10 High End Guitars That Are More Affordable 

"10 Guitar brands that are about to jack their prices up"

Thanks so much for giving us a shout out Phil, that was mighty nice of you brotherman.

Godin is such an underrated brand. The build quality and overall feel on those things is absolutely superb, no matter what price bracket you look at. They're not really a tiny niche manufacturer, but still somehow is bubbling under the surface of everyone's attention.

Before the video: Godin must be on the list, I own one. After the video: Godin is on the list, I made a good decision.

I build with Texas Toast guitars! Thanks for including our shop on your list. Matt and Chris build excellent guitars !

Godin remains the best under-the-radar brand out there. My personal favorite builder.

I’m so desensitized to guitar prices that when I heard him say “more affordable” I thought it’d be around the 1500$ range

I have several G&Ls. They are everything Fender would have become had Leo lived.

ok. good amp without popular brand after this

FGN stands for Fujigen. It’s a Japanese factory that owns the original templates and licenses for Fender and Gibson(Epiphone) that we’re built there in the past. I own a Strat style and it’s OUTSTANDING. The level of detail and quality shown on these guitars is great. Highly recommend to get hands on. Strats can be found starting around 6/700 USD. Tokai Japan as well makes very VERY good instruments. Great video mate

Bought a Godin at a pawn shop for $300 2 years ago and I've never heard of them initially, but once I sat down and noodles with it I was surprised at how good it was. Definitely worth checking out!

We need an acoustic guitar version of this. And a tube amp version.

There is something about Godin that makes me proud of being Canadian, living in Quebec, where Godin was founded and still is based from. Huge fan

Yamaha has some great Pacifica models - Graphtech saddles, nuts, Seymour Duncan pickups, and locking tuners for under $1,000.

I own a Tagima Jet Blues, fantastic guitar. Great sound and feels amazing to play. Tagima is definitely Brazil’s go to brand for quality affordable instruments. I’m happy they’re finally getting some exposure.

Love that you are highlighting some smaller brands. Been a fan of CMG for a while now. Their baseline model sells for $799. Quality and lots of love in each Ashlee built.

Got myself a Godin Session LTD a few months ago. Couldn't be happier with it!

One of my favorites is Reverend.

I'm Brazilian, i love the jet Blues aesthetic but wasn't sure how it compares to other brands in the same price range. I'm so happy you found out about them, and even more to know you liked them!

Phil, great video but I want to add a little detail. Guitar gear has been a serious hobby for me since 2005. By trade I am a stock trader and no matter what I buy I ALWAYS look at resale value and the G&L brand is an excellent, quality guitar as you say (I own the ASAT Classic) BUT the Resale on this brand is terrible. Another brand that I just bought are SUPRO guitars. Yes, the same people that make all those great tube amps. There is no doubt in my mind that its made by a private label manufacturer based in Indonesia but the quality and tone is amazing - I bought the TriTone model in Ebony. Great looking and great tone from their USA made Vistatone pickups. IF anyone reading this is looking to buy a SUPRO anything (amps or guitars) BE CAREFUL because prices are all over the place. The TriTone lists and sells for $1299. and I bought mine new from a dealer with full warranty for LESS than HALF price. What ALSO makes a SUPRO guitar a great investment is that Supro (based out of NY) recently dropped their entire guitar line. When this news gets out, their guitars are going to skyrocket in price. Another Asian made brand that probably holds it value BETTER than ANY other guitar out there is REVEREND GUITARS. The two REVEREND guitars that I own can easily sell for DOUBLE. My Club King with revTron pups, amazing Jazz tones from this guitar - and my 15th Anniversary Flatroc. Anyone who buys this particular guitar keeps them. Only a limited number of the 15th Anniversary made back in 2012 and NO ONE has one for sale. Simply not available. OK, I chatted long enough. If my lengthy but detailed comments helps anyone reading this, It was worth my time writing it - glad to help...

Keep the top tens coming Phil. As much as I love the live streams and reviews, I love when you’re just giving information and options for people. Also the first videos I’ve seen from you where top tens

I love this video. I want to hear about non-major manufacturers gear and quality. Phil, your edge on the competition will remain as along as you remain truly independent. You are like the Consumer Reports for guitar. Your objectivity will remain as long as you don't accept money/gear/endorsement contracts.

