Guitar Market Intelligence

Greco is a legendary Japanese guitar brand established in 1960 by Kanda Shokai in Tokyo. Renowned for producing some of the finest Gibson and Fender replicas during the 'lawsuit era' of the 1970s and 1980s, Greco guitars—particularly the Super Real and Mint Collection series—are celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship and tonal quality. Manufactured primarily by FujiGen and Matsumoku, these instruments have become highly sought-after collectibles. In 1982, Kanda Shokai partnered to form Fender Japan, and today Greco continues producing quality instruments alongside their Zemaitis partnership.

Washburn Guitars is one of America's oldest guitar manufacturers, established in 1883 in Chicago as a division of Lyon & Healy. The brand pioneered innovations like the 1912 Lakeside Jumbo—considered the first dreadnought guitar. After declining in the 1940s, Washburn was revived in 1974 and has since become known for quality acoustic and electric guitars, including legendary signature models for Nuno Bettencourt, Dimebag Darrell, and Paul Stanley. The brand combines American heritage with modern innovation across acoustic, electric, and signature artist lines.

Yamaha Corporation, founded in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha in Hamamatsu, Japan, is one of the world's largest and most diverse musical instrument manufacturers. The company began guitar production in 1941 with classical guitars, later introducing the iconic FG series acoustics in 1966 and the SG electric guitars the same year. Today, Yamaha offers an unparalleled range from budget-friendly beginner instruments to handcrafted Japanese masterpieces, including the innovative TransAcoustic technology and the café racer-inspired Revstar series.

ESP (Electric Sound Products) was founded in 1975 by Hisatake Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan. Starting as a manufacturer of high-quality replacement parts, ESP evolved into one of the most respected guitar brands in heavy metal and hard rock. The company introduced the LTD series in 1995 to offer more accessible versions of their high-end Japanese instruments. Today, ESP guitars are the weapon of choice for legendary metal artists including Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, making them synonymous with aggressive, high-performance playing.

Jackson Guitars, founded by Grover Jackson in collaboration with legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads, has been at the forefront of high-performance electric guitar design since 1980. Known for their aggressive aesthetics, lightning-fast necks, and powerful tones, Jackson guitars have become the weapon of choice for metal and hard rock guitarists worldwide. Now a subsidiary of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Jackson continues to push the boundaries of guitar design from their facilities in Corona, California, and Ensenada, Mexico.

Dean Guitars is a Florida-based builder known for angular ML/V/Z shapes, artist-driven signatures, and metal-forward tones that span entry Vendetta lines to USA Custom Shop instruments.

Schecter Guitar Research is a California-based builder known for modern rock and metal-focused instruments that balance aggressive styling with strong value. From the Diamond Series to USA Custom Shop builds, Schecter covers everything from entry superstrats to multi-scale extended-range guitars and boutique-inspired T-style models.

Epiphone is Gibson's long-running sister brand known for delivering classic designs at accessible prices. From the Casino and Sheraton to Inspired by Gibson Les Paul and SG models, Epiphone blends vintage heritage with modern production across solid-body, hollowbody, and acoustic lines.