Today I want to help aspiring electric guitar players to make an informed decision when purchasing their first guitar.
Over the years I’ve written or contributed to a substantial number of electric guitar buying guides, including: Why You Should Only Buy Your Next Electric Guitar at a Guitar Store, The 10 Best Electric Guitars for Metalheads, and The 14 Best Electric Guitars For Newbies (which has been visited over 16,000,000 times!).
This time I wanted to provide up-to-date information on the best electric guitars for beginners in 2022 in order to help any beginner to find the best electric guitar for them to buy.
Whether it’s a beginner or a pro-player, it’s great to own a beautiful electric guitar that inspires you to play. However, it’s more important to know what makes a guitar great.
Why?
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Epiphone SG Special | Best Overall |  |
| DR Pro DR259 MS1500BK Low Profile Mic Boom Stand | Budget Pick |  |
| Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar; Old Violin Sunburst | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Epiphone SG Special
Pros:
- Incredible value for the price
- Excellent build quality
- Great for beginners
- Has a number of premium features typically found on higher-end guitars
- Sound quality is about on-par with more expensive guitars
Cons:
- Not as versatile as some other guitars due to solid wood construction
- Action isn’t as low as some experts would like
Red, from Premium Gitarren.
The Epiphone SG is a classic guitar with a long history. In the early 1960s, the Les Paul became the number one selling guitar in the world. Over time, people started looking for a lighter model, and the SG was the result. SG stands for solid guitar, and this particular model has a mahogany body. Mahogany is a popular tonewood that imparts its own character onto the overall tone.
This is one of the best electric guitars for beginners.
2. Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar; Old Violin Sunburst
Pros:
- Comfortable, C-shaped neck
- Eye-catching old violin sunburst finish
- Lightweight, solid-body guitar
- 22 frets for easy navigation
- Dual single-coil pickups for fat, bold, and bright sounds
- Tone and volume controls for complete customization
The Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar is a beauty to look at and an instrument to play that you’re sure to enjoy for years. An old violin sunburst finish adds a little something extra to the visual appeal, but the real charm of this model lies in its performance.
This Yamaha Pacifica electric guitar is easy to hold and play, and it can be a great first guitar for anyone who wants to start learning to play the instrument. Its vintage-inspired design is sleek without being too showy. The sound is full and bright thanks to the two single coils which are a feature found in more expensive models, making this one a really good deal.
This one is a great choice for anyone looking for a little extra playability while remaining on a budget. This model is offered in four different configurations, each small enough to fit well in a backpack or gig bag.
3. ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Affordable and built to last
- Arrives in hard case with solid hardware, strap, and picks
- Stock single-coil pickups will deliver nice, snappy cleans
- Great option for beginners
- Fast and smooth shape that will fit kids well
- Craftsmanship is decent
For millennials, understanding the nostalgia and importance of a Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul is a no-brainer. But a guitar like the ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar might not seem familiar to younger generations. This starter guitar is proof that excellent sound is not the exclusive domain of big-name brands. The EC-256 comes equipped with high-quality components that are more than sufficient to get you started on your musical journey.
The guitar's design embodies a modern aesthetic to deliver an instantly attractive guitar at an affordable price. The black satin finish is eye-catching and distinct. You get whether you choose down or quilted maple neck. The rosewood fingerboard has 22 frets, which is a bit high for a beginner guitar, but rest assured, you won't be needing them with its included Floyd Rose tremolo system. This guitar will rock your socks off and offer a great investment for aspiring guitar players.
4. Epiphone Les Paul-100
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Solid top Alder body
- Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fretboard
It’s hard to find the best electric guitars for beginners that will also be reliable enough for your needs. While the Epiphone Les Paul-100, Ebony sounds like an ideal option, there are still some issues that need to be addressed by users and sellers – mainly regarding quality and value.
The Epiphone Les Paul-100, Ebony is the classic guitar many beginners start with in their quest to learn the instrument. There are some other models that are worth your money, but we’ll talk about those later. It’s important to point out that one of the most important features of the Epiphone Les Paul-100, Ebony is the convenience of speed and portability.
