Best Beginner Electric Guitar: Top 7 That Rock in 2024

What’s the Best Beginner Electric Guitar? The List at a Glance

Feeling more like skimming than deep-diving into text today? No worries! I’ve got you covered with my expertly chosen favorites for the best beginner guitars, thanks to my experience in the field.

And in case you find your curiosity piqued, there are links under each recommendation for you to explore more.

Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster

Specifications

• Body: Pine
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Frets: 21
• Scale: 25.5″
• Pickups: Fender-designed Alnico single-coil
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone, Tone
• Hardware: Nickel-plated
• Pickup Switching: 5-position blade

Key Benefits

• Great Value: The Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster stands out as the best electric guitar if you’re seeking quality without the hefty price tag. Its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail offer guitar players a premium experience, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck.
• Sustain and Performance: Equipped with high-quality pickups, this Stratocaster delivers remarkable sustain and performance. Whether you’re laying down rhythm tracks or soloing, the guitar’s sound remains rich and full, providing a consistent tone essential for any guitar player.
• Slim “C” Shaped Neck: Designed with comfort in mind, the slim “C” shaped neck of the Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster is perfect for guitar players at any level. This feature enhances playability, making it easier for you to navigate the fretboard and execute techniques from basic chords to advanced solos.

Ibanez GRX70QA

Specifications

• Body: Basswood Top; Poplar Body
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Jatoba
• Frets: 22
• Scale: 25.5″
• Pickups: Infinity R (H); Infinity RS (S)
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickup Switching: 5-position

Key Benefits

• Variety of Finishes: The Ibanez GRX70QA, a top beginner electric guitar, offers a range of finishes to suit any style. From vibrant to classic, these extraordinary guitars allow you to express your personality while learning the ropes.
• Plays Fast and Smooth: Designed with a player-friendly neck and setup, this guitar ensures a fast and smooth playing experience. Whether you’re practicing scales or jamming, the GRX70QA’s ease of play encourages progress and exploration.
• Tremolo Bridge: Easily manipulate your guitar strings with the GRX70QA’s tremolo bridge. It adds a dynamic range to your playing, allowing for expressive vibrato and pitch bending that can elevate your guitar skills.

Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1

Specifications

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 22
• Scale: 24.75″
• Pickups: Epiphone 650R and 700T Zebra-coil Ceramic Humbuckers
• Controls: Neck/Bridge Pickup Volume; Neck/Bridge Pickup Tone
• Hardware: Nickel
• Pickup Switching: 3-way Epiphone toggle

Key Benefits

• Great for Rock and Metal: The Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 excels in genres like rock and metal, where its heavy-sounding pickups ensure you hit every note with power and clarity. Whether you’re riffing or soloing, this guitar’s pickups sound great, delivering the raw energy these music styles demand.
• Excellent Sustain: The E1’s exceptional sustain allows you to achieve long, resonant notes easily. Whether you’re holding a note for dramatic effect or layering sounds, this guitar supports your most expressive playing.
• Rich Neck Pickup Sound: The neck pickup of the Les Paul Studio E1 offers a warm, full-bodied tone, perfect for creating depth in your music. Combined with responsive volume and tone pots, this guitar gives you control over your sound, allowing nuanced playing that stands out in any mix.

Squier Bullet Mustang HH

Specifications

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Indian Laurel
• Frets: 22
• Scale: 24″
• Pickups: Humbucker Strat
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickup Switching: 3-way

Key Benefits

• Passive Pickups: The Squier Bullet Mustang HH is equipped with passive pickups, offering you a classic sound that’s versatile for various genres. This contender for best beginner electric guitar ensures you can explore a wide range of tones, from clean to gritty, providing a solid foundation for developing your musical voice.
• Great for Smaller Players: With its compact and lightweight design, this guitar is an excellent choice for smaller players or if you find standard guitars cumbersome. It’s recognized as one of the best electric guitars for ease of playability, making it a favorite among beginner guitarists seeking comfort without sacrificing quality.
• Affordability: As one of the most budget-friendly options on the market, the Squier Bullet Mustang HH stands out as the best beginner electric guitar for those who want quality without a hefty price tag. It’s an ideal entry point for you, offering great value and a positive initial playing experience.

