Embarking on your musical journey by learning to play the guitar is incredibly exciting, and choosing your first instrument is a significant milestone. Whether you’re drawn to the soulful strums of an acoustic, the electrifying riffs of an electric, or the deep grooves of a bass, selecting the right guitar is your first step towards musical mastery. However, with a vast array of options available, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.
The truth is, the Best Starting Guitar is a personal choice, varying from one individual to another. As you navigate the selection process, prioritizing your unique needs and preferences is key. While a visually appealing guitar with a color and finish that resonates with your personality is undoubtedly important – sparking your enthusiasm to pick it up and practice – the guitar’s physical attributes, tailored to your body, are equally crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable learning experience.
Consider the music that fuels your passion and inspires you to play. If indie rock or folk melodies resonate with you, an acoustic guitar might be the ideal starting point. For those eager to unleash their inner rockstar or metalhead, an electric guitar ready to plug in and amplify might be more appealing. And if the rhythmic pulse of funk music gets your head nodding, a bass guitar could be the perfect first instrument to explore.
This guide will delve into the essential considerations for beginners searching for their first guitar. We’ll explore various options to simplify your decision and help you discover the best starting guitar that will set you on the path to musical fulfillment.
What To Look For In A Good Starter Guitar
Defining the best guitar for beginners isn’t about finding a single, definitive answer. Instead, it’s about understanding individual preferences and what feels right for each player. As mentioned, your preferred musical genre can influence your instrument choice, but several other specific factors can guide you to the perfect fit and make learning more enjoyable.
When selecting your first guitar, consider features like the instrument’s size and weight, and even the fretboard’s length and thickness. These aspects significantly impact playability. For instance, younger players or those new to holding a guitar might find lighter instruments easier to manage, whether resting on their lap or hanging from a strap. Similarly, players with smaller hands may benefit from a thinner neck, allowing for comfortable finger stretches to fret notes. Furthermore, individuals with shorter arms might find a shorter scale length neck easier to navigate across the fretboard.
Budget is another critical factor. Acoustic guitars often come ready to play, requiring minimal additional equipment. However, venturing into electric guitars or basses necessitates budgeting for essential accessories like cables and practice amplifiers to truly experience the instrument’s sonic potential. Exploring beginner guitar bundles can be a smart approach to ensure you have all the necessary gear to start your musical adventure while staying within a defined budget.
To simplify your search, we’ve compiled top recommendations based on budget, size considerations, and overall versatility. This selection includes guitars that are not only excellent for beginners but also instruments that can grow with you throughout your evolving musical journey.
The Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners
Acoustic guitars have consistently been a top choice for aspiring musicians. Their inherent beauty and the legacy of iconic musicians who’ve crafted timeless music on acoustics make them incredibly appealing. Often, all you need is a pick and a strap to begin playing.
An acoustic guitar allows beginners to appreciate the pure, resonant sound of the instrument without any effects or amplification. For those seeking versatility, acoustic-electric guitars offer the option to play acoustically or plugged into an amplifier for a concert-ready sound.
Here are our top acoustic guitar recommendations for beginners:
Best Budget-Friendly Acoustic Guitar
CD-60 Dreadnaught V3
- Dreadnought body with spruce top, scalloped “X”-bracing, mahogany back and sides
- Affordable price point
- Includes a protective hard-shell case
- Balanced and versatile tone
- Dreadnought body style for strong acoustic projection
The CD-60 Dreadnought V3 is an exceptional choice not just as a best starting guitar on a budget, but also for experienced players seeking a reliable and affordable acoustic. Its classic aesthetics, balanced tone, and natural projection make the CD-60 easy to play and enjoy. The included hard case ensures your instrument stays protected. Priced around $199.99, the CD-60 is among Fender’s most accessible acoustic models, offering incredible value and quality.
Best Acoustic Guitar for Small Hands
Redondo Mini
- Redondo Mini body shape with spruce top, scalloped “X”-bracing, mahogany back and sides
- Short 22 ¾” scale length, half-body size
- Compact size without compromising sound quality
- Budget-conscious price
- Comes with a convenient gig bag
The Redondo Mini is designed for beginners drawn to the acoustic sound who require a guitar suited for smaller hands. It delivers the impressive tone and sound of a full-sized guitar in a more manageable, scaled-down form. Featuring a 22 ¾” scale length and a half-sized body, the Redondo Mini’s 18 frets are easier to reach for players with smaller hands who are learning to navigate the fretboard. The included soft gig bag enhances its portability, making it a perfect best starting guitar for lessons and travel.
Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar Overall
CD-60SCE Dreadnought Acoustic Electric
- Single-cutaway dreadnought body style with solid spruce top, scalloped “X”-bracing, mahogany back and sides
- Acoustic-electric versatility for both acoustic and amplified playing
- Integrated Fishman® preamp and tuner for easy tuning and amplification
- Easy-to-play neck with rolled fingerboard edges for comfort
- Cutaway body style allows easier access to higher frets
- Priced under $350.00
The CD-60SCE Dreadnought stands out as our top recommendation for the best beginner guitar overall, especially for adults. As an acoustic-electric model, it features a built-in Fishman® preamp and tuner, simplifying tuning and amplification. The dreadnought Venetian cutaway body and rolled fingerboard edges enhance playability, making it easier to reach upper frets for solos and chord variations. What truly makes this guitar exceptional for beginners is its versatility and room for growth. It serves beautifully as a purely acoustic guitar, and when you’re ready to perform or experiment with amplified sound, it effortlessly transitions to an electric acoustic.
