Guitar Buying Guide: How to Choose Your First (or Next) Guitar

Choosing a guitar - whether it’s your first or your fifth - is one of the most exciting and overwhelming decisions in your guitar journey. The market is flooded with options at every price point, each manufacturer promising the best sound, playability, and value.

Here’s the practical guide to choosing the right guitar without overthinking, overspending, or under-buying.

Step 1: Acoustic or Electric?

This is the first decision, and it’s simpler than you think:

Choose Acoustic If:

You want to play singer-songwriter, folk, country, or pop
You want an instrument that works anywhere (no amp needed)
You prefer a simpler setup (just the guitar)
Budget is tight (no amp to buy separately)

Choose Electric If:

You want to play rock, blues, metal, jazz, or funk
You’re excited about effects, amps, and shaping your tone
You have sensitive fingers (electric strings are lighter)
You want to practice quietly (electric unplugged is nearly silent)

The Truth

Either works for any beginner. You’re not locked in forever. Many players own both eventually. Pick whichever excites you more - excitement drives practice.

Step 2: Set a Budget

The Budget Ranges

Budget	What You Get
Under $100	Toy-grade. Avoid. Bad playability discourages learning.
$150-250	Solid beginner instruments from reputable brands. Sweet spot for first guitars.
$300-500	Great quality. Professional-level playability with good tone.
$500-1000	Premium mid-range. Diminishing returns begin above $500 for beginners.
$1000+	Professional grade. For experienced players who know exactly what they want.

Recommendation: Spend $150-300 on your first guitar. Cheap enough that it’s not a huge financial risk, expensive enough to play well and sound good.

Step 3: What to Look For

Acoustic Guitar Checklist:

Body size: Dreadnought (full, loud), Concert (smaller, comfortable), Parlor (smallest)
Top material: Solid top (better sound) vs laminate (cheaper, more durable)
Action: String height should be comfortable (not sky-high)
Neck feel: Comfortable in YOUR hand
Tuners: Should hold tune reliably

Electric Guitar Checklist:

Body style: Stratocaster-type (versatile), Les Paul-type (warmer), Telecaster-type (twangy)
Pickups: Single-coil (bright, jangly) vs humbucker (thick, warm)
Scale length: 25.5” (Fender-type, tight) vs 24.75” (Gibson-type, looser feel)
Neck profile: C-shape (most common), D-shape (thinner), V-shape (vintage)

Step 4: Recommended Beginner Guitars

Acoustic

Yamaha FG800 ($200): The gold standard beginner acoustic. Solid top, great intonation, reliable.
Fender CD-60S ($200): Solid spruce top, easy-to-play neck.
Taylor Academy 10 ($400): Premium feel at a mid-range price. Excellent playability.

Electric

Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster ($400): Best value Strat under $500.
Epiphone Les Paul Standard ($400): Classic LP tone and feel.
Yamaha Pacifica 112V ($300): Incredibly versatile, great quality control.
Squier Affinity Telecaster ($250): Simple, reliable, great tone.

Classical (Nylon String)

Yamaha C40 ($150): Standard beginner classical.
Córdoba C5 ($250): Step up in quality and tone.

What NOT to Do

1. Don’t Buy the Cheapest Guitar You Can Find

Sub-$100 guitars often have manufacturing defects - high action, sharp fret edges, poor intonation - that make learning harder than it should be.

2. Don’t Spend $1000+ on Your First Guitar

You don’t yet know what features matter to you. A $200 guitar that’s professionally set up plays better than an expensive guitar with poor setup.

3. Don’t Buy Based on Looks Alone

A gorgeous guitar that sounds bad or plays uncomfortably will collect dust.

4. Don’t Skip the Setup

Budget $40-60 for a professional setup after purchase. Even new guitars benefit from action adjustment, intonation check, and string change.

Buying New vs Used

New Advantages:

Warranty and return policy
Known condition
Latest models

Used Advantages:

30-50% cheaper for same quality
Can find discontinued gems
Pre-played guitars can be “worn in” (comfortable)

Used Caution:

Check neck straightness (sight down the edge)
Check fret condition (no major grooves)
Verify tuning stability
Check for cracks or separations

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Whatever guitar you choose, set it up with Guitar Wiz from day one. Use the Tuner for precise tuning, the Chord Library for learning your first chords, and the Metronome for building rhythmic skills.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Start Learning Guitar →

FAQ

What’s the best first guitar for a complete beginner?

The Yamaha FG800 (acoustic) or Yamaha Pacifica 112V (electric). Both are reliable, well-built, and play easily.

How much should I spend on my first guitar?

$150-300 is the sweet spot. Enough for quality, not so much that it’s a risky investment.

Should I buy online or in a store?

Stores let you try before you buy and get immediate setup. Online offers wider selection and often better prices with return policies.