Introduction
As a beginner guitarist, choosing the right guitar can be an overwhelming experience. It can be challenging to even know where to start when you are faced with so many different brands and models, each with different features available. In this article, we'll explore some of the best electric guitars for beginners, including different brands and guitar models, to help you make an informed decision.
Before we dive into specific guitar recommendations, let's first consider some essential factors to keep in mind when shopping for an electric guitar.
Firstly, it's important to consider your budget. As a beginner, you may not want to invest in a high-end guitar just yet, but you still want a quality instrument that will last you through your learning journey. Secondly, you should consider the style of music you want to play. Certain guitars are better suited for specific genres, and you want to choose one that will enable you to play the music you love. Lastly, you should consider the guitar's build quality, playability, and overall sound quality.
With these factors in mind, let's explore some of the best electric guitars for beginners.
1. Squier Affinity Stratocaster
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Squier Affinity Stratocaster
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The Squier Affinity Stratocaster is a fantastic beginner electric guitar that offers excellent value for money. It's based on the iconic Fender Stratocaster design and features a comfortable, slim C-shaped neck that's easy to play. The guitar's three single-coil pickups offer a versatile range of tones, making it suitable for a wide range of genres, including rock, blues, and pop.
The Squier Affinity Stratocaster is also available in several different colors, allowing you to choose a guitar that matches your personal style. It's a great option for beginners who want a quality guitar that won't break the bank.
2. Epiphone Les Paul Special II
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Epiphone Les Paul Special II
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The Epiphone Les Paul Special II is another excellent choice for beginner electric guitarists. It's based on the classic Gibson Les Paul design and features two humbucking pickups that deliver a warm, rich tone. The guitar's mahogany body provides excellent sustain, while the bolt-on neck offers comfortable playability.
The Epiphone Les Paul Special II is also available in several different finishes, allowing you to choose a guitar that suits your style. It's a great choice for beginners who want a guitar that can handle a wide range of genres, from classic rock to heavy metal.
3. Yamaha Pacifica 112V
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Yamaha Pacifica 112V
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The Yamaha Pacifica 112V is a highly versatile beginner electric guitar that's suitable for a wide range of genres. It features a solid alder body, a bolt-on maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard, providing a comfortable and sturdy playing experience.
The guitar's HSS pickup configuration (humbucker, single-coil, single-coil) offers a wide range of tones, making it a great choice for beginners who want to experiment with different genres. The Yamaha Pacifica 112V is also available in several different finishes, allowing you to choose a guitar that matches your personal style.
4. Ibanez GRX20
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Ibanez GRX20
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The Ibanez GRX20 is a beginner electric guitar that's ideal for those who want to play hard rock and metal. It features two humbucking pickups that deliver a high-output, aggressive tone, while the thin, comfortable neck provides excellent playability.
The guitar's basswood body provides a balanced tone with plenty of sustain, and it's available in several different finishes, including black night, jewel blue, and red sunburst. If you're a beginner who wants to play heavy music, the Ibanez GRX20 is an excellent choice.
5. Fender Player Stratocaster
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Fender Player Stratocaster
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If you're willing to spend a bit more on your first electric guitar, the Fender Player Stratocaster is an excellent option
The Fender Player Stratocaster is a step up from the Squier Affinity Stratocaster, with higher quality materials and components. It features an alder body, a maple neck with a modern C shape, and a 22-fret fingerboard. The guitar's three single-coil pickups deliver classic Stratocaster tones, making it suitable for a wide range of genres.
The Fender Player Stratocaster is available in several different finishes, including polar white, tidepool, and buttercream. It's a great choice for beginners who want a high-quality guitar that will last them for years to come.
6. Gibson SG Standard
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Gibson SG Standard
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If you're a beginner who wants to play classic rock, the Gibson SG Standard is an excellent option. It features a mahogany body and neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and two humbucking pickups that deliver a warm, rich tone.
The Gibson SG Standard is available in several different finishes, including cherry, ebony, and heritage cherry. It's a great choice for beginners who want a quality guitar that can handle the rigors of playing live shows.
7. PRS SE Standard 24
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - PRS SE Standard 24
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The PRS SE Standard 24 is a high-quality beginner electric guitar that's suitable for a wide range of genres. It features a mahogany body, a maple neck with a wide-thin profile, and a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard.
The guitar's two PRS-designed humbucking pickups deliver a warm, balanced tone, making it suitable for everything from classic rock to heavy metal. The PRS SE Standard 24 is available in several different finishes, including tobacco sunburst, vintage cherry, and whale blue.
