What guitar should i buy to learn

If the guitar has a bow or back bow, it can make playing the guitar more difficult, especially for beginners. If you're unsure of how to check your guitar's neck relief, ask a professional. They should be able to check and identify any potential problems with your guitar neck, and make corrections as needed.

The action of a guitar or bass is how the strings relate to the fretboard. Check The action is something that can be adjusted pretty easily, but if the strings are super far from the neck at the point where the neck and body of the guitar meet or the neck is noticeably curved, it might be an instrument to pass up. That doesn't necessarily mean that brand or model are flawed, just that the individual instrument may already have some problems. If the guitar sounds all right and the action doesn't look way out of whack, see if you can comfortably reach the entire fretboard.

Run your finger along each side of the neck to see whether you can feel any of the ends of the metal frets sticking out. If you feel some that aren't level with the wood, it doesn't mean the instrument is garbage or that brand or model are no good, but you can probably find another guitar or bass that doesn't already have that problem.

Frets that aren't level with the wood can be fixed, but there's no reason to deal with that if you're buying a new instrument. If you're looking at an electric guitar, get it plugged into an amp and toggle all the switches and turn all the knobs a few times.

If you hear any crackling sounds, it means some of the internal electronics may be a little dirty. Again, that's a fixable problem, but not something you want to hear a few minutes after your kid plugs it in for the first time. Another of the same brand and model will probably be fine, if you're looking at what you think is a good style and price point. Buying a used guitar can be a great way for a young player to move up to a pro-level instrument.

High-end guitars will age well if cared for, and there are a lot of professional musicians using fifty to sixty year-old classic models from manufacturers like Fender and Gibson.

So when buying a starter guitar, new may be the safest route. If your student is highly motivated and big enough to play a full size guitar, you may want to invest in a new instrument from a trusted manufacturer. By buying new you will get:. The advantages of a used guitar can include:. Incorrect guitar sizes can affect your ability to play, and young students can struggle with full-size guitars due to the width of the guitar neck, heavier weight, the wider spacing of the frets, and may be unable to play all the notes.

Several guitar manufacturers make small scale guitars, and these can be great options for young students who are just starting out. Generally, our experts recommend a half-size guitar for ages 5 - 7, a three-quarter size guitar for ages , and full size guitar for ages 11 and up.

These recommendations are based off the average heights for these age ranges, so you may need another size depending upon the height of your child. These scaled down models are easier to play for young students because the neck is shorter, making them short scale guitars.

Scale length is the measurement of the string length between the nut and saddle. Basically, this is the part of the string that vibrates when played. A scale length of 25 to Anything between Because all scale lengths use the same strings, a shorter scale guitar will have less tension on the strings when tuned. This makes the strings easier to fret for a younger student. There are lots of great options for a first guitar that are inexpensive and totally decent. If cost is your main consideration, you can still give your budding musician a good starter guitar they'll feel good about bringing to band practice.

If your kid is ready for something a little more serious, there are a lot of possibilities for which guitar to buy. Both brands have a range of options for first-time players, such as starter packs that include a guitar, amp, cable, and all the trimmings that will get your kid plugged in and ready to shred the classics for a couple hundred bucks and change. There are other guitar makers competing at the same price point, and many are making instruments of comparable quality.

Read up on online reviews and feel free to give us a call if you'd like input. As a buyer, you may not want to purchase an expensive instrument for a beginner who is just learning the guitar, but if you take a step up the cost scale there are enough options to make your head spin. Some lesser known brands, such as Gretsch and Schecter, also offer guitars with unique looks and sounds. All of these brands have good reputations for making quality instruments, but the most important thing is whether the guitar inspires the student and makes them want to play.

In fact the bridge humbucker will surprise some; it's beefy without being too midrange heavy, and features a coil-split - which essentially transforms its bridge humbucker into a single coil - for increased versatility.

The solo single-coils impress - there's plenty of percussion and with a little mid-range beef added from an amp, these get you to the correct Texas toneland. Neck and middle combined produces a fine modern Strat-like mix - the added brightness will cut through a multi-FX patch nicely.

Read the full Yamaha Pacifica V review. The original Fender Mustang is something of a cult classic. It was loved by alternative bands and players - including Kurt Cobain - in the '90s for its short scale, affordability and potential for modding. The Bullet Mustang is the most affordable version of the model yet. This, combined with its inch scale length, makes it a great choice for beginners. The two humbuckers are the most obvious departure from the original, providing angular grit in the bridge position and a pleasing, earthy warmth in the neck.

The bolt-on maple neck and six saddle hardtail bridge feel reassuringly rigid, while the tuners did a sterling job in our tests of holding their pitch without too much hassle. The Streamliner concept is simple: to create more affordable Gretsch guitars without losing their specific DNA. This particular example is a semi-hollow design, which means it puts out more volume when unplugged and offers an earthier, less aggressive tone than a solidbody design when plugged into an amp, which is great for blues and country music.

It does, however, have a slightly thicker neck than the other electric guitars in our guide, so it's not one of the best guitars for small hands. The G's construction gives a different response and resonance to other new releases from Gretsch and, with these pickups, moves further from the Gretsch sound, approaching the character of Gibson's classic ES design.

The beefier Broad'Tron humbucker pickups broaden the sonic potential, while staying close to the classic iconography. Read the full Gretsch G Streamliner review.