Ibanez Artcore AS53

Specifications

• Body: Sapele
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Bound Laurel
• Frets: 22
• Scale: 24.75″
• Pickups: Infinity R (H)
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickup Switching: 3-Way

Key Benefits

• Wide Tonal Range: You don’t have to be a guitar tech to appreciate the vast spectrum of sounds the Ibanez Artcore AS53 has to offer. This feature makes it a favorite among those who appreciate versatility in their electric guitars, catering to a myriad of musical styles and techniques.
• Semi-Acoustic Design: Blending the worlds of electric and acoustic, the AS53 offers you a unique semi-acoustic experience. This design enriches the guitar’s tonal qualities and appeals to players looking for an electric guitar with an acoustic essence.
• Increased Sustain and Feedback Resistance: Engineered for performance, the AS53 boasts enhanced sustain and is adept at resisting unwanted feedback. This combination is ideal for live performances and studio sessions, making it a go-to choice if you demand reliability and quality from your electric guitars.

Yamaha Pacifica 112V

Specifications

• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 22
• Scale: 25.5″
• Pickups: Alnico V Pickups
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone with Push-Pull, Coil-Split Switch
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickup Switching: 5-Position Selector

Key Benefits

• Robust Build Quality: The Yamaha Pacifica 112V is renowned for its durability, making it one of the best beginner electric guitars. Its sturdy construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of practice and performance, providing you with a reliable instrument.
• Wide Variety of Finishes: With an array of finishes, the Pacifica 112V allows you to express your style while enjoying quality craftsmanship. This personal touch adds to the excitement and engagement of learning guitar.
• Great Features for the Price: The Pacifica 112V offers features usually seen on more expensive guitars, such as versatile pickups and a comfortable neck design. This makes it an outstanding choice for beginners if you want a high-quality instrument without a hefty price tag.

Squier Affinity Series Telecaster

Specifications

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Frets: 21
• Scale: 25.5″
• Pickups: Ceramic Single-Coil
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade

Key Benefits

• Great Tone: The Squier Affinity Series Telecaster is celebrated for its crisp, vibrant tone, making it one of the best beginner electric guitars on the market. Its sound quality encourages you to practice and explore a variety of musical styles, providing a solid auditory foundation for your learning journey.
• Smooth Action: With its player-friendly setup, the Telecaster offers smooth action that facilitates easier chord transitions and solo playing. This ease of use is crucial for you, helping you develop your skills without the frustration of a difficult-to-play instrument.
• Lightweight Body: The Telecaster’s lightweight body is a significant advantage for beginner guitarists, ensuring comfortable playing sessions, whether standing or sitting. This feature makes the guitar suitable for extended practice sessions, enhancing your overall learning experience without causing strain or fatigue.

What is the Best Beginner Electric Guitar?

Starting your musical journey of learning the guitar can be exhilarating yet frightening, especially when choosing from the best beginner electric guitars.

The ideal beginner guitar should offer a harmonious blend of playability, durability, and affordability, providing a seamless learning experience without overwhelming you.

Look for a few key criteria:

• It should have a comfortable neck and easy action, allowing smooth fret transitions and reducing finger strain.
• Sound quality is also crucial; the guitar should produce clear, inspiring tones that motivate continuous practice and exploration.
• Additionally, look for guitars with user-friendly features like intuitive controls and robust hardware that can withstand the rigors of frequent use.
• Durability is key, as beginners will need an instrument that can accompany them through countless hours of practice and potentially a few bumps along the way.

While personal preference in aesthetics and sound will influence the final decision, the best beginner electric guitars strike a perfect balance between quality and accessibility, encouraging budding musicians like you to develop their skills and foster a lifelong passion for music.

How Can a Beginner Electric Guitar Benefit You?

Investing in one of the best beginner electric guitars can significantly benefit your musical journey from the outset.

These guitars are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of a budding guitarist (like you!), offering a combination of features that facilitate the learning process. A beginner-friendly electric guitar offers more effortless playability, which is crucial for developing proper technique and preventing frustration during practice.

These guitars typically have lower string action and a comfortable neck profile, reducing your hand fatigue and making it easier for you to master chords and scales.

Additionally, the best beginner electric guitars are built to deliver quality sound, ensuring you can hear your progress clearly, essential for staying motivated and engaged with your practice.

They also offer robust construction, ensuring durability as you navigate the initial stages of learning and experimentation.

By choosing a guitar tailored to beginners’ needs, you’re not just buying an instrument; you’re investing in a tool designed to enhance your learning experience, making it more enjoyable and effective.

Whether you’re dreaming of rock stardom or simply looking to enjoy playing music, a beginner electric guitar is a valuable ally on your musical journey.

Buyers Guide: How We Conducted Our Research

When doing our research to find the best products for each category, we determined them using these factors:

• Pricing: How much did each product cost
• Features and Benefits: What were the best features of each product?
• Negatives: What was missing from each product
• Support or Refund: Do they offer a community, support, or refund policy?

