Best electric guitar brands

List of the best electric guitar brands, traditional and modern brands, and the best ones for beginners: Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, PRS, Squier, Epiphone and more.

What are the best electric guitar brands?

We will try to cover all aspects to be able to choose the best electric guitars brands. Criteria such as history, tradition, quality, variety of offer, price-quality ratio, are the selection criteria for this list. Thus, as there are historical brands such as Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, and other more modern but very famous brands such as PRS, Charvel, Jackson and ESP. We will tell you which are the best electric guitar brands for each type of guitar player, according to their level: beginner, intermediate or advanced and according to their musical style: Rock, Blues, Jazz, Heavy, etc.

Which electric guitar brand is the best?

Every guitar player has their favorite electric guitar brand, it is a very personal choice. This is because different electric guitar brands have different goals, styles, and philosophies. Thus, if you are looking for modern audios, PRS, Jackson, Ibanez, Charvel, ESP, among others, will be the best guitar brands. On the other hand, if you are looking for classic, vintage sounds, the best guitar brands will be Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Rickenbacker among others.

Below we detail characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and some curiosities that will surprise you about each of the guitar brands.

List of the best electric guitar brands

• Fender
• Gibson
• Rickenbacker
• Ibanez
• Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
• Gretsch
• Squier
• Epiphone
• Yamaha
• G&L
• Jackson
• ESP / LTD

Fender: The Most Popular Electric Guitar Brand

Fender is the world’s largest and most famous electric guitar maker. The main model of this electric guitar brand is the Stratocaster, for many guitarrist the best guitar in history. In fact, the Stratocaster is the best-selling guitar of all time, and the most copied by other manufacturers.

In addition, company founder Leo Fender was the one who invented the first mass-produced solid body electric guitar: the Esquire – Telecaster which was released in 1950.

Characteristics of Fender brand electric guitars

Fender electric guitars are characterized by having a well defined bright tone thanks to their maple necks and single coil pickups.

What famous guitarists use or used Fender brand guitars?

It’s hard to find famous historical guitarists who haven’t ever used a Fender guitar. Some important guitarists who used Fender are:

• George Harrison (Beatles)
• Eric Clapton
• Jimi Hendrix
• Stevie Ray Vaughan
• Frank Zappa
• John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
• Brian May (Queen)
• Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
• Yngwie Malmsteen
• David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
• Joe Bonamassa
• John Mayer

Fun fact: The only guitar Brian May used other than his Red Special to record was a Fender Telecaster on “Crazzy Little Thing Called Love.”

Where are Fender brand electric guitars made?

Fender has several factories, the main ones being the Corona plant in the United States and the Ensenada plant in Mexico. But it also has factories in Japan, China and Indonesia. In the last two, the electric guitars of its second brand are manufactured: Squier.

High-end guitars are made in the United States, mid-range electric guitars in Mexico and Japan, and low-end guitars in Indonesia and China.

How much do Fender guitars cost?

Fender has several ranges and all types of models, so that they reach a large number of market niches. The high ranges have an average price of between $ 1,250 and $ 2,000. They also have a Custom Shop that makes special guitars to order, which usually cost more than $ 5,000.

The intermediate range of guitars made in Mexico and Japan usually have values ​​between $ 800 and $ 1,200. Finally, you can get guitars with values ​​under $ 700 that are still Fender brand made in China.

They also have very cheap guitars with their Squier brand with values ​​between $ 190 and $ 500. But we will talk about this brand below.

Fender Take: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Fender brand electric guitars are the most popular in the world, and that can only be because of a reason: their excellent quality, price, and tone. You can hear a Fender guitar on almost every old Rock and Blues record. However, it must be clarified that the Fender guitars shine in classic styles such as Blues, Rock, Jazz, Funk, among others. However, Fender was never able to make a foothold in the more modern and tough styles like Metal and Hard Rock. While there are major exponents like Malmsteen, Fender is not strong on heavy styles with a lot of distortion.

Official site of the Fender brand.

Gibson: The Most Traditional Electric Guitar Brand

Gibson is one of the oldest guitar manufacturers, founded in 1902. The brand’s first solid body electric guitar was the Gibson Les Paul, released in 1952, two years after the Fender Telecaster. The launch was a response to the Telecaster, as jazz guitarist Les Paul had proposed years earlier to build a solid-body guitar and Gibson management rejected it.

