Which guitar brand should you choose? It is one of the common questions which arise in every music lover’s mind. The basic answer is to find a guitar which can fulfill which fulfills all your demands and within your budget. However, for an appropriate solution, a user should check out all the features in a guitar before deciding which model to buy.
Knowing which guitar is the best among the choices and what brand is dominating the market gives you the power to select the most suitable guitar. Since the demand for the best guitar brands is growing, we are here to deliver our ultimate report after tons of testifying and researching.
We will walk you through the top-rated brands of guitar, an in-depth digging to the quality, construction of this instrument. We will as well share our experience in buying a guitar includes what to inspects, online and offline tips, what elements you should consider, how to estimate your budget and many more to come.
Walk with us to make your way to gift yourself the best guitar ever.
What are Best Guitar Brands ? Things to Consider
It’s a hard question to answer because “best” term should be evaluated in many aspects. To us, the guitars come in various brand names with each has some best features to beat the others. Usually, high-quality guitars come from big brands that have been around for more than ten decades. But that doesn’t mean less famous newcomers are not capable of producing amazing instruments.
Therefore, we will dive right into the ingredients that made up a good guitar. We will sort out the distinctive categories so you can browse what features you want to focus on your demand. Then you will go through the list of the big names have influenced the instrument world. Combining all the comparison and consideration here and there, you should be able to pick out the best guitar brand of your own. But, first-timers, if you have a plan to discover the world of music played by this charming instrument, learn your first step to identify what you want from a guitar.
Acoustic or Electric?
The first time your approach a guitar, you should know that guitar falls into different categories. Two of the most popular for beginners are acoustic and electric guitars.
Many people mistake in choosing the right style due to the lack of knowing the segregation of these types. Let’s find the differences in outline between these brothers.
Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic guitars have been a fixture in the most influential albums ever. For over a century, it has never lost its place to any other instrument for the most preferred musical tool.
The specific type of guitar usually comes with metal strings to produce the best sound effect. Otherwise, you can find nylon stringed acoustic widely used in playing flamenco or classical music. The concept of steel strings brings benefits for strumming and picking. The thing to know is acoustic stringed guitars are available in types of different size, material, and even shape. But the most popular acoustic is one that can play most genres, the steel-stringed.
Electric Guitar
This instrument is an invention of the 20th century, but it took a slow step to hit the rock and roll industry starting from the 1930s. Despite being young compared to the acoustic, the electric guitar inspired and defined the types of music it plays and has a prominent influence in rock music.
Though the instrument has several things in common with the acoustic like six strings, frets, and long necks; they as well have the same tuning pattern using tuning pegs.
Most electric guitars have solid bodies. The magnetic pickups convert the vibration into electrical signal later amplified via ample sound equipment.
Because the sound from strings is barely audible, the guitar needs a sustainable wood material to keep the vibration last. That is why the denser the wood is, the longer the note can be held. This density thus contributes to the mass of the guitar. Nobody holds an electric guitar without a strap.
Electric guitar brands like Fenders, Schecter, Eastwood or Airline have leaped this modern guitar up to a whole new level by manufacturing unique instruments standing out of the ordinary that draws all attention to the stage.
Which to choose?
There is a myth says starters should go for an acoustic type first though they really want the electric one. While they are both six-stringed instruments, acoustic guitars aim to master the fingerpicking technique; on the other hand, the metal on an electric guitar would not hurt you the worse as the heavy gauge strings do because it targets rifting and the bar vibrato performance.
On the contrary, acoustic is harder to play, but it works effectively in building your firm picking and fingering thanks to its heavy gauge strings. Whereas, electric guitars are relatively more comfortable for amateur owing to its more compact body, lighter gauge strings, and thinner neck.
In both types of guitar, you can’t avoid forming calluses to have stiffer presses. Even the best acoustic guitar would not be able to save you from this pain. But acoustic comes to be a winner at this support since you don’t rely on the vibrated strings but making the real sound.
The two also compete with each other by the weight. Picking up an electric guitar would be something to halt your interest, while the acoustic is more appealing in holding in any position.
Anyhow, they all share one mutual purpose in serving your thirst of melody. Since learning any type of guitar won’t be an overnight chore, it is the choice of music style that matters.
Lean on your desire whether you want to rock your room out of metal or to rift the high pitch with an amplifier, go to the electric side, or you prefer something softer kind of a jamming section with pop or funk, the acoustic would fit the day better.
