How Much is An Electric Guitar? A Guide to Pricing (2022)

Table of Content

1. Entry-level Electric Guitars 
2. Mid-Level Electric Guitars
3. High-End Electric Guitars
4. Used Electric Guitars 
5. What Influences Electric Guitar Prices?
6. Related Questions

Entry-level Electric Guitars 

Beginner guitarists frequently pick entry-level electric guitars as their first electric guitars. They are affordable electric guitars and are usually produced in far eastern or southeast Asian nations such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Korea. They are mass-produced basic guitars made from low-cost components.

Many prominent electric guitar companies, such as Fender’s Squier and Gibson’s Epiphone, have side branches that sell novice beginner electric guitar kits. These manufacturers provide legendary versions created in several nations with more simple designs and less costly materials.

Source: pexels

That allows many music fans to buy a low-cost electric guitar, get acclimated to the design, determine whether playing guitar is for them, and then upgrade to a better version later.

Here are some examples of entry-level guitars. You can view the region of manufacture and check the guitar price on Amazon by clicking on the link:

Brand	Region of Manufacture	Price
Ibanez GIO GRX20Z	USA	Button: View on Amazon
Jackson Dinky JS12	China	Button: View on Amazon
Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012DLX	Philippines	Button: View on Amazon
Mitchell MD200	China	Button: View on Amazon
Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster	India	Button: View on Amazon
Epiphone Les Paul Studio	Philippines	Button: View on Amazon

Mid-Level Electric Guitars

Intermediate guitars are higher-quality instruments that are mass-produced yet have superior hardware and materials to starter guitars. They usually range in price from $400 to $1000 and are excellent alternatives for seasoned starting players looking to update their instruments.

Compared to entry-level guitars, intermediate guitars often have higher quality tonewoods, pickups, hardware, and electronics. As a result of the updated pickup and electronics system, mid-level guitars provide more comfortable playing and outstanding sound quality.

Most guitarists acquire them as their second instrument on their path to mastering the instrument. They are manufactured in several nations. In addition to China, Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam, Japan and Mexico produce the majority of intermediate-level electric guitars. A few products are also totally manufactured in the United States of America.

Fender Player Series, Ibanez RG Series, and PRS SE Series are three outstanding options for electric guitar model series at the intermediate level. You can see more options and view electric guitar price on amazon in our table summary:

Brand	Region of Manufacture	Price
Ibanez Standard RGA42FM	Asia	Button: View on Amazon
Gretsch G2420T Streamliner	USA	Button: View on Amazon
Epiphone SG Special	China	Button: View on Amazon
Yamaha Revstar	USA	Button: View on Amazon
PRS Guitars 6 String SE	USA	Button: View on Amazon
Tagima TLP Les Paul EG-535	Philippines	Button: View on Amazon
Squier by Fender Vintage Modified	Philippines	Button: View on Amazon

High-End Electric Guitars

High-end electric guitars often cost more than $1000. They are professional guitars for folks who perform regularly or create professional-quality recordings. They are partially or entirely handcrafted guitars with meticulous attention to detail.

Professional electric guitars are workhorses that can be used at a high level in the studio or on stage daily. They have superior tonewoods, pickups, hardware, and electronics for exceptional playability and sound.

Of course, at this stage, guitarists decide on their tone, playing style, and what they want from their instruments. As a result, most professional guitars take a position in the range of techniques and playing styles.

Assume that some guitars are more suited to powerful metal tones and more aggressive playing methods such as shredding, while others are better suited to more mellow blues and jazz tones and softer playing styles.

Most high-end guitars, especially those priced above $2500, are handcrafted instruments created in the United States of America. The price of guitar with the designation “manufactured in the USA,” such as most professional Fenders, Gibsons, and others, rises dramatically. However, these guitars retain their worth better than other brands.

While most guitars in the mid-level segment are more than enough for most guitarists, if you make your living by playing guitar, you will need one of the professional guitars for optimal performance.

Ibanez Prestige Range, Fender American Professional II Series, Gibson SG, and Les Paul Series are excellent examples of professional guitar model series.