8. Gretsch G5425 Jet Club
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Gretsch G5425 Jet Club
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The Gretsch G5425 Jet Club is a beginner electric guitar that's ideal for those who want to play rockabilly, country, and other retro genres. It features a basswood body, a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and two Gretsch dual-coil humbucking pickups.
The guitar's classic look and feel make it a great choice for beginners who want to play vintage-style music. The Gretsch G5425 Jet Club is available in several different finishes, including silver, black, and red.
9. Schecter Omen-6
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Schecter Omen-6
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The Schecter Omen-6 is a beginner electric guitar that's perfect for those who want to play heavy metal and hard rock. It features a basswood body, a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and two Schecter Diamond Plus humbucking pickups.
The guitar's thin C-shaped neck and jumbo frets make it easy to play fast and technical passages, while the humbucking pickups deliver high-output, aggressive tones. The Schecter Omen-6 is available in several different finishes, including black, walnut satin, and vintage white.
10. Jackson JS32 Rhoads
Best Electric Guitar for Beginners - Jackson JS32 Rhoads
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The Jackson JS32 Rhoads is a beginner electric guitar that's ideal for those who want to play heavy metal and hard rock. It features a poplar body, a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and two high-output Jackson humbucking pickups.
The guitar's unique Rhoads body shape and pointed headstock make it a visually striking instrument, while the humbucking pickups deliver aggressive, high-output tones. The Jackson JS32 Rhoads is available in several different finishes, including satin grey, ivory, and black.
The Best Guitar For Beginners Supplemental:
Other Considerations
Now that we’ve covered some of the top electric guitar models for beginners, lets look at some other considerations to help you narrow down your decision.
1. Choose the Right Body Style
The first thing you should consider when buying an electric guitar is the body style. There are three main types of electric guitar body styles: solid body, semi-hollow body, and hollow body.
Solid body electric guitars are the most common type of electric guitar and are the best choice for beginners. They are versatile and can be used to play a variety of music genres, from rock to blues to metal. The electric guitars we’ve recommended above are all solid body for this reason.
2. Consider the Guitar's Pickups
The pickups are what convert the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals that can be amplified. There are two main types of pickups: single-coil and humbucker.
Single-coil pickups are known for their bright and clear sound and are commonly found on Fender guitars.
Humbucker pickups, on the other hand, are known for their warm and fat sound and are commonly found on Gibson guitars.
For beginners, we recommend choosing a guitar with a combination of both single-coil and humbucker pickups, so you can experiment with different sounds and find what works best for you.
3. Check the Guitar's Neck
The neck is where you'll be placing your fingers to play the guitar, so it's essential to choose a guitar with a comfortable neck. Neck size and shape can vary between guitars, so it's important to try out a few different guitars to find what feels best for you.
Most beginner guitars will have a bolt-on neck, which makes it easy to replace the neck if needed. More advanced guitars may have a set neck or a neck-through design, which offers better sustain and stability.
4. Look for a Good Quality Build
A good quality build is crucial when it comes to electric guitars. A well-built guitar will not only sound better but will also be more durable and easier to play. Look for guitars made from high-quality materials, such as solid wood bodies and necks, and well-crafted hardware.
5. Consider the Guitar's Price
Finally, you'll want to consider the guitar's price. As a beginner, you don't want to break the bank on your first guitar, but you also don't want to buy something so cheap that it will hinder your progress.
A good quality beginner electric guitar can range from $200 to $500. While you can find guitars for less than $200, we recommend investing a bit more money to get a guitar that will last you longer and help you progress faster.
Conclusion
Choosing the right electric guitar as a beginner can be a daunting task, but by considering your budget, playing style, and desired tone, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect instrument for you. The guitars listed above represent some of the best options for beginners, each with their own unique features and advantages.
Ultimately, the best electric guitar for beginners will depend on your individual preferences and needs. It's important to try out different guitars and see how they feel and sound in order to make an informed decision. Additionally, consider investing in quality accessories such as a guitar tuner, picks, an amplifier, and a comfortable strap to enhance your playing experience.
Remember that learning to play the guitar is a journey, and it takes time and practice to develop your skills. Don't get discouraged if you don't sound like your favourite guitarists right away – with dedication and perseverance, you can achieve your musical goals.
In conclusion, the electric guitar is an exciting instrument with limitless potential for creativity and expression. As a beginner, choosing the right guitar is an important step in your musical journey. Consider the options listed above and find the instrument that inspires you to play and create. Happy shredding!