Loog guitars may be best known for their kid-friendly electric guitars and acoustic guitars that help re-thinking guitar education for kids. However, the brand is now unveiling the Pro 6 – available in both acoustic and electric versions – marking its first foray into the teen and adult market.

“As parents discovered Loog over the years, we often heard them say, ‘I wish this existed when I was a kid!’” comments Rafael Atijas, CEO of Loog, on the redesign.

“With the new Pro 6 guitars, we did something about it. They keep the same beginner-friendly spirit Loog is known for, while also feeling perfectly at home in the hands of an adult picking up the instrument for the first time.”

The teen-and-adult-approved Pro 6 series features a sleek body shape, with an ultra-light build and ergonomic contours for “effortless handling,” professional-grade string action and intonation, and an all-wood construction with a smooth maple neck for a rich and resonant tone.

The Loog Pro 6 nylon acoustic comes in five attractive finishes – black, natural, white, pink, and green – with red, black, and green colorways available for the electric version.

Priced at $169 and $249, respectively, the Loog Pro 6 Acoustic and Loog Pro 6 Electric are now available on Amazon and through the official Loog website.

This news follows the brand’s announcement of its partnership with Gibson to create kid-friendly Les Paul and SG models. Loog had previously collaborated with Fender on a range of 3-string electric guitars for kids.

Back in June last year, we reported that Fender had quietly rolled out its own challenger to the wave of cheap Amazon import guitars in the form of the Squier Debut Stratocaster and Telecaster. The talking point at the time was their astonishingly low price tag, but we’ve just spotted that both models have been reduced by 19% at Amazon this Prime Day. 

The specs include a poplar body, a comfortable C-shaped maple neck (ideal for burgeoning players), a laurel fretboard, and ceramic pickups. For the Strat, the Sea Foam Green variant is not currently on sale; however, you have a choice between the classic Sunburst, Black, and Dakota Red finishes. For the Tele, Sea Foam Green and Dakota Red are available. It's also worth noting that the Telecaster is the more affordable of the two, coming in at only $109.99. 

• Shop all Prime Day guitar deals at Amazon
• Shop all the latest Prime Day deals at Amazon

Yes, some import brand rivals offer slightly better specs for the price, but this is a licensed Stratocaster – not a copy – and, while it is made in China, it comes with the reassurance of Fender's backing and a two-year warranty. What’s more, you also get the considerable benefit of a free subscription to Fender Play – the firm’s acclaimed online guitar lesson platform – bundled into the deal.

We’ve not reviewed the Squier Debut Stratocaster or Telecaster, but Fender’s Squier offshoot has a long-established reputation as the ubiquitous beginner electric guitar brand – and for good reason.

We have also reviewed other affordable lines, including the Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT and the Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS builds, and have been impressed by the quality and tones (it is worth the extra spend on these if you can stretch your budget a little further).

There will, of course, be some trade-offs on a budget Tele or Strat, even when they are made under the Fender umbrella. For instance, those ceramic pickups will get you off the ground but would be worth swapping out down the line. However, this is a surprising amount of guitar for what was already a very low price, and is now even more competitive - you'll even have enough left over to bag a tuner, strings, or even an amp. 

Looking for more deals? Check out our Prime Day guitar deals hub, where you'll find all the best bargains from Amazon and beyond. 

Understanding all the guitar’s parts can be confusing. They sometimes have names you wouldn’t hear anywhere else, so guitar websites can feel like reading a foreign language at first.

If you’re new to the guitar or if you just never learned to tell your tuners from your tone controls, Guitar World has you covered.

Fortunately, all electric guitars have the same fundamental anatomy. There are variations, of course, but all guitars work similarly and have the same basic parts.

With our guide, you’ll learn all the common parts of the guitar and what they do. Easy!

Headstock

Beyond providing a home for the manufacturer’s logo, the headstock is where you’ll find the tuners.

Fender places all six tuners on the same side of the headstock on its Telecaster and Stratocaster models. Other designs (such as Gibson's Les Paul models) have three tuners on each side.

Body

The body is home to most of the hardware and electronics. The most common woods used are ash, alder, mahogany and maple.

On some guitars, such as Telecasters, the strings are threaded through the body, known as a ‘string-through’ body.

The body may be home to a pickguard (sometimes called a ‘scratchplate’), a cosmetic addition usually made of plastic.

Electric guitar bodies have cutaways to allow access to the highest frets.

The Stratocaster and the PRS Custom are double-cutaway bodies, while the Les Paul and Telecaster are single-cuts.

Bridge

Bridges have two main types: fixed bridges, which don’t move, and tremolos (aka vibratos).

Tremolos allow you to lower and (sometimes) raise the pitch of the strings by pressing down or pulling up on the tremolo arm (or whammy bar). The strings travel over bridge saddles, which control the height and intonation (fine tuning) of each string.

Some fixed bridges, like the one on our Les Paul, feature a separate tailpiece, which anchors the strings.

Pickups

The pickups convert string vibrations into electrical signals to send to an amplifier.

The pickup closest to the bridge (the ‘bridge pickup’), has a brighter, sharper sound, while the neck pickup has a warmer, rounder tone.

The most common types of pickups are single coils, seen on the Telecaster and Stratocaster in our video, and humbuckers, seen on the Les Paul and PRS.

Single coils are generally thinner, brighter-sounding, and produce less output than humbuckers. However, they can be susceptible to hum.

Humbuckers don't really produce noise, and this is where their name comes from – they cancel out or 'buck' the hum.

Controls

The controls on most guitars are volume and tone, alongside a pickup selector. Volume and tone may be master controls, affecting every pickup on the guitar, or may control individual pickups.

The volume control affects the output signal of the guitar, while the tone control adjusts the amount of treble frequency sent to the amplifier.

The pickup selector allows the player to select the pickups individually or in combinations.

Output jack

This is the guitar's signal output, sending the sound of the instrument to your amplifier or possibly into some effect pedals if you use them. Electric guitars use 6.35mm (1/4 inch) 'jack' cables.

Neck

Necks are usually either bolt-on (screwed to the body) or set necks (permanently glued to the body). The most common neck woods are maple and mahogany.

The neck usually contains a truss rod. This metal bar runs through the inside of the neck, preventing the wood from warping and allowing the neck’s straightness to be adjusted for playability.

Necks usually have a separate fingerboard (see below) but some vintage designs have necks and fingerboards crafted from a single piece of maple.

Fingerboard

Fingerboards are traditionally made of rosewood, maple or ebony, but more sustainable options like laurel and pau ferro are increasingly common.

The fingerboard hosts the frets, the strips of metal that allow you to play notes accurately.

Also on the fingerboard are inlays, decorative markers that help you find your position. Inlays are usually positioned at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th frets, with a double inlay for the all-important 12th fret which marks the octave above the open string notes.

Scale length

Scale length is the distance from the bridge to the nut, and also affects how close the frets are together. Common scale lengths are 24.75” (seen here on the Les Paul), 25” (the PRS) and 25.5” (the Stratocaster and Telecaster).

Very generally, shorter scales have a darker, fatter sound whereas longer scales have a brighter, snappier tone. More important is that shorter scales have less string tension, which contributes to the 'feel' when you play.

It’s fair to say that the technological advancements of the last 30 years have completely revolutionized how we live our lives. From most people on the planet carrying tiny devices that somehow hold the complete knowledge of the entire universe in their pockets to the rise of AI, we are truly living in the age of comprehension and understanding.

However, this is Guitar World, and we’re unsurprisingly more concerned about how dramatically learning the guitar has transformed over the past three decades. What once required hours of sifting through obscure music books, rewinding cassette tapes to catch elusive riffs and licks, or saving up for expensive one-to-one lessons has been replaced by an era of unprecedented accessibility to online learning tools. Today, aspiring guitarists have a wealth of resources at their fingertips, making it easier than ever to pick up the instrument and thrive.

As someone who’s spent years immersed in the world of guitars – whether advising players in music shops, testing the latest gear for reviews, or teaching guitar to students – I’ve seen firsthand how technology and innovation have reshaped the six-string landscape.

In this article, I’ll explore five key reasons why modern players are better equipped than ever to start their guitar journey. So, whether you’re a complete beginner or someone looking to make a return to the craft, there’s never been a better time to dive in.

Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at how learning guitar today compares to the challenges faced 30 years ago – and why new players have genuinely never had it so good!

1. An insane amount of online resources 

The biggest and most striking difference between learning now, compared to 30 years ago is the sheer scale of the online learning resources available. Gone are the days of digging through dusty old books, hoping you’ll stumble on the secret techniques to playing your favorite songs, or slowing down records to try and pick out the exact notes being performed. Simply fire up your laptop and search for any song in the world, and chances are you’ll find not only the chords and tabs but also a detailed breakdown of how to play it.

And better yet, the vast majority of these resources are free! That said, to borrow a phrase from Peter Parker’s wise Uncle Ben, with great power comes great responsibility. It’s essential to know your limits as a beginner and to try not to run before you can walk. It’s best to start out with simple songs and riffs and build up slowly to the more complicated stuff.

2. Video learning apps 

Thirty years ago, if you wanted to sit down and have a guitar lesson with a professional, you’d need to seek out a local instructor, pack up your guitar and amp, and head over to their place. Today, though, you can do it all at home with nothing more than your phone or laptop, all from the comfort of your own sofa.

With popular learning apps such as Fender Play, Truefire, and Guitar Tricks, you can gain access to world-class guitar teachers, highly polished instructional videos, and a vast song library that is sure to cater to every style and genre.

As someone who taught guitar for a few years, I like to think that pre-recorded videos are no substitute for an actual face-to-face lesson, no matter how slick the production is. Still, in reality, many rookie players are intimidated by in-person lessons, and the video option allows them to go at their own pace. And let's not forget that face to face lessons aren't cheap, whereas 24/7 online lessons can be at your fingertips for less than 10 bucks per month (if you take advantage of the discounts that the platforms above regularly offer).

Now, many learning platforms offer a video critique of your progress by one of their verified instructors. This is usually a premium feature, but well worth it if you are worried about certain aspects of your technique and will give you the best of both worlds.

Head over to our best online guitar lessons guide to see what we think are the best options available right now.

3. Better quality beginner guitars 

Looking back at the beginner-friendly six strings that plagued the last three decades, it can be easy to write off entry-level guitars as not very well-made, poor-quality instruments with no real musical merit. Thankfully, in 2025, that is simply not the case anymore. The quality of novice guitars has never been higher, and with budget options from the likes of Fender, Yamaha, Epiphone, Gretsch, and more, you really don’t need to break the bank to get a fantastic instrument that’s more than up to the task of carrying you through the early stages of your playing career and beyond.

Now, if you're on the hunt for your first guitar but don’t know where to start, head over to our best beginner acoustic guitar and best beginner electric guitar guides, where we break down our favorite models from some of the biggest names in the business.

4. Seriously clever amplifiers  

I could only dream of Bluetooth connectivity, outstandingly realistic tone models, more effects than I could shake my headstock at, and built-in loopers when I first started playing the guitar.

Amps such as the Positive Grid Spark 2, Boss Katana, and Fender Mustang LT25 have revolutionized how all guitarists play at home and even how beginners interact with learning materials. Bluetooth streaming enables you to play wirelessly along with your favorite songs or YouTube videos, while epic tones help keep you engaged, and built-in loopers and drum machines will enable you to practice your timing like never before.

Not got a smart amp at home? Well, you’re seriously missing out, and your playing may be suffering. Thankfully, our guide to the very best practice amps will point you in the right direction.

5. A well-connected global community 

If you had a burning guitar question that you desperately needed answering around 30 years ago, you’d better know a well-informed player in your local community or simply go on wondering the answer forever.

Paul McCartney often tells the story of having to get on a bus and travel the length of Liverpool just to talk to another guitar player and learn how to play a B7 chord. That may sound completely mad by today’s standards, but remember, there was no internet to turn to, and guitar lessons were often an expense that young players simply couldn’t afford.

Today, the internet allows all of us guitar players to come together and share our collective wisdom, from how to play certain songs better, the best starter guitars, and where to meet other like-minded guitarists.

The importance of this online guitar community should most definitely not be overlooked. For the most part, musicians are a very tolerant group, and we like to take care of our own – and feeling like you are part of something much bigger can be very encouraging for newbie players.

Need more help to find your first guitar? Below, you'll find a selection of beginner-friendly buyer's guides

• Best beginner guitars: great acoustic and electric options
• Play more comfortably with the best guitars for small hands
• Plug in with the best beginner electric guitars
• Looking to go nylon? Check out the best beginner classical guitars
• Gear up with these guitar accessories for beginners

Taylor Swift is one our generation’s most prolific and popular songwriters, and her guitar journey – like so many of ours – started on a humble small-scale acoustic guitar. The Taylor Guitars Baby Taylor model, to be precise, which is currently sitting at a cool $100 off over at Musician’s Friend thanks to this early Cyber Monday guitar deal.

So, if you or a loved one want to get started on your guitar-playing journey in the same way that Tay Tay did, you’re in luck. Right now, you can bag the Baby Taylor for just $349. Want to lean further into the Taylor Swift vibe here? That’s not a problem: Swift’s very own Baby Taylor signature guitar – which comes adorned with some suitable Swift scrawls on the body – is also currently $100 off and available for $449.

Swift is one of the biggest pop stars of her time, and at the core of her early success was a humble Baby Taylor. After finding her feet on the fretboard, she kept one close to hand, and even ended up taking one on the road when she started touring from an early age.

“I used to sit in the back seat of the rental car while I was on my radio tour at 16, writing songs on my Baby Taylor guitar,” she once remembered. “I love the sound, and I love those memories.”

Swift connections aside, the Baby Taylor truly is a top-notch acoustic guitar, and one of the best beginner acoustics you’ll be able to get your hands on. In fact, we consider it to be the best overall 3/4 sized acoustic on the market – along with the famed Martin ‘Little Martin’ – and believe it to be especially suited to smaller learners owing to its diminutive dimensions.

With a 22.75" scale length, a downsized body, and smaller 19-fret fingerboard, the Baby Taylor is primed for smaller hands that are first getting to grips with a fretboard, and will sit comfortably in the laps of kids who are taking their first steps in the world of guitar. If you're on the hunt for a loved one who wants to learn the guitar – or if you want to get your kids a solid starter six-string – this is the route we advise you to go down.

It isn’t reserved for young players, though, and it doesn’t become redundant when the learner in question grows up. As a travel companion, it’s absolutely superb, and its surprisingly large sound means it will easily hold its own against much larger acoustics.

“The Baby Taylor gives you a beautifully comfortable playing experience, with low string action and a small neck heel allowing you great access to the upper registers,” writes our expert reviewer.

“Whether you’re playing fingerstyle or using a guitar pick, it reacts brilliantly to the dynamics of your playing. Make no mistake this is a proper Taylor guitar, so the sound is just as full of richness and depth as any of the full-size Taylor models.”

For more bargains, visit our guide to the best Cyber Monday guitar deals to discover a huge range of discounted guitars, amps, pedals, accessories and more.

Back in June, I reported that Fender had quietly rolled-out its own challenger to the wave of cheap Amazon import guitars, in the form of the Squier Debut Stratocaster. The talking point at the time was its astonishingly low $119 price tag, but I’ve just spotted it’s been reduced to $99.99 over on Amazon.

According to Amazon price tracker CamelCamelCamel, this is the first time Fender has dropped the price below $100 and, what’s more, it is the only time the guitar has been reduced, which means that this is a genuine discount and, presumably, limited to the Cyber Weekend period.

As such, it’s probably not a deal to wait on and, if you’re looking for a serviceable beginner electric guitar, this is one of the best around for the money.

Yes, some import brand rivals offer slightly better specs for the cash, but this is a licensed Stratocaster – not a copy – and, while it is made in China itself, it comes with the reassurance of that Fender backing and a two-year warranty.

What’s more, you also get the considerable benefit of a free subscription to Fender Play – the firm’s acclaimed online guitar lesson platform – bundled into the deal.

The spec includes a poplar body, a comfortable C-shaped maple neck (ideal for burgeoning players), a laurel fretboard, a trio of ceramic pickups, a five-way pickup selector switch and a tremolo bridge. The Dakota Red variant is not in the sale, but you do have a choice between the classic Sunburst and Black finishes.

We’ve not reviewed the Squier Debut Stratocaster itself, but Fender’s Squier offshoot has a long-established reputation as the ubiquitous beginner guitar brand – and for good reason.

We have also reviewed other affordable lines, including the Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT and the Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS builds and have been impressed by the quality/tones (it is worth the extra spend on these, if you can stretch your budget a little further).

There will, of course, be some trade-offs on a $100 Stratocaster, even one made under the Fender umbrella. For instance, those ceramic pickups will get you off the ground, but would be worth swapping-out down the line. However, this is a surprising amount of guitar for what was already a very low-price – and is now even more competitive.

If I had a $100 limit to spend on a new electric guitar for a burgeoning player, I would almost certainly start here...

Shop more great Cyber Monday deals

• Amazon: Guitar gear deals
• Fender store: 50% off guitars
• Guitar Center: Up to 50% off
• Musician's Friend: Up to 60% off sale
• Positive Grid: Save on Spark
• Sweetwater: Save up to 80% on gear
• Waves: Plugins just $19.99

As a former music store employee, I understand that visiting a guitar shop can be daunting, especially for beginners. However, I want to reassure you that most shop staff are not only welcoming but eager to help you find the perfect beginner acoustic guitar. Their goal, and mine, is to ensure you leave with a guitar that suits you best and becomes the catalyst that ignites your passion for music.

Before I began my career as a full-time writer for Guitar World, I spent nearly a decade working behind the counter of a bustling music shop in the heart of Dundee, Scotland – in fact, the photos used to illustrate this article were taken at my old stomping ground, Kenny's Music. 

During my time at the store, I gained a wealth of experience selling everything from high-end Custom Shop Gibson Les Pauls to entry-level acoustic guitars, and not to mention my own guitar collection has gotten wildly out of hand as of late – so you could say I know a thing or two about purchasing instruments. 

My aim is to make the process of buying your first acoustic guitar as stress-free as possible. I'm here to guide you through the steps of purchasing an instrument and testing it in a store, and I'll even give you a few tips to save a little money in the process. 

1. Do your research

Like all important purchases, it pays to do your research. When it comes to beginner acoustic guitars, there are so many on the market, and each model offers something slightly different. My advice is to put in the work early on; it will make the process a whole lot easier later, and you'll feel more prepared. 

First things first, you’ll want to choose a price range for your new guitar, as this will drastically reduce the amount of guitars available to you. 

Next, you’ll need to select a few models within your price range. Guitar World has a wealth of buyer’s guides on the site that are loaded with valuable advice for newbie players, so I strongly suggest you start there. 

As a general rule of thumb, I recommend you choose a maximum of three models – any more and you are likely to confuse yourself, any less and you won’t be able to truly make an informed decision. 

Of course, don’t just rely on us to tell you what the best acoustic guitars are in any given category. Have a look at user reviews and testimonials, and browse YouTube for side-by-side comparisons. It’s also worth asking your guitar-playing buddies for their recommendations and experiences with different models. 