Best Electric Guitars For Beginners
Choosing the best electric guitar for beginners depends on individual preferences and priorities. Are you seeking an electric guitar with visual appeal and excellent value? Do you prioritize a guitar that delivers impressive sound and tone while remaining lightweight and easy to handle, even for younger players? Or perhaps an electric guitar bundle that includes all the necessary accessories to start playing and exploring different tones is more appealing?
Explore our top electric guitar choices for new players to help narrow down your options:
Best Budget-Friendly Electric Guitar
Bullet® Stratocaster® HT
- Iconic Stratocaster body shape
- Comfortable C-shaped neck profile
- Single-coil pickups for bright, articulate sound
- Available in a variety of attractive colors
- Under $200.00 price point
The Bullet Stratocaster HT, with its timeless Strat body and recognizable tone, is an outstanding and affordable best starting guitar for beginners. Its thin, lightweight design and rich tone, courtesy of three Squier standard single-coil pickups, provide ample sonic versatility for experimentation. Available in five colors and priced around $189.99, the Bullet Strat HT offers a cool look, great sound, and exceptional value.
Best Electric Guitar for Small Hands
Squier Mini Stratocaster®
- Stratocaster body style
- Easy-to-play C-shaped neck and 9.5” fingerboard radius
- Shorter 22.75” scale length
- Thin and lightweight construction
- Three single-coil pickups for versatile tones
- 5-way switch for tonal control
- Under $200.00 price range
The Squier Mini Stratocaster is an excellent best starting guitar choice for younger players or those with smaller hands. Its shorter 22.75” scale length (compared to the standard 25.5”) and thin, lightweight build make it ideal for beginners getting accustomed to the feel of an electric guitar. The slim C-shaped neck with a 9.5” fingerboard radius further enhances playability, making it easier for smaller hands to navigate the fretboard and form chords. Despite its smaller size, the Squier Mini Stratocaster delivers a tone comparable to a full-size guitar, thanks to its three single-coil pickups that provide a crisp, rich sound and a 5-way switch for tonal adjustments.
Best Beginner Electric Guitar Overall
Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HH
- Classic Stratocaster body
- Comfortable and easy-to-play C-shaped neck
- Thin and lightweight body for comfortable handling
- Tremolo system for expressive playing
- Priced under $250.00
Our top overall pick for best beginner electric guitar is the Affinity Series Stratocaster HH. Featuring the iconic Strat body, this guitar is both sleek and lightweight, yet packs a powerful sonic punch. Its two Squier humbucking pickups deliver a thick, rich tone, equally suited for bluesy riffs or heavy metal shredding. The three-way tone switch allows beginners to explore and shape their signature sound, while the built-in tremolo bar adds another dimension of creativity, enabling note bending and vibrato effects to your playing.
Best Electric Bass For Beginners
Many of the same principles guiding the selection of a best starting guitar apply to choosing a beginner electric bass guitar. However, bass guitars typically have a longer scale length and thicker strings compared to electric guitars, which might require some initial adjustment for new players. But once you find the right electric bass, practice sessions and learning songs become significantly more engaging. Here are our top suggestions for the best electric bass guitars for beginners:
Best Budget-Friendly Electric Bass Guitar
Squier Bronco™ Bass
- Thin, lightweight body for comfortable playing
- Single coil pickup for clear bass tones
- Short 30” scale length
- Under $200.00 price point
The Squier Bronco Bass hits all the right notes as a budget-friendly best starting guitar for bassists. Priced under $200, it features a thin, lightweight body and a shorter 30” scale length, making it easier to handle for beginners. Equipped with a single-coil pickup, the Bronco electric bass delivers a full, rich sound. Available in two classic colors, the Bronco’s affordability and sound quality make it an excellent choice for aspiring bassists eager to begin their musical journey.
Best Electric Bass Guitar for Small Hands
Squier Mini Precision Bass®
- Smaller scale Precision Bass body shape
- Short scale neck with 28.6″ scale length
- Thin and lightweight construction
- Split single-coil pickup for classic P-Bass tone
- Under $200.00 price range
Designed 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, booming 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 more comfortable for bassists with smaller hands to play notes across the fretboard. This makes it a fantastic best starting guitar for aspiring bass players.
Best Beginner Electric Bass Guitar Overall
Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ
- Precision Bass body shape
- Thin and lightweight for comfortable playing
- Slim C-shaped neck profile for ease of play
- Versatile pickup configuration for a variety of tones
- Under $300.00 price point
Our pick for the best beginner bass overall is the Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ, offering new players a wealth of sound and style options, along with room to grow their skills. Its thin, lightweight Precision Bass body and slim C-shaped neck ensure comfortable playability. Beyond its comfortable design and affordable price (around $279.99), the Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ truly excels with its pickup system. Equipped with both a split Squier single-coil P Bass neck pickup and a single-coil J Bass bridge pickup, beginners can utilize the volume and tone controls to sculpt their unique signature sound. Available in four cool colors, this bass is inspiring to pick up and play repeatedly, hitting all the right notes for a fulfilling musical experience.
Want To Find The Perfect Starter Guitar? Try Find Your Fender.
Learning guitar or bass is a rewarding, lifelong journey. One of the most crucial initial steps is finding the right instrument to keep you motivated and progressing. While the best starting guitar is subjective and varies for each individual, our Find Your Fender tool simplifies the selection process. With just a few clicks, you can input your preferences and considerations for size, tone, price, and style, and receive curated recommendations to help you narrow down the options that perfectly match your needs!