In the late 1960s, the Les Paul guitar was replaced by the SG, the Gibson brand’s best-selling model. The Les Paul is again manufactured in 1968, since then, it is the emblematic electric guitar of the Gibson brand.

Thus, Gibson is the rival of Fender. Together they are the most important and traditional electric guitar brands.

Fun fact: The Gibson SG is Gibson’s best-selling guitar model. Initially it was launched under the name “Les Paul”, and was presented as the evolution of this, in the late 1960s. Later, the contract with Les Paul would be dropped for which they had to change the name and it was called “SG” for “Solid Guitar”.

Features of Gibson brand electric guitars

Gibson electric guitars are characterized by having a warm and thick tone, thanks to the mahogany and the humbucker pickups. In this way, the brand’s guitars have a very different tone from that of Fender guitars.

What famous guitarists use or used Gibson brand guitars?

The list of famous guitarists who played Gibson brand guitars is extensive. Some recognized guitar players who used Gibson guitars are:

• George Harrison (Beatles)
• Eric Clapton
• Slash (Guns ‘n Roses)
• Angus Young (AC / DC)
• Tommy Iommi (Black Sabbath)
• BB King
• Jimi Hendrix
• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
• Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
• Zakk Wylde
• Chuck Berry
• Stevie Ray Vaughan
• Frank Zappa
• Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
• David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
• Joe Bonamassa

Where are Gibson brand electric guitars made?

Gibson has three factories in the United States. At the Nashville and Memphis plants it makes its electric guitars, while in Bozeman, Montana, Gibson makes its acoustic guitars.

But it also has factories in China, where its second brand Epiphone electric guitars are manufactured. But we will talk about this brand below.

How much do Gibson guitars cost?

Gibson has several levels of guitar to cover the various price ranges. The high-end guitars have an average price of between $ 2,500 and $ 4,000. Also, they have a Custom Shop that makes special guitars, which usually cost more than $ 5,000.

Intermediate ranges typically have values ​​between $ 1,000 and $ 1,500. Finally, you can get guitars with values ​​under $ 900. They also have very cheap guitars with their Epiphone brand with values ​​between $ 150 and $ 500.

Gibson’s Take: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Gibson guitars are the most popular in the world after Fender. You can hear Les Paul, SG, and ES-335 guitars on stacks of vintage and contemporary records.

Gibson brand electric guitars shine in classic styles like Blues, Rock and Jazz among others. They also have many followers of tough styles like the Hardrock. However, like the Fender it is not a widely used guitar for more modern and hard styles such as Metal. While there are major exponents like Zakk Wylde, Gibson is not strong on heavy styles with a lot of distortion.

Official site of the Gibson brand.

Rickenbacker: The Pioneering Electric Guitar Brand

Rickenbacker is one of the pioneering electric guitar brands and one that has been part of the history of modern music. Although there are countless musicians who used them and continue to use them, due to their high prices they are not very popular guitars. Furthermore, the factory has remained the same since its inception. Thus, its production remains relatively limited. All this causes that they are not considered by the common musician.

Characteristics of Rickenbacker brand electric guitars

The Rickenbacker brand is characterized by having electric guitars with a bright tone. Also, because they have a short scale, they have less bass frequencies than other electric guitar brands. Also, its short scale makes it difficult to play on high frets. The Rickenbacker brand models have 12-string versions. For this last two points, it is often said that it is a guitar for rhythm guitar player and not for lead guitarists.

They are excellent electric guitars for classic styles such as 60’s Rock, Pop, Surf Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic Pop, New Wave and Jangle Pop.

What famous guitarists use or used Rickenbacker brand guitars?

The list of famous musicians who use or used Rickenbacker brand guitars:

• George Harrison (Beatles)
• John Lennon (Beatles)
• Pete Townshend (The Who)
• Per Gessle (Roxette)
• Carl Wilson (Beach Boys)
• Hilton Valentine (Animals)
• John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
• Roger McGuinn (Byrds)
• Tom Petty (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
• Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane)
• Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
• Peter Buck (R.E.M.)

Where are Rickenbacker brand electric guitars made?

Rickenbacker manufactures all of its instruments at its historic plant in Santa Ana, USA.

How much do Rickenbacker guitars cost?

