Samick
Since 1958
Founded in 1958 in South Korea by Hyo Ick Lee, Samick Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. grew into one of the largest and most influential musical instrument manufacturers on Earth. At its manufacturing zenith across state-of-the-art facilities in Incheon, South Korea and Cileungsi, Indonesia, Samick produced more than one-third of all electric and acoustic guitars sold worldwide—operating as the master OEM builder behind industry icons like Epiphone, Squier, Washburn, and Hohner. In 2001, Samick launched the landmark Greg Bennett Signature Series, revolutionizing its house brand with upgraded headstock balance, Duncan Designed pickups, and patented chambered acoustic designs like the Royale.
68
Years in Business
1.2M+
Guitars Sold
$24M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Samick Guitar Price & Valuation Guide (2026)
Comprehensive market valuation ranges, mint vs used condition pricing, tonewood specs, and historical price trends for Samick guitars.
Samick Price Overview
Samick covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$210
+3.1% vs last year
eBay Listings
480
Active listings
Sold This Month
130
+2.7% vs last month
Price Range
$85-$520
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Samick Timeline
Samick Founded in South Korea
Hyo Ick Lee established Samick, beginning with pianos before expanding into international guitar manufacturing.
World's Largest Guitar Factory Era
The Incheon plant reached peak capacity, crafting hundreds of thousands of OEM guitars for Fender, Epiphone, and Gibson.
Expansion into Cileungsi, Indonesia
Established massive modern guitar manufacturing plants in Indonesia to supply the global student and mid-tier instrument market.
Greg Bennett Signature Series Launch
Partnered with luthier Greg Bennett to redesign house brand guitars with improved headstock angles, Wilkinson hardware, and Duncan pickups.
Patented Royale Semi-Hollow Production
Patented the monocoque one-piece chambered body technique for the Royale semi-hollow series, dramatically cutting acoustic feedback.
Over 65 Years of Global Guitar Heritage
Recognized as the quiet manufacturing titan whose woodwork powered the global electric guitar boom for over six decades.
Complete Samick Product Lineup
For decades, players spent $800 on famous brand-name headstocks that were secretly built by master craftsmen in Samick's workshops.
Greg Bennett Single-Cut & Double-Cut
Carved mahogany bodies with figured tops, Duncan Designed pickups, and improved high-fret ergonomic access.
Single-cut carved top mahogany body, set neck on AV-3+, dual Duncan Designed humbuckers, Grover tuners.
SG-style lightweight double cutaway with slender mahogany neck, bevel contours, and biting crunch.
Archtop carved quilt maple double-cut featuring PRS-style waist curves and high-output humbuckers.
Royale Semi-Hollow Series
Revolutionary monocoque chambered semi-hollow guitars carved from a single solid block of wood.
Chambered mahogany body with dual f-holes, bound top, stopbar tailpiece, and warm jazz/blues humbuckers.
Flame maple cap, gold hardware, Duncan Designed humbuckers with coil tap, and Grover tuning machines.
Vintage Korean & Bass Series
Vintage 1980s-1990s Korean solidbodies alongside Corsair and Fairlane electric basses.
1980s and 90s Made-in-Korea Strat, Tele, and Superstrat copies built to the same specs as vintage Korean Squiers.
Compact offset electric bass with P/J pickup configuration, 34" scale length, and punchy low end.
"For decades, players spent $800 on famous brand-name headstocks that were secretly built by master craftsmen in Samick's workshops."
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
The Hidden Gem Single-Cut Sleeper
Check Neck Pocket & Joint
Verify whether the model is bolt-on (AV-1/AV-2) or true set mahogany neck (AV-3 through AV-7); set-neck versions command a 50% price premium.
Duncan Designed Pickup Verification
Look at the pickup covers or bobbin prints to verify original Duncan Designed HB-101/102 humbuckers are intact.
Grover Tuner Functionality
Inspect the factory-fitted Grover tuners; confirm gears turn smoothly without loose tuning peg shafts.
The Patented Chambered Acoustic Champion
Single-Block Wood Cavity Check
Unlike traditional laminated 335s with glued-in sides, the Royale's side rim and center block are carved from a single piece of mahogany.
F-Hole Binding Integrity
Check the perimeter binding along the arched f-holes for any shrinkage or finish cracking.
Test Toggle Switch Contacts
Flip the 3-way toggle rapidly; factory Asian box-style switches can gather dust and drop neck pickup signal.
The Era-Correct Korean Craftsmanship
Headstock Decal & Factory Stamp
Check the back of the headstock for 'Made in Korea' and S-serial number prefixes confirming Incheon factory origin.
Inspect Plywood vs. Solid Body
Check inside the tremolo spring cavity or pickup routes to see if the body is solid alder/ash or 1980s laminate ply.
Fret Wear on Low Frets
Examine frets 1 through 5 for deep cowboy-chord indentation grooves requiring a fret level.