2. Find your best local store

Okay, once you have the three models you want to try out, you’ll need to find a local guitar store with the items in stock. I suggest heading to the websites of local music stores in your area and checking if all the models you want to try are in stock in one place – if not, you may need to visit multiple stores. 

It’s always a good idea to give the music store a call – or email if you’re phone-shy – and ask them if they have the items you are looking for. If they don’t, they may be able to source them for you from another branch, and some can even set up an appointment for you so you are guaranteed to try the exact guitars you want at a time that is convenient for both you and the store. 

Just like the guitars, it’s worth checking the reviews for a store before you visit. A strong Trustpilot and Google review score is a good indicator of a friendly shop that offers fantastic customer service. 

3. Plan your visit

With the models secured and the shop selected, the next crucial step is to plan your visit. One often overlooked but crucial aspect is the parking situation at the store. This seemingly mundane task can significantly impact your visit. Imagine having to rush through choosing a guitar because you're parked illegally or only have an hour left on the meter. To avoid such scenarios, plan your parking in advance to maximize your time for trying out the guitar. 

Are you nervous about trying out a guitar for the first time in public? Well, I suggest avoiding busy times of the day. Saturday afternoons are typically pandemonium at guitar stores, and unless you want to compete with scores of kids fumbling their way through Enter Sandman for 2 hours, I advise picking a different time. A weekday afternoon is usually quieter and should make testing out the guitar a little easier. 

As mentioned earlier, it’s beneficial to inquire about making an appointment at the shop. This not only guarantees you the salesperson's undivided attention but also allows the store to prepare for your visit. It's a win-win situation that can really enhance your overall experience.

4. Test out the guitar

If you are a beginner, it’s very likely you’ve never sat down with a guitar, let alone tested one out – but don’t worry, I’m here to help. 

When trying out a guitar, the first and most crucial step is to find one that feels like an extension of yourself. Just like a perfectly fitting pair of jeans, the guitar should not be too big or too small. For kids aged 5 to 10, a 3/4-sized model is recommended, while those 11 and above should opt for a full-sized acoustic guitar. 

Generally, you want to make sure your right arm – if you are right-handed – comfortably reaches over the body of the guitar and the edge of the body doesn’t dig in while you are relaxed. You must also be able to reach the end of the headstock comfortably with your left hand while seated. If you feel like you need to stretch or lean over too much to reach the end, you’ll want a shorter instrument. 

Next, it’s vital you check the instrument's build quality. You’ll want to inspect every aspect of the guitar, from the body and neck to the machine heads and bridge, to ensure it feels strong and well-made. You may not know exactly what you are looking for at this early stage, but trust me, you'll know a badly made and flimsy guitar when you see it. 

Next, check the consistency of the fretwork to confirm there aren't any sharp frets that may cause the guitar to feel uncomfortable in your hand. To do this, run your hand gently in a “C-shape” along the length of the neck. You shouldn’t feel any sharp spots from the metal fret ends. 

Assessing a guitar's playability may seem daunting at first, especially if you're new to playing. However, there are a few straightforward checks you can perform to ensure you're getting an instrument that's easy to play. Generally, guitarists look for an instrument with a low action – the action refers to the height of the strings from the fingerboard. Remember, a lower action normally means the guitar is easier to play, but be cautious as excessively low action can lead to a buzzy guitar.  On that note, a guitar's action isn't something that is set in stone, and all guitars can be adjusted to suit your playing preference.  

Now, we really don’t expect you to be able to professionally check a guitar’s action by yourself at this stage in your playing career. So instead, I recommend simply trying to fret a chord. If the strings are relatively easy to press down, then great, but if the strings feel really far from the fingerboard and you need to press down with all your might to get a sound, then that suggests the guitar’s action is way too high. If the action needs adjusting, the store will be able to do this for you. 

Lastly is the guitar’s sound. To test an acoustic guitar's tone, you typically want to try a variety of different playing techniques and styles to see how the guitar handles them, from strumming cowboy chords with a flat pick to subtly tickling the strings with your fingers and everything in between. 

Of course, you may not be able to perform various different techniques just yet, so in that case, ask the salesperson to play it for you and stand back and listen. Conversely, you could also ask a guitar-playing friend who knows their stuff to play the guitars for you and help guide the process. 

5. Compare and contrast

It’s important to repeat the above step with each guitar you are trying. After evaluating everything from the guitar’s build quality to the playability and of course, the sound of all three chosen models, you'll reach the final step. This step will lead you to the perfect beginner acoustic guitar for your needs.

Remember, there is no wrong answer. The correct instrument is the one that feels right for you. Trust your instincts when choosing a guitar. The best guitar will be the one that you feel is the easiest to play and sounds the best to your ears. You’ll know it when you see it. 

Read more about how we test beginner acoustic guitars to see our full process when reviewing instruments for the site.

6. Ask about bundle deals and promotions

Once you’ve selected your guitar, it’s time to make the purchase, but before you do, you’ll want to check that you have everything you need to get started. For an acoustic guitar, you may need accessories such as a clip-on guitar tuner, a gig bag, a capo, and plectrums. 

It’s worth asking the store if bundle deals are available if you purchase all your accessories simultaneously – and trust me, there often are. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for seasonal offers like Black Friday guitar deals or summer sales, as well as any unexpected flash sales that may pop up throughout the year. Remember, exercising a little patience can empower you to get the best value for your money.

The one thing I will say about discounts is that if one isn’t available, please remember to be respectful to the shop's staff. Guitar stores are working to increasingly tighter margins these days, and there simply may not be enough wiggle room in the price to offer you a deal. 

Also if the guitar is $10-$20 more expensive than a certain online retail giant, it may be worth paying the higher price from your local store. Not only will you be guaranteed better aftercare service, but in my opinion, the time and expertise of the staff and the ability to go in and try out various models is worth the very slightly higher price tag.  

Need more help to find your next guitar? Below you'll find a selection of beginner-friendly buyer's guides  

• Looking to go nylon? Check out the best beginner classical guitars
• Play more comfortably with the best guitars for small hands
• Plug in with the best beginner electric guitars
• Gear up with these guitar accessories for beginners

Squier’s Classic Vibe series is slowly coming up to its 20th anniversary. In that time, it has introduced a host of now much-loved versions of Fender icons and, in the process, built itself a reputation for offering – dare we say it – better pound-for-pound value than the equivalent entry-level Fender models. Given the choice, I’d probably opt for a Classic Vibe Strat over a base Mexican Fender, for example. The guitar on review today, a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster, is a perfect example of why. Allow me to explain.

Electric guitars, like cars or wristwatches, all have objective merits and ways to grade these merits. The materials used, the craftsmanship that went into producing them, or the country of origin, for example. But they also all have a far less simple, intangible metric against which they’re judged: vibe. In the same way, a $20 Casio and a $10k Omega both just fundamentally tell the time; they both hold their own characteristic vibe. No two vibes are alike, and people seek out different things to match their requirements, personalities, or desire to express themselves.

In the same way, a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster and a Fender Player Stratocaster are both, essentially, very similar guitars. It has the same classic body shape and the same pickup configuration. Yet, with the Classic Vibe, there exists – subjectively, of course – much more in the way of character. Where the Player Strat gives the impression of being a serious tool for dedicated players, the CV series is more about the fun and cool factor that comes from playing guitar.

The Squier Classic Vibe 60s Strat we have is a great example. To keep costs manageable – a key component of the Squier offer – we’ve got a Nyatoah tonewood body, as opposed to the higher-spec Alder body of the Player Strat. The hardware is all vintage style, nickel-plated and maybe won’t hold up for the next 20 years like a US Strat would, but that’s fine. Many people buy Squiers for modding purposes anyway, fitting their own pickups, bridges, and aftermarket tremolos, so the lower-spec hardware doesn’t concern me too much.

The neck on the CV 60s is a beauty. The tinted gloss urethane finish – minus the skunk stripe, if that bothers you – is a wonderful shade of aged brown, which, when combined with the Indian Laurel fingerboard, gives the guitar a proper retro look against the candy apple red finish of our review model.

Playability is about where you want a Strat of any grade to be. It feels comfortable to play standing up or sitting down, and the belly cut-out is especially appreciated by this writer. The C-shaped neck and narrow tall frets felt comfortable in hand, although not necessarily if you’re a shredder.

Tonally, I found the CV 60s sits slightly more mellow than the Fender Player Strat, with the neck pickup, in particular, offering a nice balance between the typical Strat chime and something rounder and better suited to blues soloing. There might not be as much warmth or sustain as the more expensive models, but it never felt overly weak or cheap to my ears. Besides, pair the CV with a Tube Screamer, and you’ll have more than enough jangle and clank to play with.

Final verdict

When there are so many factors that will play a part in your decision-making process, it is easy to default to what makes the most ‘sense.’ Sense could mean choosing a guitar that might have better resale value down the line, or it could be sticking with the name you’re familiar with on the headstock. While there’s nothing wrong with this, we’d also advocate listening to your heart on such matters. Yes, the Squier isn’t a full-fat Fender, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy.

In my eyes, the Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster is every bit as desirable as the entry-level Fenders, and it has enough going on in the small details to make it more than a viable alternative. The glorious neck staining and the warmth of those pickups make the CV 60s Strat a serious guitar that just so happens to look, feel, and sound amazing. In pure value terms, there can’t be too many arguments here.

Specifications 

• Tonewood: Nyatoah
• Neck Wood: Maple
• Neck Shape: "C" Shape
• Radius: 9.5”
• Fingerboard: Indian Laurel
• Number of Frets: 21
• Scale Length: 25.5
• Pickups: 3 X Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
• Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
• Contact: Fender

When it comes to the title of the ultimate beginner electric guitar, the Squier Stratocaster is unrivaled. They have always represented great value for money – but now the Surf Green finish is down to $149 from $249, over on Fender’s site.

I’ve spent most of my (relatively) adult life talking to musicians for guitar publications and have given up counting the ones who told me they got their start on a Squier Strat. 

There are currently two Affinity Strat models available on the Fender site for a 40% discount, bringing the price below $150. How much guitar do you actually get for that money then?

Well, a fair bit. It’s got a poplar body, a friendly C-shaped maple neck with an Indian Laurel (a popular rosewood substitute) fretboard and a 9.5” radius. 

The three pickups (in a classic SSS configuration) are ceramic single-coils. These are typically brighter and a little harsher than the Alnico magnet units found on higher priced models, but absolutely do the job for a new player. 

Then you’ve got the standard five-way pickup selector switch, a 2-point vibrato and die-cast tuners. 

If you, or the new guitarist in your life, occasionally delve into the heavier end of the musical spectrum, then I recommend you consider the Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS. 

This has the same spec as the aforementioned Strat, but is finished in black and swaps the bridge pickup for a ceramic humbucker. 

That should open up the tonal options a little more when it comes to rock and metal. Some players prefer ceramic units for heavier tones, too, as they offer a little more bite and clarity in distorted settings.

These are cheap guitars but they are very different from the once-unplayable builds of the bad old days – and Squier has become a name to trust, even among established players. 

I often wonder what the big-name guitarists of the ’60s, who started off on poorly-made classical guitars, would make of today’s entry-level electrics. I suspect they would have bitten your hand off for one at the time.

Check out our round-up of Cyber Monday Guitar deals, for more great offers on guitars, pedals, amps and more.

With the sheer volume of Black Friday guitar deals currently filling the internet, there really is no better time than right now for beginners to buy their first bits of kit to get them started on their guitar-playing journey. If you agree, you’re in luck: we’ve done the heavy lifting and found the best beginner electric guitar and starter pack deals for you to peruse.

Highlights on the guitar front include a cult classic, best-buy Squier Bullet Mustang for just $149 at Guitar Center and an Epiphone Special-I SG that’s 25% off at Guitar Center, while the starter set selection is headlined by Amazon's 20% off a Squier Stratocaster bumper pack deal.

We're well and truly in the thick of Cyber Weekend, and the team here at Guitar World are doing our best to bring you the very best deals on music gear from across the web.

And if you're looking to embark on a quest to learn bass guitar, now's most definitely the time to make that purchase and start playing.

With the abundance of choice out there, it can be hard to know exactly where to start, but lucky for you, we've rounded up some of the best Cyber Weekend deals on beginner-friendly bass guitars, so you can get playing ASAP.

The Fender Stratocaster is an icon of the guitar world and has been one of the most recognizable and widely played instruments around. If you've heard guitars on a song on the radio, TV – or anywhere, for that matter – the Strat most likely played a part. Best known for a bright, sparkly tone that responds dynamically to all sorts of playing, the Stratocaster – and more specifically, this Squier Classic Vibe '50s edition – proves that vintage-inspired single coil tones aren't as unattainable as you might think.

Squier's ability to produce more affordable, licensed versions of Fender instruments puts them in an obviously strong position. Still, it's not just the looks and the name on the headstock which sells guitars worldwide. The build quality and overall feel of this '50s Classic Vibe is genuinely impressive, and while the specs might not be strictly traditional, we're presented with a guitar that manages to keep hold of our favorite '50s specifications – and rids us of the features we're not so hot on.

This Classic Vibe '50s Strat is satisfying straight out of the box. It feels familiar, as you'd expect any Strat to – and even though the construction obviously strays from the '50s original to keep costs to an appropriate level, it still feels solid, trustworthy, and ready for pretty much anything you can throw at it. The overall build quality of this Strat is of a level higher than what you'd expect from a cheap electric guitar, and with this specific axe sitting in the perfect not-too-heavy, not-too-light zone, we're happy with how this guitar feels both when sat down and playing on a strap.

As we've mentioned previously, some of the original '50s specs have, understandably, been tweaked in the name of practicality and price. The body of this Strat is made from Nyatoh – a material commonly seen in the construction of budget electric guitars – and even though it's a move away from the more 'traditional' Alder and Poplar bodies we're used to seeing Squier produce, this guitar sounds just as 'stratty' as any other.

During our review process, we've been playing this Classic Vibe through a Blackstar Artist 15 combo amp – and we must concede, the two pair incredibly well together. The Fender-designed Alnico single coils which adorn this Black-on-maple Strat kick up some serious noise, and it's this factor that surprises us the most. The pickups on this guitar are genuinely fantastic, delivering all the balanced, warm Strat punch you could ask for in the neck and middle positions – as well as plenty of vintage-inspired bite with the bridge pickup engaged. Like most Strats, this CV '50s model plays nicely with most tones and amp types – but we all know that a bright-voiced tube amp is a Strat's best friend.

The finish is neat, tidy, and frankly flawless, in keeping with Squier's aim to create the best budget electric guitars around – and although the neck does feel a bit gluey when your hands are sweaty, the overall playing feel is something we're struggling to complain about. 

Even though this guitar has plenty of positives, we can't help but feel that it's also lacking in a few areas. 

First of all, we noticed that there's no gigbag or case included – and while we've come to expect that from Squier, it's a potential addition that could turn a good guitar into a great package for new players or those who'd like to take their guitar on their travels.

When we say that this Squier Strat feels 'safe', it's not entirely a good (or bad) thing. We always like guitars to be reliable and feel like they can handle being played hard, but sometimes it's the flaws that give a guitar its personality. Strats are inherently lively instruments with an element of unpredictability, so while this Squier model sounds, looks and plays great, it's its flawlessness we're criticizing. Sounds mad, we know, but we like a guitar to fight back against us a little bit – something you just don't get with this Strat.

Conclusion 

Overall, we're impressed. To put it bluntly, this Classic Vibe Stratocaster represents some of the best Squier electric guitars to be produced since the late '80s. It's exceptionally well made, sounds fantastic and the finish looks simply beautiful – and what more could you want?

Squier's Classic Vibe models are the closest you'll get to a Mexican Fender guitar without the larger price tag. When this level of quality is available at this price point, is there much point making the extra financial jump?

This guitar is one that will provide a great practice platform for any guitarist. Of course, we strongly believe this stylish Strat is one of the best beginner electric guitars on the market right now, thanks to the affordable price bracket, but it could also quite happily be used night after night on even the biggest of tours. Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro fame famously used a high-end Squier Strat when headlining Glastonbury – and if it's good enough for him, right?

Specifications 

• Body: Nyatoh 
• Body finish: Gloss Polyurethane
• Neck: Maple
• Profile: "C" shape
• Fingerboard Material: Maple
• Frets: 21, Narrow Tall
• Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
• Pickups: 3 x Fender-designed Alnico Pro Single Coils
• Controls: 2x Volume, 1x Tone
• Contact: Squier 

Gretsch's G9500 Jim Dandy model is one of the more affordable acoustic guitars you can get from a dependable manufacturer. 

Now, Gretsch has made the entry-level model – a perfect acoustic guitar for beginners – available in two new finishes: the elegant, vintage-minded Frontier Stain and a beautiful, limited-edition Nocturne Blue.

Save for their finishes, the two new G9500 Jim Dandys are almost identical. The Frontier Stain model sports an all-Sapele body, while its Nocturne Blue sibling is constructed with an all-basswood body.

Both guitars, in turn, feature x-bracing, and C-shaped Nato necks with 12" radius, 24" black walnut fretboards. Said fretboards boast 18 vintage-style frets with pearloid dot inlays and a synthetic bone nut.

Retro is generally the name of the aesthetic game with Jim Dandys, and that's reflected in each model's 50s-style open-gear die-cast tuners, vintage end-pin strap buttons, and single-ply aged pickguard, which sports a classic “G” graphic.

A top-load walnut bridge with compensated saddle also comes aboard both models, with all hardware overall finished in nickel.

Both new Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy acoustic guitars are available now, for the attractively low price of $189, the same cost as the previously available 2-Color Sunburst-finished model.

Their release comes in the midst of a busy two-month period for Gretsch, which has also seen the launch of the company's Malcolm Young “Red Beast” Signature Jet, 2022 Masterbuilt collection and Nigel Hendroff signature Penguin. 

For more info on the new acoustics, visit Gretsch.

If your little one has shown some interest in learning to play the guitar, then you should absolutely nurture that by getting them one of the best guitars for kids. Playing guitar can become a lifelong hobby that provides a creative outlet, fosters sociability through group play, and even enhances cognitive function.

I won't sugarcoat it for you, though, learning to play the guitar is hard. In fact, a Fender study found that 90% of beginners quit within the first year alone. Persistence and perseverance are great skills to have in life, and learning guitar will absolutely test that, even more so with a subpar instrument. If your kid is going to learn to play, then you need to give them a head start with a great instrument.

Now, before writing full-time for Guitar World, I was a music retail manager. In that role, I helped pair countless rookie musicians with their first guitar. In my experience, most parents make the mistake of buying a full-size instrument that is unwieldy to hold and difficult to play, and this is especially true for younger players. My first acoustic was a full-size dreadnought, and I didn't last the first year either, only coming back to the instrument when I was introduced to the much easier-to-play 3/4-size acoustic.

To make things easier for you to choose – and for your beginner to play – the majority of guitars I've picked are small-scale instruments that are easier for kids to handle. I've handpicked three acoustics and three electrics to make it easy to choose, and if you have any burning questions, then definitely check out my FAQs section, where I answer loads of common questions.

Best acoustic overall

Build: The Fender CC-60S is one of the most popular kid-friendly guitars on the market and is easily one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners. Boasting an impressive solid top, the Fender CC-60S offers genuinely unbeatable value for money while also being built to last them to the intermediate stage. In my tests, I found this guitar punches well above its weight in terms of build. The guitar is neatly finished, very well put together, and feels pretty robust and sturdy.

