Best beginner electric guitars 2023: kickstart your musical journey with these epic electric guitars for beginners
Getting your first guitar is an exciting time, but you want to make sure you get one of the best beginner electric guitars possible. Most guitarists will remember their first instrument well and due to the varying quality of beginner guitars over the years, sometimes those memories will be fond, other times not so. Thankfully in the modern era of guitar building, it’s pretty difficult to end up with a dud.
However, there are absolutely shed-loads of instruments you can pick from and when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, the amount of choice can feel overwhelming. Thankfully we’re here to step in with our decades of experience playing guitar, so we can help you make the best choice possible.
We’ve rounded up all the best beginner guitars available today, with offerings from Squier, Yamaha, Epiphone, PRS, and loads more to ensure you’re well set on the road to guitar superstardom. Whether you want to shred like Tim Henson, blues-schmooze like John Mayer, or get experimental à la Annie Clark of St Vincent – there’s a guitar here that’s perfect for helping you develop your signature voice.
We’ve included some in-depth buying advice at the end of this article, for those who are unsure of what it is they want exactly, or if you have a question that needs answering. If you’re ready to rock, then keep scrolling to see our top picks.
Best beginner electric guitars: Our top picks
For the absolute best in beginner guitars, it’s hard to look past the Yamaha Pacifica 112VM (opens in new tab). The Pacifica has been around for a while now but still delivers thanks to its combination of great spec and competitive price.
If you’ve got a little more cash to spend, or you want something that will last you a little bit longer, then have a gander at the PRS SE Standard 24 (opens in new tab). It’s the most expensive instrument in this article, but the playability and looks more than make up for the price tag.
On a budget? Don’t worry you can still get a quality guitar. As well as being great for younger players or those with smaller dimensions, the Squier Bullet Mustang (opens in new tab) is unbelievable value for money. Its comfortable small scale makes playing chords a breeze, and it sounds nice and hefty thanks to the dual humbucker pickup configuration.
Best beginner electric guitar: Product guide
(Image credit: Yamaha)
First introduced in 1993, the Yamaha Pacifica 112V electric guitar has earned its place at the table of quality electric guitars for beginners. While it doesn’t bring with it quite the same mojo as a Fender or a Gibson, this impressive Strat-style guitar makes up for that with levels of playability and build quality that far exceed expectations from its smaller price tag.
A juicy-sounding humbucker at the bridge proved to us that overdriven sounds were well within reach during our testing, while the two single coils pickups provided us a superb breadth of tones. While there are undoubtedly ‘cheap’ guitars you’ll outgrow in no time, the Pacifica has enough interest to remain a staple in your roster for years to come.
Read the full Yamaha Pacifica 112V review
(Image credit: Fender)
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2. Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster
The best beginner electric guitar overall
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body:
Pine
Neck:
Maple
Scale:
25.5″ (648 mm)
Fingerboard:
Maple
Frets:
21
Pickups:
Fender Designed Alnico Single Coils
Controls:
Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
Hardware:
Chrome
Left-handed:
Yes
Finish:
2-Color Sunburst, Black, Fiesta Red, White Blonde
View at Thomann
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Preorder at Andertons
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View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
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Well-made
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Budget-friendly
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Range of finishes
Reasons to avoid
–
There are cheaper models available
While there are slightly cheaper models in their catalog, the Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster takes our vote as the best beginner’s electric guitar. Out of the box, it felt well-made, well set-up and overall it sounded great – so able to withstand your formative playing years. It’s thankfully pretty cost-effective too. All important ingredients when choosing your first electric.
If the Strat itself doesn’t appeal to you, the beginner-friendly range extends to include Telecasters, Jaguars and Jazzmasters, so at least one of the huge range of Squier guitars will suit you at this early stage in your guitar-playing journey.
Read our full Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster review
(Image credit: Future)
3. PRS SE Standard 24
The most versatile choice sub-$600
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Body:
Mahogany
Neck:
Maple
Scale:
25”
Fingerboard:
Rosewood
Frets:
24
Pickups:
2x 85/15 “S”
Controls:
Master Volume, Push/Pull Tone control, 3-way blade pickup switch
Hardware:
Nickel
Left-handed:
No
Finish:
Vintage Cherry, Translucent Blue, Tobacco Sunburst
View at Andertons
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View at Thomann
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Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Flawless finish options
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Rock solid and reliable
+
Coil-splits for even more tones
Reasons to avoid
–
It’ll make you want a pricier PRS
Best known for their USA-crafted masterpieces lavished with exotic woods and other incredible materials, PRS are a relative newcomer to the world of budget guitars – but they’ve definitely made an entrance. The ‘SE’ range stands for ‘Student Edition’, but we’re struggling to find anything ‘student’ about these guitars other than the price.
