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Guitar Brands

A guide to the most relevant electric guitar brands in modern rock and metal — from established giants to independent builders redefining what a guitar can be.

Solar Guitars

Solar Guitars

Sweden · Est. 2017

Founded by Ola Englund, Solar offers high-quality metal guitars at accessible prices, with aggressive aesthetics and playability built for modern metal.

MetalDjentExtended Range
Chapman Guitars

Chapman Guitars

United Kingdom · Est. 2009

Created by Rob Chapman, Chapman Guitars combines British quality with accessible pricing through a direct-to-consumer sales model.

RockMetalVersatile
GOC Guitars

GOC Guitars

United Kingdom · Est. 2012

British boutique luthiery founded by Chris Buck, specialising in extended range guitars and fully custom builds for demanding players.

BoutiqueExtended RangeHandcrafted
Strandberg Guitars

Strandberg Guitars

Sweden · Est. 2012

Pioneers of the modern headless guitar, Strandberg revolutionised ergonomic design with the EndurNeck system and ultra-light bodies.

HeadlessErgonomicProg
Mayones Guitars

Mayones Guitars

Poland · Est. 1982

Polish premium luthiery with decades of handcrafted tradition, specialising in high-performance guitars for metal and progressive rock.

PremiumMetalProg Metal
Kiesel Guitars

Kiesel Guitars

United States · Est. 1946

Formerly Carvin, Kiesel is one of the few American brands building fully custom guitars in the USA without boutique pricing.

USA MadeCustomMetal / Rock
PRS Guitars

PRS Guitars

United States · Est. 1985

Paul Reed Smith created one of the most influential brands in history, combining American craftsmanship with unmatched musical versatility.

RockBluesVersatile
Ormsby Guitars

Ormsby Guitars

Australia · Est. 2006

Australian luthiery recognised for multiscale designs, spectacular finishes, and a dominant presence in progressive metal and djent.

MultiscaleMetalDjent
Aristides Instruments

Aristides Instruments

Netherlands · Est. 2009

Pioneers of composite materials in lutherie, Aristides builds guitars from their proprietary Arium material, eliminating the inherent variability of wood.

CompositePremiumRock / Metal
Schecter Guitar Research

Schecter Guitar Research

United States · Est. 1976

A rock and metal reference since the 1970s, Schecter combines consistent quality with heavy-oriented specs across a wide price range.

MetalRockHard Rock
B.C. Rich

B.C. Rich

United States · Est. 1969

The original brand of extreme guitar shapes, B.C. Rich became a metal icon in the 1970s with the Warlock, Mockingbird, and Beast.

MetalHard RockExtreme Shapes
Behringer

Behringer

Germany · Est. 1989

The most accessible entry point into guitars and gear, Behringer brings ultra-affordable instruments to players worldwide.

BudgetBeginnerAccessible
Charvel

Charvel

United States · Est. 1978

Born in the heart of the 1980s shred movement, Charvel remains the definitive brand for technically demanding rock and metal players.

ShredHard RockMetal
Cort Guitars

Cort Guitars

South Korea · Est. 1960

One of the world's largest guitar manufacturers, Cort delivers professional-level quality at remarkably accessible prices.

RockVersatileValue
Fender

Fender

United States · Est. 1946

Leo Fender invented the modern electric guitar. The Stratocaster and Telecaster remain the most influential guitar designs ever created.

RockBluesCountryVersatile
Squier

Squier

United States · Est. 1982

Fender's affordable line makes the iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster accessible to beginners without sacrificing the DNA of the originals.

BeginnerRockBluesAffordable
Gibson

Gibson

United States · Est. 1902

Alongside Fender, Gibson defined the electric guitar. The Les Paul, SG, and ES-335 are among the most revered instruments ever built.

RockBluesJazzMetal
Epiphone

Epiphone

United States · Est. 1873

Gibson's sister brand brings the Les Paul, SG, and ES-335 experience to players at prices that open the door to the Gibson sound.

RockBluesMetalAffordable
Dean Guitars

Dean Guitars

United States · Est. 1977

Known for its radical V and Z shapes, Dean has been a fixture of American hard rock and metal since the late 1970s.

MetalHard RockExtreme Shapes
Danelectro

Danelectro

United States · Est. 1947

Quirky, creative, and historically significant, Danelectro guitars defined 1950s American pop and continue to attract players seeking unique tones.

VintageSurfRockBlues
Ernie Ball Music Man

Ernie Ball Music Man

United States · Est. 1962

Best known for Slinky strings, Ernie Ball's Music Man guitars are among the most player-focused and professionally-respected instruments in the world.

RockFunkVersatilePremium
ESP Guitars

ESP Guitars

Japan · Est. 1975

The Japanese brand that became the weapon of choice for metal's elite, ESP guitars combine precision engineering with uncompromising heavy metal DNA.

MetalHard RockPrecision
LTD Guitars

LTD Guitars

Japan · Est. 1996

ESP's accessible sub-brand brings the same metal-focused design philosophy to players at every budget level without compromising on specification.

MetalHard RockValue
Music Man

Music Man

United States · Est. 1971

Ernie Ball Music Man guitars set the standard for player-focused design, combining California craftsmanship with signature models from the world's best guitarists.

RockFusionProgPremium
Steinberger

Steinberger

United States · Est. 1979

Ned Steinberger's radical headless, bodyless design challenged every assumption about what a guitar could be — and remains unique to this day.

HeadlessInnovativeRock
Fernandes Guitars

Fernandes Guitars

Japan · Est. 1969

The Japanese brand known for its Sustainer pickup system, which allows infinite sustain and unique expressive possibilities unavailable on other instruments.

RockMetalInnovative
Framus

Framus

Germany · Est. 1946

One of Europe's oldest guitar manufacturers, Framus combines decades of German craftsmanship with modern high-performance instruments for rock and metal.

RockMetalPremiumGerman
Godin Guitars

Godin Guitars

Canada · Est. 1972

Canada's most successful guitar manufacturer, Godin builds high-quality instruments entirely in North America, known for innovation and distinctive tones.

RockJazzAcousticVersatile
Gretsch

Gretsch

United States · Est. 1883

The brand of the rockabilly era and beyond, Gretsch hollowbody guitars produce some of the most distinctive and immediately recognisable tones in popular music.

RockabillyCountryRockJazz
Harley Benton

Harley Benton

Germany · Est. 1999

Thomann's own brand delivers remarkable value for money, offering beginner-to-intermediate guitars at prices that consistently surprise the market.

BudgetBeginnerValueVersatile
Ibanez

Ibanez

Japan · Est. 1957

The Japanese giant that shaped modern rock and metal, Ibanez is the brand of choice for technically advanced players from shred to progressive to jazz fusion.

ShredMetalProgJazz Fusion
Jackson Guitars

Jackson Guitars

United States · Est. 1980

The brand that defined the look and feel of 1980s metal, Jackson's pointy headstocks and fast necks remain icons of the hard rock and heavy metal world.

MetalHard RockShred
Kramer Guitars

Kramer Guitars

United States · Est. 1976

The brand synonymous with Eddie Van Halen and the 1980s hair metal explosion, Kramer's aluminium-necked and superstrat designs shaped an entire era.

Hard RockMetalShredVintage
Lâg Guitars

Lâg Guitars

France · Est. 1980

France's leading guitar brand, Lâg combines European craftsmanship with innovative acoustic designs that have earned genuine respect from players worldwide.

AcousticClassicalRockFrench
Line 6

Line 6

United States · Est. 1996

Pioneers of digital modelling, Line 6 transformed modern guitar with the Pod and Variax, bringing studio-quality tones to every player.

Digital ModellingInnovativeVersatile
C.F. Martin & Co.

C.F. Martin & Co.

United States · Est. 1833

The oldest American guitar manufacturer, C.F. Martin & Co. has been building the world's most respected acoustic guitars since 1833.

AcousticFolkCountryPremium
Parker Guitars

Parker Guitars

United States · Est. 1992

Ken Parker's radical Fly guitar challenged every assumption about electric guitar construction, using composite materials and piezo pickups for unprecedented versatility.

InnovativeRockVersatileBoutique
Peavey Electronics

Peavey Electronics

United States · Est. 1965

Hartley Peavey built his brand from scratch to become one of America's most important music manufacturers, making professional quality accessible to all.

RockMetalBluesAmerican
Rickenbacker

Rickenbacker

United States · Est. 1931

The brand of The Beatles and Tom Petty, Rickenbacker's jangly, chiming tone is one of the most immediately recognisable sounds in all of popular music.

RockVintageJangleBritish Invasion
Stagg Music

Stagg Music

Belgium · Est. 1995

Belgian brand offering a vast range of instruments at entry-level prices, covering guitars, basses, drums, and accessories for first-time players.

BudgetBeginnerAccessible
Suhr Guitars

Suhr Guitars

United States · Est. 1997

John Suhr's boutique Californian guitars represent the ultimate refinement of the Fender tradition — handcrafted instruments for players who demand perfection.

BoutiqueRockBluesPremium
Takamine Guitars

Takamine Guitars

Japan · Est. 1962

The Japanese acoustic specialist that pioneered the onboard preamp, Takamine acoustic-electric guitars are the choice of professional touring musicians worldwide.

AcousticFolkCountryProfessional
Tanglewood Guitars

Tanglewood Guitars

United Kingdom · Est. 1991

British brand delivering well-crafted acoustic guitars at accessible prices, particularly popular as first quality acoustics for intermediate players.

AcousticFolkBeginnerBritish
Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars

United States · Est. 1974

Bob Taylor built the most successful new American acoustic guitar brand of the 20th century, combining California craftsmanship with player-focused innovation.

AcousticFolkCountryPremium
Tokai Gakki

Tokai Gakki

Japan · Est. 1947

Japanese manufacturer renowned for producing the most accurate vintage-faithful Les Paul and Stratocaster replicas ever made, treasured by collectors worldwide.

VintageRockBluesCollector
Warwick

Warwick

Germany · Est. 1982

Germany's premier bass guitar manufacturer, Warwick basses are the choice of professional bassists who demand the finest European craftsmanship.

BassRockFunkGerman
Yamaha

Yamaha

Japan · Est. 1887

The world's most comprehensive musical instrument manufacturer, Yamaha produces guitars across every style and price point with consistent, reliable quality.

RockJazzAcousticVersatile