Pyle has become a recognizable name in the audio equipment world, known for everything from speakers to amplifiers. But did you know they also venture into musical instruments? Among their offerings is the Pyle-Pro PGAKT39 Beginner Acoustic Guitar Set, a package that often pops up online with an enticingly low price tag. If you’re just starting your guitar journey, or looking for an affordable option, you’ve likely stumbled upon this set. But the big question is: does cheap mean cheerful, or cheap means… well, cheap? We decided to dive deep into this popular beginner guitar set to give you an honest, no-nonsense review, helping you decide if the Pyle PGAKT39 is the right first step on your musical path.
Unboxing the Pyle PGAKT39: What’s in the Box?
The Pyle PGAKT39 is marketed as a complete beginner set, and it does come with a few extras to get you started right away. Inside the box, you’ll find:
- A 39-inch acoustic guitar
- A gig bag for carrying and basic protection
- Guitar picks (plectrums) – typically around three
- A plastic pitch pipe for tuning
- A guitar strap
On paper, this looks like everything a complete novice needs to begin playing. However, the quality of these accessories, and indeed the guitar itself, is where we need to take a closer look.
Accessory Check: Are They Helpful or Hindrance?
Let’s break down the included accessories to see if they add value or are just box fillers.
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Picks: The set typically includes a few picks. In my experience with this set, I received three picks in grey, blue, and green, featuring a subtle swirl design. Functionally, they are adequate for a beginner. They haven’t broken or chipped over time, suggesting decent durability for basic use. However, serious players often have personal preferences for pick thickness and material, so these are really just starting points.
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Pitch Pipe: The “tuner” included is a plastic pitch pipe, not the electronic tuner many modern beginners expect. Resembling a toy kazoo in both look and sound, its tonal quality is less than inspiring. While a pitch pipe can technically be used to tune a guitar, it requires a trained ear and isn’t user-friendly for absolute beginners. For ease and accuracy, especially for newcomers, an electronic tuner is a far superior option.
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Guitar Strap: The included strap will function, but durability is a concern. After about a year of use, the plastic buckle on my strap broke while playing, almost resulting in a dropped guitar. While a quick fix with super glue got me by temporarily, this highlights the low-quality components. If you plan to play standing up, investing in a more reliable strap is highly recommended to protect your instrument.
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Gig Bag: The gig bag offers minimal protection. It’s extremely thin and unpadded, offering little more than dust protection for a few months. Holding it up to the light reveals just how flimsy it is. For any kind of transport or real protection from bumps and scrapes, this bag is inadequate. If you plan on taking your guitar anywhere, or simply want to keep it safe at home, you’ll definitely need to budget for a better gig bag or a hard case.
Pyle PGAKT39 Acoustic Guitar
Guitar Deep Dive: Specs and Build Quality
Now for the main attraction – the guitar itself. The Pyle PGAKT39 is a 39-inch steel-string acoustic guitar. Let’s look at the materials and construction:
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Body Material: The top, back, and sides are constructed from Linden plywood. Linden (basswood) is a soft, lightweight wood often used in budget instruments. Plywood construction further reduces cost but can impact resonance and tone compared to solid wood.
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Neck Material: The neck is made of Nanmu wood, another inexpensive wood known for its durability.
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Fretboard and Bridge: These are made of Maplewood. Maple is a dense hardwood, commonly used for fretboards and bridges, offering durability and a bright tonal character.
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Finish: The guitar features a laminated gloss finish on the body and neck. This gives it a shiny appearance and provides a degree of protection to the wood.
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Saddle: While Pyle’s website may list the saddle as maple, it appears and feels like plastic. Plastic saddles are common on budget guitars, but they can wear down over time, especially with steel strings. I’ve noticed some chipping on mine due to string tension, although it hasn’t yet caused any functional issues.
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Frets and Neck: The guitar has 21 frets and a cutaway body style. The cutaway allows for easier access to the higher frets, which is a nice feature for a beginner guitar.
