In this blog post, we’re going to dive into the best guitar for beginners. So, what is the best guitar for beginners?
Well, there are a lot of great options out there, but some of our top picks include acoustic guitars like the Yamaha FG800 or the Fender CD-60S, and electric guitars like the Squier Affinity Stratocaster or the Epiphone Les Paul Special II. Each of these guitars has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s worth trying out a few different ones to see which one you like best.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Guitar for Beginners
Choosing the right guitar is important, as it can make a big difference in how easy and enjoyable it is to learn and play.
1. Size and shape of the guitar
One of the most important factors is the size and shape of the guitar. Beginners should choose a guitar that fits comfortably in their hands and is easy to play. A guitar that is too big or too small can make it difficult to play properly and can cause discomfort.
2. Material of the guitar
Another factor to consider is the material of the guitar. Guitars are typically made from wood, but the type of wood used can affect the sound and tone of the guitar. Some common types of wood used in guitar construction include mahogany, spruce, and cedar. Each type of wood has its own unique characteristics and can produce different tones, so it’s important to choose a guitar that produces the sound you want.
3. Style of music
The style of music you want to play is also an important factor to consider when choosing a guitar. If you want to play rock or blues, an electric guitar might be the best choice for you. If you prefer classical or folk music, an acoustic guitar or a classical guitar might be a better fit.
4. Budget
Finally, it’s important to consider your budget when choosing a guitar. There are guitars available at a wide range of price points, so it’s important to choose a guitar that fits within your budget. While a more expensive guitar might offer better sound quality and features, a less expensive guitar can still be a great option for beginners.
Overall, when choosing a guitar for beginners, it’s important to consider factors such as size, shape, material, music style, and budget. By taking these factors into account, beginners can choose a guitar that fits their needs and helps them learn and grow as musicians.
Top Picks: Best Guitar for Beginners
Acoustic Guitars ($50 – $300)
1. Donner Acoustic Guitar DAG-1C
The Donner acoustic guitar (DAG-1C) is a well-crafted acoustic guitar made by the company Donner. It features a spruce top and mahogany back and sides with X bracing, 20 brass frets with position markers, and is designed for rich, warm, and clear sound with balanced tone and full resonance.
The guitar also stays in tune well, thanks to its high-quality components. It’s a full-sized 41-inch cutaway body that’s suitable for all styles of music and is said to have great playability and tone, making it a great choice for beginners and anyone looking for a high-quality, long-lasting instrument.
- View on Amazon: Donner Acoustic Guitar (DAG-1C)
2. Fender Squier SA-150
The Squier SA-150 is a full-sized steel-string acoustic guitar that delivers great sound at an affordable price. It’s made with all-laminate construction, including a lindenwood top and mahogany back and sides, making it durable enough to withstand the wear and tear that beginning players might subject it to. The guitar also features scalloped “X”-bracing, a mahogany neck, and a dark-stained maple fingerboard, giving it a great look and sound.
The SA-150 has a slim, easy-to-play neck and full-bodied dreadnought tone, making it an excellent choice for new guitar players. Additionally, everything you need to get started playing comes included in the box, including a gig bag to protect the guitar, a clip-on tuner for easy tuning, a guitar strap, extra strings, string winder, picks, and an instructional DVD to guide you through the learning process. Overall, the Squier SA-150 is a great guitar for beginner players on a budget who are looking for a quality instrument to help them get started.
- View on Amazon: Fender Squier SA-150
3. Moukey 38in Acoustic Guitar
The Moukey 38″ acoustic guitar is an excellent choice for beginners, featuring soft nylon strings that are easy to hold down and won’t cause pain or damage to the guitar bridge. A chord poster is included to help beginners memorize chords and fretboards efficiently.
The guitar is made with quality basswood body, okoume neck, ABS fingerboard, and non-scratching frets, making it comfortable to play for long periods of time. The guitar is compliant with heavy-metal element tests and passes all tested items listed in CPC, EN71, ensuring safety for players.
The guitar produces a richer and warmer clear sound, thanks to the 38″ C body that provides a full and vibrant tone suited for all styles of music. The 6 exquisite tuning pegs allow for nice tuning and maintain tuning for quite a long time.
