Guitar Shop Owner Ranks Favorite Guitar Brands

[@ralph_clay]

You could've mentioned Tom Anderson or Suhr. Tom and Dave Schecter started Schecter Guitar Research back in the '70s. Fun fact, Tom used to sell necks and bodies to other companies back in the '80s.

[@BoNzDaMaN]

I'll give this channel a C-

[@aflashfloodofgear]

That's still a passing grade and based off a video from last year too. I'd say that's a win.

[@georgemichaels3096]

Hagstrom, Hofner, Hamer, Dobro, Resophonic, Godin, Samick, Silvertone, Lotus, Esteban, Kay, Teisco, DeArmond

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Some great suggestions!

[@DrayDigital]

Vola, Reverend, Sandberg, Duesenberg, Baum

[@delespine]

I know more about my opinion than you know about your opinion obviously my opinion is more right than your opinion.

[@SecretKeeper]

Oh look we made a cameo sort of 👋

[@aflashfloodofgear]

😁

[@seanfowler5264]

Bang for buck Yamaha is at the very top especially their mid level late 70s early 80s acoustics. Also for the money early Cort made in Korea guitars are top notch.👍

[@davva360]

I have a Washburn that i really like. Has very much a Martin sound but way easier to play than the lower priced Martin stuff and still less money. Overall don’t disagree with the list although I think Gibson was rated a tad high with some of the recent issues. I do love my PRS and it’s only an SE. Think it’s on a par with my American Strat for quality and both required very little out of the box. Funnily enough the best out of the box guitar i have is an Epi 59 Les Paul. That was spot on out of the box.

[@AvroBellow]

My first guitar is a cheap Washburn Strat (I think it's called a Sonomaster) that came in an electric guitar starter kit that I bought at Costco for like $180CAD about seven years ago. I thought it would be trash but it's an AMAZING guitar! It stays in tune, it's INCREDIBLY EASY to play, has amazing volume when not hooked up to an amp and is light as a feather. It's also so light that I wonder if it's hollow (I don't care if it is because it still sounds great). People really do underestimate Washburn because i bought my starter kit with the idea that the guitar might end up being crap (but good enough to take lessons with) but it had everything else I needed too like an amp, a strap, a gig bag, a tuner, some picks and a second set of strings. I knew that I couldn't go wrong for only $180CAD and I also knew that Costco doesn't sell crap and would take it back if it proved to be awful. Well, not only was it now awful, I STILL love to play it 8 years later. This is despite the fact that I've since purchased two high-end Godins. I do love playing my Godins more but I still use my Washburn for noodling on the couch or if I'm travelling. It's a shame you can't find these anymore because I would totally recommend them to people.

[@jamesl.]

No G&L?

[@aflashfloodofgear]

That would've been a good one!

[@cooljp1531]

@@aflashfloodofgear Better than Fender ( Leo himself said it and I got one that I bought after trying it against 3 or 4 japanese made strats, it was just noticeably better, it was also made in Japan, apparently at Fujigen factory )

[@Allagi22]

Totally agree with Taylor's getting way too expensive for what they are. Their cheapest made in USA guitar is now over $2000, the cheapest I can find a Taylor 300 series new right now is like $2200. Paying that much for a basic American made acoustic that has less than desirable features just sucks. I feel like buying a Made in Japan Yamaha acoustic for $1500 or so is a way better value proposition. For that price you get expert Japanese craftsmanship and a very high end guitar for $700 less than the cheapest USA Taylor that beats it hands down in every category of sound, quality, finish work and electronics. Their pricing is pretty egregious compared to even 10 years ago adjusted for inflation.

[@simonhinchliffe4916]

Out of curiosity, what's your opinion on Chapman guitars? Ever tried?

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Have not but will look into those!

[@thejuggernaut5327]

Fender also gets extra points for the P and Jazz basses- they’re the Balz!

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Do love a good Fender bass!

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

Don’t wish to insult anybody but I think someone with way more experience should do these comparisons. So many other brands that are out there. I’ve played gibsons and fenders that are garbage and I’ve played cheap guitars that play like a 24:14 dream so don’t get hung up on brands.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Completely agree and say so as well. This is just a brand perception ranking really. Play what you like!

[@scottpickel1282]

ESP’s brands navigator, Edwards and even Grassroots (Korea ones) are B to A

[@AuntAlnico4]

You have got to get your hands on the new Dean select series and the vintage 1980 series guitars as they are just as good as LTD and schecter since they are built in the same Indonesia world factory.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Will definitely keep an eye out and try one!

[@l0rd_breeigo-sama954]

I like the ranking of a brand you don’t know anything about. And not even a google search for it. Had hopes but just like my local store you barely know anything about anything despite selling said products.