5. Fender Squier Vintage Modified Stratocaster HSS Rosewood 3-Color Sunburst
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Comes as an all-in-one bundle
- High-quality components
- Playable out-of-the-box
- Lightweight body
- Easy to maintain and handle
- Solid finish and wood
We recommend this product for those who are just learning how to play electric guitars or those who are learning from scratch. The Squier Vintage Modified Stratocaster is a great option for beginners who are learning to soothe. The guitar is comfortable to hold, and its lightweight body makes it very easy to manage.
The product comes as an all-in-one bundle and includes high-quality items that can help you to play and learn as soon as you remove it from the packaging. It’s not uncommon for guitar packages to include a premium-quality case to help keep the instrument safe during transport. In this bundle, you also receive an adapter system to give you access to three different playing methods, with easy-to-manage knobs and buttons.
6. Squier by Fender 303030500 Classic Vibe Telecaster Electric Guitar Custom
Pros:
- Classic tone
- Feels robust
- Easy to use
- Decent price point
- Comes with a variety of accessories
Cons:
- Could do with better locking tuners
- Could sound better when plugged in
Medium Jumbo Frets.
This is such a great guitar for beginners as the price is very manageable yet it still produces a great sound.
This guitar is also very easy to use. As beginners we’re all a bit anxious from playing too hard and this guitar allows for that to a certain extent while still producing clear sound when you’re strumming.
7. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Affordable price
- No assembly required
- Full-scale length
- Body made of mahogany with slim taper profile
- Rich, full sound produced by Alnico Classic piezo and humbucking pickups.
- It comes with high-quality electronic components
- Beautiful cherry finish
- Solid Tune-O-Matic bridge piece helps enhance sustain.
- The Les Paul Standard is a versatile powerhouse guitar that creates great sounds.
- The guitar is endorsed by Paul Stanley and Slash.
Let’s face it, this is a great bargain. The sound is fantastic … fat, full and well-rounded. The bridge and tuning are great, too. While the humbucker and the single-coil pick-ups work together to create a rich, full sound.
It also comes with a tune-o-matic bridge piece that increases sustain and creates a clear tone. There are also two knobs for volume and tone and three switchable positions: one for coil tapping and two for the humbuckers.
The two tone and two volume controls are easy to use and allow you to create a large range of great sounds. Plus, there’s a kill switch that allows you to cut the sound.
8. Fender Modern Player Tele Plus Electric Guitar
Pros:
- Very easy to setup
- Perfect for rock and country genres
- High quality materials used
- Reasonably priced
All you need is a little bit of time and there are some great resources available online to help you learn the essentials of playing guitar. Head to your local music store and take some time out to test out some of the guitars they have available. This way you will be able to get a feel for a guitar before you purchase one.
There are a couple of great options that offer good value for money, and even an option for those of you on a budget.
It is always best to check with the manufacturers to ensure that it is a genuine product. Plus, you will also want to check around to see who offers the best value for money. Also, you should consider investing in some essential accessories like a hard shell case.
9. Ibanez RG450DX RG Series Electric Guitar Starlight Blue
Pros:
- Great neck for beginners
- Available in a wide variety of styles
- Good tonewood for the price
- Volume, tone, and a three-way switch make it easy to start playing
- Soft case included
Cons:
- Non-locking tremolo, which is a bit annoying
- Control knobs are a bit wobbly
- No inlay on the headstock
- Wiring tends to be a bit messy
Some models of this Ibanez guitar come without an amp, so be sure to check before purchasing a guitar to make sure you’re getting the amp you need. You will need a 9-volt adapter and a power supply of at least 85mA.
We really like the RG450DX for its versatility and how much you get in this package. The pickups sound great, the case is durable, and the guitar has versatile pickup switching. Overall a great deal for the price.
10. Jackson JS32T King V Electric Guitar Black
Pros:
- Comfortable neck profile
- One of the better budget-friendly options
- Swappable pickups allow for more versatility
- Cool looks and style
Cons:
- Skill level may impact how well you can play it
- Not ideal for heavy duty practice sessions
- Poor instruction guide
Looking for one of the best electric guitars for beginners? Then you’ve probably heard a ton about Jackson Guitars. In fact the company boasts one of the most iconic designs that you’ll find today – the Flying V.