Playability: We found that the concert-sized body is small enough for most new players, but as it isn’t a ¾ size guitar, it won’t feel like a toy when they are grown. The Fender CC-60S also boasts a super-playable, slim neck profile that’s clearly been designed with small kids in mind. Also aiding the great playability is a pretty low string action straight out of the box.

Sound: The tone is rather impressive here as well, and a lot of that is due to the top. It is full and rich, with plenty of bottom end. It certainly doesn’t sound like my first guitar, I can tell you that.

The bottom line: It's our top acoustic pick for children aged 6 and up who are learning to play the guitar, offering a great balance of quality craftsmanship and affordability. Most importantly, it sounds fantastic, so it should keep them coming back.

Watch our demo...

Best budget acoustic

Build: Featuring a basswood top, back, and sides, accompanied by a C-shaped, nato neck which meets the 95mm-deep body at the 12th fret, and a black walnut fingerboard at a 24-inch scale length, this charming Gretsch has a pretty unique spec sheet.

Playability: Size-wise, it sits between a 3/4 guitar and a full-size dreadnought, making it a great choice for younger players. It can be played by adults and older kids as well, but they might find the fingerboard feels a little cramped with certain chord shapes. Our review example arrived feeling fantastic straight out of the box, and didn’t require any adjustments or action tweaking – pretty impressive for such a budget-friendly guitar!

Sound: It's got a bright tonality overall when strummed, delivering a nice balance that isn't too loud - another bonus for parents. The classic look really adds something to its character, too, making it stand out from other beginner acoustics that have a tendency to look a little dull.

The bottom line: Probably the coolest-looking acoustic guitar on this list, the Gretsch Jim Dandy 9500 delivers retro looks and a comfortable scale length at a very modest price point. Perfect for beginner strummers, if budget is your main concern, then this is the guitar you should go for.

Watch our demo...

Best small acoustic

Build: It should come as no surprise that the build quality of this guitar is excellent – just like all Yamaha products. There is a classic spruce top with Yamaha opting for meranti – a cheaper material – on the back and sides. The locally sourced tonewood might not be as desirable as mahogany, but it's hard-wearing and helps give the JR1 its incredibly attractive looks. Besides, the spruce top is resonant enough to get some great tones from the guitar.

Playability: The small scale makes it very playable, and for younger kids, it will make it a lot easier when fretting their first chords. It also includes a gigbag, which is a nice touch, allowing your child to take their guitar with them when they go to lessons.

Sound: Despite its small stature, this guitar sounds surprisingly good – it’s loud too. The tone is crisp and resonates with some of that classic dreadnought depth. Okay, it doesn’t sound exactly like a full-sized dreadnought, but it’s a valiant effort considering how small this instrument is.

The bottom line: We love the fact that the JR1 manages to provide some of a dreadnought’s famous booming mids without the significant bulk of the body. We also adore that this short-scale version is far less intimidating for beginners.

Best electric overall

Build: The Yamaha Pacifica is a guitar that enters the conversation when talking about the pound-for-pound, dollar-for-dollar best beginner electric guitar. When you factor in the price, the build, the variety of finish options, and the quality of the tone, it’s easy to see why it’s a ubiquitous presence in school music departments. This is a superbly well-made guitar. It feels solid, robust, and expertly put together.

Playability: In our review, we praised the model’s superb playability, stating, “the rosewood fingerboard was perfectly playable, with even a hint of rounding at the edges, which made for a comfortable playing experience. The maple neck felt almost satin, and there was no tackiness from our grubby hands as we played during one of the hottest summers on record.”

Sound: We love its HSS pickup configuration, especially for new players. With a humbucker in the bridge position, they’ll have access to thicker, higher-output tones that are ideal for rock and metal, while the two single coils offer some trebly snap and precision for cleaner styles of music.

The bottom line: This is a guitar to learn on, but not only to learn to play. With the HSS pickup configuration, players can learn about tone, too, and learn what type of player they might like to be. A tremolo bar is always a good option, too – nothing like a bit of wobble to show off once you’ve learned a piece.

Watch our demo...

Best electric on a budget

Build: Small-scale guitars are shorter in length, which makes them a great choice for younger players still getting used to the electric guitar. The Squier Sonic Mustang is only an inch and a half shorter than the Yamaha Pacifica, but trust us, that will make a lot of difference. Our review model needed a little setup to get it playing its absolute best, so bear in mind you might want to do this as well.

Playability: Comfortable is the word that comes to mind when playing the Squier Sonic Mustang; it feels lovely to play chords and riffs without having to stretch as far as you would on a regular scale instrument. Our review model needed a little setup to get it playing its absolute best, so bear in mind you might want to do this as well.

Sound: In my opinion, the two pickups deliver fantastic tones, utilized most famously by Kurt Cobain but popular amongst other grunge and rock players, too. This is a pretty versatile instrument that is more than capable of channeling indie rock, but it’s when a bit of dirt is introduced to the signal chain for something a little more grungier and heavier that this guitar comes to life.

The bottom line: Stylish, well-made, and super fun to play, there’s a lot to like about Squier’s entry-level Mustang. This is an affordable guitar with plenty of… teen spirit.

Watch our demo...

Best small electric

Build: In my opinion, the Miko's compact body paired with durable hardware gives it a pretty robust feel, and the 22.2" scale length ensures a comfortable playing experience for even the youngest players. For me, the slim neck design is perfect for players of any age, making it an excellent option for kids who are just starting out.

Playability: I found this short-scale electric guitar to be incredibly user-friendly, largely due to its low string tension and thoughtfully designed contours. There no getting away from it, this guitar is really small and will feel way too cramped for teens, but is ideal for young learners.

Sound: In terms of sound, the Ibanez miKro shines when it comes to overdriven and distorted tones, making it a fantastic choice for rock, blues, and punk genres. The bridge pickup produces powerful solos, while the neck pickup provides a warmer, bluesier sound.

The bottom line: When it came to selecting a compact guitar for children, the Ibanez miKro GRGM21 was my clear choice. It's fun, affordable, and plays just as good as it looks. This is the ultimate pint-sized option for young rockers, for sure.

Watch our demo...

Glossary of terms

Body: The large, hollow part of the guitar that produces sound. In acoustic guitars, it amplifies the sound, while in electric guitars, it can influence tone and weight.

Bridge: The part located on the body of the guitar where the strings are attached. It helps transfer the vibrations of the strings to the body.

Fretboard/Fingerboard: The long, flat part of the neck where the frets are embedded. This is where you press down the strings to produce different notes.

Frets: The metal strips that run across the fretboard. Pressing the strings down in between frets changes the pitch of the note.

Headstock: The upper part of the guitar where the tuning pegs are located. It holds the strings in place and allows for tuning.

Neck: The long, slender part of the guitar that connects the body to the headstock. It contains the fretboard and strings.

Nut: The small piece at the end of the neck that holds the strings in place before they reach the tuning pegs. It affects string height and spacing.

Pickups: Metal elements on electric guitars that convert string vibrations into electrical signals, allowing for amplification.

Soundhole: The circular opening in the body of an acoustic guitar that helps project sound.

Strings: The material (usually metal or nylon) stretched across the guitar that produces sound when plucked or strummed.

Tuning Pegs/Machine Heads: The metal knobs located on the headstock are used to adjust the tension of the strings for tuning.

Volume and Tone Controls: Knobs on electric guitars that allow players to adjust the loudness (volume) and quality (tone) of the sound.

How to choose

Choosing a guitar for a child can be a rewarding experience, as it lays the foundation for their musical journey. The first decision is whether to opt for an electric or acoustic guitar. Each type has its advantages, so consider your child’s interests and playing style.

Choose the type of guitar: Acoustic guitars are generally more straightforward for beginners. They don’t require additional equipment like amplifiers and are portable, making them great for casual playing. Look for a guitar with a comfortable size; a smaller-bodied guitar or a 3/4 size model is often ideal for younger players.

On the other hand, if your child is interested in rock, pop, or other contemporary genres, an electric guitar could be more appealing. Electric guitars often have lighter strings and a slimmer neck, which can be easier for smaller hands. However, keep in mind that they need an amplifier and cables, which adds to the cost and logistics.

Buy a quality guitar: Regardless of the type, prioritize quality over brand. Look for instruments made from decent materials; they will sound better and provide a more enjoyable learning experience. Check out local music stores where you can get a feel for different models. Allow your child to try a few guitars to see what feels comfortable and engages them.

It's all in the sound: The sound of the guitar is crucial, especially for young learners. Ensure that the guitar produces a clear and pleasant tone, as this will enhance your child’s experience and keep them motivated. If possible, listen to different models in person to find the one that resonates well.

Weight matters: A lightweight model may be more manageable for a child and encourage them to practice. Incorporate their preferences into the decision, as this can motivate them to continue learning. Whether you choose acoustic or electric, make sure it’s a guitar that inspires your child’s musical expression.

A setup will make a world of difference: New guitars may require some setup for optimal playability. If possible, seek advice from a professional about how to adjust string height and intonation to make it easier for your child to play.

Don't forget the accessories: Consider the necessary accessories that come with the guitar. A gig bag or case for protection, a tuner, spare strings, and a strap can make the learning process easier and more enjoyable. If you opt for an electric guitar, also factor in the cost of an amplifier and cables.

Stick to your budget: Establish a budget before shopping. There are quality options available at various price points. Avoid extremely cheap guitars that may play poorly or be poorly constructed, as they can discourage practice.

Plan ahead: Think about the long-term potential of the guitar. If your child shows commitment, you want to ensure the guitar can handle more advanced playing as they progress.

FAQs

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How we test the best guitars for kids

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best bass guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best bass guitars on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

Why trust us

☑️ A global audience of 3.8 million guitarists monthly
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☑️ 30+ years of product testing at Guitar World

Guitar World boasts over 44 years of expertise and stands as the ultimate authority on all things related to guitars. The magazine and website feature expertly written gear round-ups and top-quality, authoritative reviews penned by a team of highly experienced industry professionals.

Guitar World's inaugural print issue hit the shelves in July 1980, and ever since, it has been captivating players and enthusiasts with engaging lessons, insightful interviews with the biggest guitar heroes, and priceless buying advice for newbie players.

Furthermore, GuitarWorld.com continues this legacy online and serves as the hub of the world's foremost authorities on guitar playing. The site not only hosts content from Guitar World but also showcases articles from respected publications such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, and Bass Player. With a reach extending to 3.8 million players each month, GuitarWorld.com is a go-to destination for guitar fanatics globally.

Below you'll find more information on the expert authors of this guide.

About our videos

One of the most significant factors to consider when choosing your first guitar is the sound it produces – that’s why we've recorded and filmed a short playing demo of almost every guitar in the guide. That way, you can make an informed decision based purely on which model you think sounds the best.

We recorded the video demos in our dedicated studio in Bath, UK. If you’re a regular consumer of guitar content on YouTube, you may recognize this space as the famous Guitarist Tone Lounge.

Now, to ensure the most consistent tone possible across all the electric guitars, we used the Neural DSP Quad Cortex amp modeler. For the clean sounds, we used our favorite US DLX Normal setting paired with a 112 US DLX SC64 cabinet model and a touch of room reverb for some depth. The dirty sounds kept the same US DLX model, but this time partnered up with a Tube Screamer-style overdrive at the front. Of course, we kept the same natural room reverb as the previous setting.

Acoustic guitars were recorded using a simple crossed microphone technique – known as the X-Y technique – to capture the exact sound in the room. We used a pair of Austrian Audio CC8 condenser mics for this. In my opinion, this humble stereo microphone set-up typically produces the most true-to-life sound, perfect for hearing the guitar as you would if you were the one playing it.

As you’d expect, we applied some post-processing to the audio once it was captured, but we kept this to a minimum, sticking to light compression to maintain consistent levels.

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To find the best acoustic guitars for beginners, it's essential to consider a few key factors. Look for playability, as a comfortable neck and action will help you learn more easily. The guitar’s size matters, too. Smaller models are better for children, while larger ones provide a fuller sound for adults.

With nearly a decade of experience as a music retail manager, I've assisted countless new players - and their parents - in choosing their first instrument. Now, as a full-time writer for Guitar World, I'm going to share my insights and experience with you.

I’ve gone to great lengths to provide as much information as possible in this guide to ensure you make the right choice. Along with detailed reviews of each starter guitar, you’ll also find a video demo for each of our top picks. I’ve even included sizing photos so you can see how large each model is – particularly useful if you're purchasing a guitar for a child or you're a smaller player. For reference, I'm 5'11".

My top pick for the best acoustic guitar for beginners is the Fender CD-60S, which balances affordability and playability. For younger players, the Gretsch Jim Dandy is an excellent choice due to its petite frame. For me, Adults seeking a more mature tone should consider Yamaha’s classic FG800.

Now, don’t be intimidated by acoustic guitar terminology; I've included a glossary to help clarify key terms, along with a FAQ section that addresses common beginner acoustic questions. If you're more experienced, my guide to the best acoustic guitars offers options for various skill levels.

Rather watch than read? The Guitar World team has made a video version of this guide.

Best overall

In a nutshell: With this Fender, you have a leading brand producing an excellent acoustic guitar at an entry-level price. In my tests, I found that this dreadnought’s solid top construction produced a full, rounded sound, which equates to volume and confident mid-level power in support of a bright treble.

Who is it for? As this is a dreadnought guitar, it's more suitable for adults or older kids due to its size and scale. For younger players, we recommend checking out the next entry in this guide, the Gretsch Jim Dandy, as it's more tailored for children and provides a better playing experience for them.

Build: I was very impressed with how well this model was put together. As you can imagine, I've played a number of guitars in this category, and this is easily one of the best starter acoustic guitars I've had in my hands. The tuners are smooth and reliable, and at the sub-$200 mark, they represent excellent quality compared to other guitars in this bracket. Previously, Fender’s acoustic guitars for beginners had an action that tended to be on the high side. But the CD-60S has an action low enough to enable easier playing while avoiding troublesome fret buzz. The finishing is on point, too. Our review example had a clean, well-applied finish, which gives the guitar a nice shine.

Performance: In our review, we said, “Crucially for a beginner’s acoustic, Fender gets the neck profile bang on. The CD-60S is a joy to play, and backs this up with an impressive tone, making chords sound full and wide, yet with a detailed midrange and a vibrant top-end that adds a little magic to the mix.” High praise indeed for just an affordable acoustic guitar. We genuinely love how this guitar feels to play. The neck is slim, inviting, and very easy to navigate.

In terms of tone, the CD60S is warm, mellow, with a pronounced midrange and plenty of volume. In our review, we said, "chords sound full and wide, yet with a detailed midrange and a vibrant top-end that adds a little magic to the mix."

Watch my Fender CD-60S demo

Best for kids

In a nutshell: I have to start by saying I absolutely love the look of the Gretsch Jim Dandy. Its small stature and stunning finish just oozes vintage charm. That said, to be included in this guide to the best beginner acoustic guitars, it needs to be more than a good-looking guitar – thankfully, this parlor more than delivers.

Who is it for? This is currently my top pick for kids and smaller teens. Looking for more options for your little one? Check out my full guide to the best guitars for kids.

Build: Neat and tidy, this Gretsch is very well put together indeed. The frets are well dressed and expertly installed, and the finish is gorgeous. In our review, we said, "As we take ours out of its box, it’s noticeable that the Nocturne Blue doesn’t just look good in the photos, and if you’re worried about those tuners being a bit Meccano, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Jim Dandy turned up with its tuning almost perfectly intact."

Now, this guitar is rather small and may be too small for adults or older kids. So, please bear that in mind when you are making a purchase. For adults, we suggest looking at either the Fender CD-60S or the Yamaha FG800.

Performance: In our review, we noted just how impressed we were with the guitar's low action and how well-intentioned it was across the neck. Tonally, it’s as you might expect. Obviously, the reduction in body size also means that it’s not going to have the bass and resonance levels of a standard dreadnought. Instead, the tone is bright but not brash when strummed, and fingerpicked notes have a definite ‘pluck’ to them, with a strong attack and slightly reduced sustain.

There aren’t many acoustic guitars that are this much fun to play, and even fewer from respected names at this price point, making it an easy recommendation from us at Guitar World. Looking for more miniature options? Head over to our guide to the best guitars for small hands.

Watch my Gretsch Jim Dandy Concert demo

Best for adults

In a nutshell: One of the lower-priced guitars in our guide, Yamaha’s FG800 is a seasoned veteran in the beginner’s acoustic field – but don’t let that small price tag fool you.

Who is it for? The Yamaha FG800 is our top choice for adult beginners looking for an acoustic guitar, as we think the simple finish and larger body size make it perfect for older players. While the neck has a rounded, comfortable profile, the body is rather large, so young kids will want to avoid this model for sure.

Build: Yamaha has a reputation for crafting well-made products, no matter the category - be it motor bikes, speedboats, pianos, or, in this case, entry-level acoustic guitars. This guitar is built like a tank. It may be at the bottom end of Yamaha’s range, but that doesn't mean it can't be kitted out with more premium features. For example, the inclusion of a solid spruce top may surprise many players who are used to seeing all laminate guitars at this price point.

Performance: In my time in music retail, I must have sold hundreds of these guitars over the years, but while filming the demo videos for this guide, I was reminded just how good this model sounds (a reaction mirrored by our cameraman and sound guy, too). The sound generated by this beauty could easily come from a more expensive guitar, and in use, it’s reliable at holding its tune, too.

A solid spruce top, more usually found on higher-priced guitars, helps create an impressive tone. And we think it really is the sound that allows this guitar to stand out from the others at the sub-$200 mark. No amplification is included, but for this price, who’s complaining?

Watch my Yamaha FG800 demo

Best with a cutaway

In a nutshell: Well-made, easy to play, and with a visual flair that makes it stand out from the crowd, D'Angelico’s Premier Gramercy isn’t your average acoustic guitar for beginners, that’s for sure.

Who is it for? This guitar is ideal for adults and older teenagers, particularly beginners seeking a model that will grow with them.

Build: Featuring a grand auditorium-shaped body, this single-cutaway guitar is ideal for players with a slightly smaller frame, while the common use of a solid spruce top and sapele back and sides delivers a bright and articulate attack that to my ears sounds just as good strummed with a pick as it does played with purely your fingers.

Performance: To me, this beginner acoustic guitar has a stellar tone to match its charming appearance. Bright yet full, this guitar has a tone that just makes you want to play more. Now, I think it’s important to think past the beginner stage when choosing a guitar. If your budget allows it, you should most definitely consider purchasing a guitar that’s more future-proof. Thankfully, this D’Angelico fits that brief. Coming loaded with a discreet Fishman pickup system, this stunning beginner acoustic is stage-ready right out of the box.

Watch my D'Angelico Premier Gramercy demo

Best value

In a nutshell: At around the $270 mark, the Alvarez AD30 is another dreadnought delivering well above its diminutive price tag. In my tests, I found that it kicks out significant volume from its sitka spruce-topped mahogany body, which is as warm in tone as much as it is bright.

Who is it for? To me, this is very much an adult's acoustic guitar. It has a mature look, tone, and feel, making it ideal for older players.

