As a guitar player, you can have a hard time finding the best guitars to match your needs because there are so many to choose from. You may not know where to look.
I have used countless acoustic and electric guitars as a player and music teacher for many years. I understand how hard it is to find a suitable instrument.
Quick Look: Best Guitars & Brands
★ #1 Best Guitar Overall: Fender American Ultra Strat ★
- Best Guitar for Beginners: Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
- Best Intermediate Guitar: Fender Player Stratocaster
- Best Guitar for Professionals: Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic-Electric
- Best Cheap Guitar: Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS
- Best Guitar for Kids: Fender CD-60S Dreadnought
- Best Nylon String Guitar: Ortega M38CS
- Best Steel-String Acoustic Guitar: Martin D-28 Standard Dreadnought
- Best Solid-Body Electric Guitar: Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s
- Best Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar: Gretsch G2420T Streamliner
- Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Taylor 214ce DLX Grand Auditorium
This guide to the best guitars and guitar brands of 2020 will make it easier for you to find a quality instrument. These instruments are all great choices and will make playing the guitar a rich and rewarding experience for you.
Let’s dig in and find out all about these instruments and how they can help you rock.
About Guitars
The guitar is a stringed instrument that typically has six strings. Guitars are either acoustic or electric. Sometimes they are a combination of both, like the acoustic-electric guitar. Guitars have shaped our modern music for generations.
The acoustic guitar dates way back to ancient Mesopotamia and Sumer. In the 16th century, during the Renaissance, more modern and familiar acoustic instruments appeared. Spanish guitar maker Antonio Torres Jurado is credited with developing the modern acoustic guitar in 1850.
The first electrically amplified stringed instrument came in 1931 and was called the Frying Pan. This was a cast aluminum lap steel guitar with a pickup called the Rickenbacker Electro A-22. It went into production in 1932. Gibson and Rickenbacker were some of the first companies selling electric instruments.
In 1940, Les Paul created the functional solid-body electric guitar prototype. In 1950, the Fender Telecaster was first called the Broadcaster and saw production, and in 1952, the iconic Gibson Les Paul appeared. The Fender Stratocaster followed this in 1954, which is an equally legendary guitar today.
Types of Guitars
When looking for the best guitars, it’s important to know the various types. Whether you’re looking for the best beginner guitar or need something more refined, you have to know what you’re getting.
This guide explains the various types to make it easier for you to buy a quality instrument.
Nylon String Guitar
The nylon string guitar is an acoustic guitar with nylon strings that are tied on at the bridge. It is often referred to as a “classical” guitar. It is associated with classical music as well as flamenco.
Beginners often start on one as the strings are easier to press down. The neck is wider than a traditional acoustic and harder to form chords on.
Acoustic Steel-String Guitar
A regular acoustic guitar has steel strings. They come in many shapes as well as colors. These instruments are loud when strummed and can be electrified with pickups if you wish.
The strings are harder to press down when compared to a nylon string guitar. Typical acoustic guitars include the dreadnought, concert, and auditorium.
Solid-Body Electric Guitar
The solid-body electric guitar has a body made out of solid wood with a cavity for the electronics. You need an amplifier to hear them. They either have single-coil or humbucking pickups, or a combination of the two pickup types.
They come in many different colors and shapes. Two common solid-body electric guitars include the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul.
Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
The semi-hollow electric guitar has F-holes that give it both an acoustic and an electric sound. They are louder and heavier than a regular solid-body electric and somewhat harder to play.
Jazz and blues guitar players often use the semi-hollow. Blues great B.B. King used the Gibson semi-hollow body ES-355.
Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The acoustic-electric guitar is an acoustic with a pickup. They often have a preamp system with an equalizer. These instruments are often the choice for stage performers that need an acoustic sound or studio musicians that wish to record acoustic tunes. Ovation is an example of a company that makes acoustic-electric guitars.
The Best Guitars Overall
When examining the best guitars overall, there are several criteria you have to keep in mind. You want an instrument that will be easy to play. You want one that will have the sound that you want.
This guide will help you pick out the best guitar for your requirements. There is a quality guitar here whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional.
Fender American Ultra Stratocaster
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 10″ to 14″ compound radius (254 mm to 355.6 mm)
- Frets: 22
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat.
- Body shape: Stratocaster
- Weight: 7-8.5 lbs approx.
- What’s included in the box: Guitar, case, tremolo arm, documentation
- Material & finish: Alder body, maple neck, gloss polyurethane finish
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced players
The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is an excellent instrument. It has noiseless vintage Strat pickups, which reduce the hum and give you the classic Stratocaster tone. The neck is a modern D profile neck with round fingerboard edges, which makes it easy to play.
The low profile heel makes it easier to hit the higher frets when compared to other Stratocasters. The headstock has sealed locking tuners and a two-point synchronized tremolo that stabilizes the tuning.
It is the high-performance rendition of the classic Stratocaster. You will get years of playability out of this guitar. It is suitable for many different styles. The guitar comes in the classic 3-way single-coil setup, or you can also get it with a humbucker and two single-coils.
✅ Noiseless pickups
✅ Easy access to higher frets
✅ Great tone
✅ Modern D neck profile
❌ Expensive
❌ Not ideal for all music styles
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Ultra Stratocaster is one of the best Stratocasters ever made. The low profile heel is one of the highlights. It allows players to shred up the neck to hit all of those high notes. The noiseless pickups also produce an excellent tone. The price means it’s not ideal for everyone, but it makes up for it with its solid performance.
Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s
- Scale length: 24.75″ / 628.65mm
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 22
- Pickup type: Neck pickup: Burstbucker 61R, bridge pickup: Burstbucker 61T
- Body shape: Les Paul
- Weight: 9-12 lbs approx.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, case, guitar
- Material & finish: Mahogany, figured maple, rosewood, and finished with gloss nitrocellulose
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced players and those into rock/blues music
The Gibson Les Paul is an iconic guitar brand. The 60s standard Les Paul is a great instrument. The body features solid mahogany wood and the top is figured maple. It has a mahogany neck as a slim taper 60s style neck with a rosewood fingerboard. You get Alnico V burst bucker 61 humbucking pickups.
I was impressed with the tone and the playability of this instrument. The pickups have great output, and you’ll get all you need for hard rock and metal tones out of this guitar. I also like the Tune-O-Matic bridge and the Grover Rotomatic tuners, which help improve the tuning’s stability.