The SE Standard 24 is for those who need something special on a lower budget. As the name suggests, this SE features a 24 fret neck, allowing for those little extra flourishes in your playing. The body has a carved top which makes playing incredibly comfortable, and the lower horn is also carved to make upper fret access super easy as well. The hardware and tremolo are strong and reliable, ideal if you don’t fancy fighting your guitar to keep it in tune.
The pickups are PRS’ own 85/15 “S” creations – a re-designed version of the pickups that you’d likely find in much more expensive models – and combined with a coil-split hidden in the tone control, we found access to even more tones during our testing. There’s not much this guitar can’t do.
Read the full PRS SE Standard 24 review
(Image credit: Epiphone)
4. Epiphone Les Paul Studio
An affordable version of the stripped-back classic
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body:
Mahogany
Neck:
Mahogany
Scale:
24.75”
Fingerboard:
Pau Ferro
Frets:
22, Medium Jumbo
Pickups:
Alnico Classic Humbucker (Neck), Alnico Classic Plus Humbucker (Bridge)
Controls:
2x Volume, 2x Tone, 3-way toggle
Hardware:
Chrome
Left-handed:
Yes
Finish:
Smokehouse Burst, Alpine White, Ebony, Wine Red
View at Scan
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View at Thomann
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View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Features the DNA of a rock icon
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Great tones
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Easy on the eye
Reasons to avoid
–
A little heavy for beginners
Chances are, if you’ve heard any recorded music from the past 60 years you’ve heard the sounds of a Gibson Les Paul. Played by some of music’s biggest and best names, these iconic guitars are synonymous with rock and heavy music. So what better place for a beginner to begin than with their own slice of musical history?
The Epiphone Les Paul Studio is the Gibson offshoot brand’s best beginner electric guitar, and it packs all that knowledge and understanding into a near-perfect package here. Two humbuckers deliver a great palette of tones, from sparkly cleans to thick overdrive, and everything in-between. The mahogany body and neck ensures sustain that goes for hours, as well as a super solid build quality. You don’t get all the frills and extras of the more expensive models, but who cares when it looks, plays and sounds this good?
Read our full Epiphone Les Paul Studio review
(Image credit: Future/Matt McCracken)
5. Gretsch G2420 Streamliner
Big sounds and iconic looks for an entry level-friendly price
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body:
Maple
Neck:
Nato
Scale:
24.75″
Fingerboard:
Laurel
Frets:
22
Pickups:
Broad’Tron BT-2S humbuckers
Controls:
Master volume x 1, pickup volume x 2, master tone x 1
Hardware:
Chrome
Left-handed:
No
Finish:
Walnut, Aged Brooklyn Burst, Village Amber
Preorder at Andertons
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View at Amazon
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View at Thomann
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Reasons to buy
+
Vibrant tone
+
Gorgeous curves
Reasons to avoid
–
Could be too big for kids
–
No left-handed version
If country, folk and jazz are more your style, the Gretsch G2420 Streamliner could be the best beginner electric guitar for you. Coming from a brand with a rich heritage, this hollow-body electric delivers a much different playing experience to the other guitars featured in this list.
For a start, we found the tones it produces are much more vibrant and expressive on account of its semi-acoustic nature during our testing. Where other guitars require an amp to mould and shape a tone, this guitar simply requires its inherent tonality to be made louder, such is the richness on offer. Don’t be put off by its size either – the G2420 has curves in all the right places and playing it is no more difficult than any other guitar.
Read our full Gretsch G2420 Streamliner review
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
6. Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20
A powerful workhorse for the modern guitar player
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body:
Chambered mahogany
Neck:
3-piece mahogany, glued-in
Scale:
24.75”
Fingerboard:
Rosewood
Frets:
22, Medium Jumbo
Pickups:
2x YGD-designed VH3 covered humbuckers
Controls:
3-way lever pickup selector switch, volume, and tone (with pull-push Dry Switch high‑pass filter)
Hardware:
Chrome
Left-handed:
No
Finish:
Neon Yellow, Black, Red Copper, Swift Blue, Vintage White
View at Thomann
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View at Gear 4 Music
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View at Andertons
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Reasons to buy
+
Resonant sounding body
+
Great playing neck
+
Excellent value for money
Reasons to avoid
–
Not the most versatile
The original Revstar series launched back in 2015 to much acclaim and these MkII models offer some significant improvements over the original. The Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20 makes a fantastic first guitar, one that will last you well past the beginner stage of playing.
