You can’t move these days without seeing a product description or review with the phrase ‘budget guitars with premium components’. As nearly all major brands and retailers are knocking out sub-£/$400 guitars with roasted maple necks, alder bodies, stainless steel frets, and locking tuners, it’s not hyperbole to say there’s never been a better time to get value for money when it comes to buying a cheap electric guitar.
The advent and widespread use of CNC machines, coupled with outsourcing labour to cheaper countries mean we’re getting better quality guitars than ever at the budget range of the spectrum. Nowadays made in Korea, Indonesia, or China isn’t the objectionable label it once was, and coupled with a cost of living crisis, brand loyalty doesn’t hold as much weight, particularly with the younger generation of guitar players.
