Start with the type of guitar, not the brand

The first choice is not which brand to buy—it is which type of guitar fits what you want to play. Acoustic guitars have a hollow wooden body and produce sound without amplification. Electric guitars need an amplifier to be heard at volume. Classical guitars have nylon strings and a wider neck. Each type feels different in your hands, sounds different, and costs different amounts of money.

If you want to play folk, country, or singer-songwriter music, an acoustic guitar is the standard choice. If you want to play rock, blues, or jazz, an electric guitar is what you will hear on recordings. Classical guitars are built for fingerstyle playing and classical repertoire, though some people use them for other genres. Your choice here matters more than the brand name on the headstock.

Key Takeaways

  • Acoustic, electric, and classical guitars are built for different sounds and playing styles, so choose the type first based on the music you want to play.
  • A beginner guitar between $100 and $300 will teach you to play just as well as one that costs twice as much, as long as it stays in tune and does not hurt your hands.
  • Playing comfort matters more than brand prestige—if a guitar feels wrong in your hands or hurts your fingers, you will practice less.
  • A used guitar from a local seller or pawn shop can save money and lets you inspect the instrument before you buy.
  • Budget for a tuner, a strap, and new strings before you play, because a guitar that will not stay in tune will teach you bad habits.

What to look for in a beginner acoustic guitar

For acoustic guitars, the body size and wood quality affect how the guitar sounds and how long it lasts. A full-size acoustic (dreadnought) is the standard shape and works for most players. Smaller body shapes exist for people with smaller hands or those who want a guitar that travels easily, but they cost about the same as full-size models.

Look for a guitar with a solid spruce or cedar top—the front face of the body. The back and sides can be laminated (layered plywood), which is fine for a beginner guitar and costs less. Avoid guitars where the top is also laminated; they sound thin and do not improve with age. A guitar in the $150 to $300 range with a solid top will sound noticeably better than a $100 guitar and will last through years of playing.

Play the guitar before you buy it if you can. Press down on each fret and listen for buzzing or dead spots where the note does not ring clearly. Check that the strings are not too high off the fretboard—if they are, your fingers will hurt and you will quit. A setup (adjusting the neck and bridge) costs $50 to $100 and fixes this problem, but a guitar that needs less work is a better starting point.

What to look for in a beginner electric guitar

Electric guitars come in three main body styles: solid body (the most common), semi-hollow, and hollow. Solid body guitars are the cheapest and work for rock, blues, and most other styles. Semi-hollow and hollow body guitars have a warmer, jazzier tone and cost more. For a beginner, a solid body electric in the $150 to $300 range is the right choice.

The neck should feel comfortable in your hand—not too thick, not too thin. Frets should be level and smooth. The tuning machines (the pegs at the headstock) should turn smoothly without grinding or slipping. Check that the input jack (where the cable plugs in) is solid and does not wiggle, because a loose jack will cause crackling and noise.

You will also need an amplifier. A small practice amp (10 to 20 watts) costs $50 to $150 and is loud enough for bedroom playing. Do not buy a guitar and amp as a bundle from a big-box retailer unless you have played both pieces separately—bundled gear is often low quality. Buy the guitar from a music store where you can test it, and buy the amp separately after you know what sound you want.

New versus used guitars

A used guitar is often the smarter choice for a beginner. A guitar that cost $300 new will sell used for $150 to $200 after a few years, and it will play just as well. Pawn shops, local classified ads, and Facebook Marketplace have used guitars constantly. The advantage is that you can inspect the instrument in person, play it, and walk away if something feels wrong.

When you look at a used guitar, check for cracks in the wood, especially on the top and back. Small surface cracks are cosmetic and do not affect sound. A crack that goes through the wood or runs along the grain is a structural problem and will get worse. Look inside the sound hole with a flashlight for loose bracing (the wooden supports inside the body). Twist the neck gently to see if it is bent—a bent neck is expensive to fix.