The chambered mahogany body is resonant and lively, with pickups voiced to a hot vintage-type tone. The bridge pickup delivers a powerful yet balanced voice, not too sharp in the high end whilst the neck pickup offers that thicker, smoother PAF-style sound that’s so highly sought after.
The previous Revstar model’s neck profile got quite thick around the 12th fret, whereas here we find a flatter back that still feels hefty in the hand. It’s a satin finish, so feels nice and sleek ensuring your fretting hand can travel freely.
Read the full Yamaha Revstar RSE20 review
(Image credit: Epiphone)
7. Epiphone SG Standard
The best beginner electric guitar for Angus Young devotees
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body:
Mahogany
Neck:
Mahogany
Scale:
24.75
Fingerboard:
Pau Ferro
Frets:
22
Pickups:
Epiphone Alnico Classic PRO
Controls:
Volume x 2, Tone x 2
Hardware:
Chrome
Left-handed:
Yes
Finish:
Cherry, Alpine White
View at Scan
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View at Amazon
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View at Thomann
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Reasons to buy
+
Versatile performance
+
Huge rock-ready tones
+
Bad-ass looks
Reasons to avoid
–
Not ideal if you want to play more than rock
As the Gibson stable’s ‘other’ big marque, the SG found itself a niche in players who wanted to retain a bit of individuality over the plethora of Les Paul players. As a result, the SG found its hands into some of rock’s biggest names, including Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and AC/DC’s Angus Young, who favored its raw, edgy tones and striking visual appeal.
The Epiphone SG Standard continues this vibe by delivering good on the promise of rugged, rock-ready tones and exemplary construction. With an extremely comfortable neck and unparalleled access to the higher frets, this is a fun, playable, and incredibly attractive electric guitar for beginners and pros alike.
Read our full Epiphone SG Standard review (opens in new tab)
(Image credit: Squier)
As many (but not all) beginner guitarists are young, it makes sense for us to include a guitar that suits those among us with smaller hands. Enter the Squier Bullet Mustang. While it’s not a ‘mini guitar’, it does have a slightly reduced scale size, making it ideal for younger players to get to grips with techniques that will serve them as they develop.
That said, having played one ourselves, we can confidently say that this guitar is no mere toy. In fact, we loved its rough-and-ready playability and happily recommend it as one of the overall best beginner’s electric guitars, as well as one of the best guitars for kids. For a shade under $200, you can’t go far wrong.
Read the full Squier Bullet Mustang review
(Image credit: Ibanez)
9. Ibanez Gio GRG121DX
The perfect beginner guitar for heavy metal heads
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body:
Okoume
Neck:
Maple
Scale:
648mm/25.5″
Fingerboard:
Bound Purpleheart
Frets:
24, Jumbo
Pickups:
2x IBZ-6 humbucking
Controls:
5-way selector switch, volume, and tone
Hardware:
Black
Left-handed:
No
Finish:
Walnut Flat, Black Flat
Check Amazon
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View at Guitar Center
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Reasons to buy
+
Great for heavier sounds
+
Very affordable
+
Fast playing neck
Reasons to avoid
–
Appeal is limited to metal heads
The Ibanez GIO GRG121DX is a fantastic beginner guitar for the player who wants to get heavy. Looking aggressive thanks to the sharp, double-cut body and those shark tooth inlays, this shred machine will have your hands flying across the fretboard in no time.
It comes with two Ibanez-designed humbuckers that are voiced for heavier sounds. There’s a nice warmth to them, and they do cleans articulately too. It’s a perfect metal guitar, dealing with high gain extremely well.
A five-way pickup switch gives you a little more tonal variety, although the split coil positions aren’t quite as sweet as a true single-coil pickup. The hardware is rock solid too, with a hardtail bridge and tuners that uphold their tuning respectably.
