The Ultimate
Guitar Buying Guide

Shopping for your first guitar? As a guitar teacher, I am asked all the time for advice on buying guitars.
Here’s what you should know before you buy.

What’s In This Article (This menu will be styled to look nicer after I finish the main body work):

  1. Buying Your First Guitar: Quick Guide

  2. Learning Guitar: Do I Need a Teacher?

  3. Buying Considerations

    • Acoustic or Electric?

    • Cosmetics

  4. Electric Guitars

  5. Acoustic Guitars

 
 

Buying Your First Guitar:
A Quick Guide

Acoustic or Electric?

You don’t have to start learning on an acoustic.
In fact, electric guitars are easier to learn on because the string height is typically lower than an acoustic guitar and the string gauge (thickness) is typically lighter.

Nylon string acoustics (classical guitars) are the most finger-friendly guitars for brand-new beginners and younger players. The strings are softer and easier to play.

For string height, remember: lower + lighter = easier to play.

Budget

Electric guitars and acoustic guitars cost about the same amount; plan to spend between $200-$400 on a new guitar.

Kids guitars typically cost a little less with a price point between $100-$200.

Don’t forget a case, preferably a soft one. These typically cost around [AMOUNT].

Guitar Set Up

Electric:
Buy an electric guitar with a hardtail bridge (non-floating) first. Have the guitar “set-up” by the guitar tech at your local guitar store.

Acoustic:
If you choose to buy a used acoustic, bring a trusted guitar buddy with you to play it first. Used acoustic guitars, or very inexpensive acoustic guitars, often have string height issues and can be hard to play.

Electric Guitar Equipment

If you’re learning on an electric guitar, you’ll need a cable, a small amp, and a pair of headphones with a mini-plug end

Electric guitars with “whammy” bars (otherwise known as tremolo systems or floating bridges) are fun but a big distraction for a beginner and make it harder to tune and stay in tune.

 
 

You don’t have to start learning on an acoustic. In fact, electric guitars are easier to learn on because the string height is typically lower than an acoustic guitar and the string gauge (thickness) is typically lighter.
For string height, remember: lower + lighter = easier to play.

 

Do I Need a Guitar Teacher?

Avoid learning bad habits from the get go and find yourself a guitar teacher that you like. Preferably, your teacher will be someone in your community that will meet with you in-person to show you what you’re doing right and what you need to fix.

Interested in seeing if lessons are right for you? Click below to try a free, no-obligation lesson on us!

 

Electric Guitars

So you’re already leaning in one direction or another. Maybe it’s that tobacco burst Stratocaster, or a jet black Gretsh with a Bigsby, or a classic vintage style Telecaster. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you love the look of, and consider these other criteria.

 

Electric Body Types

 

Solid Body Guitars

 

Solid-body guitars are smaller-bodied guitars made of solid wood. Depending on the type of wood, solid body guitar can weigh between 7-14 lbs. Solid-body guitars are appealing to all types of guitar players, especially rock and blues players.

Examples:
Sunburst Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Gold Top Les Paul, Reverand Six Gun (Offset Body Type)

 

Semi-Hollow Body Guitars

Semi-hollow body guitars have small acoustic chambers carved into the body. These are generally more lightweight and add a slight acoustic property to the sound. Some semi-hollow guitars have larger bodies, similar in size to an acoustic but not nearly as thick. Semi-hollow body guitars are appealing to blues, country, and jazz players.

Examples:
Fender Thinline Telecaster, Gibson ES-335, PRS s2 Semi-Hollow

 

Hollow Body Guitars

Hollow Body guitars have full acoustic bodies and are larger in size. They have a more full acoustic property but still have electronics built in for amplification. Hollow body guitars are suited best for jazz and country but some rock players also prefer their retro vibe and sound.

Examples:
Ibanez George Benson Signature, Godin 5th Avenue, Gretch G6136T

 

Pickups

 

code Do not Delete

Single Coil

  • Lower output, bright and clear tone.

  • Great for blues and rock

  • Tend to generate electronic hum when distorted

  • Noiseless single coils are available

Famous guitar players that used single coil pickups: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, John Frusciante, Mark Knopfler, Yngvie Mamsteen, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend

 

Humbuckers

  • Two single-coils bound together in reverse polarity, creating a thicker sound that cancels out the “hum.”

  • Generally has higher output and thicker tone

  • Great for rock and preferred by jazz players

Famous guitar players that used humbucker pickups: BB King, Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Billie Joe Armstrong, Zakk Wylde, Neil Young, Derrick Trucks, Santana

 

Electric Guitar Picks

 

Here are my top Electric Guitar picks. Keep reading to see my acoustic guitar top picks and get educated on additional buying criteria that matters.

 

Budget-Friendly

Best Value

Harley Benton ST-62DLX VW Vintage Series

Best Value

Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Electric Guitar

Mid-price Upgrade

G&L Tribute Legacy Electric Guitar

Mid-price Upgrade

Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster

 

Acoustic Guitars

 

If you’ve decided an acoustic guitar is for you, you’re probably wondering how to spend: should I buy new or look for something second-hand?

 

My advice - buy new or bring a trusted guitarist friend with you when you purchase. Cheap, used acoustic guitars almost always have string height issues due to cheap construction, cheap materials, and a neck that can’t handle the string tension.

What this means is it will be difficult to play but you won’t know why. You’ll bring the guitar home and try playing a few chords and discover just how hard it is to play. The guitar will get tossed aside and cashed in for golf lessons or that new video game you wanted to try.

 

The truth is, it’s not you- it’s the guitar.
The larger the gap between the fretboard and the string the more finger tension that’s required to get a good sound. Lower string height = easier to play.

Buy new, and plan to spend between $200-$300. If the guitar is bad for any reason, return it. Best yet, go to a local store and try things for yourself but bring your guitar buddy.

 

Acoustic Body Types

 

Acoustic Guitar Picks

 

Here is my list of recommended acoustics for first-time players.

 

Kids Acoustic Nylon String

½ Sized Classical

Yamaha CGS102

½ Sized Classical

Cordoba Protege C1M

¾ Sized Classical

Yamaha CGS103

¾ Sized Classical

Cordoba Prtoge C1M

 

Kids Steel String Acoustic

 

¾ Sized

Yamaha JR1

 

¾ Sized

Fender FA15

 

Adult Steel String Acoustics

Yamaha FG800

Fender CC60S

Martin DX1E

 

Takamine GD20

Angelico Premier

 
 

Adult Nylon

Cordoba C5

Yamaha CG142SH

Takamine GC5