While the Gibson Les Paul costs quite a bit of money, it gives you the sound you need for almost any musical situation.
✅ Excellent pickups
✅ Great finish
✅ Superior tone
✅ Hand-wired electronics
❌High cost
❌ Heavy
Why I Recommend It
It’s hard to go wrong with the Gibson Les Paul, and the 60s standard is no exception. It gives you that Gibson playability and sound that you want. The pickups on this particular model are the standout. This is a guitar you’ll be playing for many years to come.
Gibson J-45 Sustainable Acoustic-Electric
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 12″
- Frets: 20
- Tremolo: No
- Pickup type: LR Baggs VTC
- Body shape: J-45
- Weight: 5-6 lbs. approx.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, case, guitar
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, walnut, and mahogany construction, hand-rubbed wax finish
- Best for: All players
The Gibson J-45 is a unique guitar. It considers the environment as it is made with sustainable wood. It has walnut sides and back. The fingerboard and bridge are also made with walnut wood, while the top of the guitar is spruce.
The under-saddle pickup is an LR Baggs VTC with both tone and volume control. It has Grover Rotomatic tuning machines to help stabilize the instrument tuning. This instrument has an amazing tone and easy playability for all musical styles.
✅ Case included
✅Environmentally friendly
✅ Smooth finish
✅ Easy playability
❌ A little expensive
❌ Pickup may not appeal to everyone
Why I Recommend It
The fact that this instrument is made with sustainable wood is a great reason to choose this guitar. The LR Baggs VTC is a decent pick for performances, but if you plan to do some recording with it, you may want to try something a little bit better. Despite that, it still sounds quite amazing.
I also like the Grover Rotomatic tuning machines, which help keep the tuning stable. This is an all-around excellent guitar.
Best Beginner Guitars
One of the hardest decisions is finding the best beginner guitar when you are first starting. These choices are some of the better options on the market. These models are low-cost but have great playability, sound, and performance.
Squie
r Classic Vibe ’70s Stratocaster
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Fender Alnico single-coil
- Body shape: Stratocaster
- Weight: 7.8.5 lbs. approx.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, tremolo arm, guitar
- Material & finish: Popular, ebony, and maple wood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners into rock, country, or blues
My first guitar was a Fender Squier, which I played for many years. This is a lower-cost Fender model, but it is a step above the Fender Affinity. The Classic Vibe 1970s is a great instrument. It has a nice tone with the Alnico single coil pickups designed by Fender.
The neck is a comfortable C-shaped profile. I also like that it has a 9.5 radius fingerboard, which is comfortable for the hand while you’re trying to learn all those chords.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Tremolo arm included
✅ Good price
✅ Great sound
❌ Not as nice as a regular Strat
❌ Not great for some styles like metal
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 1970s is a good investment for beginners. I like its comfortable neck and the Alnico pickups, which give you that vintage Stratocaster sound.
You will have to pay more than you would for a standard beginner guitar package, but this is a solid investment. Pick yourself up a good amplifier, and you will be playing this Fender Squier for several years.
Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 25″ (635 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 20
- Tremolo: No
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Weight: 7 lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Nato wood, spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Great starter acoustic for a beginner
When it comes to beginner acoustic guitars, many of us start on a Yamaha. These are perfect starter acoustic instruments. The FG80 has a spruce top and nato wood back and sides. You get a rosewood bridge and fingerboard along with die-cast tuners.
It has a decent sound, which is great for a beginner. The neck on the instrument is comfortable and easy on the fingers. You can get this instrument in a value pack with accessories and a case if you prefer.
✅ Good tone
✅ Solid construction
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Value packs available
❌ No case with a basic model
❌ Some quality issues
Why I Recommend It
This is an excellent instrument for any beginner. It has easy playability, keeps its tuning, and will not cost you a lot of money. You can get it in several different variations, such as a value pack that comes with accessories. The Yamaha FG80 is the perfect choice for anyone that wants to learn how to play.
Cordoba Mini II M Nylon String
- Scale length: 22.875″
- Fingerboard radius: Flat
- Frets: 19
- Tremolo: No
- Pickup type:
- Body shape: Mini II
- Weight: 2.4 lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Mahogany wood and satin polyurethane finish
- Best for: Younger beginners starting out
Students have difficulty holding full-size acoustics. This is why I like the Cordoba Mini II M. It is a lot better than the poor quality nylon string guitars you find in many guitar packages.
The 1/2 size makes it suitable for young kids looking to play. It has a nice mahogany body and neck with a smooth polyurethane finish. The nylon strings are easier for students to press down, so this guitar is the right option.
✅ Easy playing
✅ Smooth finish
✅ Solid wood
✅ 1/2 size
❌ No case
❌ Not ideal for older students
Why I Recommend It
The Cordoba Mini II M the right guitar for younger students. It has nylon strings that are easy to press down, so they don’t hurt developing fingers. The guitar features solid wood construction, and you will find it comfortable to play.
There are other models available that are larger in size. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t ship with a case, so you’ll have to buy one. For any young beginner, this is a solid investment.
Best Intermediate Guitars
As you get better at the guitar, you will want an immediate instrument. These are a step above what you used as a beginner. Expect to pay anywhere from $600 and up for a decent intermediate guitar. You can get them for a little bit less, but for the most part, $600 is probably around the baseline.
You will have an instrument that sounds better, looks better, and, most importantly, plays better. This will help you as you continue to learn.
I started on a Fender Squier. Once I got my hands on an actual Fender Stratocaster, the difference was night and day. In terms of playability as well as sound, the following guitars are excellent options for the intermediate player.
Fender Player Stratocaster
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″ (241 mm)
- Frets: 22
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Player Series Alnico 5 Strat single-coil
- Body shape: Stratocaster
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, tremolo arm, guitar
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners into country/blues/rock
The Fender Player Stratocaster is an excellent mid-range intermediate guitar. It features three Alnico 5 single-coil pickups, which sound great for many guitar styles. This Fender has excellent tone and response out of these pickups.
