Which Starter Guitar Should I Buy as a Beginner Guitarist?

Electric, Acoustic or Classical: Which Guitar Should a Beginner Choose?

The first decision is not the brand or model. It is the type of guitar. Electric, acoustic and classical guitars all work for beginners, but they feel different, sound different and suit different musical goals.

If you mainly want to play rock, metal, blues, funk or modern pop, an electric guitar usually makes the most sense. If you want singer-songwriter music, open chords, folk or an instrument you can simply pick up without amplification, an acoustic guitar may be the better fit. If you specifically want classical music, flamenco or nylon-string repertoire, start on classical.

For a deeper comparison, see Electric vs Acoustic vs Classical Guitar: Which Should You Buy?.

Is an Electric Guitar Good for Beginners?

Yes. In fact, an electric guitar can be one of the easiest types of guitar to start on physically. Electric guitars usually use lighter strings than steel-string acoustics, the body is often easier to hold, and the strings generally require less pressure to fret cleanly.

That matters because beginners already have enough to think about: hand position, rhythm, chord changes, picking, tuning and basic coordination. Fighting an unnecessarily difficult instrument can make the first months more frustrating than they need to be.

The trade-off is that an electric guitar normally requires some form of amplification. That can be a small practice amp, headphone amp, audio interface, modeller or other suitable setup. You therefore need to budget for more than just the guitar itself.

If the music that inspired you to learn guitar is based around electric guitar, there is very little reason to force yourself to begin on something else.

Is an Acoustic Guitar Good for Beginners?

An acoustic guitar is simple and convenient. You do not need an amplifier, cables or extra electronics. Pick it up and play.

It is an excellent choice for chord-based playing, songwriting, folk, country, acoustic pop and accompanying vocals. It can also teach you good fretting-hand control because steel-string acoustics usually require a little more pressure than electric guitars.

But that extra resistance can also make a badly chosen acoustic unnecessarily difficult for a complete beginner. High action, heavy strings or a large body can make even simple chords uncomfortable.

So if you choose acoustic, do not assume that every inexpensive guitar is automatically a good beginner instrument. Playability matters.

Should Beginners Start on Classical Guitar?

Only if classical or nylon-string music is actually what they want to play.

The old idea that everybody should begin on classical guitar before being “allowed” to move to electric or acoustic guitar is unnecessary. Classical guitars have advantages: nylon strings feel softer under the fingertips and the wider neck gives the fretting hand plenty of space.

But that wider neck can also feel large, and the instrument behaves differently from the electric or steel-string acoustic guitar a rock or pop player may ultimately want to use.

Starting on classical does not create some mandatory foundation that you cannot develop on another guitar. Start with the instrument that belongs to the music you actually want to learn.

Your First Guitar Should Match Your Music

This is probably the most important buying rule for a beginner. Think about the music that made you want to play guitar in the first place.

If your goal is to play distorted riffs and solos, buying a classical guitar because somebody said it is “better for beginners” creates an unnecessary detour. If you want to sing songs around a campfire, a complicated electric rig is probably solving a problem you do not have.

Guitar design has evolved around different musical jobs. The overview of the main types of guitars for contemporary music explains those differences in more detail.

What Should You Look for in a Beginner Guitar?

A beginner guitar does not need to be expensive, but it does need to be playable. A cheap guitar that fights you every time you press a string can become more expensive in another way: it can make you quit.

Look for these things when trying a first guitar:

• Comfort: the body and neck should not feel awkward or oversized.
• Reasonable action: the strings should not sit unnecessarily high above the fretboard.
• Stable tuning: the guitar should stay reasonably in tune while you play.
• Clean frets: notes should not buzz excessively or choke out.
• Functional hardware: tuners, bridge, controls and output jack should work properly.
• A neck you enjoy holding: profile and width matter more than fashionable specifications.
• A sound you actually like: inspiration matters, especially when you are starting.

If all of the terminology is still unfamiliar, start with The Most Important Parts of a Guitar.

How Much Should a Beginner Spend on a Guitar?

There is no magic price that guarantees a good first guitar. Entry-level manufacturing is much better than it was decades ago, and affordable instruments can be perfectly usable. But the cheapest possible guitar is not always the best value.

Your budget should leave room for the things you genuinely need. For an electric guitar, that may include amplification, a cable and possibly headphones. For any guitar, you may need a tuner, picks, a strap, spare strings and a basic setup.

Spend enough to get an instrument that stays in tune, plays comfortably and makes you want to use it. You do not need professional-level equipment to begin, but you also do not need to make learning unnecessarily difficult to save a small amount of money.

Should You Buy a Cheap Guitar or a Better Guitar Immediately?

Buy the best instrument that makes sense for your budget and level of commitment, but do not confuse price with suitability.

A more expensive guitar can offer better hardware, fretwork, consistency and finishing, but none of that matters if you dislike the neck or the instrument does not fit your musical goals.

Conversely, a modestly priced guitar that feels good and is properly set up can be an excellent first instrument.

The most useful test is surprisingly simple: when you pick it up, do you want to keep playing it? That idea is explored further in Buy a Guitar That Says “Play Me!”.

Should a Beginner Buy a New or Used Guitar?

Either can work. A used guitar can give you more instrument for the same budget, but beginners may have difficulty spotting worn frets, neck problems, damaged electronics or poor repairs.

If you buy used and do not yet know what to inspect, take an experienced guitarist with you or buy from a reputable shop that has checked the instrument.

