You don’t want a guitar so cheap that it will fit you every step of the way. And, you don’t want to spend so much of your money on a guitar so that it ends up being so expensive that you’re scared to even pick it up and play it on a daily basis.
For most absolute beginners, the new guitar price range sweet spot is about $150 to $300.
Why Shouldn’t I Go For The Cheapest Option?
Guitars under $100 are a gamble. They might sound all wrong even when you’ve got them tune up correctly. Also, the action can be pretty poor, making it feel like you’re perpetually stabbing at strings that are way off of the fretboard almost all up in your face. In reality, these are just 2 of the surefire ways to demoralize you and quickly lose your motivation about learning the guitar.
Why Not Just Spend More?
The thing is, you don’t really know what you’re looking for yet. After six months of playing, you’ll have a pretty good idea whether you like a certain neck shape, or a certain sound, or if you’ve got what it takes to make it last. A $200 guitar lets you try out all these things without breaking the bank (or your family’s).
Breaking It Down
Under $100: This price range is NOT a good idea. You would basically be asking for trouble and problems.
$150-300: This is where most beginners end up. Brands like Yamaha, Squier, Epiphone, and Ibanez are all brands that make genuinely decent instruments in this price range.
$300-500: If you’re feeling pretty confident about making music a long-term thing, then this is probably the right place to be. You’ll get better hardware and more consistent quality.
$500+: Save that for your second guitar. By then you’ll know exactly what you want.
Why New Guitars Are Better For Beginners
You might think buying used is the way to go because it could save you some cash. But for beginners, a NEW entry-level guitar is more than often than not the right way to go. As a guitar teacher I have found this to be a major problem and a common problem with parents who are willing to pay for on going guitar lessons for their daughter or son but not for paying for a decent, playable, and reliable musical instrument. I don’t mind that I sometimes made extra money “fixing” their used instruments. Often, it was just putting a band aid onto a bad situation.
Choose to get a new guitar because modern manufacturing has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. Today, computerized CNC machines can cut frets fast, shape necks perfectly, and route bodies with computer precision that just was not even possible only 15 years ago. Today, a brand new $200 guitar is more consistent and playable than a $400 guitar from 2005, even though the older one costs twice as much money.
Further, the buyer should beware, especially with used musical instruments. Used guitars come with a ton of unknowns too. Many used guitars come with warped necks, worn frets, and electronic issues. This is stuff that a beginner would not even know that they need to check for.
Unless you’ve got someone experienced in guitars in general and specifically experienced with older, used guitars and they are helping you to give it a thorough once-over, then it is normally best to just go with a new purchase. Some of my past guitar students tried doing their lessons with cheap, messed-up used guitars and it was a bit of managing a messy disaster.
I understand that their parents did not want to waste money buying an instrument that their child might not stick with. But, my advice to them and to you is to “at least give yourself a good chance, a reasonable shot at it.” You do get a warranty, as well as usually a predictable quality instrument. This equals to a lot of little headaches that you won’t have to worry about. And, one less big thing, a playable guitar, that you won’t have to worry about later while you’re trying to learn.
Try Before You Buy
If you can, get down to a music store and take a few guitars for a spin. You don’t even need to know any chords. Just pick one up and see how it feels to you. Is it comfortable to sit and hold it? Does it sound good to you? Is the neck comfy in your hand? Can you reach all the frets up and down the neck without straining your hand or your arm? Does the body sit right against you when you’re sitting? Or, does it feel awkward to you?
Ten minutes of trying out different guitars, and you might get a pretty good idea about what suits you. You might even find that a shape that looked awesome on paper but it feels all wrong in real life. Or, that a guitar you overlooked online is the one that feels like it was made just for you. Trust your hands. If something feels off in-store, it will not magically get better later after you get it home.
Don’t Forget The Extras
Add another $30-50 for the basics: a tuner, some picks, and a strap. If you’re an electric player, you’ll also need a practice amp. You may want to budget about $50-150 for a decent starter amp.
Brands that are Worth Your Money
You could budget about $200 to purchase a guitar from a reputable brand that will work well for you as a beginner. Just look for something that plays well, rather than something that’s got a fancy name. Here are some reliable brands that won’t break the bank:
Acoustic Guitars
Yamaha FG800 – the gold standard for beginners. It’s got a solid spruce top that punches well above its price. I have taught many beginner guitar students who all began with a Yamaha guitar. I also enjoyed teaching them during their lessons because Yamaha’s got quality control on lockdown, almost every one that I have seen will play very well.
Fender CD-60S – the neck is slim and forgiving. This is just what new players need. It’s also got solid top construction at an entry-level price. You won’t be afraid to take this one out of your bedroom and carry it around outside.
Epiphone DR-100 – a workhorse acoustic with a warm mahogany tone. It’s simple, reliable, and built to last through your learning curve. I have had many Epiphone guitars in my past guitar playing.
Jasmine S35 – if budget’s tight, this is the floor for playable acoustics. It won’t win you any awards, but it won’t fight you either. And, that is definitely saying something.
Electric Guitars
Squier Affinity Stratocaster – Fender DNA at a fraction of the cost. The tone’s versatile – it’ll work for rock, blues, funk, and way more. The neck feels like guitars costing three times as much.
Epiphone Les Paul Standard – a warmer, thicker tone than Strats. Great for rock and heavier styles. The classic look and feel at a beginner-friendly price.
Ibanez GIO Series – fast, slim necks that are beloved by players who want to shred eventually. The lightweight bodies and smooth fretwork make them a breeze to play.
Yamaha Pacifica 112V – the sleeper pick. Often overlooked, but consistently praised by guitar teachers for its playability and versatility across genres.
Starter Amps (for Electric Players)
Fender Frontman 10G – A straightforward, budget-friendly amp that captures that Fender sound without all the bells and whistles. An affordable amp with just pure tone.
Boss Katana Mini – Battery powered, and its amp modeling is pretty impressive, especially when you need to jam somewhere other than your home studio.
Orange Crush 12 – That unmistakable British rock sound in a neat little package that wont take up too much room. Perfect for getting that classic rock tone.
Your second guitar is the one where things start to get a bit more picky. For now, just grab one of the options listed, give it a tune and get playing.