While the Jackson JS32T is a very modern take on the Flying V, the instrument still exudes that coolness and sleek design. The guitar is also made to exacting standards of quality, and you can see that from the design and quality of build. As a rock inspired instrument, its neck is thin and flat, and the frets are comfortable, giving beginners a great experience to play around with.
The guitar has both an HSS pickup and twin humbuckers, and each of these offers some great variety in sound – allowing you to play a wide range of music. For general purposes, the humbuckers are more than enough, and they sound great when playing heavier genres.
11. DR Pro DR259 MS1500BK Low Profile Mic Boom Stand
Pros:
- It has a low price tag
- Easily adjustable
- Folds down to be compact
- The quality of the sound is great
- Stable enough to hold a microphone
- Holds the microphone firmly
Cons:
- The clutch mechanism is a little hard to use
- You’ll have to keep tightening the screw to keep the stand stable (this is for people who use the stand often)
- Only works with XLR and TRS connectors
- It isn’t really made to be portable
If you are in the market for a new mic boom stand, take a look at this one from DR. Perfect for a mid-sized card, it is very stable and durable and also folds down to be very compact.
It is ideal for use with both stage and studio mics, and you are able to adjust the stand to the position that you like. Having the adjustable height is ideal because you make sure your microphone is at the correct angle.
The stand is also very sturdy, but can collapse down to be very small, so you can store it away when you are not using it. Plus, it’s also very easy to adjust, using the dual clutch mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best electric guitars for beginners?
Choosing an electric guitar to teach yourself the ropes of guitar playing is no easy task. You will need to consider your skill level, budget, the feeling you get when strumming a particular instrument, and, of course, the look.
When you begin taking guitar lessons, your instructor will likely have you start with a demo guitar. Many schools, churches, and orchestras will have a few of these guitars that students can sign out. You can use these instruments to learn the basics of mechanics. You will also get an opportunity to explore the differences in different models. These demo guitars will let you 'test drive' electric guitars before you buy.
Is an electric guitar good for beginner?
Honestly speaking, I had no idea how to play any instruments before I reached middle school.
When I was in grade school, it was the usual scenario of every student in my class giving an instrument a try in a music class. My class had a very strict teacher. He started us with the basics and we spent our few classes playing the same song repeatedly. I started with a harmonica and quickly tossed it aside.
Then, he handed me a guitar. I was not impressed—I couldn’t play anything, and I really wasn’t enjoying myself. So I did what any grumpy child in such a situation would do—I raised hell and received a detention slip.
I had thought that since my older brother had worked hard practicing the guitar, I would be able to pick it up quickly, too. But I was wrong. I was very wrong.
What is the best electric guitar for the money?
It's a common question that is often asked, with each person having their own preference. While there are many budget and middle-run guitars out there, the best electric guitar is often heavily-debated.
What are the best cheap electric guitars?
Are you a new guitarist with limited resources?
Or maybe you are a seasoned player with a tight budget?
Whatever your reason, we think going for a decent ʡ100 electric guitar is a great way to start. In fact, we know several professional players who regularly practice with budget and mid-range instruments.
Are they just pretending? No.
When you are forced to play and practice with a lack of decent gear, you grow skills that are beyond merely playing electric guitars. It isn’t as fun as playing with a superior instrument, but it makes you a better musician.
If you are on a budget and trying to get a new electric guitar, don’t worry. You can still get a decent one that is playable.
But if you have to go for the cheapest guitar, then you need to pay attention to a few things.
Conclusion
With several different kinds of electric guitar available on today’s market, our list should help you to decide which electric guitar is best suited for you. Think about what your experience level is and what sort of music style you like to play before you choose your guitar.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Epiphone SG Special | Best Overall | |
| DR Pro DR259 MS1500BK Low Profile Mic Boom Stand | Budget Pick | |
| Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar; Old Violin Sunburst | Upgrade Pick | |