Electric guitars come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. But what is the average cost of an electric guitar? The answer depends on a few different things, and today we go over each of the factors.
What Is The Average Cost Of An Electric Guitar? Well, it depends…
I think most beginners ask this question more often than anyone else, and I see it all the time on guitar forums. It is a valid concern, especially since 2020 when guitar prices went up across all brands and types. So what is the average cost of an electric guitar in 2023? It depends on a lot of factors.
Back in the day, a good starter guitar could cost some serious money, as budget guitars were often “hit or miss” when it came to quality. But in the last decade, budget guitars have come a long way. You can get a great guitar for a low price these days!
What Is The Average Cost Of An Electric Guitar?
Electric guitars are in what guitarists have been calling “The Golden Age”. Beginner electric guitars have never been better quality at such a low price point. A good electric guitar can cost around $200-$500 these days, even from name brand companies.
But you should consider 3 important factors: Upkeep and Maintenance, Accessories and Amps, and the Country of Origin/Brand Name. These 3 factors will dictate your final price, and they should be considered when purchasing an electric guitar.
So there are three big factors to take into consideration when it comes to buying an electric guitar. Today we are going to look at all the factors that beginner guitarists should consider, and explain each one. Budget guitars have come a long way due to CNC machines being so accurate and precise, but there ARE some things to look out for.
So what is the average cost of an electric guitar? Let’s break it down and talk about the numbers at the end. We came up with a price tier to help you get familiar. You might be surprised at the final cost of getting started with electric guitar these days!
Additional Resources:
- Great Budget Guitars
- Different Types Of Electric Guitars
- Budget Shredder Guitars For Metal
- Harley Benton Guitars: The Best Budget Series
Guitar Brands And Country of Origin: The Most Important Factor
Brand name guitars and where they are made is probably the biggest factor. You can browse Amazon all day and see popular brands as well as “no-name” Chinese brands. Don’t believe the hype from salesmen on YouTube about these guitars that cost $75! You DO get what you pay for when it comes to electric guitars.
The fly-by-night companies that makes cheap Strat copies on Amazon are just not worth the risk. I have been sent a few to review, and they were sub-par in a lot of ways. That being said, Donner Guitars are a pretty solid company. Just stay away from names that seem suspicious.
We have a large amount of content that covers budget guitars, and we have personally tried these guitars. Brands and country of origin absolutely matters, and you can get a high quality electric guitar that is made by a name brand these days.
When it comes to brand names, you can’t go wrong with companies like Squier, Fender, Epiphone, Schecter, or Harley Benton. These brands have a rigorous quality control process, and they come with a warranty. The cheap copies usually do not have any QC, and warranties are nowhere in sight.
When it comes to country of origin, this is important as well. The price tier for the different countries of origin show how much quality control the guitar is going to experience. Below, we will show the most common places that guitars are made. From the cheapest, to the most expensive:
- China
- Indonesia
- South Korea
- Japan
- USA
Most budget guitars are made in China and Indonesia. Major brands like Squier, Harley Benton, and Epiphone all use factories in these two countries. These factories use CNC machines that make guitar production much faster, and this drives the cost down.
South Korea, Japan, and the United States also use CNC machines, but the “hands-on” experience is more involved. More parts are sanded and glued by hand, and higher quality components are used to build the guitar. These factories also use better quality woods, and offer special “exotic” woods.
So brands and country or origin matters the most when you are wondering “what is the average cost of an electric guitar?” and it is the first thing you should consider. You definitely get what you pay for, and sticking with a well known brand is the best option.
Additional Resources:
- Where Are Guitars Made?
- Fender/Squier Price Tiers And Country Of Origin
- Where Is Harley Benton Made?
Accessories/Amplifiers
This is a big one as well, and something you should definitely factor into your buying decision. Some companies like Epiphone and Squier offer “Starter Packs” that have everything you need to get started playing guitar. But if you want to buy the amplifier separately, then you should definitely add that to you budget.
There are some great choices when it comes to amplifiers these days, like the BOSS Katana that we all use here at Electrikjam! But there are other ways, like headphone amps and amplifier sims. These can range from a $50 all the way to $500 for a good beginner amp.
You also need picks and cables. So make sure you have everything you need for electric guitar, since it is a little more involved than an acoustic guitar. This all adds to the average cost of playing electric guitar.
Additional Resources:
- The BOSS Katana: Best Beginner Amp
- NUX Amps: Great Budget Options
- Free Amp Sims You Can Use At Home
- Do You Need An Amp To Play Electric Guitar?
- Fender Mustang Micro Headphone Amp
General Upkeep And Maintenance
This is a big one that many people forget about when they buy an electric guitar. Most electric guitars, even the expensive ones, need a setup right out of the box. Some companies like Schecter Guitars are “Set Up To Play” by the company before the guitar ships out to retailers.
This is a good practice, but not every company spends the time to make sure the guitar is playable. It can be easy to learn how to maintain your guitar at home with a few tools. But a complete beginner will probably need some help from a technician.
A good guitar setup usually costs 30-80 dollars depending on where you live, or the place that you take your guitar for maintenance. You should also factor in the price for strings. Strings vary in price depending on the brand, but most strings cost about $8 on average.
The frequency of maintenance and string changes will vary depending on the player. But it is definitely something to consider when buying an electric guitar. Most guitars will need a setup right out of the box, especially the budget brands.
Additional Resources:
- How To Intonate Your Guitar
- Setting Up A Floating Bridge
- Solving Guitar Tuning Issues: For Beginners
- Best Guitar Accessories For Beginners
What Is The Average Cost Of An Electric Guitar? Wrapping Up…
You can get a “starter pack” for under $500 that will come with everything a beginner needs to get started. But if you want to buy all of those things that come in the starter pack, then the price will definitely go up quite a bit.
I would say that the average cost of an electric guitar will probably be $500-$700 realistically. If you stick to a name brand, and buy everything you need to get started then it can get pricey. Guitar has never been a “cheap” hobby.
But budget guitars like Harley Benton have been a game changer over the last few years. There are some amp companies like NUX that also offer really great products for a low price. You can absolutely get everything you need these days for under $500.
We truly live in the “Golden Age Of Guitar” when it comes to price! There are some great guitars out there, and most of them that we have tried have been in the budget category. Hopefully this guide clears things up for you when it comes to the average cost of electric guitar.
What Is The Average Cost Of An Electric Guitar?
A good electric guitar can cost around $200-$500 these days, even from name brand companies. But you should consider 3 important factors: Upkeep and Maintenance, Accessories and Amps, and the Country of Origin/Brand Name.
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