need an amplifier to hear your electric guitar properly. Amps can range from around $50 for a small, beginner’s amp to over $1,000 for a professional-quality amp that could be used for big shows or recording.
Keeping Your Guitar in Good Shape
Making sure your guitar is in good shape is important. To do this, the strings might need to be changed every so often. A set of strings can cost anywhere from $5 to $20. Also, you might need to pay $50 to $100 to have it set up at a store to make sure everything is straight and works well.
Brand: The Impact on Cost
Across the electric guitar industry, well-known brands represent more than simply labels on headstocks. They represent a sense of reliability, an ideal for quality, and a history of sound that musicians have grown to rely on for many years.
Fender
Reputation: Fender is synonymous with the birth of the electric guitar era, revered for its role in shaping rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and jazz. Many users love Fender guitars for their crisp, clear tones and ability to adapt to a variety of genres. The Stratocaster and Telecaster are iconic products for many generations.
Price Range: Fender guitars can range from about $200 for entry-level models to over $3,000 for high-end American-made guitars.
Typical Products:
- The Fender Stratocaster: is one of the most famous electric guitars of all time. Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton were among the famous musicians who played it. You could say that American Professional models cost more than $1,500.
- Fender Telecaster: Blues, rock, and country guitarists have used this type for a long time because of its unique twangy sound. American models can start at $1,500, but prices can change based on series and where they’re from.
Unique points:
Legacy and past: Fender guitars have an emotional value that goes beyond their physical features. You can get exactly the same as the ones used by the best musicians of the last 60 years.
Build Quality: very approachable attitude, reliable sound is guaranteed by using high-quality materials and complex design, even mass production.
Gibson
Reputation: The humbucker pickups and wood body of Gibson guitars give them a rich, warm sound that makes them sound more rock and funky. Customers love how well the Les Paul and SG models are built and how comfy they are to play. Some say that the higher price is a big reason for this.
Price Range: Gibson guitars start at around $800 for entry-level models and can go up to $6,000 or more for custom shop models.
Typical Products:
- Gibson Les Paul: Famous rock musicians like Slash and Jimmy Page play Gibson product. Standard models usually cost between $2,500 and $3,000.
- Gibson SG: This guitar is popular for hard rock and metal because it has a smaller body and a faster neck. Usually, basic models start at around $1,500.
Unique Points:
The Look: It had great cleans and glassiness. The use of high-quality woods and building methods helped create the unique, warm sound of a Gibson.
Tone and Sustain: The tone is absolutely perfect for what I play and the clean tones are shockingly good, too, especially for jazz.
Yamaha
Reputation: Yamaha is known for making reliable instruments at all price points, making them a great choice for both beginning musicians and advanced experts.
Price Range: Yamaha guitars start as low as $200 for entry-level models and go up to around $1,000 for their higher-end offerings.
Typical Products:
- Yamaha Pacifica Series: Priced between $200 and $500. A great deal for beginners, these instruments are known for being easy to play and having a wide range of sounds.
- Yamaha Revstar Series: Offers a unique design and higher quality materials, with models in the $500-$1,000 range.
Unique Points:
Value: Yamaha guitars are a great deal because they balance price and quality so that both new and expert players can enjoy them. You may have a dupe version of 5k Gibson, just with 500 Yamaha guitar.
Consistency and Dependability: Yamaha has strict quality control measures in place to make sure that even their most cheap models can be relied on.
guitar’s playability and overall experience.
Hunting Second-Hand Guitars Tips
Follow Eguitarmania to get insights on where to find them, tips for sourcing reliable second -hand instruments.
Price range
Obviously, the depreciation of a second-hand electric guitar’s value compared to its original retail price can vary widely. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
- Standard Production Models: Brands like Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, and others.Second-hand instruments that are in good shape are worth 50% to 70% of what they cost new. Over the first few years after buying something, it loses value more quickly. After that, it starts to level off.
- Limited edition, or has been discontinued: The used price could be closer to 80% to 100% (or even more) of the original selling price in this case.
Where to Find Quality Second-Hand Guitars?
Here are some suggestion about reliable places to get a second-hand guitar:
- Private Sellers: The Gear Page, a forum where musicians buy, sell, and discuss gear, often listing high-quality second-hand guitars.
- Online Platforms: Websites like Reverb, eBay, and Craigslist are treasure troves for second-hand guitars.
- Brand-specific forums: MyLesPaul, Strat-Talk, and Telecaster Discussion Page, can be goldmines for finding well-cared-for second-hand instruments from enthusiasts.
Tips on Sourcing Reliable Second-Hand Instruments
Finding a quality second-hand electric guitar involves more than just spotting a good deal. Here are some tips to guide your search:
- Electronics: Check all of the electronics to make sure they work and authentic . The pickups, knobs, and buttons should all be loud and clear. Fixing things can be easy, but it might cost more in the end.
- Neck and Fretboard: It’s important that the neck is straight and that the frets are in good shape. When frets wear unevenly, it can make the guitar harder to play and may need an expensive fret job.
- Authenticity: If the guitar is very valuable, make sure it is real. Serial numbers and features that are unique to the model can help you be sure it’s the real deal.
My secret tips : Alwyas ask for detailed photos and information, close-up shots of the guitar, especially of any wear and tear, and ask about its history, including any repairs or modifications.
Off-Brand: A Cost-Effective Alternative?
Off-brand guitars, sometimes referred to as “budget brands. Those seeking a second or backup guitar, those just starting out, or those on a tighter budget will find these instruments to be ideal.
1. Harley Benton
Reputation: Thomann, a German store, has its own brand called Harley Benton. Numerous models, both original and based on well-known designs, contribute to the brand’s reputation. This label became well-known for producing high-quality guitars at affordable prices.
Price Range: Approximately $100 to $500
Typical Products:
- ST-20: A Stratocaster-inspired model that offers beginners a classic look and feel for around $100.
- TE-52: A Telecaster-style guitar praised for its build quality and vintage tone, priced around $150-$200.
User Opinion: Most of the time, models only need small changes or upgrades to work well, but they are often praised as great tools for beginners . A lot of people love Harley Benton guitars because they play great, are cheap, and are made of high-quality materials.
2. Glarry
Reputation: To help beginner musicians get their feet wet without breaking the bank, Glarry provides a variety of affordable options. In our opinion, the construction and components of this brand’s guitars are inferior to those of more expensive models.
Price Range: Approximately $75 to $200
Typical Products:
- GT-L Semi-Hollow: A semi-hollow body guitar that provides a rich, warm tone suitable for jazz and blues, available for under $200.
- GST-Electric Guitar: A solid-body electric guitar with a Stratocaster-like design, aimed at beginners for around $100.
User Opinion: While many reviewers complimented Glarry guitars for their affordable prices, others have said that new strings or a professional setup would improve the output.
Final Thought
In conclusion, electric guitars may range in price from one hundred to several hundred dollars. Before you start looking, decide on a price. Do not be tempted to purchase the first attractive item just because it is on sale. Keep in mind that the age, brand, model, and strings of the guitar—among other things—can affect the price.
