Music History & Culture

Latest Guitar Industry Statistics 2026: Trends, Market Size, and Sales

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Latest Guitar Industry Statistics 2026: Trends, Market Size, and Sales

From the soaring market size of the global guitar market to the ever-changing trends in guitar sales, and the rise of learning guitar through YouTube tutorials, the guitar industry is anything but boring. So, sit back, grab your favorite guitar pick, and get ready to rock out with some mind-blowing guitar statistics and guitar industry statistics.

The guitar industry has been around for centuries and has evolved significantly over time. In this blog post, we will explore the latest guitar industry statistics, trends, and sales statistics to understand the current state of the market.

Related: inspiring guitar quotes from famous guitarists, 100 greatest guitarists of all time, and best music blogs & websites. For the full overview, see our guitar history guide.

Guitar Statistics

Here are some of the guitar statistics that can be found:

  1. The global guitar market size was valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2021 to 2028. (Grand View Research)
  2. The global guitar market is expected to reach USD 5.5 billion by 2026. (Guitar Inside Out)
  4. Electric guitars accounted for more than 40% of the global electric guitar market in 2019, with North America being the largest market. (Guitar Inside Out)
  5. Electric guitars make up 68% of all guitar sales, with acoustic guitars accounting for the remaining 32%. (Piano Dreamers)
  6. Fender and Gibson are the top-selling guitar brands, with both brands accounting for more than 40% of all guitar sales. (Music Strive)
  8. The guitar industry is expected to have a CAGR of 2.9% from 2021 to 2026. (Research and Markets)
  9. The acoustic guitar market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2026. (Research and Markets)
  10. The electric guitar market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% from 2021 to 2026. (Research and Markets)
  12. In 2020, the United States had the highest number of guitar stores in the world, with over 7,000 stores. (Statista)
  13. In 2020, the most popular guitar style in the United States was rock, followed by blues and country. (Statista)
  14. In 2020, the global guitar market was dominated by North America, which accounted for over 40% of the market share. (Statista)
  16. In 2020, the global guitar sales volume reached 1.7 million units. (Statista)

Guitar Sales Statistics

Here are some guitar sales statistics that can be found:

  1. Electric guitars make up 68% of all guitar sales, with acoustic guitars accounting for the remaining 32%. (Piano Dreamers)
  2. Fender and Gibson are the top-selling guitar brands, with both brands accounting for more than 40% of all guitar sales. (Music Strive)
  4. In 2020, the global guitar sales volume reached 1.7 million units. (Statista)
  5. In 2020, the United States had the highest number of guitar stores in the world, with over 7,000 stores. (Statista)
  7. In 2020, the most popular guitar style in the United States was rock, followed by blues and country. (Statista)
  8. In 2019, North America accounted for more than 40% of the global electric guitar market. (Guitar Inside Out)
  10. In 2019, the top-selling guitar model was the Fender Stratocaster, followed by the Gibson Les Paul. (Guitar Inside Out)
  11. In 2018, guitar sales in the United States totaled $1.4 billion, with electric guitars accounting for 60% of sales and acoustic guitars accounting for 40% of sales. (NAMM)
  13. In 2017, guitar sales in the United Kingdom reached £130 million, with acoustic guitars accounting for 61% of sales and electric guitars accounting for 39% of sales. (Music Trades)
  14. In 2016, guitar sales in Japan totaled ¥38.8 billion, with electric guitars accounting for 70% of sales and acoustic guitars accounting for 30% of sales. (Music Trades)
  16. In 2015, the global guitar market was valued at $2.1 billion. (Technavio)
  17. In 2014, guitar sales in Australia reached $149.4 million, with acoustic guitars accounting for 59% of sales and electric guitars accounting for 41% of sales. (Music Trades)

These guitar sales statistics give an overview of guitar sales trends and market share in different countries and regions, as well as the popularity of different guitar models and styles.

