Buying a Guitar: Should You Choose an Electric, Acoustic, or Classical?
How to Choose the Right Guitar as a Beginner
Almost every beginner guitarist struggles with the same question:
“Should I start on an electric guitar, an acoustic (Western) guitar, or a classical guitar?”
At Guitar Training Studio I regularly see students who buy a guitar first, and only afterwards ask for advice – and often end up with the wrong instrument for the style they actually want to play. Many people still believe you must start on classical guitar before you “deserve” to move to electric. That idea usually comes from teachers with a classical background and very little experience with contemporary music.
There’s another persistent myth: that electric guitars are only for rock players with long hair and that they’re automatically more expensive than acoustic guitars. In reality, a good acoustic guitar can be much more expensive than a solid mid-range electric.
So instead of asking “What should I start with?”, ask a better question:
Which guitar fits my music style, my hands, my budget, and my motivation best?
Below you’ll find a clear breakdown of classical vs acoustic vs electric guitar – with sound, playability, price, pros and cons.
Classical or Spanish Guitar – Warm Tone, Wider Neck
A classical guitar has a larger body and nylon strings. The sound is warm, round and relatively soft. Traditionally it’s used for classical music and flamenco, but it also works for campfire songs and gentle fingerpicking.
The neck of a classical guitar is quite wide, which makes chords and especially barre chords harder for many beginners – certainly for people with smaller hands. On the other hand, the softer nylon strings are more forgiving for your fingertips in the first weeks.
A classical guitar does not need an amplifier, which makes it easy to pick up and play anywhere. If you want to amplify it later for concerts, you can add a pickup or use a microphone in front of the guitar to connect to a PA system or acoustic amp.
When a classical guitar makes sense
- You love classical music, Latin, fingerstyle or film music.
- You prefer a warm, mellow sound and don’t care about extreme volume.
- You’re sensitive to string tension and want a softer feel under your fingers.
Potential downsides
- Wide neck and flat fingerboard can feel like “hard work” for beginners.
- Limited in aggressive rock, metal or heavily distorted styles.
- Cheap classical guitars often sound boxy and uninspiring.
Acoustic (Western/Folk) Guitar – Versatile and Loud
An acoustic (Western or steel-string) guitar looks similar to a classical guitar but uses steel or nickel strings. These strings create a brighter, louder and more cutting sound – perfect for pop, rock, folk, country and singer-songwriter music.
The neck is thinner than on a classical guitar, which usually makes chord playing easier. The body is often larger and projects more volume, which is great for strumming but can feel physically a bit bigger in your arms.
Many acoustic guitars come with a built-in pickup, so you can plug straight into an acoustic amp or PA system. Add reverb, delay or chorus and you have a huge palette of sounds for live gigs.
When an acoustic guitar makes sense
- You love unplugged pop, rock, folk, country, blues or worship music.You
- want an instrument that works without an amp but still has volume.
- You enjoy strumming chords and singing along, solo or with friends.
Potential downsides
- Steel strings are tougher on the fingers at the beginning.
- A good acoustic with solid top can be expensive.
- Louder acoustically – not always ideal if you have very close neighbours.
Electric Guitar – Maximum Versatility and Comfort
An electric guitar usually has a thin solid or semi-solid body, which makes it more compact and often lighter than an acoustic. The neck is slimmer and the strings are lighter, so bends and vibrato are easier. For many people with smaller hands or joint issues, an electric can actually feel the most comfortable option.
By itself, an electric guitar doesn’t produce much volume. You need an amplifier or an audio interface with headphones. The big advantage: you can practice silently in the middle of the night while the rest of the house sleeps.
With pedals, multi-FX or amp simulations you can shape almost any sound you can imagine: from clean funk tones to blues crunch, classic rock, djent metal, ambient soundscapes and everything in between.
When an electric guitar makes sense
- Your favourite players are people like Mark Knopfler, The Edge, Noel Gallagher or Slipknot.
- You want to explore a wide range of musical styles with one instrument.
- You like the idea of practicing quietly with headphones and jamming to backing tracks.
Potential downsides
- You need extra gear: at least an amp or audio interface.
- More options = more distraction. It’s easy to get lost in sounds instead of practicing.
- A very cheap amp can kill your motivation faster than a slightly better one
Electric vs Acoustic vs Classical Guitar – Which One Should You Buy?
Before you walk into a music store, be brutally honest with yourself:
-
What music do you actually listen to every day?
If your playlists are full of rock, metal and U2, an electric will keep you more motivated than a classical guitar. -
Where will you mostly play?
Student room or apartment? Headphone practice on an electric might be a good idea.
Campfires, garden parties and unplugged jams? An acoustic or classical will shine. -
How sensitive are your hands and joints?
Nylon strings are softer, but a well-set-up electric with light strings can be just as friendly on your hands. -
What’s your realistic budget, including amp and accessories?
Sometimes a slightly cheaper guitar plus a decent amp is a better choice than blowing everything on the guitar alone.
When you visit the store, try different neck shapes and body sizes. Don’t let a salesperson push you into a quick decision. Take your time. The right guitar makes you want to pick it up every day; the wrong one ends up in the corner after two weeks.
Remember: your guitar is an extension of your personality.
Choose the instrument that makes you excited to play – not the one someone else tells you is “correct” for beginners.
Take Your Guitar Playing To The Next Level!
Wouter Baustein
Music Producer, Music & Mindset Coach
If you like clear, practical guitar and music coaching instead of random YouTube tips, you need structure. My guitar books and coaching programs give you that structure, so you can finally make real progress and level up your playing.