This article will enable you to have a deep understanding of guitar manufacturing. With so many choices of different musical instrument manufacturers, it is incredibly important to have in-depth knowledge that will allow you to make the right decision. As you read this piece, you will learn more about the popularity of guitars and the reasons for this. It will outline the various types of people that buy guitars, as well as the manufacturing process and the cost of creating each guitar. It will then move on to explain the best guitar brands in the world, as well as the countries that are able to make each type of guitar. Finally, it will list the reasons that China has become known for its ability to create high standard, well priced guitars on a large scale, making Chinese manufacturers a great option when looking to source guitars. By the time you have finished reading, you should have all of the information that you need to make an informed, beneficial decision that can impress customers, boost business and meet demand.
How popular are guitars?
The guitar is the second most popular musical instrument in the world. The reason for this is that they can be purchased at a reasonable cost, are versatile, can be played as part of a band or even solo. Children and adults all over the world enjoy learning and playing the guitar, with most of the world’s most popular bands using this instrument in their music.
Often seen as a ‘cool’ instrument to play, many of the most iconic musicians and bands feature guitars, working to grow their popularity. The result of this is that more people look to purchase guitars. Imagery, music videos and talented people posting content on YouTube that includes guitars has worked to grow this amazing musical instrument’s popularity further.
The COVID pandemic has also seen more people learn the guitar as a hobby and pastime, meaning more people are looking to buy them and even purchase multiple guitars for their collections.
What kind of music can be played on a guitar?
Guitars enable you to play a wide range of music. There are different types of guitar that will be mentioned later in this article, with each of these creating a very different sound. This means that guitar owners are able to play any genre or style of song on a guitar, whether it is a heavy rock song, or acoustic country song. There are also different techniques that can be applied when playing the guitar which work to create different sounds, such as strumming the strings, or picking them individually.
Having so many types of music that can be played on the guitar means it is suitable for a wide range of people with different preferences. This makes the guitar stand out from other instruments. As an example, the violin is nowhere near as versatile.
Who buys guitars?
The great news when purchasing guitars is that they are an instrument that is respected by people of all ages around the world. The demand sees people buy new and second guitars for themselves, for their children, or even as a gift for people that they know.
When are the most guitars purchased?
With such a range of people looking to buy guitars, this means that they are bought in large volumes at all times of year. However, there is one particular time of year where more guitars are purchased and this is at Christmas. The reason for this is that they are a popular present.
Those stocking guitars can be confident that there will be ongoing demand throughout the year, with people buying them in all months. Some of the other reasons that they are bought could be when a person is looking to take up a new hobby, for a child that is starting music lessons or needs an instrument for school, or even as a birthday gift.
How are guitars manufactured?
There are many different stages in guitar manufacturing to create these beautiful instruments:
1. First, the body of the guitar is made, which is hollow in acoustic guitars, or solid in electric guitars
2. Next, the neck of the guitar is created, adding the finger board and frets on
3. After this, the smaller parts are added on, attaching parts such as the bridge to the body of the guitar, and the tuning keys onto the guitar
4. Finally, the body is attached to the neck of the guitar, turning the various parts into one
5. Last, the strings are attached and the guitar can be tuned, completing the musical instrument
This manufacturing process can be in a slightly different order, depending on the manufacturer. However, one thing remains the same and that is the fact that they are designed with great attention to detail, making sure they are made consistently and that they all sound brilliant when played.
When purchasing guitars, they are typically bought fully assembled, meaning they are ready to play and don’t require building before they can be used.
How much does it cost to manufacture a guitar?
The cost of guitar manufacturing can vary greatly, depending on many different factors.
1. One of the reasons that the cost of manufacturing can differ so much is the materials that are used.
Some guitars are made from more cost-effective materials, while others will be made from the finest types of wood and metal. For starter guitars, or basic guitars, these can be made cost-effectively, for as little as around $20. The highest end guitars can have small parts that cost thousands of dollars to manufacture, meaning the overall cost of the guitar goes up.
2. Engineering and design also plays a part in the cost that you pay for a guitar.
The most expensive guitars can have intricate details, or be designed to stand out, meaning they are not the typical types of guitar that you see. The different tools required to make these means that they are a lot more expensive to manufacture, as well as taking a longer time to make each one. Of course, this extra effort and time is reflected in the retail price.