It has a two-point synchronized tremolo that features bent steel saddles. You will have excellent tuning stability when using the tremolo arm. The body is made with alder, and you get a maple C-profile neck. It also comes with 22 medium-jumbo frets.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Tremolo arm
✅ Excellent pickups
✅ Good price
❌ Not for every guitar style
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
This guitar is perfect for intermediate players. It has an excellent tone and easy playability. The guitar covers a wide range of styles with its single-coil pickups. The tremolo arm stays in tune while you use it. This is a solid product by Fender that you will love to play for many years.
Ibanez RG Series RG470AHM
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 15.75″
- Frets: 24, jumbo
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Neck and bridge – Quantum Ceramic Humbucker, middle – Quantum Alnico single-coil
- Body shape: RG
- What’s included in the box: Tremolo arm, documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Ash, maple, and gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate players that want to play hard rock
If your guitar style is hard rock or metal, Ibanez has a wide range of instruments to meet your needs, including the RG470AHM. This guitar has a locking nut tremolo system, 24 frets, and excellent pickups. It gives you the performance you need to play any type of advanced rock or metal.
The body itself is made out of ash. You get a maple fretboard that is smooth and easy to play. You have great access to the higher frets thanks to the deep cutaway. There are two humbucking pickups, along with one single-coil pickup, to handle a wide range of tones.
✅ Locking tremolo
✅ 24 frets
✅ Deep cutaway
✅High output pickups
❌ The locking nut is hard to tune
❌ No case included
Why I Recommend It
The RG470AHMFrom Ibanez is a good choice for metal and rock players. The locking nut allows you to play deep dive bombs and have the guitar stay in tune.
The 24 frets make it easy for you to play all styles, and you can hit those higher frets with ease thanks to the deep cutaway. I also like the high output pickups and the fact that it also includes a single coil so you can play other styles of music.
Martin GPC-11E Road Series Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric
- Scale length: 25.4″
- Frets: 14 clear of the body, 20 total
- Tremolo: No
- Pickup type: Fishman
- Body shape: Grand performance
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, sapele wood, richlite, satin finish
- Best for: Intermediate players and those that want to record
Martin guitars cost a lot of money, but the Martin GPC-11E Road Series gives excellent value for today’s intermediate player. It has a sitka spruce top, and the sides and back or made with sapele wood.
It is acoustic-electric and has a Fishman pickup system so you can plug it in to record or play on stage. You also get a built-in soundhole tuner, so it’s easy to tune your instrument. You get an excellent tone out of this guitar, and it comes with a softshell case.
✅ Pickup
✅ Cutaway
✅ Affordable price
✅ Great sound
❌ No hardshell case
❌ A bit expensive
Why I Recommend It
This guitar offers tremendous value. It sounds great and comes with a pickup so you can plug it in and play right away. It has a cutaway, so it’s easier to access the higher frets on the instrument. You get that famous Martin quality, and you will have a guitar that you can play and enjoy for many years to come.
Best Guitars For Professionals
Advanced guitar players have a wide range of choices on the market in terms of acoustic and electric guitars. You should expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $10,000, depending upon your chosen model. You should have a pretty good idea of what you want at this stage in your musical career. These are some of the top guitars to consider.
Fender American Professional Telecaster
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″ (241 mm)
- Frets: 22, narrow tall
- Tremolo: No
- Pickup type: V-Mod Single-Coil Telecaster
- Body shape: Telecaster
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Alder, ash, maple, satin finish
- Best for: Professionals looking for great tone
The Fender American Professional is an excellent guitar for today’s advanced player. It has everything you need to play a wide range of musical styles. It features V-Mod single-coil pickups. This V-mod mixes alnico magnet types, which give you excellent tone and reliability.
There are three compensated brass barrel saddles, which give you a great performance and a modern feel. There is also a treble-bleed tone circuit, which helps improve the tone of the instrument. The neck is a C shape, so it is comfortable in your hand.
✅ Great pickups
✅ Tone bleed control circuit
✅ Compensated brass saddles
✅ Case included
❌ Expensive
❌ Not for all styles of music
Why I Recommend It
The American Professional Fender Telecaster is the perfect guitar for today’s advanced player. It has great reliability and sound. The pickups on this model are excellent, and it has a smooth, comfortable neck. You will love the tone you get out of this Telecaster, whether you are recording with it, jamming, or playing on the road.
Paul Reed Smith CE 24 Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 25″
- Fingerboard radius: 10″
- Frets: 24
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: 85/15 Bass Humbucker
- Body shape: CE 24 Doublecut
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Mahogany, maple, rosewood, nitro satin finish
- Best for: Professionals looking for great tone
I have been playing guitars for many years. I found Paul Reed Smith to be an excellent company, and one of the best professional instruments on the market is the PRS CE 24.
This guitar offers you tremendous performance and reliability. It has a bolt-on neck along with a mahogany back and maple top. The neck is also maple with a rosewood fretboard. It has a satin nitro finish, which is smooth and comfortable while you are playing.
The pickups are exceptional as they are PRS 85/15 pickups, which have great clarity with good low and extended highs. Another great part of this instrument is that it has a push-pull tone control. This allows you to get not only humbucking sounds out of the pickups but single-coil sounds as well.
It has nice locking tuners and comes with a tremolo. This is one exceptional guitar that I am proud to own.
✅ Great pickups
✅ 24-fret neck
✅ Locking tuners
✅ Push-pull tone
❌ Expensive
❌ No hardshell case
Why I Recommend It
The Paul Reed Smith CE 24 is a guitar that will give even the Gibson Les Paul a run for its money. It sounds amazing, and there is easy access to the 24 frets thanks to the deep cutaway.
The pickups on this particular model are superior and will give you a great tone for rock, blues, metal, and other styles. Locking nut tuners are another added feature and will help keep your instrument in tune while you are playing. I am quite impressed with this Paul Reed Smith model, and it is an excellent option for any advanced player.
Gibson Hummingbird Standard Acoustic-Electric
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Frets: 20
- Tremolo: No
- Pickup type: L.R. Baggs
- Body shape: Square shoulder
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Sitka spruce, mahogany, nitrocellulose lacquer
- Best for: Professionals that need great acoustic tone
For professionals who need a solid and reliable acoustic guitar, the Gibson Hummingbird offers everything you need. This is a solid dreadnought acoustic that has the famous Gibson bird and flower theme. It is made with sitka spruce and mahogany. The spruce provides excellent projection and dynamic range.
