Top 10 Selling Guitars

**just strum** · February 21st, 2009, 03:42 PM

I was trying to locate the top 10 selling electric guitars ever, but wasn't able to locate what I wanted. So for the purpose of conversation, dispute, and the typical comments, I give you:

These are currently the top selling electric guitars at Guitar Center.

1. Gibson Les Paul Vintage Mahogany Electric Guitar
2. Gibson Custom Shop ES-339 with 30/60 Neck Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
3. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Electric Guitar
4. Gretsch Guitars G5120 Electromatic Hollowbody Electric Guitar
5. Epiphone Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
6. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain Top Electric Guitar
7. Gibson Custom Shop ES-339 with ‘59 Rounded Profile Neck Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
8. Gibson Melody Maker Dual Pickup Electric Guitar
9. Gibson Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar
10. Fender American Special Mahogany HSS Stratocaster Electric Guitar

These are currently the top 10 best-selling electric guitars selling for over $3,000 at Guitar Center.

1. Gibson Custom Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
2. Gibson Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1958 Les Paul Standard Flame Top Electric Guitar
3. Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 Electric Guitar With Flame Top
4. Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
5. Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom Chambered Electric Guitar
6. Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS Electric Guitar
7. Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Reissue “Aged” Electric Guitar
8. Gibson Custom Shop Zakk Wylde Signature Les Paul Electric Guitar
9. Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom 5A Quilt Top Electric Guitar
10. Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Left-Handed Electric Guitar

**Blaze** · February 21st, 2009, 03:57 PM

Well , where is the best guitar ever made , the Fender Stratocaster ????

**R_of_G** · February 21st, 2009, 04:12 PM

17 out of 20 are Gibsons (or Epi's)! Take that Fender.

By the way, I'm kidding. I love my Gibson, but I love my Strat as well and I would be more than happy to add a Tele to my collection.

**just strum** · February 21st, 2009, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by R_of_G

17 out of 20 are Gibsons (or Epi's)! Take that Fender.

By the way, I'm kidding. I love my Gibson, but I love my Strat as well and I would be more than happy to add a Tele to my collection.

I'm not that surprised that Gibson is so popular, but I would have thought Fender would make a better showing.

What I was actually looking for is some sort of number based on world sales, not a specific store. Since this is all I found....

**Gil Janus** · February 21st, 2009, 04:36 PM

From Musician's Friend:

Absolute top 10 Electric Guitars:

1.EVH Wolfgang Electric Guitar
2.Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar
3.Fender American Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar
4.Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 G-400 Electric Guitar
5.Fender Stop Dreaming Start Playing SE Special Strat Pack With Squier SP-10 Amp
6.Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Maple Top Electric Guitar
7.Ibanez RGT42DX Electric Guitar
8.Epiphone Limited Edition Wilshire Electric Guitar
9.Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom
10.Gretsch Guitars G5120 Electromatic Hollowbody Electric Guitar

Top 10 over $3000:

1.EVH Wolfgang Electric Guitar
2.Gibson Custom Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
3.Fender Custom Shop Yngwie Malmsteen Tribute Stratocaster Electric Guitar
4.Gibson Custom EDS-1275 Double-Neck Electric Guitar
5.Rickenbacker 381/12V69 Vintage Series 12-String Electric Guitar
6.Gibson Custom Engraved Les Paul Special - one of a kind Electric Guitar
7.Gibson Custom Jeff Beck 1954 Les Paul Oxblood Electric Guitar — VOS
8.Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster Electric Guitar
9.Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
10.Rickenbacker 325C64 Miami C Series Electric Guitar

A pretty eclectic mix - Gibson still out sells everyone else, but #1 in each list is a guitar made by Fender for EVH.

My favorite is #5 on the best seller list - a Squier package

: Take that Mr. Gibson

:

Gil

**Suhnton** · February 21st, 2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Gil Janus

A pretty eclectic mix - Gibson still out sells everyone else, but #1 in each list is a guitar made by Fender for EVH.

I'm confused. Why do some sites list it as a Fender, and others as a Peavey?

That's quite surprising it's the #1 seller. You'd think buyers would belong to a secific demographic i.e EVH fans. They're nice looking guitars either way.

**Rocket** · February 21st, 2009, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Gil Janus

From Musician's Friend:

Musician's Friend IS Guitar Center!
(as is a long list of other stores.)