Build: The guitar's construction is rugged, and it stays reliably in tune. The 50/50 gloss to matte finish on the neck balances resilience with ease of playing. Conventional rather than flashy, the AD30 is a reliable all-rounder.

Performance: Playing can be subtle but also as aggressive as you want to get, and this is where the AD30 delivers a surprising amount of power. The X bracing design is intended to aid resonance, which certainly rings out.

As you can imagine, this price category is a rather competitive one. Almost every brand has a guitar in this price bracket, but my top choice has to be the Alvarez AD30. This guitar is superbly put together, and the tone is vibrant and engaging.

Watch my Alvarez AD30 demo

Best electro-acoustic

In a nutshell: Taylor’s GS Mini doubles as a travel-sized guitar and dishes out all you need for home playing, especially for younger or smaller guitarists. The factory-set action is low, making it simple to play from the get-go.

Who is it for? This is a small guitar, making it ideal for kids. It also takes our top slot for the best guitar for small hands, as well as being our favorite beginner model for those looking for an electro-acoustic – the humble GS Mini can do it all!

Build: Examining the build quality of the GS Mini, it's evident that this guitar isn't intended for beginners. Yes, it's a fantastic option for newbie players, but this guitar is much more than an entry-level acoustic. The construction is rugged, the hardware top-notch, and the electronics superb.

Performance: I found the sound to be warm and clear, with a tendency towards the mid-range. Although the trebles are bright, despite their size, the bass is not lacking. The sound also includes ample sustain with notes enduring longer than would be expected from a ‘mini’. The onboard electronics deliver a stunning, amplified tone that rivals those of more premium models.

The broad tonal capability across the range makes it well-suited to a variety of musical styles, meaning this is one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners if you’re searching for tonal versatility as well as for an entry-level guitar that could last far beyond your newcomer years.

Watch our Taylor GS-Mini demo

Spec comparison

Take a look at how our top choices compare, side-by-side.

Also consider

The above models are our top choices when it comes to the best acoustic guitars for beginners, but to compile the list, we had to review many more instruments. Below, you'll find a small selection of other beginner acoustic guitars that received positive reviews recently, but didn't quite make it into our top six.

Glossary of key terms

Action: The height of the strings above the fretboard; low action makes it easier to play, while high action can give a louder sound.

Auditorium: A mid-sized body that’s a bit smaller than a dreadnought. Great balance between bass and treble, comfortable to hold, and versatile enough for most playing styles. Sometimes called “orchestra” style.

Back & sides: Again, like the top, the back and sides of an acoustic guitar can be made from a variety of different woods. At this price point, you’ll mostly see laminate construction, as all solid guitars are generally a lot more expensive.

Binding: A decorative strip around the edges of the guitar body, neck, or headstock that can also provide structural support.

Classical (Nylon-String): The OG acoustic guitar with a wide, flat neck and nylon strings instead of steel. Softer, mellower sound that’s perfect for classical music, flamenco, and bossa nova. Easier on the fingers, too. Head to our guide for the best beginner classical guitars to see our top picks.

Concert: Smaller than an auditorium, bigger than a parlor. Nice and balanced with a focused sound that works well for fingerpicking. Comfortable for smaller players.

Cutaway: Not really a body shape, but a feature where part of the body is “cut away” near the neck so you can reach the higher frets more easily. Can be single (one side) or double (both sides).

Dreadnought: Large, boxy body with a powerful, boomy sound and lots of volume. Named after a battleship, which tells you everything you need to know. Great for strumming.

Electronics: When we talk about electronics in the context of acoustic guitars, we refer to the pickup system, preamp, or even an onboard tuner. Of course, at this early stage of your playing, you don’t necessarily need a pickup, but if you have aspirations of playing live, you’ll want to consider a model with electronics.

Fingerboard: The fingerboard is the playing surface of the neck of the guitar. This can be made from everything from rosewood to walnut, Richlite, and pau ferro. Each brings their own characteristics to the table, and which you like most comes down to personal preference.

Grand Auditorium: A modern take on the auditorium shape, usually with a more pronounced waist. Super versatile and comfortable, it works for pretty much any style.

Grand Concert: Slightly larger than a concert, with a more defined waist. Balanced tone that’s great for fingerstyle and lighter playing.

Jumbo: Even bigger than a dreadnought, with rounded shoulders and a huge sound. Maximum volume and bass response. It can be a bit unwieldy, but sounds massive.

Parlor: Old-school small-bodied guitar from the 1800s-early 1900s. Intimate, focused sound that’s great for blues, folk, and fingerpicking. Comfortable for couch playing.

Saddle: A small piece of material (often bone or plastic) positioned on the bridge that supports the strings and helps with intonation.

Scale length: Simply put, the scale length refers to the distance between the top nut and the saddle on the bridge – and is used to measure the total playable length of the instrument.

Soundhole: The circular opening on the top of the guitar that allows sound to project out.

Top: The top of the guitar refers to the wood on the face of the instrument. This can be solid wood or a combination of woods, which we call a laminate top. The type of wood used for the top significantly impacts the tone of the guitar.

Tonewoods: Specific types of wood used in the construction of a guitar, chosen for their acoustic properties and contributions to sound quality.

Truss rod: A metal rod inside the neck that can be adjusted to control the neck’s curvature, allowing for adjustments to the guitar's action and playability.

How to choose the best beginner acoustic for you

If you're reading this guide, it's likely you're in the market for one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, either for you or someone you know. In this section, I have gathered everything you need to know to ensure you make the right choice, from details about what to look for to buying advice specifically aimed at parents purchasing a guitar for their child. This is all based on my own experience of buying, selling and reviewing guitars over the last 10 years.

Now, before I get into the buying advice, I should also mention that the majority of the models showcased in this guide are available left-handed, so if you're a southpaw, you'll still be able to get your hands on one of our recommended guitars.

For starters, here's a bite-sized look at what to consider before you buy:

• Think about guitar size: do you need a baby acoustic, small-bodied acoustic, dreadnought or jumbo? Not sure what that means? I've cover the different guitar sizes further down the page. If you’re unsure what is the right size for you, just remember that you want to be able to get your right arm over the body comfortably, then, when seated with the guitar on your lap, you need to be able to reach to the end of the headstock without stretching.
• Are you buying a trusted brand? Fender, Epiphone, Yamaha, and Taylor are well-known brands and are great places to start.
• Does the guitar have a low action? This refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard – a lower action makes a beginner acoustic guitar easier and more comfortable to play.
• Do you want to play higher notes? You'll need a guitar with a cutaway in order to access the higher frets.
• Do you have a guitar tuner? A tuner makes a wise investment to keep your guitar sounding good, so I would recommend buying one at the same time as your new guitar.
• Do you want to amplify your playing? If you plan on playing live through a PA system at some point, you’ll need to retrofit an acoustic guitar pickup, or opt for an acoustic electric guitar that comes already fitted with electronics. My #6 option fits the bill for this.
• Harness the power of reviews: Once you've narrowed down your options, it's time to dive into the world of reviews. But remember, not all reviews are created equal. To get a comprehensive understanding of the guitars you're interested in, consult both professionally written editorial reviews and user reviews from forums. This balanced approach will equip you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

Prefer to watch a video, than read a wall of text? Below, our very own Pete takes you through his top tips for selecting a beginner acoustic guitar.

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Advice for parents

It can be daunting for parents to pick out the best acoustic guitar for beginners. You don't want to make the wrong choice and make learning more difficult for them, or worse, put them off the instrument completely.

But hey, don't stress! I've got your back with some handy tips.

Pay careful attention to the size: Guitars come in various shapes and sizes, so it's important to select the correct one for your child. As a general rule of thumb, you want to make sure your little one can easily reach the end of the neck while in the seated position without stretching too much. Typically, we suggest that under-12s opt for a short-scale or 3/4 guitar, and for 12 and up, we recommend a full-sized instrument.

Price vs quality: When it comes to beginner acoustics, you really don’t need to spend too much to get a great instrument. That said, you want to ensure that you are buying the best quality instrument you can afford. The better the instrument's build quality, the better it will play and the more chance your little one has of sticking with it!

Don’t forget the accessories: To give your child the best possible chance of sticking with the guitar, you’ll want to ensure they have everything they need to play properly. A selection of guitar picks, a spare set of strings, a guitar strap, a guitar tuner, and a gigbag for carrying it around to and from lessons are all must-have accessories.

Looking for more advice? My parents' guide to buying a guitar for your child is the place to go for more top tips. Also, check out my guide to guitar accessories for beginners to make sure you have everything you need to start playing.

Why trust Guitar World?

Guitar World boasts over 44 years of expertise and stands as the ultimate authority on all things related to guitars. The magazine and website feature expertly written gear round-ups and top-quality, authoritative reviews penned by a team of highly experienced industry professionals.

Guitar World's inaugural print issue hit the shelves in July 1980, and ever since, it has been captivating players and enthusiasts with engaging lessons, insightful interviews with the biggest guitar heroes, and priceless buying advice for newbie players.

Furthermore, GuitarWorld.com continues this legacy online and serves as the hub of the world's foremost authorities on guitar playing. The site not only hosts content from Guitar World but also showcases articles from respected publications such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, and Bass Player. With a reach extending to 3.8 million players each month, GuitarWorld.com is a go-to destination for guitar fanatics globally.

Below, you'll find more information about the expert authors and reviewers who helped put this page together.

How we test beginner acoustic guitars

When it comes to beginner acoustics, every player has their own personal preferences regarding the tone and feel. That said, regardless of taste, there are a few key criteria that a beginner acoustic guitar must meet before myself and our testing team feel comfortable recommending it.

When we receive a guitar for review, we start by asking ourselves the following questions:

• How easy is the guitar to play for a complete beginner?
• Does the guitar sound inspiring?
• Is this model well-made and robust?
• And does the guitar offer the player good value for money?

Below you'll find a breakdown of the tests we carry out to answer each of these questions.

Build quality: Like with all instruments, we first examine the overall build quality. We closely inspect every inch of the guitar, from the body and neck to the machine heads, bridge, and saddle, to ensure it feels robust and sturdy and ready to take you on your musical journey.

Playability: We'll next check the consistency of the fretwork to confirm there aren't any sharp frets or uneven frets that may result in buzzing. This ties into the guitar's playability. For us, the guitar should be comfortable for someone completely new to the instrument, and this means a reasonably forgiving neck and unobtrusive body.

Sound: Next, we turn our attention to the sound of the beginner acoustic guitar. To test the tone of the instrument, we will try a variety of different playing techniques and styles to see how the guitar handles them, from strumming wide-open chords with a flat pick to soft fingerpicking and everything in between. We are carefully listening to the volume the guitar produces and the overall tonal balance of the sound.

Value: Lastly, we'll carefully combine our thoughts on all the above sections – from design and performance to sound – and weigh them against the acoustic guitar's price to determine whether it's worth the investment. After all, finding the perfect balance between quality and affordability is key to choosing the right beginner acoustic guitar for your needs.

Find out more about how we make our recommendations and how we test beginner acoustic guitars.

How we shoot our product demos

One of the most significant factors to consider when choosing your first guitar is the sound it produces – that’s why I've recorded and filmed a short playing demo of every guitar in the guide. That way, you can make an informed decision based purely on which model you think sounds the best.

In order to keep things simple, I performed the same chord progression on every guitar at three dynamic playing levels. First, I strummed the guitar with a plectrum to show off the instrument's volume range. Next, each note was picked individually to display the guitar's note clarity. Lastly, I ditched the pick and used my fingers to see how the guitar reacted to the subtle nuances of fingerpicking.

Myself and the team recorded the video demos in our dedicated studio in Bath, UK. If you’re a regular consumer of guitar content on YouTube, you may recognize this space as the famous Guitarist Tone Lounge.

Now, to ensure the most natural tone possible, we used a simple crossed microphone technique – known as the X-Y technique – to capture the exact sound in the room. We used a pair of Austrian Audio CC8 condenser mics for this. In my opinion, this humble stereo microphone set-up typically produces the most true-to-life sound, perfect for hearing the guitar as you would if you were the one playing it.

As you’d expect, we did apply some post-processing to the audio once it was captured, but we kept this to a minimum. A little compression was applied to help keep the volume levels consistent throughout the demos, and EQ was used to cut “boomy” frequencies that built up in the room. Lastly, we added a touch of digital reverb to add a sense of depth to the recording.

Latest updates

Okay class, quiet down, eyes front, and listen up, if you or your little one is heading back to school soon, you’ll want to pay careful attention to this next part – and yes, this will be in the test. It’s that dreaded time of year again when you find yourself drowning in a sea of stationery, backpacks and other back-to-school or college essentials. We appreciate your head will be spinning from all the items you need to organize, but don’t worry, we’ve got the musical item on your long list of supplies sorted. Guitar Center is now offering 15% off beginner-friendly acoustic guitars and lessons, meaning you can have your pick of the best acoustic guitars for beginners on the market at an even more affordable price. 

Now, with this sale coming courtesy of Guitar Center, that means all of the biggest names in the world of budget acoustic guitars are represented here. Suppose you aren’t too sure where to start. Well, in that case, here are a few of our favorites to help point you in the right direction.  

If you're looking for your child’s first acoustic guitar or if you're a student looking for an inexpensive guitar to take to college, then you really can’t go wrong with the Yamaha F335, which is down to only $144.49. We are massive fans of Yamaha instruments here at Guitar World, as we strongly believe they offer the best value for money in this price category. We’d also recommend the Epiphone PRO-1, which offers a superb tone for its very low price of only $161.49. 

For those looking for a smaller-bodied acoustic guitar, then the Sigma SIG10 Mini is a brilliant option, as it combines a solid sitka spruce top with sapele back and sides, a comfortable neck and handsome good looks for only $186.99. Perhaps you are seeking a more premium option. Well, in that case, the PRS SE P20E Parlor is one of the best petite acoustic guitars on the market and the Pink Lotus finish option is down to only $424.15. 

Luckily it’s not only instruments that are on offer. You can also bag a deal on online guitar lessons as well. For a limited time, if you buy three lessons, you get one free. All of these back-to-school offers run from now until 3 August, so be quick to make sure you or your little one doesn’t miss out. 

Still not sure which guitar is right for starting out? Well our buyer's guides are here to help 

• Best beginner guitars: great acoustic and electric options
• Just starting out? Check out the best beginner classical guitars
• Downsize to one of the best 3/4 acoustic guitars
• Plug in with the best beginner electric guitars
• Gear up with these guitar accessories for beginners

Choosing one of the best beginner guitars for metal might sound like a complicated process, but that honestly couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re right in thinking that a beginner metal guitar will need to cover lots of different ground – after all, there’s lots of different styles of metal out there. Thankfully, the guitars in this guide do just that.

When it comes to metal and the guitars associated with it, it’s easy to assume that unless it’s pointy, it’s no good. While this is definitely still the case for some people, we’re seeing more and more metal-friendly versions of the classics from Squier, PRS and Epiphone – and some of them don’t even look like metal guitars, but pack a tonal punch which will knock even the pointiest of guitars off its perch.

The amount of choice in the beginner metal guitar space is pretty astonishing, but amongst the raft of options, you’ve also got to think about whether you want a six, seven or eight-string guitar, standard scale or baritone, active or passive pickups… the list goes on. Thankfully, we’ve compiled this guide to help you choose the very best beginner metal guitar – and we think you’ll be pretty happy with what we’ve found.

We’ve included some expert buying advice at the end of this guide, so if you’d like to read more about choosing a great beginner metal guitar, click the link. If you’d rather just get to the products, keep scrolling.

Best beginner guitars for metal: Our top picks

This entire is packed with fantastic beginner metal guitars, which makes choosing our top picks an especially difficult process. All of these guitars will satisfy your metal cravings – but as always, some are a bit better at doing that than others.

Our number one pick has to be the Epiphone SG Modern Figured. Not only does it look slick, brutal and truly stunning all at the same time, it also sounds the part too. Loaded with ProBucker 2 and 3 humbuckers (each with coil-splitting), this SG will happily handle all the gain you can throw at it, while still being able to offer delicate, sophisticated single-coil tones at the drop of a hat. The hardware is incredibly solid too, and with Grover locking tuners topping off this SG's spec sheet, we’re highly impressed.

If the SG is a bit too mean looking for you, or you want to make sure your new guitar goes the distance, then we’d recommend you buy yourself a PRS SE Standard 24-08. A PRS SE will cost you a bit more than the rest of the guitars in this guide, but what you get is one of the most versatile electric guitars under $1,000. Not only will this SE Standard 24-08 happily cover metal ground due to its dual-humbucker pickup configuration and ultra-comfortable neck profile, but it’ll see you right in pretty much every other musical scenario you find yourself in, too. Good, right?

If you want a beginner metal guitar to help you explore the world of extended range guitars, then we’d suggest you take a look at the Ibanez Gio GRG7221. It’s a great looking guitar, first of all, and with a lightweight body, GRG7 maple neck and fierce Infinity R humbuckers, it feels and sounds epic too. The price point that the GRG7221 sits at makes it the perfect beginner extended range guitar, yet the overall build quality is more like a guitar twice the price – meaning that this also provides a great, affordable 7-string gateway for any experienced players.

Best beginner guitars for metal: Product guide

The SG is undoubtedly one of the most iconic metal guitars in music history. Although AC/DC's Angus Young is usually the guitarist we think of when we see the SG, it was also the faithful companion of the almighty Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath – so undoubtedly played a huge role in the genesis of heavy metal as we know it. Over the years, we’ve seen various reissues from both Gibson and Epiphone, with some more metal-oriented than others, but for us, the classic Epiphone SG fits all the ‘beginner metal guitar’ criteria we could think of.

This model – the SG Modern Figured – is a standard SG under the hood, but with a stunning figured maple top to finish it off, its looks will turn heads wherever you’re playing. It’s equipped with two ProBucker humbucking pickups – a ‘2’ in the neck and a ‘3’ in the bridge position – which both have coil-splitting and phase-switching capabilities. As such, the achievable tones from this guitar can cover near enough all bases, including searing high-gain, with ease.

The hardware on the Modern Figured SG is 100% metal-friendly too. The stopbar tailpiece ensures that your strings are anchored solidly, achieving great resonance throughout the body, and with a LockTone ABR bridge and a set of Grover locking tuners onboard too? Well, the tuning isn’t going anywhere, no matter how low you go. Speaking of downtuning, the SG – like all ‘Gibson-style’ guitars – has a slightly shorter 24.75” scale length which equates to a lighter string tension. As a result, your string gauges will need to be on the chunkier side if you decide to tune down. This isn’t really a problem though – just ask most Doom metal guitarists, or the guy from HIM.

PRS is probably best known for making some of the most high-end electric guitars on the market right now. Its USA Core models will set you back no less than $4,000, but feature some of the most exquisite materials, finishes and tones you’ll ever find in an electric guitar. The chance then, to own a much more affordable version which still looks, feels and sounds great? Count us in.

As metal guitars go, we know this one doesn’t exactly look the part. What it does lack in blood-splatter finishes or ultra-pointy design, it more than makes up for in playability and tone. With PRS’ own ‘Wide Thin’ neck profile providing an ultra-comfortable, slick and fast playing experience, legato solo playing, riffing – and even earth-bending chugs – are happily achievable here. The 10” fingerboard radius makes string bending a dream too.

