As a novice guitarist, navigating the diverse world of electric guitars can be overwhelming. Fortunately, several models cater specifically to beginners, offering quality, playability, and affordability. Here are some excellent choices of electric guitar for beginners from renowned brands.
The best electric guitar for beginners
Squier
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster
- Price Range: $200 – $300 (approx.)
- Classic Stratocaster body shape
- Three single-coil pickups for versatile tones
- Comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile for easy playability
- Available in various finishes
- Best Genre: Versatile across multiple genres
- Recommended for: Rock, blues, pop, funk, country, jazz, and various other styles due to its adaptable pickups and tonal range.
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
- Price Range: $150 – $200 (approx.)
- Iconic Stratocaster design
- Three single-coil pickups for diverse tonal options
- Lightweight body for comfortable playing
- Affordable and great for beginners
- Best Genre: Classic rock, blues
- Recommended for: Entry-level players exploring rock, blues, and lighter music styles.
Squier Mini Stratocaster
- Price Range: $130 – $180 (approx.)
- Compact size ideal for younger or smaller players
- Three single-coil pickups for classic Stratocaster tones
- Slim, comfortable “C”-shaped neck
- Available in various finishes
- Best Genre: Various genres for beginners
- Recommended for: Younger or smaller players; suitable for rock, pop, blues, and other beginner-friendly styles.
Epiphone
Epiphone Les Paul Special II
- Price Range: $200 – $250 (approx.)
- Iconic Les Paul body design
- Two humbucker pickups for warm, rich tones
- Mahogany body and neck for durability
- Available in different finishes
- Best Genre: Hard rock, classic rock, blues
- Recommended for: Musicians seeking warm, classic rock tones with a Les Paul style guitar.
Epiphone SG Special
- Price Range: $150 – $200 (approx.)
- Classic SG body style
- Two open-coil humbucker pickups for versatile sounds
- Slim-tapered neck for easy playability
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Best Genre: Rock, hard rock
- Recommended for: Players desiring a lightweight, edgy guitar suitable for rock and heavier styles.
Epiphone Les Paul SL
- Price Range: $100 – $150 (approx.)
- Simplified Les Paul design for beginners
- Single-coil and humbucker pickup combination
- Lightweight poplar body
- Available in various finishes
- Best Genre: Entry-level, various genres
- Recommended for: Beginners exploring different music styles due to its simplicity and affordability.
Ibanez
Ibanez GRX70QA
- Price Range: $200 – $250 (approx.)
- Quilted Maple Art Grain top for an attractive look
- Two humbucker and one single-coil pickups for versatility
- Slim and comfortable GRX Maple neck
- Tremolo bridge for pitch effects
- Best Genre: Rock, metal, blues
- Recommended for: Players looking for a versatile guitar suitable for rock, metal, and blues genres.
Ibanez RG421
- Price Range: $300 – $350 (approx.)
- Sleek RG body design
- Two humbucker pickups for aggressive tones
- Wizard III Maple neck for fast playability
- Fixed bridge for stability
- Best Genre: Metal, hard rock
- Recommended for: Musicians seeking a guitar built for heavier genres like metal and hard rock.
Ibanez Gio GRX20Z
- Price Range: $150 – $200 (approx.)
- Solid and straightforward design
- Two humbucker pickups for versatility
- Slim GRX Maple neck for easy handling
- Available in various finishes
- Best Genre: Various genres for beginners
- Recommended for: Entry-level players exploring rock, pop, blues, and other beginner-friendly styles.
Gibson
Gibson Les Paul Studio
- Price Range: $800 – $1200 (approx.)
- Classic Les Paul body with premium craftsmanship
- Dual humbucker pickups for powerful, warm tones
- Slim-tapered neck for easy playability
- Quality hardware and finish
- Best Genre: Rock, blues, hard rock
- Recommended for: Musicians who desire a high-quality, versatile instrument suitable for rock and blues-oriented music.
Gibson SG Standard ’61
- Price Range: $1100 – $1500 (approx.)
