Best Electric Guitar Brands
This list consists of acoustic guitars for beginners as recommended by some of YouTube's top guitar teachers. What makes it awesome?It's far from awesome but the awesome part is that you get so much for so little.Bobby CrispyWhat should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?It's important that an acoustic guitar feels comfortable for a beginner guitarist.
How a guitar feels may vary from player to player. Is the fretboard easy to play? Is the body of the guitar the right size (hopefully not too big)? An acoustic guitar with too big of a back-end may cause irritation to the inner side of the strumming arm. Also, make sure the fretboard is flat and there is no buzzing. Are the tuning heads easy to turn?
Electric Guitars. The Best Electric Brands. If you're looking for the best electric guitar - look no further - we have the ultimate axes here for you to drool over! Electric Guitars Under $500. There was a time when you couldn't get anything great in this price range, but times have changed with big brands like Fender and Epiphone now offering. Fender is one of the best acoustic electric guitar brands. The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat is a great mid-range acoustic guitar. The guitar comes with all the basic features of a great acoustic-electric guitar. The best beginner acoustic electric guitar reviews have it as one of the best. It comes with an array of impressive features.
And make sure the strings are not too high off of the fretboard. What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?It depends where you go to buy an acoustic guitar. A pawn shop may offer a good quality used guitar from $100-$200. A music store is usually more, from $200-$400. Best to shop around for deals on an acoustic guitar that you will like.
Also there are beginner guitar kits that also come with a carrying bag, tuner, strings, strap, etc. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners?Yamaha makes good quality beginner acoustic guitars. They are usually easy to find in music stores. What makes it awesome?Yamaha makes good quality acoustic guitars for a good price, and are a popular brand so are usually found in guitar stores.Monique Hernandez-Fuentes from What should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?Make sure to sit down and strum the notes when trying out a guitar. It should not be hard to push down the strings with your fretting hand, even if you are just starting out.
The Best Electric Guitar Brands
The action should be as low as possible to make learning easy. Make sure to check for loose parts; there should be no rattling noises coming from the inside of the guide or inside of the neck. Also take a business card and run it along the bottom of the bridge to make sure that the bridge isn't coming off. An electronic system is not a big deal when buying an acoustic because it's relatively easy to add an electronic pickup component later on should you decide you need one. What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?Anything less than $300 isn't really worth it, as the components of the instrument just become really cheap at that price point. $300 - $500 will get you a decent instrument to learn on that will allow you to learn easily.
What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners? What makes it awesome?Taylor's GS Mini series is an incredible deal. The instruments sound great for their small size, are set-up quite nicely, and purchasing a brand new Taylor guarantees you will be added to their lifetime warranty program, which covers certain substantial repairs during the lifetime of the instrument.Andrew Clarke from Guitareo (Andrew's band)What should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?Before you commit to buying a guitar, it's best to do some research. Put together a list of acoustic guitars you're interested in and peruse some forums and reviews to see what people say about some of the guitars you have in mind.The main things you're looking for are comfort and aesthetics.You want a guitar that isn't going to fight you - If you're a smaller person, you'll want a guitar with a smaller body.
And if you have particularly small hands, it might be worth looking into a 3/4-size guitar to start out. The way the guitar looks is going to matter a fair bit as well.
If it doesn't look good, you aren't going to be as inspired to pick it up and practice. What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?I usually recommend spending at least $200 on an acoustic guitar. Going with a reputable brand and spending a little more is always going to be worth it in the long run if you plan on sticking with it. This also makes a big difference if you want to trade-in or resell the guitar down the road. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners?
What makes it awesome?The Yamaha FG800 is built with beginners in mind. High quality, rich and balanced sound, standard Dreadnought body-style.
A great all-around acoustic guitar. You're getting a lot of guitar for a pretty modest price.Jeffrey Thomas Note: Jeff wanted to mention that he's offering a free lesson via Skype.What should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?.Tuning - Make sure the tuning pegs work. Sounds like a given, but I have seen problems with the gears on brand new guitars, so don't assume they are fine.Intonation - Put the guitar on a tuner and get the open strings in tune, then play the strings at the 12th fret for each string. This note should be an octave higher than the open note. If it's sharp or flat, the intonation is out and there is very little that can be done to correct it.Good frets - Check for sharp overhanging frets on the bass and treble sides.Comfort - Make sure the guitar is a comfortable fit to your body.Dead notes and high frets - Check for dead spots or high frets. Literally, play each note from open until you run out of frets. If you hit a dead note it will not play or sound buzzy.
