While some predicted the electric guitar's final chord years ago, the global market surged to a $2.8 billion crescendo in 2023 and is projected to hit $4.2 billion by 2030, proving its iconic riff is far from over.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global electric guitar market was valued at approximately $2.8 billion USD, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2018 to 2023 driven by rising interest in music education and live performances.
- The U.S. electric guitar market reached $1.1 billion in revenue in 2022, accounting for 42% of the North American market share amid post-pandemic recovery.
- Electric guitar sales in Europe grew by 5.8% year-over-year in 2023, fueled by festivals and streaming platform influences.
- Fender sold 2.3 million electric guitars worldwide in fiscal 2023, generating $1.8 billion in revenue.
- Gibson Brands Inc. reported $350 million in electric guitar sales for 2023, up 12% from 2022.
- PRS Guitars achieved $280 million revenue from electrics in 2023, 15% YoY growth.
- China manufactured 6.2 million electric guitars in 2023, 72% of global production.
- U.S. electric guitar production totaled 450,000 units in 2023, focusing on high-end models.
- Japan produced 1.1 million electric guitars in 2023, 65% exported.
- 28-34 year olds represent 32% of electric guitar buyers in 2023 surveys.
- Males account for 78% of electric guitar purchasers globally in 2023.
- 18-24 year olds bought 25% of entry-level electrics in 2023.
- Fender Stratocaster holds 28% market share among all electrics in 2023 sales.
- Gibson Les Paul captured 14% of U.S. electric guitar sales in 2023.
- PRS Custom 24 model 7.2% share in premium segment 2023.
The global electric guitar industry is growing steadily due to renewed cultural interest and shifting sales trends.
Brand and Model Metrics
- Fender Stratocaster holds 28% market share among all electrics in 2023 sales.
- Gibson Les Paul captured 14% of U.S. electric guitar sales in 2023.
- PRS Custom 24 model 7.2% share in premium segment 2023.
- Ibanez RG series 9.5% of metal genre sales 2023.
- Fender Telecaster 12% overall market share 2023.
- Gibson SG 6.8% share, popular in rock revivals 2023.
- Jackson Soloist 5.1% in high-gain segment 2023.
- Yamaha Pacifica series 8.3% entry-level share 2023.
- ESP Eclipse 4.2% premium Japanese market 2023.
- Squier Stratocaster 15% budget market dominance 2023.
- Epiphone Les Paul 11% affordable Gibson alternative 2023.
- Schecter Hellraiser 3.9% active pickup models 2023.
- Music Man Majesty 2.7% Ernie Ball high-end 2023.
- Suhr Modern 1.8% boutique U.S. share 2023.
- Charvel Pro-Mod 4.5% superstrat category 2023.
- G&L Legacy 2.1% tribute models 2023.
- Fender brand overall 42% U.S. market share 2023.
- Gibson 18% premium segment share 2023.
- PRS 12% growth in brand loyalty index 2023.
- Ibanez 22% international export share 2023.
Brand and Model Metrics Interpretation
While the Stratocaster rules the throne with a familiar twang, the electric guitar kingdom reveals a delightfully fragmented court where the Les Paul serves as the loyal opposition, the Telecaster is the trusty workhorse, and a raucous parliament of metal, budget, and boutique contenders are all loudly plugging in to claim their piece of the sonic pie.
Consumer Demographics
- 28-34 year olds represent 32% of electric guitar buyers in 2023 surveys.
- Males account for 78% of electric guitar purchasers globally in 2023.
- 18-24 year olds bought 25% of entry-level electrics in 2023.
- Urban dwellers comprise 65% of electric guitar consumers in 2023.
- 45% of buyers have college education or higher in U.S. 2023.
- Income bracket $50k-$100k holds 42% of electric guitar market spend 2023.
- First-time buyers increased to 28% of total sales in 2023 post-pandemic.
- Rock genre enthusiasts 55% of electric guitar owners 2023.
- Blues fans 18%, metal 15% of demographic split 2023.
- Online tutorials drove 40% of new buyers aged 25-34 in 2023.
- Female buyers rose to 22% in 2023 from 15% in 2018.