Used electric guitars are even safer to buy used because they have fewer wood-related problems. Check that the electronics work: plug it in, turn the volume knob, flip the pickup selector switch, and listen for crackling or dead zones. A guitar that needs new pickups or pots (electronic components) will cost $50 to $200 to repair, so factor that into your offer.

Budget beyond the guitar itself

The guitar is not the only thing you need to buy. A tuner costs $10 to $30 and is essential—a guitar that is out of tune will teach you to play out of tune. A strap costs $10 to $30 and keeps the guitar from falling. A capo (a clamp that shortens the strings) costs $5 to $15 and is useful for many songs. A music stand costs $15 to $40 and helps you read while you play.

New strings cost $5 to $15 per set for acoustic or electric. You should replace them when they sound dull or feel rough, usually every few months if you play regularly. A setup by a professional luthier or guitar tech costs $50 to $100 and is worth the money if the guitar does not play comfortably out of the box.

If you buy an electric guitar, add the cost of an amplifier ($50 to $150 for a beginner practice amp) and a cable ($5 to $15). A gig bag or hard case costs $30 to $150 and protects the guitar if you move it around. Budget $200 to $400 total for a beginner setup including the guitar, amp, and accessories.

Where to buy and what to avoid

Music stores (local or online) are the best place to buy a new guitar because you can play it first and return it if something is wrong. Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, and Thomann are large online retailers with good return policies. Local music stores often have used guitars and can do a setup before you take it home.

Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target sell cheap guitars that are often poorly made and hard to play. These guitars have high action (strings far from the fretboard), loose hardware, and finishes that chip easily. A $100 guitar from a music store will teach you to play better than a $100 guitar from a big-box store.

Avoid guitars with famous brand names that cost much less than they should—counterfeit guitars exist. If a Fender or Gibson is selling for half the normal price, it is probably fake. Stick with brands that have a good reputation at the price point you are buying: Yamaha, Epiphone, Squier, Ibanez, and Cort all make solid beginner guitars.

How to test a guitar before you commit

If you are buying in person, play the guitar for at least five minutes. Play open strings (strings without pressing down), then play chords and single notes. Listen for buzzing, dead spots, or notes that do not ring clearly. Press down hard on the frets to make sure the strings do not buzz when you play normally.

Check the action by looking at the gap between the strings and the fretboard. At the 12th fret (the middle of the neck), the gap should be about the thickness of a credit card for an electric guitar, or slightly more for an acoustic. If the gap is much larger, the guitar will be hard to play. If the strings buzz when you play lightly, the action is too low and the guitar needs a setup.

Hold the guitar and feel its weight and balance. Does it sit comfortably on your lap or against your body? Does the neck feel like the right thickness for your hand size? A guitar that feels wrong will discourage you from practicing, so comfort matters as much as sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy an expensive guitar as a beginner?

No. A beginner guitar between $150 and $300 will teach you to play just as well as one that costs $1,000. The difference in sound and playability is small at that price range. Spend more money only after you have played for a year or two and know what sound and feel you want.

What is the difference between nylon and steel strings?

Classical guitars use nylon strings, which are softer on your fingers and produce a warm, mellow tone. Steel-string acoustic guitars use metal strings, which are louder and brighter but hurt your fingers more at first. Electric guitars use steel strings too. Choose based on the music you want to play, not on finger pain—your fingers toughen up after a few weeks.

Can I learn on a cheap guitar?

Yes, but a guitar that is hard to play or sounds bad will make learning slower and less fun. A cheap guitar that buzzes, goes out of tune constantly, or hurts your hands will discourage you. Spend at least $150 on a guitar that plays decently, and you will progress faster and enjoy it more.

Do I need an amplifier before I buy an electric guitar?

Yes. An electric guitar without an amplifier is nearly silent and not fun to play. A small practice amp costs $50 to $150 and is loud enough for learning at home. You do not need an expensive amp—a basic solid-state amp is fine for a beginner.

What if I buy a guitar and hate it?

If you buy from a music store with a return policy, you can usually return it within 30 days for a refund or exchange. If you buy used from a private seller, you have no return option, so inspect the guitar carefully and play it for a while before you hand over money. If you buy online, check the return policy before you order.