This means the guitar needs fret work.What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?I would say anywhere from $150 to $350 is the entry level guitar cost. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners? What makes it awesome?I like Fender - they make a consistent product and have great warranties. The CD-60 is a full-size dreadnought with great projection and is very playable.Erich from Your Guitar Sage What should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?Budget, feel and sound! Don't worry about who plays what or brand names.
Best Electric Guitar Brands 2018
NONE of that matters if the guitar does not FEEL good to you and have the SOUND that you are looking for. Of course, most people have a budget and there is no need in trying $2000 guitars if you can't afford one, except for expanding your education about different types of guitar. That's the short answer. What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?I have $100 guitars that play and sound great. I have $15,000 guitars that play and sound great. That said, a great middle of the road guitar that won't break the bank is an Epiphone Masterbilt.
I find them to sound remarkable AND play great, ESPECIALLY for the money. I like buying guitars used and save about half from the retailers. A good used Masterbilt will cost about $300 on Ebay or Craigslist. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners?
What makes it awesome?It's the most 'bang for the buck' guitar I have ever played.Rob Swift What should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?Visit “mom and pop shops,” big-name musical instrument retailers, Craigslist, eBay & Amazon to compare the reviews and prices of various models. The ability to make an educated decision based on the feel, sound quality and playability is important. Consider renting a guitar for the first month of lessons. A good teacher will serve as a guide throughout the buying process and will teach you to play well enough to “test drive” your options.Many beginner students may decide to buy a used instrument, if so, then be wary of common flaws such as:. High Action - An excessive distance between the strings and the fretboard.
Warping - Abrupt sinking and swelling of the body. Splitting - Cracking of the finish and, in more extreme cases, the wood itself.What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?With guitars, you get what you pay for. It is very common to find a lack-luster instrument selling for $125, while a model of far better quality is selling for $175! That small price jump can make a noticeable difference in quality. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners?
What makes it awesome?This guitar is one of the most popular buys on Amazon and it's easy to see why. It's comfortable, well constructed and sounds fantastic for a guitar at this price point. Best of all, it's available in concert size, which is more comfortable for most guitar players.Bryan MaysWhat should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?Comfort should be the first thing any guitarist should look for when shopping for a guitar. What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?$100-250 Many retailers offer beginner packages with just about everything you need to start. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners? What makes it awesome?Yamaha guitars are always great for starters but, Beyond that it comes with a strap, tuner, extra strings, picks, as well as DVD's.All that for $199.99.Marty Schwartz from MartyMusic What should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?Easy action, lighter strings, needs to stay in tune decently, and affordability.
Also, it helps to have someone that has experience help you pick one out. What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?$300-$500 would be ideal, but sometimes you can get lucky at a garage sale. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners?If you can afford it, I really love the Taylor Academy. What makes it awesome?I still use it as a professional, but it has very high-quality parts, plays easy for a beginner, has a built-in tuner, and electronics so you can plug it in. It's a hair smaller than a standard Acoustic so you can get around the neck and form chords easily as a beginner.Carl Brown What should a beginner guitarist look for when shopping for an acoustic guitar?The main thing to be aware of is that you will want an acoustic guitar with pretty low action (the height of the strings over the frets). A badly made or set-up guitar can have the strings set too high, making the guitar very difficult to play.
What should a beginner guitarist be prepared to spend on an acoustic guitar?I always recommend spending a little more money in the beginning. If you start with a complete bottom of the line starter guitar, you are going to want to upgrade within a few months. So I recommend getting a more midrange priced guitar between $350-$800.
It will be cheaper in the long run and if you decide playing guitar isn't for you, you will find it much easier to sell the nicer guitar. What would you say is the best acoustic guitar for beginners?Note: There were no video/review demos available for this guitar, but we found this guitar lesson video where the instructor uses this guitar. This way, you can at least listen to it. He starts playing at about halfway through the video - check it out.
Table Of Contents.Looking to buy your first guitar? Congratulations – this is a date to remember!