The guitar is kept stable inside with scalloped x-bracing. It is perfect for both strumming chords and complex fingerpicking. Plugging into an amp is easy thanks to the LR Baggs electronic system.
✅ Great sound
✅ Great look
✅ East to play
✅ Comes with a pickup
❌ Expensive
❌ Electronics a bit hard to access
Why I Recommend It
The Gibson Hummingbird is the right choice for a professional that needs a high-quality acoustic guitar. It is easy to play and features that famous Gibson sound. The guitar comes complete with a hardshell case and a pickup so you can plug it in for gigs or a recording session. You will enjoy long-term performance and reliability.
Best Cheap Guitars
Finding a decent cheap guitar can be problematic. Thankfully there are some guitars worth purchasing for a low cost. Keep in mind that even the best guitar for under $500 will need a little bit of setup before it’s ready to play. Your local guitar technician can do this for you. All of the choices here would make excellent first guitars for younger beginners.
E
piphone PRO-1 Acoustic Guitar
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Frets: 20
- Tremolo: No
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, e-media lessons, humidifier
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners looking for their first acoustic guitar
Many of my guitar students had poor acoustic guitars which came from lower-cost acoustic guitar packages. Thankfully, Epiphone offers the PRO-1, which is a dreadnought-style acoustic guitar. This is a step above many of the lower-cost guitar packages and would make an excellent first instrument.
It is made with select spruce and mahogany wood for good resonance. The saddle and nut are made with Graphtec NuBone, which improves the resonance of the instrument. Changing strings is easy because this particular model has the EZ-string bridge with no need for bridge pins.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Low cost
✅ Good saddle and nut
✅ Lessons and humidifier inc.
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
The Epiphone Pro-1 makes for an excellent first acoustic guitar. The strings are easy to change thanks to the EZ bridge. It has a nice saddle and nut, which gives it a better tone than other lower-cost acoustic guitars. New players will find it easy on their hands.
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, medium jumbo
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Neck and middle: standard single-coil, bridge: standard humbucking
- Body shape: Double cutaway
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, tremolo arm, amp, accessories, guitar
- Material & finish: Poplar wood, gloss finish
- Best for: First-time electric guitar players
I like the Fender Squier series a lot and actually owned one when I was younger. The Fender Squier Affinity is an excellent guitar for a beginner. This Affinity Strat Pack has everything you need to begin playing guitar.
I also like the fact that the pickup configuration is HSS. This gives you a humbucker along with two single coils. This means that that younger player will play more rock-style music and have more fun with the instrument. It also comes with a Fender Frontman 5G amplifier, which gives you 15 watts of power. There are other extras such as picks, cable, and a guitar strap.
✅ Amp included
✅ Inexpensive
✅ HSS pickup config
✅ Tremolo arm
❌ May need some setup
❌ Some accessories are not that great
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Affinity Stratocaster is a decent first guitar. This package won’t cost you a lot of money. I like the HSS pickup configuration because it gives the player more sound options. It also comes with a beginner amplifier, so you’ll save even more money. It is everything that you need to begin playing right away.
E
SP LTD Viper-10 Electric Guitar
- Scale length: 24.75″
- Frets: 24 EJ
- Tremolo: No
- Pickup type: Humbucker
- Body shape: Solid-body Agathis
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, guitar
- Material & finish: Maple, rosewood, basswood, gloss finish
- Best for: Good for beginners that love rock
I like the ESP LTD Viper-10. It is a budget version of some ESPs well-known guitars played by famous artists such as George Lynch and Kirk Hammett.
This particular model has a nice double cutaway and a 24-fret fretboard unheard of in a low-cost guitar. It has two nice humbucking pickups. The body is made with basswood, and it has a maple neck along with a rosewood fingerboard. It has ESP tuners that help to stabilize the tuning. It has everything that a young beginner needs to start rocking.
✅ Dual humbuckers
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Good tone
✅ 24-frets
❌ May need some setup
❌ No hardshell case
Why I Recommend It
The ESP LTD Viper-10 excellent dual humbuckers, and it features a 24-fret neck. Not only does it give you all this, but it comes at quite a low price. This makes it the ideal choice for a beginner who doesn’t have a lot of money to spend. You’ll still get great sound with this guitar, and you’ll be able to do a lot with it.
Best Guitars For Kids
Shopping for guitars for children may seem difficult if you have never done it before. Some guitars in the market are low cost and might seem like bargains. These are often too difficult to play, or they don’t stay in tune, making them poor choices. This guide shows you several low-cost guitars for children, which are easy to play and sound great.
F
ender CD-60S Dreadnought
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Size: 42.5 x 20.7 x 6.1 (box)
- Weight: 8lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation
- Material & finish: Solid spruce, laminated mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners looking for an easy to play guitar
The Fender CD-60S Dreadnought V2 Acoustic Guitar Pack Is the perfect choice for any beginner. It has a nice solid spruce top. The fingerboard has rolled edges, and the neck is easy to play with. You get plenty of sound out of the dreadnought body.
You’ll be strumming your first chords and playing your first songs in no time at all. The package comes with a strap, spare picks, and strings. You also get a free trial to Fender Play, an online lesson service.
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Accessories
✅ Sounds great
✅ Free lesson trial
❌ No hardshell case
❌ May need setup
Why I Recommend It
The Fender CD-60S Dreadnought V2 Acoustic Guitar Pack is a great choice for beginners. It has everything you need to start playing. I like the comfortable neck and tone you get out of it. You get accessories such as picks, a gig bag, strings, and a free trial of Fender Play, an online subscription lesson service.
Yamaha C40 Gigmaker Classical Acoustic
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Size: 42.5 x 20.7 x 6.1 (box)
- Weight: 9lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, DVD instructions, tuner
- Material & finish: Rosewood, mahogany, nato wood, gloss finish
- Best for: First-time beginners
The Yamaha C40 is a beginner guitar with nylon strings. These strings are easier for younger students as they don’t bite as hard into the fingers as regular steel strings do. Younger beginners won’t have as much difficulty trying to learn.
The neck of the guitar is comfortable, and it has a good sound for its price range. You get a DVD with instructions and a tuner to help get your instrument in proper tuning. This is the perfect choice for that first-time player.
