10+ Most Underrated Electric & Acoustic Guitar Brands

There are a lot of underrated electric and acoustic guitar brands on the market these days.

While some of the more popular brands get all of the attention, there are a few lesser-known brands that deserve just as much recognition.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most underrated electric and acoustic guitar brands.

We’ll also discuss why these brands are underrated, how they sound, and why you should consider giving them a try.

You may be surprised by how good they are!

Most Underrated Electric Guitar Brands

Have in mind that there are endless electric guitar companies out there, so it’s impossible to name them all; these examples are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of products that are often overlooked.

While some of these brands may not be as well-known as some of the bigger names, they definitely produce some fantastic guitars!

Some others are actually known enough, but definitely deserve more recognition that they currently get.

1. G&L

G&L is a brand that is often underrated, but it really shouldn’t be.

This brand makes some of the best electric guitars on the market, and they are well worth considering if you’re in the market for a new guitar.

They’re known for their quality craftsmanship and classic design and for being founded by Leo Fender in 1980.

His experience in the guitar industry provided a high level of expertise to G&L’s products.

From beginners to professional touring musicians, G&L has something for everyone.

2. PRS

PRS Guitars was founded in 1985 by luthier Paul Reed Smith, hence the acronym “PRS”.

Since its inception, PRS has become one of the most respected guitar companies in the world, known for its innovative designs and high-quality craftsmanship.

Today, PRS offers a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars, basses, and amplifiers, whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, PRS has a guitar that will suit your needs.

These guitars are well-known for their incredible attention to detail and outstanding craftsmanship.

The company’s commitment to quality extends to every aspect of its instruments, from the materials used to the pickups and electronics.

Because of this dedication to excellence, each PRS guitar is designed to produce rich, full tones that are perfect for any style of music.

3. Music Man

Music Man Guitars was founded in 1971 by Forrest White, Tom Walker, and Leo Fender.

The company’s first guitar, the StingRay, was introduced in 1976 and quickly became one of the most popular instruments in the world.

Today, Music Man offers a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars, basses, and amps, all of which are designed to provide exceptional tone and playability.

There are a few reasons why Music Man guitars are underrated, first, they’re not as well-known as some of the more popular brands.

And second, they’re a bit more expensive than some of the other brands on the market.

4. D’Angelico

D’Angelico Guitars is a New York City-based guitar manufacturer, founded in 1932 by luthier John D’Angelico.

The company specializes in hand-crafted acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars, ukuleles, and mandolins.

Known for its unique style, quality craftsmanship, and use of premium materials, the company offers a wide range of models to suit different playing styles and budgets.

In addition to its factory in New York City, D’Angelico has a second facility in Korea.

All of the company’s products are made with the highest level of care and attention to detail.

5. Kiesel

Kiesel Guitars is a California-based guitar manufacturer with a heritage dating back to 1946.

In 2015, Kiesel Guitars split from Carvin Corporation, taking the guitar and bass portions of Carvin.

Today, the company continues to produce high-quality guitars that are played by some of the world’s most renowned musicians.

Kiesel Guitars offers a wide range of models, so whether you’re looking for a solid-body electric or an acoustic guitar, Kiesel has a model that will suit your needs.

Some cool about them is also their online configurator, you can custom order your dream guitar and have it delivered right to your door.

That means you get to choose every single part of your guitar, including color, wood, body shape, etc.

6. Washburn

Founded in 1883, Washburn Guitars is one of the oldest and most respected guitar companies in the world.

Over the years, they have been responsible for some of the most iconic and best-selling guitars of all time.

From its early days as a Chicago-based manufacturer of banjos and mandolins to its current status in acoustic and electric guitars, Washburn has always been at the forefront of guitar innovation.

Today, Washburn offers a wide range of guitars for every style and budget, from beginner to professional.

Even then Washburn tends to be overlooked!

Some reasons are that they’re not as well-known as the “big two” (Gibson, Fender), their guitars are not as expensive as some of the high-end brands, and they don’t have the same level of prestige.

7. Hamer

Hamer Guitars is an Illinois-based manufacturer of high-quality electric and acoustic guitars.

Founded in 1973 by vintage guitar shop owners Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig.

Today, the company mostly offers a wide range of electric guitars.

The first Hamer guitar, a Flying V bass, was built at Northern Prairie Music, a vintage instrument shop in Wilmette, Illinois.

8. Schecter

Founded in 1976, Schecter Guitar Research is a leading manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.

The company’s success is built on a commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovative design, which has resulted in a range of instruments that are perfect for both beginners and experienced players alike.

Schecter’s extensive experience in the industry is evident in the construction of their instruments, which feature only the finest components.

From the select woods used for the body and neck to the custom-wound pickups, every aspect of each guitar is designed to create an instrument that looks and sounds amazing.

