Playing the guitar is no easy task, and no matter how long you’ve been doing it, if your guitar sucks, it can ruin your entire experience.
How can you avoid this? Well, getting guitars fully manufactured in America is a good start.
American guitar manufacturers produce a diverse range of high-quality instruments. However, if you are not an expert, it may be difficult to identify them, particularly the ones that are truly valuable.
We’ll discuss the best American made guitar brands and go over these distinctions in greater detail to help you understand them better.
1. Fender Guitars
The company was founded in 1938 as “Fender Radio Service” in Fullerton, California.
Clarence Leonidas Fender, the company’s founder, was so inspired by flaws in modern musical instruments that he began reworking them and crafting upgrades based on his unique designs.
Fender formed a partnership with Clayton Kauffman in early 1940 to design, manufacture, and market electric instruments. They made a name for themselves in the industry with “Hawaiian Lap Steel guitars” like the “Champion.”
Fender’s ever-evolving legacy inspires them to create a wide range of player-friendly guitars that incorporate cutting-edge technology.
In short, Fender has over 60 years of guitar manufacturing experience, so they have a lot of knowledge and expertise when it comes to crafting guitars.
Furthermore, this American company uses high-quality USA-sourced materials in their guitars, resulting in a superior product.
To top it all off, the brand is committed to innovation and continuous improvement by utilizing American knowledge and labor, which distinguishes them from competitors.
Best American Made Fender Performer Telecaster Guitar
Manufacturing Place
- California, USA
The Fender American Performer Telecaster is an excellent guitar for those who want to make beautiful music.
With its smooth running machines and simple vintage design, this guitar is ideal for any artist seeking expressive blends.
The jumbo frets allow you to produce a more dynamic sound, and the greasebucket tone system keeps your treble clear and defined.
Furthermore, the smooth satin finish on the neck creates a modern C-shaped profile that is both comfortable and fashionable.
Finally, because this guitar is made in America, you can be confident in its quality and craftsmanship.
Pros
- American Performer Yosemite pickups
- Smooth and easy-to-operate vintage running machines
- Jumbo frets allow artists to achieve more expressive blends
- Smooth satin finished neck with a modern C shaped profile
- Greasebucket tone system allows for treble cutting without mudding the sound
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey
2. Taylor Acoustic Guitars
Taylor acoustic guitars, founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug, are among the best in the world and the easiest to play.
With its main factory in the United States, they produce hundreds of high-quality acoustic guitars every day.
The company is a pioneer in using high-tech technology to handcraft every part of the guitar and make each design stand out. Each body shape produces a distinct tonal personality for various styles, and each type of wood brings out different sound flavors.
Taylor guitars are all designed to be stylish and ergonomic, but nothing beats the fact that they are made in America by American hands.
Manufacturing Place
- El Cajon, California
Looking for an acoustic guitar that is as beautiful as it is functional?
Then I recommend checking out the Taylor AD17 Blacktop Acoustic Guitar.
This American-made guitar is made of beautiful walnut, which gives it a stunning figure.
The Sitka spruce top captures the guitar’s distinct characteristics well and allows it to adapt to a wide range of playing styles.
Furthermore, the round and soft lines of the ergonomic slender neck make this guitar comfortable to play for extended periods of time.
Pros
- Made with Walnut that gives the guitar a very nice figure and very sweet overtones
- Sitka Spruce that provides a better capture of the guitar’s unique attributes and accommodates to a variety of styles
- Round and soft lines
- Ergonomic slender neck
Cons
- Not electric
3. Martin Acoustic Guitars
Since 1833, Martin has been creating legendary musical instruments.
Their handcrafted guitars contributed to the sound of modern music. The Martin family has led the company through six generations of change, but one constant has been American dedication and craftsmanship.
C.F. Martin Sr, the company’s founder, invented the X-bracing technique, which is still widely used for strengthening the guitar body and producing richer tones.
The majority of their acoustic guitars are handcrafted in the United States, making a strong statement against the speed-oriented mass production factories.
Best American Made Martin Acoustic DSS-17 Guitar
Manufacturing Place
- Nazareth, Pennsylvania
This American-made guitar is made of the finest mahogany and Sitka spruce, and it has solid-wood acoustic construction for an incredible sounding bass.
The rosewood fingerboard and bridge add a touch of luxury, while the ergonomic tapered neck is extremely comfortable to play.
This guitar’s scalloped bracing ensures that it will withstand the rigors of regular use, making it an excellent choice for all musicians.
Pros
- Top quality Mahogany wood and Sitka spruce construction that is both durable and looks great
- Solid-wood acoustic construction adds a great sounding bass
- Ergonomic tapered neck
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Scalloped bracing
Cons
- Based on my experience, I have no cons to speak of
4. Gibson Guitars
This American guitar manufacturer has a history of world-class craftsmanship and product innovation.
Their adjustable truss, designed in the 1920s, is so well-engineered that it is still used on all Gibson guitars today.
Les Paul, the legendary jazz guitarist, wanted to design a guitar to match his versatility, and he found a home at Gibson in 1952. They collaborated to create one of the most coveted electric guitars for all types of musicians worldwide.
For Gibson, music and technology go hand in hand, which is reflected in their guitars. Their distinct sounds and superior engineering will transform your musical experience.
5. Jackson Guitars
This company was founded by Grover Jackson and guitarist Randy Rhodes to create the first American-made Jackson electric guitar, the Concorde, which paved the way for what would eventually become the go-to brand for heavy metal guitars.
They are meticulously crafted shred machines by American hands, and their sound can be heard on classic metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Slipknot.
Jackson is the brand to look for if you want a guitar that can keep up with the demands of a metalhead.
