Skip to main content

Cheap guitars usually have a slightly worse sound than expensive guitars. However, if you are a beginner to intermediate player, you probably won’t notice this difference. 

In the majority of cases, the guitarist is responsible for making the guitar sound good or bad. You should only look into getting more expensive guitars when you are getting good and have the right techniques (or if you perform regularly).

When I started learning guitar, I got a cheap $200 electric guitar set (comes with amps and cables as well). I sounded pretty bad and the strings were buzzing and it was hard to play.

I initially assumed the cheap guitar set contributed significantly to the poor sound. But the more I played and the better I got, I realized it was me playing horribly! 

A better guitarist simply produces better sound – they have all the right techniques and feel comfortable. It’s usually not because of a cheap guitar. 

Having said that, a cheap guitar is of course inferior to the more expensive guitars. It all comes down to the materials used and production quality. Luckily, there are many ways to improve a cheap guitar.

In this article, I am going to cover how you can improve your cheap guitar and cover related topics around cheap guitars. 

Here are the topics I will cover:

  1. 4 ways to make cheap guitar sound good
  2. Is it worth upgrading a cheap guitar?
  3. Are expensive guitars easier to play?
  4. Are cheaper guitars getting better now?

4 Problems With Cheap Guitar & The Solution

If you have a cheap guitar or used guitars, here are the common problems and solutions. Most of them are inexpensive and can significantly improve the guitar sound and feel better when playing. 

This is suitable for guitarists who experience the problems I will highlight. If you don’t have the issue, then there’s no reason to change anything on your cheap guitar.

If you are a beginner, then treat this list as ideas to improve your guitar. You may not do it now but sooner or later you will.

1. Squeaky strings

Cheap guitars tend to produce more squeaky noises when you move up and down the fretboard. 

To fix squeaky strings, change the guitar strings into new elixir strings (with coating) Coated elixir strings also last longer because they are protected from corrosion and produce brighter notes.

Guitar strings play a major role in creating the sound of a guitar (especially acoustic guitars). If the string is of low quality, old and rusty – you won’t get a loud bright note and will instead get lots of squeaky noises. 

Try getting thicker strings if you choose to replace it. They usually produce louder sound but can be harder to play with! 0.012 is a good thickness.

Aside from replacing strings, you can practice lifting off your finger first – before moving on the fretboard. This should reduce those annoying squeaky noises. 

Elixir guitar strings

Elixir guitar strings

2. Soft & dull tone

Cheap guitars usually sound softer and dull because they have plastic saddles and nuts. The plastic absorbs more vibration and lower volume. 

Plastic saddles and nuts are used because they can easily be shaped and mass-produced by companies. 

For the best sound, opt for bone nut / saddle. They are the most popular and hardest – capable of producing louder and brighter sounds. 

Bone nut

Guitar bone nut produces better sound than plastic.

3. Won’t stay in tune

Cheap guitars usually come with cheap tuners as well – which doesn’t hold the tune for a long time. You may need to regularly tune your guitar before playing. 

To ensure your tuning stays as long as possible, try getting a lock tuner. A lock tuner has a built-in clamp that locks the string in place when tuned. 

Lock tuner is best used for guitarists that like to use whammy bars. Depending on the usage, whammy bars can detune your guitar quickly – especially on cheap guitars. 

Getting a lock tuner is worth it if you regularly use the whammy bars. 

Related article: Will Whammy Bars Detune Your Guitar (& 7 Prevention Tips)

Tuning locker

Locked tuner

 

4. Incorrect amp & knob settings

For the best and clearest electric guitar sound, turn down the gain, boost the mids and use bridge pickup.

In many cases, incorrect settings on the electric guitar or amp can produce horrible sound. If you are on an electric guitar, try tweaking with the settings to get a clearer and sharper sound. 

Aside from following my tip above, you could put all the knobs and settings to neutral, and turn them 1-by-1 to understand what changed and what’s best for you. 

General note: Too much gain can distort the sound and using neck pickup can produce a warm sound – that’s usually undesirable for electric guitarists. 

Is It Worth Upgrading A Cheap Guitar?

Generally, it is not worth upgrading a cheap guitar. It may even be cheaper to buy a new expensive guitar with a better overall piece that you cannot upgrade like body, neck and finish.

If you cannot pinpoint the specific issue on why your cheap guitar sounds bad, then it’s always better to buy a new and more expensive guitar.

Upgrading a guitar is difficult, might not fix your issue and sometimes is not cheap. Your upgrades also do not add too much value if you plan to resell.

Upgrading a guitar is suitable only if you are seasoned and you know exactly why you are upgrading that specific part. For example, upgrading to a lock tuner because your whammy bar consistently detunes your guitar. 

Or upgrading the string because your current strings are worn and you would like to try other materials. 

It is better to buy a new and more expensive guitar than upgrading your cheap guitar to sound good. Less headaches and you are guaranteed a better sounding guitar. 

Are Expensive Acoustic & Electric Guitars Easier To Play?

Guitars that are more expensive are not necessarily easier to play. More expensive guitars usually look better, built better and produce better sound – but playability remains the same. 

If you are a beginner, you don’t need expensive guitars to learn and play. Cheaper $200 guitars will definitely be good enough for you. Buying a new and more expensive guitar will not be a solution to improve your playing. 

Generally, a guitar is easier to play if it has a smaller neck and thinner strings. Electric guitars have smaller necks than acoustic guitars (especially those acoustic guitars that are meant for finger style).

That being said, the price of a guitar doesn’t change playability. I recommend you find out the style you want to play and get a guitar for that style.

It doesn’t have to be expensive. $200 – $300 guitars are good enough to practice and learn. If you want to learn electric guitars, get one that comes with a set – which includes the guitar, an amp and cables. 

Here’s the electric guitar set that I first used. It’s cheap and good enough for beginners.

Are Cheaper Guitars Getting Better Now?

Cheaper guitars are actually getting better with time. Competition and improved manufacturing means manufacturers have found ways to cut cost and mass produce.

Cheaper guitars are usually made with plywood bodies, cheaper paints, finishes and plastic materials – allowing them to be produced easily. 

That being said, it doesn’t mean that these materials are bad for the guitars. They are just common and can still be good. 

If you are looking to buy a guitar to learn, practice and jam with friends – then a regular cheap guitar is good enough.

If you are a seasoned guitarist who knows what you want and can distinguish the sounds of cheap guitars from expensive guitars, then you could invest into expensive guitars. You should be able to make the most out of it.

Ifandi S.

About Ifandi S.

Ifandi started Strumming Bars to answer all the questions of a guitarist. As a self-learned guitarist, he remembered how frustrating it was to not find answers to his many questions in the journey. With Strumming Bars, that's no longer the case!

Close Menu

Strumming Bars

Best Resources Online To Understand Guitar