With so much gear available at so many outlets online and in brick and mortar stores it can be daunting to choose the best gear for you or your child. We are all mindful of our hard earned money and there is always a fear that guitar playing may not “stick.”
My job as an instructor is to make it fun, so part of that is up to me :) Another part is having gear that works, will last, and will not break the bank. It can be tempting to buy the cheapest instrument on the rack, but those instruments can of poor quality, won’t stay in tune and a myriad of other issues.
Below is a list my picks for beginner guitars in a few price ranges, basic essentials every guitar player needs, and a few fun accessories that are tried, tested and true and won’t break the bank.
Strings
Ahhh, strings… What can we say. There are a ton and most have value. It just depends on the gauge and sound you want.
For younger or newer players I recommend a lighter gauge string, especially on acoustic guitars. While you hear about pro players changing strings at every show, for a newer player who won’t be egregiously sweating all over their guitars and practicing at home, Elixirs or other coated strings are a great option. They are a bit more expensive but they sound good and will last.
I tend to play a little more than the average picker and I play outdoor gigs in the heat. Sweating and extended play require me to change strings a bit more. I love these Earthwound strings. The medium-light 11s are a great choice for newer players as well.
Acoustic Guitars for Younger Players
Younger players under 10 years old or with smaller hands will benefit from a shorter scale guitar. Scale simply means the distance from the nut to the bridge. Shorter scales will make it easier for little hands to fret notes.
Fender FA-15 with gig bag
This guitar is a great option for the littles. As a matter of fact this style guitar is very similar to my first and carried me through a few years of playing. Guitars in this range are usually $200 or less.
Acoustic Guitars for teens through adults
For older players with larger, stronger hands, a standard scale guitar is the way to go. A few very popular brands with offerings at $500 or less are Taylor, Takamine, Martin and Epiphone. With modern manufacturing technology, overseas guitars are getting better and better.
Here are two recommendations:
Taylor BT2
This mahogony top Baby Taylor is an excellent option. While the series is entry level the quality is all Taylor.
Martin X Series Koa Special
The Martin X series are a great value from an iconic brand and will provide years of great service. This Koa top model is beautiful as well.
Electric Guitar / Kit under $300
Squier Sonic Series Kit
If you’ve got a budding little rocker this Squier kit contains everything you need to get started. With classic Fender Stratocaster looks and a shorter scale, this classic is a great way to kick off their musical journey.
Electric Guitar under $500
Epiphone Les Paul Muse
Like the Fender Strat, the Les Paul is an iconic guitar model but a Gibson will run you thousands of dollars. The Epiphones are great and affordable ( I own a few Epi’s myself). I’ve personally played this full scale Epi LP model and absolutely love it.
Essential Accessories
Kliq UberTuner
Headstock tuners do exactly what they sound like. They clip on to the headstock of pretty much any instrument and get you in tune. They are small, convenient and have served me well over the years. Here is my current favorite.
Boss TU-3 Pedal tuner
Pedal tuners are great for electric or acoustic-electric players. I’ve had Boss TU tuners on pretty much every pedalboard I’ve put together. Myself and hordes of musicians use this model.
Kliq MetroPitch
“Card” tuners or small flat tuners are very handy and accurate. This model adds the functionality of a metronome as well. Metronomes are a very powerful practice tool. Having a tuner with that functionality is quite handy. I personally own and use this model.
Picks – Dunlop Assortment Pack
Picks are all personal preference. My recommendation is to try multiple materials, shapes, and thicknesses. This assortment pack is a great way to try a few different types to find what you like.
Kyser Quick Change Capo
While not essential in the very early stages of playing, a capo will become very helpful when entering the intermediate stages of playing. The ability to play chords in different locations than your jamming partners, or moving chords around to fit your voice is important. I’ve owned versions of this model for years.
Strap
The guitar strap is a great way to express yourself. I found it impossible to narrow it down to one. The link below will take you to an assortment to pick from.
Hercules Guitar Stand
Having a solid stand is an essential piece of kit to keep your guitar safe when you aren’t playing. This Hercules model has been my go-to for decades. I also own the Hercules wall hangers. I trust this brand with all my guitars from $500-$5000.