The Most Popular Type of Guitar, Ranked

Choose the type you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:52
For guitar enthusiasts searching through various models to find the perfect strum, knowing which type is most favored by the community can be incredibly helpful. A popular model not only reflects widespread approval but often signifies a blend of excellent sound quality, comfort, and playing ease. This ranking collects users' preferences, helping to highlight those favored models. By participating in the voting, each user contributes to a more accurate and reflective ranking of popular guitar types. This process not only assists beginners in making an informed choice but also offers seasoned players insights into wider trends and preferences. Your vote helps shape a resource that guides countless others in their musical journeys.

What Is the Most Popular Type of Guitar?

  1. 1
    53
    votes

    Fender Stratocaster

    Leo Fender
    The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most popular types of guitar due to its versatility in playing different genres of music. It has been used by many famous guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
    The Fender Stratocaster is a versatile and iconic electric guitar known for its comfortable playability and distinct tone. It is a solid-body guitar with a classic double-cutaway design.
    • Body Material: Alder or Ash
    • Neck Material: Maple
    • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood or Maple
    • Number of Frets: 21 or 22
    • Scale Length: 25.5 inches
    Fender Stratocaster in other rankings
  2. 2
    32
    votes
    Gibson Les Paul
    Lightburst · CC BY-SA 4.0
    The Gibson Les Paul is a popular type of guitar due to its smooth and warm tone. It has been used by many famous guitarists such as Jimmy Page, Slash, and Joe Perry.
    The Gibson Les Paul is a legendary solid body electric guitar known for its distinctive design and rich, warm tone. It is considered one of the most comfortable electric guitars to play, loved by professional musicians across various genres.
    • Body Type: Solid body
    • Body Material: Mahogany with a Maple top
    • Neck Material: Mahogany
    • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood or Ebony
    • Scale Length: 24.75 inches
    Gibson Les Paul in other rankings
  3. 3
    33
    votes

    Taylor Acoustic

    Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug
    Taylor guitars are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and rich sound. They are popular among acoustic guitar players and are often used in live performances.
    The Taylor Acoustic guitar is a highly regarded and popular type of acoustic guitar known for its exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship. It is often favored by professional musicians and enthusiasts around the world.
    • Top Wood: Solid Sitka Spruce
    • Back and Sides Wood: Solid Mahogany
    • Neck Wood: Tropical Mahogany
    • Fingerboard Wood: Ebony
    • Scale Length: 25 1/2 inches
  4. 4
    16
    votes

    Martin Acoustic

    C.F. Martin & Company
    Martin guitars are known for their rich and warm tone. They are popular among acoustic guitar players and are often used in a variety of music genres.
    The Martin Acoustic is a type of guitar known for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and rich tones. It is highly regarded among musicians and has a long history of being played by professionals and enthusiasts alike.
    • Body Type: Various sizes available, including dreadnought, auditorium, and grand concert.
    • Top Wood: Common choices include Sitka spruce, mahogany, and cedar.
    • Back and Sides Wood: Options include rosewood, mahogany, and maple.
    • Neck Wood: Typically mahogany or select hardwoods.
    • Fingerboard Wood: Ebony, rosewood, or other exotic materials.
  5. 5
    18
    votes
    Ibanez guitars are popular for their sleek design and fast-playing necks. They are often used in heavy metal and rock music genres.
    Ibanez is a popular type of guitar known for its high-quality craftsmanship and versatile sound. It is favored by many musicians, particularly in the rock and metal genres. The Ibanez brand is highly regarded for producing guitars that offer excellent playability, unique designs, and a range of tones to suit various musical styles.
    • Body Type: Various options available, including solid body, semi-hollow body, and hollow body
    • Neck Material: Typically mahogany, maple, or a combination of both
    • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood, maple, or ebony
    • Scale Length: 24.75 inches or 25.5 inches, depending on the model
    • Pickups: Options include humbuckers, single-coils, and a combination of both
  6. 6
    8
    votes

