Guitar market unit sales in the United States 2005-2020

The number of guitars sold in the United States fell from around 2.8 million units in 2019 to 2.74 million units in 2020. While both figures were above the average number of guitars sold in a year during the past decade, the market has not been able to emulate the peak of 3.3 million units sold in 2005.

Acoustic guitars vs. electric guitars

When looking at the different types of products in the guitar market in the U.S., sales figures show that acoustic guitars were purchased more frequently than electric guitars. Although the number of acoustic guitars sold in the U.S. was highest in 2005, this market was close to reaching its previous sales record in 2020, with 1.6 million units sold in that year. Meanwhile, the number of electric guitars sold in the U.S. decreased from around 1.66 million units in 2005 to 1.1 million units in 2020.

Are guitars becoming more expensive?

One explanation for the fall in the number of guitars sold in the U.S. could be that these instruments have become more expensive. Comparing the average unit price of a guitar in the U.S. in 2005 and 2020 shows that the average unit cost has almost doubled over 15 years. In 2020, the average price of an electric guitar in the U.S. was higher than the average price of an acoustic guitar in the United States.