The Best Electric Guitars for Beginners, According to Experts

No matter the type of beginner guitar you buy, you’ll likely need an amp in order to experience the full range of your instrument’s sound. This set of a Squier Stratocaster and a Fender amplifier is everything you need to get started, making it “the best, all-inclusive deal,” according to Smith. “It’s not a huge amount of money to spend,” he adds, and “takes the pressure off when buying your first instrument.”

A step up in price from the Squier, the Epiphone Les Paul is another favorite among our experts. Howe calls it “an all-around good entry-level electric guitar that’s going to do pretty much anything you want it to do.” Doyle adds that it’s a “legend,” and says that although the original Les Paul is made by Gibson (famous fans include Peter Frampton, Jimmy Page, and Slash), you can get an imported model from Epiphone (Gibson’s less-expensive line) at a much cheaper price point.

Suke Cerulo, a musician and teacher at New York City Guitar School, says that, like Squier Stratocasters, Les Paul guitars “are great for beginners — they’re cost effective and very usable instruments. Plus, he adds, “They are entry-level models of the most iconic guitars in history.” The main difference between the Stratocaster and the Les Paul are the pickups: the magnetic transducers that convert the vibration of the strings to an electric signal. Doyle explains that the Stratocaster’s single-coil pickups have “a more delicate sound,” while the “humbucking” pickups on the Les Paul tend to sound thicker.

The Player Stratocaster has a similar feel to the Squier Stratocaster, but features higher-quality material and construction if you’re ready to upgrade from the entry-level model, or spend more up front. “If you’re really serious about it, you know you want to do this, and you’re ready to make a little bit more of an investment, it’s a great guitar and it won’t wear out,” says Smith.

Unlike the guitars above (which are all made from a solid body of wood), this guitar has a semi-hollow body. Howe explains that hollow and semi-hollow-body guitars “sound really warm and mellow,” so they’re often a favorite of jazz musicians. If you’re looking to go that route, he suggests Gretsch’s entry-level, hollow-body model.

For kids, Howe recommends a smaller ¾-size guitar, because learning on a guitar that’s too big “can really suck all the fun out of playing.” He likes the petite version of the classic Squier Stratocaster because it’s “really well-built, so a kid can beat it up and it won’t fall apart.” Sagebiel agrees it’s a good option for children who aren’t quite ready to handle a full-size guitar.

A few inches smaller than the Mini Strat, this German-made guitar is Sagebiel’s choice for even younger kids. “It’s the smallest one that I’m aware of,” he says.

The Fender Frontman (the same amplifier that’s included in the set with the Squier Stratocaster), can also be purchased on its own if you choose another guitar and still want a basic amp. Cerulo likes that the Frontman is “small with plenty of volume,” and Howe likes the simplicity of Fender amps. “They sound nice with the flip of a switch, and you can just plug in and play,” he says.

Slightly more powerful, this amp comes recommended by both Smith, who calls it “a very inexpensive but amazing amp,” and Statland, who says it’s “good and sturdy, and a staple for both pros and beginners.”

A common issue beginning guitarists face is playing with strings that are too thick. “Strings that are of a lighter gauge are easier to play,” Sagebiel explains. “If students are having difficulty playing or their fingers hurt, they might want to move to a lighter-gauge string.” Doyle agrees that thinner strings “will be easier for beginners to play chords with, or bend notes.” He recommends this set, which he calls “one of the industry standards.”

While you can buy a nylon guitar strap for just a few bucks, Sagebiel says you’re better off spending a little more on a cotton or canvas one because “nylon is very slippery, so when you put it on, the guitar just slides down off your shoulder.” He likes that this strap “is a little more sticky,” and holds the guitar in place.