Embarking on your musical journey by learning to play the guitar is an incredibly exciting endeavor. Choosing that very first guitar, whether it’s an acoustic, electric, or even a bass, is a significant milestone. It’s your first step towards mastering the instrument and unlocking a world of musical possibilities. However, with a seemingly endless array of guitars available, knowing where to even begin can feel overwhelming for a new player.
The truth is, the best guitar for beginners is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s a deeply personal choice that depends on a variety of factors unique to each individual. As you start to narrow down your options, it’s crucial to consider your own specific needs and preferences. While aesthetics certainly play a role – a guitar that looks appealing with a color or finish that resonates with you will undoubtedly inspire you to pick it up and practice – the physical attributes of the guitar and how they align with your body are equally important.
Consider also the music that fuels your passion and motivates you to learn. If you’re drawn to the sounds of indie rock or folk, an acoustic guitar might be the perfect starting point. If you dream of shredding your favorite rock and metal anthems, an electric guitar, ready to plug in and amplify your sound, could be the ideal choice. And if you find yourself instinctively grooving to the rhythmic pulse of funk music, then a bass guitar might just be calling your name as your first instrument.
In this guide, we will explore the key considerations to keep in mind as you navigate the exciting search for your first guitar. We’ll also present a curated selection of top recommendations to simplify your decision-making process and help you confidently choose the perfect beginner guitar to kickstart your musical adventure.
What To Look For In A Good Starter Guitar
So, What Is A Good Beginner Guitar? As mentioned, there’s no single, definitive answer. The ideal beginner guitar is truly subjective and depends on what feels right for you. Your musical aspirations and the genres you’re eager to explore will certainly influence your choice, but beyond that, several other important factors deserve your attention to ensure you find the perfect instrument to make learning enjoyable and rewarding.
When selecting your first instrument, focusing on features like the guitar’s size and weight, and even the dimensions of the fretboard (its length and width), can significantly impact your learning experience. A lighter instrument, for instance, can be much more comfortable for younger players who are still getting accustomed to holding a guitar, whether resting on their lap or hanging from a strap. Similarly, players with smaller hands might find a thinner neck profile more comfortable, allowing for easier finger stretches to fret notes accurately. Furthermore, a shorter scale length (the length of the strings from the bridge to the nut) can be beneficial for players with shorter arms, making it easier to reach notes across the fretboard.
Budget is another crucial consideration when choosing a beginner guitar. Acoustic guitars generally offer a more straightforward starting point, as many come ready to play right out of the box. However, if your heart is set on an electric guitar or bass, remember to factor in the additional costs of essential accessories like instrument cables and a practice amplifier to truly experience the full potential of your instrument’s sound. This is where exploring beginner guitar bundles can be incredibly advantageous. These bundles are designed to provide you with everything you need to start playing immediately, all while staying within a predetermined budget.
To make your search even easier, we’ve compiled a list of our top beginner guitar recommendations, categorized by budget, size considerations, and overall versatility. This roundup features not only instruments perfectly suited for beginners but also guitars that are excellent choices to grow with as your skills progress and your musical journey unfolds.
The Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners
Acoustic guitars have long held their position as a top choice for those new to playing. From their inherent beauty and craftsmanship to the countless iconic musicians who have crafted legendary music on acoustics, these instruments offer an immediate and accessible entry point to playing, requiring only a pick and a strap to begin making music.
An acoustic guitar allows beginners to appreciate the pure, resonant sound of the instrument without any need for amplification or effects. For those who desire versatility, acoustic-electric guitars offer the best of both worlds. They can be played acoustically, delivering that classic, natural tone, or plugged into an amplifier to project a powerful, concert-hall-worthy sound.
Here are our top acoustic guitar recommendations for beginners eager to start their musical journey with this timeless instrument type.
Don’t miss out!
Be the first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways.
Best Budget-Friendly Acoustic Guitar
CD-60 Dreadnaught V3
- Dreadnought body shape with spruce top, scalloped “X”-bracing, and mahogany back and sides
- Highly affordable
- Includes a protective hard-shell case
- Balanced and versatile tone
- Dreadnought body produces robust acoustic volume
For beginners mindful of their budget, the CD-60 Dreadnought V3 stands out as more than just a great starter guitar; it’s a fantastic instrument for experienced players as well. Boasting classic aesthetics, a balanced and pleasing tone, and impressive natural projection, the CD-60 is also remarkably easy to play. It even comes with a hard-shell case to safeguard your investment. And with a price tag of just $199.99, it ranks among Fender’s most accessible and affordable acoustic models.