- View on Amazon: Moukey 38in Acoustic Guitar
4. Enya Nova Go Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar
Nova Go is a quality acoustic guitar made of carbon fiber. Yes, that’s right, CARBON FIBER! The composite material, makes it resistant to temperature and humidity changes, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
Whether you’re taking it to chill on a beach with the hot bright sun up above, or a hiking trip deep in a mountain to practice your riffs in solitude, Nova Go would stay stable, with no warp nor cracks. It has a solid build with a cohesive bridge and truss rod for adjustability. The “Zero Fret” feature makes tuning smoother, and the fret ends are polished for comfortable playing. It comes in five different colors and includes a gig bag and a hexagon wrench for string action adjustment. The guitar is affordable and of great value, making it a perfect gift for someone who loves music.
- View on Amazon: Nova Go Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar
5. Donner 40 Inch DAJ-110CD
The Donner 40 Inch DAJ-110CD guitar is a high-quality acoustic guitar that features Sitka spruce and African mahogany wood, providing a warmer and brighter tone with a deeper overall resonance. The wood is naturally dried over a few years to remove moisture, ensuring full vibration transmission and delivering the wood’s real acoustic sound. The hand-rubbed retro brown color matte smooth finish adds a touch of elegance to the guitar’s overall appearance.
At 40 inches, the guitar has a standard string scale and small resonance box that offers outstanding resonant sound and portability. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, making it perfect for class, outdoors, and travel. The guitar has a smooth fretboard and C shaped neck profile that allows sliding fretboard smoothly without scratching fingers and offers players a comfortable and secure grip. The Donner 40 Inch DAJ-110CD guitar is an excellent choice for beginners, professionals, and adults, especially those with small hands. It works great for big hands too!
- View on Amazon: Donner 40 Inch DAJ-110CD
6. YAMAHA FG800
The Yamaha FG acoustic guitar was introduced in 1966 and quickly became a classic due to its great playability, musical tone, and outstanding build quality. It proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t have to cost a fortune and has been used on countless hit records throughout the years.
Fast forward 50 years, and the new range of FG acoustics features the best-ever FG tone, the same great playability, and class-leading quality that’s made it the choice of millions of guitarists.
The 800 Series, in particular, has a louder and stronger sound in the low to mid-ranges thanks to cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology developed by the Yamaha R&D Division. The engineers utilized analysis and simulation to arrive at the best bracing design without depending on tradition, resulting in a superior sound.
- View on Amazon: YAMAHA FG800
7. Fender CD-60S
he Fender CD-60S is a well-crafted acoustic guitar that features an alluring grain pattern and a warm, rich tone. The guitar’s solid mahogany top is highly responsive and can handle any acoustic playing style, from hard strumming to fast flatpicking or delicate fingerpicking.
The CD-60S also has comfortably rolled fingerboard edges, providing an incredibly comfortable fret-hand feel that’s perfect for beginning players or experienced pros alike. When paired with a solid spruce top, the mahogany back and sides deliver balanced tone with plenty of volume and midrange, making it ideal for a variety of musical styles.
View on Amazon: Fender CD-60S
8. Epiphone Songmaker DR-100
The Epiphone Songmaker DR-100 is a high-quality acoustic guitar that’s perfect for anyone looking for a great value. The guitar features a select spruce top, as well as mahogany back and sides, which provides a warm and balanced tone that’s perfect for a variety of musical styles.
The DR-100 also has a slim and comfortable neck, making it easy to play and fret. Plus, the chrome hardware and classic Epiphone logo on the headstock give it a stylish and timeless look. The Epiphone Songmaker DR-100 is a great choice for beginners or anyone looking for an affordable and high-quality acoustic guitar. It’s a perfect instrument for playing at home or performing in front of a live audience.
- View on Amazon: Epiphone Songmaker DR-100
9. Fender FA-115
The Fender FA-115 is an affordable and high-quality acoustic guitar that’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a great value. The guitar features a laminated spruce top, as well as a basswood back and sides, which provides a bright and resonant tone that’s suitable for a variety of musical styles.
The guitar also has a slim and comfortable neck, which makes it easy to play and fret, even for beginners. Additionally, the FA-115 comes with a gig bag, picks, and a strap, making it a complete package for anyone looking to get started playing guitar. Overall, the Fender FA-115 is a great choice for anyone looking for a quality instrument that won’t break the bank.
