best guitar brands

Guild is an American guitar company that makes some amazing semihollow electric guitars such as the Starfire and Aristocrat. These are guitars that will nail that retrorock sound and have the looks to match. Many classic Guild models have been revived through the Newark Street collection. While these guitars are cool beyond words, where Guild really shines is in the acoustic arena. Guild acoustic guitars are played by some of the best professional musicians in the business. From this standpoint, Guild is on par with Martin and Taylor, and completes the triumvirate of American acoustic guitar titans. As youd expect, the prices follow suit. However, the GAD series offers a way for intermediate players to get into a Guild acoustic for a reasonable price.

Ibanez started out as a Japanese company specializing in making quality copies of famous American guitars. Today it is known to many as a great guitar company in its own right, mainly for metal and hard rock players, but in truth they make guitars for just about every style and genre. But heavy music is definitely where they shine, and the metal crowd has flocked to Ibanez for decades. The RG is probably their most iconic instrument, but the S series is also beloved by shredders. Of course theyve also been innovators in the field of 7string guitars, starting back in 1990 with the Universe, the first 7string guitar on the market.

Another brand known well among metal players is Jackson. Back in the 1980s, it seemed like Jackson guitars were in the hands of just about every metal and hard rock band on the planet. That tradition continues today, and models like the King V, Kelly, Rhoads, Soloist and Dinky are still coveted for their great sound and performance. Jackson models are available in very expensive customshop and madeintheUSA versions, as well as less expensive guitars with downgraded appointments aimed more at beginning and intermediate players. This means metal guitarists of any level and budget are able to own a Jackson, and get started the right way.

Back in the 80s Kramer was one of the premier names in metal and hard rock. In fact, Eddie Van Halen even played a Kramer for a short period of time. In the 90s things took a weird turn, and Kramer was eventually bought up by Gibson. Anyone who remembers Kramer during this period probably also remembers a website called MusicYo, where Kramer guitars could be purchased direct and at bargainbasement prices. These days, Kramer has seen somewhat of resurgence. Many players remember those glory days of the 1980s and models like the Beretta, with its singlepickup design and doublelocking tremolo. If thats your bag, give Kramer guitars a serious look.

Martin is an American guitar company specializing in acoustic guitars. Most of their instruments are still built at their facility in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and their legacy dates back all the way to 1833. Martin, in many ways, has helped to shape the look and sound of the American acoustic guitar. In fact, they invented the nowclassic dreadnought shape in an effort to help American country musicians who wanted more projection out of their guitars onstage. Martin makes some incredibly beautiful (and expensive) instruments like the D28 and D45, but also more affordable guitars that will fit into the budgets of upandcoming players. Its also worth noting that Martin is spearheading much of the effort to protect endangered forests by seeking out alternate tonewoods where possible.

Ovation acousticelectric guitars are unique, innovative and, for some players, almost addictive! Once youve played an Ovation no other guitar may do. They have a different look and feel than most other acoustic guitars due to their design, which incorporates a wood top with a rounded, synthetic bowl shape instead of the traditional back and sides. The result is a light, comfortable guitar with a distinctive sound. For players who prefer the feel of an electric guitar but need to play an acousitc, an Ovation is often the perfect compromise. Ovation makes some incredible professionallevel instruments, featuring some quality components and electronics. They also have the entrylevel Applause series, reasonably priced guitars for beginners or those who are looking to get their feet we with the Ovation design.

PRS is a guitar company founded by luthier Paul Reed Smith. Today they are recognized as some of the finest guitars in the world, on par and often surpassing highend Gibsons. PRS really took off back in the 90s when it seemed just about everyone had swapped out their Les Paul for a PRS. Eventually they capitalized on this trend and made the PRS more accessible with the SE line of lowerbudget guitars. But these arent beginners guitars. Even though they cost less than a standard PRS, theyre still highquality instruments. PRS guitars are used by players of every genre. Theyre a classy, if somewhat expensive, alternative to some of the more traditional brand names in the guitar industry.

Rickenbacker may be a name more closely associated with bass guitar, but they are a brand that makes some of the best acoustic and electric guitars as well. Like their fourstringed brothers, Rickenbacker guitars feature some spaceaged designs that have now become classic. This is a guitar company that has been around since the 1930s, and they played a key part in the early days of rock n roll. Bands like the Beatles helped to bring the Rickenbacker name to the forefront. These days, Rickenbacker guitars are a unique choice for guitarists looking for something with a vintage style thats a bit off the beaten path.

Schecter Guitar Research is a company that has really established themselves as one of the best guitar brands out there in recent years. Many of their guitars are focused on the heavy metal market, but players of any genre can find a Schecter that meets their needs. With superb craftsmanship and highend appointments youd expect to find on much more expensive guitars, they are also among the best values in the guitar world. Many of their guitars are based around the Schecter C body shape model. This is a great bit of design thats not only aesthetically pleasing, but also easy to play and sonically effective.

Seagull acoustic guitars are among the best values you are going find. Theyre made in Canada, and theres an attention to detail and craftsmanship here you may not expect in guitars at these price points. The Seagull Artist series is the top of their lineup, and youll find unique tonewoods and highquality construction techniques while still keeping the guitar at an affordable price. But as we work our way down the Seagull line and check out other models, even though the components and woods arent the same as the Artist Series we still see an impressive attention to detail. The Seagull S6 Original is a barebones acoustic perfect for beginners and intermediate players. This is a guitar worth checking out if you need a solid acoustic and dont want to break the bank.