✅ Nylon strings
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Low cost
✅ DVD instructions
❌ No case
❌ May need adjustments
Why I Recommend It
This guitar is a good choice because it has nylon strings, easier for children to play. I like the fact that it has an instructional DVD to help you get started. You also get a tuner to help you get the instrument in tune. The neck is comfortable, and students will be playing their first songs and learning about the fretboard in no time at all.
Epipho
ne Les Paul SL Player Pack
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Fender Alnico single-coil
- Size: 42.5 x 20.7 x 6.1 (box)
- Weight: 9 lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Case, amp, accessories, documentation
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss finish
- Best for: Young beginners that want their first electric guitar
The Gibson Les Paul is an iconic musical instrument, and even the youngest beginners can experience this guitar with the Epiphone Les Paul Pack. It comes with several accessories such as a guitar amplifier, free online lessons, picks, a tuner, and a guitar strap.
This instrument has everything that beginners need to begin playing. It features Epiphone machine heads, so it’s easy to keep the instrument in tune. Two single-coil pickups have an excellent tone. Younger students will enjoy playing this smaller-sized Les Paul-style copy.
✅ Amp
✅ Accessories
✅ Good tone
✅ Easy to play
❌ Some accessories are poor
❌ The case could be better
Why I Recommend It
This is an excellent guitar package. It has all the necessary accessories that the first-time electric guitar player will need. The guitar itself is quite decent, and it has a nice sound to it. It shouldn’t need much of a setup, and the young player will have great fun with this product.
Best Nylon String Guitar
You want an easy-to-play nylon string guitar. These instruments are perfect for first-time beginners or those that are into classical music. The nylon strings are easier to press down when you compare them to electric strings or acoustic guitar strings.
Older players may want to go with a regular steel-string acoustic, but nylon strings are the best bet for beginners that want to develop their fingers, as nylon strings reduce a lot of finger pain.
O
rtega Guitars M38CS
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Size: 42.5 x 20.25 x 5
- Weight: 7lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation
- Material & finish: Spruce, rosewood, mahogany
- Best for: Beginners and classical guitar players
The Ortega M38CS is a nice mid-range classical guitar. The nylon strings are easy on the fingers, so it’s also suitable for beginners. It features a solid spruce top along with mahogany back and sides. It has a gloss finish, which looks great.
The fretboard is made with rosewood along with the bridge. It is easy to play and also comes with a deluxe gig bag. You’ll get the sound and playability you want with this instrument.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Gigbag
✅ Solid wood construction
✅ Affordable
❌ No extra accessories
❌ No ideal for all style of music
Why I Recommend It
I recommend the Ortega M38CS as it’s a great mid-range classical guitar for beginners. It’s a solid guitar made with quality materials. You’ll get the sound and playability you want with this instrument.
Best Steel-String Acoustic Guitar
The steel-string acoustic is the most common type of guitar. Most players have at least one steel-string acoustic. There are several different types of steel-string acoustic. You can get them in the regular dreadnought size, or you can also get them with a cutaway or smaller body shape.
When you have a guitar with a cutaway, it’s easier to access the higher frets. Many steel-string guitars today also have pickup systems. This allows you to plug it into an acoustic amplifier easily. They make it simple to record with or to take on stage to play live.
Martin D-28 Standard Dreadnought
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Size: 42.5 x 20.7 x 6.1
- Weight: 8 lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation
- Material & finish: Sitka, rosewood, gloss nitrocellulose finish
- Best for: Intermediate and pro guitarists that want great acoustic tone
Martin acoustic guitars are expensive, but they’re well worth the investment. The D-28 is a great steel-string acoustic guitar and has been used by legends such as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and many more. It’s one of the most famous acoustic guitars.
Martin D-28 is made with sitka spruce along with East Indian rosewood and finished with gloss nitrocellulose. The nickel open-gear tuners help stabilize the tuning. You get an excellent tone out of this guitar, and it’s perfect for many musical situations.
✅Solid wood construction
✅ Easy to play
✅ Loud tone
✅ Hardshell case
❌ Expensive
Why I Recommend It
It’s difficult to get much better than the Martin D-28. This is an exceptional acoustic guitar that has a brilliant sound, tone, and playability. You might want to get a pickup for it, so you can have the ability to plug it into an amplifier if you plan to do any recording through it. Whether you’re practicing or on stage, this is the guitar you want to own.
Best Solid-Body Electric
There are many different solid-body electric guitars. Famous companies include Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, and Jackson. The type of solid-body guitar you choose will all depend upon what you need. For example, if you’re into blues, country, or some rock, you might want to play a Fender Stratocaster with three single-coil pickups.
If you’re more into hard rock or metal, you’ll probably want a guitar with humbucking pickups such as a Gibson Les Paul. If you want to get more technical, you might want an Ibanez-style guitar with a locking nut tremolo. Whatever you decide to go with, there’s plenty of choices on the market.
Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Fender Alnico Single-coil
- Size: 42.5 x 20.7 x 6.1 (box)
- Weight: 10lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation, case
- Material & finish: Figured maple, mahogany, gloss nitrocellulose
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced players into rock music
The Gibson Les Paul 1960s version is a top-notch electric guitar. You’ll spend a lot on this instrument, but it will be something that’s going to last you a long time. It has a solid mahogany body, maple top, and a rosewood fingerboard. It comes with two Alnico V BurstBucker 61 humbucking pickups, and the controls in this instrument are hand-wired.
You get amazing tone and playability out of a Gibson Les Paul. There is not much that this guitar can’t do. It is suitable for many different styles of music, thanks to the humbucking pickups.
✅ Great pickups
✅ Solid wood
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Amazing tone
❌ Heavy
❌ Expensive
Why I Recommend It
You pay a lot for a Gibson Les Paul, but you get a lot of value for your money. The 1960s version has excellent pickups, tone, and playability. You have an instrument that is capable of handling anything that you throw at it.
The humbucking pickups are versatile, so they’re perfect for rock, blues, country, jazz, and many other guitar styles. This is an instrument that you would be proud to own.
Best Electric Semi-Hollow
The electric semi-hollow is an electric guitar that also gives you acoustic sounds. On top of the instrument, there are two large F-holes. This helps the instrument have a loud and resonant tone. Many of them come with humbucking pickups, so they’re perfect for music styles such as country, blues, rock, and jazz.
Electric semi-hollow guitars are larger than a standard solid-body electric and can be cumbersome for some people to play.
