Top 10 Largest Guitar Brands Worldwide

Fender Guitars is one of the world's leading guitar brands, founded in Southern California in the late 1930s, with a global impact spanning from studios to stages. It is best known for its electric guitars and basses.

Leo Fender spent nearly a decade crafting his guitars before rock 'n' roll artists began widely adopting his instruments. The tremolo-equipped guitars by Fender became especially popular in country music during that time. Today, the brand also focuses on Acoustic guitars, maintaining its place as a top company in the industry and a cultural icon worldwide.

When the Telecaster was introduced in February 1951, Leo Fender shifted focus to bass guitars, and the development of the first electric guitar took place that summer. This was a groundbreaking moment in music history. Unlike any guitar before, the Telecaster had a bright, clear, cutting tone, with prominent highs, thick mids, and deep lows, perfectly suited to Western swing music. Fender guitars have remained favored by musicians worldwide due to their crisp, powerful sound.

Initially, all Fender guitars were Sunburst, but in 1961, the brand introduced new colors inspired by popular American cars. In 1965, CBS acquired Leo Fender's company for $13 million, which was significantly higher than what CBS had paid for the New York Yankees just two years prior. Today, the Fender Custom Shop regularly collaborates with top guitar and bass artists to create their iconic products.

Website: http://intl.fender.com/en-VN/

Ibanez (Eye-buh-nezz) is a prominent guitar manufacturer. From its origins as a branch of a Japanese bookstore to becoming one of the leading guitar brands in the world, this brand has come a long way.

In 1908, during the Meiji Era, a period of rapid modernization in Japan, entrepreneur Hoshino Masujiro founded Hoshino Shoten bookstore in Nagoya. In addition to books and newspapers, Hoshino sold sheet music and musical instruments, especially Western instruments, which were in high demand in Japan due to growing trade with Europe and North America.

The rise of rock music in the early 1950s sparked a surge in demand for electric guitars, which helped Ibanez thrive. With a developing electronics industry, the company quickly produced quality electric guitars and amplifiers at affordable prices, such as the Ibanez EG1800 Rhythm and Guyatone LG-30.

Besides guitars and amplifiers, the company also started producing drums and bass guitars. Renowned guitarists like Dirk Verbeuren of Soilwork, Lars Ulrich of Metallica, and the legendary Eddie Van Halen have played Ibanez guitars in many of their most famous projects. With musicians like Slipknot’s Paul Gray on bass and Dominic Howard on drums using Ibanez products, the brand has become a household name in the music industry.

Ibanez continues to experiment with new materials such as Luthite, a pressure-molded plastic used in their Ergodyne series. The company also expanded globally, opening a branch in Los Angeles to cater to professional trade and establishing production facilities in South Korea and China to meet the demands of the growing pop and rock music scenes in both countries. With their success, willingness to take risks, and focus on customer needs, Ibanez is set to continue producing high-quality instruments and equipment for many years to come.

Website: http://www.ibanez.com/asia/

Gibson is the most iconic guitar brand in the world, shaping the sound of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for over a century. Established in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, Gibson Brands boasts a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary musical partnerships, and unmatched product development in the instrument industry.

The Gibson Guitar Corporation is one of the most diverse instrument manufacturers worldwide, both in terms of product offerings and market reach. By the late 1990s, it was a global company valued at $150 million. Leading models like the Les Paul and other signature guitars made up about 50% of its revenue. Over the past century, Gibson has produced nearly 50 guitar models, with the Les Paul solid-body electric guitar being the most iconic of them all. Similarly, Gibson's Explorer, Flying V, and Moderne models are among the most valuable guitars in its current lineup. Gibson celebrated its 100th anniversary of instrument design and production in 1994.

In an effort to attract new customers outside traditional guitar magazines, Gibson began advertising in publications like Esquire, GQ, and The New Yorker. These ads included phone numbers for consumers to call for more product details. Recognizing the saturated guitar market of the 1960s, Gibson also acquired companies producing bass guitars, amplifiers, mandolins, keyboards, and drums to diversify its offerings and strengthen its guitar lineup.

Website: https://www.gibson.com/en-US/

Washburn Guitars was founded in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois. The company began producing guitars in 1883, and its factory was located near a music movement in Chicago during the 1920s, known as the 'Delta Blues' movement. This movement, fueled by a wave of African American immigrants to the area, played a significant role in shaping the future of blues and rock and roll music. Washburn guitars gained immense popularity during the 1920s as part of this cultural shift.

