There are many things you must consider when buying an electric guitar. And one of the most important considerations is the cost. How much does an electric guitar cost?
The cost of an electric guitar typically ranges from $100 to more than $2,500, depending on the type of electric guitar you are buying. Guitars for beginners range between $100 and $400, intermediate guitars range between $400 and $900, while professional guitars cost $2,500 or higher.
Read on to learn more about the cost of electric guitars.
How Much Does an Electric Guitar Cost?
The cost of an electric guitar can be as low as $100 and as high as more than $2,500. It all depends on the type of electric guitar you are buying. Electric guitars for beginners typically range between $100 and $400, intermediate guitars range between $400 and $900, whereas professional guitars cost $2,500 or higher.
When buying an electric guitar, you must choose based not only on your skill but also on your budget. For instance, if you are a beginner, it is not advisable to buy an expensive guitar. It is acceptable to buy a basic one that is less costly than most guitars.
However, it is also recommended to buy a not-so-basic guitar or something that you can still use to improve your skills.
How Much Are Electric Guitars?
There are different types of electric guitars, which explain why their cost varies. Let’s talk about these costs based on the following categories:
Low-end Electric Guitars
Electric Guitars for Beginners
Intermediate Electric Guitars
High-end Electric Guitars
Professional Electric Guitars
Let me briefly explain each one of these:
1. Low-end Electric Guitars
You can buy low-end electric guitars that cost less than $100. Most guitar manufacturers release a low-budget series, and there are several models to choose from, which is beneficial for beginners. For instance, you may not be able to find a cheap Fender Stratocaster, but you will indeed find a Squier, which is Stratocaster’s younger brother and more affordable.
However, don’t expect low-end, cheap electric guitars to have the same quality as the expensive ones. The material, pickups, and hardware used for producing low-end ones are different.
2. Electric Guitars for Beginners
While beginners can choose from a wide array of low-end electric guitars, specific products are intentionally designed for them. The cost of beginner guitars ranges between $100 and $400. In essence, the higher the features of the beginner guitar, the higher it costs too.
Beginner guitars are typically an upgraded version of the low-end models. They may have similar features, but the materials used for producing the former have better quality. This includes the construction method, wood, hardware, cosmetics, and electronics.
3. Intermediate Electric Guitars
You might think that you would not be able to afford a Fender or an American Gibson with your budget. When in fact, there are intermediate Fender or Gibson guitars that cost less than $1000.
The iconic Gibson Les Paul, for example, is an electric guitar that falls under this category. You can find them in music stores, and their cost ranges between $800 and $999. Also, you can find a Fender American Special Stratocaster electric guitar that costs less than $1000.
4. High-end Electric Guitars
If you are an expert in playing the electric guitar, you can opt for the high-end ones. They typically range between $1000 and $2500.
Those that fall under this category include the Fender American Original ‘60s Stratocaster and the Gibson Flying V electric guitars.
These guitars are made of premium quality materials. They are highly durable and will surely last for so many years.
5. Professional Electric Guitars
Electric guitars that fall under this category are those used by famous guitarists. These guitars are also used by those who work as full-time guitarists. Typically, these electric guitars cost $2,500 or higher.
The famous American guitarist Steve Vai uses the Ibanez JEM7V electric guitar, which is his signature guitar. It is a high-end 6-string guitar that features a solid body that can efficiently reach even the most extreme sonic territories at any speed.
Another famous musician who uses an electric guitar that falls under this category is Joe Satriani. Satriani is a guitarist, songwriter, composer, and guitar teacher. Also, he endorses the JS Series guitars from Ibanez. Lastly, all his guitars are specifically designed for him by Ibanez.
If you’re a beginner, you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money on your first guitar. There are a lot of cheap guitars that you can choose from. But, as earlier mentioned, don’t expect them to be as durable as the expensive ones.
However, branded electric guitars are for beginners with good quality and are far better than other beginner guitars. Here are some of them:
Jackson Dinky Electric Guitar
Epiphone Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar
Squier by Fender Affinity Stratoscaster
Epiphone SG G310 Electric Guitar
The cost of a beginner electric guitar ranges between $100 and $400.
1. Jackson Dinky Electric Guitar for Beginners
The Jackson Dinky is one of the most popular electric guitars worldwide. This is particularly true for heavy metal music enthusiasts. The Dinky is more costly than other beginner electric guitars but affordable.
Features
Solid Poplar Body
Fixed Bridge or Floyd Rose
Rosewood Fretboard
Bolt-on Maple Neck
Pickup Combinations: Humbucker, Single Coil, Humbucker (HSH) and Humbucker, Humbucker (HH)
2. Epiphone Electric Guitars for Beginners
Some beginners prefer to use the Epiphone Les Paul Studio and Epiphone SG G310 electric guitars. They are semi-affordable as their costs are higher compared to most low-cost guitars.
Epiphone is a sub-company of Gibson. So, even if Epiphone guitars are less costly than Gibson guitars, the concept for making them is the same.
Features
Mahogany Body and Neck
Fixed Bridge
Humbucker Pickups
Solid Body
3. Squier Electric Guitar for Beginners
Many beginners opt for the Squier electric guitar. The cheapest model is called the Bullet Squier, while a more costly one, but still affordable, is the Affinity model. Between the two, the Affinity features better wood and hardware.