Philip thank you so much. I'm sitting up at 3.52am just going thru your videos. You're amazing, so knowledgeable, hit all the right points and then some I'm learning more about guitars tonight than in 35 years!! Thank you!

Hey Phil! We met at the Tagima Booth at NAMM this year. You told me about this video coming up but I hadn't had the chance to watch it. Again, and in behalf of everyone at the Tagima gang, thank you so much!! Hope to see you again next NAMM... Hell, I hope there IS a next NAMM first of all... Love from Colombia🤘🏻

Hey Phil. I recently purchased a custom built T style guitar from Gordon Smith Guitar’s right here in England. Built to my specs (paint job, binding, trem, neck etc) for around £1000 GBP. The only additional cost was a self supplied Hipshot trem that I had sent to Gordon Smith. The guitar is hand made using one piece woods for the body and neck and you have a choice of woods & materials. Ordered in August and received in December. It’s great!

“That you can afford”

Was so happy you mentioned Godin out of the gate. My Seagull cedar top S6+ is my favorite acoustic, made by the same people!

Thank you for this neat tidy video. Straight into the meat of the topic. 10 guitars in 9 minutes. You rock.

I was waiting to see if FGN made the list and they did. Kudos. It's got my attention.

Godin is my favorite, so glad they were able to get a shout out

Godin is Everywhere in Canada. They hang on the wall beside the Fenders usually at our Big Chain, L&M. They get no love because Everyone's either after PRS, Fender, Gibson, or Something weird and Vintage. They're hella good guitars though.

Great vid! We all know the big guys and what they make. It's nice to see other unique options.

Thanks for your vids Phil, you're definitely my favourite guitar RU-vidr.

Great suggestions, thanks Phil! I've got a pair of G&Ls (ASAT Classic and Tribute S-500) and a Godin Exit 22, all lefty, all cost between $500 and $600. I've let others come and go but these three (and my Ibanez RG350DX - also lefty, also around $500) aren't going anywhere (y)

Glad to see the Chris Mitchell Guitars here. Really love their Mark Phat Cat, and the way they put in their 'binding'. Godins are also some very nice guitars.

I love your channel. I already own my expensive instruments and I’m always on the hunt for bang for the buck deals simply to grow my collection with good quality guitars/basses and not breaking the bank. Plus I can always upgrade them if need be. I mean I’m not gonna spend 1k on a guitar, but from this video and your other ones, you show some great stuff. I got done watching your vids in American made guitars and Imports. I’m glad you have something for all price points and dont just try pushing the most popular or most expensive thing/arent just shilling all the time and I like that you actually point out flaws and things to watch out for. Great info, no bs. I love it.

CMG had a model last year that was $799 new and made in Atlanta GA. I tried one at a local shop that the salesman didn't even know anything about it, but when we plugged it in we were both blown away by it.

I love my G&L ASAT Bluesboy 90. Made in Fullerton and I picked it up on FB Marketplace for $350. Once in a lifetime deal.

By far, THE best guitar review and guitar information channel on all of youtube. Thank you so much for all you do. 🙏

Great list! Saw some real stunners I didn’t know about as well as some shouts to brands I thought deserved more hype. Thanks for sharing!! Probably gonna get my hands on at least one of those

Gordon Smith.

Cool vid, Phil. I see it's already mentioned,.. but I immediately thought of the D Zelinsky's! Absolutely phenomenal guitars.

Thank you Phil for taking a look at our CMG products!!

Thank you - excellent VDO and great selection. G&Ls are tough to beat in my book. The Tagima Jet Blues was definitely quite righteous looking.

As a fellow italian, first I want to thank you for sharing a brand I didn't kno, and secondly I must appreciated the effort but you're not even close LOL Since it's a mix of the name and surname it's pronounced "Giàn-ànd", while the model is "Ri-bel-le": and pronounce all the letters ;). Anyway, whatever, love your vids, thanks for sharing

I've had a Godin Session since 2012. The one I have has all Godin pickups, I paid $480 Canadian for it new. Would've been a deal at twice the price.