If you’re looking for an instrument that has an excellent tone, then you might want to look at an electric semi-hollow guitar. They usually sound best with a clean amplifier, although you can get distorted tones out of them.
Gretsch G2420T Streamliner
Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Tremolo: Yes
- Pickup type: Fender Alnico single-coil
- Size: 46.3 x 18 x 5.5 (Box)
- Weight: 12 lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation
- Material & finish: Laminated maple, nato wood, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced players that want big sound
The Gretsch G2420T Streamliner is an excellent mid-range semi-hollow guitar. It has great Broad’Tron BT-2S humbucking pickups, which have good sound and tone.
You get a Bigsby tremolo system and an Adjust-Matic tailpiece. The machine heads are die-cast and help keep the tuning stable. It is capable of many acoustic and electric tones, thanks to the F-holes on the top.
✅ Bigsby tremolo
✅ Humbucker pickups
✅ Big tone
✅ Nice neck
❌ No Case
❌ Heavy
Why I Recommend It
The Gretsch G2420T Streamliner is an excellent semi-hollow guitar that has a great tone. It has a big sound which is perfect for chording. It’s best for jazz, blues or rockabilly. The pickups sound great, and the Bigsby tremolo is an added extra.
Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The acoustic-electric guitar is an acoustic guitar that has a pickup and preamp system. Usually, the preamp system is located on the side of the guitar or inside the soundhole. The system requires a battery to power it. In some cases, they may also have a built-in tuner.
This type of guitar is ideal if you want to do some quick recording for playing on stage. They are easy to plug into an amplifier. They come in a wide range of price ranges, so you should be able to find one that meets your budget. You will need an acoustic amplifier to use one of these instruments if you want to amplify it.
Taylor 214ce DLX Grand Auditorium
- Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5″
- Frets: 21, narrow tall
- Pickup type: Taylor
- Size: 42.5 x 20.7 x 6.1
- Weight: 9 lbs.
- What’s included in the box: Documentation
- Material & finish: Sapele wood, mahogany, sitka spruce, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced players
The Taylor 214ce DLX Grand Auditorium is a top-notch acoustic-electric guitar. It has a nice cutaway, so you can reach the higher frets. The electronic features a top-grade Taylor pickup, which has great tone and sound.
The Grand Auditorium size makes it easy to hold for many musical styles. It is made with sitka spruce on the top and has rosewood for the back and sides, which give exceptional resonance. The wood is layered to resist changes when exposed to humidity. Overall, this is a top choice for any player.
✅ Layered wood
✅ Good pickup
✅ Big sound
✅ Easy access cutaway
❌ A little expensive
❌ No included accessories
Why I Recommend It
The Taylor 214ce DLX Grand Auditorium has the tone and reliability that you need. It has a great pickup system and a nice cutaway for intricate solos and other guitar work high up the fretboard. It will give you the performance you need wherever you play.
Best Guitar Brands
Some guitar brands are better than others. This short guide will introduce you to some of the better ones you may want to consider.
Fender Musical Instruments
Fender was founded in Fullerton, California in 1946. They produce guitars as well as amplifiers. Fender is one of the best-known guitar brands in the world. Their instruments are simple yet made to a high standard. They are popular with country and blues players. Some rock players also prefer Fender.
Gibson Guitars
Gibson was founded in 1902 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They are famous for the Les Paul guitar, one of the most iconic instruments ever made. Many rock players use the Gibson brand, which is considered the standard for that sound.
Martin Guitars
In 1833, Christian Fredrick Martin established Martin Guitars. They are the top company for high-end acoustic guitars. They have their headquarters in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Ibanez
Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. They are based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, and were founded in 1957. They produce a wide range of guitars and amplifiers. These guitars are popular with hard rock and metal players.
Taylor
Taylor is an American producer of acoustic instruments. They are located in El Cajon, California and are one of the largest producers of acoustic guitars. They were founded in 1974. Their guitars are well-known and built to a high standard.
Guitar Parts & Accessories
Your instrument has several main parts and accessories that you need to know about before you buy it. All guitars have several main parts that go into completing the guitar, while others have specialized accessories. Here is what you need to know.
Guitar Body
The guitar body is the main section of the instrument. On electrics, this is where the pickups and the other controls are.
Acoustics have a soundhole that projects the instrument’s sound from the strings. The guitar neck attaches to the body via bolts, or it is all one piece of wood.
Neck and Fretboard
The guitar neck is the playing area of the guitar. It is one piece of solid wood. Attached to the neck is the fretboard, which holds the guitar frets.
The top portion of the neck is called the headstock, which has the tuning pegs. The bottom of the neck attaches to the guitar body.
Frets
Each guitar has frets along the fretboard. These are spaced up and down the entire length of the fretboard. The strings rest against the frets, and when you press down on a string, a note sounds.
Most guitars have between 20 and 22 frets, with some electric guitars having 24 frets. After the 12th fret, the notes of the fretboard repeat.
Nut
Guitars have a nut made with different materials depending upon the model. This is located at the top of the fretboard by the headstock.
The nut goes across the length of the fretboard and has slots in it. This is where the strings sit before they are attached to the tuning pegs on the headstock.
Tuning Pegs
Both acoustic and electric instruments have tuning pegs. These are on the headstock of the instrument. The string goes through the tuning peg slot and is wrapped around, and then the tuning peg is tightened to pitch. Some guitars have what is called locking tuners, which maintain the tuning to a high degree.
Bridge
The bridge is where the strings attach to the guitar. These go up the fretboard and are then tied on at the tuning pegs. Acoustic guitar bridges have holes and a bridge pin to hold the string in place.
Nylon strings are tied on the bridge of a classical guitar. For electric guitars, strings go in through the back of the guitar or are wrapped around the bridge on the guitar top and then tied at the tuning pegs. The bridge has a slot for each string on electrics.
Tremolo System
Some electric instruments have a tremolo system. This allows the player to change the string’s pitch and create the “whammy bar” effect. Some guitars such as the Fender Stratocaster have non-locking tremolo systems.
Other instruments, such as Ibanez, have locking tremolo systems such as the Floyd Rose, which has fine-tuning pegs on the tremolo, which help keep the system in tune. Not all electric instruments have a tremolo.