Which Brand of Guitar is The Best?
There are several guitars brands available in the market which offers the best guitars in the world. With so many renowned brands available, it becomes tough for the user to choose the best one. So, let’s have a look at the best guitar brands, which rule the 2018 music industry:
Epiphone
- Epiphone is used to be a fierce competitor of Gibson but is now owned by Gibson. Holding an Epiphone guitar is like a dream come true for a guitarist. Notably, all the models from this brand are the limited editions.
- The company designs acoustics as well as electric guitars, and most of their models follow the Gibson designs. Epiphone is the only company in the world that uses Gibson specs. Also, Les Pauls, Flying VS are some of the few models which are majorly made up of Gibson components.
- The brands from this company are ideal for beginners as well as the professional players. If we talk about the beginners, then Les Paul 100 and Les Paul Special II are the acoustic guitar brands for them.
- These guitars sound like Gibson but are available at a very reasonable price. For professional or severe players, Les Paul Plus Top PRO or Les Paul Custom PRO is the perfect option because these two models offer the best quality along with numerous features.
There is no doubt about the fact that Epiphone guitars are the best option for the beginners as well as professional players. This is the only reason which makes this company can grab the first spot in the guitar rankings.
Fender
- Fender is one of the oldest guitars brands in the music industry. Many musical legends used the Fender guitars and achieved grand successes. Stratocaster and Telecaster models are one of the best guitars manufactured by the company.
- Fender has a wide variety of guitar patterns. An extensive collection of guitars will make it easy for you to find the perfect model you were looking for. “Made in Mexico” series is ideal for beginners as well as the professionals.
- All the models under this series are made up of imported wood. Using imported timber enhances the overall sound quality of the guitar. Besides, the best part about this set is that it is available at a very reasonable price.
Fender is one of the most lovable brands among the music lovers. This brand is not expensive at all as the other top brands. For this reason, it has helped the company to have the upper hand on all the other leading manufacturers.
Yamaha
- Yamaha is a renowned name in the music industry. People often know it because of their designing organs, bass guitars, electric guitars and other musical instruments. Yamaha acoustic guitars are great regarding with looks and performance.
- Beginners, as well as intermediate players, can easily find some fantastic guitar models in the Yamaha guitar line up. Yamaha FG700 is highly appreciated all over the world because of numerous reasons. Exquisite sound capabilities and easy to play are the primary reasons behind its increasing popularity.
- Let’s talk about the L series which is ideal for professional players. This set offers some incredible wood designs along with a powerful sound performance. A professional player requires these two essential features in his guitar. Therefore, this model is the best choice for a professional musician.
Yamaha has some of the best models in each segment. It has helped the company to receive tremendous applause from all over the world. For the past ten years, the company has shown a lot of improvement. As a result, Yamaha is now the third best guitar company in the world.
Taylor
- Taylor is an American guitar company which manufactures high-level acoustic guitars. The company also makes electric guitars, but not popular as much appreciation as acoustic guitars.
- Taylor 200 series is one of the best series in the enterprise. All the models under this series offer a big sound at a very reasonable cost. The 200 series models are smaller in size, but it doesn’t affect its popularity. So, that excellent tone quality and portability are the only reasons behind the love for Taylor 200 series.
Taylor guitars are an excellent option for beginners as well as intermediate players. A veteran music lover will love to own a Taylor acoustic guitar. Although the guitars released by the company are cheap, they are worth every single penny.
Martin
- Martin is also an American guitar company which designs top quality acoustic guitars. The company’s primary objective is to enhance the looks and the sound of an acoustic guitar.
- Martin guitars are quite innovative as they have a different look on most of their acoustic guitar models. Martin guitars fulfill the wishes of a music player who loves to play an acoustic guitar with a feeling of an electric guitar.
- Some fantastic models from the company are D-28 and D-25, which are cool guitars for the youth. Furthermore, the best part about the Martin guitars is that they are not at all expensive. Guitars from the company easily fit in every music lover’s budget.
Martin is the first company in the industry which has taken the intuitive to protect the forests. The company uses tonewoods where ever possible which results in saving wood.
Jackson
- Jackson is one of the few brands which is popular among the metal players. In the 1980’s, every metal player was holding a Jackson guitar in his hands. The tradition is still followed today. Metal players still prefer to use Jackson Guitars rather than utilizing another guitar available in the industry.