Another star of the SE Standard 24-08s show is the pair of PRS TCI ‘S’ humbucking pickups which are fitted to this guitar. The power and output of these pickups, while not insanely high, proves that they are more than capable of kicking out some proper metal tones when paired with the right amp. They’re versatile too, with coil-splitting also incorporated into their design. It’s an expensive guitar for those who’re just starting out, granted – but it’s an instrument that will do everything, not just metal.

Read the full PRS SE Standard 24-08 review

Squier guitars aren’t usually associated with playing metal. The iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster are staples of the country, pop and indie worlds, and the combination of low-output single-coil pickups and tons of gain don’t always play nicely together. With Squier’s contemporary series, those problems are thrown out of the window.

The Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR might look like just another hot-rodded Strat, and while that is very close to the truth, there’s a raft of cool features which make this one quite so desirable. The pair of Squier SQR Atomic humbuckers are high-output shred-friendly affairs, and when combined with the Floyd Rose locking tremolo and 12” fingerboard radius, this guitar starts meeting all of the ‘metal guitar’ criteria we can think of. The pickups are coil-splittable too, and although this might not satiate the needs of the most die-hard metalheads, it means that this guitar is versatile beyond what you’d expect.

The neck has a sculpted heel, and is finished with a satin glaze – providing near-perfect playing conditions for anyone who picks up this guitar. As a beginner metal guitar, this has everything you’ll ever need to go down the rabbit hole – and while it’s definitely aimed towards some more extreme styles of music, it’s versatile enough for anyone to enjoy. We’d like to see a hardtail version too – but it’s not the end of the world, by any means.

If buying an extended range beginner metal guitar is the way you want to go, then the Gio GRG7221 is where we’d direct your attention. Seven-string guitars aren’t always easy to get to grips with – in fact, we’d recommend a six-string to anyone just starting out – but if you’ve fallen in love with the low-tuned tone and tonal potential of the seven-string guitar, it’s important for you to have a guitar that makes playing fun and easy.

That’s exactly what you get with the GRG7221. The GRG7 maple neck is slim and nicely finished, with no proud frets or fret edges, and a smooth surface for your hand to glide over easily. The neck is topped with a fingerboard made from New Zealand Pine, and even though it looks dark, it contributes loads of high-mid and top-end brightness to the tone of the guitar.

Speaking of tones, we’re happy that there’s so much maple, pine and poplar here. Cheaper seven-string guitars, through no fault of their own, often sound a bit muddy and messy. It’s often down to cheaper materials or electronics – but the GRG7221s construction, which is full of (usually) pale woods, combats this woolly tone impressively. All in all, we’ve not got much to complain about here. If seven strings are your thing and you don’t want to drop a load of cash on one, then this might be perfect.

Like most Jackson guitars, the Archtop JS32 DKA is designed with the heavier styles of music in mind. The bodies are resonant, punchy and well-crafted, the necks are super slim and playable, and when even the cheaper models are equipped with a locking tremolo, you know things are going to get heavy, whether you like it or not. You will like it, though.

The JS32 DKA showcases the popular pairing of a mahogany body and a maple neck, and it's clear to see that in this guitar, the combination of warmth, richness and the high-end 'snap' works well. Jackson is well-known for making guitars which snarl, and the two Jackson high-output pickups fitted to this guitar certainly deliver – with an aggressive, high-mid presence perfect for playing metal.

The setup and layout of the JS32 DKA is simple and pretty minimalist, which helps when you're trying to hone your craft. There's less to think about, less stuff to mess with and less to go wrong, so all of your focus can be placed on learning a new riff or playing technique. Honestly, we'd like to see a version with a few more frills, but for this money, we can't really complain.

The AZES40 is one of our favorite new budget guitars, full stop. The whole AZES range brings stylish, retro vibes to the world of electric guitar while producing modern sophisticated tones. Now, with the inclusion of a killer-sounding Accord humbucker in the bridge position, the AZES40 has shown its potential as one of the best beginner guitars for metal on the market right now.

Consisting of a poplar body, maple neck and jatoba fingerboard, the AZES40 delivers sweet, punchy tones, similar to those you’d expect from a Strat – but with the 25” scale length and 9.8” fingerboard radius taken into account, this guitar proves that playability is at the center of its world – perfect for the world of metal guitar playing.

The two Essentials single-coil pickups included offer some tasteful tonal versatility for those occasions when you’re not shredding quite so hard, but even then, they deal with gain surprisingly well. The five-way switch provides some interesting coil-splitting potential too – but the ‘Alter’ switch confused us, more than anything else. It may take us some time to understand it – but for the money, we’re happy to put some work in.

Yamaha's Revstar series is one which has generated huge levels of interest and respect from all corners of the guitar making and playing industries. Yamaha is exceptionally good at making products which outperform their price brackets in all areas of its business, but Yamaha guitars prove this point especially, and the Revstar Element RSE20 is no different.

The Revstar Element RSE20 has a mahogany body and neck, a rosewood fingerboard and a 24.75" scale length, reminiscent of a certain brand whose name begins with a 'G'. It's also a double-cutaway, and has 22 easy-to-reach frets – and while the inspiration is obvious, the Revstar manages to carve out its own identity, mainly through its incredible versatility.

The two VH3 humbuckers that the Revstar has equipped, combined with some sophisticated switching capabilities, delivers a tone which can be sweet and delicate, or thoroughly aggressive, depending on your style. We find that often guitars which aren't designed solely for playing metal can get overwhelmed quickly when lots of gain is introduced, but the Revstar Element RSE20 takes those kinds of tones in its stride. If you're after a beginner metal guitar that'll handle Napalm Death as well as it'll handle Taylor Swift, then this might just need to be your new guitar.

Read the full Yamaha Revstar RSE20, RSS20, RSS02T and RSP02T review

ESP is one of the world's biggest brands when it comes to making the best metal guitars. Its budget sub-brand, LTD, carries that reputation into the budget end of the market – offering players huge amounts of choice if they don't want to spend big money to get a great instrument.

The EC-256 is an aggressive, powerful guitar – it's as simple as that. The budget friendly alternative to the full-fat ESP Eclipse, we're still getting a solid mahogany body and neck as standard – and the 'FM' model even has a stunning flamed maple top. While said top is more of a fashion statement, it adds some extra brightness and top-end to what is otherwise a very rich sounding instrument – and this helps to bring out some extra note clarity which is crucial when playing metal.

For the money, the build quality of this guitar is thoroughly impressive. The hardware is incredibly solid, with the tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece delivering great tuning stability – something which is crucial for any guitar aimed towards beginner players. There's no reason why this guitar won't see you right for a long time, if you're thinking of playing metal in the long run. It's not the most versatile guitar ever, though.

Squier guitars are undoubtedly some of the very best if you're on a limited budget, although you'd be forgiven for thinking that they're only good for less extreme genres of music. 10 or so years ago, you'd probably be right – but after seeing Squier versions of the Jim Root and John 5 Telecasters, as well as a few other metal-influenced models, things have changed.

The Contemporary series is fairly new, and includes Strat, Starcaster and Jazzmaster options among others. While the Strat is probably the most popular, there's more and more demand for killer metal-inspired offsets – hence, the Contemporary Jazzmaster.

Long story short, it's a simple guitar, designed to play metal and all of its sub-genres. The material combination is reminiscent of the regular Squier JM – a poplar body, maple neck and laurel fingerboard – and as a result the guitar sounds balanced with just a whiff of a high-end boost. The pair of active pickups – Squier's own SQR offerings – take that base tone and run with it, helping players to create some incredibly powerful, filthy tones while still retaining plenty of note definition and personality. Budget active pickups often sound pretty generic, but that's not the case with the Contemporary Jazzmaster – a fact which is pleasantly surprising, and helps cement this guitar as one of the best around.

If you are looking to play any other styles, then be warned – this guitar does metal very well, but won't do much else to the same standard. It's not like there's a shortage of Squier guitars to choose from, however. If metal is your thing, then this guitar needs to be on your shortlist.

If you’re familiar with any of Ibanez’s guitars, you’ll know that the RG8 is one of its most recognizable and well-known models. Especially when it comes to beginner metal guitars, few manufacturers have been as influential as Ibanez. It’s responsible for the world’s first mass-produced seven and eight string guitars, and using that technology and understanding of extended range instruments, Ibanez has managed to produce budget friendly extended options for all sorts of players.

The RG8’s body is made from Meranti, which offers a similar warmth and resonance to Mahogany. When combined with the bright-sounding five-piece maple/walnut neck and snappy jatoba fingerboard, the tonal balance of this guitar is impressive. Most 8-string guitars need an extra bit of help when it comes to top-end clarity, so this combination of materials, as well as a pair of ceramic IBZ-8 pickups, delivers loads of tonal opportunity and versatility in a place where other eight string guitars might sound muddy. The baritone scale length also helps in this case, as the string tension is higher than usual.

Obviously, the main draw of the eight string is the new low tunings you’ll be able to explore. It’s also tempting to tune even lower – something which Ibanez has figured out – which is why the ferrule on the thickest string is routed out especially so you can use a bass string. While these super-low tunings are loads of fun, we’re begging you to get your guitar set up by a pro afterwards. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy ripping huge metal riffs without your intonation suffering.

Best beginner guitars for metal: Buying advice

What do I need to know about the best beginner guitars for metal? 

So, you’re thinking about buying a beginner metal guitar? Like making any large purchase, doing your research is crucial – but it helps to know which questions you should ask, which qualities you should look for and what to avoid when buying a new beginner metal guitar. We’ve included this buying advice to give you all the info you need to help steer you in the right direction.

Do I need a metal guitar to play metal? 

Realistically, no – you don’t need a particular type of guitar to play metal music – although it’s a little bit like saying you don’t need a chainsaw to cut down a tree. While it’s not completely necessary to own a metal guitar, having one sure makes things easier when push comes to shove.

If you’re thinking about buying a beginner metal guitar, one of the most important things we can recommend is that you think long and hard about the type(s) of metal you want to play. Are you interested in ‘80s Hair Metal? ‘90s Thrash? ‘00s Nu-Metal? Djent? Your answer to that question will likely influence your decision on which guitar you buy – as every style demands a slightly different set of specifications.

Classic ‘80s metal tones are often produced by a set of passive pickups – usually with a medium to high output. This is one of the factors which help those tones to remain defined, organic and natural sounding, while the amp’s barrage of gain does its job. You’ll find these kinds of pickups on most budget metal guitars, as they’re cheaper than active pickups.

While a lot of ‘90s Thrash and ‘00s Nu-Metal tones were created with active pickups, these sounds can be faithfully recreated with a passive set. You’ll need to tweak your amp settings to up the input volume or gain a little, but with some experimenting, you’ll get there.

Passive vs Active pickups 

So we’ve already spoken a bit about active and passive pickups – but what are they? And what’s the difference between them? Let’s start with the basics.

To put it simply, an electric guitar pickup is a magnet – or two magnets, in the case of a humbucker – which are wrapped in a wire coil. This magnet and wire combo creates a magnetic field which, when disturbed by the vibration of a string, creates a signal. This signal is sent from the pickup to the controls, and then to your guitar’s output – down your guitar cable and into your guitar amp.

Now, a passive pickup is deemed to be the most ‘traditional’ form of guitar pickup. ‘Passive’ means that it’s not powered by any other means, and so the final output of the pickup is lower. The output of the pickup depends mostly on the amount of winds of wire the pickup has, and a higher output pickup will sound ‘hotter’ and will cause your tone to distort sooner. A passive pickup tends to sound more natural and organic, as the magnet and wire are doing all the work.

An active pickup works in the exact same way, but there’s one major difference. Active pickups are powered by either 9V or 18V of power which comes from batteries, which boosts the output of the pickup to exceptional heights. This then means that the signal going into your amp is much more powerful, inducing distortion in a much more extreme and meaningful way. These pickups don’t sound quite so organic and classic, as they’re powered by external means. Great if you’re playing the most extreme styles, but not so much if you want ultimate versatility.

How much should I spend on a beginner metal guitar? 

When buying one of the best metal guitars for beginners, it’s important to know what sort of budget you’re working with. There’s no right or wrong answer to this question, to be honest – and you can kind of spend as much or as little as you want on a metal guitar. Like any other purchase, you’re likely to get a better product if you pay more for it, but all of the guitars in this guide are good at doing what they’re designed to do, it just depends on what kind of look, style and sound you’re after.

If you’re a total beginner and want to learn how to play metal, we’d suggest you don’t pay more than around $400. For this money, you’ve got access to metal guitars from many of the biggest brands – Ibanez and Jackson being the most notable – and the majority of the guitars available to you will be of a decent quality. We’d always suggest you try and stretch your budget as far as you feel comfortable doing, as you’ll get a better guitar in return – but with cheap guitars improving at the rate they are, you’ll be sorted either way.

If you’re an experienced guitarist trying out metal for the first time, then we’d recommend spending up to around $750 on something like the PRS SE Standard 24-08. Guitars up to this price point are often very versatile, and have extra features like coil splits and compound fingerboard radii – meaning that they’re suitable for most genres of music aside from metal.

Of course, you can spend thousands of dollars on a metal guitar, but is there really any need? We think not.

Who makes the best metal guitars for beginners? 

Many of the guitar world's biggest brands make great metal guitars for beginners. The obvious names include Ibanez, Jackson and ESP LTD, and they all produce metal-friendly guitars which are solely designed for the purpose of shredding, chugging and accommodating all sorts of extreme playing. The common theme behind nearly all of the guitars that these brands produce is ultimate playability – something which is crucial when playing metal.

We’d also like to give a shout out to Squier, Epiphone and PRS. Their guitars are more often associated with pretty much any genre other than metal, but hopefully not for long. Squier’s Contemporary series is especially impressive, and has seen the traditional Strat and Jazzmaster refreshed with a complement of humbuckers, Floyd Rose locking tremolos (in the case of the Strat) and stealthy metal-friendly finishes – which has won them favor with the metalheads among us.

PRS is one of those brands that doesn’t seem to ever put a foot wrong. Its SE series has proven to be one of, if not the best beginner guitar range on the market, enabling new players to play pretty much any style of guitar-based music they can think of. This impressive versatility and playability also makes playing metal on an SE a total dream – hence the Standard 24-08’s position on this list. It’s the most expensive guitar on here, but it’s also one of the very best.

Read more about how we test products and services at Guitar World.

Related buying guides

• You might want to take a look at the best electric guitars
• Go acoustic with the best acoustic guitars for beginners
• Or if you are, these are the best cheap electric guitars
• If you're buying for a little one, these are the best guitars for kids
• Plug in to one of the best amps for metal
• Equip your guitar with the best pickups for metal
• Get some dirt in your tone with the best overdrive pedals
• Bring the noise with the best guitar strings for metal

Earlier this year PRS released the Indonesian-made SE Silver Sky in trumpet-waving and near internet-breaking style. 

Another pair of releases went under the radar: the USA-made S2 Custom 24-08 and this little gem, the SE Standard 24-08, which is £30 shy of being the lowest-priced electric guitar currently offered by PRS.

The Standard goes right back to the birth of PRS Guitars in 1985, although at that time it was simply called the PRS Guitar: an all-mahogany version of the maple-topped Custom. It became known as the Standard from 1987 and was always less expensive than the Custom – and today it remains the most affordable model in both the S2 and SE ranges, though it’s no longer a top-deck Core model. 

The ‘24’ suffix was added from 1994 when 22-fret versions of the original 24-fret guitars were offered.

The ‘08’ part of the name refers to the number of humbucking and single-coil sounds you can get from the two pickups, and this started with the Core-level Custom 24-08 that was originally released as a 50-piece-only limited run at PRS’s 2016 in-house Experience event; it became a standard Core model in late 2017. The SE Custom 24-08 was introduced in 2021 and now has a lofty suggested retail price of £959; our Standard version trims that by 35 per cent, over £300.

This new Standard 24-08 is pretty much identical to the current SE Standard (save for its expanded switching, which we’ll get to in a while), which was refreshed to this specification back in 2018. Offered in just two colours, the very workingman Tobacco Sunburst and this deep translucent blue, it’s pretty much as far as you can get from PRS’s blingy style.

As ever with the Standards, without that figured maple top your eyes are drawn to the form – and although the new ‘shallow violin’ top carve here is a lot shallower than PRS’s Core models, with an overall depth of 45mm, it remains rather classy.

The SE Standards have a bound top edge that’s cream coloured plastic, and while you can see a little of the wood grain through the top and back finish – which suggests the body is three-piece – the finish to the sides and especially the neck back is darker and barely translucent at all.

The cream binding continues around the fingerboard but not the headstock itself, and the neck here is maple, not the mahogany of the original. But like that Custom 24-08 we reviewed last year, it’s a three-piece longitudinal laminate of maple – the two outer sections diagonally matched either side of the rift-sawn centre piece.

This construction is used primarily for the Wide Thin profile and “for stability”, confirms PRS’s chief operating officer, Jack Higginbotham. “Yes, it does work to target the tone we want, but the impetus is in stability.”

It retains the original PRS scale length of 635mm (25 inches), halfway between the Fender and Gibson benchmarks, the 24 frets sitting on a 254mm (10-inch) radius rosewood that’s peppered with pearloid bird inlays.

There are no changes to the hardware. The cast (or ‘moulded’, as PRS prefers) vibrato is a close rendering of the USA version, but it uses a steel block and top-plate – the USA vibrato is brass – and is also used on the USA-made S2 line and the bolt-on CE models, though the tuners are non-locking with a friction-reducing nut.

While both SE Standards have a three-position lever pickup selector switch, the difference to the 24-08 comes with the uncovered TCI ‘S’ pickups that show off black open-coil bobbins, as opposed to the zebra-coiled 85/15 ‘S’ humbuckers of the standard model.

And while that standard Standard offers simultaneous coil-splits via a pull-push switched tone control, offering six sounds, the 24-08 has two additional mini-toggle switches, with small levers, that offer what PRS calls “true single coil” switching of each humbucker. 

This means you can split the pickups individually, adding two more sounds: the full coils of the bridge combined with the neck single coil, and the full neck humbucker with the bridge single coil.

Feel & Sounds

Combining the feel and style of classic Fender and Gibson was always the basis of the PRS Standard and Custom, and that doesn’t change here. At 3.38kg (7.44lb), the weight is more Stratocaster than Les Paul, but the glued-in neck itself feels more in the latter camp, especially with its binding.

Its Wide Thin neck profile is the thinnest in depth that PRS offers, this one measuring 20.75mm at the 1st fret, 23.5mm by the 12th. Wide? For the record, the nut width here is 42.9mm, with a string spacing of 36mm.

It’s hard to find fault with the fretwork. The gauge is slightly different to the USA models but not by much (approximately 2.67mm wide by 1.1mm high). The guitar also ships with PRS Classic 0.009 to 0.042 strings, giving it a slinky feel.

But moving up to 10s is easy – aside from a very slight tightening of the vibrato springs – and the bigger gauge seems to drive the guitar a little harder, which means you get more back.

It might not have a rockstar association, but the SE 24-08 certainly holds its own with the SE Silver Sky, the single coils here sounding a little more hollow. We don’t have those classic Strat-like mixes, but the neck and bridge mix (which is hum-cancelling) shouts Fender. 