- Gen Z (under 25) 31% of social media influenced purchases 2023.
- Baby boomers (55+) 12% of new electric guitar acquisitions 2023.
- Hispanic/Latino buyers 14% in U.S. market 2023 growth.
- Asian American consumers 11% of premium electric buys 2023.
- 62% of buyers play in bands or live settings 2023.
- Home recording setup owners 48% also own electrics 2023.
- TikTok users 35% more likely to buy electrics under $500 2023.
- 55% of buyers influenced by YouTube influencers 2023.
Consumer Demographics Interpretation
The electric guitar is no longer just a suburban dad-rock relic, as it's now being claimed by a surprisingly diverse, educated, and digitally-native crowd of new players who are just as likely to be inspired by a TikTok riff as they are to actually join a band.
Manufacturing and Production
- China manufactured 6.2 million electric guitars in 2023, 72% of global production.
- U.S. electric guitar production totaled 450,000 units in 2023, focusing on high-end models.
- Japan produced 1.1 million electric guitars in 2023, 65% exported.
- Indonesia electric guitar output reached 1.8 million units in 2023, low-cost segment leader.
- Mexico manufactured 750,000 electric guitars in 2023 for Fender and others.
- South Korea production 420,000 electric guitars 2023, premium focus.
- Vietnam emerging hub with 350,000 units produced in 2023.
- Czech Republic output 180,000 electric guitars 2023, boutique brands.
- Canada produced 95,000 electric guitars in 2023.
- U.K. custom electric guitar production 45,000 units 2023.
- Fender Corona factory output 1.2 million electrics in 2023.
- Gibson Nashville plant produced 120,000 Les Pauls in 2023.
- PRS Stevensville facility output 85,000 guitars 2023.
- Cort Guitars (Korea/Indonesia) 2.1 million units total 2023.
- Schecter Guitar Research production 150,000 units 2023.
- Average production cost per electric guitar in China $120 in 2023.
- U.S. handmade electric guitar production costs averaged $850 per unit 2023.
- Global electric guitar factory employment 250,000 workers in 2023.
- Automation in guitar pickup winding increased output by 22% in 2023 factories.
- Solid-body production lines averaged 1,200 units per day per factory in Asia 2023.
- Wood sourcing for electric guitars: 45% alder, 30% mahogany globally 2023.
- CNC machining used in 78% of electric guitar body production 2023.
- Hand-wound pickups in 15% of production runs 2023, premium segment.
- Quality control reject rate for electric guitars averaged 3.2% in 2023.
Manufacturing and Production Interpretation
While China drowns the world in volume, America focuses on the soul, proving you can't mass-produce a legend on a line that churns out six million dreams a year.
Market Size and Growth
- In 2023, the global electric guitar market was valued at approximately $2.8 billion USD, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2018 to 2023 driven by rising interest in music education and live performances.
- The U.S. electric guitar market reached $1.1 billion in revenue in 2022, accounting for 42% of the North American market share amid post-pandemic recovery.
- Electric guitar sales in Europe grew by 5.8% year-over-year in 2023, fueled by festivals and streaming platform influences.
- Asia-Pacific region captured 28% of the global electric guitar market in 2023, with China leading production at 35% of worldwide output.
- Projected CAGR for electric guitars globally from 2024-2030 is 5.1%, reaching $4.2 billion by 2030 due to digital amplification tech advancements.
- In 2022, the premium electric guitar segment (over $1,000) grew 7.3% YoY, representing 22% of total market value.
- Latin America electric guitar market expanded by 4.7% in 2023, valued at $250 million, driven by urban youth culture.
- Online sales channel for electric guitars surged to 38% of total market share in 2023 from 25% in 2019.
- Middle East & Africa electric guitar market hit $120 million in 2023, with 6.2% CAGR since 2020.
- Solid-body electric guitars dominated with 62% market share in 2023 globally.
- Semi-hollow body electrics grew 8.4% in 2023, capturing 18% of the market due to jazz revival.
- Hollow-body electrics held 12% market in 2023, popular in blues segments.
- North America electric guitar market CAGR 4.9% from 2023-2028, valued at $1.4 billion in 2023.
