AudioFu

Best Premium Guitars 2026

Top-rated premium guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Professional Performance For Studio Recording For Investment Grade For Serious Players For High-End Collection For Master Craftsmanship
BRANDS: Gibson Fender Music Man PRS Mayones Guitars Ibanez Duesenberg ESP Charvel
Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 7 Green Horizon - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 7 Green Horizon

by Mayones Guitars
Serious Players High-End Collection Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Master luthier craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments and features
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
✗ CONS
  • • Overkill for beginners
  • • May be intimidating to casual players

Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 7 Green Horizon7-String Electric GuitarBody: AshTop: AAAA flamed mapleBolt-neck: Wenge /...

⭐ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 622053
$6,049
Buy at Thomann View Details
Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 6 Quilted Maple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 6 Quilted Maple

by Mayones Guitars
Investment Grade Professional Performance Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments and features
  • • Superior tone and playability
✗ CONS
  • • May be intimidating to casual players
  • • Insurance considerations

Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 6 Quilted MapleElectric GuitarBody: Black LimbaTop: AAA Quilted mapleBolt-neck: Wenge /...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 622039
$5,939
Buy at Thomann View Details
Mayones Guitars Regius 7 TDRG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Mayones Guitars Regius 7 TDRG

by Mayones Guitars
Master Craftsmanship High-End Collection Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and construction
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and playability
  • • Master luthier craftsmanship
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Mayones Guitars Regius 7 TDRGElectric GuitarBody: Flamed alderTop: Poplar burl 4A11-Piece neck-thru-body:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609350
$6,489
Buy at Thomann View Details
Mayones Guitars Aquila Aged V24 6 MMNG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Mayones Guitars Aquila Aged V24 6 MMNG

by Mayones Guitars
Investment Grade Master Craftsmanship High-End Collection
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and construction
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and playability
  • • Professional appointments and features
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • Overkill for beginners

Mayones Guitars Aquila Aged V24 6 MMNGElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Birdseye maple24...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 618512
$3,849
Buy at Thomann View Details
Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 6 GG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 6 GG

by Music Man
Professional Performance Investment Grade High-End Collection
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and playability
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
✗ CONS
  • • Overkill for beginners
  • • Insurance considerations

Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 6 GGElectric GuitarJohn Petrucci (Dream Theater) Signature ModelBody: MahagonyTop:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 591013
$5,114
Buy at Thomann View Details
Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 BF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 BF

by Music Man
Professional Performance Investment Grade High-End Collection
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
  • • Master luthier craftsmanship
✗ CONS
  • • Overkill for beginners
  • • May be intimidating to casual players

Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 BF7-String Electric GuitarJohn Petrucci (Dream Theater) Signature ModelBody horns:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 591017
$5,059
Buy at Thomann View Details
Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 7 Monolith Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 7 Monolith Black

by Mayones Guitars
Master Craftsmanship High-End Collection Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments and features
✓ PROS
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
  • • Professional appointments and features
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • May be intimidating to casual players

Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 7 Monolith Black7-String Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: AAA birds eye poplarBolt-neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 622055
$5,059
Buy at Thomann View Details
Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Catalina Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Catalina Green

by Duesenberg
Serious Players Investment Grade Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and construction
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and playability
  • • Professional appointments and features
✗ CONS
  • • Insurance considerations
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Catalina GreenElectric GuitarType: Semi-hollowBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 618667
$3,024
Buy at Thomann View Details
Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Trans Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Trans Black

by Duesenberg
Studio Recording High-End Collection Serious Players
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments and features
  • • Investment-grade instruments
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • May be intimidating to casual players

Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Trans BlackElectric GuitarType: Semi-hollowBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 618658
$3,024
Buy at Thomann View Details
Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Trans Honey - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Trans Honey

by Duesenberg
Master Craftsmanship High-End Collection Investment Grade
Key Feature:
• Investment-grade instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments and features
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Overkill for beginners

Duesenberg Starplayer CBR Trans HoneyElectric GuitarType: Semi-hollowBody: MahoganyTop: MapleSet neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 618672
$3,024
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 63 Strat Relic MBPW BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender 63 Strat Relic MBPW BK

by Fender
High-End Collection Investment Grade Master Craftsmanship
Key Feature:
• Master luthier craftsmanship
✓ PROS
  • • Professional appointments and features
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful maintenance
  • • Very high price point

Fender 63 Strat Relic MBPW BKElectric GuitarCustom Shop Model - Masterbuilt by Paul WallerBody: AlderBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601277
$10,119
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson 1964 ES-345 Trap.TP Ebony HA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gibson 1964 ES-345 Trap.TP Ebony HA

by Gibson
Serious Players Investment Grade High-End Collection
Key Feature:
• Superior tone and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Investment-grade instruments
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Requires careful maintenance

Gibson 1964 ES-345 Trap.TP Ebony HAElectric GuitarMuprhy Lab Custom Shop model - limited to 5 pieces per colourType:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 622373
$9,569
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson 59 LP Standard ULA HPT FB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gibson 59 LP Standard ULA HPT FB

by Gibson
High-End Collection Professional Performance Master Craftsmanship
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments and features
✓ PROS
  • • Investment-grade instruments
  • • Superior tone and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Overkill for beginners
  • • Very high price point

Gibson 59 LP Standard ULA HPT FBElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany2-Piece top: Figured maple hide glueSet-in neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601521
$8,359
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson Les Paul 59 STB ULA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Gibson Les Paul 59 STB ULA

by Gibson
Studio Recording Professional Performance Investment Grade
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and construction
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and playability
  • • Master luthier craftsmanship
✗ CONS
  • • Overkill for beginners
  • • May be intimidating to casual players

Gibson Les Paul 59 STB ULAElectric GuitarMurphy Lab Custom Shop modelBody: solid mahoganyTop: hide glued mapleNeck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 549913
$7,699
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Custom 62 Strat CC AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender Custom 62 Strat CC AB

by Fender
Professional Performance High-End Collection Investment Grade
Key Feature:
• Highest quality materials and construction
✓ PROS
  • • Superior tone and playability
  • • Highest quality materials and construction
✗ CONS
  • • Very high price point
  • • Insurance considerations

Fender LTD Custom '62 Strat CC ABElectric GuitarCustom Shop modelBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601111
$7,149
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Premium Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced premium guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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