Washburn is known for its innovative approach to guitar construction and marketing. For instance, it was the first guitar manufacturer to use endorsements from musicians and produce an acoustic guitar with a larger body shape. While most guitars are hand-built, some are produced in Indonesia and sold at various price points ranging from very affordable to several thousand dollars. Washburn’s budget lines, Lyon and Oscar Schmidt, are popular in the market. Many famous musicians, including those from Matisyahu, Sum41, Avril Lavigne, and The Allman Brothers, have played Washburn instruments.

Washburn produces electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, acoustic bass guitars, banjos, mandolins, travel guitars, and amplifiers. The company also manufactures accessories like guitar cases, clothing, and various parts. Over the years, Washburn has patented and trademarked several distinctive guitar features, including the Buzz Feiten tuning system, special modifications to the neck joint, and a voice contour control system, which allows the combination of humbucker and single-coil modes on a single pickup.

Website: http://www.washburn.com/

Samick was founded in 1958 by Hyo Ick Lee with the goal of 'enriching human lives through music, a universal language.' Initially, they were importers of Baldwin pianos for South Korea. Within two years, they began manufacturing their own upright pianos using imported parts.

In 1965, Samick began producing acoustic guitars for the South Korean market and for export, capitalizing on the demand for affordable guitars made in Asia that dominated the market throughout the decade. By 1970, Samick had grown its production capabilities enough to introduce its first grand pianos.

In 1972, Samick expanded into electric guitars, initially producing Teisco-style models. By 1976, the quality of their electric guitars reached a new level, and the brand name was changed to 'Hondo II' to reflect this. During this time, they also began producing copies of classic American models like the Les Paul and Stratocaster, as well as banjos, mandolins, and violins.

By 1976, over 22,000 Bi-Centennial banjos had been sold, and shortly after, Hondo became one of the best-selling entry-level brands, available in 70 countries worldwide. By 1979, the brand had sold nearly 800,000 instruments globally. The 1980s marked a new era for Samick and Hondo, as they introduced their new Professional Line, produced by Tokai and Matsumoku in Japan.

Website: http://www.samickpiano.com/

Yamaha was founded in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha with the mission of expanding personal musical instrument ownership. Yamaha began producing guitars in 1940 and started exporting them worldwide in 1966. During the 1940s, nylon-string classical acoustic guitars emerged, and 1966 proved to be a milestone year for Yamaha guitars.

At that time, the SG electric guitar, SB bass, FG steel-string acoustic, and a guitar amplifier were introduced. Numerous other services followed, from amplifiers and effect pedals to an ever-growing range of high-quality instruments such as the SG, BB, FG, and Revstar series. Over time, the brand has grown to create some of the world’s best-selling acoustic guitars; each year, over a million new players transition to acoustic guitar ownership by purchasing their first Yamaha.

Yamaha has been a leader in cutting-edge technology in the guitar industry, with Line 6 offering a range of digital electric guitars, amplifiers, and effects to complement Yamaha's acoustic and electric guitars, basses, and amplifiers. Line 6 launched in 1996 with the world's first digital modeling amplifier, the AxSys 212, and followed up with the groundbreaking POD multi-effects processor in 1998, revolutionizing the industry with an easy way to record guitar with exceptional tone. The Variax guitar offers more sounds and features than any instrument in history, while the Relay wireless systems led the shift from analog to digital for guitarists.

Website: https://vn.yamaha.com/index.html

Suzuki Violin Company was founded in 1887 by Masakichi Suzuki and started manufacturing guitars in the early 1900s. After World War II, the company restructured into two divisions: Suzuki Violin Company, which later became Kiso Suzuki Violin Company (managed by one of Masakichi's sons, Kikuo), and Suzuki Violin Manufacturing Company, later known as Nagoya Suzuki Violin Company (run by another son, Umeo).

Nagoya Suzuki produced violins and other string instruments, including acoustic and classical guitars, which were commonly sold under the Suzuki or Three-S brand. The company began producing guitars in the late 1980s but remained a key manufacturer of orchestral string instruments and mandolins. Their guitars, often featuring thin backs or sides, were renowned for their sound, playability, and volume. Both Suzuki divisions used high-quality laminates and exhibited fine craftsmanship. For many players, the neck shape of their guitars made them particularly easy to play.