Learning the guitar is a life-changing experience, and opens you to a new range of possibilities. But before you can learn, you need a guitar on which to practice and perform.To help you make an informed decision we have tried, tested and reviewed some of the best beginner’s electric guitars on the market today.Whether you’re 16 or 60, one of these beautiful guitars will appeal to your taste, style, and budget, and will serve you well for years to come. Stay with us after the chart for a full guide on electric guitars and how to find the best one for you. So here is the list with the best electric guitars for beginners: Top 10 Best Electric Guitars For Beginners in 2019: ImageElectric Guitar / RatingSummaryCheck Price1.Total of 4.76/5A real Fender Tele for a killer price.2.Total of 4.64/5A beginners jewel by Epiphone. Superb starting axe.3.Total of 4.70/5A retro Jet with a lot of value for beginners.4.Total of 4.74/5Old school axe by Fender for the players with extra style.5.Total of 4.50/5After almost 30 years, still a great pick.6.Total of 4.58/5The classic Yamaha Pacifica with outstanding value.7.Total of 4.62/5Plenty for beginners to enjoy on this handsome Les Paul.8.Total of 4.72/5Squier strip away the complication to deliver a fantastic Jazzmaster!9.Total of 4.60/5An authentic Les Paul with a budget price tag.10.Total of 4.55/5Striking style from an affordable metal machine! 1.Body And Neck:Electronics:Hardware:Sound:Value:This Modern Player Tele from Fender is an electric guitar that will thoroughly please both beginners and experienced guitarists alike.
With the iconic Tele shaped single-cutaway solid pine body, there’s a glossy modern C-shaped maple neck, maple fretboard, and 22 jumbo frets – very comfortable and playable.The sound is where this guitar shines – it’s just so versatile! This is down to the three pickups, all with very different characteristics.
There’s a humbucker at the bridge, a Strat single-coil in the middle, and a Tele single-coil at the neck.Throw in a five-way pickup selector switch and humbucker coil-tapping, and there’s no end to the sounds you can produce. For more on this excellent starter guitar. 2.Body And Neck:Electronics:Hardware:Sound:Value:We start this list with a true classic in the world of electric guitar: the Les Paul Standard.
For beginners, this is as close to a Gibson Les Paul as you want to get – and the affordable price really allows you to.With authentic Les Paul single-cutaway style – in an array of traditional and modern colors – there’s a solid mahogany body with a maple top, a slim D-shaped set mahogany neck, with rosewood fretboard, and 22 medium jumbo frets. Lovely to hold and fun to play.The sound comes from two Alnico Classic humbuckers at the neck and bridge, which are excellent at handling both clean and overdriven tones, with the warmth and tone you’d expect from Epiphone. In all, an outstanding electric guitar for beginners,.
3.Body And Neck:Hardware:Sound:Value:The Gretsch Electromatic G5425 is a new addition to this chart, but scores very highly as it shows off some features that make it an excellent choice for beginners.In addition to looking awesome, with the cool Jet body, maple neck and retro detailing, the G5425 is made from a chambered basswood, which means its very lightweight and comfortable to hold and practice on for prolonged periods.The chambering also means it’s a resonant guitar when unplugged, so acoustic practice sessions are more satisfying. However, plugged in with the two humbuckers, this axe really sings – great power for both classic and heavy rock – as we mention in.
4.Body And Neck:Electronics:Hardware:Sound:Value:If you’ve, you’ll know that this Classic Vibe Stratocaster is an excellent prospect for any beginner who loves the good old days of rock n’ roll! Made by Squier, this 50s-inspired electric has huge vintage appeal, with a modern feel thanks to a trio of Alnico III single-coil pickups and a smooth, modern C-shaped maple neck (with 21 medium jumbo frets).The body is made from solid alder with all the classic Strat style you’d expect from a Fender subsidiary, with a real vintage look (especially in the Sherwood Green with matching headstock).As for the sound, the three single-coils give it authentic Strat tone – well balanced with great clarity and sustain.
Affordable, but far from an entry-level model, this is one of the best Squiers around. 5.Body And Neck:Electronics:Hardware:Sound:Value:On a list highlighting affordable, quality, and beginner-friendly guitars it would be a sin to exclude an Ibanez. And the RG450DX more than earns its place – it’s sensational in both sound, style and feel.With the classic RG double-cutaway body shape, it’s made from solid basswood with a sleek and speedy Wizard III maple neck, with a rosewood fretboard, and a full 24 jumbo frets for excellent soloing capabilities.The – has a trio of Quantum pickups, with two humbuckers and a single-coil in the middle, giving this axe mega tone, and plenty of rock aggression. The Edge-Zero II and locking nut finishes it off nicely. A great value classic with a premium feel.
