Are you curious about which electric guitar is best for beginners?
Why is it better to buy a guitar that has simple, straightforward controls and features?
While it can be tempting to want a guitar with an autotuner or a Floyd Rose Tremolo as a beginner, it’s often easy to become overwhelmed.
Confusion is one of the biggest complaints that beginners have when learning the electric guitar.
It’s easy to know what you need once you have some experience.
This is why it’s best to buy a guitar that has simple, straightforward controls and basic features.
Plus, it’s not uncommon that a feature isn’t used by a beginner since…well they’re beginners.
Learning to play the electric guitar can be hard enough without the confusing features you don’t need.
The simpler the guitar, the easier it will be for a beginner to master the basics.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, then you’ll understand what advanced features and complicated controls you really need.
If you don’t know why you’d want a guitar with push/pull split coil, you probably don’t need that feature yet.
Why is the look and design of the guitar important?
A guitar is a very personal thing, and if you don’t enjoy its look and design, you may not play it.
The feelings you have towards your guitar are one of those things that’s impossible to explain, but easy to understand.
You’ll have a better chance of sticking with learning to play if you enjoy the look and design of your guitar.
It’s a very subjective thing, and one person’s dream axe is always someone else’s nightmare.
This is why you want a guitar that you like the look and design of.
There is no one perfect guitar, but every guitar player can give you a long list of things they love about their favorite guitar.
Guitarists talk about how they had a hard time getting started playing because they didn’t like the look of their first guitar.
The design is important since it’s a big part of owning a guitar.
Since your guitar will sit in your room or house for a while, you should like the look of it.
Why is it important that my first guitar be comfortable to play?
The body of your first guitar should be comfortable to play.
While different body shapes offer different features, you want your first guitar to be comfortable to play while sitting and standing.
The ease and comfort of your guitar will have an effect on your enjoyment of playing.
If the body isn’t comfortable to play sitting, you’ll have to stand to play.
If the body is too heavy or digs into your body when you stand, you’ll have to play sitting.
Once you’ve played for a bit and understand your playing style, you can start playing less comfortable guitars.
Believe it or not, lots of guitarists own guitars that look and sound great but aren’t comfortable to play.
They have 2 or 3 other guitars, and they’ll say, “It looks and sounds great, but it’s so heavy, I never end up playing it.”
This can put beginners at a disadvantage so make sure the guitar you start with is comfortable to play while standing and while sitting down.
It may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference.
What’s so important about easy playability?
Playing the electric guitar will be a lot easier and more enjoyable if your first guitar is easy to play.
You’ll also have a better chance at sticking with learning to play if you’re not “fighting” your guitar.
A guitar that’s easy to play is a joy! Fortunately, even lower-cost electric guitars are made well enough that they’re easy to play.
A proper setup may be necessary to get your guitar to be easy to playing.
Once your guitar is properly set up, you’ll find it’s easier and more enjoyable to play.
Without having to worry about string height or improper intonation, beginners will be able to focus on learning the guitar.
The frustration of a guitar that’s hard to play can make it difficult to learn the basics.
With today’s guitars, you can easily buy one that’s easy to play and has a good look.
Here are some recommendations: Check it out!!
Which Electric Guitar is Best for Beginners?: Best Overall
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster
If you’re wondering which electric guitar is best for beginners and you want an electric guitar that’s got an iconic design, very versatile tones, and easy playability, then check out the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster.
It features a poplar body in the time-tested Stratocaster shape with a bolt-on neck and a gloss polyurethane finish.
This means that it produces well-balanced, smooth tones with a snappier response and has a shape that’s incredibly comfortable for beginners to play.
The maple neck is in a slim “C” shape and has a fretboard radius of 9.5″ which means it’s got classic stability, adds warmth to your sound, is in a body that’s very comfortable for your hand, and delivers a vintage playing feel.
With 21 medium-jumbo sized frets and Pearloid dot inlays, the Indian laurel fretboard has a sophisticated look, ensures bends and slides are easy to learn, and provides classic Strat playability.
The 3 Standard Single-Coil Strat pickups at the neck, middle, and bridge positions are perfect for beginners to learn on since they deliver a wide variety of versatile tones.
Plus, beginners can use the master volume knob and two tone knobs to learn how to dial in the sound they’re looking for.
Finally, the 6-saddle vintage-style tremolo lets you add some vibrato to your playing while also ensuring easy intonation and solid tuning stability.
