Cheap guitars

As a beginner, you want a good guitar that plays well, sounds good and is comfortable. The trouble is that until you get your first record deal, you probably have a pretty tight budget. Now, as a beginner, you do not need a top of the line guitar. But you can get a decent guitar at a fair price that works for you and here are a few that we have come across.

First thing you are going to notice is that there are many different brands available. The most notable, of course, are Gibson and Fender. Both companies make quality instruments at differing levels of affordability, depending on what you call affordable.

For a Gibson guitar, the low end or cheap guitars start at around $500. Gibson has another division called Epiphone that specializes in low cost instruments especially for beginners. For these, you can expect a price tag as low as $199. Fender has factories in the USA as well as Japan (Squier). The standard Stratocaster (US made) runs around $895 or so. The same Strat (made in Japan) can go for as little as $249.

Some more brands to look at are Dean, Jackson, BC Rich and Danelectro for electrics. If acoustic is your thing, you can look at Takamine or Yamaha. There are other brands, but these are the ones you really want to look at seriously. They all sound good, perform well and are affordable.

The next thing you will notice is all the different body shapes available. For electrics, there is the Fender Strat, the Fender Telecaster, Gibson’s Les Paul as well as the SG. Acoustics mainly have a shape called a dreadnought, but several sizes are available. These here are the main ones that everyone knows, yet there are a plethora of others out there. BC Rich and Jackson, for example, are both noted for their eclectic body shapes like the Warlock, the Beast, Jackson’s Rhoads series and Soloist models.

Materials are the last step in the selection of the first guitar. Many materials are used in guitar construction. The body is usually a type of wood like ebony, oak or basswood. Fretboards are basically either basswood or maple, yet exotic woods can be used for this.

Whatever material is used, the resonance is the difference. Each material has it’s own sound qualities. Some resonate better than others, some sustain tone better and some are simply lighter weight.
The only other consideration is construction methods, but we won’t go into all that here, except to mention the neck joint, which is either bolt-on (standard) or neck-thru (best).

With all of that to think about, it almost seems overwhelming, I know. So let me help you make a list to assist your selection.
1. What type of music do you want to play? For folksy type music, you may want to go acoustic, whereas if you are a potential rock star, a Warlock or SG. For blues, A Stratocaster may be the way to go.
2. Electric or acoustic? See above.
3. How much do I want to spend? This is most likely your biggest concern at first. Decide beforehand how much money you are able to spend, then stick to it.

Now go to a music store and play a few guitars. If you are looking for an cheap acoustic guitar, play all the different sizes. Do not be afraid to ask the sales clerk for help. Explain that you are just starting out and want to check out the acoustics in all sizes. What you are looking for is comfort, playability and how the neck fits your fret hand. You want to be comfortable holding the instrument as well.

If you are looking for an cheap electric guitar, you want to look at the guitars they have on hand. Remember that this will be the instrument you will play for a couple of years, at least. You need to like it and it needs to fit you as well. Pick the ones you like and play them. You don’t need to whale on ‘em. Just hold it, play it and get to know it a bit.

The most important thing here is to be comfortable and be sure the guitar fits your style of play as well as your taste. When you get the right one in your hands, you’ll know it, so don’t be in a hurry. Take your time and select the right one the first time.