Guitar makers and musical instrument manufacturers are sounding the alarm over the potentially devastating impact of the Trump tariffs, with industry representatives and advocates rallying to protect their sector.
The new tariffs, which affect a range of goods, have introduced significant challenges for guitar manufacturers, including higher costs, disruptions in supply chains, and a lack of preparation time for businesses to adjust. These factors collectively threaten the survival of many companies in the music industry.
John Mlynczak, President and CEO of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), spoke with Guitar World about the severe repercussions of the tariffs. “The consensus is these tariffs can be really devastating for our industry, and it’s devastating in several ways,” he explained. “It’s not just the sudden costs that companies will have to absorb, but it’s also the disruption of supply chains. The unpredictability and uncertainty, combined with the suddenness of the tariffs, leave companies with no time to plan or adapt.”
Mlynczak is leading a delegation to Washington, D.C. this week to lobby against the tariffs and meet with key members of the Ways and Means Committee, which oversees fiscal legislation. In his public statements, Mlynczak has called for the administration to exempt musical instruments, accessories, and materials used in their production from the tariffs.
“The negative effects of these measures threaten the economic and cultural impact of U.S.-made musical instruments,” Mlynczak said. “Moreover, these tariffs will undermine the U.S. music products industry’s global competitive advantage in producing high-quality products, especially in both the professional and entry-level markets.”
Among the delegation visiting Capitol Hill are influential figures from some of the U.S.’s biggest guitar brands, including Gibson, Martin, Fender, PRS, and Taylor Guitars. They are advocating for the preservation of tonewoods, a key component of American-made instruments. The group, which met with Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), plans to continue its efforts to influence lawmakers.
The impact of the tariffs is already being felt by some manufacturers. Mike Matthews, founder of Electro-Harmonix, shared that his effects pedal company will be forced to continue sourcing raw materials from overseas due to the lack of viable domestic alternatives. This is a common challenge faced by many U.S.-based manufacturers, who are still dependent on foreign-sourced components, even when their products are made domestically.
Rhett Shull, a social media influencer, has gone so far as to warn that the Trump tariffs could “kill the guitar industry.” He highlighted how even instruments made in the U.S., such as the Fender Ultra II Stratocaster, rely on imported materials for essential components, ranging from sandpaper and packing materials to more complex items like computers and lights. These additional costs raise operational expenses and reduce profit margins, which could ultimately lead to business closures.
“The reality is, when the price of all of these things goes up, your operating costs as a business go up with it,” Shull explained. “And when your margins shrink to the point where you can’t afford to make payroll, or can’t afford to stay profitable, something has to give.”
Mlynczak has emphasized the importance of public action, urging citizens to contact their representatives in Congress. “We’re hearing from our lobby firm that it’s the pressure on Congress that led to exclusions for automakers and Apple,” he said. “When citizens apply pressure to their members of Congress, that member can carry that message and advocate for us in D.C.”
The financial impact of the tariffs has already been significant for Fender, which in March experienced three credit rating downgrades. The rising costs attributed to the tariffs could add $20 to $25 million in operational expenses, according to Moody’s credit rating agency.
