Electric Guitar Grading Guide: A Professional Evaluation from Materials to Tone

I. Core Elements for Electric Guitar Grading

1. Material Selection Sets the Foundation for Tone

(1) Body Wood Types

• Alder: Balanced tone, suitable for various music styles.
• Ash: Bright and clear, ideal for funk and pop.
• Mahogany: Warm and heavy, great for rock and metal.
• Basswood: Emphasized midrange, budget-friendly option.

(2) Neck Wood

• Maple: Quick response, bright tone.
• Mahogany: Longer sustain, warmer sound.
• Carbon-Reinforced Necks: Maximum stability and warp resistance.

(3) Fretboard Wood

• Maple: Bright tone, commonly used in Fender guitars.
• Rosewood: Warm tone, often used by Gibson.
• Ebony: Premium material, smooth playing feel.

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2. Pickup Systems Affect Tone Performance

• Single-coil: Clear and bright; great for blues and pop.
• Humbucker: Thick and full; ideal for rock and metal.
• Active Pickups: High output and low noise, perfect for heavy genres.
• P90: A tonal blend between single-coil and humbuckers, offering a vintage sound.

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3. Craftsmanship Influences Playing Experience

• Neck Joint Types: Bolt-on vs. Set-neck vs. Neck-through — each offers different sustain and feel.
• Fret Quality: Stainless steel frets offer longer durability.
• Bridge Systems: Fixed vs. Tremolo bridges affect tuning stability.
• Electronics Design: High-quality components reduce signal loss.

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II. Electric Guitar Grading Reference Table

Grade	Price Range (NTD)	Target Users	Representative Models
Entry-level	5,000–15,000	Beginners	Squier Affinity, Epiphone Les Paul SL
Mid-range	15,000–40,000	Intermediate players	Fender Player, Gibson SG Standard
Professional	40,000–100,000	Pro musicians	Fender Custom Shop, Gibson Custom
Collector	100,000 and above	Collectors	Limited signature editions, vintage models

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III. Buying Advice

• Choose body shape and pickup configuration according to your musical genre.
• When testing, check if the neck is straight and frets are level.
• Pay attention to bridge system stability and tuning accuracy.
• Check all electronic components to ensure they function properly and are noise-free.
• Consider future upgrade potential (e.g., swapping pickups).

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IV. Maintenance Tips

• Clean the fretboard and body regularly.
• Replace old strings as needed.
• Maintain humidity levels between 40–60%.
• Adjust truss rod periodically to maintain neck relief.
• Clean input jacks and pots to prevent oxidation.
• Loosen the strings if the guitar won’t be used for a long period.