Buying your first guitar should be exciting, but for most beginners, it's stressful. There are hundreds of options at every price point, conflicting advice from every corner of the internet, and a real fear of spending money on the wrong thing. I've helped dozens of students navigate this decision here in Orlando, and I've seen every mistake in the book — so let me save you the trouble.
This beginner guitar buying guide will walk you through everything you need to know: what type to buy, how much to spend, what to look for, where to shop, and which accessories are actually essential versus which ones can wait.
Acoustic vs. Electric: Which Should You Start With?
This is the first question everyone asks, and the short answer is: whichever one makes you want to play.
If you dream of strumming singer-songwriter songs around a campfire, get an acoustic. If you want to play rock riffs and blues solos with distortion, get an electric. The "right" choice is the one that excites you enough to practice every day.
That said, here are some practical differences:
Acoustic guitars are self-contained — no amp needed, grab it and play anywhere. The strings are a bit harder on beginner fingers (steel string acoustics, specifically), and the neck is usually wider. But the simplicity is a real advantage: there's nothing to plug in, no knobs to figure out, no extra gear to buy.
Electric guitars have thinner necks and lighter strings, which can be easier on your fingers. You'll need an amplifier (adding to the cost), but you can also practice unplugged or through headphones. Electrics are more versatile tone-wise and arguably more fun for beginners who want to experiment with effects and sounds.
Classical/nylon string guitars have soft nylon strings that are the gentlest on fingers. The neck is wider, and the sound is warmer and more mellow. These are great for classical music, fingerpicking, and very young beginners.
I have a more detailed comparison in my post on acoustic vs electric guitar for beginners — but for the purpose of buying your first instrument, go with what inspires you. You can always add a second guitar later.
How Much Should You Spend?
Budget is the second-biggest concern, and I want to give you honest numbers.
The Sweet Spot: $200-$400
This is where I recommend most beginners land. In this range, you'll find guitars from reputable brands that are well-built, stay in tune, play comfortably, and sound genuinely good. You're not paying for premium tone woods or handcrafted details — you're paying for a functional, reliable instrument that won't fight you as you learn.
Budget Tier: $100-$200
You can find playable guitars here, but you need to be more careful. Some budget guitars have poor quality control — uneven frets that cause buzzing, necks that warp, tuning machines that slip. If you go this route, try before you buy, or buy from a retailer with a good return policy.
Don't Spend More Than $500 on Your First Guitar
I know it's tempting to invest in something "nice" from the start. Resist that urge. You don't yet know what you like — what neck shape feels comfortable, what body size suits you, what tone you prefer. Spending $800 or more on your first guitar means you're making an expensive decision based on zero experience.
Buy something solid in the $200-$400 range, play it for six months to a year, and then — once you actually know what you want — upgrade with intention.
Electric Guitar Budget Note
If you're going electric, factor in the cost of an amplifier. A small practice amp runs $50-$150. Some brands sell starter packs that bundle a guitar, amp, cable, picks, and a strap for $200-$350. These bundles are often a reasonable deal for complete beginners who want everything in one purchase.
What to Look for in a Beginner Guitar
Whether you're shopping in a store or ordering online, here are the things that actually matter for a first guitar.
Comfortable Neck
This is the most important physical factor. The neck should feel comfortable in your hand. Not too thick, not too thin, not too wide. The frets should be smooth — run your hand along the edge of the neck and make sure there are no sharp fret ends poking out.
If you have smaller hands, look for guitars with a narrower neck profile. If you have larger hands, a wider neck might feel better. There's no universal "best" — it's about what fits you.
Stays in Tune
A guitar that won't stay in tune is a guitar that will drive you crazy and make you want to quit. When you're testing a guitar, tune it up, play for a few minutes, and check the tuning again. Some drift is normal (especially with new strings), but if it goes wildly out of tune in five minutes, that's a red flag.
The tuning machines (the knobs on the headstock) should turn smoothly and hold their position without slipping.
No Buzzing
Play each string at several frets and listen for fret buzz — a rattling sound that happens when the string vibrates against a fret it shouldn't be touching. A little buzz on the lowest frets is common and often fixable with a simple setup adjustment. But excessive buzzing across the neck indicates a problem with the fret leveling or neck relief.
Reasonable Action
"Action" is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. High action makes the guitar harder to play because you have to press harder to fret notes. Low action makes it easier but can cause buzz if it's too low. For beginners, medium-low action is ideal — easy to play, minimal buzz.
Most guitars can have their action adjusted (a guitar tech or luthier can do this for $30-$60), so this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but it's worth checking.
New vs. Used
Used guitars can be excellent value. A well-cared-for $400 guitar selling for $200 used is a smart buy. But if you're a beginner, you may not know how to spot issues — neck warps, worn frets, truss rod problems, electronics issues on electrics.
My recommendation: if you have a guitarist friend who can come shopping with you, used is a great option. If you're on your own, buying new from a reputable brand gives you more peace of mind and usually a return policy.
If you do buy used, check online marketplaces like Reverb (which is guitar-focused and generally more reliable for instruments than general marketplace sites), local music shops that sell used gear, and community boards.
