Best Electric Guitars For Beginners 2023

Embarking on the exhilarating journey of learning to play the electric guitar is like stepping into a world where melodies and riffs become your language. For beginners, the choice of the right instrument can make all the difference in transforming musical aspirations into tangible notes. 

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Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1 Electric Guitar, Vintage Sunburst
Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1 Electric Guitar, Vintage Sunburst
Mahogany neck and body; Indian Laurel Fretboard; 650R/700T Humbucker Pickups; Heavy-duty 3-way pickup selector toggle switch and non-rotating heavy duty output jack
$179.00
Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS - Lake Placid Blue Bundle with Frontman 10G Amplifier, Instrument Cable, Gig Bag, Strap, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD
Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS – Lake Placid Blue Bundle with Frontman 10G Amplifier, Instrument Cable, Gig Bag, Strap, Picks, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD
Thin and lightweight poplar body; Slim and comfortable “C”-shaped maple neck; 2-point tremolo bridge for superior tremolo action
$389.99
Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS Electric Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Black, Laurel Fingerboard
Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS Electric Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Black, Laurel Fingerboard
Designed for players seeking an affordable, stylish and versatile instrument.; Features a hardtail bridge engineered for enhanced tuning stability and sustain.

Enter the realm of electric guitars tailored for novices, where the fusion of playability, tone, and affordability creates a symphony of possibilities. Whether you’re dreaming of rocking out on stage or strumming soulful tunes in your bedroom, finding the best electric guitar for beginners is the crucial first chord in your musical odyssey. Join us as we unravel a harmonious guide to the guitars that ignite the passion of budding musicians.

Top Best Electric Guitars For Beginners Reviews

Let’s look at some of the best 5 and get into their details!

#1. Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar.

The Epiphone Les Paul series was initially crafted to provide an affordable option for enthusiasts to enjoy the excellence of this remarkable guitar without requiring a substantial financial investment. This principle remains unchanged to this day. Among the Les Paul designs available, the Epiphone Special II stands out as one of the more straightforward options, catering especially to beginners. 

Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1 Electric Guitar, Vintage…
  • Mahogany neck and body
  • Indian Laurel Fretboard
  • 650R/700T Humbucker Pickups
  • Heavy-duty 3-way pickup selector toggle switch and…
  • Tune-o-matic bridge and Stop-bar tailpiece

Constructed with mahogany and adorned with an appealing vintage sunburst pattern, it boasts a pair of 700T humbuckers—one at the bridge and another at the neck position. While these humbuckers may be considered basic, they prove more than adequate even for seasoned players and crucial recording sessions. 

What sets this guitar apart is its neutral configuration, ensuring it remains a reliable companion as your skills progress. Its sound quality is impressive, adept at handling distortion, and maintains intonation with precision. Considering its cost, the Epiphone Special II offers exceptional value that exceeds expectations.

#2. Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster.

While I make no assertion that the Squier Bullet Strat replicates the sound of Fender Stratocasters precisely, it undeniably offers a fantastic tone. The key differentiator between these guitars—specifically, the choice of tonewood—is the primary factor contributing to the reduction in both price and tonal characteristics. Squiers typically feature a basswood body, whereas Fender Strat bodies are commonly crafted from ash and alder. 

Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS – Lake Placid Blue…
  • Thin and lightweight poplar body
  • Slim and comfortable “C”-shaped maple neck
  • 2-point tremolo bridge for superior tremolo action
  • Squier humbucking bridge pickup; single-coil neck…
  • Bundle includes Frontman 10G Amplifier, Fender Gig…

Ash tends to enhance brightness in higher frequencies, while alder contributes to a richer low-end. In comparison, basswood may produce a somewhat mellowed tone across frequencies, lacking sharpness in its tonal production. Fender necks consistently exhibit a pristine and flawless quality. In contrast, Squier necks may display some imperfect frets, misaligned inlays, or a sub-optimal finish job. 

However, despite these cosmetic differences, the wood used remains the same, delivering a tone that can be considered comparable. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Squier tuners may not be as reliable as their Fender counterparts. Opting to replace Squier tuners with higher-quality alternatives represents a quick and cost-effective upgrade, providing long-term benefits that you’ll appreciate.

#3. Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster Beginner.