[@ThomasFilbert]

I have some opinions..

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Go on....

[@VixCrush]

Martin? I'm a PRS fanboy.... I like Seagul (Godin). I think that for acoustic Martin and Taylor have to be top dogs. I have an Alavarez Yairi that I love but I do concede that it is essentially a Martin copy.. Other boutique acoustics like Breedlove plus all of the high end classical stuff which is mostly local luthiers that cost a fortune and other boutique makers like Scott Walker or Paul Languedoc which are impossible to find....

[@nedlowe8344]

Rickenbacker? Danelectro? Tokai?

[@regular_bean_eater]

In my book if you have to buy 5 guitars to find a good one it’s more of an issue than a personnality. I think a lot of people disregard PRS for not « having personality » but it just means they’re that good. They all « sound the same » because all their guitars are top notch with A1 quality control whereas gibson has so much QC issues that you need to try multiple axes of the same model to find an actual good one. Also i think Ibanez are just great, they offer modernized takes with quite affordable prices (the AZ line is just insane and is a total Stratkiller). They’re not scared to try new designs and to upgrade their existing ones (i.e. roasted maple necks, SS frets) whereas compagnies like Gibson and Fender are stuck with their old designs. I mean pls can we get a guitar that doesnt behead itself after 100 years of guitar making experience

[@Smart-Alex]

I'm completely surprised Gibson wouldn't be an A based on their pure breadth of offerings, and place in history. Sure, there are QC issues here and there but nothing a good setup can't fix. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts! (Total disclosure: I have more Fenders than Gibsons so not gatekeeping, just purely observational).

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Also looking at their current place in the world and how they compare to other companies not just the past. You might be surprised to hear that we've come across some Gibsons that a simple setup could not fix i.e. the bridge was installed at the wrong distance from the factory so the guitar could never be intonated..That's a pretty horrendous QC issue 😅 That being said I have A LOT of Gibson guitars in my personal collection. Maybe even more than Fender at this point

[@dunk3793]

Fender is my S tier too :) Really entertaining vid.

[@randymiles904]

Im 43, and have been building, modding, repairing, setting up, and playing guitars for many years. My opinion is no more valuable than anyone else's, but I will say this. People attaching a stigma to guitars, because of where they're built, need to just stop. I'm going to piss people off, but in my opinion, the BEST electric guitars being produced are ESP. they're often compared to Gibsons single cuts especially, but that's not fair. Its not fair to Gibson. Gibson has never and will never build a guitar as good as esp. bang for buck, I'd go with anything made in Korea or Indonesia. That's who I'd copare to Gibson, but the imports cost half, and sometimes a third as the American stuff. Lastly, there is no longer any reason to shit on Chinese guitars. There sre alot of great imports coming from China. People get hung up on the name on the headstock. The name won't make you play any better.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Some really great points here that definitely agree with!

[@randymiles904]

@@aflashfloodofgear I appreciate that. Honestly the guitar market has evolved so much since I started playing. I can't believe the stuff you can get for under a grand now. Back when I started, the only affordable models were squires 🤣 well, that I KNEW about. That was before the internet was what it is today. I'm freaking loving it. Lol

[@mikeg6666]

I'm probably in the minority and I don't care , but I'm bias towards Ibanez , Schecter and Epiphone. Best bang for the buck IMO!

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Aye all valid!!!

[@cromBumny]

You missed Heritage and Harmony.

[@duffbaker9554]

No Rickenbacker? Hmm....

[@michaelevans6407]

Cool & Interesting! I've Got Rickenbacker & D'Angelico Brands Which I Love. What About Martin? So Many Brands! I Love My American Tele; Beautiful! Thanks Again For The Post.✌🤓🤙❤🎸

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Nice! After filming Martin and Rickenbacker came to mind as brands that would've been cool to add, didn't think about D'Angelico though! The few we've had come through have been cool.

[@traviswhite5978]

​@@aflashfloodofgearI love your channel and videos. Thanks so much for your content and information.

[@sentforth5]

Greco gets an A!!!!

[@josebayona6964]

Definitely agree with you

[@spencerkowalski9566]

So S's and A's for Fender and Gibson and you've barely played the rest... why make a tier list lol

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Only so many guitars come through the shop plus now we get to please the algorithm gods with another tier list in a year when we hopefully encounter more guitars 😇

[@spencerkowalski9566]

@@aflashfloodofgear if it's for the algorithm I understand, have a nice day sir

[@l0rd_breeigo-sama954]

@@aflashfloodofgear why even rank them then, then leave them in the bar. Since most people skip to the end there is no reason to even put them in the list

[@johncrace911]

Duh ! Ernie Ball, Rickenbacker, G & L, Taylor, Martin

[@VixCrush]

He said taylor and Ernie ball... Rickenbacker in my personal experience can be a little hit or miss and can be pricey.