Nagoya Suzuki’s 'Three S' guitar brand is highly regarded by those who own them. They also produced the Insignia series in the 1980s, which featured solid wood construction and thinner neck profiles compared to typical acoustic guitars. If you own a Suzuki guitar, congratulations on owning a well-crafted instrument with excellent sound.

Website: https://suzukimusic-global.com/

Taylor Guitars is one of the largest guitar brands in the world today. Known for crafting exquisite acoustic instruments for decades, Taylor has earned its reputation as one of the finest instrument makers. From their choice of materials to their dedication to craftsmanship, Taylor guitars are regarded as some of the best-made instruments on the market.

Taylor is also famous for offering a range of guitars and instruments, each providing its unique sound and feel. Taylor guitars can be found in the hands of renowned performers, musicians, and recording artists around the world. A quality Taylor guitar is one with a perfect build, offering a distinctive tone and feel that is significantly different when held.

The Grand Concert model is Taylor's smallest design, extremely comfortable for smaller players but still well-suited for those with focused vocal tones, pushing each note with minimal bass or treble. The Grand Auditorium, Taylor's most popular design, strikes the perfect balance between compact comfort and a larger-than-expected sound. Its contoured body makes it an ideal performance partner, and its depth creates balanced tones across the entire range.

Today, Taylor uses over 1,200 employees and produces hundreds of guitars daily across two manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico: El Cajon, California and Tecate, Baja California. Taylor does not manufacture guitars in Asia. Many famous artists, such as Taylor Swift, Prince, and Jason Mraz, have chosen Taylor guitars for recording and performing, drawn to the incredible allure and warmth of the sound these guitars produce.

Website: https://www.taylorguitars.com/

Martin Guitars was founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin (C.F. Martin), a German immigrant. The brand is renowned for its iconic guitars and high-quality accessories that complement them. Martin Guitars has remained a family-owned business, with the company continuing to be run by the Martin family to this day. Based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, CF Martin & Co. has become the world’s leading producer of acoustic guitars, never straying from its goal of perfecting the acoustic instrument.

The characteristics of a quality Martin guitar have remained the same for nearly 200 years, and the brand is still the largest guitar maker globally. Martin guitars are the preferred choice for top guitarists, both in the studio and on stage. Their exceptional sound, combined with some of the finest accessories, make Martin guitars highly sought after, often considered among the most expensive in the world. To make their instruments more accessible, Martin now also produces mid-range guitars, catering to beginners and those looking for more affordable options.

Throughout its history, Martin has adapted by using alternative materials to address wood scarcity, while still maintaining its iconic status in the guitar world. Another distinguishing feature of Martin Guitars is its family ownership. The company has never been sold to a multinational corporation, and the current CEO, CF 'Chris' Martin IV, is the great-grandson of the founder. Martin’s history is honored in the Martin Museum, located at its headquarters. The museum serves as both a tourist attraction and a resource for the company to recreate historical models and develop new designs.

Website: https://www.martinguitar.com/

Takamine Guitars is a world-renowned guitar brand that started humbly in 1959 as a small family-run guitar shop nestled at the base of Takamine Mountain in Sakashita, central Japan. Officially established in May 1962 by Nakatsugawa, Gifu, Japan, the company quickly made its mark in the music world.

By 1978, Takamine was among the first companies in the world to release a guitar with a built-in amplification system, setting a new standard in acoustic-electric guitars. With over 50 years of dedication to the craft, Takamine remains a leader in innovative and refined guitar making. The brand's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation has cemented its reputation as one of the world's top acoustic guitar manufacturers. Takamine guitars are trusted by renowned performing artists around the globe for their exceptional quality.

The Takamine product line includes both Acoustic Guitars and Classical/Nylon-string Guitars, all of which are favored by world-class guitarists. Takamine guitars are celebrated for their rich, resonant sound, meticulous design, and affordability. The guitars are crafted to produce beautiful tones with smooth playability, while maintaining a simple yet elegant design.

The Takamine Pro Series guitars are handcrafted in the foothills of Japan's Alps, where skilled artisans meticulously create instruments of extraordinary beauty. Each Takamine guitar is made from only the finest, thick-cut woods and combines modern woodworking techniques with traditional craftsmanship. Additionally, every Takamine guitar is a testament to elegance and precision, honed over decades of dedication to the art of guitar making.

Website: http://www.takamine.com/