What Guitar Should a Beginner Buy?
It's one of the most common questions I get:
"What guitar should I buy if I'm just starting out?"
And honestly, the answer is simpler than most people expect.
The best beginner guitar is the one you'll actually pick up and play.
That might sound like a cop-out answer, but I mean it.
When you're first starting out, your goal isn't to find the perfect guitar. Your goal is to find a guitar that is comfortable, reliable, and inspiring enough that you'll want to spend time with it.
Because the biggest mistake beginners make isn't buying the wrong guitar.
It's never getting started in the first place.
Don't Buy Junk
Let's start with what I wouldn't do.
I wouldn't buy the absolute cheapest guitar I could find from a random online marketplace.
A beginner needs a guitar that stays reasonably in tune and plays comfortably.
If the guitar constantly goes out of tune, feels difficult to play, or has obvious quality problems, you're creating frustration that doesn't need to exist.
That doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune.
It just means you should buy something from a reputable company or music store.
Think "reasonable quality," not "professional touring rig."
Don't Spend a Fortune Either
The other extreme isn't necessary either.
When you're first learning guitar, you don't yet know what kind of player you're going to become.
You might discover that you love acoustic singer-songwriter material.
You might fall in love with classic rock.
You might become obsessed with blues, metal, country, jazz, or something else entirely.
There's no reason to spend thousands of dollars before you've even figured out what excites you.
A solid beginner instrument is more than enough to get started.
Acoustic or Electric?
This surprises some people, but I usually recommend that beginners start with an electric guitar unless they already know they want to be acoustic players.
Why?
Because electric guitars are generally easier to play.
The strings are lighter.
The string tension is lower.
They require less physical effort from your hands.
That's important when you're trying to build confidence and good habits.
I learned on a nylon-string classical guitar, which wasn't too bad. But when I eventually moved to a steel-string acoustic, I immediately noticed how much more effort it required.
For a brand-new player, that difference matters.
Keep It Simple
One of my favorite beginner recommendations is a basic Strat-style guitar package, like the one in the photo at the top of this article.
Many of these starter kits include:
- A guitar
- A small amplifier
- A cable
- Basic accessories
They're affordable, practical, and perfectly capable of helping someone learn to play.
And just as importantly, they're simple.
I wouldn't recommend a Floyd Rose-equipped guitar as a first instrument.
Now, don't get me wrong—I love guitars with Floyd Rose tremolos when they're set up correctly.
But they add complexity.
And beginners already have enough to learn.
Your first guitar should help you make music, not create extra headaches.
Comfort Matters More Than Most People Realize
If you're buying for a younger player or someone with a smaller frame, don't be afraid to consider a smaller-scale instrument.
The guitar should feel approachable.
A guitar that feels awkward or oversized can create unnecessary obstacles.
Remember, we're trying to make practicing easier, not harder.
Buy From a Real Music Store If Possible
If you have access to a local music store, I think that's often the safest option.
You can hold the instrument.
You can see how it feels.
You can ask questions.
And if something isn't right, you usually have some protection through return policies or store support.
When you're new, it's difficult to know what problems to look for.
A reputable store removes a lot of that risk.
Having said that, there is probably nothing wrong with making a selection on a site like Amazon if the product has a good rating and a decent amount of reviews.
My Real Advice
After all these years of playing guitar, here's the advice I'd give almost any beginner:
Get something affordable.
Get something comfortable.
Get something that stays in tune.
And most importantly, get something that makes you excited to play.
The perfect guitar doesn't create great players.
Consistent practice does.
The best beginner guitar isn't the most expensive one.
It's the one that helps you start your journey.