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Tuning Machines: The tuning posts and machine heads are chrome and have proven to be surprisingly durable. They haven’t shown rust or significant wear. Initially, the screws on the machine heads loosened, but tightening them with a screwdriver resolved the issue.
Playability and Sound: How Does it Perform?
For a beginner guitar, playability and sound are crucial. Here’s how the Pyle PGAKT39 stacks up:
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Action and Frets: The action (string height) is reasonably low, making it easier for beginners to press down the strings. The frets are generally playable and smooth, although there were a few minor uneven edges on mine. These are common issues in budget guitars and can be addressed with fret filing if necessary.
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Strings: The stock strings felt like light gauge bronze strings (.011), and they produced a bright, clear tone initially. However, they are quite stiff, which can be tough on beginner fingers. Most experienced players recommend replacing stock strings on budget guitars, and I upgraded mine to D’Addario EJ16 light phosphor bronze strings for improved tone and playability.
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Sound Quality: Overall, the guitar has a surprisingly pleasant sound for its price point. It’s bright and clear, suitable for various beginner styles. However, don’t expect the rich, resonant tone of higher-end guitars with solid wood construction.
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Dead Zones: One notable issue I encountered was a “dead zone” on the high E string around the 13th and 14th frets. This caused a dull buzz when playing notes in that area. This is a common problem that can occur on guitars due to uneven frets. Fortunately, this issue can be fixed with fret filing, as I demonstrated in a separate guide.
Pros and Cons: The Bottom Line
Pros:
- Extremely Affordable: The biggest draw of the Pyle PGAKT39 is its low price, especially when purchased from online retailers like Amazon.
- Beginner-Friendly Playability: The reasonably low action and playable frets make it easier for beginners to learn.
- Decent Sound for the Price: Despite its budget materials, the guitar produces a bright and clear tone suitable for practice and learning.
- Complete Starter Set: Includes essential accessories to get started immediately.
- Durable Tuning Machines: Tuning machines are surprisingly robust for a budget guitar.
Cons:
- Low-Quality Accessories: Included accessories like the gig bag, strap, and pitch pipe are of poor quality and may need immediate replacement.
- Budget Materials: Linden plywood construction limits resonance and tone compared to solid wood guitars.
- Potential for Minor Issues: Expect minor imperfections like uneven frets or loose screws, which may require some basic adjustments.
- Dead Zones: As experienced, dead zones can occur, requiring fretwork for optimal playability.
- Plastic Saddle: The plastic saddle is prone to wear and may eventually need replacement.
Who is the Pyle PGAKT39 For?
The Pyle-Pro PGAKT39 Beginner Acoustic Guitar Set is best suited for:
- Absolute Beginners: Its low price point makes it a low-risk entry into learning guitar. If you’re unsure if you’ll stick with it, this guitar won’t break the bank.
- Casual Players: For someone who wants a guitar to strum occasionally around the campfire or at home without a significant investment.
- Gift for a Budding Musician: It’s an affordable gift option to introduce someone to the world of guitar playing.
However, if you are serious about learning guitar and want an instrument that will last and offer better sound quality and playability in the long run, you should consider saving up for a higher-quality beginner guitar from reputable brands like Yamaha, Fender, or Squier.
Final Verdict: A Stepping Stone, Not a Destination
The Pyle-Pro PGAKT39 Beginner Acoustic Guitar Set is undeniably cheap, and for that price, it offers a playable instrument and some basic accessories to get started. It’s a decent option as a very first guitar to test the waters of guitar playing. However, be aware of its limitations. You will likely need to upgrade some accessories and potentially address minor setup issues to get the most out of it.
Think of the Pyle PGAKT39 as a stepping stone. It can get you started on your guitar journey, but as you progress, you’ll likely want to upgrade to a better instrument that offers improved sound, playability, and durability. If your budget is extremely tight and you just need something to begin with, the Pyle PGAKT39 will suffice. But if you can stretch your budget even a little, investing in a slightly more expensive beginner guitar from a more established brand will ultimately provide a more rewarding and enjoyable playing experience.