6.Body And Neck:Electronics:Hardware:Sound:Value:Yamaha have a reputation for producing affordable, versatile and good-looking electric guitars for beginners, and the Pacifica 112V (as ) certainly aims to please. The Pacifica series is targeted at beginners, although experienced players would enjoy this just as much.With a whole rainbow of colors to choose from, an edgy Strat look, and curves in all the right places, the 112V features a solid alder body, bolt-on maple neck, and rosewood fretboard with 22 frets. It’s voiced by three Yamaha-designed Alnico V pickups – a humbucker and two single-coils, for lots of versatility and tone.The guitar also features a five-way pickup selector switch, coil-tapping on the master tone control, and a vintage-style tremolo with whammy bar. A superb choice for any beginner!
7.Body And Neck:Electronics:Hardware:Sound:Value:It’s no secret that we are big admirers of Oscar Schmidt here at Guitar Fella – the Washburn subsidiary always manages to make a quality instrument, whatever category you’re shopping.The OE20 is a good example of this – an awesome Les Paul-style guitar that comes in a range of unique colors. It’s a handsome guitar that’s built to last and plays very well, making learning a real pleasure.
There’s a comfortable mahogany body along with a sleek set neck and rosewood fretboard.As for sound, this is courtesy of the two humbuckers and a simple range of controls. For the price, it punches well above its weight in terms of sound quality, design and playability. Check out for more! 8.Body And Neck:Hardware:Sound:Value:New to this chart is Squier’s affordable Affinity Jazzmaster, which marries the classic Jazzmaster/Jaguar body shape with superb playability and stripped-down electronics to deliver an ideal guitar for beginners.Sporting the ultra-accessible body shape (made of solid alder), the highlight is the 22-fret C-shaped maple neck which is a real joy to play. It looks great, with that vintage-inspired ’68 headstock, and sounds pretty good too – a little heavier than expected, thanks to the surprisingly hot humbuckers.The traditional switching system is gone, leaving behind simple beginner-friendly controls – master volume, tone and a three-way switch.
It’s a breath of fresh air for beginners wanting something different – as we mention in the. 9.Body And Neck:Electronics:Hardware:Sound:Value:We couldn’t compile a list of the best beginner electrics without including a ‘real’ Les Paul, from the Gibson subsidiary Epiphone.The incredibly popular Special II features everything you’d want from both a Les Paul and an affordable beginner’s guitar. This includes the familiar single-cutaway mahogany body, along with a bolt-on okoume neck featuring a comfortable SlimTaper D profile, a rosewood fretboard and 22 frets.As highlighted in the, this guitar comes with two humbuckers (a 650R and a 700T) and simple controls, keeping things easy for beginners, as well as reliable hardware. The highly affordable price is the icing on the cake! 10.Body And Neck:Hardware:Sound:Value:Who says beginners have to learn on something conservative? The Custom Zone is another axe from Dean that offers both style and substance, resulting in an electric guitar that beginners actually want to pick up and play.With a curvy and comfortable superstrat body made from mahogany, this guitar is finished in either an eye-popping nuclear green or shocking pink, which covers the body and the neck. This bolt-on neck features a hand-friendly C shape, with a sleek satin finish.As for sound, it’s basic but clear, with two Dean-designed humbuckers offering a punchy tone that’s suitable for everything from your first chords right up to your first metal solos!
For more on the Dean Custom Zone, check out.In the past, buying an electric guitar wasn’t always as satisfying as it should be. In the days before the internet, you had to rely on the wisdom of your local guitar store, a couple of magazines, and your gut instinct.You may have ended up with something half decent – if you were lucky – but rarely would you have found your ‘dream guitar’. In fact, without the internet, you probably weren’t aware it even existed! These days things are different. Thousands of guitars are available to you at the click of a button. You can find everything you need online, from any kind of guitar you could imagine, to amps, strings and even some.As long as you are willing to do some research, you’re likely to walk away with something that really appeals to you and will continue to please you as you grow into a good guitar player. The Electric Guitar Buying Guide for BeginnersWhen buying your first guitar, it’s sensible to stop and think about what you are buying it for.