- King V, Dinky, and Soloist are the top rated model guitars from this brand. These models offer high performance and a sound quality. Because of these reasons, metal players all over the world use these models. Solid looks and dominant sound performance made these guitars perfect for the metal players.
Jackson also has a vast collection of guitars. Guitarist of any level can easily find the best Jackson guitar, which fulfills all his demands in his budget. Since Jackson is one the top brands among the metal players, Jackson is one of the top 10 brands currently available in the industry.
Gibson
- If you ever talk about the best guitar brands that existed on this planet, then you will come to know about Gibson. Gibson is one of the oldest brands and has ruled the music industry for years.
- Gibson uses a high-quality wood in their guitar which is responsible for making the tone very productive. Gibson’s guitars come in different variations which allow the music players to pick the best one that suits their style. Some of the famous electric guitars released by the company are SG and ES-335.
- Apart from these traditional models, most of the Gibson guitars are now available in Epiphone copies. The guitars manufactured by this company have high craftsmanship and will please the music player with its stunning performance.
Gibson is one of the most expensive brands in the industry which might be a severe problem for some music players. However, if you wish to get the best sound from an electric guitar, then Gibson is the perfect option for you.
Ibanez
- Ibanez is famously known for its bass guitar series but is also a renowned manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars as well. The guitars released by the company are entirely different from other brands regarding their look as the company prefers the classic over the modern look.
- Since the 1930’s, Ibanez has been offering its incredible services to the music industry. Several models released by the company are being etched in the history which describes the performance of the guitars manufactured by the company.
Ibanez guitars are perfect for the users who love vintage style. You can easily find the best vintage guitars in the Ibanez guitar collection at a very reasonable price.
Final word
These are the major eight best guitar makers in the 2018 market. All these brands designed different models with different sound capabilities which allow the music players to pick the best guitar according to their style.
So, if you are planning to buy a guitar with a vintage look and style, then you should choose the best guitar brands like Epiphone, Ibanez, Martin, and Taylor brands. For electric guitars, Gibson, Yamaha, and Fender are the best choice. Last but not the least, Jackson is the perfect brand for the metal players without any doubt.
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Melissa F. Goulet says
Great article. In my opinion, Epiphone are one of the best choices out there. I have one myself which I bought a long time ago, and still goind strong! The sound and quality is superb.
Michael N. Shaffer says
I love the Yamaha Guitars. They offer the best value at a good price. The Jasmine S35 is my favorite though.
Robin S. Lyons says
My first acoustic guitar was a Fender FA-100 slim and still today it is my go to guitar every day from practice to class ! As a pick player, the Fender beats Martin and Taylor hands down any day !
Leslie J. Brown says
Epiphone, coolest brand ever. More songs have been written on Epiphone guitars than any other. Sure! Gibson bought & attempted to hijack the Epiphone kudos, but failed, as all that happened was Epiphone became the affordable brand of the people. Gibson & Taylor are by far…so far…the least cool brands ever. I’m telling you, more songs (filled with passion & desperation & anger) have been written on Epiphone guitars than any other, by folk who can’t afford or don’t have a mummy to buy them a Fender strat or Gibson.
Willie T. Johnson says
Fender and Yamaha are so fucking overrated. I’ve played both in music shops before, and sadly for you guys, they both sucked complete balls. Ibanez and Gibson should be at the top of the list.
Jose F. Shanley says
All those fine international guitarists are wrong playing Fender, Gibson etc. in favour of Ibanez. No, you’re wrong mate. Ibanez do have good and relatively cheap guitars but they are inferior to many guitars.
Lawrence M. Rasch says
Gibson, Fender, Epiphone and Taylor, can’t even compare to the quality, sound, and playability of a Godin electric guitar! This list is pure bullshit!
Joseph D. Schreffler says
I heard Samick make the Epiphone.
1. Is this true?
2. Does that mean Gibson sold Epiphone to Samick or does Gibson own Samick?
3. I also heard that Mexican and American fender series are different brands now. I call bullshit on that but I would like to know your opinion or the actual truth behind that.
Carl S. Pollack says
Jackson and ibanez are 2 guitar companies that now have some guitars that sound good Distorted and Clean
Catherine J. Campbell says
Fender is better than Gibson in terms of variation of the guitars. You can get an assortment of different sounds from fender guitars, and they are all decent quality guitars. Gibson is always basically the same pickup configuration no matter if it’s an SG, Les Paul, or ES. Two or three humbuckers. That’s it.