A new guitar gives you more certainty about condition and usually some form of retailer or manufacturer support, which can be useful when you are buying your first instrument.

Do You Need a Starter Guitar Pack?

Starter packs can be convenient, especially for electric guitar. They often combine the guitar, small amplifier, cable, strap, picks and sometimes other accessories in one purchase.

Convenience does not automatically mean quality, though. The guitar itself should still be the main reason you choose the package. Do not buy a poor instrument simply because the box contains several accessories.

If possible, compare the cost of the package with buying a good entry-level guitar and the essential accessories separately.

Does Guitar Size Matter for Beginners?

Yes, especially for children and smaller players, but adults should not automatically assume they need a reduced-size guitar just because they are beginners.

Full-size instruments are appropriate for most adults. Smaller guitars can be useful when reach, body size or comfort genuinely makes a full-size instrument difficult to handle.

What matters is whether you can sit or stand naturally, reach the first frets comfortably and play without twisting your wrist, shoulder or back into an awkward position.

Do Beginners Need Low Action?

Beginners generally benefit from a guitar that is easy to fret, but extremely low action is not automatically better. If the strings are too low, they can buzz or choke. If they are too high, playing becomes unnecessarily difficult.

A sensible setup balances comfort, clean notes and the way you play. This is one reason a professional setup can transform an inexpensive guitar that initially feels difficult.

How Important Is Tuning Stability?

Very important. A beginner needs to develop an ear for what correct notes and chords sound like. Practising on a guitar that constantly drifts out of tune makes that much harder.

Learn how to check your tuning from the beginning. Our guide to tuning a guitar in Standard E at 440 Hz covers the basic process.

You do not need perfect studio-level tuning every thirty seconds, but tuning should become a normal part of picking up the instrument.

What Accessories Does a Beginner Guitarist Actually Need?

Keep the first setup simple. You need the guitar and whatever is necessary to hear it properly. Depending on the instrument, that may mean a small amplifier or headphone solution. A tuner, a few picks, spare strings and a strap are useful basics.

You do not need a giant pedalboard, ten sets of strings, six different capos and a collection of accessories before you can play your first song.

The same rule applies later in your development: more equipment is not automatically more progress. See How Many Guitars Do You Really Need?.

Do You Need an Expensive Guitar to Learn Properly?

No. You need a guitar that works properly.

Good technique can be learned on an affordable instrument that is comfortable, stable and correctly set up. Expensive guitars can be wonderful instruments, but price does not teach rhythm, chords, picking, ear training or musicality.

Upgrade when you understand what your current guitar is actually preventing you from doing—not simply because you have been playing for a certain number of months.

The Biggest Beginner Guitar Buying Mistakes

The most common mistake is letting somebody else’s preferences decide what you buy. Your teacher, friend or salesperson may love a particular guitar, but you are the person who has to practise on it.

Other common mistakes include buying purely by appearance, choosing the absolute cheapest option without checking playability, buying a guitar designed for a completely different musical style, and spending most of the budget on accessories while compromising on the instrument itself.

Do not overcomplicate the decision. Your first guitar is not a lifetime contract. It is the instrument that gets you started.

So, Which Starter Guitar Should You Buy?

Choose the guitar that matches the music you want to play, fits your hands and body, stays in tune, feels comfortable and fits the complete budget.

For many rock, metal, blues and modern pop beginners, electric guitar is an excellent starting point. For singer-songwriters and players who want simplicity and portability, acoustic guitar makes perfect sense. For classical, flamenco and nylon-string music, choose classical.

Do not let tradition force you onto the wrong instrument. The guitar that motivates you to pick it up tomorrow is usually a better beginner guitar than the one somebody says you are “supposed” to start on.

For more practical guides on choosing guitars, strings, tuning, maintenance, tone and equipment, explore Gear, Tone & Setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best guitar for a beginner?

The best beginner guitar is one that matches the music you want to play, feels comfortable, stays in tune and fits your budget. There is no single model or guitar type that is best for every beginner.

Should a beginner start with electric or acoustic guitar?

Start with the type used in the music you want to play. Electric guitar is often physically easier because of its lighter strings, while acoustic guitar is convenient because it does not require amplification.

Should every beginner start on classical guitar?

No. Classical guitar is a good choice if you want to play classical, flamenco or nylon-string music, but there is no technical requirement to begin on classical before learning electric or acoustic guitar.

Is electric guitar easier than acoustic for beginners?

Electric guitars often require less fretting pressure because they typically use lighter strings and can be set up with relatively low action. That can make the first stages physically easier, although electric guitar also requires amplification.

How much should I spend on my first guitar?

Spend enough to get a playable, stable instrument while leaving room in the budget for essential accessories and, if necessary, a setup or amplifier. The cheapest guitar is not always the best beginner value.

Should I buy a new or used guitar as a beginner?

Both can work. Used guitars can offer excellent value, but beginners may find it difficult to identify structural or setup problems. If buying used, have an experienced player or reputable shop inspect the instrument.

Do I need an expensive guitar to learn?

No. An affordable guitar that stays in tune, has a reasonable setup and feels comfortable is enough to learn properly. Technique and musical development matter far more than the price of the instrument.

What accessories does a beginner guitarist need?

A tuner, picks, spare strings and a strap are useful basics. Electric guitarists also need a way to amplify or monitor the guitar. You do not need a large collection of pedals or accessories when starting.