What specific elements are needed to construct what one would consider a professional quality electric guitar?

[guitarbuilder]

I think from my experience with a bunch of different guitars over the years it boils down to:

Quality materials for the neck and body
Good string action that can be adjusted up and down
An intonatable bridge located in the correct spot
Level frets in the correct spot and of a reasonable height, scratch free, and ends that are not sharp
A smooth fretboard
A truss rod that works
Quality electronic components that are durable
Comfortable ergonomics for the body and neck at a reasonable weight
Pickups that work well and are adjustable.
Quality tuning machines
Correct gauge strings sitting in a quality nut
A durable finish material
Proper and accurate assembly of all components



What's missing if anything?

 

[RickyRicardo]

I think that covers it well Marty.

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Professional build quality or playability quality? Since this is the Tele Home Depot, I am assuming Build. A cheaply built guitar can be playable and in the right hands, (not mine ) be as good as a top dollar guitar.

I might leave off the "durable" part of the finish.

Someone flipped the on switch for fall today here in Rochester.

 

[Ronkirn]

Professional what.. builder or player??

The reality is that ANY guitar that's functionally sound, and setup correctly can be played Professionally.. and sound ppretty darn good...

 

[guitarbuilder]

You see electric guitars advertised as beginner, intermediate, or professional. What are the differences? What constitutes a professional guitar? I realize that any guitar can be played by a professional, but that's not the issue. We're talking guitar build quality that fits the "professional" category.

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[fenderchamp]

I think from my experience with a bunch of different guitars over the years it boils down to:

Quality materials for the neck and body
Good string action that can be adjusted up and down
An intonatable bridge located in the correct spot
Level frets in the correct spot and of a reasonable height, scratch free, and ends that are not sharp
A smooth fretboard
A truss rod that works
Quality electronic components that are durable
Comfortable ergonomics for the body and neck at a reasonable weight
Pickups that work well and are adjustable.
Quality tuning machines
Correct gauge strings sitting in a quality nut
A durable finish material
Proper and accurate assembly of all components



What's missing if anything?

all said and done, the dang thing better sound good through an amplifier, and it better be assembled to tolerances that make it a pleasure to play and it better be set up in a way that makes it play in tune and stay in tune.

 

[AAT65]

You see electric guitars advertised as beginner, intermediate, or professional. What are the differences? What constitutes a professional guitar? I realize that any guitar can be played by a professional, but that's not the issue. We're talking guitar build quality that fits the "professional" category.

Professional Guitars | Guitar Center

Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of Professional Guitars at Guitar Center. Most orders are eligible for free shipping.

www.guitarcenter.com

From a playing point of view, what makes a “professional“ guitar IMHO is going to be reliability.

If I go to a rehearsal and a pickup has failed I’ll curse a bit and we’ll go on with whatever is left: if the guitar fails completely I’ll hang around telling the other guys how badly they’re doing things or sing BVs and play tambourine.
If a pro musician has a pickup, switch, bridge, tuner, output jack, … fail on him then he’s letting down the band and the audience, is not happy at all, and his guitar tech might just get an earful. When you’re earning your crust the tools just have to work.

However I don’t think big-box music chains think like that — they think “how can we get those guys to buy these expensive ones??”

 

[televillian]

the machine operator is the most essential element

 

[eallen]

The biggest difference is the price they slap on each level. Let's be honest, outside of extra labor hours for quality playability there probably isn't $100 difference in all the component cost at the bulk a factory pays for them. I'm not saying there isn't as difference in the componet quality of pups, hardware, pots... their cost just isn't drastically different.

 

[dsutton24]

Considering that I've seen Squiers and MIMs on stage in the hands of some big time musicians, I'd say that the guitar was less of a factor than the musician.

 

[Red Ryder]

If you can swing an axe you can build a guitar. It may not look or play the best, but no one is going to say anything as long as you're holding that axe.

 

[Ronkirn]

You see electric guitars advertised as beginner, intermediate, or professional.

I have anways maintained a different take in the categorization..

I feel the "professional" guitar, the one known for super slick feel, setup, etc should be targeted to the beginner.. simply so he's not discouraged by a POS that just plain hurts to play...

A professional has fingers conditioned to handle the worst of guitars with little discomfort... and he can go purchase whatever "pro" guitar whenever he likes, whenever he likes .. that's not the case with a beginner... if he gets a turkey of a guitar, he's likely to think that's the way all guitars are and move on to the accordion..

The irony is, the guitar manufacturers intentionally make "beginner" guitars a pain in the ass to play... in the hopes that will encourage beginners to move on up to a better (more costly) guitars... I have often wondered how many beginners just drop it because the guitar sux as opposed to those that actually DO move up.... How many future sales are lost because the manufacture introduces novice players to the world of guitar playing with a horrible example of what a guitar can be.. the novice rarely knows what a properly made and setup guitar can be like.

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

The knowledge of knowing which parts will fulfill those requirements is very important to avoid creating a rabbit hole with multiple points of entry.

 

[Recalcitrant]

the machine operator is the most essential element

Professional guitars are nearly all made by professional guitar makers using professional grade equipment. Of course, pro experience and tools aren't beyond the reach of an amateur, but in such a case the objective is process, not product.

 

[kuch]

My $0.02

functional: it plays and sounds good is a must; operator determined
it doesn't fall apart or break
looks good; that's totally debatable here

 

[cousinpaul]

"Pro" and "professional" have long been used as marketing terms. How about a Pro set-up? It's a shame how many new purchases need one.

 

[bgmacaw]

A durable finish material

Yes. A durable finish is important. You wouldn't want it to wear out like this one...

 

[bgmacaw]

The irony is, the guitar manufacturers intentionally make "beginner" guitars a pain in the ass to play... in the hopes that will encourage beginners to move on up to a better (more costly) guitars... I have often wondered how many beginners just drop it because the guitar sux as opposed to those that actually DO move up.... How many future sales are lost because the manufacture introduces novice players to the world of guitar playing with a horrible example of what a guitar can be.. the novice rarely knows what a properly made and setup guitar can be like.

True, although I also wonder how much of that burden should go to the player. I've bought a number of used inexpensive Squier, Epiphone and similar guitars where the original owner said "won't stay in tune" where all that was needed was just stringing the guitar correctly.

But, there is often a lack of final detail work and quality control that could make a new inexpensive guitar virtually unplayable to a beginner. For example, the $60 Monoprice Tele I bought recently was very well built except for very rough fret ends that would have made it a miserable experience to play if I didn't know how to smooth and round them out.

 

[Ronkirn]

yeah.. but,, how far beyond, OMG I have a guitar now." is the typical 14 year old expected to explore...

 

[crazydave911]

I've found Glarry VERY good beginner guitars and with the 30 money back guarantee a beginner has a good chance