The solo neck, while not quite as woody-sounding as the Silver Sky, is very valid, percussive and soulful, and the bridge single coil actually hints at early Les Paul with a little tone roll-off, or a Telecaster with the tone rolled back up.

There’s not a huge volume leap as we move onto the humbucking sounds; they’re certainly thicker and, again, it’s the bridge that impresses, particularly when thinning the sound a little with some volume reduction.

The neck does that expressive Santana voice to a T, even though it may be too thick for some in a more classic style. Yet again, use those controls because they’re the key to the breadth and range of sounds. Not only do they impress, but they keep us playing way past our allocated testing time. To say this lowly Standard punches above its price is a serious understatement.

Straight out of its gigbag the tuning is extremely stable, too, and once the vibrato and strings are settled in all we can say is that we wish all guitars at this price point stayed and played in tune like this.

Verdict

Once upon a time, many of us would look down on ‘offshore’ lines, at best being cheap and cheerful, though not a patch on the real thing. When PRS’s SE line launched in 2001 it was little different, but in partnering with Cor-Tek in Indonesia there seems to have been a considerable change that’s vividly demonstrated by the SE Silver Sky.

We get the same vibe here with this lowly SE Standard 24-08. It’s faultlessly made and functions perfectly, but it’s the ‘08’ switching that turns it from being an also-ran into a serious workhorse for any player who needs to cover a lot of ground from one instrument. 

Yes, there’s an element of it being a Jack-of-all-trades, master of none, but for the serious practising, performing and recording musician, it’s £600 well spent and £300 less expensive than the SE Custom 24-08, which, when we reviewed it last year, got a Guitarist Gold 10/10 rating. A new standard for the mass production guitar? It’s a yes from us.

Specs

• PRICE: $729 / £620 (inc gigbag)
• ORIGIN: Indonesia
• TYPE: Double-cutaway solidbody electric
• BODY: Mahogany, bound top edge
• NECK: 3-piece maple, wide thin profile, glued-in
• SCALE LENGTH: 635mm (25”)
• NUT/WIDTH: Friction reducing/ 42.94mm
• FINGERBOARD: Rosewood, ‘old school’ bird inlays, 254mm (10”) radius
• FRETS: 24, medium
• HARDWARE: PRS patented vibrato (cast), PRS designed non-locking tuners – nickel-plated
• STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 52.5mm
• ELECTRICS: PRS TCI ‘S’ Treble and Bass humbuckers (open coiled black bobbins); 3-way toggle pickup selector switch, master volume and tone, 2x mini-toggle coil-split switches
• WEIGHT (kg/lb): 3.38/7.44
• OPTIONS: SE Standard (£590)
• RANGE OPTIONS: SE Custom 24-08 (£959), S2 Custom 24-08 (£1,999), Core Custom 24-08 (from £3,950)
• LEFT-HANDERS: Not this model; SE Custom 24 ‘Lefty’ (£920)
• FINISHES: Trans Blue (as reviewed), Tobacco Sunburst
• CONTACT: PRS Guitars

40 years ago, Fender introduced the Squier brand to provide affordable versions of the company’s flagship instruments like the Stratocaster and Telecaster and compete with low-priced import copies of those instruments. 

Since then, both beginning players looking for an inexpensive first instrument and experienced guitarists looking for great value have turned to Squier guitars, which have consistently delivered exceptional bang for the buck.

While Squier started out offering what were essentially authorized copies of original Fender production models, in more recent times the brand shifted to offering its own original models in addition to the usual Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars (which now also include the Classic Vibe series with period-correct details). 

Squier’s Affinity, Contemporary and Paranormal series each have their own distinct approach and offer a variety of models and features that aren’t available in Fender-brand counterparts.

We took a closer look at the new Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT and Paranormal Toronado and discovered that both offer distinctive sounds and performance that truly deserve consideration on their own merits without even considering the bonus of their budget prices.

Features

The Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT is a Strat, but not as we know it, Jim. While it may share the same sculpted asymmetrical double-cutaway body shape and has three single-coil pickups, the middle pickup is positioned much closer to the bridge pickup and all three pickups are angled.

The switching is also customized to provide the following five pickup settings: bridge/middle series (humbucking), middle only, middle/neck (parallel), bridge/middle/neck, and neck only. The control configuration is simplified as well, consisting of master volume and master tone knobs instead of the Strat’s standard three-knob volume/tone/tone setup. The pickups are Squier SQR Alnico single-coils.

Other notable features of the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT include a roasted maple neck with Indian laurel fingerboard, 12-inch radius, 22 medium jumbo frets, graphite nut and black-finished oversized headstock face, a sculpted neck heel with asymmetrical four-bolt neck plate and black hardware, which includes a six-saddle string-thru-body hardtail bridge with block saddles (the regular Contemporary Stratocaster Special features a modern two-point tremolo bridge). 

The Squier Paranormal Toronado resurrects the underrated Fender Toronado model originally produced from 1998 until 2006. The Toronado resembles the offset body shape of a Jazzmaster but with a wider, more voluptuous profile. The Toronado also breaks with Fender convention by featuring a 24.75-inch scale length and a pair of Squier Atomic humbucking pickups. 

With its poplar body and bolt-on maple neck with Indian laurel fingerboard, the Toronado combines attributes of F- and G-style guitars to deliver a fresh and different tonal personality and feel.

Features of the Paranormal Tornado include 22 narrow tall frets, 9.5-inch radius, C-shape profile, three-position pickup selector toggle (bridge, both, neck settings), six-saddle string-thru-body hardtail bridge, vintage-style tuners and four knurled flat-top chrome control knobs (individual volume and tone controls for each pickup).

Performance

The only detail that distinguishes these guitars as budget instruments is the Squier name on the headstock. In terms of style, construction, playability, tone and sonic personality, these models deliver truly professional gig-worthy performance. 

The fretwork is outstanding, with comfortably rounded edges and smooth surfaces that allow the strings to glide when bending notes. Unlike many past Squier models, pickup and hardware upgrades aren’t really necessary, and the pickups in particular deliver a good amount of both models’ appeal. 

The Contemporary Stratocaster Special is impressively versatile, providing a great combo of popular Strat-style tones as well as distinctive original tones you won’t find elsewhere (including the bridge/middle humbucking and all pickup settings).

Similarly, the Paranormal Toronado has its own unique sonic signature that’s brighter than the usual dual-humbucker/set neck sound, falling into a territory that’s fatter and hotter than Gretsch Filtertrons and P90-style pickups but with more treble bite and midrange throatiness than common humbucker tones. 

The quality and attention to detail knocked me out. With its black hardware and roasted maple neck the Contemporary Stratocaster Special looks like a custom instrument, and the Mystic Seafoam finish of the Paranormal Toronado was similarly eye-catching. Setup was excellent out of the box, with only a few intonation and truss rod tweaks needed to make it ready for the stage or a session.

Specs

Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

• PRICE: $459 / £325
• BODY: Poplar
• NECK: Maple, C shape
• SCALE: 25.5” (610mm)
• FINGERBOARD: Indian Laurel, 12” radius
• FRETS: 22, jumbo
• PICKUPS: 3x Squier SQR Alnico single-coils
• CONTROLS: Master volume, Master tone, 5-Position Blade, Special Switching
• HARDWARE: 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles, die-cast sealed tuners
• LEFT-HANDED: No
• FINISH: Pearl White, Sky Burst Metallic, Sunset Metallic
• CONTACT: Fender

Squier Paranormal Toronado

• PRICE: $449 / £339
• BODY: Poplar
• NECK: Maple, C shape
• SCALE: 24.75”
• FINGERBOARD: Indian Laurel, 9.5” radius
• FRETS: 22, narrow tall
• PICKUPS: 2x Squier Atomic Humbuckers
• CONTROLS: 2x volume, 2x tone, 3-way pickup selector
• HARDWARE:  6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail, vintage-style tuners
• LEFT-HANDED: No
• FINISH: Mystic Seafoam, 3-Tone Sunburst

There are a whole lotta Cyber Monday guitar deals going around right now, and some of the best we've seen have been on acoustic guitars for beginners.

Affordable already, these easy strummers from the likes of Fender, Yamaha, Gretsch, Orangewood and more combine solid build quality, great, resonant sound, and tuning stability, and have seen their already-attractive prices cut further for Cyber Monday.

If you – or a loved one – is looking to get started on their playing journey, these acoustic guitars are simply perfect and, at these prices, will likely leave some room in your wallet for other holiday season purchases – some other gifts for guitar players perhaps?

Cyber Monday beginner acoustic guitar deals

Beginner acoustic guitars

Congratulations! You have just decided to learn to play the guitar, quite possibly the best decision you’ll ever make. But now what? Well, you’re going to need a guitar, and there is one fundamental choice you have to make before you can get started: should you get a beginner acoustic guitar or an electric guitar?

To be clear, there’s no right or wrong answer. You can learn on either. Both have six strings (let’s not concern ourselves with 7- and 8-string guitars just yet) and are tuned low to high EADGBE in standard tuning. The notes are the same. The scales and chords you learn on one can be applied to the other with no problem. Some techniques and approaches to playing vary, but the fundamentals are the same, and whether you choose electric or acoustic you will be amazed at the progress you can make in a short space of time.

But what are the most important differences between the two instruments? Keep reading and you'll find out.

Acoustic vs electric guitar: Advice

Playability and feel

When it comes to the feel of the instrument, this is where there are some fundamental differences between the acoustic guitar and the electric, differences that would lead us to say that the electric guitar feels easier to play. 

There are a number of reasons for this. For starters, electric guitar strings are thinner. Because there are magnetic electric guitar pickups to take the metal guitar strings (typically steel or nickel) vibrations and turn them into a voltage and then sound, you don’t need heavier strings to fill out the sound. On an electric, you’ll find the string gauges typically running from a light .009 through to a heavy .011. Though players such as Stevie Ray Vaughan favored super-heavy tow-ropes for strings.

On the acoustic guitar, the sound is generated by the strings vibrations being amplified naturally through the guitar’s body. The guitar resonates and its tone is then emitted from the soundhole. If we were to use acoustic guitar strings with a super-light gauge as we would on an electric guitar, the sound would be tinny and weak. So on acoustic guitars, expect the strings to run from a light .011 gauge to a heavy .014. The third string (G) is also wound, with a brass wrap around a metal core.

When it comes to playability, string gauges matter. With thicker strings, there is more tension when you bring the guitar up to pitch and that makes it harder to bend a string, and a little more unforgiving on inexperienced fretting hands. Discomfort passes with time, of course, but even just being aware of this will explain why a lot of the techniques applied on electric and acoustic guitars differ.

Also, you might typically find that the electric guitar’s neck is thinner, making it easier to get your hand around. The frets being bigger reward a lighter touch and encourage string bending. And if you are playing a solid-bodied instrument, which most beginner electric guitars are, there is less bulk to get around as the body shape is a little more ergonomic. That said, the electric guitar is considerably heavier than its acoustic counterparts. Again, there’s another trade-off.

The good news is that manufacturers have made great strides in putting together instruments for beginners that play well. The set-ups are better, with lower action – that is the distance between the fret and the string – meaning you don’t have to wrestle a note out of the guitar, putting undue stress on your fretting hand. There has never been a better time to start playing guitar.

Which guitar is easier to learn on?

Just because the electric guitar might feel easier to play initially doesn’t mean that it is easier to learn on. We have made a broad generalization here and declared the electric guitar to be more playable than the acoustic – that, typically, it feels easier on your fingers – but there are trade-offs, and we shouldn’t mistake playability and ease of playing for ease of actually learning the instrument. It’s more complex than that.

There is an immediacy to the acoustic guitar that the electric guitar does not have. We’ll get to the practicalities of the electric in a moment (which guitar amp, guitar cable etc.) but with the acoustic all you need is your guitar and a pick. Over time, you might find that you don’t even need the pick; fingerstyle guitar might suit your sound better. That makes it super-portable, fuss-free, and a trusted performer even during a blackout.

With the acoustic, you also don’t have to learn to get comfortable with high volume, effects pedals, amplifier types and other peripherals to workshop your own sound; it is just you and your instrument. Okay maybe you could get a guitar capo to barre the frets and play the guitar in a different key, and further down the line you can think about looper pedals for taking your singer-songwriting talents to the masses, but let’s just worry about the fundamentals for now.

There are also a greater variety of short-scale acoustic guitars on the market. A guitar’s scale is the distance between the nut and the bridge – typically somewhere between 24.75” and 25.5” with short-scale guitars taking a few inches off – and the shorter the distance the more manageable it can be for young fingers. String tension is reduced. Also, smaller-bodied acoustics such as the parlor and orchestra-sized guitars will have shallower depth so there’s less guitar to wrap your arm around.

Ultimately, it comes down to what sort of style you envisage yourself playing.

Choosing a guitar: What sort of music do you like?

That seems obvious, doesn’t it? What music are you into? Ask yourself what inspires you. If you are a self-describing Maggot who counts Slipknot as your whole inspiration for learning guitar, then perhaps an electric guitar might be a more obvious choice. Similarly, if it’s Ed Sheeran’s phrasing and pop hooks, then the acoustic is going to be more your speed. 

Country? Sheesh, that’s tough. It could go either way… But again, the principle is the same. If your hero is laying down cowboy chords on an acoustic, then there’s your answer. When learning an instrument as a beginner it’s a good idea to take the path of least resistance and follow your inspiration. Getting closer to the tones and learning the songs of your idols is incredibly satisfying. It’s addictive, too, the sort of progress that keeps you coming back for more, getting better and better…

Acoustic vs electric guitar: Guitar essentials

Choosing the acoustic? These are the essentials

So you’re thinking the acoustic is for you. Excellent. There are a multitude of acoustic guitars for beginners at a price that won’t break the bank. When it comes to which body-shape might suit you best, that’s a question of taste. The traditional dreadnought and jumbo acoustics have a lot more body to get to grips with but nonetheless will reward you with bold, loud voices, with plenty of boom. The dreadnought is the most commonly found acoustic guitar shape for good reason, and sounds great if you are using a pick. Both dreadnoughts and jumbos are excellent for strumming.

If you’re a little more slight, the more modestly proportioned orchestra and auditorium acoustics might feel more comfortable, and while these mid-sized acoustics might lack some of the bass oomph they make fine all-rounders. Smaller-bodied acoustics such as the 00 and parlor make excellent finger-picking guitars, with a bright tone that really helps you articulate your notes.

Once you get the guitar, there’s not much else you need. But you will definitely want to have a pick, perhaps a guitar strap and a gigbag for carrying your guitar around. And a capo, as mentioned earlier, is a great tool for changing the guitar’s key, allowing you to play further up the neck. As an acoustic player, you’re definitely going to want to carry one in your gigbag (they needn’t be expensive).

Picks are cheap and a matter of personal preference. Why not grab yourself a variety pack and find the one that feels the best for you? This Dunlop pack will set you back just a few bucks and offers a taste of the different textures, materials and thicknesses on offer. Thinner picks are excellent for strumming, while medium picks will help with those busier single-note lines. 

As for a strap? There’s no need to go overboard; the acoustic is not so heavy that you need a premium padded leather strap. A woven poly number will do. This strap from Ernie Ball would do the trick for around 15 bucks.

Now, the gigbag… Some manufacturers will include them with the guitar. If not, you could get a reasonably priced gigbag from the likes of Gator. Unless you are planning on doing a lot of traveling, you don’t need a hard case or deluxe super-padded bag for an entry-level acoustic that could well cost more than the guitar.

For a beginner’s capo, the D’Addario NS Capo Lite is a good option and it will give you change from 10 bucks.

Electric guitar essentials

There are as many electric guitar shapes as there are shapes of pasta. Choosing one is not easy, but find a well-balanced classic shape that feels as good played sitting down as it does standing and the proverbial penne will drop. That rules out the Flying V for the time being, which is a bummer, but at least it will narrow down your search, and our three picks below look at guitars in the Stratocaster, Les Paul and Super Strat style. 

Once you have found a body shape that you like, it’s worth bearing in mind how the pickups will make your guitar sound. On beginner electrics, you will typically find two choices of pickups or a combination of both. Single coil pickups will have a precise, bright tone, but also a little hum when there’s overdrive or distortion in the signal, while humbuckers will have a thicker, warmer tone, with the humbucker design doing just that and taking some hum out of the signal. Humbuckers tend to have a hotter signal, and this higher output makes them an ideal pairing for heavy metal. 

Other features such as a vibrato or tremolo system, as seen on the Fender Stratocaster, are another feature to consider if the electric is for you. Developing your whammy bar game can add an extra dimension to your playing. 

But the big point to note is that you’ll need an amplifier. A decent practice amp will set you back anywhere between $120 and $150. There are some great options around for beginners, with affordable modelling amplifiers featuring onboard effects to help you experiment early with different tones.

Two beginner guitar amps to try

What other gear do I need to learn to play the electric guitar?

You are also going to need a cable. The rule of the thumb is to always buy the most expensive you can afford, as the cheapo cables will fail on you over time. Check out our guide to the best guitar cables on the market; there is sure to be one within your budget there. As for picks, we would recommend grabbing a variety pack from Dunlop, but maybe sizing up for the medium/heavy gauges. Again, it’s not expensive, but finding the right pick for your style can be a process of trial and error. 

Finally, whether you choose an electric guitar or an acoustic, a tuner is an essential purchase. Our guide to the best guitar tuners has options for all budgets.

Acoustic recommendations

Electric recommendations

Related buyer's guides

• Our pick of the best acoustic guitars for beginners
• ...and the best beginner electric guitars
• Buying for a child? Check out these great guitars for kids
• Explore the best beginner guitar amps

Every Black Friday, Stratocasters are among the most sought-after electric guitars, and we’ve already spotted a slamming Black Friday Fender deal ahead of the day itself: $50 off the Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster in Olympic White at Sweetwater.

The Classic Vibe series pays homage to Fender’s most sought-after eras of guitar production, and this ’60s-inspired Stratocaster is spec’d to impress.

Whatever style of music you play, there’s no faulting the classic C-shaped maple neck, which comes topped with a rosewood-esque laurel fingerboard and a bone nut for improved resonance over plastic designs.

A trio of Fender-designed alnico single coils seek to capture the unmistakable tones employed by Strat icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour, while that all-important vintage-style Synchronized tremolo is on hand for smooth pitch bends and dives.

But while the spec is impressive, it’s the looks that set this particular example apart: this Olympic White finish is exclusive to Sweetwater, and comes with a mint-green pickguard that reinforces the retro visual vibe. That combo makes it one of the best-looking in the range in our book.

The guitar also comes in Lake Placid Blue, Candy Apple Red and 3-Color Sunburst colorways, but this is the only one with that all-important $50 off, bringing the price tag down from $449 to a bargainous $399.

If you’re in the market for a nicely appointed Strat that your playing won’t outgrow any time soon, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal than this over the Black Friday weekend, particularly if your budget tops out around the $500 mark.

For more unmissable offers, head to our guide to this year’s best Black Friday guitar deals, and Sweetwater Black Friday deals.