Is it just something to learn on? Will you be upgrading in a year or two when you start thinking about forming a band, gigging, and recording?If so, you may be better off trying one of, which all offer a solid platform on which to learn.Whatever budget you’re on, you will always be able to find a suitable guitar. Even in the $100 price range you can find some models that play nicely. However, in that super-budget market there is a lot of garbage, so be careful.
There’s a difference between ‘affordable’ and ‘cheap’, so do your research before buying something that may offer no value.Even if you are on a budget, it’s always worth looking in the higher price brackets and considering something a little more expensive, which will offer better sound quality (which is always encouraging), better build quality (usually more comfortable to hold and play), looks cooler (which will keep you motivated), and will last you longer – allowing you to grow with the guitar.It’s best to buy at the top end of what you can afford. For additional inspiration, make sure to check out.Always factor in the size of your instrument. If you are a young player – or are buying a guitar for a child – consider that small hands playing on a full-size guitar may be more difficult than if you had an. The Anatomy Of An Electric GuitarIf you are serious about buying a guitar and learning how to play on it, you should be familiar with everything one can offer, from woods to pickups.
Here’s a brief picture of some of the most important components that make up a guitar, and what you should look out for when browsing:Body StyleBefore we go into the parts of an electric guitar, it’s worth noting that there are three different body types: solid body, hollow body, and semi-hollow body. The main difference between them is the way the bodies are constructed, and the amount of resonance they produce.If you’re into punk, rock, metal, or any style of fast or heavy music, then it should be solid body all the way. It allows for louder sounds and more sustain, while avoiding the feedback issues that affect some hollow bodied instruments at higher volumes.The will appeal to players who prefer softer styles, such as jazz, country and blues, as well as soft rock and pop, as they offer a full, rich and more resonant sound with lots of bass.Beginners will be best off sticking to a solid bodied guitar, as they are easier to handle in most scenarios. For the rest of this anatomical breakdown we’ll focus on solid body guitars. Body ShapeSolid body guitars offer a fantastic platform for builders, allowing them to craft the wood into literally any shape.Naturally you’ll probably want to opt for a guitar with a single-cutaway Les Paul or Telecaster style shape, or a double-cutaway shape like a Stratocaster, Yamaha Pacifica, or Ibanez’s RG.However, the more extroverted beginner can check out some cool styles that always catch the attention, such as V or Z shaped guitars, or anything from Dean Guitars – especially if you want an eye-catching paint job! Body WoodAlthough it’s a minor issue when choosing your first guitar, the tone and sustain that the guitar can produce relies on the quality of the material it’s made from.The most used tonewoods in the budget range are basswood, poplar, alder, and paulownia, while more expensive guitars can be made from pine, mahogany, and swamp ash.
This is just a rough rule though – these days you will find mahogany in budget guitars and basswood in premium models.They all have different tonal qualities – for example, mahogany typically offers a warmer sound, swamp ash is brighter, while basswood and alder are well-balanced. NecksAs for necks, the majority of guitars will have either a maple or mahogany neck, with a rosewood, maple or ebony fretboard. Again, there’s no right or wrong, and a neck wood is never going to sway your decision.But you should choose something that feels smooth and comfortable to play. There are a variety of shapes and profiles, and what you go for will depend on personal preference and playing style.For example, a modern C-shaped neck is always a safe choice as the majority of guitarists will feel comfortable using it, while a thin U-shape is great for faster players (think punk rock and metal).
PickupsThere are two main types of pickup you’ll find on a guitar suitable for beginners: a single-coil pickup and a humbucker pickup. Without bogging you down in the details of how they work, the single-coil is the classic original pickup, which typically offers a bright and sparkly sound.As they cut through the mix, single-coils are excellent pickups for lead players. Then comes the faithful humbucker, which – as the name suggests – ‘bucks’ the hum, meaning less background noise.Humbuckers produce full, meaty sounds found across the world of rock and metal, and are great for lead and rhythm guitar. However you can still play fast punk rock powerchords with a single-coil, just like you can play an upbeat country number with a humbucker!You’ll usually find two or three pickups on a guitar, although some models will offer just one. Guitars with two or more pickups will come fitted with a pickup selector switch to quickly change between them. FretsThe frets are those thin metal bars running down the neck, which act as note separators, allowing you to play individual notes and chords.
