Best guitars for beginners: Great sound no matter your skill level

Learning guitar can be a little daunting. Not only do you have to figure out the right way to learn — whether online, through books, or with an instructor (which we always recommend), but you also have to figure out what style of guitars is right for you.

And if you’re a beginner who may not know as much about guitars as the seasoned pros, choosing the best guitar for beginners can be a little difficult. For starters, you’ll want to think about whether you want an electric or an acoustic guitar. You also need to think about your budget and the overall sound you’re going for.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide — to help you figure out what guitar is right for you.

Best electric guitar for beginners: Fender Player II Stratocaster

The Fender Player series has long been a great way to get a decent electric guitar at a reasonable price. While these guitars may not compare to Fender’s higher-end guitars, they still offer that classic Strat tone, making them perfect for beginners and experts alike.

On top of that, the Fender Player Stratocaster comes at a very reasonable price — you can get it for around $700, which isn’t bad at all.

The Fender Player Stratocaster comes with an alder solid body along with a C profile neck and Fender’s classic single-coil pickups. It also features a modern fretboard with a 9.5-inch radius and 21 medium jumbo frets. 

All that to say, this is a great way to get a classic tone from a reasonably priced guitar.

Best acoustic guitar for beginners: Yamaha LL6 ARE

Yamaha makes a range of excellent guitars at affordable prices, and if you’re looking for an acoustic guitar, then it’s worth considering the Yamaha LL6 ARE.

This guitar sounds great both on its own and plugged into an amplifier, plus it has an excellent build quality despite its low price tag. Speaking of price, it may be slightly higher than some beginners want to spend — but it’s worth the cash.

The guitar has a number of things going for it. It’s built with Yamaha’s A.R.E (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) wood reforming technology, meaning the wood can be manipulated into a more acoustically ideal condition.

All that to say, despite the fact that the guitar is cheaper than most high-end acoustic guitars, it still sounds awesome and is a great choice for beginners.

Best electric guitar pack for beginners: Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack

If you’re just starting your guitar journey you’re not just going to need the instrument – you’ll need all kinds of accessories. A bundle like this is a great way to get everything you need at once.

This pack from Epiphone comes with different pickup variations – dual humbucker, single bridge humbucker, and single bridge P-90. No matter what kind of tone you’re chasing, you’ll get the fat and warm sound that made Les Pauls timeless.

Accessories include a 10-watt amp, gig bag, clip-on tuner, strap, and picks. It also comes with access to online learning resources. At right around $300 there is a lot of value packed into this guitar pack that’s perfect for beginners first picking up the instrument.

Best electric guitar under $500: PRS SE Standard 24

PRS makes guitars far more expensive than this, but if you want that classic PRS tone without shelling out a ton of cash, the PRS SE Standard 24 is the way to go. The guitar is beautifully-designed, has an excellent build quality, and sounds great.

The PRS Standard 24 comes with a 24-fret mahogany neck, with a rosewood fretboard and bird inlays, along with PRS’ patented molded tremolo. Perhaps even more important is the fact that the guitar features that now-classic PRS tone — so don’t feel like you’re missing out just by spending a little less.

The guitar comes in a few beautiful colors, including Tobacco Sunburst, Vintage Cherry, and Translucent Blue. All three colorways come at $499.

Best acoustic guitar under $400: Takamine GN30

The Takamine G Series often extends way past the $400 mark, but there are a few models that fall under that mark without sacrificing much on quality.

One such model is the Takamine G Series GN30, which boasts a spruce top with a mahogany back and sides. Along with that, you’ll get a slim satin-finish mahogany neck with a 12-inch radius.

Other features on offer by the Takemine GN30 include a synthetic bone nut and bridge saddle, along with pearloid rosette and dot inlays, chrome die-cast tuners, and more.

Generally speaking, Takamine guitars don’t just look good — they also sound good. You can expect a guitar like this to last for years to come — even despite its low price tag.

Best guitar under $200: Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster

Squier is Fender’s budget brand, but while Squire guitars certainly aren’t as high-quality as their Fender counterparts, they still have a lot to offer. In particular, we’re big fans of the Squier Stratocaster, which for the most part offers the same classic design as the Fender Stratocaster.

Under the hood, you’ll find three single-coil pickups with a 5-way switch and a bridge tremolo.

While you may find yourself wanting to upgrade as time goes on, there’s no doubt that the Squier Stratocaster is a very solid option for those looking for a great budget guitar.

Best guitar for beginners under $100: Rogue RR100 Rocketeer

Rogue’s reputation in guitar manufacturing can be a little spotty, but the RR100 is a great beginner guitar for under $100. It comes in different pickup configurations, with the HSS being the most versatile.

With it you get access to a range of humbucker and single-coil sounds. The body tonewood is Paulownia, which is a usable mix of light weight and a sound that isn’t too thick or thin.

The hardware isn’t the greatest, but most of it can be upgraded if and when the need arises.

FAQ

What are some good beginner guitar brands?

Some brands that offer great beginner guitars are Ibanez, Epiphone, Yamaha, and Squier by Fender. They combine build and playing quality without sacrificing tone.

How often should I practice guitar as a beginner?

Getting better at guitar is all about diligence and consistency. Shorter, more focused practice sessions are usually more productive than longer ones at irregular lengths and intervals.

How much is an entry level guitar?

Depending on how much quality you’re looking for, beginner guitars usually range between $100 and around $500. The more you invest, the higher build and sound quality you’ll get and won’t have to upgrade as quickly as your playing skills improve.

What type of guitar is best for beginners?

This depends on multiple factors, primarily the type of feel you want in a guitar and the style of music you play. If possible get an electric and acoustic, as playing both is important and can help you improve faster.

Design elements like type of pickups, their configuration, and range of the guitar (e.g. six-string, seven-string, baritone), and type of bridge (hardtail vs. tremolo) are important things to consider too.

If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, try out as many different designs as you can.