Aimed at guitarists taking their first steps in rock, this Slash-approved beginner model certainly offers the look of the Guns N' Roses guitarist's preferred instrument. It also features two of Epiphone's exceedingly powerful Ceramic Plus humbuckers; plus, built into the bridge pickup ring is a Shadow E-Tuner, activated via a small push- button on the ring — it's incredibly useful for first-timers to have a tuner close to hand at all times. The string height is plenty low for beginners, and the pickups are high-output enough for a decent rock guitar tone, even though the neck pickup is a little dark and underwhelming.

However, any misgivings you may have will be more than washed away by the great price. The Ed Sheeran-favoured Little Martin has a shorter scale length than many of the other acoustic guitars in this guide, which makes it one of the best guitars for small hands. It does feel a little industrial, but from the first strum its more conventional spruce-top voice will have you captivated.

It's serious fun. The material may be man-made, but the fingerboard and bridge look like dense ebony, while the dark-hued HPL back and sides ape a dark, rich mahogany, giving it a classy feel. Like its acoustic voice, the Martin sounds very 'conventional' plugged in and that's no bad thing, especially for beginners. It's really easy to dial in, making it open-mic ready — when the time comes! This is, after all, a brand which produces guitars that cost as much as a family car.

The GS Mini is small enough for anyone to feel comfortable with, yet produces the kind of tone that will make your knees go weak. Build quality and overall playability is superb, making this the perfect guitar for anyone, no matter where they are in their playing career.

Read the Taylor GS Mini review. The entry model of the Classic Design Series is a good reminder of just how much guitar you can get for your money at the more affordable end of the market. The CDS's action is great out of the box, too. The mid-character of mahogany is certainly here, bringing some meat to a brightness usually associated with spruce tops.

Why should new players settle for just okay when they need to be comfortable and inspired? This affordable model from guitar giant Yamaha is a typically classy, clean acoustic build with a matt finish that gives a lived-in working guitar appearance.

There's little ornamentation, the fingerboard dots are small and lack contrast but the white side dots are clear and bright — great for beginners. The three-piece neck, with a roomy full C profile, immediately engages. The tuners are quite generic but more than up to the job, while the nut and compensated saddle are well cut with a sensible, get-on-with-the-job string height. Well, the FGM ticks those boxes and some. Read the full Yamaha FGM review. First and foremost, the choice you need to make when choosing a beginner guitar is whether you want to go acoustic or electric.

Most obvious is the sound; acoustic guitars are designed to work without amplification. This means they are much louder, and require no extras to work. Plug one into an amplifier, however, and everything changes.

There are a few key factors you should consider if you're looking to start your guitar journey on an acoustic. Perhaps the most important is body shape. Larger body guitars are great for strummers or those wanting to fit into a band, as they produce a much louder, full sound with pronounced bass tones. The downside is that the bigger body size means they can be uncomfortable and cumbersome, particularly to less experienced, younger or smaller players.

However, if you want to play fingerstyle, or have no intention of joining a band, then this probably won't concern you. The X bracing design is intended to aid resonance, which certainly rings out. Construction is rugged and the guitar stays reliably in tune. Conventional rather than flashy, the AD30 is a reliable allrounder.

So, if you're reading this guide it's likely you're looking for one of the best beginner acoustic guitars for you or someone you know? Here's everything you need to know to ensure you make the right choice. If you want to take an even closer look at some of the best acoustic guitars for beginners in this guide, we recently performed a group test on the Epiphone DR, Fender CDS and Yamaha FG which should help you zero in on the right guitar for you.

Smaller-bodied acoustics are easier to play, and the size makes them more portable. The most common acoustic guitar design, and the most versatile, is the dreadnought, which strikes the ideal balance between sound and playability. At the opposite end of the scale is the jumbo acoustic, which produces greater volume, and the parlour guitar, with its small body and softer tone.

Smaller still are mini or baby acoustics. Tried and tested brands in this area include Fender, Epiphone and Yamaha, and Taylor and Martin are notable brands at the more premium end. Relatively speaking, beginner guitars should be easy to play. That means looking for a low action — the height at which the strings are set above the fretboard. While aiding comfort, a smaller-bodied guitar is also easier to play, especially for younger players or smaller guitarists.

While the body of a dreadnought guitar typically joins the neck at the 14th fret, providing easier access to the higher notes, the parlour guitar typically has a join lower down at the 12th.

Once you've worked out exactly what you need from your beginner acoustic you can start to figure out your budget. You'll quickly outgrow them and you'll run into issues like poor tuning stability, less than ideal action and poor sound. Up your budget a little further and you can expect better components, improved tone and you may even get electronics as part of the package.

Tuning is typically a challenge for beginners, so guitar tuners , which ease the process and retain correct tension, are a vital accessory. If your budget is tight there are plenty of great clip-on guitar tuners on the market too. These are small, relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

You'll find examples of a variety of these types of strummers in our selection of the best acoustic guitars for beginners. Take a bitesize look at what you should consider before you buy one of the best acoustic guitars beginners:. Guitar World. Included in this guide: 1. The best acoustic guitar for beginners seeking a big brand name. Type: Dreadnought. Top: Solid Mahogany. Back and sides: Laminated Mahogany. Neck: Mahogany. Scale: Fingerboard: Rosewood.

Tuners: Chrome Die-Cast. Left-handed: Yes. Finish: Gloss. Reasons to avoid - Individual looks may put some off. Type: Medium Jumbo. Top: Solid Engelmann spruce. Back and sides: Rosewood. Tuners: Die-cast gold. Reasons to avoid - Higher-end price for a beginner guitar. Epiphone Hummingbird Studio. The best acoustic guitar for beginners who want heritage pedigree. Top: Solid spruce. Back and sides: Select mahogany. Neck: Select mahogany.