Just bought my second guitar after my Mexican Telecaster. G&L ASAT Deluxe Carved top with a cherry burst, it’s a beautiful guitar and i got it for just under $500 which I thought was a steal. It made me even more confident in my decision hearing you talk about the brand this way. Can’t wait for it to get here!

Countless times have Phillip helped me out. Amazing channel.

If Phil died he'd come back as a mayonnaise sandwich.

Me: sees title *click* Also me: sees guitars are like $900 *bruh*

Great video! So good to see these unknowns getting recognized!

A guitar that I have and love that I don't see getting enough love out there is the Brian May Guitars BMG Special.It's right under the $1000 mark. I'm not sure if it's made at one of the "big manufacturers", but it doesn't feel like any other guitar. It's light (hollowed wings), got different pickups than most every guitar, very thin neck, 24" scale (like a Jaguar), and just fun to play.

6:52 “worst name ever in history of names” Ibanez guitar model names: hold my beer

Godin has got to be best bang for your buck. I’m consistently impressed. Resale is more difficult but that means you should be able to get second hand ones for even further discount.

Terrific video Phillip! Three of the makers I never heard of and will definitely check them out!

Glad to see G&L & Godin made your list!

I miss the old Carvin line-up prior to Jeff Kiesel taking over. Their mantra back in the day was a pro guitar at 2/3 the price, You could really get a great custom Made-in-the-USA ax for under $1000. (I got one of their LB70 bases with neck thru and quilt for

Love my CMG Ashlee. One of my favourite guitars but far from the most expensive. Great company to deal with too. Great to see them on this list.

Hey Phil, Thanks for introducing me to Godin guitars. I finally found an s-style guitar that resonates with me. :)

Fantastic video- my Empress G&L Legacy is the nicest guitar I’ve owned... (I’ve owned too many to list!)

Great vid, i love Godin! Cheers!!

Great info Phil. Could you do an acoustic version ? :)

I will save this video and do my best to check-off as many as these as I can these year. Great recommendations!

The Godin freeway classic, freeway Floyd, and SD are awesome guitars used. The quality is superb. They can be bought used for a song. Add a good setup and you have a guitar for life.

If I went into a guitar store and asked for an affordable guitar and they gave me a guitar worth 1000 I’d walk out and never come back lol

As an owner of FGN LS10 (older one with normal LP cutaway) I would recommend FGN blindly for extraordinary build quality in the price range around 1k. Considering that Ibanez Prestiges come from the FGN factory, their own models has even better value. Doesn't get my hand on any of their Expert series but what you hear of them is even better considering they're mostly quite affordable.

I love the pace of your videos. Spot on. 👍

The L in G & L is Leo Fender so for all intensive purposes it's a Fender, as stated there's a really strong legacy there.

Hagstrom guitars are incredible guitars and totally affordable. I like them so much that own 5 of them now.

Vintage Brand Guitars and Hagstrom ...the electronics in Hagstroms are amazing ...the pickups sound great and they play great as well !!!

All great suggestions. Living in Quebec, the Canadian province where Godin are made, I’m a little bit biased... I own 4 Godin and they are fantastic. It’s also family owned. Robert Godin is still present, but his two sons run the company now. I very briefly met them and they are good people, very proud of the instruments they make.

Thank you so much for the information. This really helps me to have options for old school boy and low income. Outstanding!

Maybe make a series out of this. $500 seems to be my goldilocks zone, then again I'm broke.

I am finished with purchasing the top brands, which are charging extra for the name. For guitars which are now almost entirely manufactured on CNC machines, assembled by unskilled workers. We are far from the times when skilled workers had to acquire their craft through hours of practice. I recently visited a guitar plant, and the only extremely skilled employee I saw was the guy painting the guitars.

I love my G&L S-500. Bought it more than 20 years ago and it is definitely one of my all-time favorites. If you cannot afford a USA built G&L, check out their Tribute line.

I tried a CMG a little while ago and it was great and it had a lot of what people had come to love about Gibson, fat neck, classic sound, without the minuses like some of the QC issues that Gibson was plagued with.