Rickenbacker electric guitars are expensive guitars with values ​​ranging from $ 2,000 to $ 4,000. At the same time they do not have cheap versions.

Rickenbacker Take: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Rickenbacker guitars are one of the most traditional guitars. You can hear them on various classic and contemporary albums.

Rickenbacker brand electric guitars are quite expensive, and they don’t have an inexpensive line. Also, the brand has never tried to grow, and remains a small factory with a limited number of guitars and basses produced per year. Added to this, they also have a particular, bright and a thin tone. Also, the guitars are short 25-inches scale, which makes playing on the high frets difficult. For the latter, it is often considered a rhythm guitar. Thus, Rickenbacker brand guitars are niche instruments, reserved for fans of the brand or for those who have many guitars, and want to add a different sound to their guitar collection.

Official site of the Gibson brand.

Ibanez: The Superstrat Guitar Brand

Ibanez is one of the most popular manufacturers, thanks to its excellent guitars. Although it was established in 1957, it does not have the tradition of Fender and Gibson. In fact, his first solid body electric guitars in the mid-1960s were copies of the Fender and Gibson instruments. After the Lawsuit, a demand made by Gibson and Fender, they began to manufacture their own models, highlighting the AR300 from the Artist series, the MC500 from the Musician series, among others.

Starting in the 80’s, Ibanez focused on modern Superstrat style guitars, and made contracts with many modern guitarists such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, among others. Although the company still continues to build his own guitar models with the classic imprint of Fender and Gibson guitars; today Ibanez is famous for his Superstrat guitars.

Curiosity: The name Ibanez comes from Salvador Ibañez, a Spanish luthier, who exported guitars to Japan in the early 1900s. From the 30’s, the Japanese market was out of supply. Thus, the guitar importer decided to found Ibanez, without the “ñ” since it does not exist in Japanese, and to manufacture and market its own guitars.

Characteristics of Ibanez brand electric guitars

The Japanese brand Ibanez is mainly known for its Superstrat type electric guitars. These are characterized by their thin and fast necks, Floyd Rose floating bridges, powerful guitar pickups, 24 fret fingerboards and deeper horns for better access to the high notes. It also has more classic guitars such as the AR and AS lines, among others.

Although it has high-end instruments normally identified with the word “Prestige”, and models such as the “Signature” by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. The Ibanez brand line of electric guitars has a strong focus on mid-range and low-end guitars.

What famous guitarists use or used Ibanez brand guitars?

The list of famous guitarists who used Ibanez brand guitars:

• Steve Vai
• Joe Satriani
• Paul Gilbert
• Phil Collen (Def Leppard)
• Paul Stanley (Kiss)
• John Petrucci (Dream Theater)
• Pat Metheny
• John Scofield

Where are Ibanez brand electric guitars made?

Ibanez has all of its electric guitar production in Asia. High-end electric guitars are made in Japan, while mid-range and low-end guitars are made in China.

How much do Ibanez guitars cost?

Ibanez has several ranges to cover the various price ranges. The high-end guitars have an average price of between $ 1,500 and $ 3,000. Intermediate ranges typically have values ​​between $ 600 and $ 1,400. Finally, Ibanez has very cheap guitars priced between $ 150 and $ 500.

Ibanez Review: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Ibanez is a benchmark brand for Superstrat electric guitars. This is not only due to the large number of guitarrist that use their musical instruments; It is also due to the excellent quality and reasonable prices of the electric guitar brand.

Ibanez brand electric guitars have an excellent value for money, standing out in modern styles that use a lot of distortion. Although you can also find excellent guitars with classic tones such as the AR and AS series, excellent for classic styles such as Rock, Blues, Jazz and more.

Official site of the Ibanez brand.

Paul Reed Smith (PRS): Quality and Extravagance

PRS is one of the newer electric guitar brands. Founded in 1985 by luthier Paul Reed Smith. In the beginning, PRS focused on high-end guitars, with extraordinary quality and with flamed maple tops and extravagant colors. In 2001, PRS launched a line of cheap guitars made in Asia called SE which stands for Student Edition. Two years later, in 2003 the company launched the S2 line, a line of mid-range guitars, built in the United States with electronics and hardware made in Korea.

