5 Best Beginner Electric Guitars

Many of us are interested in learning the electric guitar, but feel as though it is too expensive to commit such a large amount of money on a guitar, only to find out that it is not for you. However, it is definitely possible to find a guitar that features everything necessary to get your feet wet, for a reasonable price. When purchasing your first electric guitar on a budget, it can be difficult to know what to look for, and what options are the best bang for your buck.

What Should You Look For?

 When purchasing a beginner electric guitar, the most important thing to look for is a guitar that will stay in tune, and a guitar with quality electronics. These components are essential to promote a quality learning experience for a beginner. It just so happens that these are the most common problems with many budget guitars, if you do not know where to look.  I have compiled a list of my top choices of beginner electric guitars manufactured by the most trusted, iconic brands in the industry to ensure that you get the most out of your money to promote a quality learning experience for newer players.  Though you can’t really go wrong with any of these choices for your first guitar, just keep in mind that certain choices are more geared toward a different styles of music, so it basically boils down to your own personal preference. Look to invest anywhere from $150 to $300 on your first guitar, depending on what you want to get out of your guitar,  as this is the sweet spot in terms of quality for the price. I would highly advise against getting a guitar under $100 because there is a severe drop in quality at this price point. Whether you just want to your feet wet learning a new instrument, or you want an instrument that will give you the best experience as you transition through different skill levels, you are sure to find something in your price range with this list. 

Keep in mind that this list is my personal opinion based on my experiences. I have not tried every single guitar out there, so please feel free to leave a comment with your own list.

Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012 Electric Guitar

The Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012 is quite possibly the best guitar you can find at this price point. It is a shaped similarly to a Fender Stratocaster, and features an HSS pickup layout, meaning it has a humbucker in the bridge position and single coil pickups in the middle and neck position. This means that this guitar is capable of producing sounds for various genres of music, whether it be rock, jazz, blues, country and even metal. The versatility as well as the quality of construction makes this guitar one of the best at its price point. You really cannot find much better for under $180.

Epiphone Les Paul- 100 Electric Guitar

If you are committed to learning how to play and want a reliable guitar that will last for a long time as you progress in skill level, then the Les Paul-100 is a great option to consider. It is modeled after Les’ 1952 original guitar, and truly captures the look and feel of a Les Paul. As you would expect, the price tag is a bit higher than that of a typical starter guitar, but as a result you get a guitar with overall higher build quality, and better electronics that will last longer throughout your time playing guitar. For many new players, it is better to invest a little bit more money up front in order to promote an overall better learning experience over time. The Les Paul-100 provides this, while still being and affordable price coming in at well under $300.

Squier by Fender Bullet Strat Beginner Electric Guitar

Squire is the subsidiary brand to fender, similar to how Epiphone is to Gibsion. Squire is known for manufacturing budget versions of the most iconic guitars. The Squire Bullet Strat shares the design of the Fender Stratocaster. This guitar is an excellent option for beginners, as it features a comfortable, ergonomic design, and a comfortable neck. When purchasing the Squire Bullet, there are also two different options for the pickup configuration. You can select from SSS, which means 3 single coil pickups, or HSS, meaning a humbucker for the bridge pickup and two single coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. An SSS configuration is what you would find in a standard Stratocaster guitar, and is great for Jazz and Punk Rock. If you are interested in playing with high gain, such as Hard Rock and Metal, the HSS configuration is the way to go for higher output, thicker tones, and less noise. Overall, the design and pickup configuration options makes The Squire Bullet one the best electric guitars you can buy for the price, coming in at $150.

Epiphone SG-Special Electric Guitar

The Epiphone SG- Special yet another guitar that is modeled after one of Gibson’s classics, the Gibson SG. This guitar is aesthetically stunning for the price, and truly captures the vintage look of an authentic Gibson SG. It is available in two different colors, cherry and black, and features a mahogany body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. The Epiphone SG-Special is a great option for your first guitar due to its versatility and comfort. The design of the SG is ergonomic and fits right on your lap in a comfortable position. Unlike a Les Paul, the SG is slimmer and less clunky feeling when you hold it. Many people prefer the SG over the Les Paul due to the fact that sometimes the body of a Les Paul tends to get in the way while you are playing due to the size and shape of the guitar. In terms of music style, the Epiphone SG- Special is very versatile, excelling in classic rock, metal, and pop, though it can play basically any genre. For the price, the Epiphone SG-Special is definitely one to consider, as it is not only great for beginners, but intermediate level players as well.

Squier by Fender Affinity Telecaster Beginner Electric Guitar

The Squire Affinity Telecaster is modeled after the classic Fender Telecaster. The Telecaster features one of the most iconic designs and tones in the world of the electric guitar. It is famous for the “Twang” sound that it produces from its 2 single coil pickups. The Squire Affinity Telecaster is great for Funk, blues, jazz, and even rock. It is a versatile instrument and comfortable to play. Though it might not be the best for high gain metal, it is perfect for beginners who are learning. It has great build quality, so you can be sure it will last for a long time. The 2 single coil pickups do a solid job capturing the tone of an authentic Fender Telecaster. In terms of aesthetics, this guitar is stunning and it is available in ten different colors. This telecaster is a bit more pricey coming in at around $200, but is a worth while investment for those committed to learning the instrument, as this guitar is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level play.

Conclusion

When it comes to picking out your first guitar, it is imperative to find something that will be reliable to ensure that you have best learning experience possible. These 5 guitars are all excellent options for beginners, manufactured by the most trusted brands in the industry. In addition, they are all affordable guitars, falling into the price range that is the sweet spot to ensure that you get the best value for your money. If you are looking for your first guitar, I would highly advise against purchasing a guitar under $100, because this is where you will see a significant quality drop. Often times, people who purchase low quality guitars are deterred from playing, and ultimately give up because their overall learning experience is hindered by their instrument. Any one of these 5 guitars are great options that will ensure you have an enjoyable and productive learning experience.