Yamaha’s Pacifica line of beginner electric guitars has been around since the ’90s, giving guitarists starting their playing career an amazing tool on which to begin their journey. The simple combination of a solid alder body, versatile pickups and high-quality construction meant it stood out a mile above some of its peers in the entry-level bracket. Back then, ‘starter’ guitars were often a battle to play, with poor build quality and cheap parts, causing many beginners to give up before they’d really got going. With the Yamaha Pacifica 112V, however, there was a guitar that would not only give you the best chance of developing your skills but would last long enough to be a partner for life. 

There was always a view that the Pacifica 112 was the guitar your teacher would recommend, over the more recognizable models you’d seen your favorites players using. That was then, however, and this is now. So does the Yamaha Pacifica 112V still stand up to scrutiny? 

Now, the construction, hardware and overall quality control of even the cheapest guitars has grown to such a point that you’ll struggle to find a truly bad one. Both Epiphone and Squier have far broader ranges and boast the kudos of being recognizable icon brands in the guitar world. So it’s through a slightly different lens we’ll carry out the Yamaha Pacifica 112V review, focusing on its performance not just as a guitar to learn on but also one which has something to offer more established players looking for something to add to a collection. 

It had been a while since we had picked up a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Almost 20 years in fact, which made this review something of a trip down memory lane. When I was learning, I had a choice between a Pacifica 112 and a Squier Telecaster for my first ‘proper’ guitar and, being a Mogwai fan, opted for the Tele in an attempt to emulate Stuart Braithwaite. Truth be told, I regretted it massively, mainly because quality control clearly wasn’t the highest priority with those entry-level ‘90s Squiers, so to have a pristine Pacifica arrive in the review studio was an exciting prospect on a number of levels. And, almost immediately, the error of my youthful ways was apparent. 

In the flesh, the Pacifica 112V - the ‘V’ denotes Alnico V pickups - looks less Strat-esque than they do in the pictures, with more pronounced upper horns on the body and a more futuristic-looking headstock. The original Pacifica 112 line was almost synonymous with the natural wood finish which allowed the grain of its alder body to show through nicely. Sure, you could get them in black or sunburst, but the natural finish almost gave the 112 an identity of its own.

Our review model came in a very neat Sonic Blue finish, which added a nice vintage character to the guitar. The rosewood fingerboard was perfectly playable, with even a hint of rounding at the edges which made for a comfortable playing experience. The maple neck felt almost satin, and there was no tackiness from our grubby hands as we played during one of the hottest summers on record.

Tonally, there’s very little the Pacifica 112V cannot do. The bridge humbucker doesn’t provide the highest output, so more extreme brands of detuned metal don’t come naturally to it, but just about anything else is fair game. We grew particularly fond of the neck pickup, especially with the tone control dialled down a little and a touch of overdrive. The alder body does provide some sustain - clearly, we’re not talking the equivalent you’d get from a solid lump of mahogany, but it does the job. With cleaner sounds, you get that sparkle and clarity you’d expect from the middle pickup, providing a perfect middle ground between the heft of the humbucker and the fast attack of the neck single coil. 

If there are two words that sum up the Yamaha Pacifica 112V, they’d be simple and versatile. Simple because there’s not a huge amount to get your head around with these guitars, and versatile because they can comfortably handle most genres of music without any significant problems. What struck us more than anything, however, was the level of care and quality that has gone into what is - essentially - an entry-level, mass-produced guitar. It may not have the achingly cool silhouette of a Gibson Les Paul or Telecaster, nor the heritage of a brand like Fender, but what the Pacifica 112V does offer is a well-made, practical guitar that will serve both beginners and more advanced players well.  

Watch our demo...

 Specs

• Body: Alder 
• Neck: Bolt-on maple 
• Fingerboard: Rosewood 
• Frets: 22 
• Pickups: Custom wound Alnico V (SSH configuration) 
• Hardware: Tremolo bridge, die-cast chrome tuners 
• Control: Five-position pickup selector, master volume, master tone 
• Contact: Yamaha 

Squier - being the budget-friendly arm of Fender - has been responsible for some of the best beginner electric guitars that you can get your hands on. If you’ve ever listened to music we guarantee you’ll have heard a Fender - or possibly even a Squier - electric guitar.

Squier has many different ranges within its ranks, with ‘Bullet’ being the entry-level offering. Unlike some other guitar companies, coming in on the ground floor with a Squier guitar isn’t the disappointing move you’d expect, with some fantastic build quality and value for money shining through. If you’re looking for a beginner electric guitar and want a great place to start, or you’re someone with small hands, then the Squier Bullet Mustang could be the one for you. 

Straight out of the box, the Squier Bullet Mustang definitely looks the part. It’s available in Imperial Blue, Sonic Gray and a standard Black gloss finish - and this Imperial Blue model we’re testing is definitely eye-catching. The finish is bold, even and pretty much flawless, which is impressive for a guitar that costs well below $200. Paired up with the white pickguard and two Squier humbuckers, the Bullet Mustang is a guitar that looks like it’s ready for action.

In our hands, this Mustang is definitely on the small side. That being said - it’s not uncomfortable or cramped like some shorter scale guitars. The diminutive thickness of the neck and body do make us feel like we could snap it in half at times, but the pros of lightness and a super playable neck soon outweigh the negatives - and within five or 10 minutes we get lost in playing the thing. Its unplugged resonance is another surprise factor, matching that of much more expensive guitars. 

Now, if references to ‘short scale’ guitars have been whooshing straight over your head, then let me explain. The ‘scale length’ of a guitar is the distance between the bridge (on the body) and the nut (the small white string guide near the headstock). Most standard Fender and Squier guitars have a scale length of 25.5 inches - but as the Mustang was designed to be a ‘short scale’ guitar, it only has a scale length of 24 inches. This means that the Mustang has less string tension, and is therefore a bit easier for younger people and beginners to play. 

Luckily for the Bullet Mustang, it doesn’t just look and feel good - it sounds good too. And we mean like, really good.

Squier’s pickup choice of two full-size humbuckers is fairly atypical for a Mustang, but in the case of the Bullet Mustang it works a treat. They’ve got some depth and warmth to them, without sacrificing their fairly trademark ‘Fender’ tone. Granted, they don’t offer the same kind of versatility as a Stratocaster or Telecaster pickup configuration, but the bright, snappy tones come in their droves when the Mustang is running through a clean channel on the bridge pickup.

The quality of the neck pickup was another surprise for us, producing some really lovely thick tones. It’s not ‘traditional’ Mustang territory, granted - but as a general use electric guitar, there’s little to complain about. They respond to gain and dirt as well as any other stock pickups and are perfect for making a true racket when paired with an overdriven amp.

In terms of hardware, the Bullet Mustang pleasantly surprised us, with a solid six-saddle hardtail bridge and die-cast tuners holding up well in all of our tests. Especially when it comes to guitars for beginners, hardware is an often overlooked, but crucially important factor. If your guitar goes out of tune more and more with each chord played, then it won’t be a guitar you want to pick up very much. Thankfully, the Bullet Mustang doesn’t suffer too dramatically from these hardware qualms. 

For the price, the Squier Bullet Mustang is a pretty impressive piece of gear. It sounds, plays, feels and looks good - everything you need a beginner electric to do. Yes, it definitely feels like a cheap instrument in some areas, but with a target audience of children, beginners and those on a budget, the good by far outweighs the bad.

Squier Bullet Mustang review: Spec

• Price: $189/£109  
• Body: Basswood 
• Neck: Maple 
• Scale: 24” 
• Fingerboard: Laurel 
• Frets: 22 
• Pickups: Squier humbuckers 
• Controls: Master volume & tone 
• Contact: Squier 

At this point, the Yamaha FG800 doesn’t really need much of an introduction. This is because the FG series has seen a longevity other guitars could only dream of. Originally released way back in 1966, the FG has been a constant staple of the beginner acoustic guitar market since its debut.

Now, things have moved on a fair bit since then, and the line has expanded significantly. As of writing this, Yamaha currently offers 19 different guitars under the FG banner. Arguably the most popular among them is the reigning king of the budget dreadnought field - the FG800.

This guitar may be at the bottom end of the price bracket – and referred to as Yamaha’s standard acoustic model – but that hasn’t stopped Yamaha from kitting it out with more premium features. For example, the inclusion of a solid spruce top may surprise many players who are used to seeing all laminate guitars at this price point.

• Explore more of the best Yamaha acoustic guitars

So for those who aren’t in the know, what does this mean? Well, very simply put, a laminate top is made of various pieces of wood sandwiched together to create the face of the guitar.

Now, this may result in a strong guitar, but the tone won’t be as clear, punchy, or as articulate. A solid top, on the other hand – as you might have guessed – is made from one solid piece of wood, resulting in a much more desirable tone. This is notable in the case of the FG800 because the price bracket it occupies isn’t exactly populated with solid top instruments. Therefore it’s a very welcomed addition.

This coupled with the large dreadnought size - although Yamaha calls it a Traditional Western Body - means there’s plenty of volume to be had from the FG800. Perhaps not the greatest feature when you are just starting out, and you don’t want everyone in the house to hear you mess up the intro to Sweet Home Alabama for the 100th time. That said, a loud guitar is a clear sign of a well-built instrument, and the projection here puts some more expensive offerings to shame.

Contributing to the excess volume has to be the added scalloped-bracing, a newer feature added to the line in 2016. This allows the top to move more freely, increasing the bass response.

Overall the tone of the Yamaha is rich, warm, and rounded. It may lack a little bit of high-end sizzle, but let’s be fair, for this price, you really can’t complain - it will certainly find favor with those looking for that classic dreadnought sound on a shoestring budget.

The Nato and Okume back and sides may sound exotic, but in reality, they look very much like the standard mahogany found on many other acoustic guitars - albeit a little more orange on some examples.

This, paired with the natural top, results in a classically handsome acoustic that may not look the most exciting but is something you won’t get bored of in a few weeks - cheap blue or red finish acoustics, we’re looking at you. For those who aren’t a fan of the gloss top, then it’s worth looking at the FG800M, which is exactly the same in every way apart from the matt finish.

In terms of playability, this guitar is exactly what you’d expect from the instrument giant that is Yamaha. The neck feels smooth and well finished. The profile is rounded but thin enough for most beginners to get their hands round, and there are no fret issues to report.

Straight out of the box, the FG800 is incredibly playable, and most players will find it comfortable. For those who may not be drawn to the large size of the dreadnought, then it’s worth considering the Yamaha FS800.

This takes the features seen here in the FG but shrinks down the body into a much more manageable size. This may be a particularly good option for younger players (for more options, take a look at our guide to the best guitars for kids).

The rest of the fittings, such as the die-cast machine heads and rosewood bridge, feel solid. Although nothing to write home about, they feel serviceable, and as we’ve seen on some other entry-level guitars, this isn’t always the case.

Verdict  

If you were to ask most players what they’re looking for in a guitar – regardless of budget – they’ll most likely say it needs to be reliable, comfortable, and sound fantastic. Well, the Yamaha FG800 ticks all of those boxes with the added benefit of coming in around the $/£200 mark.

The solid top and large dreadnought body deliver a rich, full-bodied tone usually reserved for more expensive instruments. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better quality guitar with these specs at a better price. That’s why the Yamaha FG800 has to be one of our favorite beginner acoustics out there right now.

Yamaha FG800 Specifications

• Body Type: Traditional Western
• Top: Solid Spruce
• Back and sides: Nato/Okume
• Neck: Nato
• Scale: 25.9/16"
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 20
• Tuners: Die-cast Chrome (TM29T)
• Left-handed: Yes
• Finish: Gloss Body/Matt Neck
• Contact: Yamaha

Unlike your favorite video game, learning guitar isn’t something you ever truly ‘complete’. It is a lifelong journey that always surprises you as you refine your skills and uncover new techniques, genres, and ways to play. Even after 20-plus years of playing, I’m still learning new things – and that is why we love it so much. But we also remember how tricky it can be to get started, which is why new players need one of the best guitars for beginners to set off on the right foot.

Getting a fast start on the instrument ensures you’ll keep pushing through that difficult first phase, gaining an invaluable hobby and potentially even a music career. There are many cheap guitars out there that come with shoddy finishes, sharp frets, warped necks, and subpar hardware, but it doesn't have to be this way.

We’ve trawled through a huge number of instruments to bring you the best playing, highest quality guitars that will ensure new players keep on coming back for more. Whether you want to learn electric or acoustic, we have included both categories from brands like Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier, and more.

If you’re looking for some more information to help you make a purchase, then head down to the FAQ section at the end of the article. It's got loads of common questions answered by our expert writing team, all backed by decades of experience playing the instrument. If you just want to see the best guitars for beginners available today, then keep scrolling to see our top picks.

Our top picks

Best beginner electric overall

The Yamaha Pacifica 112V has been the go-to electric guitar for beginners for over two decades. And for good reason; by combining grown-up design with all the tonal versatility a young learner would need, Yamaha has created a near-perfect package. The bridge humbucker allows you to steer into heavier styles of music, yet the two single coils at the middle and neck allow for different flavors of sound.

What’s always impressed us with the Pacifica line is the way they grow with you; sure, there are cheaper guitars to learn on, but as you progress, you’ll find their shortcomings holding you back. The Pacifica 112, on the other hand, has been designed as a grown-up guitar with all the features you’ll need from the start.

Best electric for kids

The Squier Sonic Mustang is a great electric guitar for beginners, but it’s arguably the perfect electric guitar for younger beginners in particular. The shorter scale length – 24” – means it isn’t too taxing on small hands, yet plug this thing in and it can make a heck of a racket. In a good way, of course.

The choice of poplar for the body makes for a very lightweight guitar, meaning you can concentrate on improving your skills without feeling like you’re wrestling a big block of wood, and the two humbuckers are ideal for playing big, punky chords and riffs.

There are two finish options to choose from – California Blue or Flash Pink – meaning that whatever option you go for, standing out from the crowd is going to come naturally.

Best electric for adults

Not everyone who decides to learn the guitar wants to learn on an entry-level model. We all have to work our way up to the elite tier, sure, but there’s a lot to be said for selecting something a little higher quality to begin your playing journey.

The Squier Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster is a superb choice in this regard, with its era-specific appointments and vintage hardware pointing to a very ‘classic’ guitar indeed. While its understated charm might not appeal to more flamboyant players, its timeless class has certainly stood the test of time.

Look past the aesthetics, however, and you’ll find a comfortable, easy-to-play instrument that has enough tonal versatility to cover a lot of bases. It’s not the cheapest on this list, but it’s easily one of the highest-quality models at this price point.

Best for versatility

For many of us, the desire to learn guitar stems from a love of heavy music. The electric guitar is synonymous with heavy genres, and it has inspired millions to pick up an ax. If you are looking to get started with the right guitar, the PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin is one of the best choices for the job.

The SE CE 24 comes equipped with humbuckers, which are known for their powerful tone and ability to handle distortion and gain with ease. But this guitar is much more versatile than that – thanks to a push/pull switch on the tone control, it splits the humbuckers into single coils, giving beginners a wealth of tonal options to experiment with.

Additionally, the Standard Satin range is the most affordable line PRS has ever produced, making this highly sought-after brand accessible to those just starting out. However, the satin finish is more prone to dings and marks since it lacks the gloss protection of more expensive models, so you'll need to handle your new guitar with care.

Best acoustic overall

When you think of acoustic guitars for beginners, you may assume they’re all cheap, nylon-strung models that fall apart after a month. And, while these guitars do exist, we’d advise steering clear. Especially when there are proper, affordable alternatives like the Yamaha FG800 on the market.

The FG800 is a dreadnought-style guitar, so it has a large, deep body which, in conjunction with the steel strings, projects a gloriously rich tone with loads of character. This is a guitar you can take your first steps on, and we are confident it will stay with you long into the future.

Best acoustic for kids

While we’ve included some small-scale guitars here, the Yamaha JR1 is arguably the one to beat when it comes to being the best guitar for kids. This ¾ sized acoustic features a scaled-down body and neck, so it’s easy for smaller hands to work on their chords and develop those good playing habits that will stand them in good stead for the future.

As well as younger learners, the Yamaha JR1 makes a great travel guitar, aided by the included gig bag, making this a decent all-rounder for beginners and more established players.

Best acoustic for adults

An electro-acoustic guitar is a great option for the new player looking to the future, as it gives you the volume required to play your first shows or jam with others. The Ibanez PC12MHCE is a fantastic choice for the first-timer thanks to its combination of great sound and excellent value for money.

It’s got a nice midrange tonality, so it will work just as well for your first chords as it does for more complex fingerpicking. The cutaway gives great upper fret access, and the whole neck feels really smooth to play, a feature of many Ibanez guitars.

The built-in electronics offer a nice and transparent tone when plugged in, plus you get a built-in tuner to ensure you’re always ready to rock. An excellent option for the beginner guitarist who wants to move on to live performances.

Best classical

If you are looking for an affordable and reliable classical guitar to kickstart your playing, the Yamaha C40II should be at the top of your list. For over 30 years, this beginner-friendly guitar has been helping players get their feet wet in the world of classical and flamenco music, and it is still going strong.

One of the things that makes the C40II a standout for beginners is its nylon strings, which are much easier on the fingers than harsh steel strings. This makes it perfect for newcomers or those with less calloused fingertips – whether you are just learning the ropes or trying to find something that is more comfortable to play.

We found the action low, making it easy to play right out of the box, and the wide string spacing and neck are a dream for fingerpicking. However, if you have smaller hands, chords may prove to be trickier. The other downside is the lack of fret markers, which may take a bit of getting used to.

FAQs

Buying your first guitar is a big step, so you need to make sure it’s the right one for you. There are loads of different choices you can make so arming yourself with the right knowledge is key to ensuring you buy the right instrument for you.

How we choose

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best guitars for beginners right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best guitars for beginners on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

Why trust us?

☑️ A global audience of 3.8 million guitarists monthly
☑️ 1,200+ reviews on GuitarWorld.com
☑️ 30+ years of product testing at Guitar World

Guitar World boasts over 44 years of expertise and stands as the ultimate authority on all things related to guitars. The magazine and website feature expertly written gear round-ups and top-quality, authoritative reviews penned by a team of highly experienced industry professionals.

Guitar World's inaugural print issue hit the shelves in July 1980, and ever since, it has been captivating players and enthusiasts with engaging lessons, insightful interviews with the biggest guitar heroes, and priceless buying advice for newbie players.

Furthermore, GuitarWorld.com continues this legacy online and serves as the hub of the world's foremost authorities on guitar playing. The site not only hosts content from Guitar World but also showcases articles from respected publications such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, and Bass Player. With a reach extending to 3.8 million players each month, GuitarWorld.com is a go-to destination for guitar fanatics globally.

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NAMM 2021 isn't taking place in the physical realm this year, but you'll find all the hottest January gear launches in our guide to the biggest guitar, amp and pedal releases of 2021 so far.

Fender has kicked off 2021 with a bang, announcing new 75th Anniversary models, the all-new Noventa Series, the expansion of the American Ultra Series with new Luxe Strats and Teles, new Artist Signature models and brand-new amps.

But a large-scale Fender announcement wouldn't be complete without the introduction of new Squier electric guitars. Thus, the guitar giant has unveiled five new additions to its Squier Contemporary line: the Stratocaster Special, Stratocaster Special HT, Stratocaster HH FR, Telecaster RH and Jaguar HH ST.

