Best Korean Guitars | Definitely worth considering (2023)

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So you are one of our confused friends who came across a Koreanguitarand don't know whether to pay your hard-earned money for it?

Well, here's the thing! You are not the only person having this confusion. In fact, anyone who has made the comparison between American-made and Korean guitars has faced this dilemma.

The reason? They confuse it with some inferior copies of premium models. However, this is not the case.

Despite being the cheaper versions of famous US-made guitars, many Korean-made guitars are original and well-designed. The manufacturer has saved on production costs, but often not on the quality of materials and parts. That makes them a darn good value and definitely something to consider.

In this article, I'm going to review some of the best Korean-made guitars from almost every major brand, which ones are worth the price, and which ones you should stay away from.

Best Korean Electric Guitars

You would be shocked if I told you that Korean factories were one of the top electric guitar manufacturers in the world in the 1900s.

And all this at a predominantly three-digit price.

With some models, the quality was so great that the line between Asian and American models was almost blurred.

Although the production of KoreanElectric guitarsmay not be at its peak right now, there are still a few models to choose from based on quality and sound.

Let's take a look at some of the best Korean electric guitars you can get your hands on.

Bester koreanischer Dean: Dean ML AT3000 Scary Cherry

When we talk about the best Dean that ever came from the southKorea, we can't just ignore themML AT3000 Creepy Cherry.

A beautiful guitar with a unique finish, its magnificence goes beyond looks.

The ML AT3000 features a classic mahogany body and neck with a 22-fret boardmade of rosewoodand a unique set of markers that add to the overall aesthetic and playing experience of the guitar.

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The guitar also features two pickups, one on the bridge and the other on the neck, with stunning sound quality, especially if we talk about the one on the neck.

It's very clear, with an extremely warm tone that makes it perfect for classic rock or anything you can do with an electric guitar.

The build is also pretty solid considering the price. But obviously you can't compare it to something made by giant US guitar supplierslike Gibson, Fender....or even Dean. Also, it's pretty hard!

However, if we compare it to anything from Chinese or Indian brands, it's one of those pony-for-the-buck instruments that I'd easily choose over any price tag. Guess what? The quality is simply unmatched.

Best Korean Fender: Fender Showmaster Solid Body

Call it a relic from the glory days when Fender made guitars in Korea.

The design, the shape, the sound, everything related to thatFender Showmasteris exactly right.

The guitar features two humbucking pickups, with the Seymour Duncan SHPGP-1P Perly Gates Plus Hambuker on the bridge and the Seymour Duncan SH-1NRP '59 Reverse Polarity Hambuker on the neck.

Both are of excellent quality and have that fantastic familiar sound that any metal fan loves.

The guitar also features a solid bodyLindethat is exceptionally light compared to its Gibson or Ibanez counterparts.

As with every Korean model, the fretboard is rosewood with a very smooth and flat overall profile.

In combination with the maple neck, this gives the guitar a very warm and snappy toneperfect for heavy metal music.

Overall it's a great piece that perfectly balances budget and quality and has the potential to be a dream guitar for any mid-budget player. My only concern is the availability factor.

Given the discontinuation of Korean Fender guitars in 2003, it's hard to find a Showmaster or other Korean-made guitar of similar quality these days.

Today, the only alternatives available are made in China, which is nowhere near the Korean model. What does that mean?

Well, it takes a lot of luck to find one, even if it's needed!

Also read:5 tips you need when buying a used guitar

Best Korean PRS: PRS SE Custom 24 Electric Guitar

While the PRS original remains nothing more than an aspiration for budding guitarists, thePRS SE Custom 24catches up with the model at a significantly lower budget than its US-made counterpart.

Plus, it has exactly the same brilliant build, sound, and user experience as the original. The only difference is the Made in South Korea label, which nobody will notice anyway.

Speaking of the guitar itself, the Paul Reed Smith SE has a sturdy mahogany body that comes in a variety of colors, from sunburst to quilt charcoal and everything in between.

One thing all varieties have in common? They are all visually stunning.

The neck profile is relatively thin with a shallow depth, also known as a Slim D shape.

In addition, the fretboard is made of premium rosewood with 24 beautifully polished crowns that enhance the buttery smooth tone that is characteristic of Paul Reed Smith products.

Since the PRS SE guitars are aimed specifically at moderately experienced guitarists, the guitars are primarily designed for comfort.

All in all, the PRS SE is a great guitar that ticks all the boxes to be a perfect choice for aspiring guitarists.