Where to Buy
Local Music Shop (My Top Recommendation)
For your first guitar, nothing beats walking into a local music shop and trying instruments in person. You can feel the neck, hear the tone, and get advice from staff who (usually) play guitar themselves. Many shops will do a free setup on new purchases, which ensures you're leaving with a guitar that plays well.
Here in Central Florida, we're lucky to have several solid independent music shops. If you're in the Orlando area and need a recommendation, ask me at your next lesson — I'm happy to point you in the right direction.
Big Box Music Retailers
Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and similar chains have huge selections and competitive prices. The experience depends heavily on the staff at your location. Some are incredibly helpful; others are just pushing whatever's on sale. Either way, the return policies are usually generous.
Online
Buying online can work, especially if you know exactly what model you want. Sweetwater, Amazon, and Reverb are popular options. Sweetwater stands out for excellent customer service and free professional setup before shipping.
The downside of online is obvious: you can't try it before you buy it. For a first guitar, I really prefer the in-store experience. But if you live somewhere without good music shops, online with a solid return policy is a reasonable alternative.
Essential Accessories
You've got the guitar. Now here's what else you actually need — and what can wait.
Must-Have From Day One
- Tuner — A clip-on tuner ($10-$20) is the easiest option. You can also use a free tuner app on your phone, but a clip-on is more reliable and always ready. You will use this every single time you play.
- Picks — Buy a variety pack with different thicknesses ($3-$5). Medium picks (0.73-0.88mm) are the standard starting point. You'll lose picks constantly, so buy more than you think you need.
- Extra strings — Strings break. It happens. Have a backup set so you're not stuck waiting for a delivery. For acoustic beginners, light gauge (0.012) strings are easier on the fingers. For electric, 0.009 or 0.010 gauge.
- Strap — If you ever plan to stand while playing (or even sit with the guitar securely), a basic strap is essential. $10-$20 for something functional.
Nice to Have Soon
- Gig bag or case — Protects your guitar during transport and storage. A padded gig bag ($30-$50) is fine for most beginners. You don't need a hard case unless you're traveling frequently.
- Capo — A clamp that changes the key of the guitar. Once you start learning songs, you'll need one constantly. A decent capo costs $15-$25.
- Guitar stand or wall hanger — Keeping your guitar visible and accessible makes you more likely to pick it up and play. A basic stand is $10-$15.
Can Wait
- Effects pedals (electric only) — Fun, but not necessary when you're still learning chords.
- Slide, finger picks, specialty accessories — Wait until you need them for a specific purpose.
- A second guitar — One is plenty for now.
Brands Worth Considering
I'm not going to give you a definitive "buy this exact guitar" recommendation because comfort is personal and inventory changes. But here are brands that consistently deliver quality at beginner price points:
Acoustic: Yamaha (the FG series is legendary for beginners), Fender (FA series), Taylor (Academy series, slightly pricier but excellent), Epiphone, Alvarez.
Electric: Squier by Fender (the Classic Vibe series punches well above its weight), Epiphone by Gibson, Yamaha Pacifica, Ibanez (GRG/GIO series).
Classical/Nylon: Cordoba, Yamaha (C40 is a standout budget pick).
Yamaha, in particular, deserves a special mention. Their beginner instruments across the board are some of the most consistently well-built, well-intonated guitars at any price point. If you're overwhelmed by choices, a Yamaha in the $200-$300 range is a safe bet.
What NOT to Do
Don't Buy the Cheapest Guitar on Amazon
That $50 guitar with 4.2 stars and 10,000 reviews? Many of those reviews are from people who have never played guitar before and don't know what "good" feels like. Ultra-cheap guitars frequently have poor intonation (they can't be tuned accurately across the neck), terrible action, and hardware that falls apart. A guitar that fights you at every step will make you want to quit — and you'll blame yourself instead of the instrument.
Don't Let Someone Else Choose for You
Well-meaning family members often buy guitars as gifts based on looks or price alone. If someone wants to gift you a guitar, ask them for a gift card to a music shop instead. You need to hold it, play it, and feel how it fits you.
Don't Overthink the Tone
Beginners obsess over tone — the specific sound quality of the guitar. Here's the truth: at your stage, differences in tone between similarly priced guitars are marginal, and your technique will affect your sound far more than the guitar's wood species or pickup configuration. Pick the guitar that feels good in your hands. Tone refinement comes later.
Don't Skip the Setup
A "setup" is when a guitar tech adjusts the action, intonation, and neck relief to make the guitar play its best. Many new guitars, especially in the budget range, come from the factory with mediocre setups. Spending $40-$60 on a professional setup can transform a good guitar into a great-playing guitar. Ask at the music shop — many include a setup with purchase.
My Recommendation for Students
When students ask me what to buy for their first guitar, I keep it simple: get a Yamaha or Squier in the $200-$350 range from a local shop. Play a few, pick the one that feels most comfortable, and have the shop set it up for you. Buy a tuner, picks, extra strings, and a strap. That's it.
You'll have a guitar that plays well, sounds good, and won't hold you back as you learn. When you've been playing for a year and actually know what you want, then we'll talk upgrades.
If you're in the Orlando area and about to buy your first guitar, bring it to your first guitar lesson and I'll make sure it's set up properly and comfortable for you to play. And if you haven't started lessons yet, get in touch — we'll get you playing on whatever guitar you've got.