Curiosity: PRS has a model named McCarty, who was Gibson’s most important General Manager. Virtually all popular Gibson models were released under Ted’s leadership. However, PRS was the only manufacturer to pay tribute to one of the biggest players in the electric guitar industry.

Characteristics of PRS brand electric guitars

The Paul Reed Smith brand is primarily known for the superlative quality and flamboyance of its electric guitars. Thus, it is not surprising that they are extremely expensive guitars. They are modern guitars with excellent design. While at first glance they may seem like the middle ground between Fender and Gibson, the PRS brand has its own personality. They are guitars designed to be versatile and achieve all types of audio.

What famous guitarists use or used PRS brand guitars?

The list of famous guitarists who use or used PRS brand guitars:

• Carlos Santana
• John Mayer
• Alex Lifeson (Rush)
• David grissom
• Dustie Waring
• Gary Grainger
• Mark Holcomb (Periphery)
• Mark Tremonti

Where are PRS brand electric guitars made?

PRS has its factory in Maryland, United States, where it manufactures its Core line and the S2. The SE line is manufactured in Korea and Indonesia at Cort plants.

How much do PRS guitars cost?

Paul Reed Smith has several ranges to cover the various price ranges. Electric guitars in the Core line are priced between $ 2,300 and $ 6,600. They also have the Private Stock range that are guitars made with exclusive woods, these instruments are usually worth more than $ 12,000.

S2 mid-range guitars are typically priced between $ 1,400 and $ 1,900. Finally, they have cheap guitars, or not so expensive at least, which are the low line SE made in Asia with values ​​between $ 650 and $ 1,200.

PRS Opinion: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

PRS is one of the newest guitar brands that has earned its popularity and prestige through incredible quality and extravagant guitars. While they are guitars with their own personality, their tone is somewhere between Fender and Gibson, with modern audio.

They really are excellent guitars, that although they are not cheap, they are worth every penny of their price. If you are a beginner a PRS SE can be a great instrument. If you are intermediate or advanced player but cannot afford the more than $ 2,300 that PRS Core guitars cost, the S2 are excellent options that do not save on build quality. Although perhaps, if you are very demanding you may need to change the pickups on your S2 guitar, but they really are excellent instruments.

Gretsch: The brand of Rockabilly

Gretsch is another of the historic electric guitar brands. Perhaps not as well known as those named above, but that does not mean it is less important. In fact, Gretsch has an exceptional story and the ‘Gretsch Sound’.

Thus, Gretsch has its own personality, a classic percussive tone with defined and bright tone, and rich in all frequencies. The most popular models are the solid body Duo Jet, and the hollow body 6120.

Characteristics of Gretsch brand electric guitars

Gretsch is one of the most traditional electric guitar brands. It is characterized by an open, bright and percussive tone. They are excellent electric guitars for classic styles like Rock ‘n Roll, Rockabilly and also for Hardrock.

What famous guitarists use or used Gretsch brand guitars?

The list of famous musicians who use or used Gretsch brand guitars:

• Chet Atkins
• Brian Setzer
• George Harrison (Beatles)
• Tim Armstrong (Rancid, Operation Ivy, Dance Hall Crashers y The Transplants)
• Bonus (U2)
• Malcolm Young (AC / DC)
• Bo Didley
• Tom Peterson (Cheap Trick)
• Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)

Where are Gretsch brand electric guitars made?

Gretsch manufactures its high-end instruments in Japan. While it has a mid-range guitar called Electromatic that is made in Korea. Finally, Streamliner low-end guitars are built in Indonesia.

How much do Gretsch guitars cost?

High-end Gretsch electric guitars made in Japan are priced between $ 2,300 and $ 4,000. Electromatic mid-range guitars are priced between $ 550 and $ 1,400. Finally, the Streamliner low line is priced between $ 300 and $ 650.

Gretsch’s Take: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Gretsch is a brand with a lot of history, with its own personality. They are excellent instruments, but they are not characterized by being the most versatile. Thus, like Rickenbacker guitars, the great virtues of Gretsch instruments are their quality and personality. Perhaps their disadvantage lies in the other side of their great personality, and that is that they sound particular, therefore, they are not for everyone.