    ESP

    ESP guitars are popular among heavy metal and hard rock guitar players due to their heavy sound and sharp design. They are often used in live performances and recording studios.
    The ESP guitar is a highly popular type of electric guitar known for its excellent craftsmanship, exceptional playability, and versatile sound. It is a favorite among many professional and amateur guitarists across various genres of music. With its sleek design, high-quality construction, and innovative features, the ESP guitar has become synonymous with performance and reliability.
    • Body Shape: Various options including Stratocaster and Les Paul style
    • Body Material: Usually mahogany, alder, or ash
    • Neck Material: Maple, mahogany, or roasted maple
    • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood, ebony, or maple
    • Pickups: Versatile options including humbuckers and single-coils
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    Rickenbacker guitars are popular among rock and roll guitar players due to their unique sound and design. They have been used by many famous guitarists such as Tom Petty, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.
    The Rickenbacker is a type of electric guitar known for its distinctive shape and rich, jangly tone. It has gained popularity for its association with various genres like rock, pop, and country. The creator of the Rickenbacker is Adolf Rickenbacker, who founded the Rickenbacker International Corporation in 1931.
    • Body Shape: Distinctive double-cutaway design
    • Pickups: High-gain single-coil pickups
    • Scale Length: 24.75 inches (628 mm)
    • Number of Frets: 21 frets
    • Neck Material: Maple
  8. 8
    4
    votes

    PRS

    PRS guitars are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and versatile sound. They are often used in a variety of music genres and are popular among professional guitar players.
    The PRS (Paul Reed Smith) is a popular type of electric guitar known for its high-quality craftsmanship and versatile tones. It was created by Paul Reed Smith, an American luthier and founder of PRS Guitars. The PRS is widely acclaimed among musicians for its excellent playability and tone, making it a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike.
    • Body Material: Mahogany or Maple with a Maple Top
    • Neck Material: Mahogany or Maple with a Rosewood or Maple Fretboard
    • Pickups: Various options including PRS 85/15, McCarty, and PRS Tremonti
    • Scale Length: 25 inches
    • Number of Frets: 22
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Gretsch guitars are popular among rockabilly, blues, and country guitar players due to their unique sound and design. They have been used by many famous guitarists such as Brian Setzer, Chet Atkins, and George Harrison.
    Gretsch is a renowned drum brand known for producing high-quality, reliable, and versatile drums. With a history dating back to 1883, Gretsch has become synonymous with excellence in craftsmanship and sound. Their drums are cherished by professional and amateur drummers alike and have been used in various music genres, including rock, jazz, and blues.
    • Shell Material: Maple, Birch, Mahogany
    • Shell Construction: 3-ply, 6-ply, 7-ply
    • Bearing Edges: Double 45-degree, Roundover
    • Hardware: Chrome, Nickel, Black
    • Drum Types: Snare, Tom, Bass, Floor Tom
  10. 10
    2
    votes
    Epiphone guitars are popular among beginner and intermediate guitar players due to their affordable price and decent sound quality. They are often used in a variety of music genres and are a good option for those who are just starting to learn how to play guitar.
    Epiphone is a renowned brand of acoustic guitars that is highly popular among musicians worldwide. The brand was established in 1873 and is well-known for its high-quality craftsmanship and excellent sound. Epiphone guitars are known for their affordability without compromising on performance, making them a favorite among beginners as well as professionals.
    • Body Shape: Various shapes including dreadnought, jumbo, and folk
    • Top Material: Select spruce, solid wood or laminated
    • Back and Sides Material: Mahogany, maple, or other tonewoods
    • Neck Material: Mahogany, maple, or other hardwoods
    • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood, pau ferro, or other tonewoods

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular type of guitar. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or type is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1721 views
  • 178 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each type once every 24 hours. The rank of each type is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular type of guitar

The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world, with a history that dates back to ancient times. Today, there are many different types of guitars, each with its own unique sound and style. From the classic acoustic guitar to the electric guitar, the bass guitar, and beyond, there's no shortage of options for guitar enthusiasts. But what is the most popular type of guitar? With so many different opinions and preferences out there, it's tough to say for sure. However, by examining sales figures and trends in the music industry, we can get a better understanding of which guitars are currently the most popular among players and fans alike.

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