9. Epiphone

Epiphone is one of the world’s leading guitar brands, with a history that dates back over 100 years.

The company was founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos, and since then, has been responsible for producing some of the most iconic guitars ever made.

Today, Epiphone continues to be a leading force in the guitar industry, with a wide range of models that appeal to players of all styles and budgets.

From affordable entry-level instruments to high-end signature models, Epiphone has something for everyone; their guitars are known for their warm, rich tone and for having similar designs to Gibson.

Many players prefer them for their mellower sound, which is perfect for blues, jazz, and country music.

10. Squier

Squier Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments and a subsidiary of the giant guitar company Fender.

It was established in 1890 by Victor Carroll Squier in Battle Creek, Michigan.

While it wasn’t until 1965, that the company was acquired by Fender, that’s when they quickly gained a reputation for producing affordable guitars.

Today, Squier Guitars offers a wide range of products, ranging from the most iconic Fender electric guitar models such as the Telecaster and the Stratocaster to Jaguar and Jazzmaster models.

Squier tends to be recognized mostly as a beginner band, but it’s been demonstrated many times that these guitars actually sound very decently.

Most Underrated Acoustic Guitar Brands

There are a lot of great acoustic guitar brands on the market these days.

But, there are also some acoustic guitar brands that don’t get as much attention as they deserve.

In the following section, we’ll take a look at some of the most underrated acoustic guitar brands, but do have in mind, that these are just a handful out of the many out there.

Nowadays, there are dozens of guitar brands that don’t get as much recognition as they should, these are a few of those:

1. Seagull

Seagull is a Canadian guitar manufacturer currently based in Montreal, that produces a wide range of acoustic guitars.

The company was founded in 1982 by Robert Godin, and its headquarters were originally located in La Patrie, Quebec.

When the Seagull guitar was first introduced, it revolutionized how we think about affordability in music.

The company wanted to create beautiful sounding and feeling instruments that would be within reach for musicians like you or me- without sacrificing any quality!

Among its many features, there’s having select pressure tested solid tops, a double function truss system, a reverse headstock, and an integrated set neck.

2. Alvarez

Alvarez Guitars is a guitar company that has been making quality instruments for over 50 years.

Founded in 1965 by luthier Kazuo Yairi, Alvarez Guitars quickly established itself as one of the premier manufacturers of acoustic guitars.

Although they have their share of popularity, they’re not as close to the leading acoustic guitar manufacturers that we hear about every day.

Today, the company continues to produce some of the finest acoustics on the market, using only the finest materials and craftsmanship.

While they are best known for their steel-string acoustics, Alvarez also produces a wide range of other instruments, including nylon-string guitars, electric guitars, basses, and even ukuleles.

3. Yamaha

For generations, Yamaha has been one of the leading names in musical instruments.

The company was founded by Torakusu Yamaha in 1887 and they produce a very wide variety of products, including organs, pianos, furniture, motorcycles, and of course guitars.

Very important though, Yamaha is most underrated in western countries where guitarists usually go for Gibson or Fender instruments.

In other regions, they definitely have their big share of success!

Yamaha guitars are designed with a variety of tonewoods to produce the perfect sound for any application.

A guitar made by Yamaha will have more bass response than other brands, which makes them ideal if you’re looking into heavier and fuller tones.

4. Tanglewood

Founded in 1988, Tanglewood is another leading maker of acoustic guitars.

Tanglewood is based in London, UK, where they design their instruments but manufacture them in China.

Though Tanglewood has achieved a lot of success in branching out into categories such as basses and banjos, the brand’s real strength and expertise lies in the acoustic guitar market.

With a wide range of models to choose from, Tanglewood has something for everyone, from beginners to professionals.

5. Larrivee

For over 50 years, Jean Larrivée Guitars Inc. has been hand-crafting some amazing acoustic guitars in the world.

Currently based in Vancouver, Canada, the company was founded in 1967 by Jean Larrivée.

Today, they continue to produce high-quality instruments that are prized by musicians around the globe.

What sets Larrivée apart from other guitar makers is its immense commitment to detail and high quality.

The company sources its wood from sustainably managed forests, and each guitar is built by hand using traditional methods.

Also known as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) wood, these engage in as much selective logging as possible.

This means they’re there, in the forest, personally taking part in the prebuilt process.

In other words, they pride themselves in beginning to create your guitars on the forest floor.

6. Godin

Godin Guitars is a Canadian guitar manufacturer based in Montreal, Quebec.

The company was founded in 1972 by Robert Godin.

Godin Guitars produces a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars, as well as ukuleles, mandolins, and banjos.

In terms of acoustic guitars, they have all the models you can think of, in any range you can think of.

With a ‘From Forest to Stage’  workflow, they ensure that all of their instruments are carefully crafted and built with the highest possible level of quality control.