Squier: Fender’s second brand brand

Fender is the largest electric guitar manufacturer in the world, and has a second brand, Squier. The Squier brand was initially a guitar string company bought by Fender in 1965. Fender started reusing it for their Japanese guitars in the early 1980s. Fender decided to use Squier brand for low-end guitars in 1985. Thus, over the years Squier has gained importance and a great variety of models, offering entry-level guitars to low-mid-range models, very similar to the Fender Mexico ones.

Characteristics of Squier brand electric guitars

Squier electric guitars feature Fender’s bright, well-defined tone thanks to their maple necks and single coil pickups, but at much lower prices.

Where are Fender brand electric guitars made?

Squier brand guitars are currently built in China and Indonesia. Also, you can find Squier guitars made in Japan, Korea, and India.

How much do Squier guitars cost?

Squier has very cheap guitars with values ​​between $ 190 and $ 500.

Our opinion about Squier: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Squier guitars are very popular as they are Fender’s second brand. The Squier guitars shine in classic styles such as Blues, Rock, Jazz, Funk, among others. Squier has great inexpensive guitar models for beginning guitarists just starting out. Also, the more expensive models of the brand, such as the Classic Vibe, are a very good option for intermediate or advanced guitar players with a limited budget.

Curiosity: There is a great reputation for the exceptional quality of the early years of the Squier guitars. This is because in the first two years, the Company labeled with the Squier brand, Fender guitars made in Japan that were exported to Europe. Read our article if you want to know more about Squier’s history.

Epiphone: Gibson’s second brand brand

Epiphone is known to be Gibson’s second brand, but it is actually one of the oldest instrument manufacturers, which was initially a direct competitor to Gibson. In 1957, Gibson bought it and initially used it to sell instruments outside of its network of exclusive distributors. Then, years later, in the 80’s they change the strategy and they begin to build low-end versions of the Gibson models, aimed at beginners.

In recent years, Gibson has bet on the growth of Epiphone by returning to manufacture medium and high ranges in the United States. However, these are generally one notch down from Gibsons.

Curiosity: During Epiphone’s early years under Gibson’s ownership, Epi instruments were built in Gibson’s very own plant, using the same woods and materials. Thus, the Epiphone Casino famous for having been used by the Beatles, were a guitar manufactured by Gibson under the Epiphone brand.

Characteristics of Epiphone brand electric guitars

Epiphone electric guitars, like Gibsons, are characterized by a warm and thick tone, thanks to mahogany and humbucker pickups. In this way, Epiphone guitars have a very different tone than Fender / Squier brand guitars.

What famous guitarists use or used Epiphone brand guitars?

The list of famous musicians who used Epiphone brand guitars made before it became a low-end brand is very long:

• George Harrison (Beatles)
• John Lennon (Beatles)
• Paul McCartney (Beatles)
• John Mayer
• Thom Yorke
• The Edge (U2)
• Al Caiola
• Harry Volpe
• The Paul
• Gary Clark Jr.
• Noel Gallagher (Oasis)

Where are Epiphone brand electric guitars made?

Epiphone has factories in Japan, the United States, and China. In Japan and the United States, medium-high range guitars are manufactured. The brand’s low-end guitars are made in China. Also, you can find Epiphone guitars built in Korea and other Asian countries. This is because Epiphone typically outsources the manufacture of its instruments to other manufacturers such as Cort and Samick.

How much do Epiphone guitars cost?

Epiphone guitars typically have values ​​between $ 159 and $ 950. They also have American-made guitars like the Epiphone USA Casino P90 that costs $ 3,000.

Our opinion about Epiphone: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Epiphone guitars are popular as they are Gibson’s second brand. Epiphone brand electric guitars shine in classic styles like Blues, Rock and Jazz among others. They also have many followers of tough styles like the Hardrock. However, like the Fender / Squier it is not a widely used guitar more modern and hard styles such as Metal.

Yamaha: the brand of Japanese excellence

Yamaha is a brand that does everything, and it does everything well, including its electric guitars. The Japanese company began making electric guitars in the mid-1960s. Like most Japanese manufacturers, it started with knockoffs of Fender and Gibson brand guitars. However, over time the compañy developed his own models. The most popular electric guitar model of the brand is the Yamaha Pacifica.

The Yamaha Pacifica is a guitar that’s hard to beat when it comes to value for money. Based on the Fender Stratocaster, the Pacifica has its own character, combining classic with modern audios, giving great versatility.

The Yamaha SG is a classic for fans of the brand. It is a guitar similar to a Les Paul, but shaped similar to the SG.

Features of Yamaha brand electric guitars

The Yamaha brand is primarily known for its quality at reasonable prices. The Yamaha Pacifica is the brand’s best-selling model. They are excellent Stratocaster-like guitars, with different pickup configurations that pretty much span any genre and price ranges. It also has the SG, SA, AES and Revstar line, which are Gibson style guitars.

What famous guitarists use or used Yamaha brand guitars?

Yamaha is not a brand that has agreements with great guitarists. Thus, the list of guitarists who used Yamaha brand guitars is limited:

• Carlos Santana
• Mike Stern
• Vivian Campbell
• Johnny Marr
• John Frusciante

Where are Yamaha brand electric guitars made?

Yamaha has all of its electric guitar production in Asia. High-end electric guitars are made in Japan, while mid-range and low-end guitars are made in China and other Asian countries.

How much do Yamaha guitars cost?

Yamaha’s mid-range guitars typically have values ​​between $ 600 and $ 900. While the brand’s cheap electric guitars are priced between $ 200 and $ 500. Finally, high-end guitars cost around $ 2,000.

Our opinion about Yamaha: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Yamaha does everything right, and the brand’s electric guitars are no exception. It’s hard to find something wrong with Yamaha. Perhaps the most negative aspect is that they do not invest too much in advertising, which is part of the secret of their excellent prices. But this can be a problem when selling your Yamaha guitar.

If you are looking for both Fender or Gibson style guitars at a low price, both the Yamaha Pacifica and the Revstar and SA, will give you everything you need at an excellent price.

G&L: Leo Fender’s Other Legacy

G&L was the last company Leo Fender founded in 1980. The brand G&L means for George (Fullerton) & Leo (Fender). As you would expect, the brand’s line of electric guitars is in line with those of Fender, although not being tied to tradition, they have innovations and have a more modern approach. An example of this is the MFD pickups, which allow you to adjust the pickup output for each individual string. Additionally, MFDs are quieter and have a wider frequency response than traditional singlecoils, resulting in a warm yet clear sound.

The most popular electric guitars from the G&L brand are ASAT, Legacy, Comanche, Invader, and Fallout.

Characteristics of G&L brand electric guitars

The G&L brand primarily known not only for being founded by Fender himself, but also for its quality and innovation at reasonable prices. They are excellent guitars similar to the Strat, Telecaster, and other Fender models, but with their own personality and enhancements.

What famous guitarists play or played G&L brand guitars?

The list of guitarists who play G&L brand guitars is not very extensive. It’s actually a relatively new brand and doesn’t invest as much in advertising and artist deals as the bigger electric guitar brands:

• Jerry Cantrell
• Elliot Easton (The Cars)
• Peter Frampton
• Guitar Shorty
• Jonathan Cain (Journey)
• Laurence Juber

Where are G&L brand electric guitars made?

G&L manufactures its high-end guitars in Fullerton, United States, while Tribute low-end and mid-range guitars are built in Indonesia.

How much do G&L guitars cost?

G&L its low and mid-range Tribute guitars ranging from $ 450 to $ 700. The high-end guitars cost from $ 1,400 to $ 2,000. In turn, it has a Custom Shop that makes guitars that cost more than USD 3,000.

G&L Opinion: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

G&L is a great company with all the innovative spirit of Leo Fender. Thus, these guitars have clear and defined tones, and a philosophy of continuous improvement. They do not have the popularity of the Fender, which can be a problem when you want to sell your instrument. However, you will find unique and evolved tones from Leo Fender instruments.

Jackson: The Heavy Metal Guitar Brand

Jackson is a company founded in 1980 that has been dedicated to Superstrat guitars from the beginning. This electric guitar brand is great for metal guitarists. The most popular models of this electric guitar brand are the Soloist, Dinky, Kelly and King V.

In 2002, Fender is the owner of Jackson and its headquarters are in Arizona, United States. 

Characteristics of Jackson brand electric guitars

The American brand is one of the most important manufacturers of Superstrat style electric guitars. The brand has models of high, medium and low-end guitars. It stands out for its great price-quality ratio.

