For sure! I learned on something my parents ordered from Sears for $100. I think they still have it. Some of the parts look like they were composed of boxwood or balsa, and even cardboard.
It was horrible and I would play until my fingers would bleed, then quit for the day. I learned to play on that for years. It made learning a battle, not just a challenge.
It's another league entirely these days.
I would argue to the bitter end about instrument construction and argue that "good" instruments are indeed better than the commoditized versions of the same, but for people starting out and coming up and even recording they're fine tools! Memorable is Mike Campbell absolutely tearing it up on an Epiphone Florida Gators LP special AKA a cheap novelty guitar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e25p0Y3Vd38).
But I to explain my original point further: It's not as simple as just being a function of the commoditization. That is undeniably what's happening, but the why is, at the root, a demand that didn't previously exist, and not just for novelty or aesthetic but playability. The need for playability and a pleasing sound follows adoption, and widespread adoption is what I think signifies renaissance. There are more capable musicians than ever, and even through the noise there are more capable productions than ever, in all manner of genres and tuned to all manner of tastes. Similar to how printing brought music to the wider public and a generally supportive environment for the arts during the period of the (capital R) Renaissance.