3. Quantity
The number of guitars being purchased also impacts the cost of guitars. Typically, the higher the quantity, the cheaper they will become per unit. When buying them in small numbers, it can be more expensive when broken down into the cost per guitar.
While costs can vary a lot, it can be beneficial to compare the costs from different manufacturers to find ones that are within your price range. There are many reasonably priced ones, as well as middle-range ones that perform brilliantly and sell well.
Where are most guitars made?
There are many different countries that are known for guitar manufacturing, however they all have various specialities. Typically, America is known for producing some of the best known brands of guitar, while China is known to manufacture great quality, affordable guitars.
Who is the largest guitar manufacturer in the world?
While guitars are manufactured all over the world, China is able to do this in enormous quantities. The manufacturers in China can create great quality, attractive and desirable guitars on a large scale, making them one of the most popular guitar manufacturers on the planet.
Best guitar brands in the world
There are countless different guitar brands that are respected for different reasons. Some have been made famous by well known musicians, while others are seen as the perfect starter guitars. It can be very difficult to choose the perfect guitar brand due to the large volume, however reviews can help to choose the right one for your needs.
Some of the best guitar brands in the world include:
- Epiphone
- Fender
- Squier
- Yamaha
- Taylor
- Martin
- Jackson
- Gibson
- Ibanez
- PRS
- Seagull
Different types of guitars
As well as the different brands of guitars that are listed above, there are also different models on offer. Often, brands include numerous different types of guitar, which can attract large audiences of musicians.
Here are some of the different types of guitar:
Electric
These are usually used in rock music, allowing musicians to create different effects, as well as plugging the guitar into an amp. Perfect for those in bands, or people that want to perform guitar solos, electric guitars are versatile and stylish.
Acoustic
An acoustic guitar creates a more soft sound, making them more suitable for country and relaxed sounding music. They can also be plugged into an amp to enhance the sound, however they are best suited to strumming, rather than guitar solos.
Different materials
There are various materials that can be used in guitars, including various types of wood, different colors, or some that are even made from recycled materials. This can change the appearance, as well as the weight and performance of a guitar.
Different body shapes
Not all guitars look the same, with some being designed to stand out with their shape. The ‘flying V’ guitar was made famous as it is very unique, showing how different body shapes can be memorable. Often, these are remembered because of the musicians that made them famous by playing them, which can also grow sales.
Various sizes
Guitars come in different sizes, meaning even small children can learn the guitar on them, as well as adults. The size of the person playing the guitar should impact the decision for which size to buy.
Guitar accessories
There are many different accessories that can be purchased for guitars, including straps, capos, cases, effects peddles and much more. These are typically sold alongside guitars, allowing people to personalize their guitars and learn additional skills.
What kind of company sells the most guitars?
The majority of people around the world are looking for reasonably priced, well made guitars. China has become one of the most popular manufacturers of guitars due to their ability to create ones that sound and look great, while being priced competitively.
In China, guitars can be made and built on a large scale, meaning they can keep up with the growing demand. This mass guitar manufacturing also means they can provide large quantities to businesses and individuals that want to buy them, keeping price low. There are not many places in the world that can match China’s ability to produce so quickly and efficiently, which is why Chinese companies do so well.
Chinese manufacturers continue to grow in popularity, making record sales while creating loyal, returning customers that source and import all of their musical instruments from them.
How to choose a guitar manufacturer
Now you understand the basics of the different types of guitar and the places that they come from, it’s time to choose the right manufacturer. You should now have an idea of the types of guitars that are most suitable.
It’s also vital to understand your target market’s requirements. As an example, if your goal is to sell children’s guitars, you must make sure that the manufacturer you choose sells ones that are small in size. Similarly, if quality is important to you, it’s important to ensure that the reviews are positive and that you go for a middle range guitar that performs well, appealing to your desired audience.
The next step is to begin looking at products that appeal, as well as the manufacturers that stock them. This is the best way to get inspiration, learning more about the items that they sell, as well as additional points including capacity, minimum order volume and cost per unit. Once you have carried out your own research and found a few options, it is worth finding out more and placing an order when you have all of the information that you need.
Summary
This article has outlined everything you need to know about guitar manufacturing before sourcing, making sure you are well informed before committing to a specific manufacturer. The best step is to begin your own research and enjoy finding the perfect manufacturer for your requirements.
