Best ES Style Guitars Made In Japan in 2024

Here are the top ES style guitars made in Japan . You should expect a high-quality guitar with excellent quality control. It can be compared to guitars made in the US, which is why they're also expensive.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

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1. Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon

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Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon

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Playability 75

Sound 73

Build quality 80

Value for money 61

Overall Score 76

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)

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3 Prices - New from $3,387.02 >
From Gretsch's 2021 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7CP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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3 Prices - New from $3,387.02 >
From Gretsch's 2021 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7CP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tremolo
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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2. Yamaha SA2200

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Yamaha SA2200

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Playability 73

Sound 72

Build quality 72

Value for money 62

Overall Score 72

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
Weight: Slightly heavy (2 votes)
Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)

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5 Prices - New from $2,177.76 >
From Yamaha's 2019 Hollow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple top
Laminated Sycamore / Soft Maple Center Block body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Yamaha Humbucker/Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Yamaha Humbucker/Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh GE103B bridge
SA Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh SG30 tuners
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5 Prices - New from $2,177.76 >
From Yamaha's 2019 Hollow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple top
Laminated Sycamore / Soft Maple Center Block body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Yamaha Humbucker/Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Yamaha Humbucker/Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh GE103B bridge
SA Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh SG30 tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha SA2200

Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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3. Gretsch G6122-6212 Vintage Select Edition '62 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

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Gretsch G6122-6212 Vintage Select Edition '62 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

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Playability 80

Sound 74

Build quality 73

Value for money 66

Overall Score 76

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)

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From Gretsch's 2016 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
12 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
3-Ply Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch TV Jones Filter'Tron Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch TV Jones Filter'Tron Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 0 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Gretsch G-Cutout Tailpiece bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Vintage frets
Grover Die-Cast tuners
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From Gretsch's 2016 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
12 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
3-Ply Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch TV Jones Filter'Tron Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch TV Jones Filter'Tron Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 0 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Gretsch G-Cutout Tailpiece bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Vintage frets
Grover Die-Cast tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6122-6212 Vintage Select Edition '62 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman

Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Neck-Through Build
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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4. Gretsch G6620TFM Players Edition Nashville

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Gretsch G6620TFM Players Edition Nashville

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Playability 75

Sound 73

Build quality 78

Value for money 65

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)

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3 Prices - New from $2,899.99 >
From Gretsch's 2017 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Flame Maple top
Laminated Flame Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7GP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

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3 Prices - New from $2,899.99 >
From Gretsch's 2017 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Flame Maple top
Laminated Flame Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7GP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6620TFM Players Edition Nashville

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tremolo
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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5. Gretsch G6636T Players Edition Falcon

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Gretsch G6636T Players Edition Falcon

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Playability 75

Sound 73

Build quality 79

Value for money 61

Overall Score 76

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)

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4 Prices - New from $3,599.99 >
From Gretsch's 2019 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7CP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

4 Prices - New from $3,599.99 >
From Gretsch's 2019 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7CP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6636T Players Edition Falcon

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tremolo
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

6. Gretsch G6620T Players Edition Nashville

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Gretsch G6620T Players Edition Nashville

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Playability 75

Sound 73

Build quality 75

Value for money 64

Overall Score 74

What our users think

Tuning stability: Won't stay in tune (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)

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2 Prices - New from $2,699.99 >
From Gretsch's 2019 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7CP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

2 Prices - New from $2,699.99 >
From Gretsch's 2019 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B7CP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6620T Players Edition Nashville

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tremolo
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

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Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

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Playability 77

Sound 71

Build quality 75

Value for money 59

Overall Score 74

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)

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4 Prices - New from $3,399 >
From Gretsch's 2022 Artist Signature Edition series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
V-Stoptail bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast tuners
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4 Prices - New from $3,399 >
From Gretsch's 2022 Artist Signature Edition series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
V-Stoptail bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

8. Gretsch G6122TG Players Edition Country Gentleman

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Gretsch G6122TG Players Edition Country Gentleman

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Playability 67

Sound 73

Build quality 82

Value for money 59

Overall Score 74

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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5 Prices - New from $2,699.99 >
From Gretsch's 2022 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch FT-67 Filter’Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch FT-67 Filter’Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B6GP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Imperial Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

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5 Prices - New from $2,699.99 >
From Gretsch's 2022 Professional Collection series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch FT-67 Filter’Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch FT-67 Filter’Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B6GP String-Thru bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Imperial Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6122TG Players Edition Country Gentleman

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

9. Gretsch G6636T-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

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Gretsch G6636T-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

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Playability 67

Sound 70

Build quality 77

Value for money 56

Overall Score 71

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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3 Prices - New from $3,282.44 >
From Gretsch's 2021 Artist Signature Edition series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B6CP String-Thru Vibrato Tailpiece bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

3 Prices - New from $3,282.44 >
From Gretsch's 2021 Artist Signature Edition series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Arched Laminated Maple top
Laminated Maple body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Bigsby B6CP String-Thru Vibrato Tailpiece bridge
Standard U Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6636T-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tremolo
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices