Guitar prices range from under $100 to over $10,000, depending on the type, brand, and quality of materials and craftsmanship

A new acoustic or electric guitar for a beginner costs between $100 and $300. A mid-range guitar—one that sounds good enough for regular playing and small performances—runs $300 to $1,000. Professional-grade instruments used by touring musicians and studio players typically cost $1,000 to $5,000. High-end handmade guitars and vintage instruments can exceed $10,000.

The price you pay depends on what you actually need. A student learning chords for the first time does not need the same guitar as someone recording an album. Used guitars cost significantly less than new ones—often 30 to 50 percent less—and can be excellent instruments if you know what to look for.

Key Takeaways

  • Beginner acoustic and electric guitars cost $100 to $300 new, and used versions of the same models cost $50 to $150.
  • Mid-range guitars ($300 to $1,000) have better sound quality and hardware durability than budget models and suit most players who practice regularly.
  • Professional instruments ($1,000 to $5,000) use premium wood, precise construction, and hardware that holds up under heavy use and recording.
  • Brand name, wood type, and whether the guitar is handmade or factory-produced are the main factors that push prices up or down within each category.

Budget Guitars: $100 to $300

Budget guitars are designed for people just starting out. They have playable action (the height of the strings above the fretboard), tuning pegs that hold pitch reasonably well, and sound that is acceptable for learning. Brands like Yamaha, Fender Squier, Epiphone, and Ibanez make solid beginner models in this range.

At the lowest end ($100 to $150), you get a functional instrument but with thinner wood, plastic hardware, and a sound that is thin or tinny. At $200 to $300, the wood is thicker, the hardware is stronger, and the sound is noticeably fuller. If you are renting a guitar instead of buying, expect to pay $20 to $40 per month, which makes sense if you are unsure whether you will stick with playing.

The main drawback of budget guitars is that they often need setup work—adjusting the neck, bridge, and nut so the strings sit at a comfortable height. This costs $50 to $100 at a repair shop and is worth doing even on a cheap guitar, because a poorly set-up instrument is frustrating to play and makes you more likely to quit.

Mid-Range Guitars: $300 to $1,000

Mid-range guitars are where most regular players land. At this price, you get solid wood instead of plywood, better hardware that stays in tune longer, and a sound that is warm and clear enough for recording or performing in small venues. Fender, Ibanez, Schecter, and PRS make popular models in this range.

A $400 to $600 guitar is a significant step up from a budget model. The wood is better quality, the frets are more precisely installed, and the electronics (on electric guitars) are more reliable. A $700 to $1,000 guitar often has all-solid-wood construction, which means the top, back, and sides are solid rather than laminated. Solid wood resonates better and improves in tone as the wood ages.

At this level, you can also start choosing based on sound preference rather than just budget. A guitar with a thicker body sounds warmer; a thinner body sounds brighter. A guitar with a mahogany back and sides has a different tone than one with rosewood. These choices matter once you know what you like.

Professional Guitars: $1,000 to $5,000

Professional instruments are built for musicians who play regularly, record, or perform. They use premium wood—often aged or specially selected—and construction methods that take more time. The hardware is high-quality and durable. The frets are crowned and polished by hand in many cases. These guitars hold their value better than cheaper models and often sound better after years of playing.

Brands like Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Fender Custom Shop, and PRS Core models sit in this range. A $1,500 acoustic guitar from Taylor or Martin will have a noticeably richer, more complex tone than a $500 guitar. A $2,000 electric guitar from Fender or Gibson will have hardware that lasts through hundreds of gigs and electronics that do not fail.

At the $3,000 to $5,000 level, you are often paying for the maker's reputation, the rarity of the wood, or hand-finishing work. A handmade guitar takes weeks or months to build, and the luthier (guitar maker) is often known for a particular sound or style. These instruments are investments—they hold resale value and often improve in tone over time.