Best Acoustic Guitar for Small Hands
Redondo Mini
- Distinctive Redondo Mini body shape with spruce top, scalloped “X”-bracing, and mahogany back and sides
- Short 22 ¾” scale length and scaled-down body size
- Smaller dimensions without compromising on sound quality
- Budget-friendly price point
- Includes a convenient gig bag
For aspiring guitarists drawn to the acoustic sound but needing an instrument better suited for smaller hands, the Redondo Mini delivers the same impressive sound and rich tone as its full-sized counterparts, all in a more compact package. The Redondo Mini features a shorter 22 ¾” scale length and a body that is scaled down by about half. With just 18 frets, it reduces the stretching required for players with smaller hands who are just beginning to explore the fretboard. It also comes with a soft-shell gig bag, enhancing its portability and convenience.
Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar Overall
CD-60SCE Dreadnought Acoustic Electric
- Single-cutaway dreadnought body style with solid spruce top, scalloped “X”-bracing, and mahogany back and sides
- Acoustic-electric design provides exceptional versatility
- Equipped with a built-in Fishman® preamp and tuner
- Easy-to-play neck with comfortable rolled fingerboard edges
- Cutaway body style enhances access to the upper frets
- Available at an attractive price point under $350.00
Our top recommendation for the best overall beginner guitar for adults is the CD-60SCE Dreadnought. As an acoustic-electric model, it features a built-in Fishman® preamp and tuner, simplifying the process of staying in tune and amplifying your sound. The dreadnought Venetian cutaway body and rolled fingerboard edges contribute to comfortable playability, especially when accessing the higher frets for solos or chords in different positions. What truly makes the CD-60SCE an outstanding overall choice for beginners is its ability to grow with you. You can enjoy it as a purely acoustic guitar, or plug it in and electrify your sound when you’re ready to perform or explore amplified tones.
Best Electric Guitars For Beginners
So, what is the best electric guitar for beginners? The answer will depend on several factors that are personal to you. Are you seeking an electric guitar that not only looks fantastic but also provides exceptional value for your money? Do you prioritize a guitar that delivers impressive sound and tone while remaining lightweight and comfortable, even for younger players? Or are you interested in an electric guitar bundle that includes all the essential accessories to start playing and experimenting with different sounds right away?
Explore our carefully selected top picks for electric guitars for new players to help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect electric to ignite your musical passion.
Best Budget-Friendly Electric Guitar
Bullet® Stratocaster® HT
- Iconic Stratocaster body shape
- Comfortable and playable C-shaped neck profile
- Single-coil pickups for clear, articulate, and versatile sound
- Available in a variety of attractive color options
- Exceptionally affordable, priced under $200.00
With its timeless Strat body and classic Strat tone, the Bullet Stratocaster HT is an outstanding and affordable option for beginner electric guitarists. It features a thin and lightweight body and delivers a rich, versatile tone thanks to its three Squier standard single-coil pickups, providing ample sonic exploration. Available in five different colors and priced at just $189.99, the Bullet Strat HT offers a cool aesthetic, great sound, and exceptional value, making it a fantastic entry point into the world of electric guitar.
Best Electric Guitar for Small Hands
Squier Mini Stratocaster®
- Classic Stratocaster body shape
- Easy-to-play C-shaped neck with a comfortable 9.5” fingerboard radius
- Shorter 22.75” scale length, ideal for smaller players
- Thin and lightweight construction
- Three single-coil pickups for versatile tone
- 5-way pickup switch for tonal variety
- Incredibly affordable, priced under $200.00
For younger players or guitarists with smaller hands, the Squier Mini Stratocaster is an excellent choice as a first electric guitar. Its shorter 22.75” scale length (compared to the standard 25.5”) and thin, lightweight design make it incredibly comfortable for new players still developing their technique. Similarly, its slim C-shaped neck with a 9.5” fingerboard radius makes it easier for smaller hands to navigate the fretboard and reach chords. Despite its smaller size, the Squier Mini Stratocaster still delivers a tone reminiscent of a full-size Strat, thanks to its three single-coil pickups that provide a clear, vibrant sound and a 5-way switch for tonal shaping.
