Choosing the right guitar is a big investment. If you are interested in buying a guitar, you may be wondering how long it will last. While there are many things to consider when it comes to the lifespan of a guitar, every instrument has an average life expectancy.
If you’re interested to know how long a guitar should last, you’ve come to the right page. Today, we’re going to cover the average lifespan of a guitar. We will also answer some of the questions people want to know about how long a guitar will last. Keep reading to learn more.
How Long Do Guitars Last?
Every guitar is made differently, but there is an average length of time you can expect the instrument to last. However, one thing to consider right from the start is that not all guitars are made equally. At every music store, you’ll notice a selection of cheaper-made guitars and a selection of premium brands.
If you buy one of the cheaper guitars, they should last an average of 10 years, whereas a premium guitar could last for 20 to 30 years. Typically acoustic guitars are cheaper than electric guitars.
Do Guitars Sound Better With Age?
While a guitar may not last forever, there’s one interesting thing you should know about them. Acoustic guitars are known to sound better as they get older. However, people should expect the same thing to happen with electric guitars. Electric guitars will be consistent with the sound, meaning how they sound now is how they will sound in 10 years and so on.
Now, acoustic guitars, on the other hand, are likely to have a much more impressive sound as the guitar gets older. This has to do with the wood that the guitar is made from. One thing you may not have known about wood is that it contains gaps that can absorb moisture. As the guitar ages, those gaps begin to seal so the guitar can’t hold any more moisture.
This causes the guitar’s wood to dry out and eventually become harder. There is also sap within the wood that loosens as the guitar gets more use. As the sap breaks up over time, the wood eventually allows the vibrations from the guitar to flow more freely. This is why an acoustic guitar actually sounds better when it’s been in your care for longer.
Is It Possible For A Guitar To Expire?
One question we often get asked is “do guitars go bad?“. Even though guitars are not made from perishable materials, they can still go bad. With many years of use, a guitar is put through a lot. Eventually, it will wear out and will not perform the way you were expecting.
However, each type of guitar will expire in a different way. An acoustic guitar is likely to begin by getting cracks in the wood. The neck of acoustic guitars can also become a problem, as it may loosen or even warp. Some users have also experienced the fretboard of their acoustic guitars becoming loose.
Electric guitars, on the other hand, don’t experience as many problems to cause them to expire. The biggest concern users should be aware of is that the neck could warp. Some users have had the tuning machines malfunction, but those can be replaced without having to replace the guitar.
While some guitars can become damaged beyond repair, many users are in luck because parts of the guitar can be replaced. This can help people get more years of use from their guitars.
How Long Do Guitar Strings Last?
Guitar strings will wear out much quicker than a guitar. This is one part of the guitar that you will need to change more frequently. There are many things that can cause guitar strings to deteriorate other than frequent play. If you live in a humid environment, you may notice that the moisture can cause the string to rust.
People who play their guitar often usually need to change the guitar strings every 3 months (or 90 days). However, if your guitar doesn’t get that much use, you can determine when to change the string by the hours of use. It’s recommended to change them after 200 hours. Most people find that the 90-day mark is easier to keep track of than the 200-hour mark.
If you avoid changing the guitar strings, you will likely be very disappointed by the sound of the music coming from it. Old and worn-out guitar strings produce a very flat and dull sound. Whereas new guitar strings will have a sound that is clear and crisp. You will be more satisfied with the sound you create when you’ve changed the guitar strings and are using new ones.
Final Thoughts- How Long Do Guitars Last?
While guitars last a long time, they are not designed to last forever. Acoustic guitars are generally cheaper than electric guitars. The materials used to make acoustic guitars wear out sooner, so you can expect an average of 10 years with one of these instruments. Electric guitars, on the other hand, are made with stronger and more durable materials.
It’s expected that they will last an average of 20 to 30 years, people have been able to get a lot more than that from their electric guitars. One of the good things about electric guitars is that many of the parts are replaceable. If something goes wrong, you may only need to replace a part and not the whole guitar quite yet. This could add years to its lifespan.
One thing to consider about helping your guitar last longer is how you store it. We recommend using a quality guitar case when not in use to prevent the guitar from being exposed to moisture. Humidity and moisture can be one of the leading causes of a guitar’s life expectancy being shortened. If you can keep your guitar dry, it should last much longer.
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