Pros
- Also Available in HSS
- Available in Multiple Colors
- Comes with Free Guitar Lessons
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster delivers versatile sounds, easy playability, and the classic Stratocaster playing experience.
We think you’ll find its 3 pickups and comfortable body shape make it the answer to which electric guitar is best for beginners.
Why wait? Click here to get yours now.
Which Electric Guitar is Best for Beginners?: Best Budget
Donner DTC-100
If you’re wondering which electric guitar is best for beginners and want a guitar that has a classic design, lively playability, and is very easy on your budget then check out the Donner DTC-100.
It has a body made of poplar in a Tele-style shape with a bolt-on neck and gloss poly finish so it delivers well-rounded and full tones, has a tighter response, and is very comfortable to play.
The Canadian maple neck is in a rounded “C” shape and has a fretboard radius of 9.5″ so it has a smoother feel in your hand, promotes a warmer sound, and has a more vintage playing feel.
With 22 medium-jumbo sized frets and celluloid dot inlays, the purple heart fretboard has a high-quality look and helps make playing easy for beginners to master.
With Donner Standard Series T-Style single-coil pickups at the neck and bridge positions beginners can practice using a wide variety of tones.
Plus, with a 3-way pickup switch, master volume, and master tone controls beginners can learn to dial in their own sound.
Finally, the 6-saddle string-through-body bridge delivers superior sustain, straightforward string changes, and better resonance.
Pros
- Available in 3 Finishes
- Available in Left-Handed Model
- Comes with Nylon Oxford Gig Bag, Strap, and Guitar Cable
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Donner DTC-100 delivers classic looks, straightforward features, and warm full tones.
We think you’ll agree that its time-tested design and versatile playability make it a great choice for anyone asking which electric guitar is best for beginners who is on a budget.
Don’t hesitate! Click here and get yours now.
Which Electric Guitar is Best for Beginners?: Best Runner-Up
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA
If you’re interested in which electric guitar is best for beginners and are looking for one that delivers a modern design, exceptional playability, and beginner-friendly features then check out the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA.
This guitar features an arched top body made of poplar in Jackson’s advanced Dinky shape so it’s designed to deliver modern playability as well as warm, classic tones all in a body that’s designed to be comfortable to play.
The maple neck is in Jackson’s “Speed” shape and features graphite reinforcement as well as a compound fretboard radius of 12″-16″.
As a result, it’s exceptionally sturdy and makes learning to play fast leads almost effortless.
With 24 jumbo-sized frets and Pearloid sharkfin inlays, the amaranth fretboard has a fierce and modern look and gives beginners 2 full octaves to learn on as well as a fretboard that’s easy to play.
The pickups at the neck and bridge positions are Jackson High-Output humbuckers which use ceramic magnets to produce power tones that are a great choice for beginners who want to play more contemporary styles of music.
Plus, the 3-way pickup selection switch, master volume control, and master tone control allow beginners a simple and straightforward way to master dialing in their sound.
Finally, the 2-point fulcrum tremolo system lets you add vibrato to your playing while still ensuring solid tuning stability.
Pros
- Available in Multiple Finishes
- Heel Joint Designed for Easy Access to Higher Frets
Cons
- The Natural Oil Finish Model has a Nato Body
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA delivers fierce tones, exceptional playability, and sophisticated playability.
We think you’ll find it’s the answer to which electric guitar is best for beginners who are looking for a more modern electric guitar.
You’ve waited long enough! Click here to get yours now.
Which Electric Guitar is Best for Beginners?: Conclusion/FAQ
At the end of the day, figuring out which electric guitar is best for beginners will come down to personal choice.
If you really like the look and feel of an electric guitar, that’s probably the best one for you.
Plus, you won’t know until you have a bit of experience playing why a guitarist might need a certain feature.
And until you’ve played for a bit, you won’t learn what features are the right ones for you.
- Are electric guitars good for beginners?
- They can be easier to learn on since the metal strings are a bit easier on your fingers than an acoustic guitar. The best guitar for beginners overall is probably a classical guitar since it has nylon strings, which are easy on the fingers, and a flat fretboard which helps beginners learn proper finger placement. Please see our post on Where to Start When Playing Guitar for more information.
- What should I look for in a beginner electric guitar?
- A beginner electric guitar needs to be comfortable to play and have a design you enjoy.
JT currently resides in Southern California and has been playing the guitar since he was 13. He enjoys baking French pastries, drinking loose-leaf tea, and running Slackware Linux.