WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EXPENSIVE AND A CHEAP GUITAR?

The short answer is: materials, consistency, craftsmanship, and how much work is needed to make it play well.

The long answer is below 👇

Materials & Components

Cheap guitars

• Often use laminated or lower-grade woods

• Cheaper hardware (tuners, bridge, nut)

• Budget electronics and pickups

• Plastic nuts and saddles are common

These materials keep costs down but can affect tone, tuning stability, and longevity.

Expensive guitars

Higher-grade or solid woods

Better-quality hardware that holds tuning

Higher-end pickups and electronics

Bone or high-quality synthetic nuts

Better materials don’t just sound better — they wear better over time.

Consistency & Build Quality

This is a big one.

Cheap guitars

Quality can vary hugely from one instrument to the next

You might find a great one — but it’s luck

Factory tolerances are wider

Expensive guitars

Much more consistent

Tighter quality control

Less chance of hidden issues (twisted necks, uneven frets)

This consistency is what you’re really paying for.

Playability (Out of the Box)

Cheap guitars

Often need a proper setup to play comfortably

Higher string action

Sharp fret ends or uneven frets are common

Can feel “hard work” for beginners

Expensive guitars

Usually play well straight away

Better fretwork

Smoother neck feel

More comfortable across the fretboard

That said — this is where a good setup can level the playing field.

Sound & Tone

Cheap guitars

Can sound perfectly fine, especially for beginners

Less depth, clarity, and sustain

Pickups may sound harsher or less detailed

Expensive guitars

More dynamic response

Better note separation

Fuller, richer tone

Respond better to playing technique

Experienced players notice this difference more than beginners.

Longevity & Reliability

Cheap guitars

Hardware wears out sooner

Electronics may fail earlier

More sensitive to humidity and temperature changes

Expensive guitars

Built to last decades

Hold tuning better

Cope with gigging and travel more reliably

This matters a lot for gigging musicians.

The Biggest Myth: Price = Playability

Here’s the honest truth from a repair shop perspective:

A well-set-up affordable guitar can play better than an expensive guitar that hasn’t been set up properly.

We regularly see:

£300 guitars transformed by a £60 setup

£2,000 guitars playing poorly because they’ve never been adjusted

So… Should You Buy Cheap or Expensive?

Cheap guitars are great if:

You’re a beginner

You’re on a budget

You’re willing to invest in a professional setup

Expensive guitars are worth it if:

You play regularly or gig

You want consistency and reliability

You value tone, feel, and long-term ownership

Our Advice (What We Tell Customers)

Don’t buy based on price alone.

Play the guitar

Check how it feels

Budget for a professional setup

Ask questions

We’d rather see someone with a great-playing affordable guitar than an expensive one they don’t enjoy playing.

If you’re unsure, bring a guitar in — or try a few side by side. The right instrument is the one that makes you want to play more.