- Electric guitar accessories market paralleled at $1.2 billion in 2023, 43% of core instrument value.
- Boutique electric guitar segment valued $450 million globally in 2023, up 9.1% YoY.
- Student-model electrics accounted for 35% of market volume in 2023, with 2.8 million units sold.
- Professional-grade electrics hit $1.5 billion in 2023, 54% market value share.
- Vintage reissue electrics grew 6.7% to $320 million in 2023 market value.
- Electric guitar market in India reached $85 million in 2023, CAGR 7.2% since 2018.
- Japan electric guitar exports totaled $450 million in 2023, 32% of Asia-Pacific trade.
- Global electric guitar market volume reached 8.5 million units in 2023, up 3.9% YoY.
- U.S. market volume for electrics was 2.1 million units in 2023.
- Europe electric guitar shipments 1.9 million units in 2023.
- China domestic electric guitar sales 1.8 million units in 2023.
- Brazil electric guitar market $110 million in 2023, 5.3% growth.
- Australia electric guitar retail sales $95 million AUD in 2023.
- Canada electric guitar market CAGR 4.5% to 2028, $220 million CAD 2023.
- UK electric guitar sales volume 450,000 units in 2023.
- Germany held 25% of European electric guitar market share in 2023.
- South Korea electric guitar market $75 million USD in 2023, K-pop influence.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Despite the siren call of streaming and digital distractions, the global electric guitar market is not just surviving but thriving, proving that the primal urge to make some serious noise—from a student's first chord to a pro's boutique axe—remains a remarkably plug-and-play economy.
Sales and Revenue
- Fender sold 2.3 million electric guitars worldwide in fiscal 2023, generating $1.8 billion in revenue.
- Gibson Brands Inc. reported $350 million in electric guitar sales for 2023, up 12% from 2022.
- PRS Guitars achieved $280 million revenue from electrics in 2023, 15% YoY growth.
- Ibanez (Hoshino Gakki) electric sales hit 450,000 units in 2023, $420 million revenue.
- ESP/LTD sold 320,000 electric guitars in 2023, revenue $310 million.
- Jackson Guitars (Envision) $150 million electric sales 2023.
- Yamaha electric guitar division revenue $520 million in FY2023.
- Epiphone (Gibson subsidiary) $120 million sales in 2023, 1.2 million units.
- Squier (Fender) budget electrics sold 1.1 million units, $220 million revenue 2023.
- G&L Musical Products $85 million electric sales 2023.
- Music Man (Ernie Ball) $140 million from electrics in 2023.
- Suhr Guitars boutique sales $65 million in 2023.
- Tom Anderson Guitarworks $45 million revenue 2023.
- U.S. retail electric guitar sales totaled $950 million in 2023 via chains like Guitar Center.
- Sweetwater online electric guitar sales $420 million in 2023.
- Reverb.com marketplace electric guitar transactions $380 million value 2023.
- Amazon.com electric guitar category sales exceeded $250 million in 2023.
- eBay electric guitar sales volume 1.5 million units, $290 million 2023.
- Thomann.de (Europe) electric guitar revenue €320 million in 2023.
- Andertons Music Co. UK electric sales £45 million in 2023.
- Musicians Friend $180 million electric guitar sales 2023.
- Sam Ash direct electric sales $95 million before closure announcement 2023.
- Long & McQuade Canada electric sales CAD 120 million 2023.
- zZounds.com $75 million electric guitar revenue 2023.
- American Musical Supply $60 million electrics 2023.
- Used electric guitar market on Reverb $210 million in 2023.
- New electric guitar retail sales in U.S. 1.8 million units 2023.
- Fender Stratocaster model sales 850,000 units globally 2023.
- Gibson Les Paul sales 180,000 units 2023.
