Ashthorpe makes entry-level guitars that prioritize affordability over build quality, and they are best suited to beginners who want to spend under $200 and are not yet sure they will stick with the instrument.

Ashthorpe is a budget brand sold primarily through Amazon and Walmart. The guitars are manufactured overseas, typically in China or Indonesia, and imported under the Ashthorpe name. They come in acoustic, classical, and electric models, usually bundled with a tuner, strap, and picks. The brand does not manufacture its own instruments — it sources them from factories and rebrands them for the North American market.

If you are looking for a guitar that will last years of regular playing and hold its resale value, Ashthorpe is not the answer. If you are a complete beginner with a tight budget and want to see whether guitar playing sticks before spending $400 or more, an Ashthorpe can get you started. The real question is whether the money you save upfront is worth the frustration of playing an instrument with poor intonation, uncomfortable action, and hardware that may need adjustment or replacement within months.

Key Takeaways

  • Ashthorpe guitars are sold new for $80 to $180 and are designed as throwaway starter instruments, not long-term investments.
  • The wood quality, fret work, and hardware are noticeably below brands like Yamaha, Fender, and Ibanez at the same price point or slightly higher.
  • Many Ashthorpe guitars arrive out of tune and require professional setup to play comfortably, adding $50 to $100 to the true cost.
  • Resale value is minimal — you will recover $20 to $40 if you sell a used Ashthorpe, making it a poor choice if you might upgrade later.
  • Better alternatives exist at the same price: used Fender Squire, Yamaha Pacifica, or Epiphone models often cost $150 to $250 and hold their value much better.

Build Quality and Materials

Ashthorpe guitars use laminated wood for the body and back, which is cheaper to produce than solid wood but produces a duller, less resonant tone. The fretboard is usually rosewood or a rosewood-colored composite, and the frets themselves are often uneven — meaning some will buzz when you play and others will feel dead. This is not a defect that develops over time; it is a manufacturing tolerance issue that comes from the factory.

The hardware — tuning pegs, bridge, and nut — is basic pot metal or plastic. Tuning pegs on Ashthorpe guitars often slip or require constant readjustment, especially on acoustic models. The bridge glue can fail within a year of regular playing, and replacement bridges are not readily available, making repair expensive relative to the guitar's value.

For comparison, a Yamaha Pacifica or Fender Squire at $150 to $200 uses better wood, more consistent fret work, and hardware that will not need replacement in the first year. The difference in playability is when ready — the Yamaha or Fender will stay in tune longer and feel more comfortable under your fingers.

Sound and Playability

Ashthorpe acoustic guitars sound thin and tinny. The laminated body does not vibrate the way solid wood does, so the tone lacks warmth and projection. If you are playing alone in your bedroom, you may not notice the difference. If you are playing with other people or trying to hear yourself over ambient noise, the guitar will disappoint you.

The action — the height of the strings above the fretboard — is often too high on new Ashthorpe guitars, which makes them uncomfortable to play and causes hand fatigue quickly. Lowering the action requires a professional setup, which costs $50 to $100. After setup, the guitar becomes playable, but you have now spent $150 to $280 total on an instrument that will never sound as good as a $200 Yamaha.

Electric Ashthorpe models have similar issues. The pickups are weak, the electronics are noisy, and the neck often has a slight twist or warp that makes consistent playing difficult. Again, setup can help, but it cannot fix the underlying material quality.

What Ashthorpe Gets Right

Ashthorpe guitars do come with useful accessories. Most bundles include a tuner, a strap, picks, and sometimes a gig bag or stand. If you were buying these separately, you would spend $30 to $50. The bundle pricing is honest — you are not paying extra for the guitar itself because of the accessories.

The guitars are also genuinely playable after setup. A $100 Ashthorpe that receives a $75 professional setup becomes a serviceable beginner instrument. It will not inspire you, but it will not actively discourage you either. For someone who has never held a guitar and wants to spend as little as possible to learn about they like the instrument, this is a valid path.

Ashthorpe also offers a range of body styles and colors, which appeals to younger players who want their guitar to look a certain way. If aesthetics matter more than sound quality to your decision, Ashthorpe delivers more visual variety than many competitors in the same price range.

Better Alternatives at the Same Price

Used Fender Squire Stratocasters and Telecasters regularly appear on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay for $120 to $200. These are real Fender instruments with solid construction, and they hold their value. If you decide guitar is not for you, you can sell a used Squire for 60 to 70 percent of what you paid. A used Ashthorpe sells for 20 to 30 percent.

Yamaha Pacifica acoustic and electric models are often on sale at retailers like Sweetwater and Guitar Center for $150 to $180. These are new instruments with better wood, better hardware, and better resale value than Ashthorpe. The tone is noticeably warmer, and the action is closer to playable out of the box.

Epiphone, which is Gibson's budget brand, makes guitars in the $150 to $250 range that are significantly better than Ashthorpe. The SG and Les Paul Junior models are iconic shapes with solid construction. You will pay a little more, but the guitar will last and will not embarrass you if you play it in front of others.

If your budget is truly fixed at under $100, a used Squire or Yamaha is still a better choice than a new Ashthorpe. The used market has plenty of inventory, and you avoid the setup costs that make a new Ashthorpe more expensive in practice.

Warranty and Customer Service

Ashthorpe offers a one-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects but not damage from use, setup issues, or hardware failure caused by normal playing. The warranty is honored through Amazon or Walmart, depending on where you bought the guitar. Returns are straightforward if the guitar arrives damaged, but if it arrives unplayable due to poor setup, you will need to pay for a professional to fix it — the warranty does not cover that.

Customer service is minimal. Ashthorpe does not have a phone line or dedicated support team. You contact them through Amazon or Walmart's messaging system, and responses are slow. If something goes wrong after the return window closes, you have limited recourse.

Who Should Buy an Ashthorpe Guitar

Buy an Ashthorpe if you are a complete beginner with a budget under $150, you do not mind paying for professional setup, and you are genuinely uncertain whether you will stick with guitar. The total cost will be $150 to $200, and you will have a playable instrument that teaches you the basics.

Do not buy an Ashthorpe if you have any experience with guitar, if you plan to play regularly, if you want to resell the guitar later, or if you are buying for someone else as a gift and want them to enjoy the experience. In those cases, spend the extra $50 to $100 on a used Squire, Yamaha, or Epiphone, and you will be much happier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Ashthorpe guitars need setup when they arrive?

Most do. The action is usually too high, and the intonation is often off. You can play an Ashthorpe out of the box, but it will be uncomfortable and sound worse than it could. A professional setup costs $50 to $100 and makes a real difference.

Will an Ashthorpe guitar last for years?

It depends on how much you play. Light, occasional playing — a few times a week for 30 minutes — can stretch an Ashthorpe to two or three years. Regular playing, five or more days a week, often causes hardware failure or fret wear within 12 to 18 months. The bridge glue can also fail unpredictably.

Can I resell an Ashthorpe guitar?

Yes, but you will recover very little money. A used Ashthorpe typically sells for $20 to $40 on the secondhand market, regardless of condition. A used Yamaha or Squire at the same age sells for $100 to $150, making it a much better investment if you might upgrade later.

Is Ashthorpe better than no guitar at all?

Yes. If your only choice is an Ashthorpe or nothing, buy the Ashthorpe and plan to upgrade within a year. But if you have any flexibility in your budget, a used Squire or Yamaha is a better use of your money and will not frustrate you as much.

What is the difference between Ashthorpe and Fender Squire?

Fender Squire is a real brand with consistent quality control and genuine Fender design. Ashthorpe is a rebranded import with no design heritage and minimal quality standards. A Squire costs $20 to $50 more new, but used Squires are cheaper than new Ashthorpes and much better instruments.