Guitars are the go-to musical instrument for most people, especially teenagers. So, if you are thinking about learning to play the instrument, the prerequisite for that is a decent and suitable guitar.
First and foremost, I’d want to congratulate you on your decision to play guitar. If you see it through, you will acquire a skill that has the potential to improve your life.
I’ve been playing the guitar for many years and I got many guitars in my possession. Over the years, I have gained a lot of knowledge regarding these magical instruments – but it was quite difficult when I had first started my journey.
Just like yourself right now, I used to keep asking myself “how much should I spend on my new guitar?”
Firstly, let me be clear to you. Buying yourself a lavishly expensive guitar won’t make you a huge guitarist. You should be spending according to your affordability.
If you want to buy an electric guitar, you should keep your budget at $200- $400. If you wish to opt for a classical guitar or an acoustic guitar, your budget should be between $100-$250.
There are plenty of other aspects to consider before purchasing your first electric or acoustic guitar. So, let’s sort out the whole thing throughout this article so you can buy a good quality instrument.
What Kind of Guitar Should I Begin With?
If you’ve ever heard the term “you should learn to play on acoustic/classical guitars before moving on to electric guitars” or something similar to this, you’re not alone.
But don’t get too hung on this statement.
Rather, you should follow your intuition. You should play whatever music you choose, whether it’s rock, classical, or country. Subsequently, you should begin with a guitar that is appropriate for the genre of music you intend to perform.
Acoustic or Electric: The Better Choice
Most guitarists start with an acoustic guitar and go to electric later. One of the biggest reasons behind that is decent acoustic guitars being less expensive than good electric ones.
Acoustic guitars are suitable for most forms of play, whereas electric guitars favour specific styles of play due to their design. In addition, acoustic guitars produce a soothing warm tone that is very difficult to match with the electric ones.
Furthermore, when you buy an electric guitar, you’ll have to spend extra money on amplifiers and pedals. So, the pathway to mastering an electric guitar is a bit complicated and tough compared to the acoustic/classical guitar. Therefore, even pro musicians keep the acoustic as a second guitar.
Another point to mention is that you can play rock, metal, blues, country, pop, and other genres on an electric guitar. It doesn’t matter if the lead or rhythm element of the song is straight or distorted.
With an acoustic guitar, you can play mostly the same styles as you can on an electric. Without some variations, such as the lack of a distorted effect, performing a number of techniques will be difficult, if not impossible.
The acoustic guitar is mostly performed as a rhythm guitar for those folk, classical genres and stuff. However, this does not rule out the possibility of lead parts on this instrument. There are many fingerstyle compositions that may be played on this guitar.
So, it’s totally up to you what kind of guitar you want to start with. Decide that yourself. But if you’re dumbfounded and want us to show you the way, then we’d advise you to opt for an acoustic one and work your way up gradually. Acoustic guitars are less expensive yet very rewarding.
Things to Consider When Buying First Guitar
There are a few things you should consider before getting your first guitar. Let’s take a look into these.
Sound Pitch
When buying your first guitar, one of the most important things that you should be noticing is its sound pitch. You should compare its sound with some other guitars that you like.
It can be difficult for a beginner to tell the difference between different guitars. Nonetheless, you should make an effort to compare it across a number of guitars of your preference. If you don’t feel like going to stores and trying out different models, you can also inspect them online (youtube, or blogs like Tunersread) and figure out
It’s particularly difficult with electric guitars. Because the guitar isn’t plugged in, you should listen to it. Also, connect the guitar to the amp you’ll be purchasing. That’s how you should be checking these things.
Durability
When you’re testing the instrument, pay close attention to whether it’s firm. Check if something slides off or becomes loose or anything feels shaky.
It’s always better to go for guitars with a solid wood body like mahogany or Koa. While they can set you back a bit in terms of price, they will surely make it up with their unique tunes and extended longevity.
Comfort
Get that guitar that is suitable and comfortable for you. Don’t be hesitant to try it out. Guitars come in lots of different sizes and shapes. Read a good buying guide to know about your preferred shapes and sizes.
To evaluate if it is comfortable, you will need to look at a few aspects. If any of them aren’t working, try a different instrument. It’s not a bad idea to experiment with other options. Usually, you can try out as many guitars as you want in music shops. So, do not hesitate to do that.
Appeal
Your first guitar should be quite alluring and attractive. But, you shouldn’t go overboard with your budget to accomplish this point. You should get the one that not only looks amazing but also matches your price range. If you get an appealing one, your motivation to play will be increased much more.
Brand
Do some research and get some ideas about good and well-known guitar brands. Buy your first guitar from a well-known brand e.g- Gibson’s Les Paul or Fender instruments. Many companies offer affordable guitars. Stay away from the cheap ones. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Starter Guitar Kits for Beginner Guitarists
When you are about to start playing guitar, starter kits can really help your playability. Especially, they can help you with difficult barre chords and provide you with a proper setup.
So, it can be quite beneficial if you get a guitar starter pack.
A starter pack is an all-in-one kit that includes everything a beginner guitarist needs to get started. A starter pack basically costs less than buying all the kits individually. For a beginner guitar pack, your budget should be between 200$-300$.
In a decent starter pack, you will find picks, a cable, gig bag, a tuner, extra strings and an amp when it’s an electric pack.
Why Not to Buy Guitars that Are Too Inexpensive
You are probably wondering, “Why can’t I just buy something around $50 for my first guitar? ”
Trust me when I say this. You will make one of the biggest mistakes of your musical journey.
A cheap guitar will never sound the way a standard-priced guitar does. It’s no pleasure to play a cheap, badly built guitar at all. The tune will drop frequently and you will eventually get frustrated – maybe even stop playing altogether!
Most of the cheap guitars have low build quality. With this low-price level, you may expect your guitar to be made of low-quality materials such as wood, pickups, frets, knobs, and so on. Not to mention the poor workmanship.
These factors may have an impact on the guitars’ longevity. As a result, you will most likely struggle with challenging approaches as a novice. So, it’s a noticeable reason not to buy a too inexpensive guitar.
So, don’t go for one that is too cheap. Take a good one among the affordable guitars.
A Good Choice for a Beginner Guitar
If you decide to go for a classical guitar, I’ll be suggesting Jasmine S35 Guitar. We fell in love with this guitar instantly when we heard its sweet tunes. This guitar is unquestionably a wonderful choice in the guitar world for a beginner. This guitar has all of the features of a higher-priced guitar yet comes with a pretty reasonable tag.
As for an electric model, I’ll be suggesting the Yamaha Pacifica guitar. The Yamaha is a well-made electric guitar for beginners. It sounds great, comes in different colour schemes and has a reasonable price tag. I have had the Pacifica in my possession for a long time, and it’s still serving pretty well!
If you’re looking for a bundle, Fender makes the best electric guitars in the world and has a Stratocaster bundle that comes with all the necessary accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Easier to Play Expensive Guitars?
The answer is a big NO! The simplest guitar to play is one that you have spent a lot of time learning to play, regardless of how pricey the guitar is. There are numerous fundamental aspects that must be learned.
This isn’t something that happens overnight. It doesn’t matter how costly the guitar is if you don’t learn the basics. So, this whole thing is just a myth.
Conclusion
Many things influence how much you wish to invest, including your budget, the kind of guitar you want, and, most significantly, your passion for playing the guitar. Considering your choice and appeal, go for the one that suits your personality and matches your budget.
No need to buy an expensive one. It won’t do any better than a standard-priced guitar when you’re a newbie.
That was all for today. Just believe in yourself and don’t lose passion. Hope this article helped you sort your budget for your first guitar. Best of luck on your musical journey!