Embarking on the journey of learning a new instrument is a significant undertaking, and the last thing anyone wants is to lose interest after just a few lessons. The Bullet Mustang, however, is designed to captivate you with its alluring aesthetics, ease of play, and impressive sound. 

Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS Electric Guitar, with…
  • Designed for players seeking an affordable,…
  • Features a hardtail bridge engineered for enhanced…
  • Comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile.

Renowned as one of the best and most enjoyable guitars for beginners, this formidable entry-level instrument is poised to keep you motivated and entertained at every stage of your guitar-learning expedition. Its compact scale makes the Bullet Mustang an ideal choice for younger and smaller players, as well as those new to the instrument who are honing their skills and techniques. 

Despite its focus on beginners, it produces sophisticated tones that even more experienced players seeking a budget-friendly yet high-quality guitar can appreciate. Squier, the budget-friendly branch of the esteemed guitar manufacturer Fender, is synonymous with quality and innovation, and the Bullet Mustang proudly upholds this tradition.

#4. Squier by Fender Mini Strat Electric Guitar Bundle.

Our concluding review showcases another comprehensive bundle designed to expedite your journey to playing. The Fender Mini Strat stands as a slightly downsized iteration of the renowned Stratocaster, making it an ideal choice for young players and beginners. The recently revamped Mini Strat excels as a versatile guitar suitable for beginners, travelers, and individuals with smaller hands. 

Sale
Fender Squier 3/4 Size Kids Mini Strat Electric Guitar -…
  • KID-FRIENDLY SIZE: The 3/4-size body and 22.75″…
  • COMFORTABLE PLAYABILITY: The “C”-shaped maple neck…
  • VERSATILE TONE: Equipped with three single-coil…
  • STABLE DESIGN: The vintage-style hardtail…
  • EVERYTHING IN ONE BOX: Austin Bazaar bundles your…

Notable features encompass a newly slimmed-down body and a more slender neck profile, ensuring effortless playability. This compact Strat is outfitted with three single-coil Stratocaster pickups and a five-way switching system, delivering those timeless Fender tones. An included user-friendly clip-on tuner ensures your instrument stays perfectly in tune. 

A provided strap facilitates standing practice or performance, while included picks enable you to start playing right out of the box. An instructional DVD accompanies the package, offering valuable tips for mastering your new guitar. Adding to the bundle’s appeal is a polishing cloth to maintain your instrument in pristine condition.

The Mini Strat boasts enhanced tuning machines, a hardtail bridge, smaller strap pins, and a side-mounted output jack. With all these features at a reasonable price, there’s a substantial value proposition here for aspiring musicians.

#5. Pyle Beginner Electric Guitar Kit.

Once again, if you find yourself lacking any guitar-related essentials, this guitar kit has got you covered. It includes the guitar, complete with a whammy bar, extra strings, tuner, amp, strap, bag, picks, and a complimentary two-month access to online music lessons. 

Pyle Electric Guitar Kit with Amp, Full Size Instrument with…
  • DUAL HUMBUCKER PICKUPS: Humbuckers have two coils…
  • INCLUDED PRACTICE AMPLIFIER: Featuring drive…
  • HANDCRAFTED QUALITY MATERIALS: Carefully…
  • ROTARY CONTROL AND 3 WAY PICKUP SELECTOR: The…
  • FULL STARTER KIT: Features a full-scale standard…

Featuring dual humbucker pickups and a 3-way pickup selector, the guitar is crafted from paulownia, Canadian maple, and man-made wood, with a scratch-resistant glossy finish available in black, red, green, or blue. Considered by many as an excellent choice for beginners, this kit also includes a compact amp that has received positive feedback for its size. 

While overall satisfaction with the quality is high, some users expressed concerns about issues such as the guitar staying in tune, the feel of the frets, and the quality of the strings and finish.  It’s important to note that additional items like an amp, guitar bag, strap, and tuner may need to be purchased separately for some options. Generally, these kits represent the entry-level offerings from various brands, though there might be a few hidden gems in this category.

Conclusion

In the world of electric guitars for beginners, the journey concludes with a crescendo of possibilities. Each strum and chord played on these instruments carries the promise of musical exploration and self-discovery. As our fingers dance across the frets, we bid farewell to this symphony of choices, confident that the chosen guitar is more than a tool—it’s a companion in the melody of beginnings. May your musical journey be adorned with notes of joy and the resonance of progress. Keep strumming, and let the music unfold.

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