Fender is among the most famous guitar brands around the globe.
They have a huge selection of guitars suitable for all kinds of players and budgets.
It’s great that their cheapest models are high-quality and are excellent as starter guitars.
To truly enjoy all the attributes of the famous models, you need to increase the cost significantly.
Certain of their top-end models, like those from the Fender American Original 60s Stratocaster or the Eric Johnson Signature Stratocaster, is priced at more than $1500.
Why Are Fender Guitars So Expensive?
The major reason it is super expensive is its Brand Legacy, Some true pioneer models, Vintage models, Luxury Material in some guitars, and premium tonewood.
All these factors, when combined, make the Fender Guitars an expensive option!
Top factors behind its high prices:
Some elements have nothing on the instrument’s performance and more to do with external factors like the Fender brand.
Here are the most important reasons Fender Guitars are so expensive.
- BRAND LEGACY – It’s no surprise that Fender is among the most well-known guitar manufacturers worldwide.
- It all is due to their excellent quality and attention to detail.
- But the main part of their popularity comes due to their ties with many legendary guitarists.
- Your quality is unquestionable if you have musicians like Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughan, or Jeff Beck in your roster.
- Lots of VINTAGE stuff – This, to me, is the 2nd most obvious reason why a custom Fender 60s Stratocaster has a value of $6400.
- “Vintage,” as a word, has been used to describe the instrument.
- For starters, let’s clarify some of the traits associated with “vintage” guitars.
- Vintage guitars typically fall in the 30 years old or more to be considered vintage.
- Naturally, this makes it more valuable, but it is important to consider its condition.
- Lastly, other factors are US patriotism related and the cost of imports and exports.
- The last two factors are not that great for a company because they can control them easily.
Fender Vs. Gibson:
Whether you pick a Gibson or a Fender, The guitar you choose should meet your own needs overall.
- Volume Knobs – Gibson offers two volume controls on its SG’s and Les Pauls.
- Fender Guitars generally have only one knob. If the added variety in this specific aspect is crucial to your requirements, consider Gibson guitars.
- Humbucker pickups – Fender typically uses single-coil pickups responsible for giving it the distinctive “bell-like” sound that you won’t hear on Gibson guitars.
- The problem with single coils is that they often generate buzzing and humming sounds and can pick up radio frequencies!
- Gibson’s dual-coil pickups are quite quiet by comparison.
- Fender has solved the issue by introducing its “Fender Lace” pickup line.
- And this has decreased the noise while losing that legendary “bell” sound. In terms of quiet, silent pickups, Gibson is the winner.
- Clean and long-lasting “singing” note(that “thick classical rock tones”) Particularly with distortion or gain when it comes to the guitar’s sound, Gibson comes out on top.
- The reason is the kind of wood that Gibson guitars are made from and the Humbucker pickups.
- The chords with the most distortion are much clearer and less blurred on the Les Paul than on a Fender Strat.
PS – Our suggestion is to try various Gibson and Fender guitars to see what suits you personally.
Try different settings (toggle switch, tone knobs, and buttons), with distortion and without.
Some recommended guitars:
01. Fender Squier Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – $189.90 to $210.89
- Full-size steel-string acoustic with a huge sound and a reasonable cost.
- All-laminate construction, with Lindenwood top and sides and back.
- Scalloped “X”-bracing and mahogany neck and a sturdy dark-stained maple guitar.
- A slim, easy-to-play neck.
- Full-bodied Dreadnought tone.
02. Donner Acoustic Guitar for Beginner Adult Full Size – $160.90 to $170.89
- The Most Complete Steel String guitar set
- Donner acoustic guitar kit includes an acoustic guitar with gig bag padded, strap, and clip-on tuner.
- Digital clip-on pickguard, capo, an extra string pack, four picks, a cleaning cloth, and Allen wrench.
- Includes all the accessories that beginners require. You can commit to playing it straight out of the box. Ideal for professionals, beginners, teens, adults, and children.
- It comes with a well-made Craftsmanship Top, mahogany back and sides, with X bracing for an all-rounder performance.
- Exquisite sunburst color spray painting.
- 20 Brass Frets that have Fret positions Marks at the 3rd 5th, 7th, 9th 12, 15th, 12th, and 17th frets at the neck and the top of the fretboard.
