Best Beginner Electric Guitar September 2023 | Jacob Golden

Lewis Harris
  Sep 27, 2023 4:49 AM

If you're just starting on the guitar, choosing a suitable beginner electric guitar is one of the most important purchases you'll ever make. We'd all rather not have our first electric guitar collect dust in a corner unused because of a lack of inspiration to play it. Our specialists have spent years playing, purchasing, selling, and writing about electric guitars. Using our comprehensive guide to the best beginner electric guitar, you can benefit from their accumulated knowledge.

Best Beginner Electric Guitar Reviews

#1. Donner DST-100S 39 Inch Full Size Electric Guitar - Best Overall

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Donner

  • Color: Sunburst

  • Top Material Type: Poplar

  • Body Material: Poplar

  • Back Material Type: Poplar Wood

  • Neck Material Type: Maple

  • Fretboard Material Type: Purpleheart

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: H-S-S

  • String Material Type: Nickel Plated

  • Hand Orientation: Right

Product’s Highlights

The Donner DST-100W, an updated version of the original Strat design, is a surprisingly solid and satisfying instrument. The DST-100W is an inexpensive guitar that, despite its low price, is not very impressive. Even so, it's a feat for a guitar to be so modestly priced AND adequately average. HSS pickups and a 5-way selector complement the strong African basswood body and AAA Canadian maple neck with Ebony fingerboard. 

In addition to the usual Stratocaster volume, tone, and treble settings, this instrument also has a tremolo that works in just one direction. The guitar has a traditional C-shaped neck with 20 dot inlay frets, and it is available in Sonic Red, Sapphire Blue, Tidepool, or Vintage White.

The 3-pickup settings are considerably closer to my MIM Fender Strat; however, the 5-way selector switch's middle positions are almost worthless due to a reduction in power and thin tones. I believe you may be shocked by what you hear when we release our complete sample of the Donner DST-100W.

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What We Like

  • 22 copper-nickel frets

  • Portable guitar

Things to Consider

  • Plan on upgrading if you play much

#2. LyxPro 39 inch Electric Guitar Kit Bundle - Best Easy to Use

Important Specifications

  • Brand: LyxPro

  • Color: Green

  • Top Material Type: Canadian Maple

  • Body Material: Wood

  • Back Material Type: Phoenix wood

  • Neck Material Type: Maple

  • Fretboard Material Type: Canadian Maple

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: S-S-S

  • String Material Type: Nickle steel

  • Hand Orientation: Right

Product’s Highlights

A common difficulty for guitar purchasers is finding one with the ideal scale length. The overall length of this instrument is 39 inches. The length improves the guitar's usability and will help you become a better player quickly.

This guitar set includes not only a standard size 39" guitar for right-handers but also a left-handed 30" and 39" instrument. That way, if you ever need a guitar with a unique scale length or playing position, you have options.

The guitars themselves are stunning, and the outside finish is only one of many highlights. The guitar's lovely rosewood fingerboard makes for easier, longer-lasting playing.

In addition, a sleek finish decorates the guitar's bottom. The guitar's sleek coating not only enhances its visual appeal and improves your playing experience.

You won't be disappointed by the included extras in this guitar set's accessory bundle. This guitar kit includes an amplifier, a digital tuner, a strap, speakers, an amplifier cable, extra strings, and more.

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What We Like

  • Engineer wood fingerboard

  • Digital clip-on tuner added

  • Canadian Maplewood neck

Things to Consider

  • Not good quality

#3. Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar - Best For Every Use

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Epiphone

  • Color: Ebony

  • Top Material Type: Mahogany

  • Body Material: Alder

  • Back Material Type: Mahogany

  • Neck Material Type: Maple

  • Fretboard Material Type: Indian Laurel

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: H-H

  • Hand Orientation: Right

  • Guitar Bridge System: Tune-O-Matic

Product’s Highlights 

Epiphone has taken one of the most recognizable guitars in history and used their shrink ray to create a short-scale, durable practice instrument that will inspire the next generation of rock stars. The brand new Epiphone Power Player Les Paul is equipped with a gig bag, strap, plectrums, and a guitar cable, making it ideal for beginners.

Both the Les Paul and the SG models from this brand-new range have been reimagined with scaled-down bodies and shorter 3/4+ scales. These little Epiphones, as one would imagine, include a mahogany body and neck, a pair of full-bodied humbuckers, and independent volume and tone controls.