Features
Humbucker, Single coil, Single Coil (HSS), and the Single-coil, Single Coil, Single Coil (SSS) pickup combinations. When we say HSS, there will always be a humbucker pickup in the bridge position. At the same time, with the SS, there will always be three single-coil pickups;
Bolt-on Neck in Maple With Rosewood or Laurel; and
Tremolo bridge and a basswood.
Again, how much does an electric guitar cost? Usually, an electric guitar cost ranges from $100 to more than $2,500. This price depends on the type of electric guitar you plan to get. Beginner guitars will cost you around $100-$400, intermediate guitars will cost between $400-$900, and lastly, professional guitars will cost $2,500 or higher.
There’s a wide selection of intermediate electric guitars in the market. They are way better than beginner guitars and have a quality that is closely similar to professional-level guitars. These guitars have a price ranging between $400 and $900.
Some of the best intermediate electric guitars are the following:
Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Yamaha Revstar Electric Guitar
Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar
Squier by Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar
1. Squier Electric Guitars
The Squier electric guitars may not be the best electric guitar in the market. Nonetheless, they have great quality. That’s why many intermediate players buy this brand.
If you decide to get a Squier guitar that costs more than $500, you can assure yourself that you’ll get good value for your money. Even Beatles band member George Harrison and rockstar Chris Rea used to play Squier guitars.
You can amazingly achieve the original Fender vibe with the Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Stratocaster electric guitar. The ‘50s or ‘60s guitar models inspire the sound of the Classic Vibe and the Standard Stratocaster.
Features
Famous skunk stripe made of walnut and the vintage tremolo bridge
Original body shape of an electric guitar made of alder and the modern “c” neck made of one-piece maple
SSS pickup configuration
2. Yamaha Revstar Electric Guitar
The Yamaha Revstar electric guitar may be a little costly, but it is reasonably priced. This guitar has a unique shape and features the standard Yamaha quality. It costs roughly $500.
Features
Solid Mahogany Body
A Rosewood Fingerboard
Maple Top
Mahogany Glued Neck
Two Alnico Pickups
3. Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar
You will also definitely get a good value for your money if you choose the Epiphone Casino intermediate electric guitar. This guitar doesn’t only look impressive, but it also feels amazing; it will satisfy a Gibson enthusiast.
Features
Hollow Body
A set-in Mahogany Neck
Interestingly Unique Gibson Shape and Style
Pau Ferro Fretboard, plus an option to choose a Mahogany Fretboard
Fixed Bridge and Humbucker Pickups
Cost of High-end Electric Guitars
High-end electric guitars are professional-level guitars. You typically see these guitars being used by professional musicians during concerts. They are undeniably pricey but, if you buy one, you can be assured that your guitar is one of the best ones worldwide. The cost of these guitars ranges between $1000 and $2500.
Some of the most popular high-end electric guitars in the United States are the following:
Fender Stratocaster Standard or Elite Series
Gibson Les Paul 1960
Fender Telecaster
Gibson SG
PRS Custom
1. Fender High-end Electric Guitars
All guitar enthusiasts know that Fender is one of the best guitar manufacturers of all time. Two of their products that truly stand out are the Fender Telecaster and the Fender Stratocaster. They cost more than $1500, but you’re sure that you will own one of the greatest guitars in the world if you buy them.
Features
Solid Body
Bolt-on Neck
Fender Pickups
Tremolo Bridge
Either have a one-piece maple or rosewood fretboard,
Maple Neck and Alder Body
Pickup Combinations: SSS, HSS, HSH, and HH
2. Gibson High-end Electric Guitars
Gibson is one of the most popular guitar makers in the world, and it has been producing guitars for more than 70 years. Whichever Gibson guitar you choose to buy, you will own one that is surely worth the money. Gibson guitars cost roughly $2000 or higher.
Features
Fixed Bridge or Bigsby Tremolo System
A Glued Neck
Ebony Fretboard
Maple Neck
Mahogany Body
Two Gibson Humbuckers
Solid Body for Les Paul and SG models
Semi-hollow Body for ES Models
3. PRS High End Electric Guitars
The PRS electric guitar was made popular by world-renowned musician Carlos Santana. It has a unique design, but it also has a distinct sound that perfectly suits musicians like Santana.
Features
Mahogany Neck
A rosewood fingerboard with bird inlay
PRS Humbucker Pickups
PRS Bridge
Flame Maple Top
Mahogany Body
Bolt-on Neck
Solid Body
Cost of Luxury Electric Guitars
There are also what we call luxury electric guitars, which cost $6000 or above. A Gretsch White Falcon approximately costs $10,000, while a customized Fender roughly costs $6000.
Luxury electric guitars include those sold at auctions. For instance, Eric Clapton’s Blackie was sold for almost $1 million. The Blackie was Clapton’s main guitar for nearly 30 years.
A Fender Stratocaster was once sold for $2.7 million at an auction. It was signed by several guitar players, including Beck, Knopfler, Gilmour, and Clapton. The proceeds of this guitar went to the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that happened in 2004.
Conclusion – How Much Does an Electric Guitar Cost?
The cost of an electric guitar can be as low as $100 and as high as more than $2,500. It all depends on the type of electric guitar you are buying. Electric guitars for beginners typically range between $100 and $400, intermediate guitars range between $400 and $900, whereas professional guitars cost $2,500 or higher.
The bottom line is, whichever guitar you choose to buy, make sure that it suits both your skill level and your budget.