- This guitar is an instrument that will last for a long period.
- Rich and Clear Sound A mahogany top spruce body provides a more vibrant sound.
- It is balanced and has a rich middle frequency. It also extends resonance.
Some other questions,
Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1.) Are Fenders guitars worth it?
Answer: Yes! Even if you are a naysayer and have nothing serious idea about the tonewood and other hardware, you can still have full trust in the Fender guitars.
Lastly, its quality is undeniable, has lots of fan following, and is a great choice for all artists.
Q2.) Which is a better option, Gibson or Fender?
Answer: Gibson comes out on top because their hardwood and chords having heavier distortion produce a much clearer sound.
This sound quality is better than Fender’s, but a Fender is an equally good option for beginners.
Q3.) Are the cheap guitars any better?
Answer: We know that the expensive guitar versions have premium parts and skilled craftsmanship.
And this is because their production happens in massive batches with unskilled labor and lower quality standards.
Q4.) What is the reason that the Fender Stratocasters as so popular?
Answer: This is because their design was done while keeping the user in mind.
And this made it very popular for getting that well-balanced and perfect sound to make the best guitar.
Q5.) What was the prime reason that Eric changed to Fender?
Answer: It happened during the 1970s mainly on the influence of Jimi and Steve Winwood when Mr. Clapton changed from Gibson to Fender.
Q6.) Has the Squier owned by the Fender?
Answer: Yes, and it is only under this brand that Fender makes less expensive but popular Stratocaster/ Telecaster models.
The bonding began in the 1965s when Fender acquired them.
Q7.) What are the Fender sound program and Fender tone?
Answer: It combines the native emotions of live music performance from a band, and you can also get a massive community shared examples.
Q8.) What are some Fenders having America Make?
Answer: Fender American Original, Professional, and Performer fit this category.
All have an American make.
Q9.) Which is easier to operate, Les paul or the Strat?
Answer: Les Paul is easier to play and operate in general because of its low string tension, and using lighter gauge strings is a good idea in general.
Q10.) Why did Pete also switch to Fender?
Answer: It happened because he used Rickenbackers back then and moved to Fenders which had more durability and high accessibility.
Q11.) What type of music is best played on a Telecaster?
Answer: Like a Fender Stratocaster option, the Telecaster allows the user for a diverse playstyle, including soul, jazz, pop, folk, Indie rock, and blues.
Q12.) What are some cons of Squier guitar?
Answer: Yes, there are some cons: its weaker body does not compete with that of Fender’s.
Also, the rich sound output that comes with Fender is critically absent or only present in the minority in most Squier brand guitars.
Q13.) Why did Leo have to leave the Fender?
Answer: During the 1950s, Mr. Fender got ill with a streptococcal sinus infection and planned to leave the company selling the same to CBS.
Q14.) Who owns the Gibson?
Answer: Gibson brands include many other brands like Epiphone, MESA, KRK systems, Kramer.
Gibson is also the top-rated guitar brand.
Q15.) What products does Fender own?
Answer: There is a multitude of products that Fender owns and produces, like all acoustic guitars, PA equipment, and bass amplifiers.
Its bass and solid-body guitars are game-changers.
Q16.) How to figure out if a Fender has an America make?
Answer: One can test the authority by seeing a serial number on their back, which will most likely have the US as a prefix.
Q17.) What is the meaning of SG on Gibson guitar?
Answer: We know that Gibson SG is a purely solid-body guitar that came during the 1960s.
SG means solid guitar and is the best-selling model of Gibson.
Final Verdict:
As you’ve seen, various variables impact the Fender guitar price.
A few factors can be considered as good reasons to increase the price, like the quality of materials or artistry.
Other factors are not considered good reasons like patriotism or legacy.
If you’re not a professional or fortunate enough with a financially sound background, there are many good guitars without spending the amount of cash.
But it’s guaranteed that if you decide to spend a lot of money, any Fender guitar you buy is of the finest quality possible.
However, if you’re looking to experience Fender’s sound but do not have to spend a lot of money on it, Squier is the best choice for you.
Squier is the cheapest division of Fender and has excellent guitars available.
Thanks For Reading!