It's easy to play and very comfortable, with all the mumbo jumbo required to create great music.

Best Korean Gretsch: Gretsch G5622T Electromatic

We all know what Gretsch is known for: impeccable quality and luxury.

And guess what? Gretsch stays true to its values ​​without distinguishing between US-made and Korean-made guitars.

So this is one of the reasons why the price of theG5622T Electromaticis a bit on the high side compared to its other Korean-made models.

However, as soon as you know what it brings, the high price seems justified.

The G5622T is one of the best musical instruments you will ever get your hands on.

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The guitar features a laminated semi-hollow maple body with a tailpiece bridge screwed directly into the center block for increased sustain.

The neck of this model is also made of maple; however with a 22 fret laurel fingerboard that is extremely light and smooth to play.

Like other premium models, this one features dual Hot Broadton pickups, which have a thunderous and full-bodied tone compared to other models.

While these are highly recommended for higher grit tones, you can use them for anything with the right voice control.

There are 3 knobs on the guitar, 2 for volume and one for tone.

Plus, the Bigsby B70 tailpiece, vibrato, and die-cast tuners produce the smoothest, most melodic sound produced by a guitar in this budget.

It's just fantastic.

Bester koreanischer Hamer: Hamer Slammer DA21 SSH

Too bad Fender had to discontinue the Hamer line because boy are these guitars still going strong under the KMC name.

Slammeris one of the two ranges made exclusively in Asian countries, including South Korea.

As well as probably one of the brand's best in the mid to low price range.

It features a strat mahogany body with a gloss black finish and a rosewood fingerboard.

The combination of both gives the guitar a pleasing aesthetic and plays an important role in giving the instrument that warmer tone.

Another good thing about this guitar is the 21 jumbo frets. It makes bending the notes a lot easier as you can easily slide the strings to the edge of the frets.

Guess what? With this guitar in hand, all of those runs, licks and riffs will be a lot easier than what you've experienced with the standard electric guitars.

Slammer models also have an HSS pickup configuration with a humbucker near the bridge, a single coil pickup in the middle, and another single coil pickup near the neck.

Such a configuration makes this guitar extremely versatile for different musical genres.

Just so you know, the humbucker has a relatively fuller tone, making it ideal for use in lead and high-gain amp settings.

If you prefer to produce a cleaner tone, the single coil pickups in the middle and neck are enough to give you that ultra clear tone. Not to mention the 5-way pickup selector!

This model is just right for beginners. Easy to play, amazing sound and durable construction, it's a real bang for the buck.

You can also check out other options in the Slammer series, but these are for more advanced guitarists.

Best Korean Ibanez: Ibanez Prestige S2170FB

As far as I know, the final product was made exclusively for Ibanez by Korean suppliers in 2008.

That means you'll have to be really lucky to find Ibanez musical instruments that carry a Made in Korea label.

That being said, it might not come as a shock when I pick something that belongs at the same time asPrestige S2170FB.

From 2005 to 2008 it was among the absolute best of the exclusive Korean Masterclass S guitar line.

The S2170FB is best suited for clean music without even a subtle hint of distortion.

It features an HSH pickup configuration with a bridge humbucker, middle single coil and neck humbucker, a design inspired by the 1986 Superstart era.

The HSH configuration is much more versatile than the traditional HH or SSH configuration. That means you can experience what a guitar can do with HH and much more.

Just one thing you need to know, I wouldn't use this instrument for hot stuff like heavy metal with the stock pickups that require heavily boosted distortion.

Speaking of looks and stuff, it's as good as any guitar made in Japan! Everything about it, from the body to the neck and every little detail in between, is just perfect.

The guitar uses different types of wood, such as mahogany for the body and rosewood for the neck.

The body has a natural oil finish that looks as stunning as any model from Japan and Indonesia.

All in all, it's a cheap but stunning guitar that leaves no box unchecked. The only drawback? You can only find it in "used" condition.

Best Korean Epiphone: Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty 3 Pickup

Ha! This one is interesting. It's the cheapest version of a cheap copy of a premium brand.

What I like about Epiphone is that they keep the quality of the guitar consistent across their range.

Whether it's Korean-made (which isn't currently made), Indonesian, or even Chinese-made, you won't find a significant difference in the guitars across the board.

That is clear,Les Paul Black Beauty 3is an instrument that's both beauty and beast, but on a budget.

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It has the same tone as the original Les Paul (close enough to go unnoticed) and is suitable for any genre whether jazz, blues, rock, metal, punk and whatever else you can think of.

It also has the same standard Les Paul overall setup with 4 knobs and a Grover tuner. Plus the same playing experience and quality you would expect from any Epiphone guitar.

Digging deep into the spec sheet, we see three Probucker humbuckers, standard LP volume, a 3-way tone control, and a standard 3-way selector switch.

Interestingly, the middle and neck humbuckers are out of phase. This creates some interesting and versatile sounds, almost like the original Les Paul in professional use.

Black Beauty's body and neck are crafted from mahogany, accompanied by theEbonyFingerboard with a total of 22 medium jumbo frets, making riffs easier to play especially for beginners.

All in all, this has everything you could want under the $1000 range. The aesthetics, the sound, the finish, everything is top notch. It's nothing less than a gift for our budget-conscious friends.

Best Korean Made LTD: ESP LTD EC-1000 Electric Guitar

A sentence to describeESP LTD EC-100electric guitar? It's a light, screamingly loud and fast Korean beauty that everyone wants but few can afford.

You read that right; It's a bit over $1000 even at the lowest price point, but well justified.

Speaking of details, the guitar features a beautiful mahogany body with the unmistakable Les Paul design featuring a small cutaway and set-in neck.

Both together add to its overall aesthetic while also making it one of the easiest guitars to play. As well as the rosewood fingerboard with 24 extra jumbo frets which makes the guitar relatively easier to play.

The overall design is based on the ESP classic Eclipse, so you can expect superior comfort.

EC-1000D also features a number oftwo EMG humbucker pickupsgiving it a very raw and brutal sound, ideal for metal enthusiasts.

The guitar comes in a variety of colors including Amber Sunburst, Vintage Black, Simple Black, and See-through Black Cherry.

If you're looking for a fast, mean, and aesthetically stunning instrument, giving this instrument a shot won't disappoint!

Bester koreanischer Jackson: Jackson PS4

The first thing to know about the PS4? It is a beautiful guitar that you would not get enough of.

The second? This is no longer made, so you can only buy it in 'used' condition.

Again, your luck comes into play here.

Getting a little into the abnormalities of the guitar,die Jackson-PS4has a beautiful alder body with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard with 24 frets, pretty much a standard for Jackson guitars.

The instrument also has an inverted headstock, giving it a more unique and metallic look. In addition, the neck has a very low profile, making it extremely easy and fast to play.

What worries me about this model is the relatively average quality hardware and the difficulty in finding certain parts.

For example, the guitar has three pickups. Each belongs to the J series (two humbuckers and one single coil) which are of fairly average quality.

So where these pickups perform fairly well under average circumstances, you would need to replace them with something of higher quality to push the guitar to its true limits.

The drum itself is awesome!

The Jackson PS4 is available in five beautiful finishes including Black, Black Cherry, Red Purple, Dark Metallic Green and Dark Metallic Blue.

All in all it's apretty decent quality guitarthis came out of the Samick factory in the 90's and sells about as much as you can expect from a $500 piece.

With a little investment, believe me, this guitar will give you an experience no less than an expensive Les Paul. Write that down!

Best Korean Made BC Rich: BC Rich Warlock NJ series

BC Rich Warlock NJ-Serieis a guitar straight out of a metal geek's dreams. As they say, it's a heavy metal that comes from hell!

With the double cutaway body design, glossy finish and ebony fretboard, there is nothing bad you would hear about this guitar in the price tag.

The 24-fret ebony fingerboard is amazingly smooth with an ideal 12″ ratio radius which, combined with the jumbo frets, makes it incredibly easy to play.

Additionally, as mentioned, the double-cutaway design takes comfort and access to another level, ensuring you can easily touch even the highest frets.

There are also two Duncan designed blacktop humbuckers, one on the neck and one on the bridge.

Although the combination of the two makes guitar playing a lot easier for people just starting out, I would caution you that lack of clarity can be a problem.

Since the guitar is primarily designed for heavy metal, the dual humbuckers provide the "much needed" distortion and warmth. This means that a casual gamer might not like it.

That's clear, it's a pretty awesome piece and a great artifact of BC Rich's glory days.

Did you also ask yourself?What guitar tuning does Metallica use?

Best Korean-Made V-Shape ESP: ESP LTD GL-600V George Lynch Super V

DieGL-600V Super V Schwarzis the made-in-Korea version of the iconic and only V-shaped electric guitar in the George Lynch series.

The first thing you should know about this thing? It's much cheaper than the original.

And the second thing is that it's a different color than the signature black cherry, which is basically the identity of the original.