- View on Amazon: Fender FA-115
10. Jasmine S34C NEX
The Jasmine S34C NEX is a well-made and affordable acoustic guitar that’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a quality instrument at a great value.
The guitar features a spruce top and sapele back and sides, which provides a warm and balanced tone that’s suitable for a variety of musical styles. It also has a slim and comfortable neck, making it easy to play and fret, even for beginners.
The S34C NEX also features a Venetian-style cutaway, allowing for easy access to the higher frets, and chrome hardware that gives it a sleek and modern look. The Jasmine S34C NEX is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality acoustic guitar without breaking the bank. It’s a great instrument for playing at home or performing in front of an audience.
- View on Amazon: Jasmine S34C NEX
Electric Guitars ($50 – $300)
11. Fender Squier Stratocaster
The Squier Stratocaster by Fender is an iconic electric guitar that has been loved and played by musicians for decades. Known for its signature double-cutaway body, three single-coil pickups, and vintage-style tremolo bridge, the Squier Stratocaster provides a classic and versatile sound that’s perfect for a wide range of musical styles.
Not only is the Squier Stratocaster well-known for its signature sound, but it’s also a great value for musicians on a budget. Made by Fender’s subsidiary company, Squier, the Squier Stratocaster is an affordable option for beginners or anyone looking for a high-quality guitar at a reasonable price.
Despite its affordability, the Squier Stratocaster doesn’t skimp on quality. It features a lightweight body, a comfortable neck, and solid construction, making it a reliable and durable instrument. Plus, it’s available in a variety of colors, so players can choose a style that suits their individual taste.
- View on Amazon: Fender Squier Stratocaster
12. LyxPro 39” Electric Telecaster
The LyxPro 39″ Electric Telecaster is a guitar that’s as stylish as it is versatile. With its sleek and classic design, this guitar is perfect for anyone who wants to make a statement with their music.
Featuring a solid alder body and maple neck, the Telecaster delivers a dynamic and powerful sound that’s perfect for any musical genre. Its two single-coil pickups provide a crisp and clean sound that’s perfect for country, rock, and blues.
It has a slim and comfortable neck profile, making it easy to play and fret. It also has a vintage-style bridge with adjustable saddles, which allows players to customize the intonation to their liking.
- View on Amazon: LyxPro 39” Electric Telecaster
13. Epiphone Les Paul Special II
The Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster is a sleek and affordable electric guitar that packs a serious punch. With its bold and stylish design, this guitar is perfect for players who want to make a statement with their music.
Featuring a lightweight basswood body and maple neck, the Bullet Stratocaster produces a bright and lively tone that’s perfect for rock, pop, and blues music. Its three single-coil pickups offer a classic Stratocaster sound that’s both versatile and expressive.
In addition to its great sound, the Bullet Stratocaster is also incredibly comfortable to play. Its slim neck profile and 21-fret rosewood fingerboard allow for easy and precise playing, while its vintage-style tremolo bridge adds a touch of classic style.
- View on Amazon: Epiphone Les Paul Special II
14. Donner DST-152R
The Donner DST-152R is an electric guitar that packs a punch, both in terms of sound and style. With a sleek, glossy red finish and a double-cutaway body, this guitar looks as good as it sounds.
Featuring a solid basswood body and maple neck, the DST-152R delivers a powerful and balanced tone that’s perfect for a wide range of musical styles. It also has three single-coil pickups and a five-way pickup selector switch, giving players a variety of tonal options to choose from.
Not only is the DST-152R a great-sounding guitar, but it’s also incredibly easy and comfortable to play. It has a smooth and slim neck profile, making it ideal for players of all levels, from beginners to experienced musicians.
- View on Amazon: Donner DST-152R
15. Ashthorpe 39-Inch
The Ashthorpe 39-Inch is a stunning and versatile acoustic guitar that’s perfect for players of all levels. With a stylish and elegant design, this guitar is sure to catch the eye of anyone who sees it.
Featuring a solid wood top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard, the Ashthorpe 39-Inch delivers a rich, warm tone that’s perfect for a wide range of musical genres. It also has chrome tuning pegs, which not only add to its visual appeal but also help keep it in tune.