Each new Squier guitar features modern-voiced Squier SQR pickups – with varying configurations model to model – a roasted maple neck, sculpted neck heel, and painted headstock with a chrome logo.

Talking specifics in terms of pickups, the Stratocaster Special and Stratocaster Special HT each boast a triple alnico single-coil setup, while the Stratocaster HH FR and Jaguar HH ST are equipped, as you'd expect from the name, with dual humbuckers. Both the Strat HH FR and Jaguar HH ST feature coil-tap switching.

The Telecaster RH sports a slightly more noteworthy configuration, with an SQR rail humbucker in the bridge position and an Atomic humbucker in the neck.

Bridge-wise, the Strat Special is equipped with a 2-point tremolo system; the Strat Special HT features a string-through body hardtail bridge; the Strat HH FR dons a double-locking Floyd Rose trem; the Tele RH boasts a six-saddle hardtail bridge; and the Jaguar HH ST is fitted with an Adjusto-Matic bridge.

Prices and finishes for each of the new models are as follows:

• Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special – $429.99, available in Black and Sky Burst Metallic
• Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT – $429.99, available in Pearl White and Sunset Metallic
• Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR – $449.99, available in Shell Pink Pearl and Gunmetal Metallic
• Squier Contemporary Telecaster RH – $429.99, available in Pearl White, Shoreline Gold and Gunmetal Metallic
• Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST – $449.99, available in Sky Burst Metallic and Shoreline Gold

The new Squier Contemporary models are available from April 2021. For more information, head to Fender, and be sure to check out our coverage of all the new Fender releases.

It’s that time of year again, and the biggest music retailers are slashing their prices and posting up some of the best Cyber Monday guitar deals we've ever seen. If in particular you’ve been toying with the idea of learning guitar for a while, but the price has always been a barrier to entry, this deal – which shaves $50 off the price of the already-cheap Squier Bullet Mustang HH – might be right up your alley.

The Squier Bullet Mustang is the perfect beginner electric guitar. Featuring a C-shaped neck with a modern 12” radius fingerboard, this guitar is totally comfortable to play straight out of the box – and it's now only $129 at Guitar Center.

It also comes loaded with a pair of Squier humbucker pickups, which deliver chunky tones and offer a range of voices by way of a three-way selector switch.

This awesome electric guitar takes the guesswork out of the setup, and offers the ideal plug-in-and-play solution so you can focus on learning – its 24" short scale length makes it a great guitar for kids and anyone with small hands, too.

Don’t wait – your guitar playing journey starts here. Head over to Guitar Center to buy.

And if the Mustang doesn't float your boat, there are also amazing deals to be had on other beginner-friendly electric guitars, too.

More great Cyber Monday guitar sales live now

• Sweetwater | Save 80% off guitar gear in their Cyber Monday sale
• Guitar Center | Up to 15% off qualifying gear with the code BLACKFRIDAY15
• Musician’s Friend | Up to 15% off qualifying gear with the code BLACKFRIDAY
• Sam Ash | Up to 15% off with the code BF15 in the Black Friday Now sale
• Reverb | Save up to 60% on thousands of pieces of gear all week long
• Pro Audio Star | Get up to 20% off select guitar gear with the code BF20
• Zzounds | Shop the latest time-limited Cyber Monday deals
• Amazon | Explore all their latest guitar gear deals!

The Yamaha FG800 is our pick for one of the best acoustic guitars for beginners around right now. It’s been sold out everywhere for most of today (thanks, Black Friday!), but we just discovered some extra stock at Walmart! It’s a popular guitar, so it won’t stick around for long.

In our beginner acoustic guide we describe the FG800 like this: “The sound generated by this beauty could easily come from a more expensive guitar, and it’s reliable at holding its tune, too.” What more could you ask for when you’re looking to learn on a budget?

Ok, so this guitar isn’t actually on sale right now, but when a guitar this good - and this cheap - becomes available, you can’t go far wrong.

• Got a bit more to spend? Here’s our pick of the best acoustic guitars
• Explore more of the best Yamaha acoustic guitars

More great Black Friday sales live now

• Sweetwater | Save 70% off guitar gear in their Black Friday sale
• Guitar Center | Up to 15% off qualifying gear with the code BLACKFRIDAY15
• Musician’s Friend | Up to 15% off qualifying gear with the code BLACKFRIDAY
• Sam Ash | Up to 15% off with the code BF15 in the Black Friday Now sale
• Reverb | Save up to 60% on thousands of pieces of gear all week long
• Pro Audio Star | Get up to 20% off new gear with the code BF20
• Zzounds | Shop the latest time-limited Black Friday deals
• Amazon | Explore all their latest guitar gear deals!

Hot on the heels of its new entry-level CG-45E acoustic-electric, Harley Benton continues to expand its budget-friendly acoustic guitar range with the CLG-48CE Wide NT.

The single cutaway, Grand Auditorium-shaped acoustic-electric boasts a solid spruce top on a walnut body, with a mahogany neck and 20-fret pau ferro fingerboard.

Other features include a wider 48mm nut to allow beginners, HB says, “more room on the fretboard for practicing chord shapes,” scalloped X bracing, a pau ferro bridge, black bindings and chrome die-cast tuners.

Electronics, meanwhile, are a Fishman Sonicore pickup and Fishman Presys-II Preamp System with an integrated tuner.

The guitar comes in a Hi-Gloss Natural finish and is available at a typically low price of $245.

For more info, head over to Harley Benton and Thomann Music.

Manufacturers such as Fender have changed how we look at the beginner acoustic guitar for good. Instruments such as this quite superlative CD-60S All-Mahogany are recalibrating our expectations, offering a playing experience that can only inspire today’s beginners.

This is a big deal. There was once a time when even the very prospect of the entry-level acoustic would send shivers down the spine – and not tingles of pleasure. How much more fun would learning the guitar have been if the CD-60S had been around… And the option of a solid mahogany top on a 200-dollar guitar? That’s progress.

Part of the Fender acoustic guitar Classic Design series, the CD-60S All-Mahogany switches up typical beginner’s fare with a dreadnought acoustic that pairs that very attractive solid-mahogany top with laminated mahogany on the back and sides.

• Undecided? Explore more of the best acoustic guitars for beginners
• Or plug in with the best beginner electric guitars
• Explore today's best Fender CD-60S deals

Build and playability

An all-mahogany build? In the tonewood menu that might read “warm,” “mellow,” “pronounced midrange with caramel aftertaste,” but first we must draw your attention to the neck. It is what Fender describes as its “Easy-to-play” shape, and what we’d probably call a thin C shape. Potatoes, pot-ah-toes, it is slim, easy fit, perfect for players with smaller hands or those with a bit of growing to do. The walnut fingerboard is a flattish 12” radius, with the edges rolled off for a smooth feel. It’s exceptionally comfortable for the fretting hand.

This, of course, is the name of the game. Your guitar shouldn’t offer too much fight – fretting your first barre chords is challenging enough. Compared to smaller-bodied acoustics such as orchestra or parlor models, the dreadnought shape can feel cumbersome, and that is something to bear in mind if you have a smaller frame, but you will be rewarded with a deeper tone. Dreadnoughts are typically loud, and the CD-60S doesn’t hold back.

If you’re using a pick, there’s a very musical balance to its voice that skews towards the organic woodiness of Delta blues, yet with an abundant presence and clarity to make the CD-60S All-Mahogany a good fit for fingerstyles, too. The bass notes bloom nicely, and here we are getting the benefit from that resonant solid top. Under the hood, Fender has opted for a tried-and-tested scalloped X-bracing pattern.

You could alternatively spring for Fender’s spruce-topped CD-60S. It has a little extra sparkle in the top end. But there’s something very alluring about the All-Mahogany dread’. It has an old-school charm and a new-school feel, with a very respectable factory setup that promises to repay your practicing efforts in tone.

Verdict

Crucially for a beginner’s acoustic, Fender gets the neck profile bang on. The CD-60S is a joy to play, and backs this up with an impressive tone, making chords sound full and wide, yet with a detailed midrange and a vibrant top-end that adds a little magic to the mix.

Spec

• Price: $199/£189
• Origin: China
• Shape: Dreadnought
• Body Top: Solid mahogany
• Body Back and Sides: Laminated Mahogany
• Bracing: Quarter-sawn scalloped “X” pattern
• Neck: Mahogany, Easy-to-play shape
• Scale: 25.3” (643mm)
• Frets: 20, vintage
• Fingerboard: Walnut
• Hardware: Plastic nut, walnut bridge, chrome die-cast tuners
• Options: Range includes the CD-60S (same price) with a solid-spruce top, and CD-60SCE with solid mahogany or spruce top ($329, £259) and features a Venetian cutaway and Fishman CD Preamp
• Contact: Fender

The Black Friday guitar deals are once again on the horizon. Luckily, here at Guitar World we're working hard, trawling the internet to find the best deals to simplify the bargain-hunting process for you.

We’ve uncovered an unmissable deal on this Fender acoustic guitar for beginners over at Guitar Center: the CD-60SCE is available for $239, down from $299 - a 20% saving.

This all-mahogany limited-edition acoustic-electric has a performance that defies its price point - even before the saving - and is perfect for beginner to intermediate level players, featuring great tone out of the box, easy playability and an onboard tuner - so you can get playing and sounding great right away.

Featuring a cutaway for easy upper-fret access, this guitar will have beginner players noodling in the upper registers in no time. The CD-60SCE also features powerful onboard circuitry, courtesy of the highly-regarded electronics manufacturer, Fishman. 

Act fast to secure yourself a bargain from one of the world’s most iconic guitar brands.

In the not-too-distant past, going shopping for a low-cost acoustic steel-string flattop guitar was a journey into the musical instrument industry’s heart of darkness. Shoppers who ventured into retail shops discovered a jungle littered with inferior-quality guitars that could alternately be used as torture devices, made out of woods of questionable provenance and bound together with enough glue to build 200 scale models of the Titanic. Good sounding, playable instruments were out there, but finding one required patience, perseverance and more than a little luck, as they were the rare exceptions.

The market for quality acoustic guitars for beginners started to improve significantly about a decade ago, and today one is more likely to find a good instrument than a bad one. However, that doesn’t mean you should just blindly stumble into a music store with a wad of bills yelling, “Shut up and take my money!”

In fact, because there are literally hundreds more choices in the sub-$1,000 range than there were even just a few years ago, it’s more important than ever to know what you’re looking for so you can focus on finding the guitar that is perfect for your wants and needs. With a little extra effort and know-how, it’s possible to find a guitar that you can enjoy for a lifetime or at the very least until you’ve saved up enough money for a more expensive replacement.

SHAPES OF THINGS

One of the most helpful ways to narrow down your choices is by deciding which body style you prefer. Two decades ago about 90 percent of the entry level steel-string acoustic flattops were dreadnought models, but today you can find anything from mini travel guitars to plus-sized jumbos. Mini, baby and fractional-sized instruments (3/4, 1/2, etc.) are obviously smaller than standard-size guitars, and the scale lengths are usually shorter as well, which makes these instruments ideal for travel or players with smaller hands (such as young children).

Next up in size are “parlor” guitars, which have small, compact body dimensions but usually have full-size necks. There’s also a wide variety of small-and medium-size guitars, such as Martin 0-, 00- and 000- acoustics (with 0 being the smallest), Taylor’s Grand Concert models and certain Gibson vintage L series guitars (like the L-00, L-1 and L-2). Once the body measures 16 inches in width or larger, it’s considered a large guitar, which would include Martin’s iconic dreadnought design, Taylor Grand Symphony and Grand Orchestra models and Gibson jumbo models.

Usually acoustic guitars with larger bodies deliver louder volume output and bigger bass that makes them ideal for rhythm playing in solo or small ensembles. The cannon-like projection of a dreadnought acoustic is particularly ideal for bluegrass, country and rock single-note solos as well as rock and country rhythm playing. Small-and medium-size guitars often have well-balanced frequency response across the treble, midrange and bass that makes them ideal for fingerstyle playing and more nuanced rhythm playing, but some can be almost as loud and powerful as dreadnought and jumbo models. Mini and parlor acoustics lack the bass response of larger guitars, but this can make them ideal for playing solos, integrating with other instruments in a band or being amplified onstage.

MATERIAL GOODS

After body size and shape, the next most important feature that defines a steel-string flattop guitar’s tone is its body materials. Many entry level steel-string flattop acoustic guitars have laminated construction, particularly instruments priced lower than $400. Sometimes just the back and sides are made of laminated materials, but often the top is made of laminated material as well. Acoustic purists frown on laminated tops as the various layers and glue holding them together can restrict the top’s vibration, resulting in less volume projection, dynamics and nuances. However, if you plan on amplifying your acoustic guitar this can be a benefit as the guitar will be less likely to feed back in loud performance conditions.

While a guitar with laminated back and sides is generally considered less desirable than a comparable instrument with its back and sides made of solid materials, the differences here are subtler. Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres, who innovated the modern classical guitar design, once built a guitar with paper maché back and sides as an experiment and determined that the top influenced a guitar’s sound much more than the back and sides. That’s because the top functions like a speaker, vibrating back and forth to amplify sound, while the back and sides are more like a speaker cabinet and mainly need to be solid and resonant to help project the top’s vibrations.

Acoustic guitar tops are usually made of spruce, which offers the ideal balance of strength, flexibility and light weight. Cedar is another popular top material, but its tone is somewhat warmer and richer as it’s not as stiff as spruce. Mahogany and maple tops are other options, with both providing strong, focused tone with impressive volume output, but the tone of mahogany and maple is not as rich, complex or nuanced as spruce or cedar.

The most common materials for the back and sides of an acoustic steel string are rosewood and mahogany, but a wide variety of other tone woods like acacia, cherry, nato, sapele and walnut are being used more frequently today as the prices of rosewood and mahogany increase and the sustainability of those woods becomes more challenging. Most traditionalists still scoff at guitars built from composite materials and plastics, but in a blind listening test, few could probably tell the difference.

NECK DEEP

Playability is equally as important as tone, and fortunately most acoustic guitars made today are a huge improvement over the budget beasts of yesteryear, which often had painfully high action, shoddy fretwork with poor intonation and inferior materials that were susceptible to warping and twisting. These flaws are uncommon today, and buyers are now free to consider more personal preferences such as neck profile, scale length and neck width.

The most common neck profile is a C shape with moderate depth, but an increasing variety of low-cost models also offer vintage-style V-shaped profiles, deep U-shaped profiles, flat, slim profiles, curved asymmetrical profiles and more. Scale lengths typically range from 24 to 25.5 inches, with 24.4 inches being a common standard, but baby and travel guitars usually have shorter-scale lengths, and recently several long-scale baritone and multi-scale models have broken the $1,000 price barrier. Similarly, various neck widths are available, ranging from narrow nut widths that are ideal for players with small fingers to wide nut widths that facilitate clean fingering for fingerstyle playing.

Where the neck joins the body is another important consideration that can influence both how an acoustic guitar plays and how it sounds. Necks that meet the body at the 14th fret are still the most common design, but 12-fret necks are increasing in popularity as many players have discovered the tonal benefits of this design, particularly with small-and medium-sized instruments where a 12-fret neck design can enhance bass and volume projection. A cutaway body design is also a consideration for guitarists who prefer access to the entire fingerboard, although the smaller resonant chamber of a guitar with a cutaway body can result in decreased volume output, less powerful bass and thinner treble.

ACE HARDWARE

While acoustic guitar hardware has improved in quality significantly in recent years, it still can be one of the telltale signs of compromises that were made to keep a guitar’s cost low. Check the tuners to make sure they turn smoothly, feel solid and don’t slip. Also make sure the strings don’t stick in the nut, the spacing between each string is consistent and the nut isn’t cut too low (which will cause notes played on the lower frets to buzz) or too high (which can make it difficult or even painful to fret lower notes). The saddle should be perfectly perpendicular to the bridge at a 90-degree angle—if it’s leaning forward or backward the guitar’s intonation and tone will suffer. The bridge should fit flat and solidly against the top, and the bridge pins should fit snugly into their holes without sticking out too far or in too deep in the bridge.

Replacing tuners and bridge pins is inexpensive and easy to do (in fact, replacing cheap plastic bridge pins with ones made of higher quality material is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to improve an acoustic’s tone), but reattaching a bridge, installing a new saddle and cutting or replacing a nut are tasks that are better left to experienced repair techs, which can be costly. Built-in electronic systems for guitars in this price range are generally good, but be aware that if something should go wrong with the system in the future you might not be able to find a new replacement system that fits in the same mounting holes.

Probably the most important and helpful recommendation I can make based on my own experience is that you should visit a few stores and play a few different guitars (even of the same make and model) before you buy. While you can save a few bucks buying a guitar via mail order, I’ve found that the tone of inexpensive acoustic guitars can vary more dramatically than most other guitars. If you’ve really bonded with the sound and playability of a guitar that you played in a store, you should buy that exact guitar instead of buying the same model for cheaper online, as the sight-unseen guitar might not be as good.

Cort Guitars has introduced the Earth50 acoustic.

From the company: The latest addition to Cort’s EasyPlay Collection, the Earth50 has a smaller body size, shortened scale and light-gauge coated strings to help players on their journey. Earth50 is specially designed for novices, but with pro-level features and quality materials for an authentic playing experience.

To develop the EasyPlay Collection, Cort asked players to identify their most substantial barriers to learning. Their responses ranged from complex hand mechanics and painful fingertips to overall instrument size, weight and cost. Cort brought this feedback to its designers and builders, and challenged them to create a total-guitar solution.

The Earth50 model addresses many of these concerns, starting with its 7/8 dreadnought body at a smaller depth than a typical acoustic. Body size is not only about comfort but also about sonic quality, and the smaller size produces a more even tone that helps new players. Compared to a traditional scale, the 24.75’’ EasyPlay scale lessens string tension while the custom action setup makes the light gauge strings easier to press. Plus, the closer frets make it easier to reach notes and play chords.

Structurally and aesthetically, the Earth50 doesn’t disappoint as a beginner’s instrument. Its solid spruce top with mahogany back, sides and neck bring out the guitar’s natural, bright tone. Other professional features include the ovangkol fingerboard and open pore finish as well as the scooped bridge, brown-etched rosette, and diecast tuners.

While there are no shortcuts to success when learning the guitar, Cort’s Earth50 provides proper balance and helpful features to make the experience a bit easier.

The MSRP of the Earth50 is $299.99, while the MAP is $199.99.

Learn more about the Earth50 at cortguitars.com.

Squier’s Classic Vibe Stratocasters are designed to recall the looks and tone of Fender’s Fifties and Sixties eras, and to do it at a nice price point (retail $399.99).

In this video, Phillip McKnight takes a look at how the guitars stand up against the made-in-Mexico Fender Standard Strat, another budget-friendly option (retail $599.99). Among the differences he examines are the body contours and neck shape. Phillip explains that while some believe the Squier has a thinner body, it’s actually more a matter of how the body is contoured. “It gives the illusion that the bodies are a lot thinner than on the Standard series,” he notes.

Phillip also compares the sound of the guitars at the 2:00 and 5:20 markers.

If you’re familiar with his videos, many of which we’ve shared here, you’ll know that Phillip offers a wealth of great information about gear. You can view all of his videos at his YouTube channel.