(Image credit: Epiphone)
10. Epiphone ES-335 Semi-Hollowbody
Lose yourself in the vintage vibes of this classic semi-hollowbody
Our expert review:
Specifications
Body:
Maple
Neck:
Mahogany
Scale:
24.75”
Fingerboard:
Rosewood
Frets: :
22
Pickups:
Alnico Classic PRO
Controls:
Volume x 2, Tone x 2
Hardware:
Chrome
Left-handed:
Yes
Finish:
Cherry, Vintage Sunburst
View at Thomann
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View at Scan
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View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Cool vintage tones
+
Huge playability
+
Ace for country blues and rock
Reasons to avoid
–
Large body might put off kids
Rounding off the list is the Epiphone ES-335, which marries vintage tones and vibe with incredible construction and playability. This Epiphone is the affordable version of Gibson’s famous ES-335 model, which has been used on countless blues and rock tracks ever since its introduction in the late 1950s.
What we particularly liked about the ES-335 was its incredible warmth and clarity when pushed through a clean channel using the Alnico Classic neck humbucker. The resonance and sustain had us purring, and we’re certain that if this is on your shortlist, you’ll feel the same.
If you’re small then the large body might put you off, both sat down and on a guitar strap, but for a larger person, this guitar will be a dream.
Read our full Epiphone ES-335 review
Best beginner electric guitars: Buying advice
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Choosing the best beginner electric guitar for you
Why you can trust Guitar World
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
If you’ve decided that you want to play the electric guitar, then first of all, welcome! You’re part of an exclusive club, full of rock stars, country icons, and plenty of normal folk like you and I.
Whatever styles of guitar music you’re into, an electric guitar can cover pretty much everything. Accompanied by one of the best guitar amps, your beginner electric guitar will take you from learning your very first riffs, all way to potential stardom.
There’s a lot to consider when looking for the best beginner electric guitar. Every single part of the instrument affects the resulting sound and feel. Let’s take a look at them…
Does guitar body shape matter?
The first thing we’d suggest you think about is the shape of the guitar. The amount of shapes and sizes on the market is huge, and whilst those factors don’t always influence the sound of your guitar, they affect how comfortable it is to play and what it looks like – two things which are crucially important for us guitarists.
The two most recognizable electric guitar body shapes are probably the Les Paul and the Stratocaster. Now, the ‘full-fat’ Les Paul is made by Gibson, and will set you back some serious money – as will a USA-made Fender Stratocaster – but with budget brands such as Epiphone and Squier in play? Well, you can grab something which looks and sounds authentic for a fraction of the price. You’ll also find killer beginner electric guitars being made by a bunch other brands including Yamaha and Gretsch.
Generally, Les Pauls tend to have a thicker body with a single cutaway and Strats are a little thinner, with two cutaways. This does affect how comfortable they are to play, though which one is right for you boils down to personal preference. There are also models like the Epiphone SG which have a similar sound to the Les Paul, but are a little thinner and usually lighter.
What wood is a beginner electric guitar typically made from?
The woods used for electric guitars do vary. You’ll find the likes of basswood and nato being used on some beginner electric models, which helps keep costs down, whilst others utilize mahogany, which is usually heavier. How much of an impact the body wood has on the sound of an electric guitar is widely disputed, but it certainly affects the weight of it.
How do pickups work?
Probably the most influential part of the electric guitar’s sound is the electric guitar pickups with which it is equipped. We won’t get too nerdy or science-y here, but pickups are essentially either one or two magnets wrapped with wire. This creates a charged magnetic field which, when disrupted by a moving string, creates a signal which is then taken through your guitar cable to your amp. There are different types of electric guitar pickups available on different guitars, the most popular options being either single coils (which are found on Stratocasters and Telecasters) or humbuckers (which are usually found on Les Pauls).
The tonal difference between these types of pickups is pretty massive. Single coil pickups usually sound a lot brighter and thinner, and put out a signal which is much lower than a humbucker – making them great for clean sounds, and a favorite choice for country, pop and funk players among others.
Humbuckers produce a tone which is much thicker and warmer sounding due to their larger size and construction, and although they sound great clean, they have a higher output which makes them distort sooner. The vast majority of classic rock and metal players opt for humbuckers for this reason.
When it comes to what you can play with each type of pickup, the statements we’ve made are just a general guide. Any kind of music can be played on any type of guitar with any type of pickup. That’s the beauty of the guitar! It’s all about how you play, not what you play.
(Image credit: Future)
Does guitar hardware matter?