Guitar Retail Statistics

Here are some guitar retail statistics that can be found in various sources:

  1. In 2020, the United States had the highest number of guitar stores in the world, with over 7,000 stores. (Statista)
  2. In 2020, Guitar Center was the largest guitar retailer in the United States, with 295 stores across the country. (Statista)
  4. In 2019, online retailers accounted for 24% of all guitar sales, with brick-and-mortar retailers accounting for the remaining 76%. (Guitar Inside Out)
  5. In 2019, the top-selling guitar retailers in the United States were Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Sweetwater, and Musician’s Friend. (Guitar Inside Out)
  7. In 2018, guitar sales in the United States totaled $1.4 billion, with 57% of sales coming from independent music stores, 27% coming from big box stores, and 16% coming from online retailers. (NAMM)
  8. In 2017, the top-selling guitar brands at independent music stores in the United States were Fender, Taylor, and Martin. (Music Trades)
  10. In 2016, the top-selling guitar brands at independent music stores in the United States were Martin, Taylor, and Gibson. (Music Trades)
  11. In 2015, the top-selling guitar brands at independent music stores in the United States were Martin, Taylor, and Fender. (Music Trades)
  13. In 2014, the top-selling guitar brands at independent music stores in the United States were Martin, Taylor, and Gibson. (Music Trades)
  14. In 2013, the top-selling guitar brands at independent music stores in the United States were Martin, Taylor, and Gibson. (Music Trades)
  16. In 2012, the top-selling guitar brands at independent music stores in the United States were Martin, Taylor, and Gibson. (Music Trades)

These guitar retail statistics provide an overview of the guitar retail landscape, including the dominance of Guitar Center and the popularity of online retailers. They also highlight the top-selling guitar brands and retailers in the United States.

Guitar Demographic Statistics

Here are some guitar demographic statistics that can be found in various sources:

  1. In 2020, the most popular guitar style in the United States was rock, followed by blues and country. (Statista)
  3. In 2020, the largest age group of guitar players in the United States was 18-34 year-olds, followed by 35-44 year-olds. (Statista)
  4. In 2019, the percentage of female guitar players in the United States was 47%, up from 33% in 2009. (Guitar World)
  6. In 2018, the most popular genres among guitar players in the United States were rock, blues, and metal. (Fender)
  7. In 2017, the top guitar-buying age group in the United States was 45-54 year-olds, followed by 35-44 year-olds. (Music Trades)
  9. In 2016, the top guitar-buying age group in the United States was 45-54 year-olds, followed by 55-64 year-olds. (Music Trades)
  10. In 2015, the top guitar-buying age group in the United States was 45-54 year-olds, followed by 35-44 year-olds. (Music Trades)
  12. In 2014, the top guitar-buying age group in the United States was 45-54 year-olds, followed by 35-44 year-olds. (Music Trades)
  13. In 2013, the top guitar-buying age group in the United States was 45-54 year-olds, followed by 35-44 year-olds. (Music Trades)
  15. In 2012, the top guitar-buying age group in the United States was 45-54 year-olds, followed by 35-44 year-olds. (Music Trades)

These guitar demographic statistics offer insights into the demographics of guitar players and buyers in the United States, including age groups and gender breakdowns. They also highlight the most popular genres among guitar players.

Learning Guitar Statistics

Here are some learning guitar statistics that can be found in various sources:

  1. In 2020, the most common method for learning guitar in the United States was self-taught through online resources, followed by private lessons. (Statista)
  3. In 2019, the average cost of a guitar lesson in the United States was $29.13 per half-hour. (Thumbtack)
  4. In 2018, the most popular learning resources for guitar players in the United States were YouTube, guitar websites, and guitar apps. (Fender)
  6. In 2017, 44% of guitar players in the United States reported using online resources to learn guitar, while 25% used private lessons. (Music Trades)
  7. In 2016, the top guitar learning resources in the United States were YouTube, guitar websites, and guitar magazines. (Music Trades)
  9. In 2015, 37% of guitar players in the United States reported using online resources to learn guitar, while 29% used private lessons. (Music Trades)
  10. In 2014, 37% of guitar players in the United States reported using online resources to learn guitar, while 32% used private lessons. (Music Trades)