Whether you’re a new player or lifelong veteran, the best guitar brands around the world provide that extra piece of magic that brings everything together.
From delicate acoustic guitars to in-your-face electric instruments, we’ve rounded up our pick of the 15 best guitar brands you can find, including those championed by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, George Benson and more…
With so many great guitars out there – both classic well-known brands and newer luthiers – it’s not an easy decision. So whilst it’s always best to go to a reputable guitar store and play some of these yourself to decide, we enlisted the help of British professional guitarist Will Arnold-Forster to give his run down on the best guitar brands and specific models to check out right now.
We’ve got 15 to share with you, each with some solid reasoning, but he notes: “based on my experience and decades-long exploration of this topic, the very best guitar brands are Ibanez, Fender, and Gibson“
Here’s what’s coming…
From Europe to Asia to North America, this comprehensive buying guide rounds up the important details on the best guitar brands out there. From premium models to best-value guitars and everything in between, here’s what you need to know in order to make an informed decision on your next purchase…
(If, on the other hand, you’re in a rush, here’s the quick version of our favourites!)
Choosing a guitar can be a tricky business.
There are a huge range of makes and models to pick from and instruments vary hugely in terms of their price points, intended purpose, and target audience.
On top of that, there’s the choice between iconic manufacturers that have been around for over 100 years, as well as small independent one-man operations producing fully bespoke instruments, and everything in between.
Whatever your ability and budget, there’s a great guitar out there for you!
Based on my decades-long exploration on this topic, the very best guitar brands are Ibanez, Fender, and Gibson.
The best jazz guitar model is the Ibanez JSM100, while the Fender Telecaster is a true all-genre-encompassing gem of a guitar.
Finally, the Gibson ES-175 is the most popular jazz guitar, with a tradition going back decades.
15 of The Best Guitar Brands Around the World
Ibanez
Ibanez are a driving force in the guitar world, and produce a vast array of instruments, effects pedals and amplifiers.
Whilst perhaps best known for their solid body guitars used by the likes of Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert, their range of semi-hollow and hollow body guitars are extremely popular with jazz musicians, and are available in a range of styles across a number of price points.
The Ibanez John Scofield models (the JSM100, JSM10, and JSM20) are a great choice if looking for a versatile semi-hollow body guitar capable of switching easily between different genres, but still possessing a classic warm jazz tone.
The sound block inside the instrument and its rigid top help to greatly reduce feedback, and Ibanez’s signature half-bone, half brass nut provides a balance of highs and lows.
In terms of price, the JSM100 certainly isn’t an entry level instrument, but the JSM10 and JSM20 models come in at a lower price point.
Ibanez’s best-selling archtop guitar is their George Benson GB10 model, designed to Benson’s exacting specifications.
The floating GB special pickups sit on top of the body of the guitar, producing a superb warm jazz tone, and the instruments ebony neck was chosen to deliver rich sustain.
It’s a beautifully made instrument, crafted from high quality woods, and this versatile laminate-top guitar whose size sits somewhere between a semi-hollow and large archtop guitar.
Fender
Up next is another mainstay brand in the world of guitars.
Fender has been providing guitarists with excellent instruments since the introduction of the Telecaster back in 1951.
If a guitar player has only one guitar, the odds are hugely in favor of that guitar being a Fender.
If the guitarist has multiple guitars, again, it is virtually impossible for at least one of those guitars not to be a Fender model.
In addition, let’s look at the two most prominent Fender guitar models: the Telecaster and the Stratocaster.
Both of these models were designed by the founder of the company – Leo Fender.
Fender Telecaster
Whether you’re playing jazz, blues, country, or rock, this hard-bodied beast of an electric guitar is quite simply amazing.
In my opinion, the uniqueness of this Fender model comes from its recognisable ‘twang’ and sparkle, as well as its ultimate versatility in providing a wide spectrum of sonic possibilities.
There is something magical about the Fender Telecaster.
A true classic, this guitar has been one of the most popular models of all time.
Fender Stratocaster
Fender’s Stratocaster model is so popular that its shape is actually synonymous with how people imagine an electric guitar.
Many famous guitarists, including Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, have been using this electric guitar model as their go-to instrument for live shows and recording sessions.
This Fender model is also by far the most copied guitar model.
It is incredibly versatile and has been used by guitarists in virtually every genre.
As with the Telecaster model, one thing is certain – this model will deliver a quality and consistent sound, while the neck will ensure high levels of performance.
An important aspect to consider when choosing a Fender guitar is to mind the country where it has been produced.
It is important to note that in terms of sound quality, the best Fender guitars are those manufactured in either the US or Japan.
Gibson
In their 100-year history, Gibson have designed many iconic instruments that we consider to be quintessential examples of the jazz guitar.
They remain to this day the guitar of choice for jazz guitarists of all abilities and backgrounds looking for that classic jazz tone that has long been synonymous with the Gibson name.
These instruments have been played by a who’s who of the great jazz guitarists of all time, including Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel and Johnny Smith.
As their catalogue of instruments includes so many influential models (such as the Gibson Les Paul), I’ve picked out two of their most important as recommendations:
The Gibson ES-175
The Gibson ES-175 has been one of the most popular jazz guitars available for decades.
First introduced in 1949 as an alternative to the bigger and more ornate L-5, the Gibson ES-175 features a laminate 16-inch body, sharp Florentine cutaway, and two mounted humbucker pickups.
A true workhorse, the 175 is closely associated with greats such as Joe Pass and Jim Hall. It possesses a warm, yet clear tone and due to its slightly smaller size (when compared with other archtop guitars) is extremely comfortable to play.
These can be picked up for a reasonable price on the second-hand market, with exact prices dependant on the age and condition of the instrument.
The Gibson L-5
The L-5 is Gibson’s flagship archtop and has been in continuous production since 1922.
Popularised by the great Wes Montgomery in the 1960’s (Gibson still to this day make a signature Wes Montgomery L-5 built to his specifications), the L-5 is the guitar that many players hope to one day own, despite its hefty price tag.
Comprising a fully carved 17-inch body, made from the highest quality woods, the L-5 has a beautiful warm rounded tone that looks just as stunning as it sounds.
These features and craftsmanship comes at a premium, so don’t expect to pay any less than $5000 to own your own piece of jazz guitar history…
D’Angelico
John D’Angelico and James D’Aquisto are widely regarded as the two finest guitar builders of the 20th century.
After the D’Angelico brand was resurrected in the 2000’s, long after both luthiers had passed away, the new D’Angelico team worked at creating and perfecting a line of authentic reissues with the intention of delivering D’Angelico’s craftsmanship and quality at an affordable price.
These new models have been well received by professional jazz guitarists and amateurs alike, with the likes of Susan Tedeschi and Kurt Rosenwinkel endorsing their instruments.
The D’Angelico Premier EXL-1 is a particularly striking model currently in production.
Utilising John D’Angelico’s original design, the Premier EXL-1 has a balanced organic tone, coupled with signature D’Angelico features such as the stairstep tailpiece and striking headstock.
Equipped with a floating mini humbucker so as not to compromise the natural tone of the wood, this model comes in three striking finishes: Ocean Turquoise, Fiesta Red, and Champagne.