Best Beginner Electric Guitar Overall
Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HH
- Iconic Stratocaster body shape
- Easy-to-play and comfortable C-shaped neck profile
- Thin and lightweight body construction
- Equipped with a tremolo bridge for expressive playing
- Attractively priced at under $250.00
Our top overall pick for beginner electric guitarists is the Affinity Series Stratocaster HH. Featuring the iconic Strat body shape, this guitar is both thin and lightweight while still packing a powerful sonic punch. Its two Squier humbucking pickups deliver a thick, rich tone that is equally suited for playing bluesy riffs or heavy metal anthems. The three-way tone switch allows new guitarists to explore and shape their signature sound, while the built-in tremolo bar adds another dimension of creativity, enabling note bending and vibrato techniques to expand your guitar skills.
Best Electric Bass For Beginners
Many of the same principles that guide the selection of a beginner acoustic or electric guitar also apply when choosing the best electric bass guitar for a beginner. However, it’s worth noting that most bass guitars have a longer scale length than electric guitars and are strung with thicker strings. This might require a bit of adjustment for new players. But once you find the right electric bass guitar, practice sessions and learning your favorite songs become incredibly engaging and fun. Here are our top recommendations for the best electric bass guitars for beginners.
Best Budget-Friendly Electric Bass Guitar
Squier Bronco™ Bass
- Thin and lightweight body design
- Single-coil pickup for punchy bass tone
- Short 30” scale length, enhancing playability
- Exceptionally affordable, priced under $200.00
The Squier Bronco Bass hits all the right notes as a budget-friendly bass option for beginners. Priced under $200, it features a thin, lightweight body and a shorter 30” scale length, making it comfortable and manageable for new bassists. Equipped with a single-coil pickup, the Bronco electric bass delivers a full, rich bass sound. Available in two classic color choices, the Bronco’s price and tone make it an ideal choice for bassists on a budget who are eager to start their musical journey.
Best Electric Bass Guitar for Small Hands
Squier Mini Precision Bass®
- Scaled-down Precision Bass body shape
- Short scale neck with a 28.6″ scale length
- Thin and lightweight construction
- Split single-coil pickup for classic P-Bass tone
- Inexpensive, priced under $200.00
Designed specifically with beginner players and those with smaller hands in mind, the Squier Mini Precision Bass is a scaled-down version of the iconic Fender Precision Bass (P-Bass). It offers the same powerful and defined bass sound in a more compact package. Thin and lightweight, the Squier Mini Precision Bass is easier to hold, and its 28.6” scale length and shorter neck make it significantly easier for bassists with smaller hands to play notes across the fretboard.
Best Beginner Electric Bass Guitar Overall
Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ
- Classic Precision Bass body shape
- Thin and lightweight body construction
- Slim and comfortable C-shaped neck profile for easy playing
- Versatile pickup configuration accommodating a wide range of tones
- Affordable price point under $300.00
Our top recommendation for the best overall beginner bass is the Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ. This bass provides new players with a wealth of sonic and stylistic options, along with the quality to support their musical growth. Its thin, lightweight Precision Bass body and slim C-shaped neck offer excellent playing comfort. Beyond its comfortable design and attractive price of $279.99, the Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ truly excels due to its versatile pickup system. Equipped with both a split Squier single-coil P Bass neck pickup and a single-coil J Bass bridge pickup, new bassists can utilize the volume and tone controls to sculpt their own signature bass sound. Available in four cool colors, this is a bass that will inspire you to pick it up and play time and time again, hitting all the right notes on your musical journey.
Want To Find The Perfect Starter Guitar? Try Find Your Fender.
Learning to play the guitar or bass is a rewarding, lifelong journey. One of the most crucial first steps on this path is discovering the right instrument that will keep you motivated and moving forward. While the ideal guitar for beginners varies from person to person, our Find Your Fender engine simplifies the selection process. With just a few clicks, you can input your preferences and priorities regarding size, tone, price, and style, and receive a curated list of guitar choices that perfectly match your needs and help you confidently narrow down your options!