Most guitars will feature 22 frets, although those more rock and metal-inclined will sometimes offer 24, allowing you to reach higher notes.As a beginner it shouldn’t really bother you whether you have 21, 22, or 24 frets. It’s only as you grow into the instrument you’ll find what works best for you. BridgeThere are several kinds of bridge (located at the bottom of the guitar, where the strings are attached), but to keep things simple you’ll usually find either a fixed bridge or a tremolo bridge. Both have their pros and cons.A tremolo bridge will allow you to experiment with everything from vibrato effects right up to full-on divebombs, and can sound amazing when playing high lead solos. However, tremolo bridges can affect tuning, unless the bridge and nut locks.A fixed bridge is excellent for sustain and tuning stability, although there’s no vibrato.
Again, it’s all down to personal preference.Now you’re a little more informed on the parts that make up a guitar, which may help you when shopping around. For a summary that covers everything we’ve talked about, check out this useful video. What is The Easiest Type of Electric Guitar to Play?When buying an electric guitar for the very first time, you may be confused over what is better for you as a beginner – a solid body, a hollow-body or a semi-hollow body.While you can learn on any of these, we recommend a solid-body guitar, which includes all the models featured on this page. The main advantage of a solid body guitar for beginners is that they are easier to control in front of an amplifier.By this we mean you are unlikely to experienced squealing feedback from the amp, which can be a big annoyance when it happens all the time. Solid body guitars are often simpler to hold as well, as hollow models tend to be a bit bigger in size.As we have mentioned above, the more you spend on an electric guitar, the better it should be in terms of playability. If you can aim higher than a super-low budget model, you will be rewarded with upgrades such as a smoother, flatter neck and an easier playing experience all-round. How Much Should I Pay for a Beginner Electric Guitar?Technically there is no limit to how much you should pay when buying your first electric guitar.
If you have the budget you could learn on something very expensive – similar to learning how to drive in a Ferrari!However, it isn’t necessary to spend so much on a beginner’s electric guitar. With so many guitar brands and models on the market, manufacturers have had to up their game to ensure their guitars meet a better standard at a lower price.You can spend under $100 on a beginner’s electric guitar and this would be perfectly acceptable – especially if you are not sure if the instrument is for you. Why waste money if you aren’t sure if you’ll stick to it?However, if you have aspirations of the stage or recording, you may want to invest a few hundred dollars in something that looks, feels, plays and sounds higher quality. This will save you money in the long run (as you won’t have to upgrade so soon) and will give you a guitar that will be ready for performance when you are. What’s the Difference Between a Beginner and an Advanced Guitar?As we have mentioned, it is difficult to categorize a ‘beginner’ or ‘advanced’ electric guitar. Technically, if a newbie wanted to learn on a $2,000 axe, they could.
And, if Steve Vai wanted to perform on a $150 starter guitar, then he could!However, in most cases, there are some differences between what we would class as a beginner electric guitar and an advanced model.For example, a beginner would benefit from a comfortable and lightweight body, as you wouldn’t really want to wrestle with a heavy, awkward body while trying to simultaneously learn your chords.However, an advanced player, who is used to playing and holding a guitar, may prefer a heavier body as the heavier the guitar, the better the tone and sustain (in theory at least). It’s therefore wise for beginners to go with a thinner or lighter wood body (such as basswood), as well as an easy-to-hold body shape, such as a Les Paul, Telecaster or Stratocaster (instead of a Flying V, or something similarly awkward).Looking at hardware and an advanced player may want a as well as a lot of controls. For example, they may fancy two humbuckers with coil-splitting capabilities, as well as individual volume and tone controls for each pickup.Maybe throw in a killswitch too! However, all of this would be excessive for a complete beginner, who would be better off with two humbuckers, one master volume and one master tone control.Finally, tremolo bridges can be used by both beginners and advanced players, yet a beginner would usually be better off with a fixed bridge. The reason being that adding a variable such as tremolo (aka the whammy bar) isn’t likely to be that useful when you are just learning your first notes and chords.Tremolos can also negatively affect tuning stability depending on the guitar, which is another reason to avoid them unless you know the guitar is reliable in its tuning (the guitars with tremolo arms that we have highlighted in our chart are reliable enough to justify their inclusion!). Do You Need an Amplifier for an Electric Guitar?It may sound like you are asking an obvious question, but it is a very valid question indeed!First off, no law says you must have an amplifier to play an electric guitar.