Brand	Region of Manufacture	Price
Ibanez Prestige RG5121	India	Button: View on Amazon
Fender American Professional II Telecaster	USA	Button: View on Amazon
Gibson Les Paul Standard	USA	Button: View on Amazon
Fender Stratocaster Standard	Philippines	Button: View on Amazon
Fender American Ultra	USA	Button: View on Amazon

Used Electric Guitars 

With the growth of technology and the online world, the used guitar industry is growing today. Many fantastic deals can be found on sites like Reverb, eBay, and others, which is ideal for many artists who do not want to spend much money on a new guitar.

Depending on the condition, a used electric guitar might cost 20% to 40% less than a new one of the same model. Another advantage is that most media-to-high-quality guitars do not lose value over time, so you may sell the used guitar you bought for the same or even more fantastic price.

What Influences Electric Guitar Prices?

As previously stated, high-end and low-end electric guitars have a substantial price difference. This is due to several factors influencing the price of an electric guitar, including the site of manufacture, wood quality, hardware quality, and brand reliability. Examine all of the different guitar parts to understand better how an electric guitar is built.

• Production Site

The nation of manufacture is crucial since it reveals the level of detail and the techniques utilized in the manufacturing process. Entry-level guitars are mostly mass-produced in China or neighboring countries, and the quality control and attention to the point are nothing like those found in the United States.

Furthermore, because salaries in nations such as the United States, Japan, and Europe are much higher, the production price rises naturally.

• Wood Quality

Although tonewood selection is not as crucial in electric guitars as in acoustic guitars, it does play a part in improving tonal quality. As a result, higher-end guitars tend to feature rarer or higher-quality wood varieties, which is reflected in the price. The wood type and how the wood is handled are crucial in guitars.

• Hardware Quality

Regarding electric guitars, hardware quality is almost as crucial as tonewood quality. Pickups are an essential part of the instrument’s tonal quality. It also contains the tuners, which are responsible for tuning stability, the bridge, which is accountable for tremolo movement, and the electronics, which are responsible for tonal diversity.

• Brand Reliability

Brand dependability, like any other item on the market, dramatically raises the price. For example, legendary electric guitar companies such as Fender, Gibson, and Suhr are recognized for producing great instruments with incredible attention to detail and distinctive designs. As a result, the prices of these manufacturers’ instruments are greater than those of other brands with comparable material quality and manufacturing locations.

How Much Should You Spend on an Electric Guitar?

If you wish to play electric guitar, you need at least $500 to invest in the electric guitar and the essential equipment. Excellent electric guitar bundles are available that include all or some of the required equipment to get started.

An entry-level guitar will cost you between $100 and $400. You’ll also need an amplifier, which costs between $20 and $200. You will also need a protective case for your instrument.

Fabric bags range in price from $15 to $90, with higher-quality purses costing up to $300. If you require a hard case, they are slightly more expensive, with costs ranging from $50 to $100 for an ordinary one and $300 to $400 for higher-end ones.

 

Source: Amazon

You’ll also need guitar picks, a guitar strap, a guitar tuner, and extra strings, which will set you back an additional $50. As a result, the minimum price to complete the set is roughly $500. For the price range, various packages include entry-level guitars.

Related Questions

What is the average price of a guitar?

The average guitar price in the United States grew from 2005 to 2020 before reducing somewhat in 2021. In 2021, the average cost of a guitar was 606 US dollars, barely three dollars less than the previous year.

Are electric guitars worthwhile?

Electric guitars are simpler to play. The strings are lighter and comfier than acoustic guitars. One significant feature that makes electric guitars popular is that they are much smaller than acoustic guitars, which makes learning more comfortable.

How much does a beginner electric guitar cost?

A budget electric guitar for beginners ranges in price from $100 to $400: More alternatives become available as the price rises. This is the most expensive option for a beginning. Typically, guitars in this price range are upgraded to less costly models.

In summary, electric guitar prices range from as low as $100 to several thousand dollars for professional instruments. On average, entry-level electric guitars cost approximately $300, typical mid-level models cost around $750, and higher-end ones cost more than $1000.

There is also the cost of other essential gear, such as an amp, protective case, picks, cables, straps, tuner, and extra strings. For starters, we recommend looking at packages that include everything you need, including the instrument. You can find the latest review about the best cheap electric guitar for beginners.