“The higher end the guitar, the more robust the demand is”: Why are guitars getting more expensive? We spoke to the world’s biggest guitar companies to find out

A guitarist browsing guitar prices in a store.

Rising prices have become a reality of life in 2024 and the guitar industry has been no exception, especially when it comes to the big names.

Epiphone’s latest Chinese-built models approach $1,500, while Fender’s Mexican-made Vintera IIs are heading north of the $1,000 mark. Meanwhile, the former mid-price tier, ie, the flagship US builds from the big firms, come in at anything between $2,000 and $5,000 – and the price tags of some custom shop guitars now seem to be approaching real estate levels. It seems like it’s everywhere.