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up our exploration of the best beginner electric guitar, it’s clear that the right choice can profoundly impact your journey.

The best beginner electric guitar is more than just an instrument; it’s a gateway to a world of musical expression, creativity, and personal growth. It should be a tool that fits your budget and aesthetic preferences and encourages and facilitates your learning and progress.

From the comfort of the neck to the quality of the pickups, every aspect of the guitar should align with the goal of making the learning process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Remember, the best guitar for you resonates with your personal style and musical ambitions, offering a balance of playability, sound quality, and durability. As you embark on this exciting musical adventure, choose a guitar that feels like a companion, one that will inspire you to pick it up day after day, eager to explore and improve.

With the right beginner electric guitar in your hands, the journey ahead is not just about learning chords and scales but about discovering your voice in the vast universe of music.

FAQs

How much does a good beginner electric guitar cost?

When considering the cost of a good beginner electric guitar, it’s essential to understand that an expensive guitar isn’t always necessary to start your journey.

Most guitars designed for beginners are priced to offer value while providing the essential features needed to learn effectively. The best electric guitar for a beginner should balance quality and affordability, with prices typically ranging from $100 to $500.

You can find instruments within this range that offer reliable tuning, decent sound quality, and comfortable playability—without breaking the bank.

Remember, the goal is to find a guitar that supports your learning and feels right to you, not necessarily to invest in the most expensive option available.

What guitar is easiest to start with?

When choosing the easiest guitar to start with, personal preference plays a significant role.

For many, an electric guitar is a popular choice due to its thinner neck and lighter strings, which can be easier on the fingers for beginners. There are also people who swear you should start with an acoustic guitar.

However, the ‘easiest’ guitar also depends on your musical tastes and the style you aspire to play.

When selecting your new guitar, consider one that feels comfortable, has a smooth fretboard, and maybe even comes with a gig bag for easy transport.

Ultimately, the best guitar to start with is one that inspires you to play and practice regularly and aligns with your musical goals and preferences.

Do I need an amp for an electric guitar?

Absolutely, an amp is essential for an electric guitar to fulfill its potential.

Whether your guitar has a humbucker pickups or a single coil pickups, an amp is crucial to projecting the instrument’s sound and exploring different tones. While the guitar’s pickups play a pivotal role in shaping its tone, the amp allows you to amplify and modify that sound, offering a range of tonal possibilities from clean and crisp to distorted and gritty.

Even if you’re just starting out, investing in a small practice amp can significantly enhance your playing experience.

It allows you to experiment with various sounds and better understand the dynamic range of your electric guitar.

Can I teach myself guitar?

Certainly, you can teach yourself to play the guitar, even if your musical ambitions lean towards genres like metal and hard rock, which might seem extremely difficult at first.

This is what I did long ago. I picked up a used Jackson and Marshall practice amp from a guitar shop in New York and taught myself to play without a single lesson – so don’t be afraid to try if you want to!

My interest was also in heavy metal, so my “easy” was Iron Man and Paranoid by Black Sabbath (no solos for me then).

With a wealth of online resources, from tutorial videos to tablature sites, self-learning has never been more accessible. While metal and hard rock can involve complex riffs and rapid finger movements, starting with the basics and gradually increasing complexity can make the learning process manageable and rewarding.

Dedication, practice, and patience are essential. You can progress from simple chords to masterful solos by setting realistic goals and consistently challenging yourself.

Where should a beginner start with guitar?

Starting with the basics is key for beginners picking up the guitar for the first time.

Online lessons can be an invaluable resource, offering step-by-step guidance right from the comfort of your home. Initially, focus on mastering the use of your fretting hand, as it’s crucial for forming guitar chords and navigating the fretboard.

Begin by learning simple chords, the building blocks of countless songs.

This foundation will not only help you develop finger strength and dexterity but will also enable you to start playing easy songs quickly, providing motivation and a sense of achievement early in your learning journey.

How many guitars should a beginner have?

For beginners, having one guitar is sufficient to start your musical journey.

Owning a single instrument allows you to become familiar with its feel, sound, and quirks, which is crucial for developing your playing skills. Investing time and effort into learning and understanding one guitar helps build a solid foundation, whether it’s mastering chords and scales or exploring various playing techniques.

Additionally, focusing on one guitar ensures you can handle the nuances of different instruments, allowing for a more focused and dedicated learning process.

As you progress, you’ll develop a deeper connection with your guitar, making the learning experience more personal and rewarding.

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