Like Ibanez guitars, Jacksons stand out for their fast necks: slim, with easy-access frets, and low action. Also, they feature Floyd Rose floating bridges, powerful guitar pickups, 24 fret fingerboards, and deeper horns for better access to the high notes.

In addition, it has relatively low prices in relation to its high quality.

What famous guitarists play or played Jackson brand guitars?

The list of guitarists who play or played Jackson brand electric guitars:

• Randy Rhoads
• Mick Thomson (Slipknot)
• Scott Ian (Anthrax)
• Marty Friedman
• Phil Demmel (Machine Head)
• Phil Cohen (Def Leppard)
• Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
• David Ellefson (Megadeth)
• Andreas Kisser (Sepultura)
• Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit)

Where are Jackson brand electric guitars made?

Jackson manufactures its high-end and premium guitars at its plant in the United States. The mid-range guitars, in Japan, while the low-end and mid-low range guitars are built in Indonesia and China.

How much do Jackson guitars cost?

Jackson has excellent quality low-end guitars with unbeatable prices ranging from $ 150 – $ 650. Mid and upper range electric guitars have values ​​ranging from $ 700 to $ 2,300. It also has a Premium series with values ​​up to $ 5,300.

Jackson’s Take: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

Jackson is an extraordinary brand of metal electric guitars. There are many fans of the brand, and usually that happens for only one reason: great products with good prices. If you want to play heavy musical styles, the Jackson is certainly one of the best electric guitar brands.

ESP / LTD: The extravagant brand of metal

ESP and its second brand LTD are very popular electric guitars in the heavier styles. The company is of Japanese origin founded in 1975. ESP stands for Electric Sound Products. The brand has Superstrat guitars and its own versions of Gibson electric guitar models. Thus, the Eclipse is similar to the Les Paul, the Viper is similar to the SG.

The brand became popular thanks to George Lynch of Dokken and Kirk Hammett of Metallica in the mid-1980s.

Curiosity: ESP was a small manufacturer of boutique replacement parts for guitars and basses.

Characteristics of ESP brand electric guitars

ESP guitars are refined instruments specialized in heavy music styles. It has a wide variety of models for different heavy music styles. However, it has also branched out and released Telecaster-type guitars like the Ron Wood Signature to play classic Rock. Thus, ESP is a brand with modern electric guitars that stand out in the Heavy Metal genres, but also has guitars for classic music styles.

What famous guitarists play or played ESP brand guitars?

The list of guitarists who use ESP brand guitars:

• George Lynch (Dokken)
• Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
• James Hetfield (Metallica)
• Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
• Ron Wood (Rolling Stones)
• Dan Jacobs (Atreyu)
• Neil Westfall (A Day To Remember)

Where are ESP / LTD brand electric guitars made?

ESP manufactures its high-end and premium guitars in its plants in the United States and Japan. Low-end LTD guitars are built in Korea and Indonesia: LTD’s 400 Series are made in Korea, while the lower series are made in Indonesia.

How much do ESP / LTD guitars cost?

LTD has excellent quality low and mid range guitars ranging from $ 450 – $ 1,700. On the other hand, ESP electric guitars are high end and premium guitars with prices ranging from $ 1,800 to $ 9,000.

ESP / LTD Opinion: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Brand

ESP / LTD is an extraordinary electric guitar brand for heavy music styles. They feature sober instruments like Jackson’s and extravagant like PRS’s, with flamed tops and unique colors. They are not cheap instruments, but they are of extraordinary quality.

Other electric guitar brands

So far we have seen the best and most popular electric guitar brands. But the world of guitars doesn’t end with these brands. Also, there are great beginner or niche brands.

Among important brands for beginners you can find Cort, Samick, SX, Classic, among others. Cort and Samick are two very important Asian companies that not only build their own brand guitars, but also make guitars for the most popular brands. For example, Cort makes the SE line for PRS and has also made Ibanez and Squier guitars.

On the other hand, you can find more brands that are targeting niches, or not so popular. Among these electric guitar brands we can find BC Rich, Charvel, Danelectro, Dean, Duesenberg, EVH, Fano, Godin, Kiesel, Kramer, Musicman, Reverend, Schecter, Suhr, Tom Anderson, Washburn, among others.

Have we forgotten any?

This is our selection of the best electric guitar brands. Do you agree? Would you add or remove any brand? Leave us your opinion below in the comments.