If we ignore these two things, the GL-600V is the most perfect Korean guitar in the electro category.

The GL-600V features a matte black finish with the original mahogany body and Tone Pros tailpiece and bridge, which are also a staple on Japanese guitars, by the way.

The guitar has two pickups, with a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat in the neck and the humbucker in the bridge.

Best of both?

Both pickups produce a clear and resonant sound even when overdriven, making them great for musicians who love to push their instruments to the limit.

The experience is even enhanced with the master volume and tone controls and 3-way selector.

The lightweight and comfortable 22 frit neck makes it an ideal choice for every player and playing style.

All in all it's a great guitar with lots of versatility and impeccable quality that screams the craftsmanship of the Korean makers.

Best Budget Korean Made Electric Guitar: Agile AL-2000 Guitar

Well, here's the thing! For a fan of the classic Les Pauls on a smaller budget, theAgile AL-2000 Guitarscould be something interesting.

Especially for someonelooking for a solid alternative to the Epiphones.

Other than that, it's one of the best guitars ever produced by South Korea in the electric guitar category. The feel, the weight, the action, everything is spot on.

The Agile AL-2000 features high-quality wax-encapsulated ceramic humbucking pickups, 2 volume controls and 2 tone controls for a more customized and enhanced playing experience.

Like its previous counterpart, it is also a popular model among many guitarists for its sheer clarity when overdriven.

The 5-way pickup selector, stop-bar tailpiece, and overall quality hardware add to the list of good things the Al-2000 brings to the table.

It's a great guitar that balances both functionality and beauty while staying true to the classic, powerful and well-rounded tonal structure of the Gibson Les Paul.

Simply one of the highest quality instruments a guitarist can have.

Best Acoustic Guitars Made in Korea

Remember when I was talking about Korean guitar manufacturers establishing themselves as a brand name for electric guitars back then.

It turns out they hold up well in the acoustic guitar industry as well. Below are some of the best Korean acoustic guitars that you may want to check out.

Best Korean Ovation: Ovation Mod TX Black

Well, Ovation has been making some quality instruments for decades. However, they have only recently started to focus on improving their Korean-made guitars.

And guess what, the quality is now as good as any of their Japanese-made variants. In fact, they now produce most of their products in South Korea.

One of them is for exampleOvation Mod TX Schwarz. It's widely ranked as one of the company's best, and perhaps the best of any brand in the budget space.

The instrument is a beast of a thing despite being cheap.

Additionally, the Ovation Mod TX's shape is such that it gives you the snappy feel of an electric guitar, but with much less weight.

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It has a rock maple neck, which gives the guitar its characteristic brightness.

Plus, the sound holes on the body reduce the possibility of feedback, with extended bass response and volume. The midrange depth of the body also contributes to the sound quality.

The OP-Pro preamp and OCP1 pickup produces a really high output when connected with a vibrant and solid output when connected.

In addition, the string action of the guitar is very quiet overall, which eliminates any hum.

A good choice for everyone!

Also checkthe best acoustic guitar amps (top 9 in the test + buying tips)

Best Korean Harmony: Harmony Sovereign H6561

Harmony Sovereign H6561is the Korean version of the legendary US-Made 1960 from the 12860s.

The exciting thing is that both are no longer manufactured. So make it clear that you will have trouble finding both.

The H6561 stands as one of the most classic budget relics of the past, with performance that might make life difficult for most premium models from other brands today.

As far as I know the H6561 has the same construction and materials as the 12860. Therefore the guitar has a solid mahogany top and spruce back and sides.

The fretboard is made from standard Brazilian rosewood, like many other guitars made in Korea at the time.

The combination of the aforementioned woods makes the guitar sound a mixture of warm and bright.

As such, it's not punchy loud, but good enough to give you a premium feel. The bass and action are great too, so that's another plus.

Overall it's a pretty decent model for its price. However, I have to reiterate that you have to be really lucky to find one. ;)

Bester koreanischer Sigma: Martin Sigma DM4 Dreadnaught

Here's another masterpiece from Korea that's no longer in production.

The last guitar to be produced in the range was in 1993 when Martin stopped manufacturing its Sigma range in Korea.

But again, what luck! If you must find one for yourself these days, you will be the owner of one of the finest Dreadnaught acoustics of all time.

Das Sigma DM4features a solid spruce top with mahogany back, sides, neck and an excellent ebony fingerboard. The combination of these woods results in a fairly balanced, bright sound with a subtle touch of warmth.