If you don’t have the budget for one or you just don’t want one for any reason, that’s fine – you can ‘dry practice’. You will still be able to hear yourself playing, although very quietly.Despite this being acceptable, we do advise buying an amplifier at the same time as your first electric guitar, because dry practicing for too long can encourage some bad habits.For example, with no amp, you may be playing too aggressively to make yourself heard, which is not a good technique to pick up. Also, by not having an amp, you are also missing the important response and feedback that an amp can offer you on your playing techniques.Besides – playing with an amp sounds so much cooler!We suggest factoring the price of a into your overall guitar budget. While it may mean you need to settle for a slightly cheaper guitar, the benefits of having an amp from your first day of playing are too good to pass up.
So You Have An Electric Guitar Suitable for Beginners! What Now?First, let’s hope that with the guitar you also bought some essentials, such as an amplifier and a cable, as well as plectrums, a strap, and a bag.Wherever you purchase your first guitar from, make sure to take it to a local professional or friend with some experience and ask them to set it up for you. They may charge you a few dollars, but it’ll be worth it to have fresh strings, a good action, and correct tuning. If possible, ask them if you can watch how they set it up, so next time you can try it yourself.Now, you have your first electric guitar and it’s set up nicely. The next thing you ask is “what is the best way to learn guitar?” And the answer is simple – get some lessons! Whether it’s from your local pro, guitar teacher, or from a range of excellent online courses, lessons will teach you the basics – allowing you to start playing songs within a couple of hours. Are Online Guitar Lessons Any Good?Yes, most of them are very useful!
These days there are hundreds of online tutors offering great guitar lessons. And there’s no need to throw your money at the first offer you see, as a lot of quality instructional and tutorial videos are completely free on platforms such as YouTube.Generally, paid courses tend to be better because they are tested and are well-structured, and – in theory – you should be able to progress faster.
But it all depends on your budget and on your will to learn on your own.Finally, have you ever heard a definitive answer to the question Us neither!Learning your first chords can take a few hours, but the instrument can take a lifetime to master. But that’s the joy of playing guitar – you never stop learning. It’s down to you to practise and progress, because practise makes perfect! The Final WordAs you have seen, there are many great options for electric guitars for beginners, whether you are on a strict budget or things are a little more flexible.We hope our buyer’s guide has helped answer a few questions and that our chart has been able to offer you some inspiration – although don’t be afraid to shop around and look for something different. However, the ten we have highlighted will at least offer you a solid platform on which to learn.Good luck with your guitar shopping and first lessons, and keep returning to Guitar Fella for all the latest news, reviews and advice! Not a bad article, but I’d go even cheaper.
As a long time guitar and bass player (no longer gigging) and father, with guitars high and low cost in the house, I would advise parents to get a new Yamaha, Epi, or Squier (or a good used one of those) for a couple hundred $ or less and a decent Fender or Vox, Spider, etc modeler amp for the same and see what happens. It has been hard to keep my kids interested, hurts the fingers, and my guitars have low action and play like butter.
It isn’t like Rock Star! Reportedly 90% drop out in the first year, and by the time you are my age maybe 99% have quit! Lot of used stuff in the closets out there! So go to a decent store or a friend who plays and seek their help and advice.
And get it set up by someone who knows what they are doing. My current favorite setting out and being played a lot is a 1996 Korean Squier Strat Deluxe, used for $99.
So if they say spend over $400 total amp and guitar, ask someone else! They lose value real fast! About 30 years ago, a fellow co-worker began teaching me how to play electric guitar.
I believe it was an Aria Pro Strat. He had been playing for 20 plus years at this time and was a very good teacher, he owned a 1958 Les Paul. I have not played since he was in a car wreck in 1990 as he could not return to work.
He was however able to continue to play, its just our schedules never allowed the time to take lessons. He passed away in 2011, and since I retired last year, I’d like to take up lessons. I found your article very helpful in selecting an electric guitar.
It mentions a lot of things most people do not consider when buying.Thanks!Gary.