However, they differ somewhat from the classic Les Paul design in that they have a bolt-on neck instead of the more standard set neck. The Slim Taper D shape and contoured heel of this bolt-on neck make the higher frets easier to reach than ever before.

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What We Like

  • Surprisingly good pickups

  • Great finish options

  • Perfect size for young players

Things to Consider

  • Too small for older players

#4. Squier by Fender Stratocaster Beginner Guitar - Best Comfortable Shape

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Fender

  • Color: Brown Sunburst

  • Body Material: Poplar

  • Fretboard Material Type: Laurel Wood

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: S

  • String Material Type: Steel

  • Hand Orientation: Right

  • Guitar Bridge System: Tremolo

  • Number of Strings: 6

Product’s Highlights,

The Squier line of guitars and basses often tops sales charts at music shops and on the web. There are a few explanations for this. The first benefit is that there are a lot of alternatives for instruments that cost well under $200. Because of this, they are within the financial reach of aspiring guitarists and established artists on a tight budget.

A large part of the brand's success may be attributed to the fact that it is owned by Fender, the most well-known guitar maker in the world. Fender's most well-known electric instruments, including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Jazz Bass, and Precision Bass, are available in more affordable Squier models. This allows young, upcoming artists who would not otherwise be able to buy such classic works access to them. Even though they don't cost as much, these guitars have a very similar tone to those made by Fender.

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What We Like

  • Three single-coil Stratocaster pickups

  • Vintage-style tremolo bridge

Things to Consider

  • Low-quality control

#5. Best Choice Products 39in Full Size Beginner Electric Guitar - Best Custom Design

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Best Choice Products

  • Color: Hollywood Blue

  • Top Material Type: Wood

  • Body Material: Wood

  • Back Material Type: hardwood

  • Neck Material Type: Maple

  • Fretboard Material Type: rosewood

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: S

  • String Material Type: Nylon

  • Hand Orientation: Right

Product’s Highlights

This electric guitar is tuned and ready to play thanks to its elegant, hand-crafted design, which converts vibrations into electric sound.

This kit has the guitar, amplifier, cable, nylon case, extra strings, pick, whammy bar, electronic tuner, and a shoulder strap with pick storage.

This new type of electric guitar has distinctive black tuning pegs and a body, and the binding is more pronounced.

The tremolo bridge mechanism and the detachable whammy bar let you rock out and explore various musical genres.

The Rosewood fingerboard and maple neck used in its custom construction translate vibrations into a robust, classic rock tone, and the instrument also has three single-coil pickups, a tremolo bridge system, and a whammy bar that can be removed and replaced with one of the same colors.

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What We Like

  • Affordable price

  • Suitable for beginners

Things to Consider

  • Not make the best sound

#6. Donner Electric Guitar LP Solid Body DLP-124B - Best Solid Basswood Body 

Important Specifications

  • Brand: Donner

  • Color: Black

  • Top Material Type: Maple

  • Body Material: Basswood

  • Back Material Type: Maple Wood

  • Neck Material Type: Maple

  • Fretboard Material Type: Laurel

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: H-H

  • String Material Type: Nickel

  • Hand Orientation: Right

Product’s Highlights

Let's discuss the tone of it now. Again, for the cost, it's not a bad deal at all. Even though they're inactive, the pickups still provide a good sound and can be turned up to a very high volume. Although many contemporary drummers may like this, you should not expect to play this guitar in the same room as the drummer without him hearing it. However, playing it downstage left or right during your solos should work just fine.

The Donner DLP-124B sounds great both undistorted and when distorted. I do, however, since a minor absence of bass response in the lower registers. Presence-wise, it's there; nevertheless, even with the bridge pickup's tone control turned all the way up, it still lacks a certain something. If you're not a bass player, this may not seem a significant concern, but it may be if you want to make it your primary instrument.

