Strap yourself in because this question is in the Top 10 of guitarist’s most heated debates! And for good reason: It is here that people’s views on money, value, and disposable income clash in a heated exchange of opinions, web rumors, and hearsay. To answer the question, we need to take a step back and be as calm and objective as we can (I know this is difficult!). We won’t discuss the most expensive acoustic or electric guitars, guitars, or the cheapest; that’s a huge range and there are obvious differences. Also, at the very high end of the most expensive guitars lies the appeal of status, rarity, and excessive ornamentation and rare tonewoods. The real discussion is in the midrange, where you spend enough to get quality materials and construction, but there are still significant differences in price, even among the same manufacturer.
Guitar Price vs. Value
First, let’s acknowledge the difference between price and value, because they are not the same. An inexpensive guitar can be a great value, while an expensive guitar can simply be expensive. However, that does not mean that expensive guitars cannot offer good value; everything is relative to the available alternatives. For example, if you covet a vintage Fender Nocaster, but don’t have $60,000 to spend, you’ll most likely feel that dropping $5k on a Fender Custom Shop reproduction is a pretty darned good value.
Quite often, I hear people say “why would I ever spend $2000 on a Fender American Vintage II Stratocaster? After all, I can get a perfectly serviceable guitar for $400.” And they’re not wrong, if they value price above all else. But to say there is no difference is another statement altogether.
Sound is Only One Factor
One of the mistakes people make when they compare expensive and inexpensive guitars is that they focus on only one or two attributes. To understand the quality of a guitar, you have to evaluate it holistically. A guitar should be evaluated on a combination of the following:
- Playability
- Appearance
- Sound
- Workmanship
However, I often see guitar reviews that gloss over two or three of these, instead focusing on how great the paint looks. In the video below, Paul Davids compares Martin and Orangewood Dreadnaughts. He primarily discusses the tone differences, which he refers to as “subtle”.
Whether it is truly subtle is debatable, but I would have liked to see him do a deeper inspection into the construction and component quality. In all fairness, he does conclude that the Martin is better, but he doesn’t discuss attributes other than the tone.
$1500 vs $5000: Why Are Guitars so Expensive (or not)?
So what’s the difference between an expensive and an inexpensive version of the same guitar? It’s a combination of factors. A guitar’s total quality is the sum of its wood quality, component quality, and workmanship. Let’s take an expensive electric guitar such as a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster, for example:
The selection process for the body and neck wood is more involved, with higher standards sorting for quality, density, and appearance; the neck pocket will be snug; the guitar’s weight will be within the ideal range for a Strat; the attention to the fret work will be superior, and the edges will be rounded for a broken-in feel; the pickups and electronics will be of a higher quality, and the soldering will evidence more attention to detail. The finish should be basically flawless, and period correct; if there is relicing, it will be done expertly.
On expensive acoustic guitars, there’s a good chance it will have a more detailed rosette around the soundhole, and other upscale ornamentation such as binding and headstock overlay. Higher-end acoustic guitars tend to emphasize the quality of the tonewoods used, which makes sense because even if they have a pickup system, a quality acoustic guitar must first sound great unplugged.
We also have to mention the effect of where the guitar is produced. Labor costs are higher in the U.S. and Europe, and those costs are passed on to the consumer. At one time, American quality was considered superior, but the excellent builds coming out of the Far East today (Indonesia in particular) are challenging that assumption. PRS is a good example of a company that is leveraging the global economy while staying true to its identity as an American company.
PRS and Fender Standard vs Budget Comparison
Let’s look at a couple of examples to show the differences between expensive and budget guitars.
PRS Core Hollowbody II Piezo vs. SE Hollowbody II Piezo
PRS offers a Hollowbody II Piezo in both Core and SE builds. The SE Model is a laminate construction, comprised of three thin layers of wood with a flame maple veneer (laminate construction is very common on hollowbody guitars, and is not considered a lesser build technique than solid wood. Gibson’s venerable ES-175 is laminate construction).
In contrast, The Core model Hollowbody II is solid carved figured maple. The signature PRS “violin carve” on the front is only attainable by carving out solid wood, and the labor cost for this contributes to the Core model’s higher price tag. Also keep in mind that Core Hollowbody II is manufactured in Maryland, while the SE is assembled in Indonesia.
Fender USA American Vintage II Stratocaster vs. Squier Stratocaster
Another good example is Fender’s Squier line, which are Fender’s budget guitars. Squiers are listed on the Fender website alongside their American and Mexican made models. They even have a Squier 40th Anniversary Collection! Fender, like any manufacturer, makes modifications to the specs of the Squier line to meet a price point. For example, instead of an Alder body, a Squier will be constructed of Poplar or Nyatoh; the nut will be synthetic instead of real bone; the pickups may be less expensive ceramic instead of alnico. Does this mean that a Squier model cannot sound good? Absolutely not! Many people are very happy with their Squier guitars. And, Fender-style guitars are very modification friendly by design, so there is nothing stopping you from upgrading any component if you desire.
Conclusion
Are expensive guitars worth it? Can a $400 Squire can’t be a great guitar? At GK we answer both with a resounding “Yes”! We hope that we’ve helped you understand what makes a guitar expensive. If you value better woods and components, then spending the extra money for an American made instrument may be the right path for you, but it’s not necessary to get a good playing and sounding guitar. Entry-level guitar quality is as good as it’s been in years.
Case in point: I have owned an Ovation Celebrity I bought for $350, and it’s been a wonderful guitar. What it lacks in acoustic sound it makes up for in playability and stability (I’ve only adjusted the truss rod once in 15 years!). The neck is great and it has become a practice guitar that I leave out in our living room, without a stand, leaning against a wall. I wouldn’t do that with my expensive guitars, but that’s the point: the Ovation is excellent for what I use it for.
A guitar’s sound is a combination of many factors, and the better materials and components found in upper-tier guitars certainly don’t hurt, but that does not mean that expensive guitars sound better! We’ve all heard the stories of pros playing inexpensive, borrowed guitars, and they still sound like themselves. Check out our article on How To Buy A Guitar for a deeper dive into choosing a guitar. Happy Playing!