The Ashthorpe 39-Inch is also incredibly comfortable to play. It has a slim and comfortable neck profile, which makes it easy to play and fret. It also comes with a padded gig bag, which makes it easy to transport and store.
- View on Amazon: Ashthorpe 39-Inch
16. Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012DLX
The Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012DLX is a sleek and versatile electric guitar that’s perfect for players of all levels. With a stylish and modern design, this guitar looks as good as it sounds.
Featuring a solid agathis body and maple neck, the PAC012DLX delivers a powerful and balanced tone that’s perfect for a wide range of musical styles. It also has two single-coil pickups and one humbucking pickup, giving players a variety of tonal options to choose from.
In addition to its great sound, the PAC012DLX is also incredibly comfortable to play. It has a slim and comfortable neck profile, making it easy to play and fret. It also has a vintage-style tremolo bridge, which allows players to add vibrato and other expressive techniques to their playing.
- View on Amazon: Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012DLX
17. Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster
The Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster is a sleek and affordable electric guitar that packs a serious punch. With its bold and stylish design, this guitar is perfect for players who want to make a statement with their music.
Featuring a lightweight basswood body and maple neck, the Bullet Stratocaster produces a bright and lively tone that’s perfect for rock, pop, and blues music. Its three single-coil pickups offer a classic Stratocaster sound that’s both versatile and expressive.
In addition to its great sound, the Bullet Stratocaster is also incredibly comfortable to play. Its slim neck profile and 21-fret rosewood fingerboard allow for easy and precise playing, while its vintage-style tremolo bridge adds a touch of classic style.
- View on Amazon: Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster
18. Squier Affinity Stratocaster
The Squier Affinity Stratocaster is an affordable electric guitar that’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a reliable and versatile instrument.
The guitar features a lightweight alder body, a smooth maple neck, and a comfortable “C”-shaped profile, making it easy to play and comfortable to hold. It also has three single-coil pickups, which provide a classic and versatile Stratocaster sound that’s perfect for a wide range of musical genres.
The Squier Affinity Stratocaster also features a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, allowing players to add vibrato and other expressive techniques to their playing. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors, allowing players to choose a style that suits their individual taste.
- View on Amazon: Squier Affinity Stratocaster
19. Ibanez 6 String GRX70QA
The Ibanez GRX70QA is a guitar that’s perfect for players of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. With its Poplar body and Quilted Maple Art Grain top, this guitar is as stylish as it is versatile. Its high output Infinity R humbucker pickups provide a delicious driven tone that’s perfect for a wide range of musical genres.
In addition to its great sound, the GRX70QA is also incredibly comfortable to play. Its Maple neck and Treated New Zealand Pine fingerboard provide a smooth and comfortable playing surface, while its 5-way selector switch allows for access to a variety of tonal options. And with its T102 tremolo, this guitar is perfect for adding stylistic flair to your playing.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, the Ibanez GRX70QA is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and versatile electric guitar. With its classic good looks and attention to detail, this guitar is sure to become a treasured instrument for years to come.
- View on Amazon: Ibanez 6 String GRX70QA
20. Donner DMT-100
The Donner DMT-100 is a unique and versatile electric guitar that’s perfect for players of all levels. With its eye-catching design and powerful sound, this guitar is sure to inspire creativity and elevate your playing to the next level.
Featuring a solid basswood body and maple neck, the DMT-100 produces a bright and lively tone that’s perfect for rock, pop, and blues music. Its two high-output humbucking pickups offer a rich and powerful sound that’s both dynamic and expressive.
In addition to its great sound, the DMT-100 is also incredibly comfortable to play. Its slim neck profile and 22-fret rosewood fingerboard allow for easy and precise playing, while its vintage-style tremolo bridge adds a touch of classic style.
- View on Amazon: Donner DMT-100
Conclusion
Of course, choosing the right guitar is just the beginning. As a beginner guitarist, it’s important to practice regularly, use online resources like YouTube tutorials or guitar lesson apps, and maybe even take some local music lessons to get personalized guidance and feedback. And most importantly, remember to have fun! Learning the guitar can be challenging at times, but it can also be incredibly rewarding and enjoyable.
So, that’s our guide to the best guitar for beginners. We hope you found it helpful, and we encourage you to try out a few different guitars to find the one that works best for you. Happy strumming!
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