Since the guitar you will get (if you ever do) will be at least 35-40 years old, the vintage vibe alone is enough to bet your money.

For all it's worth, paying a few hundred bucks is a bargain not to be missed, especially when the sound is this great.

Best Korean Acoustic Guitar for Beginners: Cort Standard Series Folk Guitar

In order! Before you read the rest of the review, let me tell you one thing right away; this one is for themwho are just learning the instrument from scratch.

It has great sound, easy playability and the best value for money on the market.

that is saidCort folk guitarcomes from Cort's oldest acoustic line. It has a full-size body, meaning you won't get the extra bass of the Dreadnaught.

However, with a strong midrange and a complete emphasis on balance, you can expect sweeter highs and a powerful midrange.

The guitar's top is spruce, with mahogany on the back and sides.

Both wood choices combine to give the guitar fantastic flexibility and strength, and bring out the guitar's signature bright, warm and soothing tone.

All in all, this is one of the few guitars that is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of Korean guitar makers.

Material quality, sound and value, the Standard Series simply ticks all the boxes.

Best Korean Made Acoustic Guitar for Sound: Crafter GA6/N

go for aCrafter GA6/Nwould be a more sensible choice if you're willing to up the budget a bit.

While the price isn't particularly high, the few extra bucks you're paying for this device justify the features it brings to the table.

The top of the guitar is made of sturdy spruce, sides and back are made of traditional mahogany. However, the fretboard is Indian rosewood, which means the overall feel will be great.

But hey, here's the thing. What makes this guitar unique isn't the use of materials, but the overall sound quality.

The GA6/N has a pleasant, round sound like all high-quality lecture theaters from Ibanez, Epiphone or Gretsch.

The rich low frequencies make it even better, which transform into even more pronounced sounds when we crank up to the upper mids.

This also makes it ideal for fingerstyle.

Additionally, the guitar has a relatively large matte-backed neck, making it super comfortable, with transitions between frets being as smooth as a breeze.

All in all a beast for the budget.

Best Korean Dreadnaught: Cort AD10 OP

Cort AD10 OPbelongs to the same line of guitars as the one previously mentioned. In addition, the same material is used.

The only difference is that it has a Dreadnaught shape, with the feel and quality of a premium brand.

With a bright tone with a slight hint of midrange warmth, an effortless feel (thanks to the loose strings), and good action, it's a great option for finger and flat picking.

In short, it's simply the go-to choice when trying to save extra cash without compromising on quality.

Are Korean Made Guitars Any Good?

Well, honestly, yes they are!

Although no big names in the industry have their own factories in Korea and many have now stopped importing guitars from the region, the craftsmanship that goes into Korean guitars is hard to find these days.

One of the greatest proofs of their impeccable quality is that most people still use and sell Korean models made in the 80's and 90's.

And the interesting thing is that they are in as good condition as they were then, with a sound that rivals some of the best in the business.

So yeah, maybe they're not as good as their US and Japanese counterparts (because they're cheap), but nothing compares in terms of value for money!

What about the guitar quality made in Korea?

I would describe it for you in just one word: "Awesome".

Choose something from the 70's, 80's, 90's or even something from their latest works like Cort, Dean, PRS or Gretsch; the consistency is noticeable.

There are also other brands that make guitars in Korea, like Schecter. Still, the above are simply the champions of the category.

From electric to acoustic and everything in between, you can find everything in Korea. The only difference is that they are much cheaper and of higher quality. ;)

Which is the best Korean guitar factory?

When we talk about Korean guitar manufacturers, there is only one factory that dominates the market. And this is World Music Instruments Korea.

If we talk about the current market, at least a single range of every major brand from Agile to Schecter, Dean and everyone in between is made by WMIK.

In fact, the name has become synonymous with quality!

Another factory called Samick also makes guitars in Korea, but their glory days in the specialty market were over by the 1990s.

Their main clientele either discontinued a particular line of guitars or simply moved their manufacturing facilities to other countries.

To my knowledge, Epiphone is the only major brand that still trusts Samick to make their guitars.

Conclusion

Guitars made in Korea offer excellent value for money. You can find quality instruments at a fraction of the cost of guitars made in other countries.

While some Korean brands may not be as well known as big-name guitar manufacturers, they offer features and quality that rival even the best guitars on the market.

So yes! If you're looking for an affordable guitar that doesn't sacrifice tone or playability, a Korean-made guitar is definitely worth considering.

In this article, I've reviewed some of the best Korean guitar models available (and unavailable) today and reviewed them one-by-one to help you make your choice.