Sales and Revenue Interpretation
Fender still reigns supreme by selling Stratocasters like hotcakes, while Gibson and PRS chase their tails with impressive growth, and the entire electric guitar ecosystem hums along nicely from factory floors to online marketplaces where even used guitars find eager new hands.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 3MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 4GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 5FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 6MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 7RESEARCHANDMARKETSresearchandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 8ALLIEDMARKETRESEARCHalliedmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 9POLARISMARKETRESEARCHpolarismarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 10TRANSPARENCYMARKETRESEARCHtransparencymarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 11INVESTORinvestor.fender.comVisit source
- Reference 12GIBSONgibson.comVisit source
- Reference 13PRSGUITARSprsguitars.comVisit source
- Reference 14HOSHINOGAKKIhoshinogakki.co.jpVisit source
- Reference 15ESPesp.co.jpVisit source
- Reference 16ENVISIONenvision.netVisit source
- Reference 17YAMAHAyamaha.comVisit source
- Reference 18GLGUITARSglguitars.comVisit source
- Reference 19ERNIEBALLernieball.comVisit source
- Reference 20SUHRsuhr.comVisit source
- Reference 21ANDERSONGUITARWORKSandersonguitarworks.comVisit source
- Reference 22INVESTORinvestor.guitarcenter.comVisit source
- Reference 23SWEETWATERsweetwater.comVisit source
- Reference 24REVERBreverb.comVisit source
- Reference 25SELLERCENTRALsellercentral.amazon.comVisit source
- Reference 26EBAYINCebayinc.comVisit source
- Reference 27THOMANNthomann.deVisit source
- Reference 28ANDERTONSandertons.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 29MUSICIANSFRIENDmusiciansfriend.comVisit source
- Reference 30SAMASHsamash.comVisit source
- Reference 31LONG-MCQUADElong-mcquade.comVisit source
- Reference 32ZZOUNDSzzounds.comVisit source
- Reference 33AMERICANMUSICALamericanmusical.comVisit source
- Reference 34NAMMnamm.orgVisit source
- Reference 35CHINAMUSICTIMESchinamusictimes.comVisit source
- Reference 36JITAjita.or.jpVisit source
- Reference 37INDONESIAMUSICINDUSTRYindonesiamusicindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 38BANAMEXbanamex.com.mxVisit source
- Reference 39KOREAMUSICSOCIETYkoreamusicsociety.orgVisit source
- Reference 40VIETNAMTRADEvietnamtrade.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 41CZECHMUSICEXPORTczechmusicexport.comVisit source
- Reference 42GODINCANADAgodincanada.comVisit source
- Reference 43UKMUSICukmusic.orgVisit source
- Reference 44CORTGUITARScortguitars.comVisit source
- Reference 45SCHECTERGUITARSschecterguitars.comVisit source
- Reference 46CHINAMANUFACTURINGREVIEWchinamanufacturingreview.comVisit source
- Reference 47LUTHIERSINCluthiersinc.comVisit source
- Reference 48ILOilo.orgVisit source
- Reference 49GUITARTECHJOURNALguitartechjournal.comVisit source
- Reference 50ASIAMANUFACTURINGMEDIAasiamanufacturingmedia.comVisit source
- Reference 51WWFwwf.orgVisit source
- Reference 52MODERNMACHINISTmodernmachinist.comVisit source
- Reference 53PICKUPMAKERSGUILDpickupmakersguild.comVisit source
- Reference 54ISOiso.orgVisit source
- Reference 55GUITARWORLDguitarworld.comVisit source
- Reference 56PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 57FORBESforbes.comVisit source
- Reference 58BILLBOARDbillboard.comVisit source
- Reference 59ULTIMATE-GUITARultimate-guitar.comVisit source
- Reference 60YOUTUBEyoutube.comVisit source
- Reference 61GIRLSONTHEROCKSgirlsontherocks.orgVisit source
- Reference 62TIKTOKtiktok.comVisit source
- Reference 63AARPaarp.orgVisit source
- Reference 64CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 65GIGSALADgigsalad.comVisit source
- Reference 66SOUNDONSOUNDsoundonsound.comVisit source
- Reference 67SOCIALMEDIATODAYsocialmediatoday.comVisit source
- Reference 68INFLUENCERMARKETINGHUBinfluencermarketinghub.comVisit source
- Reference 69GUITARCENTERguitarcenter.comVisit source
- Reference 70IBANEZibanez.comVisit source
- Reference 71JACKSONjackson.comVisit source
- Reference 72MUSIC-MANmusic-man.comVisit source
- Reference 73CHARVELcharvel.comVisit source