Buying Your First Guitar

When you buy a first guitar to learn how to play, it can be tempting to go for the cheapest, most basic guitar available. While there's nothing wrong with shopping on a budget, the old saying "buy cheap, buy twice" definitely applies, as the lowest priced beginner guitars will need replacing as you reach intermediate and expert level.

Remember this when buying your first electric guitar. Like buying a house or a car, when you buy your first guitar it's sensible to set yourself a budget limit, but then look for a beginner guitar kit that is the best you can afford, not necessarily the cheapest.

So if it's not all about money, which guitar is best for beginners overall? It depends on a few factors, including personal choices like the different types of guitar you're interested in learning to play, and the big question of acoustic or electric guitar for beginners.

What Type of Guitar Should I Buy?

Electric vs acoustic is one of the first considerations when asking "What guitar should I buy?" There's no right or wrong answer here, it's down to your personal preference and that may be steered by thinking about the styles of music you would like to play.

Buying a first electric guitar can be daunting, as there's more complexity and accessories than with an acoustic guitar. But which guitar is best for beginners? I'd argue that electric guitars have the edge. They're amplified, so you don't need a strong strumming or picking action to produce a good sound level. You can even practise on headphones for privacy!

That's not to say there are no good acoustic guitars for beginners either. If you're on a tight budget, cheap acoustic guitars cost less than electric. You might prefer the acoustic sound, if you want to play in a folk ensemble or go busking in a location where an amp would be out of place for any reason.

If you're still wondering "Which guitar should I buy?" then there are some more ways to narrow down your shortlist, without just relying on personal preference.

Budget Guitars for Beginners

I've already mentioned that shopping solely at the cheapest end of the market can be a false economy, unless you're buying a guitar on a budget or you're OK about it not producing the clearest, best quality of sound.

When buying a beginner guitar, it does make sense to keep the price low. Look for deals that offer good value rather than just a low price. If you're buying a first electric guitar, my guide to the best beginner guitar amps can help you to understand the types of amplifier you might see bundled with it.

For confidence, you might want to focus on brands you've heard of before. But don't be tricked into paying over the odds for a name brand, as sometimes this is not reflected in the quality of the instrument. Take your time and if you're not sure, google it - there's no hurry to decide.

What to Look For on a Cheap Guitar

When comparing the best beginner guitars to buy, look for physical characteristics like the materials used. Fender are known for their maple necks, while Gibson are associated with mahogany. The type of wood electric guitars are made from can affect the tone they produce, as well as the weight, so try to hold some guitars and get a feel for the difference.

The location of manufacture can also be an indication of the quality of the guitar. In general, electric guitars manufactured in the Far East are towards the budget end of the market. If it's not clear where a guitar was made, check the back of the neck for a manufacturer stamp.

Again, none of these factors is make-or-break in itself, but they all start to add up to give you an overall picture of what you're buying, which can be helpful in a music store where everything looks equally shiny and new.

New vs Used Guitars for Beginners

There are plenty of new guitars for beginners, and they're usually a good way to get a bundle of accessories such as a beginner guitar amp, strap, guitar picks and a tuning tool. But it's definitely worth considering used guitars for beginners who want a brand name instrument.

Again it's a question of quality. Second-hand guitars that have been maintained well can keep a lot of their original value, and like buying a used car, as you move down in price, you're more likely to encounter problems and faults.

Ultimately if you're just starting out, you need an instrument that serves the purpose of getting started learning guitar, which will enable you to pick up the necessary fingering, strumming and picking skills.

That might be a brand new guitar from a music shop or online supplier, or it could be a good-quality second-hand guitar from an online auction site, social network, or someone you know in real life who has a used guitar to sell.

Try Before You Buy

While you can get some great deals when you buy a beginner guitar online, you can't get that experience of holding it in the real world, and there's really no substitute for that. If nothing else, it's a chance to check that the guitar is the right size for you to hold comfortably.

If possible, try holding a few different guitars. Feel the thickness of the body and the different weights of different types of wood. Try to get an appreciation of whether you will be able to play standing up, or if the weight or bulk of the guitar means sitting down will be the only option.

Make sure you know how to hold a guitar correctly, so that you're getting a true feeling of the instrument. For many people this is like shopping for shoes - you might find several guitars you like the look of, but only one of them will be the 'best fit' for you.

My experience

If you are buying your first guitar, you are likely a beginner at the early stages of learning. I would advise that you should just go with your gut feeling for the reason that if you like the guitar enough, you will feel more motivated to play it and practise it often, regardless of the statistics or facts about it. 

Another point is that unless you are going for higher end models, it almost doesn’t matter at entry level on a budget. Bottom line is: as long as you like it and it plays fine for what you need it to, then just go for it! 

Buying my first guitar in Leeds was fairly straightforward - it was a new Yamaha Pacifica 112V from PMT Leeds on Kirkstall Road. This model is by far the best beginner guitar at its price range (compared with Fender Squiers or Epiphone Les Paul models). A few years later I then bought a second hand Godin Session model in Northern Guitars on Call Lane in Leeds City Centre. Check out the best guitar shops in Leeds, or read more about my musical experience on the About page.

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