If you’ve been scouring the web for ultra-budget guitars, chances are you’ve stumbled onto Glarry Music—a name that pops up in bargain boards, beginner forums, and YouTube unboxings. But for that “too cheap to be true” price, what are you really getting? I dove deep into the specs, user feedback, pros and pitfalls, and current deals to give you the full picture.
🧐 First Impressions & What They Claim
Glarry Music markets itself as a go-to for “cheap guitars, best beginner guitars for sale online.” Their guitar section (sorted high price–low) currently lists models in the ~$80–$130 USD range.Glarry Music+2Glarry Music+2 You’ll find electric, acoustic, bass, and DIY kits. Their featured deals include 6% off some kits, 10% off others.Glarry Music
Popular models:
-
Glarry GST / GST HSS / HH – Strat-style electrics with included 20W amp bundles.Glarry Music+4Glarry Music+4Glarry Music+4
-
Glarry GTL – Tele-style or semi-hollow T-style (various finishes).Glarry Music+6Art of Shred+6Guitars For Idiots+6
-
Acoustics / Electrics / Bass – GMA101 41-inch acoustic, GMB series acoustic basses.Glarry Music+4Glarry Music+4Glarry Music+4
-
DIY Kits – Some models are sold as kits (no finish) for a lower price.Glarry Music+1
Customer ratings on the Glarry site report averages like 4.6/5 for electric guitars (1,849 reviews).Glarry Music Acoustic guitars have a ~4.5/5 based on 434 reviews.Glarry Music But take those with salt—we’ll dig deeper into the scrutiny below.
What You’re Really Paying For (and Against)
The Good
-
Unbeatable price point: For $80–$120, you get a full instrument (sometimes with an amp or accessory bundle).
-
Decent mod platform: The hardware is basic and cheap—but that means you can upgrade parts (pickups, nut, tuners) down the line.
-
Access to play: For someone wanting to tinker or get started without major investment, Glarry gives access.
-
Variety: Many body styles, colors, and formats (electric, acoustic, bass, kits) to choose from.
The Caveats
-
Setup is essential. Many buyers report unplayable factory setups: high action, buzzing frets, misaligned nuts, poor intonation.Squier Talk+4Reddit+4Trustpilot+4
-
Cheap components everywhere: tuners, nuts, wiring, bridges — all on the lowest rung.Guitars For Idiots+4Guitars For Idiots+4Art of Shred+4
-
Stability and tuning issues: Some strings “pop” during tuning, and tuning stability is often cited as off.Glarry Music+2Trustpilot+2
-
Customer service complaints: On Trustpilot, users report Glarry demands customers pay return shipping even for defective instruments.Trustpilot
-
Resale value is weak: Because of the very low margin and limited brand reputation, you won’t recoup much.Art of Shred+1
One of the more detailed critiques comes from ArtOfShred, reviewing the GTL: after more than 10 hours of use, the writer rated it 3/10, citing poor components, rough neck, and limited value, unless you're buying it purely to tinker.Art of Shred Others echo that the “bones” are there, and if you’re okay with holding a screwdriver and replacing parts—that’s where Glarry shines.Squier Talk+1
Another site, GuitarsForIdiots, tested the GST3 and found the wiring surprisingly okay but still criticized the nut, tuners, and tuning stability.Guitars For Idiots
How Glarry Compares — Is It Better Than $100 Others?
Let’s say you shop around in the $80–$150 range. What are your options?
| Brand / Type | What You’ll Likely Get | Pros Over Glarry | Cons vs Glarry |
|---|
| Entry Squier / Epiphone | Better hardware, more stable factory setup | Stronger reliability, better component quality | Cost is usually $150–$250; less mod room |
| Honk / Bestchoice / etc. | Similar budget mass-produced guitars | They may have marginally better pickup sets or finish | Again, similar “budget guitar” pitfalls |
| Used mid-tier guitar (e.g. used Fender / Yamaha) | Better aged wood, better parts | Tone, resale, feel all likely superior | Requires used-market hunt, variable condition |
In short: if your budget is strict and you're okay with “it needs work,” Glarry might let you own something now instead of waiting. But if you can stretch to used mid-tier, you’ll often skip most of the pain.
Current Deals & Seasonal Promotions (As of Oct 2025)
-
Glarry is currently offering 6% off on certain DIY guitar kits and 10% off on the Burning Fire HH kit.Glarry Music
-
Many guitars are listed with “Shop high to low” strategies, showing deals (e.g. “$89.99 ~ $129.99”) to suggest discounts.Glarry Music+2Glarry Music+2
-
In video content, reviewers note that over the past six years, Glarry prices have increased ~30%.YouTube+1
-
Around Black Friday, some “Strat + amp” combos were bundled at ~$110 with discount codes.YouTube+1
If you time it, Glarry may run flash deals, coupon codes, or site-wide discounts. But even “discounted” versions still live in the ultra-budget bracket.
Is Glarry a Smart Buy — And for Whom?
If you fall into one of these, Glarry might work:
-
You want a “learning to fix/mod” project guitar you don’t mind tearing apart.
-
You have zero budget but want something playable (with time spent on adjustments).
-
You treat it as a backup, wall art, or toy, not a serious gigging instrument.
But if you want to plug in and play, record, or rely on it in performances, you’ll likely spend more time fixing (or regretting) than playing. The required setup effort, parts swaps, and instability are very real.
For most beginners, a slightly higher initial investment into a better brand (Squier, Yamaha, used Fender, etc.) often saves you frustration and money in the long run.
Final Takeaway
Glarry Music guitars are the epitome of “you pay for what you get” in ultra-budget territory. The aggressive price tag is their biggest selling point. Yet behind it lies a guitar that demands patience, know-how, and often a parts budget to make it tolerable. If your goal is to tinker, experiment, or simply get something to strum on without worrying about cost, they’re a wild little entry door. But if you want reliable tone, stable tuning, and gig-readiness out of the box—you’ll probably wish you spent a bit more (or shopped used).
Choose wisely. The gamble is real.