High-End and Vintage Guitars: $5,000 and Up

Guitars above $5,000 are typically handmade by renowned luthiers, limited-edition models from major brands, or vintage instruments from decades past. A vintage 1959 Gibson Les Paul can cost $50,000 or more because of its historical significance and the fact that Gibson no longer makes guitars with that exact construction. A handmade classical guitar from a Spanish luthier might cost $8,000 to $15,000 because of the maker's reputation and the time invested.

Most players never need to spend this much. These guitars are for collectors, professional session musicians, and players who have specific sound requirements that only a particular instrument can meet. However, you do not need a $10,000 guitar to sound professional—a $1,500 to $2,000 guitar in the hands of a skilled player will sound better than a $5,000 guitar played by a beginner.

Used Guitars and Where to Buy

Used guitars typically cost 30 to 50 percent less than new ones. A $600 guitar new might cost $300 to $400 used. The catch is that you need to inspect the instrument for damage—cracks in the wood, fret wear, loose hardware—and test it before buying. If you buy online, you cannot do this, so stick with sellers who offer a return period.

Local music shops often have used inventory and let you play before you buy. Online marketplaces like Reverb, eBay, and Craigslist have wider selection but require more caution. Pawn shops sometimes have guitars at steep discounts, but the condition is often poor and you have no recourse if something is wrong. Buying from a friend or someone you can meet in person is safest.

A used guitar from a reputable brand in good condition is often a smarter buy than a new budget guitar. You get better sound and hardware for the same money, and if you decide guitar is not for you, you lose less money when you resell it.

What Affects Price Beyond the Brand

Wood type is a major price driver. Solid spruce, cedar, or mahogany costs more than laminated plywood. Rare woods like Brazilian rosewood or Indian rosewood push prices up significantly. A guitar with a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides will cost more than one with a solid spruce top and laminated mahogany sides.

Hardware quality matters too. Tuning pegs that turn smoothly and hold pitch cost more than cheap tuners that slip. A bridge made from bone (which transfers vibration better) costs more than a plastic bridge. On electric guitars, pickups—the magnets that capture string vibration—vary widely in price and directly affect tone.

Whether the guitar is handmade or factory-produced is another factor. A factory guitar is built on an assembly line with machines and workers doing specific tasks. A handmade guitar is built by one person or a small team, which takes much longer but allows for customization and often higher precision. Handmade guitars cost more but often have better resale value and tone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I learn on a cheap guitar?

Yes, but a poorly set-up cheap guitar makes learning harder. Your fingers will hurt more, the strings will buzz, and it will not stay in tune. Spend at least $150 to $200 on a new guitar or $100 to $150 on a used one, and budget another $50 to $100 for a setup at a repair shop. That total investment is still under $300 and will not frustrate you as much.

Is a more expensive guitar always better?

Not always. A $2,000 guitar in the hands of a beginner will not sound better than a $500 guitar played by someone with years of experience. However, a $2,000 guitar will have better hardware, wood, and construction that makes it easier to play well and allows the player to hear improvements in their own technique. It also holds up better to regular use.

Should I buy new or used?

Used is usually smarter financially if you can inspect the guitar in person or buy from a seller with a return policy. You get more guitar for your money and lose less if you decide to sell. New guitars come with a warranty and the assurance that nothing is hidden, but you pay more for that peace of mind.

What is the difference between acoustic and electric guitar prices?

Acoustic guitars tend to cost slightly more at the budget and mid-range levels because solid wood is more important to their sound. A decent beginner acoustic is $150 to $250, while a beginner electric is often $120 to $200. At higher price points, the gap narrows—a professional acoustic and electric can both cost $2,000 to $3,000.

Do I need to spend more on a guitar if I want to record?

For recording, you need a guitar that stays in tune and has a clear, consistent tone. That typically means spending at least $400 to $600 on an acoustic or $500 to $800 on an electric. You also need an audio interface and microphone (for acoustic) or an amp (for electric), which adds to the total cost. The guitar itself does not have to be expensive, but it does need to be reliable.