Pickups
Both electric and acoustic guitars can have pickups. The two main types of pickups are single coil and humbucking pickups for electric guitar. Single coil pickups are common on Stratocaster-style instruments, while humbuckers are common on the Les Paul-style instruments.
Some guitars will have a combination of single-coil and humbuckers. Acoustic guitars usually have piezo-electric or magnetic soundhole pickups.
Controls
The electric guitar has several different electronic controls. The control setup will vary depending upon the instrument. They usually have a volume knob, a tone control, a pickup selector switch, and an input jack for the guitar cable. If an acoustic guitar is acoustic-electric, it may also have a tone control and a volume knob. It may also have an equalizer.
Strap Buttons
Most guitars have strap buttons that hold your strap in place. Some acoustic guitars require you to add a strap button as they may only ship with one.
Pickguard
Most guitars have a pickguard. This plastic piece goes on the instrument’s top and protects the finish from scratches from your pick.
Truss Rod
Inside the guitar neck is a metal piece called a truss rod. This helps keep the instrument’s neck stable against string tension.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Guitar
When looking for the best guitars to meet your needs, there are several things you have to consider. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Level of Experience
Your level of experience on the guitar will determine the type of instrument that is best for you. This short guide will help you pick out an instrument that matches your own playing ability.
Beginner Guitars
The best beginner guitar is a nylon string acoustic. These are easier on the fingers of a young student. A teenager or adult can always go with a steel-string acoustic or even an electric guitar.
The best type of beginner guitar is a student package. This is because they have everything you need in one box. You may need a few extra accessories, but you can play right away.
Intermediate Guitars
When looking for the best intermediate guitar, you have more options. Several companies, such as Gibson and Fender, have lower-cost models of their more expensive instruments for intermediate players. For example, Fender has the Squier Line, while Gibson has the Epiphone line.
You want to look for an instrument that is easy to play but a step up from your beginner guitar. If you have more money to spend, you can always go with a brand-name instrument.
Pro Guitars
The best guitar for professionals will depend a lot more upon what the player is doing in music. At this level, you have plenty of options available to you. Most players will go with brand-name instruments from well-known manufacturers such as Martin, Fender, and Gibson.
The type of music you play will also determine what you buy. For example, if you’re a blues player, you may want a Fender Stratocaster. Someone that plays hard rock might want a Gibson Les Paul or a similar instrument.
Size
Both acoustic and electric guitars come in different sizes. The common size is what we call a full-size instrument. This is suitable for a teenager or an adult. Most regular guitars you buy off the shelf are full-size instruments.
Children tend to need instruments that are smaller in size. These can include sizes such as 1/2 size and 3/4 size. These are easier to play and hold for children.
Wood
The best guitars are made from different types of wood.
Alder: This is often used for electric guitar bodies. Alder gives exceptional low-end tone and sustain.
Basswood: This wood has an excellent tone and is used in the construction of many different guitars. It has a nice mid-range response.
Mahogany: This wood is often used in the construction of the sides and backs of acoustic guitars. It has great resonance and is easy to work with.
Swamp ash: You get a bright tone and good sustain with swamp ash wood.
Koa: Some high-end acoustic guitars use koa wood. It comes from Hawaii and provides excellent balance. It is perfect for those that do a lot of finger-picking.
Maple: This wood is the standard choice for fretboards and the next of guitars. It has an excellent, bright tone and provides lots of sustain.
Rosewood: Many guitar fingerboards use rosewood in the construction. It allows for smooth playing up and down the guitar neck.
Finish
The finish on your guitar depends upon the manufacturing process the company uses. Below are common finishes used on instruments today.
Shellac: This is a natural resin. Guitar manufacturers have been using it for centuries to help protect musical instruments. It is applied with a spray or a brush. Classical instrument luthiers often use shellac to protect finishes.
Nitrocellulose: This is made from organic solvents and cellulose. Many guitar manufacturers, including famous ones such as Gibson and Fender, use it to protect their instruments. It is usually applied with a spray gun and has to be done in a well-ventilated area as the vapors are toxic. It is often used for both acoustic and electric instruments.
Polyester and polyurethane: These finishes aren’t as toxic. They dry faster and are harder when compared to nitrocellulose. They are common in the industry. The layer is hard, which offers more protection than the nitrocellulose lacquer. These finishes are often used for electric instruments.
Color
Guitar color usually comes down to individual preference. For example, I like a sunburst, and I have that on my Fender HSS Stratocaster. There is no shortage of color options, so you should find something that works for your needs.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Tone and sound depend upon several factors. The pickups on electric instruments play a large role in the sound. High-quality pickups tend to produce a better tone.
The wood used in the construction of the guitar also plays a role in the sound. High-quality, expensive wood will give you a better tone. For example, a low-cost electric guitar made with plywood will not sound as good as an electric guitar made with ash or alder.
Other factors, such as guitar size, weight, strings, and overall construction, impact the tone. Instruments from well-known manufacturers tend to sound better when compared to lower-cost guitars. This is because of the quality and craftsmanship of the parts and materials used to create the instrument.
Price
Guitars come in all price ranges. Lower-cost instruments are considered to be beginner or entry-level guitars. The next step up is the intermediate level, which costs more. Instruments at the high price range are said to be professional instruments.
Here is a little bit about the price and what you should be looking for.
Budget Guitars
A budget guitar is an instrument for a beginner or someone that doesn’t have a lot to spend. You can expect lower quality. You may have trouble tuning one of these instruments, and they don’t have the sound compared to something at a higher price point. You can expect to pay anywhere between $75-$200 for a lower cost guitar.
Midrange Guitars
Intermediate guitars are quite a step up from a beginner budget instrument. These have better sound, wood, pickups, and playability. Many guitar players will use intermediate guitars for a long time before they step up to a professional instrument. You can expect to pay anywhere between $200-$1000 for an intermediate guitar.
Top-End Guitars
Top-end guitars cost you a lot of money. This is because they are made with high-quality wood and components. You can expect any to pay anywhere between $1000 to $10,000. There is a lot of variation in the price range depending upon whether it is an acoustic guitar or electric. High-end acoustic guitars will cost a lot more than their electric counterparts.
New vs Used
You should purchase a new guitar if possible. This is because it is difficult to know what you are getting with a used instrument. Unless you know a lot about guitars, you should buy a new one. If you go with a used one, have someone who already knows how to play examine it for you.