Hardware is quite important when looking for the best beginner electric guitar. Hardware comprises things like the bridge, saddles, tuning pegs, and the output (the bit you plug your cable into). Investing in better quality, sturdier hardware will mean your guitar will require less maintenance and hold its tuning better; it can even help with sustain, making it sound better too.
Which brands make the best beginner electric guitars?
When it comes to the best beginner electric guitars, near enough every major brand offers something. Whether it’s through the main brand or a more budget-oriented subsidiary, there’ll be something on offer from many of the biggest names in the business.
Some of the very best beginner electric guitars come from Squier, Epiphone, PRS and Yamaha. These brands are consistently releasing brilliant instruments which are designed to give beginners the best possible start to their playing careers.
There’s also brands such as Gretsch and Ibanez to consider. Ibanez guitars are usually built for those who’re more into heavier styles of music, so if you’re a metalhead, then they’re worth checking out. Likewise, for you country and blues guys, Gretsch guitars are some of the best and most appropriate guitars you could choose. While all guitars can do all styles, some are definitely more suited to certain genres of music.
How much should you spend on a beginner electric guitar?
Finding the best beginner electric guitar is about balancing all of the above with the cost. You can pick up something between $150-200 that will stand you in good stead for learning; the more you pay, the more likely you’ll find better hardware, pickups that offer more definition, and better build quality. That said, most people don’t want to spend too much on their first electric guitar in case it’s not something they take to (plus, it gives you an excuse to upgrade a few years later!).
We’d say that the top end of your budget should be no more than around $500.
Ultimately, you’re the one that’s going to be playing the guitar, so it’s important that you find something that’s comfortable to play, and that inspires you to pick it up. There’s a ton of learning resources for beginner guitarists, in books and online guitar lessons, too. YouTube has some great content if you want to teach yourself, plus there are plenty of teachers that are happy to meet in person, or teach via video call. There really has never been a better time to learn!
Beginner guitar lessons
Picking up one of the best beginner electric guitars is no use unless you know how to play at least the basics on it. Some people can pick things up by ear, or are lucky enough to have someone in the house to guide them. If neither of these apply, we would always recommend seeking out lessons.
Face to face lessons are a great way to build a connection with a teacher and develop your skills in a hands-on way, but if you want to quickly understand basic guitar techniques, learn from the comfort of your home and don’t have a huge budget, online lessons are a great, affordable route to take. You can learn more and discover our top picks in this guide to the best online guitar lessons.
You can currently make savings on a some of those platforms using the codes below, too.
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Fender Play: 50% off an annual subscription (opens in new tab)
Sorted a free trial but now you want to continue getting all the benefits of Fender Play lessons beyond your trial? Fender is offering 50% off an annual plan for all Guitar World readers, dropping the price from $99.99 to just $49.99. Just add the code guitarworld50 at checkout.
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Simply Guitar: Save 20% at this link (opens in new tab)
If you’d prefer to learn on your smart device, Simply Guitar has a fantastic app with a fun, lively gamified approach to learning the instrument. Right now you can sign up for a year and save $30, dropping the annual cost from $150 down to just $120.
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Enjoy your first month of Guitar Tricks for half price using the exclusive Guitar World code GW50MONTH at checkout. Guitar Tricks features plenty of great content for beginners, but really shines when it comes to intermediate and pro players, with over 11,000 videos across the site.
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How we test a beginner electric guitar
(Image credit: John Fedele)
As you’ll undoubtedly have gathered from this guide, electric guitars are very subjective. One guitar player’s dream axe, could be another’s nightmare. That said, no matter our personal preference, there are a few key criteria that a guitar must meet before we’d consider recommending it.
First and foremost is build quality. We’ll thoroughly check over every aspect of the instrument, making sure everything feels sturdy and solid. Even though these guitars may be at the bottom end of the price spectrum, they should still feel well put together and robust.
We’ll make sure the machine heads are responsive, the volume and tone pots are smooth, and there are no issues with the pickups or bridge. We will then look over the general finishing of the guitar, looking out for any finishing anomalies, such as bumps in the lacquer.
Next, we must check how well the guitar plays straight out of the box. We are obviously looking to see how comfortable the neck is to hold, but we are also looking for any fret issues that may cause playability problems further down the line.
Lastly, we need to think about the sound of the instrument. We test the guitar through various amps at a variety of settings, switching through the guitar’s pickups to see how they handle different styles of music and tones.
Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
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