Electric guitar prices range from $150 to $3,000 for instruments most home players will use, with beginner models starting around $200 and mid-range professional guitars between $800 and $1,500

The price you pay depends on the brand, wood quality, electronics, and whether you buy new or used. A $200 guitar from a music store will play and sound different from a $1,200 one, but the difference is not always worth the money if you are just starting. Most people who stick with guitar buy their second instrument in the $400 to $700 range after they figure out what they actually want.

The total cost of getting started includes more than just the guitar itself. You will need an amplifier (another $100 to $500), a cable, a strap, and a tuner. Many beginners spend $400 to $600 total on guitar plus amp before they play their first song.

Key Takeaways

  • Beginner electric guitars cost $150 to $400 new, and a used one in good condition can be $100 to $200 cheaper.
  • Mid-range guitars ($500 to $1,200) hold their value better and usually have better pickups and hardware that will not wear out as fast.
  • You cannot skip the amplifier—a $150 practice amp is the minimum, and most players eventually want something in the $300 to $500 range.
  • Used guitars from established brands (Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Schecter) are safer buys than unknown brands at the same price.
  • The second guitar you buy will likely cost more than the first, because you will know what features matter to you.

What You Pay at Different Price Points

A $150 to $300 guitar is usually made of cheaper wood, has plastic hardware, and comes with basic pickups. These guitars work fine for learning, but the neck may not stay straight as well, the tuning machines can slip, and the pickups sound thin. Brands like Squier, Ibanez GIO, and Yamaha make playable beginner guitars in this range. The main risk is buying from an unknown brand on a marketplace—you might get something that is hard to play or breaks quickly.

A $400 to $700 guitar is where most players find something they actually want to keep. The wood is better, the hardware is metal and stays in place, and the pickups sound fuller. Fender's Player series, Ibanez's mid-range models, and Schecter's offerings sit here. These guitars hold up to regular playing and will not feel cheap in your hands. If you are buying your first guitar and can stretch your budget, this range gives you much more for the money than the cheapest options.

A $800 to $1,500 guitar is built with better materials throughout. The wood is selected for tone, the electronics are higher quality, and the finish lasts longer. Fender's American-made models, Gibson's standard line, and high-end Ibanez guitars are in this range. You are paying for consistency—these guitars will sound and play the same way in five years as they do today. Most working musicians own at least one guitar in this range.

Above $1,500, you are paying for brand reputation, rare wood, custom builds, or vintage status. A $2,000 Gibson Les Paul or a $2,500 custom Fender is a serious instrument, but it is not twice as good as a $1,000 guitar for most players. This tier is for people who know exactly what they want and play enough to justify the cost.

New Versus Used: Where to Save Money

A used guitar from a reputable brand costs 30 to 50 percent less than new. A Fender Stratocaster that sells for $800 new might be $500 to $600 used if it is in good condition. The catch is that you cannot return it if something is wrong, so you need to know what to look for or buy from a music store that inspects used instruments.

Check the neck by sighting down it from the headstock end—it should be nearly straight with just a tiny curve. Look at the frets for deep grooves or flat spots. Plug it in and play every fret on every string to listen for buzzing or dead spots. Ask the seller how long they owned it and why they are selling. A guitar that was played once a week for two years is safer than one that sat in a case for five years, because wood can crack when it is not played.

Music stores usually may provide used guitars for 30 days and will set them up before you buy. Online marketplaces like Reverb and eBay let you filter by condition and seller rating, but you are buying blind. If you are a beginner, a used guitar from a local music store is the safer choice.

The Amplifier Cost You Cannot Avoid

An electric guitar needs an amplifier to be heard. A small practice amp costs $80 to $150 and is loud enough for a bedroom or apartment. A mid-size amp for playing with others costs $300 to $600. A stage amp costs $800 and up. Most people buy a practice amp first, then upgrade later when they know what they want.

The amp affects your tone as much as the guitar does. A cheap amp will make even a good guitar sound thin and harsh. If you have $600 to spend on your first setup, spend $350 on the guitar and $250 on the amp rather than $500 on the guitar and $100 on the amp. You will hear the difference when ready.

Brands That Hold Their Value

Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Schecter, and PRS guitars keep 50 to 70 percent of their value when you resell them. A $1,000 Fender Stratocaster will sell for $600 to $700 used. Unknown brands or guitars from big-box retailers lose value faster because fewer people want to buy them secondhand.

If you think you might sell the guitar later, buy a brand with a strong used market. You will lose less money if you decide guitar is not for you, and you will have more options when you want to upgrade. Vintage guitars (more than 20 years old) from major brands sometimes gain value, but that is not a reason to buy—it is just a bonus if it happens.

Hidden Costs Beyond the Guitar and Amp

A cable costs $10 to $30. A strap costs $15 to $50. A tuner costs $15 to $40. A gig bag or hard case costs $50 to $200 depending on how much protection you want. Strings cost $5 to $15 per set and last two to four months with regular playing. A stand costs $20 to $60.

These add up to $150 to $400 on top of the guitar and amp. Many beginner packages include a cable, strap, and tuner, which saves money but the quality is usually poor. Budget for replacing the cheap cable and tuner within a year. A hard case is worth the money if you move the guitar around; a gig bag is fine if it stays in one place.

When to Buy Your Second Guitar

Most players who stick with guitar buy a second one within two years. By then you know whether you like the feel of a Stratocaster or a Les Paul, whether you want a thinner or thicker body, and what kind of pickups sound right to you. Your second guitar is usually more expensive than your first because you are not learning anymore—you are buying what you actually want.

The first guitar teaches you what matters. The second guitar is the one you keep. Do not spend $1,500 on your first guitar hoping it will be the one—spend $400 to $600, learn what you like, and upgrade when you know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I learn on a cheap $150 guitar?

Yes, but it will be harder. A cheap guitar has a higher action (strings sit farther from the fretboard), which makes your fingers hurt more and makes it harder to press the strings down cleanly. If the neck is not straight, some frets will buzz. You can learn on it, but a $300 to $400 guitar will make practicing less painful and sound better, which keeps you motivated.

Is a used guitar a good deal if I cannot inspect it in person?

It depends on the seller. Reverb and eBay have buyer protection, so you can return it if it is not as described. Music stores that sell used guitars online usually have a return window and will describe damage honestly. Avoid private sellers on Facebook Marketplace unless you can meet in person. The risk of getting a guitar with a cracked neck or dead electronics is not worth saving $100.

Do I really need a $300 amp or can I use a cheap one?

A cheap amp will sound thin and tinny no matter what guitar you plug into it. If you have $100 to spend on an amp, spend it on a used mid-range amp instead of a new cheap one. A used $200 amp will sound better than a new $100 amp. Your tone matters more than being brand new.

What is the difference between a $600 guitar and a $1,200 guitar?

Better wood, better pickups, better hardware, and better resale value. A $1,200 guitar will stay in tune longer, sound fuller, and last longer without needing repairs. A $600 guitar is perfectly playable, but you might want to upgrade the pickups or tuning machines after a few years. If you play every day, the $1,200 guitar is worth it. If you play once a week, the $600 guitar is enough.

Should I buy a package deal that includes the guitar, amp, and cable?

Package deals are cheap because the amp and cable are low quality. You will replace them within a year. It is better to buy the guitar separately from a music store and the amp separately so you can choose both. You will spend $50 to $100 more upfront but end up with gear you actually want to use.