7. Blueridge

For many guitarists, the name Blueridge conjures up images of traditional acoustic guitars with a distinctly vintage appeal.

Blueridge is also being run by Saga Musical Instruments, but they’re one of their most reputable sub-brand.

Saga Musical Instruments own multiple guitar brands, some of them include Accent, Blueridge, Bristol, Burns, Catala, Cigano, J. Navarro, P. Saez, and Rega.

Known for their combination of modern construction methods with classic design elements, these guitars are often being sold at very high prices when they’re brand new.

These acoustic guitars have also upended the belief of many people who think all Chinese-made guitars are low quality.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional acoustic guitar or something with a little more flair, these guitars are often overlooked by guitarists.

8. Eastman

Eastman Guitars is a guitar manufacturer based in Beijing, China.

The company was founded in 1992 by Qian Ni, who is also the current CEO and primarily built violins before branching to guitars and more.

Eastman Guitars produces a wide range of guitars, from acoustic guitars to electric guitars of all body shapes and types.

They have a team of experienced craftspeople who hand-build each guitar to ensure the highest quality possible.

Its commitment to quality has made it one of the leading guitar manufacturers.

Since they’re a Chinese brand, they’re often seen as second options because of the stigma of low-quality control, but this can’t be further from the truth.

9. Guild

Guild was founded in 1952 by Alfred Dronge, a guitarist and music-store owner, and George Mann, a former Epiphone executive.

The company quickly established itself as a premier maker of acoustic and electric guitars.

Today, the company offers a wide range of acoustic and electric guitars that are prized for their craftsmanship and tone.

Artists such as Slash, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, and Muddy Waters, to name just a few, have all been seen at some point with one of these guitars.

10. Art & Lutherie

Art & Lutherie makes entry-level budget acoustic guitars and is a subsidiary of Godin Guitars.

The company was founded in 1995 and since then has handcrafted its instruments with a focus on environmental sustainability.

Today, they have and manufacture mainly 3 models: the Americana, the Legacy, and the Roadhouse.

These models are great for whatever your genre preference is, be folk, country, alt-country, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, etc.

Personally, this was my first ever guitar, and I’m writing this while I still have it even after so many years have passed.

What makes a guitar underrated?

In the world of guitars, there are a few that stand out above the rest, these are the models that are often imitated but never truly duplicated; they are the guitars that define an era or a style.

However, there are also a number of underrated guitars that deserve to be more widely known.

These are instruments that may have been overshadowed by their more famous counterparts but nonetheless offer their own unique voice and capabilities.

So what makes a guitar underrated?

Among many other things, some of those reasons include:

• An unassuming design
• Lack of high-profile endorsements
• Or simply the fact that it was ahead of its time

Whatever the case may be, an underrated guitar is one that deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated for its own merits.

Most underrated guitars tend to be overlooked because they’re not an American company, or are simply not Fender or Gibson.

This YouTube video is a great resource for those of you looking for a perspective on this topic:

Although most of the guitars that he mentions are already on our list, there are a few others that are also very interesting.

Yes, Fender and Gibson are easily among the top 10 best guitar brands to ever exist, no one can logically say otherwise.

But still, we can debate that other companies have also found their ways into building quality products that are actually worth considering.

What should you look for in a guitar?

Shopping for a guitar can be a daunting task, especially for beginners.

With so many different types and brands to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start.

However, there are a few key factors that you should always keep in mind when looking for a guitar.

First, you need to decide what type of guitar you want. Are you looking for an acoustic or electric guitar?

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can start considering factors like body size and shape, neck construction, and string type.

It’s also important to think about your budget and what features you’re willing to pay for; with so many different factors to consider, it’s important to do your research before making a purchase.

Here’s a great video for those of you looking to buy an acoustic guitar:

On the other hand, for those of you that decided to buy an electric guitar…

Here’s another great YouTube video that you should definitely check out:

This last video features 5 important things that you should check before buying an electric guitar.

Some of the things that he mentions include checking for neck/headstock dive, body contour, neck profile, pickups, and tone.

Now, these are just a very slight summary of what to look for in a guitar, but they should for sure get you started on the right track.

Are Chinese electric guitars good?

There’s no denying that Chinese electric guitars have come a long way in recent years.

In fact, many guitarists now consider Chinese-made instruments to be on par with their American counterparts.

One reason for this is the sheer number of high-quality manufacturers now operating in China; even American guitar companies are opening new factories, not in China specifically, but in multiple Asian countries.

These companies have invested heavily in research and development, and as a result, their products are getting better and better.

Another reason is the increasing global demand for electric guitars.

With more and more people taking up the instrument, Chinese manufacturers are able to sell their products at competitive prices.

Now, let’s be real, just like with anything in life, not everything is 100% good, there are definitely some bad apples, and since the cost of these guitars tends to be lower, that means lower quality control for the most part.