What’s in a Guitar Box?
When you get an instrument home, several things will be in the box. Here is what you can expect to find.
Guitar Package Accessories
If you buy a guitar package, you will find the accessories that came with the guitar. This may include picks, guitar cases, strings, tuners, amplifiers, instructional books, and so on.
Tremolo Arm
If you buy an electric guitar with a tremolo system, you will get a tremolo arm in the box.
Adjustment Wrenches
You may receive adjustment wrenches such as an allen wrench to adjust the truss rod and the bridge on some guitars.
Documentation
Your guitar may ship with an instructional booklet that shows you how to use the various components.
Inspection Tag
Inside the box, you may find an inspection tag. This will indicate that the guitar went through an inspection before shipping from either the store you bought it from or the manufacturer itself.
Case
Some guitars ship with a case, so you should find this in the box along with your new instrument.
Extras
If you decide to go with a guitar package, these usually have some accessories that come with your purchase. There are several extras that you might want to pick up.
- Guitar chair: A good guitar chair makes it easy and comfortable for you while you practice.
- Music stand: You may want a music stand to hold your sheet music.
- Amplifier: You’ll want an amplifier if you have an electric guitar. Amplifiers that come with guitar packages tend to not be very good.
- Pedals: If you purchase an electric guitar, you may want some expression pedals such as a distortion or a digital delay.
- Course: You may want to purchase some online courses or lessons to help you learn to play.
- Better Case: Guitar packages usually ship with a case, but you may want to buy a better one.
Guitar Brands to Avoid
All of the guitars in this article are recommended, high-quality guitars. However, it’s good to know what to look for so you don’t get a poor quality instrument.
In general, you should avoid guitar brands that are not well-known. These are often the guitars you find in lower-cost guitar packages such as those found on many online sites. Many of these instruments are not high-quality and as a guitar teacher, I found that many of these instruments were difficult to tune.
The build quality of these instruments is not that great. They can be suitable for an absolute beginner, but you have to be careful about what you buy. Many of them might have to be set up by a guitar technician.
If possible, you should go for a well-known brand such as Gibson, Fender, Martin, Ibanez, and so on. Many of these manufacturers have lower-cost instruments that are quite affordable. For example, Fender features Squier electric guitars that are suitable for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Answers to commonly asked questions.
How Much Do Guitars Cost?
There are guitars available in all price ranges. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, this guide gives you some of the best cheap guitar options to meet your budget.
I have also indicated options for intermediate as well as advanced players. You should pick an instrument that matches your abilities. There are excellent options, no matter what you’re playing ability or level.
Average Guitar Cost
- $75-$200 (beginner)
- $200-$1000 (intermediate)
- $1000 to $10,000+ (professional)
What Are The Best Guitars?
Here are the best options from our list for today’s guitar player.
Fender American Ultra Stratocaster: Best for Blues/Rock
While the Fender Ultra Stratocaster costs more than the average Strat, it is an exceptional instrument. The noiseless pickups provide superb sound. The heel is recessed, so it’s much easier to hit the higher frets. The neck is smooth and easy to play with. It’s a Stratocaster for today’s modern player.
Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s: Best for Hard Rock
The Gibson Les Paul ’60s model is an amazing guitar. This instrument has a solid mahogany body, figured maple top, and a mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It has excellent humbucking Alnico V BurstBucker 61 pickups for a superior sound. It has everything you need in a rock guitar.
Gibson Hummingbird Sustainable Acoustic-Electric: Best for Acoustic Music
We want to take care of the environment, and this can apply to our guitars as well. The Gibson Hummingbird sustainable acoustic-electric is used with responsibly-harvested walnut.
This wood is used in the sides and back of the instrument. It has a walnut fingerboard and a bridge. The finish is clear, so the natural resonance of the wood shines through. It also includes an LR Baggs VTC pickup, so it is easy to plug into your acoustic amplifier.
Where are the Best Guitars Made?
Guitars made in the USA are usually the best. Korea and Japan also make good instruments. Chinese guitars are best avoided as they tend to be knockoffs of name brands such as Gibson.
What is the Best Sounding Guitar?
This is a toss-up between the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul on the electric guitar side. For acoustics, Martin makes exceptional guitars, but they cost a lot.
Where To Buy Guitars
There are several locations to purchase guitars from. Here is a bit about what you need to know before you make your purchase.
Amazon
Amazon is one of the better online retailers that sell musical instruments. They allow you to send products back for a full refund if you don’t like them. You get excellent prices when you shop through Amazon.
I have made many musical purchases through Amazon, and I’ve always been happy with the shipping times and customer service that I received. It’s a good place to shop because there are customer reviews, so you’ll get a good indication of the product before you make that purchase.
Online Music Retailers
Other places besides Amazon that you can purchase musical instruments from. Guitar Center is one of the better ones that you can purchase guitars from. They have a wide selection of musical instruments available. There is a 45-day satisfaction guarantee on orders.
There are other places to shop as well. Make sure you understand the policies of the company before you order. Buying musical instruments online is usually a painless process as long as you work with established providers.
Your Local Music Store
If you want a hands-on approach, visit your local music store. This can be difficult in smaller towns where you don’t have access to these locations. In that case, it’s better to read reviews online, and then you can purchase through an online store. If you shop at a retail location, take someone that understands musical instruments if you are a new buyer.
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Table of Contents
- Acoustic Guitars
- About Guitars
- Types of Guitars
- Electric Guitars
- The Best Guitars Overall
- Best Beginner Guitars
- Best Intermediate Guitars
- Best Guitars For Professionals
- Best Cheap Guitars
- Best Guitars For Kids
- Best Nylon String Guitar
- Best Steel-String Acoustic Guitar
- Best Solid-Body Electric
- Best Electric Semi-Hollow
- Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Best Guitar Brands
- Guitar Parts & Accessories
- Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Guitar
- What’s in a Guitar Box?
- Electric Guitar Accessories
- Guitar Brands to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Acoustic Guitars By Music Type
- In Conclusion
In Conclusion
I hope you found this guide to the best guitars helpful. Playing guitar is something I enjoy doing every day. Today, there is a wide range of choices on the market, so finding those good instruments is a little bit difficult without a solid guide.
I hope the information here has given you the tools you need to pick that special guitar. Please share this article with others in your social media circle and leave your comments, as we welcome them.