[@srh361]

This looks EXACTLY like the video agufish did about a month ago.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Who is agufish? Did they do a guitar brand ranking video too? :o

[@srh361]

@@aflashfloodofgear Agufish is a pretty big guitar and yes, they did the exact same thing using the exact same screens/fonts about two weeks ago it was pretty much identical looking.

[@JewTalkinTaMe]

@@srh361 Hey brother hope all is well, have you ever heard of a template before?

[@AvroBellow]

It always amazes me how so many people have tunnel vision with brands. How is Godin not on this list? That's ridiculous.

[@FullyRegistered]

He’s a guitar shop owner. Maybe his shop isn’t as spacious as a Walmart to have all brands.. I mean he has no clue what Caparison is and he ranked it anyway. Idk what’s worse missing a brand or ranking a brand you never heard of

[@AvroBellow]

@@FullyRegistered Wal-Mart? Are you even qualified to comment on this? This would be like me trying to comment on Rickenbacher because the only thing I really know about them is how to properly spell their name. Wal-Mart carries GARBAGE and Robert Godin would NEVER allow his guitars to be sold by a company like that. Godin isn't sold at Wal-Mart, they're sold at guitar stores ONLY. Stores like Guitar Center and Sweetwater (stores that refuse to carry junk because they have reputations to protect) both stock Godin's entire line. You obviously don't know this (which makes you post all the more absurd) but Godin is the largest guitar maker in North America so there's not a chance in hell that he has never heard of them. They produce around 200,000 guitars annually (which is an insane amount) and export to 65 countries. They're all hand-made in Canada and can be found pretty much everywhere. They're a top-floor guitar maker at the NAMM show (with Fender, Gibson, etc.) and they produce several brands like Seagull, Simon & Patrick and Art & Lutherie. Feel free to fact-check anything I said. I say this because I know that checking facts is something that doesn't occur automatically to most Americans, especially the ones who defend ignorance like you just tried to.

[@FullyRegistered]

@@AvroBellow dude you didn’t understand my comment.

[@BallisticKnifeJesus]

ESP B tier? They're significantly better than Gibson. Cope i guess.

[@rushrulz65]

Your scores for Gibson are seriously inflated. Their last 10 years have been mostly poor with constant issues. Gibson is C at best. We all want to love Gibson, we just can't... Especially with what they have done with their prices. Oh, your score for Ibanez in general is legit, but try the Ibanez AZ series made in Japan, its what Fender should be making!

[@karenreyta3883]

❤️❤️❤️

[@alexdenton6586]

Harley Benton is also S Tier

[@michaelr.4878]

Speaking of Charvel and Jackson. A lot of people don't realize that back in the day when Grover Jackson controlled both companies...the Jacksons were all of their set-neck and neck-through offerings....whereas the Charvels were all of their bolt-on models. To me..when speaking of the original Jackson and Charvels and which are better, that fact ends the debate. To me, a bolt-on is always going to be inferior. When spending real money on a guitar, I want to buy a guitar that is built....not a guitar that is assembled, as most bolt-ons are. You could train a monkey to assemble Fender guitars, for example. There really isn't much that could go wrong. Whereas, when building a guitar with a set neck, a lot of things can go wrong that could/would render the guitar unplayable. So the person have to have skills.

[@the_gitman5978]

I think it says a lot about your level of musicianship that not once during this entire video did you mention the sound quality of any of these brands or make a comparison between them, even though it's one of the most important qualifications when choosing a guitar.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

I can't make a generalization on what a guitar brand sounds like, a vintage style Fender Stratocaster sounds completely different than a Fender Telecaster with humbuckers. Obviously sound is extremely relevant when deciding what you like, but its extremely hard to be objective about, especially from a zoomed out perspective. The idea was to focus on ranking the quality of guitars a company puts out, on average. Every model guitar from every brand will have its own sound, and I can't average that.

[@grahamt33]

The_ Gitman - Yes you are right, of course - this "review" isn't and is really pointless. I did not stay watching to the end

[@mullz113]

Please take a moment to understand that what you’re saying makes no sense

[@CAGED1702]

@@grahamt33 Ditto!

[@andrewbecker3700]

Had to stop watching when Epiphone and ESP are considered the same level. That's just inaccurate. Sorry.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Addressed this exact instance at the end of the video lol

[@zykify]

"I have a guitar from this brand and I like it, so I give it a good grade, but this brand I have never really tried so it must suck and I want the grades to reflect my biased opinion". Not a big deal, but your "guitar expert" title feels a bit that the "worlds best dad" t-shirt that I never got ;)

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Classic click bait KZbin title 🤙