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What We Like

  • Humbucker Pickups

  • 3-Ways Pickup Switch

Things to Consider

  • Cheap cable

#7. RockJam Electric Guitar Superkit RJEG03-SK-BB - Best Playability

Important Specifications

  • Brand: RockJam

  • Color: BlueBurst

  • Top Material Type: Basswood

  • Body Material: Basswood

  • Back Material Type: Basswood

  • Neck Material Type: Basswood

  • Fretboard Material Type: Basswood

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: S-S-S

  • String Material Type: Steel

  • Hand Orientation: Right

Product’s Highlights

The RockJam electric guitar kit is the best value bundle for any budding guitarist, bringing together all the essential elements needed to get you started on your musical adventure. This kit's RockJam electric guitar is a full-size model built from basswood with three single-coil pickups, a pickup selector, two tone controls, a volume control, metal gearheads for accurate tuning, and a whammy bar. A 10-watt guitar amp with volume and tone controls is included in this electric guitar package. 

It also contains a headphone jack for quiet practice sessions and a handle for convenient portability. The supplied gig bag has two carry handles and 5mm of cushioning for transporting and storing the guitar safely while it's not in use. This electric guitar bundle has a guitar strap that can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of playing techniques and make it simpler for novice players to hold the instrument. 

This set includes extra strings for your electric guitar, and a selection of guitar picks to help you rock out. This electric guitar kit is perfect for beginners since it comes with access to premium material in the Simply Guitar iOS and Android app, which is available only to RockJam customers.

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What We Like

  • Suits different playing styles

  • Two tone controls, a volume control

Things to Consider

  • The frets are rough, and it won’t stay in tune

#8. COLUBER CABLE  Electric Guitar Beginner - Best Budget

Important Specifications

  • Brand COLUBER CABLE

  • Color: Red

  • Top Material Type: Engineered Wood

  • Body Material: Wood

  • Back Material Type: Phoenix Wood

  • Neck Material Type: Maple

  • Fretboard Material Type: Engineered Rosewood

  • Guitar Pickup Configuration: S

  • String Material Type: steel

  • Hand Orientation: Right

Product’s Highlights

Discover the ideal electric guitar and amp combo for new guitarists, complete with everything you need to get started: Ritmo 6-String Tremolo Guitar, 20W Amp, Carry Bag, Shoulder Strap, Digital Tuner, Guitar Cable,  Two Picks, Additional String Set, and Two Allen Wrenches

The Ritmo set from Coluber Cable comes with a 39" electric guitar kit that has a top-notch Engineered Fretboard that plays smoothly, a Canadian Maple Neck with a low profile for better playability, and S-S-S pickups for adaptability on any genre—Blues, Metal, Funk, Rock, Country, and More.

This O20W Amplifier has an integrated speaker, a headphone jack, and an AUX input so you can connect your phone and groove along to your favorite music as you study, practice, or play with your band. You can utilize the simple Gain, Bass, Treble, Volume, & Grind settings to find your sound.

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What We Like

  • Ritmo 6-String electric guitar

  • 20W amp

  • Shoulder strap

  • Carry bag

Things to Consider

  • Amp not so much

Compare Products

TOP Choice
1
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    9.2
  • Brand
    Donner
TOP Choice
2
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    8.8
  • Brand
    LyxPro
TOP Choice
3
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    9.2
  • Brand
    Epiphone
Most Saving
4
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    9.2
  • Brand
    Fender
Most Saving
5
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    9.0
  • Brand
    Best Choice Products
Most Saving
6
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    9.0
  • Brand
    Donner
7
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    8.8
  • Brand
    RockJam
8
  • JG Score

    JG Score is measured by Jacob Golden. JG Score is objective because it can not be impacted by any manufacturers or sellers. Learn more

    8.8
  • Brand
    COLUBER CABLE

Last update on 2023-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

FAQs

Is it OK to learn electric guitar first?

Because electric guitar strings are thinner, they need less hand strength, making them ideal for beginners. Electrics often have thinner necks, making them more comfortable to hold and more manageable in length for players with little hands.

Can I play electric guitar without an amp?

Playing electric guitar without an amplifier may be done in four different ways. Any computer (Mac or Windows), iOS device (iPhone or iPad), micro-amp, or multi-effects pedal may serve as a guitar player's amp and speakers.

How long does it take to learn electric guitar?

A novice guitarist may learn to play simple songs in about a month or two with 30 minutes of practice time five days a week, whereas it will take someone practicing for three to six months to master more complex songs with technical components.

Final Words

Everyone has their own personal choice when it comes to electric guitars, and there is no universally accepted "best" model, design, or manufacturer. However, we must set our preferences aside and check that each best beginner electric guitar satisfies a few essential requirements before making any recommendations.

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