Yes!!! CMG made this list! Great guitar!

Godin is said "Go-dan" - French Canadian name. Reverend is a high-quality, reasonably priced brand. Godin is overlooked as well.

Im so glad im spending time looking at what expirenced shops and luthiers are doing. This shit is awesome and i hope i can get to do that shit at some point

Great list. I hope i have the opportunity to try out some of these. I am primarily a bass player, and would just like to say that as far as G&L goes, they are very under appreciated. My main bass is a G&L JB. In my humble opinion, G&L's are a much better option than Fender in quality. My JB is far better in terms of tone and workmanship than the Fenders I have owned in the past. I would rate it's quality as equal to that of my two Laklands, and equal or beyond my Musicman. Thanks again for the info.

You forgot Aria,now that's some quality!

Hello Phillip, what about the Cort guitars, they have a Les Paul style guitars that are really great and afordable models like the CR280

Love your picks. I would add Wolf Guitars to that list. I have a lot of guitars to choose from and I always find myself going to the lesser expensive ones to play because a lot of them are just more comfortable to play. New guitar players today have an amazing choice of instruments without having to break the bank.

Hey thanks for the reviews on these unique brands. I just checked out the Godin Session and apparantly it no longer includes a Seymor Duncan humbucker. All three pickups are listed as Godin pickups.

What about doing a high-end kit list, I'll start you off with the Crimson guitars kits!

EVH is probably the best guitar for the money. It's like a nokia, it never breaks. it downside is that the floydrose is screwed right into the body so it can only be bend forwards but it makes the string changing easier and it stays in tune if u break a string. its not the best at anything but its the most versatile guitar I have played. Great pickups also.

I really liked the single cutaway Strat style guitar from Brazil. I’ve wanted a Strat that was shaped like a Tele. I remember when Walmart was selling the First Act guitars I found out they had a YS custom shop building high end guitars but I never hear about them anymore.

Love the Godins..I have 2, 1 is a Koa synth guitar that has piezo for acoustic sounds, and a great set of vintage vibe alnico pups. Exceptional quality throughout. Robert Godin is a world class luthier and I would take them over my Gibsons and Fenders. My Godin xtsa is my go to and is my #1, but my EVH Wolfgang stealth, my Jackson USA Soloist, and my Charvel San Dimas are tops also.

warmoth doesn't make complete guitars, but they do make MIA stuff that can be made into high end guitars.

Godin makes great guitars!

I had a Godin Freeway Floyd and she was a beautiful. A solid, well made and great sounding guitar. Had to sell her and other gear to fund my move back across the country. My Seagull acoustic is Godin owned and is a great guitar, too.

Great video to highlight alternative guitar options! The Gianand is great

Godin is pronounced "go Dan." Please don't beat me up. I always appreciate finding out how to properly pronounce names and wanted to extend the same courtesy. As always, I love the content! This is one of the best channels for gear nerds around. :)

Personally none of these are really my “flavor” per say, but I do want to mention that the Wilkinson compensated saddles, while a great affordable idea, are TREMENDOUSLY OVERcompensated... one string might intonate perfectly but the one next to it will be sharp or flat/: Gotoh’s InTune saddles are a much better option, and are notched for bigsby players

I have a Godin LG signature. Got it for 400 CAD. Great guitar! Those Ribelle look very nice too.

I love my G&L. Dylan from Dylan talks tone makes a custom guitar that starts around $1,100. I am saving up for one. It will be my first T-style. I would buy every G&L I could find if I could afford it. I have yet to find one I did not like. Good amps without being one of the name brand would be interesting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

Now ask, “how many of these have left handed versions that are in the same price range”?

Love the video! An idea for another in this series. A acoustic/electric version of this same video!

I have the ASAT Classic and the ASAT Classic Bluesboy and absolutely love them. I’ll reach for either of them before I reach for my American Performer Strat. They are that good!

I knew FGN from a guitar that I tested in a guitar store. They sure made awesome guitars and playing them felt different because they use special innovations like the "Circuit Fretting System" for longer sustain and a cleaner tune.