- Iconic SG body design with a heritage dating back to the ’60s
- Two humbucker pickups for versatile rock tones
- Slim-tapered neck for effortless playability
- Vintage-style hardware and finishes
- Best Genre: Rock, blues, hard rock
- Recommended for: Players seeking a classic rock sound with a slightly different body design than the Les Paul.
Gibson Les Paul Tribute
- Price Range: $900 – $1200 (approx.)
- Classic Les Paul design with modern features
- Dual humbucker pickups for vintage and modern tones
- Ultra-modern weight-relief for comfortable playing
- Quality construction and finishes
- Best Genre: Rock, blues, hard rock
- Recommended for: Musicians who desire classic Les Paul tones in a more affordable package.
PRS (Paul Reed Smith)
PRS SE Standard 24
- Price Range: $500 – $700 (approx.)
- Comfortable double-cutaway body design
- Two humbucker pickups with coil-splitting for tonal versatility
- Wide-thin maple neck for smooth playability
- Quality hardware and PRS design elements
- Best Genre: Rock, alternative, blues
- Recommended for: Versatile players seeking a guitar suitable for rock, alternative, and blues genres.
PRS SE Standard 245
- Price Range: $600 – $800 (approx.)
- Vintage-inspired single-cutaway design
- Two PRS humbucker pickups for warm tones
- Mahogany body and neck for resonance
- High-quality components and craftsmanship
- Best Genre: Rock, blues, classic rock
- Recommended for: Musicians desiring vintage-inspired tones and style suitable for classic rock and blues.
PRS SE Custom 24
- Price Range: $800 – $1000 (approx.)
- Iconic PRS Custom 24 double-cutaway body
- Versatile HFS and Vintage Bass humbucker pickups
- Maple top with mahogany back for balanced tones
- Quality hardware and attention to detail
- Best Genre: Rock, metal, progressive
- Recommended for: Players looking for a high-quality instrument with versatile tonal options for rock, metal, and progressive music.
Fender
Fender Player Stratocaster
- Price Range: $700 – $900 (approx.)
- Classic Stratocaster body shape with modern updates
- Three Player Series single-coil pickups for versatile tones
- “C”-shaped maple neck with comfortable playing feel
- Quality hardware and finishes
- Best Genre: Versatile across multiple genres
- Recommended for: Rock, blues, pop, funk, country, jazz, and various other styles due to its adaptable pickups and tonal range.
Fender Player Telecaster
- Price Range: $700 – $900 (approx.)
- Iconic Telecaster design with Player Series updates
- Two Player Series single-coil pickups for classic Tele tones
- Maple neck with a modern “C”-shaped profile
- Reliable hardware and finishes
- Best Genre: Classic rock, country, blues
- Recommended for: Known for its bright, twangy sound, making it ideal for country, rockabilly, classic rock, blues, and roots music.
Fender Duo-Sonic
- Price Range: $500 – $700 (approx.)
- Shorter scale length and compact body design
- Duo-Sonic single-coil pickups for unique tones
- Comfortable “C”-shaped maple neck
- Budget-friendly option with quality Fender craftsmanship
- Best Genre: Indie, alternative, punk, garage rock
- Recommended for: With its shorter scale length and unique tonal character, it’s suitable for indie rock, alternative rock, punk, garage rock, and styles favoring a more distinct sound.
These selections encompass a variety of affordable and beginner-friendly electric guitars from Fender, Epiphone, and Ibanez, Gibson and PRS offering different features and styles to suit individual preferences and playing needs.
When choosing your first electric guitar, consider factors such as body style, pickups, neck profile, and overall feel. Visiting local music stores to try out different models hands-on can greatly assist in making an informed decision that aligns with your musical aspirations.
Remember, alongside the guitar, investing in a quality amplifier and essential accessories such as a tuner, picks, and a comfortable strap is crucial for a fulfilling learning journey. With the right instrument in hand, your musical aspirations as a beginner guitarist can take flight.