**wingsdad** · February 21st, 2009, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Suhnton

...
That's quite surprising it's the #1 seller. You'd think buyers would belong to a secific demographic i.e EVH fans. ...

Just cuz it's the #1 seller doesn't necessarily mean they sell a boatload of them. Or any other of the guitars on the top 10 lists here. One list has 6 models of Gibson/Epi Les Paul.

If Gibson still only made the LP Standard and Custom, avaiilable with options and finish choices, and if Fender still only made 1 Stratocaster model (with options, such as hardtail bridge) as they did until 1980, instead of the myriad of niche demographic LP's and Strats that they've brought to market over the past 25 yeras, only to discontinue them, come up with a new niche model, a reissue, a relic'd job, signature models, ad infinatum....

yeah, I know, if the world stopped turning....

Point is, group all the niche models together and you have a Les Paul, a Stratocaster, a Telecaster, a 335, and then a bunch of clones.

**just strum** · February 21st, 2009, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Rocket

Musician's Friend IS Guitar Center!
(as is a long list of other stores.)

I'm sure they keep separate sales records, like corporate divisions.

I also didn't see anything that would date those lists and they only represent what the store sold and part of that is based on availability.

**Rocket** · February 21st, 2009, 08:56 PM

I don't think I'd trust GC's stats to be anything close to accurate... I can't see them sponsoring any official survey. Everything they do is sales driven... What do you think they'd rather be selling, $3000 EVH's or $400 Epi LP's?

Spudman*** · February 21st, 2009, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Suhnton

I'm confused. Why do some sites list it as a Fender, and others as a Peavey?

The confusion is understandable. The original was made by Musicman then Peavey and now Fender. They are all basically an offshoot of the first design the Axis. It might be that retailers still have inventory of the Peaveys and are still listing those instead of the Fenders which are the newest version. (shrug)

**just strum** · February 21st, 2009, 09:47 PM

Here you go - more top 10 lists

http://www.gearpipe.com/best-selling...l-instruments/

**Gil Janus** · February 21st, 2009, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Rocket

Musician's Friend IS Guitar Center!
(as is a long list of other stores.)

I know that - but each of the companies appear to be run as separate objects - I've bought from MF - they seem to be nicer than GC - I've never been in a GC - the closest one to me is 3 hours driving - each direction - not worth it unless they were giving away guitars and amps.

The best seller lists are different from GC and MF - quite different.

Gil

**Gil Janus** · February 21st, 2009, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by Suhnton

I'm confused. Why do some sites list it as a Fender, and others as a Peavey?

That's quite surprising it's the #1 seller. You'd think buyers would belong to a secific demographic i.e EVH fans. They're nice looking guitars either way.

The EVH Wolfgang that is for sale at MF appears to be the NEW one, ie, the one done by FMIC. It is labeled NEW, looks just like the one on the evhgear website - so I'm assuming (I know big mistake) that it is the Fender one.

Gil

**markb** · February 22nd, 2009, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Blazes

Well , where is the best guitar ever made , the Fender Stratocaster ????

Says a man with a tele in his avatar???

**Ro3b** · February 22nd, 2009, 05:40 AM

...
6.Gibson Custom Engraved Les Paul Special - one of a kind Electric Guitar
...

I don't understand how a one-of-a-kind guitar could be on a best seller list.

**just strum** · February 22nd, 2009, 06:52 AM

From what I can tell the list were put together late 07, however I can't tell if it is for a month, year, or all time sales.

It really doesn't matter, it's only sales records from two stores under one ownership.

**kiteman** · February 22nd, 2009, 07:04 AM

Too bad they don't sell Carvins, they'll break all the records.

**just strum** · February 22nd, 2009, 07:46 AM

Here is yet another list that it appears someone is starting. They ask for people to send in info on guitars, but not sure how they are actually able to rank the makes of guitar.

http://allelectricguitar.com/List-of...ar-Brands.html

This is one of those stupid things that now has me curious if there is a list out there that has compiled actual sales numbers on new electric guitars. Since so many makes are out there, I would like to find one that is from a recent 1 to 5 year time period.

Edit: well, it is not by popularity as it notes - click on Washburn and read the statement.

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